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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported): October 8, 2021

 

 

ESS TECH, INC.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39525   98-1550150

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

 

26440 SW Parkway Ave., Bldg. 83

Wilsonville, OR

  97070
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip code)

(855) 423-9920

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

1133 Connecticut Avenue NW, Ste. 700

Washington, DC 20036

(202) 454-1100

(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 obligation 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, par value $0.0001 per share   GWH   The New York Stock Exchange
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of common stock at an exercise price of $11.50   GWH.W   The New York Stock Exchange

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) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2).

Emerging growth company  ☒

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

On October 8, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“New ESS”), f/k/a ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., a Delaware corporation (“STWO”), consummated the previously announced merger pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated May 6, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), by and among STWO, SCharge Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned direct subsidiary of STWO (“Merger Sub”), and ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ESS”) following the approval at a special meeting of the stockholders of STWO held on October 5, 2021 (the “Special Meeting”).

Pursuant to the terms of the Merger Agreement, STWO deregistered by way of continuation under the Cayman Islands Companies Act (2021 Revision) and registered as a corporation in the State of Delaware under Part XII of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Domestication”), and a business combination between STWO and ESS was effected through the merger of Merger Sub with and into ESS, with ESS surviving as a wholly owned subsidiary of STWO (together with the other transactions described in the Merger Agreement, the “Merger”). On the Closing Date, the registrant changed its name from “ACON S2 Acquisition Corp” to “ESS Tech, Inc.”

As a result of the Domestication, at the effective time of the Merger (the “Effective Time”), and subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of STWO (“STWO Class A Ordinary Shares”) converted, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of common stock of New ESS, par value $0.0001 per share (“New ESS Common Stock”), and each outstanding Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of STWO (“STWO Class B Ordinary Shares”) converted, on a one-for-one basis, into shares of New ESS Common Stock.

Following the consummation of the Domestication and the merger of Merger Sub and ESS, each share of outstanding ESS common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“ESS Common Stock”) was converted and exchanged for 1.47110014425 shares of New ESS Common Stock (the “Per Share Consideration”), plus any Earnout Stock (as defined below). All outstanding shares of ESS preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share (“ESS Preferred Stock”) were converted, on a one-for-one basis, into an equivalent number of ESS Common Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time.

No fractional shares of New ESS Common Stock were issued upon the exchange of ESS Common Stock. In lieu of the issuance of any such fractional shares, STWO paid each former ESS securityholder who otherwise would have been entitled to receive such fractional share an amount in cash, without interest, rounded up to the nearest cent, equal to the product of (a) the amount of the fractional share interest in a share of New ESS Common Stock to which such holder otherwise would have been entitled, multiplied by (b) an amount equal to the dollar volume-weighted average price of shares of New ESS Common Stock for the 20 trading days ending three business days prior to the Effective Time.

Effective as of the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger, each option to purchase shares of ESS Common Stock (an “ESS Option”) that was outstanding and unexercised as of immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into an option to acquire a number of shares of New ESS Common Stock equal to the product of (x) the number of shares of ESS Common Stock subject to the applicable ESS Option and (y) the Per Share Consideration, and is subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such ESS Option (each, an “Assumed ESS Option”). The exercise price per share of each Assumed ESS Option is equal to the quotient obtained by dividing (x) the exercise price per share applicable to such ESS Option immediately prior to the Effective Time by (y) the Per Share Consideration.

Effective as of the Effective Time and by virtue of the Merger, each restricted stock unit of ESS (an “ESS RSU”) that was outstanding as of immediately prior to the Effective Time was converted into an award of New ESS restricted stock units covering a number of shares of New ESS Common Stock equal to the number of shares of ESS Common Stock subject to the ESS RSU immediately prior to the Effective Time, and is subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to such ESS RSU.

Immediately prior to the Effective Time, there was outstanding an aggregate of 13,000,000 warrants to acquire STWO Class A Ordinary Shares at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “STWO Warrants”), comprised of (i) 4,666,667 private placement warrants (the “Private Placement Warrants”) (583,333 of which were forfeited as of the Closing Date, 3,500,000 of which vested as of the Closing Date and 583,334 of which will vest in two equal

 

2


tranches upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events (as defined below) pursuant to the Sponsor Letter Agreement (as described below)) held by ACON S2 Sponsor, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), and (ii) 8,333,333 public warrants included in the STWO units sold in STWO’s initial public offering (the “Public Warrants”). Each whole warrant entitled the holder thereof to purchase one STWO Class A Ordinary Share and, effective as of the Effective Time, now entitles the holder thereof to purchase one share of New ESS Common Stock, in accordance with its terms (the “New ESS Warrants”).

Prior to the Effective Time, to incentivize employees and other services providers of ESS that continued to serve New ESS on and following the Effective Time (“Continuing Employees”), ESS granted 824,998 ESS RSUs (the “Incentive RSU Pool”). ESS RSUs under the Incentive RSU Pool shall vest subject to the occurrence of the earnout milestone events set forth in the Merger Agreement, and the Continuing Employee’s continued service to New ESS through each vesting date. Allocations of the Incentive RSU Pool were determined by ESS in its sole discretion and were generally based on a participant’s role and expected role with New ESS on and following the Effective Time.

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, from and after the Effective Time until 54 months after the Effective Time (the “Earnout Period”), New ESS may issue to eligible ESS securityholders, on a pro rata basis, up to 16,500,000 shares of additional New ESS Common Stock (the “Earnout Stock”) less any ESS RSUs issued pursuant to the Incentive RSU Pool, issuable in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the respective earnout milestone events (the “Earnout Milestone Events”) (collectively, the “Earnout”). As no Earnout Milestone Events have yet been achieved, the Earnout Stock are contingently issuable, and accordingly, are accounted for as liability classified equity instruments in the unaudited pro forma financial information. The issuance of the Earnout Stock would dilute all New ESS Common Stock outstanding at that time. Using the capital structure as of the Effective Time, the up to 15,675,002 shares issuable in connection with the Earnout (net of the 824,998 ESS RSUs issued pursuant to the Incentive RSU Pool) would represent approximately 11.6% of shares of New ESS Common Stock issued and outstanding as of October 8, 2021.

Prior to the Closing, STWO’s units, STWO Class A Ordinary Shares and warrants were listed on Nasdaq, under the symbols “STWOU,” “STWO,” and “STWOW,” respectively. On the Closing Date, all of STWO’s outstanding units separated into their component parts of one STWO Class A Ordinary Shares and one-third of one warrant to purchase one STWO Class A Ordinary Shares at a price of $11.50 per share, and STWO’s units ceased trading on the Nasdaq. No fractional New ESS Warrants were issued upon separation of the STWO units.

As of the open of trading on October 11, 2021, the New ESS Common Stock and New ESS Warrants, formerly those of STWO, began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “GWH” and “GWH.W”, respectively.

As used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, unless otherwise stated or the context clearly indicates otherwise, the terms “Company,” “Registrant,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to the parent entity formerly named ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., after giving effect to the Merger, and as renamed “ESS Tech, Inc.”

A description of the Merger and the terms of the Merger Agreement are included in the definitive proxy statement/consent solicitation statement/prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on September 14, 2021 (the “Proxy Statement”) in the sections entitled “Proposal No.2-The Business Combination Proposal” and “The Merger Agreement.”

On October 8, 2021, a number of third party purchasers (the “Other PIPE Investors”) and certain existing securityholders of ESS (the “Insider PIPE Investors”, and together with the Other PIPE Investors, the “PIPE Investors”) purchased from New ESS an aggregate of 25,000,000 newly-issued shares of New ESS Common Stock (the “PIPE Financing”), for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and an aggregate purchase price of $250.0 million (the “PIPE Shares”), each pursuant to a separate subscription agreement (each, a “Subscription Agreement”), entered into effective as of May 6, 2021. Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, New ESS gave certain registration rights to the PIPE Investors with respect to their PIPE Shares. The sale of the PIPE Shares was consummated concurrently with the closing of the Merger (the “Closing”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, New ESS entered into a Registration Rights Agreements, dated as of October 8, 2021 (as described below), providing for certain registration rights to the Sponsor and certain securityholders of New ESS.

 

3


A description of the Subscription Agreements is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Certain Agreements Related to the Business Combination—PIPE Financing on page 131 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing descriptions of the Merger Agreement and the Subscription Agreement are summaries only and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of (i) the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1 and incorporated herein by reference, and (ii) the form of Subscription Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

As of October 8, 2021, there were approximately 135,058,074 shares of New ESS Common Stock issued and outstanding.

 

Item 1.01

Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Indemnification Agreements

In connection with the Merger, New ESS will enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. These indemnification agreements, among other things, will require New ESS to indemnify New ESS’ directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by a director or executive officer in any action or proceeding arising out of their services as one of New ESS’ directors or executive officers or as a director or executive officer of any other company or enterprise to which the person provides services at New ESS’ request.

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the form of indemnification agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Merger, on the Closing Date, New ESS, Sponsor, and certain New ESS securityholders entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), which superseded the registration and shareholder rights agreement between STWO and its initial shareholders. The Registration Rights Agreement provided that, among other things, the Sponsor and such holders were granted certain customary registration rights, demand rights and piggyback rights with respect to their respective shares of New ESS Common Stock.

The foregoing description of the Registration Rights Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.3 and incorporated herein by reference.

Sponsor Letter Agreement

In connection with the Merger, STWO, ESS, the Sponsor, STWO’s officers, and STWO’s directors (the Sponsor, STWO’s officers, and STWO’s directors, collectively, the “STWO Initial Stockholders”) entered into the Sponsor Letter Agreement, pursuant to which the STWO Initial Shareholders agreed, among other things, to (i) vote in favor of approval of the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby (including the Domestication and the Merger), (ii) waive any adjustment to the conversion ratio set forth in STWO’s current amended and restated memorandum and articles of association, (iii) be bound by certain other covenants and agreements related to the Merger, (iv) terminate certain lock-up provisions of that certain letter agreement, dated September 16, 2020, on the terms and conditions in the Sponsor Letter Agreement and (v) be bound by certain transfer restrictions during the lock-up period described therein with respect to his, her or its shares in STWO prior to the Closing Date, or the earlier termination of the Merger Agreement.

 

4


In addition, pursuant to the Sponsor Letter Agreement, 3,500,000 Private Placement Warrants vested as of the Closing Date, 583,333 Private Placement Warrants were forfeited as of the Closing Date, and 583,334 Private Placement Warrants will vest in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events pursuant to the terms therein.

The foregoing description of the Sponsor Letter Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Sponsor Letter Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4 and incorporated herein by reference.

Stockholders’ Agreement

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, ESS entered into a Stockholders’ Agreement (the “Stockholders’ Agreement”), with SB Energy Global Holdings One Ltd. (“SBE”) and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC (“BEV”) who were the two largest stockholders of ESS immediately prior to the Closing Date, pursuant to which the parties agreed, among other things, (i) that each of SBE and BEV would have one designee on New ESS’ initial board of directors, and (ii) that each of SBE and BEV will continue to be entitled to designate a member of the New ESS board of directors until it beneficially owns less than five percent (5%) of the issued and outstanding voting stock of New ESS.

The foregoing description of the Stockholders’ Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Stockholders’ Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.5 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 2.01

Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.01.

Pursuant to the amended and restated bylaws that became effective at the Effective Time (the “Amended and Restated Bylaws”), New ESS’ directors, officers, employees and certain other New ESS securityholders shall not transfer shares of New ESS Common Stock from the period beginning on the Closing Date and ending on the earliest of (a) the date that is 180 days after the Effective Time, and (b) such date on which New ESS completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all New ESS stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of New ESS Common Stock for cash, securities or other property (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided that, if, following the 150th day after the Effective Time, the dollar volume-weighted average price of New ESS Common Stock, for any 20 trading days within any 30 consecutive trading day period (which period, for the avoidance of doubt, may be measured beginning before, on or after the 150th day after the Effective Time), is at least $12.00 per share, then the transfer restrictions shall no longer apply.

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Bylaws does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated Bylaws, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 3.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

As previously reported, at the Special Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved the Merger. On October 8, 2021, the parties to the Merger Agreement completed the Merger.

Holders of 20,754,719 shares of STWO public shares (which consists of the previously disclosed redemptions of 20,779,960 shares net of reversals of 25,421 redeemed shares that were processed immediately prior to the redemption deadline) exercised their right to redeem such shares for cash at a price of approximately $10.00 per share for aggregate payments of approximately $207,547,190.

At the Closing Date, an aggregate of 67,695,626 shares of ESS Common Stock were exchanged for an aggregate of 99,562,793 shares of New ESS Common Stock.

Immediately after giving effect to the completion of the Merger and the issuance of the PIPE Shares, there were outstanding:

 

   

135,058,074 shares of New ESS Common Stock; and

 

5


   

12,416,621 New ESS Warrants (consisting of 8,333,287 Public Warrants and 4,083,334 Private Placement Warrants), each exercisable for one share of New ESS Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share.

The material terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Proposal No.2-The Business Combination Proposal” and “The Merger Agreement.” which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

6


FORM 10 INFORMATION

Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the predecessor registrant was a shell company, as STWO was immediately before the Merger, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company, as the successor registrant to STWO, is providing the information below that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the consummation of the Merger unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

New ESS makes forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in documents incorporated herein by reference. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this Current Report on Form 8-K, regarding New ESS’ future financial performance, as well as New ESS’ strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. When used in this Current Report on Form 8-K, the words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will,” “would” the negative of such terms and other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations, assumptions, hopes, beliefs, intentions and strategies regarding future events and are based on currently available information as to the outcome and timing of future events. New ESS cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to all of the risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of New ESS, incident to its business.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in any document incorporated herein by reference should not be relied upon as representing New ESS’ views as of any subsequent date, and New ESS does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, New ESS’ actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

 

   

New ESS’ ability to realize the benefits expected from the Merger;

 

   

New ESS’ financial and business performance following the Merger, including financial projections and business metrics;

 

   

changes in New ESS’ strategy, future operations, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans;

 

   

the implementation, market acceptance and success of New ESS’ technology implementation and business model;

 

   

New ESS’ ability to scale in a cost-effective manner;

 

   

developments and projections relating to New ESS’ competitors and industry;

 

   

the impact of health epidemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic, on New ESS’ business and the actions New ESS may take in response thereto;

 

7


   

New ESS’ expectations regarding its ability to obtain and maintain intellectual property protection and not infringe on the rights of others;

 

   

expectations regarding the time during which we will be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act;

 

   

New ESS’ future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash;

 

   

New ESS’ ability to obtain funding for its operations;

 

   

New ESS’ business, expansion plans and opportunities;

 

   

the outcome of any known and unknown litigation and regulatory proceedings;

 

   

New ESS’ ability to successfully deploy the proceeds from the Merger; and

 

   

New ESS’ ability to manage other risks and uncertainties set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Business and Properties

The business and properties of ESS and STWO prior to the Merger are described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Information About ESS” beginning on page 174 and “Information About STWO” beginning on page 214 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

The Company’s investor relations website is located at https://investors.essinc.com/. New ESS uses its investor relations website to post important information for investors, including news releases, analyst presentations, and supplemental financial information, and as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with its disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Accordingly, investors should monitor New ESS’ investor relations website, in addition to following press releases, SEC filings and public conference calls and webcasts. New ESS also makes available, free of charge, on its investor relations website under https://investors.essinc.com/financials/sec-filings/, its Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to these reports as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing or furnishing those reports to the SEC.

Risk Factors

The risks associated with New ESS’ business are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 33 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Selected Historical Financial Information

The selected historical consolidated financial information and other data as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the selected consolidated balance sheet and other data as of June 30, 2021, and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 for ESS are included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Selected Historical Financial Information of ESS” beginning on page 11 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements

The unaudited consolidated financial statements of ESS as of and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and pursuant to the regulations of the SEC and are included in the Proxy Statement beginning on Page F-29 of the Proxy Statement, which are incorporated herein by reference.

These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical audited financial statements of ESS as of and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related notes included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-2 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of New ESS as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth in Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “ESS Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, beginning on page 195 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “ESS Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in the subsection entitled “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” beginning on page 209 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Properties

Reference is made to the disclosure contained in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About ESS” in the subsection entitled “Facilities” on page 185 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information known to New ESS regarding the beneficial ownership of New ESS Common Stock as of the Closing Date by:

 

   

each person known to New ESS to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of outstanding New ESS Common Stock;

 

   

each of New ESS’ executive officers and directors; and

 

   

all of the executive officers and directors of New ESS as a group.

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 warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

The beneficial ownership of New ESS Common Stock is based on 135,058,074 shares of New ESS Common Stock outstanding as of the Closing Date.

Unless otherwise indicated, New ESS believes that each beneficial owner named in the table below has the sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares of New ESS Common Stock beneficially owned by such beneficial owner.

 

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Name of Beneficial Owner    Number of New ESS Common
Stock Beneficially Owned
     Percentage of New ESS Common
Stock Beneficially Owned
 

Greater than Five Percent Holders

     

BASF Venture Capital GmbH (1)

     7,973,282        5.90

Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC (2)

     16,037,874        11.87

Cycle Capital Fund III, L.P. (3)

     9,745,399        7.22

Entities affiliated with Pangaea Ventures III LLC (4)

     11,220,487        8.31

SB Energy Global Holdings One Ltd. (5)

     31,714,972        23.48

Executive Officers and Directors

     

Eric Dresselhuys (6)

     130,059        *  

Craig E. Evans (7)

     4,699,745        3.47

Amir Moftakhar (8)

     719,256        *  

Julia Song (9)

     2,125,543        1.57

Raffi Garabedian (10)

     24,868        *  

Rich Hossfeld

     —          —  

Michael R. Niggli (11)

     904,894        *  

Kyle Teamey

     —          —  

Shirley Speakman

     —          —  

Alexi Wellman

     —          —  

Daryl Wilson (12)

     177,784        *  

All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (11 Individuals) (13)

     8,782,149        6.50

 

*

Represents less than one percent.

(1)

Consists of shares held directly by BASF Ventures Capital GmbH. The address for BASF Ventures Capital GmbH is BE 01, Benckiserplatz 1, Ludwigshagen/Rhine, Germany 67059.

(2)

Consists of shares held directly by Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC. Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC is managed by Breakthrough Energy Investments, LLC, its manager, which may be deemed to have beneficial ownership over the shares and exercises voting and investment control through its investment committee. The address for each of Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC and Breakthrough Energy Investments, LLC is 250 Summer Street, 4th Floor, Boston, MA 02210.

(3)

Consists of shares held directly by Cycle Capital Fund III, L.P. (“Cycle Capital Fund III”). Cycle Capital Management II Inc. is the general manager of Cycle Capital III, L.P., which is the general partner of Cycle Capital Fund III. Andrée-Lise Methot and Claude Vachet, as managing partners of Cycle Capital III, L.P., can be deemed to share beneficial ownership over the shares held by Cycle Capital Fund III. The address for each of the Cycle Capital entities, Andrée-Lise Methot and Claude Vachet is 100 Sherbrooke West, Suite 1610, Montreal, Québec, Canada H3A 3G4.

(4)

Consists of (i) 10,828,646 shares held by Pangaea Ventures Fund III, LP, (ii) 143,467 shares held by Pangaea Partners LLC, (iii) 190,644 shares held by Monoc Capital Ltd. (“Monoc”) and (iv) 57,730 shares held by Vicap LLC (“Vicap”). Pangaea Venture Funds III, LP is managed by its general partner, Pangaea Ventures III LLC (“Pangaea GP”). Pangaea GP is managed and controlled by Vicap, PSee Ventures LLC and Monoc, which are owned and controlled by Chris Erickson, Purnesh Seegopaul and Andrew Haughian, respectively. Chris Erickson and Andrew Haughian share voting and dispositive control over the shares held by Pangaea Partners LLC. The address for each of these entities and individuals is c/o Pangaea Ventures III LLC, 5080 North 40th Street, Unit 105, Phoenix, AZ 85018.

(5)

Consists of shares held directly by SB Energy Global Holdings One Ltd., an affiliate of Softbank Group Corp. The address for SB Energy Global Holdings One Ltd. is 69 Grosvenor Street, London, United Kingdom, W1K 3JP. The address of SoftBank Group Corporation is 1-9-1, Higashi-Shimbashi Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-7303 Japan.

(6)

Consists of 130,059 restricted stock units held by Mr. Dresselhuys.

 

10


(7)

Consists of (i) 4,602,453 shares held by Mr. Evans, (ii) 58,984 restricted stock units and (iii) options to purchase 38,308 shares exercisable within 60 days of October 8, 2021.

(8)

Consists of (i) 272,372 shares held by Mr. Moftakhar, (ii) 101,026 restricted stock units and (iii) options to purchase 345,858 shares exercisable within 60 days of October 8, 2021.

(9)

Consists of (i) 1,917,211 shares held by Dr. Song, (ii) 56,626 restricted stock units and (iii) options to purchase 151,706 shares exercisable within 60 days of October 8, 2021.

(10)

Consists of 24,868 restricted stock units held by Mr. Garabedian.

(11)

Consists of (i) 414,414 shares held by Mr. Niggli, (ii) 196,260 shares held by the Michael R. Niggli Family Trust to which Mr. Niggi is the trustee, (iii) 30,053 restricted stock units held by Mr. Niggli, (iv) 73,555 shares held by the Chloe D Niggli 2021 Gift Trust to which Mr. Niggli is the trustee, (v) 73,555 shares held by the Ian M Niggli 2021 Gift Trust to which Mr. Niggli is the trustee, (vi) 73,555 shares held by the Lorelei A Niggli 2021 Gift Trust to which Mr. Niggli is the trustee, (vii) 73,555 shares held by the Michael R Jr Niggl 2021 Gift Trust to which Mr. Niggli is the trustee and (viii) options to purchase 177,785 shares exercisable within 60 days of October 8, 2021.

(12)

Consists of (i) 46,364 restricted stock units and (ii) options to purchase 131,420 shares exercisable within 60 days of October 8, 2021.

(13)

Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each of New ESS’ directors and executive officers is c/o ESS Tech, Inc., 26440 SW Parkway Ave., Bldg. 83, Wilsonville, OR 97070.

Directors and Executive Officers

Information with respect to New ESS’ directors and executive officers following the Closing of the Merger is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 225 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

The information set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Independence of Directors

Information with respect to the independence of the directors of New ESS following the Closing Date of the Merger is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “ Management After the Business Combination” in the subsection entitled “Director Independence” beginning on page 228 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Information with respect to the composition of the committees of the board of directors of New ESS immediately after the Closing of the Merger is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” in the subsection entitled “Role of the New ESS Board in Risk Oversight/Risk Committee” beginning on page 228 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Compensation

Information with respect to the compensation of the named executive officers of New ESS is set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “ESS’ Executive Compensation” beginning on page 186 of the Proxy Statement and Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Director Compensation

A description of the compensation of the board of directors of ESS before the consummation of the Merger is set forth in the Proxy Statement section entitled “ESS’ Executive Compensation” in the subsection entitled “Director Compensation” beginning on page 193 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

11


The information set forth under Item 5.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

Certain relationships and related party transactions of New ESS are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 211 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

Reference is made to the disclosure regarding legal proceedings concerning New ESS set forth in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Information About ESS” in the subsection entitled “Legal Proceedings” on page 185 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

The information set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement entitled “Description of STWO Securities” beginning on page 233 is incorporated herein by reference. Additional information regarding holders of New ESS’ securities is set forth below in the section of this Current Report on Form 8-K entitled “Description of New ESS Securities.”

The STWO Class A Ordinary Shares, STWO warrants, and STWO’s units (consisting of one share of STWO Class A Ordinary Shares and one-third of one STWO warrants, the “Units”) were historically quoted on Nasdaq under the symbols “STWO”, “STWOW” and “STWOU”, respectively. At the Effective Time, the Units automatically separated into the component securities and, as a result, no longer trade as a separate security. On October 11, 2021, the New ESS Common Stock and the New ESS Warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the new trading symbols “GWH” and “GWH.W”, respectively.

As of the Closing Date, New ESS had 135,058,074 shares of New ESS Common Stock issued and outstanding held of record by approximately 115 holders (excluding DTC participants or beneficial owners holding shares through nominee names) and 12,416,621 New ESS Warrants (consisting of 8,333,287 public warrants and 4,083,334 Private Placement Warrants), each exercisable for one share of New ESS Common Stock, at a price of $11.50 per share.

Dividends

New ESS has not paid any cash dividends on the New ESS Common Stock to date. New ESS may retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and has no current plans to pay cash dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of the board of directors and will depend on, among other things, New ESS’ results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that the board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, New ESS’ ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future outstanding indebtedness New ESS or its subsidiaries incur. New ESS does not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of the New ESS Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth below under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the issuance and sale by the Company of certain unregistered securities, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

12


Description of New ESS Securities

The description of New ESS’ securities is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement entitled “Description of STWO’s Securities” beginning on page 233, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Common Stock

Immediately following the Closing, New ESS’ authorized capital stock consisted of 2,200,000,000 shares of capital stock, $0.0001 par value per share, consisting of 2,000,000,000 shares of New ESS Common Stock and 200,000,000 shares of New ESS Preferred Stock. No shares of New ESS Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding immediately after the Merger.

Warrants

Each New ESS Warrant entitles the registered holder to purchase one share of New ESS Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment. The public warrants are exercisable at any time commencing 30 days after the Closing Date. Pursuant to the Sponsor Letter Agreement, 3,500,000 of the Private Placement Warrants vested upon Closing, and the remaining 583,334 of the Private Placement Warrants will vest in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events. The New ESS Warrants will expire on the fifth anniversary of the Closing Date, or earlier upon redemption or liquidation.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

As noted above in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, New ESS will enter into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement will provide for indemnification and advancements by New ESS of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits or proceedings arising from his or her service to New ESS or, at our request, service to other entities, as officers or directors to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

The foregoing description of the indemnification agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the indemnification agreements, the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2 and is incorporated herein by reference. The disclosure set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the section entitled “Indemnification Agreements” is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 2.01.

Changes in Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

The dismissal and appointment of independent auditors of ESS’ are described in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “ESS Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” in the subsection entitled “Change in Certifying Accountant” beginning on page 209 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 3.01

Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.

On the Closing Date, all of STWO’s outstanding Units separated into their component securities and STWO’s units ceased trading on Nasdaq.

 

Item 3.02

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The information with respect to the PIPE Shares set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated herein by reference into this Item 3.02. The PIPE Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act.

 

Item 3.03

Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

On the Closing Date, in connection with the consummation of the Merger, STWO changed its name to ESS Tech, Inc. and adopted the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws effective as of the Closing Date. Reference is made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “Description of STWO’s Securities,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

13


The Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws of New ESS contain material modifications to New ESS’ authorized capital stock, shareholder voting rights, composition of the board of directors, and nomination, liability, indemnification, and removal of directors.

The foregoing descriptions of the modifications to the rights of security holders pursuant to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws, which are attached hereto as Exhibits 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

14


Item 5.01

Changes in Control of the Registrant.

The information set forth in the section entitled “Introductory Note” and in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. The information set forth under in the sections titled “Proposal No.2-The Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 102 of the Proxy Statement and “The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 120 of the Proxy Statement and “Introductory Note” and Item 2.01 in this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information set forth in the sections entitled “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Further, on October 12, 2021, the board of directors of New ESS (the “Board”) increased the size of the Board from eight to nine directors and appointed Alexi Wellman as an independent director, effective immediately. Ms. Wellman will serve as a Class III director whose term will expire at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. Additionally, on October 12, 2021, the Board removed Daryl Wilson as a member of the Audit Committee, and appointed Ms. Wellman as a member of the Audit Committee. The Board also removed Shirley Speakman as Chair of the Audit Committee, and appointed Ms. Wellman in her place. Following Ms. Wellman’s appointment and related changes to committee composition, the directors of New ESS are as follows:

Directors

 

Name

  

Age

    

Position

Eric P. Dresselhuys

     56      Chief Executive Officer and Director

Craig Evans

     45      President, Co-Founder and Director

Raffi Garabedian(2)

     55      Director

Rich Hossfeld(1)

     42      Director

Michael R. Niggli(3)

     71      Director

Kyle Teamey(2)

     45      Director

Shirley Speakman(1)

     53      Director

Alexi Wellman(1)

     51      Director

Daryl Wilson(1)(3)

     62      Director

 

(1)

Member of the Audit Committee

(2)

Member of the Compensation Committee

(3)

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

For biographical information concerning Eric P. Dresselhuys, Craig Evans, Raffi Garabedian, Rich Hossfeld, Michael R. Niggli, Kyle Teamey, Shirley Speakman, and Daryl Wilson, reference is made to the disclosure described in the section entitled “Management After the Business Combination” beginning on page 224 of the Proxy Statement, and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

Alexi Wellman. Ms. Wellman has served as a member of our board of directors since October 12, 2021. Since June 2017, she has served as Chief Financial and Accounting Officer of Altaba Inc. (Nasdaq: AABAP), a closed-end management investment company f/k/a Yahoo Inc. From October 2015 to June 2017, Ms. Wellman was the Vice President, Global Controller of Yahoo Inc. (Nasdaq: YHOO) and prior to that role, served as Vice President, Finance from November 2013 to October 2015. From October 2004 to December 2011, Ms. Wellman served as a Partner at KPMG LLP, an audit, tax and advisory firm. Ms. Wellman currently serves as a director of various private technology companies, as well as a director and chair of the audit and member of compensation committees of Werner Enterprises (NYSE: WERN) and director and member of audit committee of Bilander Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: TWCB). She previously served as a director of Endurance International Group (Nasdaq: EIGI) from 2018 to 2021, TWC Tech

 

15


Holdings II Corp. (Nasdaq: TWCT) from 2020 to 2021, Nebula Caravel Acquisition Corp. (Nasdaq:NEBC) from 2020 to 2021, and as a director of Yahoo Japan (TYO: 4689) from 2016 to 2018. Ms. Wellman holds a B.S. in Accounting & Business Management from the University of Nebraska.

We believe Ms. Wellman is qualified to serve on our Board due to her extensive accounting, corporate finance, and strategic planning experience, as well as her service on the boards of directors of several public and private companies.

In connection with Ms. Wellman’s appointment to the Board, Ms. Wellman will receive the standard non-employee director compensation for serving on the Board and committees of the Board pursuant to the Outside Director Compensation Policy, as described under “—Outside Director Compensation Policy” below. The Company intends to enter into an indemnification agreement with Ms. Wellman in connection with her appointment to the Board, which will be in substantially the same form as that to be entered into with the other directors of the Company and is further described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K under the section entitled “Indemnification Agreements.” There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Wellman and any other persons pursuant to which Ms. Wellman was appointed as a director of the Company. There are no transactions in which Ms. Wellman has an interest requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

The Board has determined that Ms. Wellman qualifies as an independent director under the corporate governance standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

There are no family relationships among any of the directors or executive officers of the Company, except Craig Evans and Dr. Julia Song are married.

Employment Agreements

For descriptions of the employment agreements and offer letters with the executive officers, reference is made to the disclosure described in the Proxy Statement in the section titled “ESS Executive Compensation—Executive Officer Employment Agreements” beginning on page 191, which is incorporated herein by reference. Those descriptions do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of such employment agreements and offer letters, which are attached as Exhibits 10.6, 10.7, 10.8 and 10.9 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

As previously disclosed, at the Special Meeting, the stockholders of the Company considered and approved the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan was confirmed, approved, and ratified, by the Board on October 12, 2021. The 2021 Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing Date.

A description of the 2021 Plan is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Proposal No. 5—The Equity Plan Proposal” beginning on page 157 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2021 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2021 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.10, and incorporated herein by reference.

2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

As previously disclosed, at the Special Meeting, the stockholders of the Company considered and approved the 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2021 ESPP”). The 2021 ESPP was confirmed, approved, and ratified by the Board on October 12, 2021. The 2021 ESPP became effective immediately upon the Closing Date.

A description of the 2021 ESPP is included in the Proxy Statement in the section entitled “Proposal No. 7—The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal” beginning on page 167 of the Proxy Statement, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2021 ESPP is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2021 ESPP, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.11 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

16


Outside Director Compensation Policy

Following the Closing Date, on October 12, 2021, the Board considered and approved the Outside Director Compensation Policy for non-employee directors. The Outside Director Compensation Policy became effective upon the Closing Date. The Outside Director Compensation Policy is intended to formalize the Company’s policy regarding the compensation to its directors who are not employees of the Company (“Outside Directors”). The foregoing description of the Outside Director Compensation Policy is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Outside Director Compensation Policy, which is available on the investor relations page of New ESS’ website and is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.12 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 5.03

Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

The disclosure set forth in Item 3.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated in this Item 5.03 by reference.

 

Item 5.05

Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

Following the Closing Date, on October 12, 2021, the Board considered and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Ethics”). The Code of Ethics applies to all of New ESS’ directors, officers and employees. The foregoing description of the Code of Ethics is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Code of Ethics, which is available on the investor relations page of New ESS’ website.

 

Item 5.06

Change in Shell Company Status

As a result of the Merger, which fulfilled the definition of a business combination as required by the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of New ESS, as in effect immediately prior to the Closing Date, New ESS ceased to be a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) as of the Closing Date. A description of the Merger and the terms of the Merger Agreement are included in the Proxy Statement in the sections entitled “The Business Combination” beginning on page 102, “The Merger Agreement” beginning on page 120 of the Proxy Statement, in the information set forth under “Introductory Note” and in the information set forth under Item 2.01 in this Current Report on Form 8-K, which are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.01.

Regulation FD Disclosure.

New ESS announces material information to the public through a variety of means, including filings with the SEC, press releases, public conference calls, and New ESS’ website (essinc.com), and investor relations webpage (investors.essinc.com).

New ESS uses these channels, as well as social media, including its Twitter account (@ESS_Info), YouTube account (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3vNQ7v-VdTQFQ48kP6jUwQ), LinkedIn account (https://www.linkedin.com/company/energy-storage-systems/) and Facebook account (https://www.facebook.com/energystoragesystemsinc/), to communicate with investors and the public regarding news and developments about New ESS its products, new customer projects and other matters. Therefore, New ESS encourages investors, the media, and others interested in New ESS to review the information it makes public in these locations, as such information could be deemed to be material information.

 

Item 9.01.

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

The audited financial statements of ESS as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 and for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-2 and are incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited condensed financial statements of ESS as of June 30, 2021 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 and the related notes are included in the Proxy Statement beginning on page F-29 and are incorporated herein by reference.

 

17


(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 is set forth on Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

 

         

Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit
    No.    

  

Description

  

Form

  

File No.

  

Exhibit No.

  

Filing Date

  

Filed or
Furnished
Herewith

  2.1#**    Merger Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021, by and among STWO, SCharge Merger Sub, Inc. and ESS    8-K    001-39525    2.1    May 7, 2021   
  3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of New ESS                X
  3.2    Amended and Restated Bylaws of New ESS                X
  4.1**    Warrant Agreement, dated September 16, 2020, by and between STWO and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company.    S-4    333-257232    4.1    June 21, 2021   
  4.2    Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement to the Warrant Agreement, dated October 8, 2021, by and among ESS, STWO, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, Computershare Trust Company, N.A. and Computershare, Inc.                X
10.1**    Form of Subscription Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021    8-K    001-39525    10.1    May 7, 2021   
10.2    Form of Indemnification Agreement                X
10.3**    Form of Registration Rights Agreement    8-K    001-39525    10.4    May 7, 2021   
10.4**    Sponsor Letter Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021    8-K    001-39525    10.3    May 7, 2021   
10.5    Stockholders’ Agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021, by and among ESS, SBE, and BEV                X
10.6†**    Employment Agreement, dated March 3, 2015, by and between ESS and Yang Song    S-4    333-257232    10.12    June 21, 2021   
10.7†**    Offer Letter, dated July 31, 2019, by and between ESS and Amir Moftakhar    S-4    333-257232    10.9    June 21, 2021   
10.8†**    Employment Agreement, dated April 1, 2021, by and between ESS and Eric Dresselhuys    S-4    333-257232    10.10    June 21, 2021   
10.9†**    Employment Agreement, dated May 23, 2021, by and between ESS and Craig Evans    S-4    333-257232    10.11    June 21, 2021   
10.10†**    2021 Equity Incentive Plan    S-4/A    333-257232    Annex D    September 9, 2021   
10.11†**    2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan    S-4/A    333-257232    Annex E    September 9, 2021   
10.12†    Outside Director Compensation Policy                X
10.13**    Office Lease Agreement, dated July 24, 2017, by and between ESS and Parkway Woods Business Park, LLC    S-4    333-257232    10.8    June 21, 2021   

 

18


10.14#**    Framework Agreement, dated as of March 31, 2021, by and between SBE US Holdings One, Inc. and ESS    S-4    333-257232    10.13    June 21, 2021   
99.1    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Combined Financial Information of the Company for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020                X
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File               

 

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

#

Portions of this exhibit have been omitted in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

**

Previously filed.

 

19


SIGNATURE

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.

Dated: October 15, 2021

 

ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Craig Evans

Name:   Craig Evans
Title:   President

Exhibit 3.1

 

   Delaware   

Page 1

   The First State

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF DOMESTICATION OF “ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.”, FILED IN THIS OFFICE THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2021, AT 12:40 O`CLOCK P.M.

 

  LOGO  

LOGO

 

  Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
6288483 8100D  

 

Authentication: 204363952

SR# 20213465634   Date: 10-08-21
You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml  


   Delaware    Page 1
   The First State

I, JEFFREY W. BULLOCK, SECRETARY OF STATE OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THE ATTACHED IS A TRUE AND CORRECT COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF “ESS TECH, INC.” FILED IN THIS OFFICE ON THE EIGHTH DAY OF OCTOBER, A.D. 2021, AT 12:40 O`CLOCK P.M.

 

  LOGO  

LOGO

 

  Jeffrey W. Bullock, Secretary of State
6288483 8100D  

 

Authentication: 204363952

SR# 20213465634   Date: 10-08-21
You may verify this certificate online at corp.delaware.gov/authver.shtml  


State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 12:40 PM 10/08/2021

FILED 12:40 PM 10/08/2021

SR 20213465634 - File Number 6288483

  

            CERTIFICATE OF DOMESTICATION

 

                                             OF

 

                  ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.

The undersigned being the duly authorized and elected Chief Executive Officer of ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company, which intends to domesticate as a Delaware corporation pursuant to this Certificate of Domestication (the “Corporation”) and in accordance with the provisions of Section 388 of Title 8 of the Delaware Code DOES HEREBY CERTIFY:

FIRST: The Corporation was first formed on July 21, 2020, under the laws of the Cayman Islands.

SECOND: The name of the Corporation immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Domestication was “ACON S2 Acquisition Corp.”

THIRD: The name of the Corporation as set forth in its certificate of incorporation to be filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware is “ESS Tech, Inc.”

FOURTH: The jurisdiction that constituted the seat, siege social, principal place of business or central administration of the Corporation immediately prior to the filing of this Certificate of Domestication was the Cayman Islands.

FIFTH: The domestication has been approved in the manner provided for by the document, instrument, agreement or other writing, as the case may be, governing the internal affairs of the Corporation and the conduct of its business or by applicable non-Delaware law, as appropriate.

SIXTH: The domestication shall be effective at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 8, 2021.

*        *        *         *        *


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being the Chief Executive Officer and being duly authorized to sign this Certificate of Domestication on behalf of the entity have made, signed and sealed this Certificate of Domestication on this 8th day of October, 2021.

 

ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Adam Kriger

Name:     Adam Kriger                                        
Title:     Chief Executive Officer


Execution Version

 

State of Delaware

Secretary of State

Division of Corporations

Delivered 12:40 PM 10/08/2021

FILED 12:40 PM 10/08/2021

SR 20213465634 - File Number 6288483

   CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF   
  

ESS TECH, INC.

a Delaware corporation

  

The sole incorporator of ESS Tech, Inc. (the “Company”), whose powers will continue until the appointment of the initial Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) pursuant to Section 108 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”), hereby incorporates the Company and certifies as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Company is ESS Tech, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange St., in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is National Registered Agents, Inc.

ARTICLE III

The nature of the business or purposes to be conducted or promoted by the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be organized under the DGCL.

ARTICLE IV

Section 1. This Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock, to be designated, respectively, Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The total number of shares of stock that the Company shall have authority to issue is 2,200,000,000 shares, of which 2,000,000,000 shares are Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share, and 200,000,000 shares are Preferred Stock, $0.0001 value per share.

Section 2. Each share of Common Stock outstanding as of the applicable record date shall entitle the holder thereof to one (1) vote on any matter submitted to a vote at a meeting of stockholders.

Section 3. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series pursuant to a resolution or resolutions providing for such issue duly adopted by the Board of Directors (authority to do so being hereby expressly vested in the Board of Directors). The Board of Directors is further authorized, subject to limitations prescribed by law, to fix by resolution or resolutions the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, of any series of Preferred Stock, including, without limitation, authority to fix by resolution or resolutions the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of any such series, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in this Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares of such series. Except as may be otherwise specified

 

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by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, if the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock is so decreased, then the Company shall take all such steps as are necessary to cause the shares constituting such decrease to resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series.

Section 4. Except as otherwise required by law or provided in this Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

Section 5. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the class or classes the number of authorized shares of which are being increased or decreased, unless a vote of any holders of one or more series of Preferred Stock is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

ARTICLE V

Section 1. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, the number of directors that constitutes the entire Board of Directors of the Company shall be fixed only by resolution of the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. For the purposes of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directorships whether or not there exist any vacancies or other unfilled seats in previously authorized directorships. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the Company shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which they are elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier resignation or removal; except that if any such meeting shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders’ meeting called and held in accordance with the DGCL.

Section 2. From and after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, the directors of the Company (other than any who may be elected by holders of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances) shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors already in office shall be assigned to each class at the time such classification becomes effective in accordance with a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. If the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned hereafter among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as is practicable, provided that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

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ARTICLE VI

Section 1. From and after the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, only for so long as the Board of Directors is classified and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the voting power of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Company entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Section 2. Except as otherwise provided for or fixed by or pursuant to the provisions of ARTICLE IV hereof in relation to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances or except as otherwise provided by resolution of a majority of the Whole Board, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, created in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company, and any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. A person so elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1. The Company is to have perpetual existence.

Section 2. The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors. In addition to the powers and authority expressly conferred upon them by statute or by this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company, the directors are hereby empowered to exercise all such powers and do all such acts and things as may be exercised or done by the Company.

Section 3. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Whole Board shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Company’s Bylaws. The Company’s Bylaws may also be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Company. Notwithstanding the above or any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Company may not be amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Company except in accordance with the provisions of the Bylaws relating to amendments to the Bylaws. No Bylaw hereafter legally adopted, amended, altered or repealed shall invalidate any prior act of the directors or officers of the Company that would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been adopted, amended, altered or repealed.

Section 4. The election of directors need not be by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Company shall so provide.

Section 5. No stockholder will be permitted to cumulate votes at any election of directors.

 

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ARTICLE VIII

Section 1. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

Section 2. Subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Company may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. Only such business shall be considered at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been stated in the notice for such meeting.

Section 3. Advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner and to the extent provided in the Bylaws of the Company.

ARTICLE IX

Section 1. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL as the same exists or as may hereafter be amended from time to time, a director of the Company shall not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director. If the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

Section 2. Subject to any provisions in the Bylaws of the Company related to indemnification of directors of the Company, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any director of the Company who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding. The Company shall be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person only if the Proceeding (or part thereof) was authorized by the Board of Directors.

Section 3. The Company shall have the power to indemnify, to the extent permitted by applicable law, any officer, employee or agent of the Company who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any Proceeding by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any such Proceeding.

Section 4. Neither any amendment, repeal, nor elimination of any Section of this ARTICLE IX, nor the adoption of any provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company inconsistent with this ARTICLE IX, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of this ARTICLE IX in respect of any matter occurring, or any Proceeding accruing or arising or that, but for this ARTICLE IX, would accrue or arise, prior to such amendment, repeal, elimination or adoption of an inconsistent provision.

 

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ARTICLE X

Meetings of stockholders may be held within or outside of the State of Delaware, as the Bylaws may provide. The books of the Company may be kept (subject to any provision of applicable law) outside of the State of Delaware at such place or places or in such manner or manners as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors or in the Bylaws of the Company.

ARTICLE XI

The Company reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote, the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board and the affirmative vote of 66 2/3% of the voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the amendment, repeal or modification of the provisions of Section 3 of ARTICLE IV, Section 2 of ARTICLE V, Section 1 of ARTICLE VI, Section 2 of ARTICLE VI, Section 5 of ARTICLE VII, Section 1 of ARTICLE VIII, Section 2 of ARTICLE VIII, Section 3 of ARTICLE VIII, or this ARTICLE XI of this Certificate of Incorporation.

ARTICLE XII

The name and mailing address of the incorporator are as follows:

Adam Kriger

1133 Connecticut Avenue NW, Ste. 700

Washington, DC 20036

This certificate of incorporation shall be effective at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on October 8, 2021.

*         *         *         *         *

 

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I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the sole incorporator named herein, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts stated herein are true, and accordingly have executed this certificate of incorporation on this 8th day of October, 2021.

 

/s/ Adam Kriger

Adam Kriger, Sole Incorporator

Exhibit 3.2

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS OF

ESS TECH, INC.

(effective October 8, 2021)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES

     1  

1.1

 

REGISTERED OFFICE

     1  

1.2

 

OTHER OFFICES

     1  

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

     1  

2.1

 

PLACE OF MEETINGS

     1  

2.2

 

ANNUAL MEETING

     1  

2.3

 

SPECIAL MEETING

     1  

2.4

 

ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES

     2  

2.5

 

NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     9  

2.6

 

QUORUM

     9  

2.7

 

ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

     9  

2.8

 

CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

     10  

2.9

 

VOTING

     10  

2.10

 

STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

     10  

2.11

 

RECORD DATES

     11  

2.12

 

PROXIES

     11  

2.13

 

LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

     12  

2.14

 

INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

     12  

ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS

     13  

3.1

 

POWERS

     13  

3.2

 

NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

     13  

3.3

 

ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

     13  

3.4

 

RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

     13  

3.5

 

PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

     14  

3.6

 

REGULAR MEETINGS

     14  

3.7

 

SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

     14  

3.8

 

QUORUM; VOTING

     15  

3.9

 

BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

     15  

3.10

 

FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

     16  

3.11

 

REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

     16  

ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES

     16  

4.1

 

COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

     16  

4.2

 

COMMITTEE MINUTES

     16  

4.3

 

MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

     16  

4.4

 

SUBCOMMITTEES

     17  

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

     17  

5.1

 

OFFICERS

     17  

5.2

 

APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

     18  

5.3

 

SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

     18  

5.4

 

REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

     18  

 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

5.5

 

VACANCIES IN OFFICES

     18  

5.6

 

REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES

     18  

5.7

 

AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

     19  

ARTICLE VI - STOCK

     19  

6.1

 

STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

     19  

6.2

 

SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

     19  

6.3

 

LOST CERTIFICATES

     20  

6.4

 

DIVIDENDS

     20  

6.5

 

TRANSFER OF STOCK

     20  

6.6

 

STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

     20  

6.7

 

REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

     21  

6.8

 

LOCK-UP

     21  

ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER

     23  

7.1

 

NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     23  

7.2

 

NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

     23  

7.3

 

NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL

     24  

7.4

 

WAIVER OF NOTICE

     24  

ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION

     24  

8.1

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS

     24  

8.2

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY

     25  

8.3

 

SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

     25  

8.4

 

INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

     25  

8.5

 

ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

     26  

8.6

 

LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION

     26  

8.7

 

DETERMINATION; CLAIM

     27  

8.8

 

NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

     27  

8.9

 

INSURANCE

     27  

8.10

 

SURVIVAL

     28  

8.11

 

EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

     28  

8.12

 

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

     28  

ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS

     29  

9.1

 

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

     29  

9.2

 

FISCAL YEAR

     29  

9.3

 

SEAL

     29  

9.4

 

CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

     29  

9.5

 

FORUM SELECTION

     29  

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

     30  

 

-ii-


BYLAWS OF

ESS TECH, INC.

ARTICLE I - CORPORATE OFFICES

1.1    REGISTERED OFFICE

The registered office of ESS Tech, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be fixed in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time.

1.2    OTHER OFFICES

The Company may at any time establish other offices.

ARTICLE II - MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

2.1    PLACE OF MEETINGS

Meetings of stockholders shall be held at a place, if any, within or outside the State of Delaware, determined by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”). The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as authorized by Section 211(a)(2) of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). In the absence of any such designation or determination, stockholders’ meetings shall be held at the Company’s principal executive office.

2.2    ANNUAL MEETING

The annual meeting of stockholders shall be held each year. The Board of Directors shall designate the date and time of the annual meeting. At the annual meeting, directors shall be elected and any other proper business, brought in accordance with Section 2.4 of these bylaws, may be transacted. The Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled annual meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders. For the purposes of these bylaws, the term “Whole Board” shall mean the total number of authorized directorships whether or not there exist any vacancies or other unfilled seats in previously authorized directorships.

2.3    SPECIAL MEETING

(a)    A special meeting of the stockholders, other than as required by statute, may be called at any time by (i) the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, (ii) the chairperson of the Board of Directors, (iii) the chief executive officer or (iv) the president, but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons

 

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and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. The Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board may cancel, postpone or reschedule any previously scheduled special meeting at any time, before or after the notice for such meeting has been sent to the stockholders.

(b)    The notice of a special meeting shall include the purpose for which the meeting is called. Only such business shall be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting by or at the direction of a majority of the Whole Board, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer or the president. Nothing contained in this Section 2.3(b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

2.4    ADVANCE NOTICE PROCEDURES

(a)    Annual Meetings of Stockholders.

(i)    Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors or the proposal of other business to be transacted by the stockholders at an annual meeting of stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto); (2) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; (3) as may be provided in the certificate of designations for any class or series of preferred stock; or (4) by any stockholder of the Company who (A) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice contemplated by Section 2.4(a)(ii); (B) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the annual meeting; (C) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting; (D) is a stockholder of record at the time of the annual meeting; and (E) complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(a).

(ii)    For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting of stockholders by a stockholder pursuant to clause (4) of Section 2.4(a)(i), the stockholder must have given timely notice in writing to the secretary and any such nomination or proposed business must constitute a proper matter for stockholder action. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company no earlier than 8:00 a.m., local time, on the 120th day and no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 90th day prior to the day of the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of stockholders. However, if no annual meeting of stockholders was held in the preceding year, or if the date of the applicable annual meeting has been changed by more than 25 days from the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, then to be timely such notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company no earlier than 8:00 a.m., local time, on the 120th day prior to the day of the annual meeting and no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the annual meeting was first made by the Company. In no event will the adjournment, rescheduling or postponement of any annual meeting, or any announcement thereof, commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. If the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors is increased and there is no public

 

- 2 -


announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors at least 10 days before the last day that a stockholder may deliver a notice of nomination pursuant to the foregoing provisions, then a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 2.4(a)(ii) will also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it is received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made. “Public announcement” means disclosure in a press release reported by a national news service or in a document publicly filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (as amended and inclusive of rules and regulations thereunder, the “1934 Act”).

(iii)    A stockholder’s notice to the secretary must set forth:

(1)    as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director:

(A)    such person’s name, age, business address, residence address and principal occupation or employment; the class and number of shares of the Company that are held of record or are beneficially owned by such person and a description of any Derivative Instruments (defined below) held or beneficially owned thereby or of any other agreement, arrangement or understanding (including any short position or any borrowing or lending of shares), the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss to, or to manage the risk or benefit of share price changes for, or to increase or decrease the voting power of such person; and all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for the contested election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to the Section 14 of the 1934 Act;

(B)    such person’s written consent to being named in such stockholder’s proxy statement as a nominee of such stockholder and to serving as a director of the Company if elected;

(C)    a reasonably detailed description of any direct or indirect compensatory, payment, indemnification or other financial agreement, arrangement or understanding that such person has, or has had within the past three years, with any person or entity other than the Company (including the amount of any payment or payments received or receivable thereunder), in each case in connection with candidacy or service as a director of the Company (a “Third-Party Compensation Arrangement”); and

(D)    a description of any other material relationships between such person and such person’s respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with them, on the one hand, and such stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination is made, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with them, on the other hand;

 

- 3 -


(2)    as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting:

(A)    a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting;

(B)    the text of the proposal or business (including the text of any resolutions proposed for consideration and, if applicable, the text of any proposed amendment to these bylaws);

(C)    the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting;

(D)    any material interest in such business of such stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and their respective affiliates and associates, or others acting in concert with them; and

(E)    a description of all agreements, arrangements and understandings between such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made, and their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, and any other person or persons (including their names) in connection with the proposal of such business by such stockholder; and

(3)    as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made:

(A)    the name and address of such stockholder (as they appear on the Company’s books), of such beneficial owner and of their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them;

(B)    for each class or series, the number of shares of stock of the Company that are, directly or indirectly, held of record or are beneficially owned by such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them;

(C)    a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding between such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, and any other person or persons (including, in each case, their names) in connection with the proposal of such nomination or other business;

(D)    a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (including, regardless of the form of settlement, any derivative, long or short positions, profit interests, forwards, futures, swaps, options, warrants, convertible securities, stock appreciation or similar rights, hedging transactions and borrowed or loaned shares) that has been entered into by or on behalf of such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates

 

- 4 -


or associates or others acting in concert with them, with respect to the Company’s securities (any of the foregoing, a “Derivative Instrument”), or any other agreement, arrangement or understanding that has been made the effect or intent of which is to create or mitigate loss to, manage risk or benefit of share price changes for or increase or decrease the voting power of such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, with respect to the Company’s securities;

(E)    any rights to dividends on the Company’s securities owned beneficially by such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, that are separated or separable from the underlying security;

(F)    any proportionate interest in the Company’s securities or Derivative Instruments held, directly or indirectly, by a general or limited partnership in which such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, is a general partner or, directly or indirectly, beneficially owns an interest in a general partner of such general or limited partnership;

(G)    any performance-related fees (other than an asset-based fee) that such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with, them is entitled to based on any increase or decrease in the value of the Company’s securities or Derivative Instruments, including, without limitation, any such interests held by members of the immediate family of such persons sharing the same household;

(H)    any significant equity interests or any Derivative Instruments in any principal competitor of the Company that are held by such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them;

(I)    any direct or indirect interest of such stockholder, such beneficial owner or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, in any contract with the Company, any affiliate of the Company or any principal competitor of the Company (in each case, including any employment agreement, collective bargaining agreement or consulting agreement);

(J)    a representation and undertaking that the stockholder is a holder of record of stock of the Company as of the date of submission of the stockholder’s notice and intends to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to bring such nomination or other business before the meeting;

(K)    a representation and undertaking that such stockholder or any such beneficial owner intends, or is part of a group that intends, to (x) deliver a proxy statement or form of proxy to holders of at least the percentage of the voting power of the Company’s then-outstanding stock required to approve or adopt the proposal or to elect each such nominee; or (y) otherwise solicit proxies from stockholders in support of such proposal or nomination;

 

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(L)    any other information relating to such stockholder, such beneficial owner, or their respective affiliates or associates or others acting in concert with them, or director nominee or proposed business that, in each case, would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement or other filing required to be made in connection with the solicitation of proxies in support of such nominee (in a contested election of directors) or proposal pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act; and

(M)    such other information relating to any proposed item of business as the Company may reasonably require to determine whether such proposed item of business is a proper matter for stockholder action.

(iv)    In addition to the requirements of this Section 2.4, to be timely, a stockholder’s notice (and any additional information submitted to the Company in connection therewith) must further be updated and supplemented (1) if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct as of the record date(s) for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting and as of the date that is 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement thereof and (2) to provide any additional information that the Company may reasonably request. Such update and supplement or additional information, if applicable, must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company, in the case of a request for additional information, promptly following a request therefor, which response must be delivered not later than such reasonable time as is specified in any such request from the Company or, in the case of any other update or supplement of any information, not later than five business days after the record date(s) for the meeting (in the case of any update and supplement required to be made as of the record date(s)), and not later than eight business days prior to the date for the meeting or any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement thereof (in the case of the update and supplement required to be made as of 10 business days prior to the meeting or any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement thereof). The failure to timely provide such update, supplement or additional information shall result in the nomination or proposal no longer being eligible for consideration at the meeting.

(b)    Special Meetings of Stockholders. Except to the extent required by the DGCL, and subject to Section 2.3(a), special meetings of stockholders may be called only in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and these bylaws. Only such business will be conducted at a special meeting of stockholders as has been brought before the special meeting pursuant to the Company’s notice of meeting. If the election of directors is included as business to be brought before a special meeting in the Company’s notice of meeting, then nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors at such special meeting may be made by any stockholder who (i) is a stockholder of record at the time of giving of the notice contemplated by this Section 2.4(b); (ii) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of the special meeting; (iii) is a stockholder of record on the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the special meeting; (iv) is a stockholder of record at the time of the special meeting; and (v) complies with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4(b). For nominations to be properly brought by a

 

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stockholder before a special meeting pursuant to this Section 2.4(b), the stockholder’s notice must be received by the secretary at the principal executive offices of the Company no earlier than 8:00 a.m., local time, on the 120th day prior to the day of the special meeting and no later than 5:00 p.m., local time, on the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the special meeting was first made. In no event will any adjournment, rescheduling or postponement of a special meeting or the announcement thereof commence a new time period (or extend any time period) for the giving of a stockholder’s notice. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary must comply with the applicable notice requirements of Section 2.4(a)(iii).

(c)    Other Requirements.

(i)    To be eligible to be a nominee by any stockholder for election as a director of the Company, the proposed nominee must provide to the secretary, in accordance with the applicable time periods prescribed for delivery of notice under Section 2.4(a)(ii) or Section 2.4(b):

(1)    a signed and completed written questionnaire (in the form provided by the secretary at the written request of the nominating stockholder, which form will be provided by the secretary within 10 days of receiving such request) containing information regarding such nominee’s background and qualifications and such other information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the eligibility of such nominee to serve as a director of the Company or to serve as an independent director of the Company;

(2)    a written representation and undertaking that, unless previously disclosed to the Company, such nominee is not, and will not become, a party to any voting agreement, arrangement, commitment, assurance or understanding with any person or entity as to how such nominee, if elected as a director, will vote on any issue;

(3)    a written representation and undertaking that, unless previously disclosed to the Company, such nominee is not, and will not become, a party to any Third-Party Compensation Arrangement;

(4)    a written representation and undertaking that, if elected as a director, such nominee would be in compliance, and will continue to comply, with the Company’s corporate governance guidelines as disclosed on the Company’s website, as amended from time to time; and

(5)    a written representation and undertaking that such nominee, if elected, intends to serve a full term on the Board of Directors.

(ii)    At the request of the Board of Directors, any person nominated by the Board of Directors for election as a director must furnish to the secretary the information that is required to be set forth in a stockholder’s notice of nomination that pertains to such nominee.

 

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(iii)    No person will be eligible to be nominated by a stockholder for election as a director of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 2.4. No business proposed by a stockholder will be conducted at a stockholder meeting except in accordance with this Section 2.4.

(iv)    The chairperson of the applicable meeting of stockholders will, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the procedures prescribed by these bylaws or that business was not properly brought before the meeting. If the chairperson of the meeting should so determine, then the chairperson of the meeting will so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination will be disregarded or such business will not be transacted, as the case may be.

(v)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.4, unless otherwise required by law, if the stockholder (or a qualified representative of the stockholder) does not appear in person at the meeting to present a nomination or other proposed business, such nomination will be disregarded or such proposed business will not be transacted, as the case may be, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nomination or business may have been received by the Company and counted for purposes of determining a quorum. For purposes of this Section 2.4, to be considered a qualified representative of the stockholder, a person must be a duly authorized officer, manager or partner of such stockholder or must be authorized by a writing executed by such stockholder or an electronic transmission delivered by such stockholder to act for such stockholder as proxy at the meeting, and such person must produce such writing or electronic transmission, or a reliable reproduction of the writing or electronic transmission, at the meeting.

(vi)    Without limiting this Section 2.4, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act with respect to the matters set forth in this Section 2.4, it being understood that (1) any references in these bylaws to the 1934 Act are not intended to, and will not, limit any requirements applicable to nominations or proposals as to any other business to be considered pursuant to this Section 2.4; and (2) compliance with clause (4) of Section 2.4(a)(i) and with Section 2.4(b) are the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations or submit other business (other than as provided in Section 2.4(c)(vii)).

(vii)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 2.4, the notice requirements set forth in these bylaws with respect to the proposal of any business pursuant to this Section 2.4 will be deemed to be satisfied by a stockholder if (1) such stockholder has submitted a proposal to the Company in compliance with Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; and (2) such stockholder’s proposal has been included in a proxy statement that has been prepared by the Company to solicit proxies for the meeting of stockholders. Subject to Rule 14a-8 and other applicable rules and regulations under the 1934 Act, nothing in these bylaws will be construed to permit any stockholder, or give any stockholder the right, to include or have disseminated or described in the Company’s proxy statement any nomination of a director or any other business proposal.

 

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2.5    NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Whenever stockholders are required or permitted to take any action at a meeting, a notice of the meeting shall be given which shall state the place, if any, date and hour of the meeting, the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such meeting, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, if such date is different from the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting, and, in the case of a special meeting, the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called. Except as otherwise provided in the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting as of the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to notice of the meeting.

2.6    QUORUM

The holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock of the Company issued and outstanding and entitled to vote, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such class or series or classes or series, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter, except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

If, however, such quorum is not present or represented at any meeting of the stockholders, then either (a) the chairperson of the meeting, or (b) the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, present in person or represented by proxy, shall have power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present or represented. At such adjourned meeting at which a quorum is present or represented, any business may be transacted that might have been transacted at the original meeting.

2.7    ADJOURNED MEETING; NOTICE

When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, unless these bylaws otherwise require, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time, place, if any, thereof, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the Company may transact any business which might have been transacted at the original meeting. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix a new record date for notice of such adjourned meeting in accordance with Section 213(a) of the DGCL and Section 2.11 of these bylaws, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at such adjourned meeting as of the record date fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

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2.8    CONDUCT OF BUSINESS

The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall determine the order of business and the procedure at the meeting, including such regulation of the manner of voting and the conduct of business and discussion as seem to the chairperson in order. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall be designated by the Board of Directors; in the absence of such designation, the chairperson of the Board of Directors, if any, or the chief executive officer (in the absence of the chairperson of the Board of Directors) or the president (in the absence of the chairperson of the Board of Directors and the chief executive officer), or in their absence any other executive officer of the Company, shall serve as chairperson of the stockholder meeting. The chairperson of any meeting of stockholders shall have the power to adjourn the meeting to another place, if any, date or time, whether or not a quorum is present.

2.9    VOTING

The stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.11 of these bylaws, subject to Section 217 (relating to voting rights of fiduciaries, pledgors and joint owners of stock) and Section 218 (relating to voting trusts and other voting agreements) of the DGCL.

Except as may be otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, each stockholder shall be entitled to one vote for each share of capital stock held by such stockholder.

Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of the stock exchange on which the Company’s securities are listed, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares cast affirmatively or negatively shall be the act of the stockholders and broker non-votes and abstentions will be considered for purposes of establishing a quorum, but will not be considered as votes cast for or against a proposal. Except as otherwise required by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or series or classes or series is required, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the shares of such class or series or classes or series cast affirmatively or negatively at the meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of such class or series or classes or series (and broker non-votes and abstentions will not be considered as votes cast for or against such proposal), except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the rules of the stock exchange on which the securities of the Company are listed.

2.10    STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of the Company, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders.

 

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2.11    RECORD DATES

In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors and which record date shall not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If the Board of Directors so fixes a date, such date shall also be the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote at such meeting unless the Board of Directors determines, at the time it fixes such record date, that a later date on or before the date of the meeting shall be the date for making such determination.

If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.

A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and in such case shall also fix as the record date for stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote in accordance with the provisions of Section 213 of the DGCL and this Section 2.11 at the adjourned meeting.

In order that the Company may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

2.12    PROXIES

Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of stockholders, or such stockholder’s authorized officer, director, employee or agent, may authorize another person or persons to act for such stockholder by proxy authorized by a document or by a transmission permitted by law filed in accordance with the procedure established for the meeting, but no such proxy shall be voted or acted upon after three years from its date, unless the proxy provides for a longer period. The revocability of a proxy that states on its face that it is irrevocable shall be governed by the provisions of Section 212 of the DGCL.

 

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2.13    LIST OF STOCKHOLDERS ENTITLED TO VOTE

The Company shall prepare, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting; provided, however, if the record date for determining the stockholders entitled to vote is less than 10 days before the meeting date, the list shall reflect the stockholders entitled to vote as of the tenth day before the meeting date, arranged in alphabetical order, and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. The Company shall not be required to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder for any purpose germane to the meeting for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting: (a) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (b) during ordinary business hours, at the Company’s principal place of business. In the event that the Company determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Company may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Company. If the meeting is to be held at a place, then a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting shall be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof, and may be examined by any stockholder who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then such list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.

2.14    INSPECTORS OF ELECTION

Before any meeting of stockholders, the Company shall appoint an inspector or inspectors of election to act at the meeting or its adjournment. The Company may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act.

Such inspectors shall:

(a)    ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each;

(b)    determine the shares represented at the meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots;

(c)    count all votes and ballots;

(d)    determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and

(e)    certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots.

The inspectors of election shall perform their duties impartially, in good faith, to the best of their ability and as expeditiously as is practical. If there are multiple inspectors of election, the

 

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decision, act or certificate of a majority is effective in all respects as the decision, act or certificate of all. Any report or certificate made by the inspectors of election is prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein.

ARTICLE III - DIRECTORS

3.1    POWERS

The business and affairs of the Company shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided in the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation.

3.2    NUMBER OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members, each of whom shall be a natural person. Unless the certificate of incorporation fixes the number of directors, the number of directors shall be determined from time to time by resolution of a majority of the Whole Board. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director before that director’s term of office expires.

3.3    ELECTION, QUALIFICATION AND TERM OF OFFICE OF DIRECTORS

Except as provided in Section 3.4 of these bylaws, each director, including a director elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship, shall hold office until the expiration of the term for which elected and until such director’s successor is elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws. The certificate of incorporation or these bylaws may prescribe other qualifications for directors.

If so provided in the certificate of incorporation, the directors of the Company shall be divided into three classes.

3.4    RESIGNATION AND VACANCIES

Any director may resign at any time upon notice given in writing or by electronic transmission to the Company. A resignation is effective when the resignation is delivered unless the resignation specifies a later effective date or an effective date determined upon the happening of an event or events. A resignation which is conditioned upon the director failing to receive a specified vote for reelection as a director may provide that it is irrevocable. Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, when one or more directors resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective.

 

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Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws or permitted in the specific case by resolution of the Board of Directors, and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors elected by all of the stockholders having the right to vote as a single class may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office, although less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and not by stockholders. If the directors are divided into classes, a person so chosen to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

3.5    PLACE OF MEETINGS; MEETINGS BY TELEPHONE

The Board of Directors may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or outside the State of Delaware.

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, members of the Board of Directors may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and such participation in a meeting shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.

3.6    REGULAR MEETINGS

Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as shall from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors.

3.7    SPECIAL MEETINGS; NOTICE

Special meetings of the Board of Directors for any purpose or purposes may be called at any time by the chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, the secretary or a majority of the Whole Board.

Notice of the time and place of special meetings shall be:

(a)    delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone;

(b)    sent by United States first-class mail, postage prepaid;

(c)    sent by facsimile;

(d)    sent by electronic mail; or

(e)    otherwise given by electronic transmission (as defined in Section 232 of the DGCL),

 

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directed to each director at that director’s address, telephone number, facsimile number, electronic mail address or other contact for notice by electronic transmission, as the case may be, as shown on the Company’s records.

If the notice is (i) delivered personally by hand, by courier or by telephone, (ii) sent by facsimile, (iii) sent by electronic mail or (iv) otherwise given by electronic transmission, it shall be delivered, sent or otherwise directed to each director, as applicable, at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. If the notice is sent by United States mail, it shall be deposited in the United States mail at least four days before the time of the holding of the meeting. Any oral notice of the time and place of the meeting may be communicated to the director in lieu of written notice if such notice is communicated at least 24 hours before the time of the holding of the meeting. The notice need not specify the place of the meeting (if the meeting is to be held at the Company’s principal executive office) nor the purpose of the meeting, unless required by statute.

3.8    QUORUM; VOTING

At all meetings of the Board of Directors, a majority of the Whole Board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. If a quorum is not present at any meeting of the Board of Directors, then the directors present thereat may adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting, until a quorum is present.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise specifically provided by statute, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

If the certificate of incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, except as may otherwise be expressly provided herein or therein and denoted with the phrase “notwithstanding the final paragraph of Section 3.8 of the bylaws” or language to similar effect, every reference in these bylaws to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.

3.9    BOARD ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT WITHOUT A MEETING

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission. Any person (whether or not then a director) may provide, whether through instruction to an agent or otherwise, that a consent to action will be effective at a future time (including a time determined upon the happening of an event), no later than 60 days after such instruction is given or such provision is made and such consent shall be deemed to have been given for purposes of this Section 3.9 at such effective time so long as such person is then a director and did not revoke the consent prior to such time. Any such consent shall be revocable prior to its becoming effective.

 

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3.10    FEES AND COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Unless otherwise restricted by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors shall have the authority to fix the compensation of directors.

3.11    REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS

Any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office by stockholders of the Company in the manner specified in the certificate of incorporation and applicable law. No reduction of the authorized number of directors shall have the effect of removing any director prior to the expiration of such director’s term of office.

ARTICLE IV - COMMITTEES

4.1    COMMITTEES OF DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors may, by resolution passed by a majority of the Whole Board, designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Company. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or members constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member. Any such committee, to the extent provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors or in these bylaws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Company, and may authorize the seal of the Company to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority to (a) approve or adopt, or recommend to the stockholders, any action or matter (other than the election or removal of directors) expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (b) adopt, amend or repeal any bylaw of the Company.

4.2    COMMITTEE MINUTES

Each committee and subcommittee shall keep regular minutes of its meetings.

4.3    MEETINGS AND ACTION OF COMMITTEES

Meetings and actions of committees and subcommittees shall be governed by, and held and taken in accordance with, the provisions of:

(a)    Section 3.5 (place of meetings and meetings by telephone);

(b)    Section 3.6 (regular meetings);

 

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(c)    Section 3.7 (special meetings and notice);

(d)    Section 3.8 (quorum; voting);

(e)    Section 3.9 (action without a meeting); and

(f)    Section 7.4 (waiver of notice)

with such changes in the context of those bylaws as are necessary to substitute the committee or subcommittee and its members for the Board of Directors and its members. However, (i) the time and place of regular meetings of committees or subcommittees may be determined either by resolution of the Board of Directors or by resolution of the committee or subcommittee; (ii) special meetings of committees or subcommittees may also be called by resolution of the Board of Directors or the committee or the subcommittee; and (iii) notice of special meetings of committees and subcommittees shall also be given to all alternate members who shall have the right to attend all meetings of the committee or subcommittee. The Board of Directors may adopt rules for the government of any committee not inconsistent with the provisions of these bylaws.

Any provision in the certificate of incorporation providing that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter shall apply to voting in any committee or subcommittee, unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

4.4    SUBCOMMITTEES

Unless otherwise provided in the certificate of incorporation, these bylaws or the resolutions of the Board of Directors designating the committee, a committee may create one or more subcommittees, each subcommittee to consist of one or more members of the committee, and delegate to a subcommittee any or all of the powers and authority of the committee.

ARTICLE V - OFFICERS

5.1    OFFICERS

The officers of the Company shall be a president and a secretary. The Company may also have, at the discretion of the Board of Directors, a chairperson of the Board of Directors, a vice chairperson of the Board of Directors, a chief executive officer, a chief financial officer or treasurer, one or more vice presidents, one or more assistant vice presidents, one or more assistant treasurers, one or more assistant secretaries and any such other officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of these bylaws. Any number of offices may be held by the same person.

 

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5.2    APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS

The Board of Directors shall appoint the officers of the Company, except such officers as may be appointed in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.3 of these bylaws, subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment.

5.3    SUBORDINATE OFFICERS

The Board of Directors may appoint, or empower any officer to appoint, such other officers as the business of the Company may require. Each of such officers shall hold office for such period, have such authority, and perform such duties as are provided in these bylaws or as determined from time to time by the Board of Directors, any duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof or by any officer who has been conferred such power of determination.

5.4    REMOVAL AND RESIGNATION OF OFFICERS

Subject to the rights, if any, of an officer under any contract of employment, any officer may be removed, either with or without cause, by the Board of Directors or, for the avoidance of doubt, any duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof or by any officer who has been conferred such power of removal.

Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, to the Company. Any resignation shall take effect at the date of the receipt of that notice or at any later time specified in that notice. Unless otherwise specified in the notice of resignation, the acceptance of the resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation is without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the Company under any contract to which the officer is a party.

5.5    VACANCIES IN OFFICES

Any vacancy occurring in any office of the Company shall be filled by the Board of Directors or as provided in Section 5.3.

5.6    REPRESENTATION OF SECURITIES OF OTHER ENTITIES

The chairperson of the Board of Directors, the chief executive officer, the president, any vice president, the treasurer, the secretary or assistant secretary of this Company or any other person authorized by the Board of Directors or the chief executive officer, the president or a vice president, is authorized to vote, represent and exercise on behalf of this Company all rights incident to any and all shares or other securities of any other entity or entities, and all rights incident to any management authority conferred on the Company in accordance with the governing documents of any entity or entities, standing in the name of this Company, including the right to act by written consent. The authority granted herein may be exercised either by such person directly or by any other person authorized to do so by proxy or power of attorney duly executed by such person having the authority.

 

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5.7    AUTHORITY AND DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Each officer of the Company shall have such authority and perform such duties in the management of the business of the Company as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors, any duly authorized committee or subcommittee thereof or by any officer who has been conferred such power of designation, and, to the extent not so provided, as generally pertain to such office, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI - STOCK

6.1    STOCK CERTIFICATES; PARTLY PAID SHARES

The shares of the Company shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock shall be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Company. Unless otherwise provided by resolution of the Board of Directors, every holder of stock represented by certificates shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by, or in the name of, the Company by any two officers of the Company representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Company with the same effect as if such person were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue. The Company shall not have power to issue a certificate in bearer form.

The Company may issue the whole or any part of its shares as partly paid and subject to call for the remainder of the consideration to be paid therefor. Upon the face or back of each stock certificate issued to represent any such partly-paid shares, or upon the books and records of the Company in the case of uncertificated partly-paid shares, the total amount of the consideration to be paid therefor and the amount paid thereon shall be stated. Upon the declaration of any dividend on fully-paid shares, the Company shall declare a dividend upon partly-paid shares of the same class, but only upon the basis of the percentage of the consideration actually paid thereon.

6.2    SPECIAL DESIGNATION ON CERTIFICATES

If the Company is authorized to issue more than one class of stock or more than one series of any class, then the powers, the designations, the preferences and the relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights shall be set forth in full or summarized on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock; provided, however, that, except as otherwise provided in Section 202 of the DGCL, in lieu of the foregoing requirements, there may be set forth on the face or back of the certificate that the Company shall issue to represent such class or series of stock, a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations,

 

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preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Within a reasonable time after the issuance or transfer of uncertificated stock, the registered owner thereof shall be given a notice, in writing or by electronic transmission, containing the information required to be set forth or stated on certificates pursuant to this Section 6.2 or Sections 156, 202(a), 218(a) or 364 of the DGCL or with respect to this Section 6.2 a statement that the Company will furnish without charge to each stockholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of stock or series thereof and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided by law, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated stock and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.

6.3    LOST CERTIFICATES

Except as provided in this Section 6.3, no new certificates for shares shall be issued to replace a previously issued certificate unless the latter is surrendered to the Company and cancelled at the same time. The Company may issue a new certificate of stock or uncertificated shares in the place of any certificate theretofore issued by it, alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, and the Company may require the owner of the lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or such owner’s legal representative, to give the Company a bond sufficient to indemnify it against any claim that may be made against it on account of the alleged loss, theft or destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of such new certificate or uncertificated shares.

6.4    DIVIDENDS

The Board of Directors, subject to any restrictions contained in the certificate of incorporation or applicable law, may declare and pay dividends upon the shares of the Company’s capital stock. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the Company’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the certificate of incorporation. The Board of Directors may set apart out of any of the funds of the Company available for dividends a reserve or reserves for any proper purpose and may abolish any such reserve.

6.5    TRANSFER OF STOCK

Transfers of record of shares of stock of the Company shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by an attorney duly authorized, and, if such stock is certificated, upon the surrender of a certificate or certificates for a like number of shares, properly endorsed or accompanied by proper evidence of succession, assignation or authority to transfer.

6.6    STOCK TRANSFER AGREEMENTS

The Company shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the Company to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the Company of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

 

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6.7    REGISTERED STOCKHOLDERS

The Company:

(a)    shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends and notices and to vote as such owner; and

(b)    shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of another person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

6.8    LOCK-UP

(a)    Subject to the exceptions set forth in this Section 6.8, the holders (the “Securityholders”) of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (“Common Stock”), issued (i) as consideration pursuant to that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger (as it may be amended from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), dated as of May 6, 2021, by and among the Company, SCharge Merger Sub, Inc., and ESS Tech, Inc. (the “Prior Company”), (ii) upon the exercise of warrants or other convertible securities outstanding as of immediately following the Effective Time in respect of warrants or convertible securities of the Prior Company outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, or (iii) to directors, officers and employees of the Company or its subsidiaries upon the settlement or exercise of stock options or other equity awards outstanding as of immediately following the Effective Time in respect of awards of the Prior Company outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time, shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board of Directors (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a duly authorized committee thereof), (A) lend, sell, offer to sell, contract or agree to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agree to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establish or increase a put equivalent position or liquidate or decrease a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the 1934 Act, and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, any such shares of Common Stock, other than (1) shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), pursuant to a subscription agreement where the issuance of Common Stock occurs on or after the Effective Time (such shares, excluding those in clause (1) the “Lock-Up Shares”), (B) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of such Lock-Up Shares, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (C) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (A) or (B) (the actions specified in clauses (A)-(C), collectively, “Transfer”) during the Lock-Up Period. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Section 6.8 will have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Merger Agreement.

 

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For purposes of this Section 6.8, “Lock-Up Period” shall mean the period commencing upon the Effective Time and ending on the earliest of (i) the date that is 180 days from the Effective Time or (ii) such date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property.

(b)    The restrictions set forth in Section 6.8(a) shall not apply to: (i) transactions relating to shares of Common Stock acquired in open market transactions or from the Company pursuant to the Company’s employee stock purchase plan; (ii) Transfers of shares of Common Stock or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock as a bona fide gift to a member of the Securityholder’s immediate family; (iii) Transfers of shares of Common Stock to a trust, or other entity formed for estate planning purposes for the primary benefit of the Securityholder’s immediate family; (iv) Transfers by will or intestate succession upon the death of the Securityholder; (v) the Transfer of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a qualified domestic order or in connection with a divorce settlement; (vi) if the Securityholder is a corporation, partnership (whether general, limited or otherwise), limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) Transfers to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control or management with the Securityholder, or (B) distributions of shares of Common Stock to partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the Securityholder; (vii) Transfers to the Company’s officers, directors or their affiliates; (viii) transactions in the event of the completion of a liquidation, merger, stock exchange or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s securityholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property; (ix) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that such plan does not provide for the Transfer of Lock-up Shares during the Lock-Up Period; (x) Transfers to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of options to purchase shares of Common Stock or the vesting of stock-based awards; provided, that any Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall be subject to the terms of this Section 6.8; (xi) Transfers in payment on a “net exercise” or “cashless” basis of the exercise or purchase price with respect to the exercise of options to purchase shares of Common Stock; provided, that any Common Stock issued upon such exercise shall be subject to the terms of this Section 6.8; (xii) Transfers to the Company pursuant to any contractual arrangement in effect at the Effective Time that provides for the repurchase by the Company or forfeiture of the Securityholder’s Common Stock or options to purchase shares of Common Stock in connection with the termination of the Securityholder’s service to the Company; (xiii) (A) transfers of shares of Common Stock (or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Company’s Common Stock) pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer for shares of the Company’s capital stock made to all holders of the Company’s securities, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction approved by the Board of Directors the result of which is that any person (as defined in Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act), or group of persons, other than the Company, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 of the 1934 Act) of more than 50% of the total voting power of the voting stock of the Company and (B) entry into any lock-up, voting or similar agreement pursuant to which the Securityholder may agree to transfer, sell, tender or otherwise dispose of shares of Common Stock or such other securities in

 

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connection with a transaction described in the immediately foregoing (A) above; provided that in the event that such change of control transaction is not completed, the Common Stock (or any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock) owned by the Securityholder shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this agreement; provided, however, that in the case of clauses (ii) through (vii), the permitted transferees must enter into a written agreement, in substantially the form of this Section 6.8 (it being understood that any references to “immediate family” in the agreement executed by such transferee shall expressly refer only to the immediate family of the Securityholder and not to the immediate family of the transferee), agreeing to be bound by these Transfer restrictions. For purposes of this Section 6.8(b), “immediate family” shall mean a spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child or grandchild of the Securityholder or any other person with whom the Securityholder has a relationship by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first cousin; and “affiliate” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 6.8, if, following the 150th day after the Effective Time, the VWAP of Common Stock, for any 20 trading days within any 30 consecutive trading day period (which period, for the avoidance of doubt, may be measured beginning before, on or after the 150th day after the Effective Time), is at least $12.00 per share, then the transfer restrictions set forth in this Section 6.8 shall no longer apply.

(c)    Notwithstanding the other provisions set forth in this Section 6.8, the Board of Directors (including, for the avoidance of doubt, a duly authorized committee thereof, to the fullest extent permitted by law) may, in its sole discretion, determine to waive, amend, or repeal any of the obligations set forth herein.

ARTICLE VII - MANNER OF GIVING NOTICE AND WAIVER

7.1    NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Notice of any meeting of stockholders shall be given in the manner set forth in the DGCL.

7.2    NOTICE TO STOCKHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

Except as otherwise prohibited under the DGCL, without limiting the manner by which notice otherwise may be given effectively to stockholders, any notice to stockholders given by the Company under the provisions of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Any such consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the Company. Any stockholder who fails to object in writing to the Company, within 60 days of having been given written notice by the Company of its intention to send the single notice, shall be deemed to have consented to receiving such single written notice. This Section 7.2 shall not apply to Sections 164, 296, 311, 312 or 324 of the DGCL.

 

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7.3    NOTICE TO PERSON WITH WHOM COMMUNICATION IS UNLAWFUL

Whenever notice is required to be given, under the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting which shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the Company is such as to require the filing of a certificate under the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

7.4    WAIVER OF NOTICE

Whenever notice is required to be given under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, a written waiver, signed by the person entitled to notice, or a waiver by electronic transmission by the person entitled to notice, whether before or after the time of the event for which notice is to be given, shall be deemed equivalent to notice. Attendance of a person at a meeting shall constitute a waiver of notice of such meeting, except when the person attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Neither the business to be transacted at, nor the purpose of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders need be specified in any written waiver of notice or any waiver by electronic transmission unless so required by the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws.

ARTICLE VIII - INDEMNIFICATION

8.1    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN THIRD PARTY PROCEEDINGS

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”) (other than an action by or in the right of the Company) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was a director or officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe such person’s conduct was unlawful. The termination of any Proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or

 

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upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person’s conduct was unlawful.

8.2    INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS IN ACTIONS BY OR IN THE RIGHT OF THE COMPANY

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as now or hereinafter in effect, any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company, or is or was a director or officer of the Company serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such Proceeding if such person acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company; except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the Company unless and only to the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

8.3    SUCCESSFUL DEFENSE

To the extent that a present or former director or officer (for purposes of this Section 8.3 only, as such term is defined in Section 145(c)(1) of the DGCL) of the Company has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith. The Company may indemnify any other person who is not a present or former director or officer of the Company against expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by such person to the extent he or she has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any suit or proceeding described in Section 8.1 or Section 8.2, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein.

8.4    INDEMNIFICATION OF OTHERS

Subject to the other provisions of this Article VIII, the Company shall have power to indemnify its employees and agents, or any other persons, to the extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate to any person or persons identified in subsections (1) through (4) of Section 145(d) of the DGCL the determination of whether employees or agents shall be indemnified.

 

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8.5    ADVANCED PAYMENT OF EXPENSES

Expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by an officer or director of the Company in defending any Proceeding shall be paid by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such Proceeding upon receipt of a written request therefor (together with documentation reasonably evidencing such expenses) and an undertaking by or on behalf of the person to repay such amounts if it shall ultimately be determined that the person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article VIII or the DGCL. Such expenses (including attorneys’ fees) actually and reasonably incurred by former directors and officers or other employees and agents of the Company or by persons serving at the request of the Company as directors, officers, employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise may be so paid upon such terms and conditions, if any, as the Company deems appropriate. The right to advancement of expenses shall not apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) for which indemnity is excluded pursuant to these bylaws, but shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 8.6(b) or 8.6(c) prior to a determination that the person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to Section 8.8, no advance shall be made by the Company to an officer of the Company (except by reason of the fact that such officer is or was a director of the Company, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any Proceeding if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (a) by a vote of the directors who are not parties to such Proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (b) by a committee of such directors designated by the vote of the majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (c) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company.

8.6    LIMITATION ON INDEMNIFICATION

Subject to the requirements in Section 8.3 and the DGCL, the Company shall not be obligated to indemnify any person pursuant to this Article VIII in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

(a)    for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of such person under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

(b)    for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(c)    for any reimbursement of the Company by such person of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by such person from

 

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the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the 1934 Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by such person of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if such person is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(d)    initiated by such person, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by such person against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Board of Directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, (iii) otherwise required to be made under Section 8.7 or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or

(e)    if prohibited by applicable law.

8.7    DETERMINATION; CLAIM

If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article VIII is not paid in full within 90 days after receipt by the Company of the written request therefor, the claimant shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of expenses. The Company shall indemnify such person against any and all expenses that are actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of expenses from the Company under this Article VIII, to the extent such person is successful in such action, and to the extent not prohibited by law. In any such suit, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving that the claimant is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses.

8.8    NON-EXCLUSIVITY OF RIGHTS

The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or granted pursuant to, this Article VIII shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the certificate of incorporation or any statute, bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in such person’s official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding such office. The Company is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advancement of expenses, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

8.9    INSURANCE

The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the

 

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Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Company would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

8.10    SURVIVAL

The rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses conferred by this Article VIII shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

8.11    EFFECT OF REPEAL OR MODIFICATION

A right to indemnification or to advancement of expenses arising under a provision of the certificate of incorporation or a bylaw shall not be eliminated or impaired by an amendment to or repeal or elimination of the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws after the occurrence of the act or omission that is the subject of the civil, criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding for which indemnification or advancement of expenses is sought, unless the provision in effect at the time of such act or omission explicitly authorizes such elimination or impairment after such action or omission has occurred.

8.12    CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

For purposes of this Article VIII, references to the “Company” shall include, in addition to the resulting company, any constituent company (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent company, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Article VIII with respect to the resulting or surviving company as such person would have with respect to such constituent company if its separate existence had continued. For purposes of this Article VIII, references to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Article VIII.

 

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ARTICLE IX - GENERAL MATTERS

9.1    EXECUTION OF CORPORATE CONTRACTS AND INSTRUMENTS

Except as otherwise provided by law, the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws, the Board of Directors may authorize any officer or officers, or agent or agents, to enter into any contract or execute any document or instrument in the name of and on behalf of the Company; such authority may be general or confined to specific instances. Unless so authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the Company by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

9.2    FISCAL YEAR

The fiscal year of the Company shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors and may be changed by the Board of Directors.

9.3    SEAL

The Company may adopt a corporate seal, which shall be adopted and which may be altered by the Board of Directors. The Company may use the corporate seal by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced.

9.4    CONSTRUCTION; DEFINITIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, the general provisions, rules of construction, and definitions in the DGCL shall govern the construction of these bylaws. Without limiting the generality of this provision, the singular number includes the plural, the plural number includes the singular, and the term “person” includes a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, and a natural person. Any reference in these bylaws to a section of the DGCL shall be deemed to refer to such section as amended from time to time and any successor provisions thereto.

9.5    FORUM SELECTION

Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, another State court in Delaware or the federal district court for the District of Delaware) shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for (a) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (b) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, stockholder, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (c) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the certificate of incorporation or these bylaws (as either may be amended from time to time) or (d) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (a) through (d) above, any claim as to which such court determines that there is an

 

- 29 -


indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within 10 days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court or for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction.

Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, as amended, against any person in connection with any offering of the Company’s securities, including, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, any auditor, underwriter, expert, control person, or other defendant.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the provisions of this Section 9.5. This provision shall be enforceable by any party to a complaint covered by the provisions of this Section 9.5. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing contained in this Section 9.5 shall apply to any action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the 1934 Act or any successor thereto.

ARTICLE X - AMENDMENTS

These bylaws may be adopted, amended or repealed by the stockholders entitled to vote; provided, however, that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of outstanding voting securities, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the stockholders of the Company to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any bylaw inconsistent with, the following provisions of these bylaws: Article II, Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 and 3.11 of Article III, Article VIII, Section 9.5 of Article IX or this Article X (including, without limitation, any such Article or Section as renumbered as a result of any amendment, alteration, change, repeal, or adoption of any other Bylaw). The Board of Directors shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal bylaws; provided, however, that a bylaw amendment adopted by stockholders which specifies the votes that shall be necessary for the election of directors shall not be further amended or repealed by the Board of Directors.

 

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Exhibit 4.2

ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

THIS ASSIGNMENT, ASSUMPTION AND AMENDMENT AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into and effective as of October 8, 2021 by and among ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“STWO”) (to be renamed “ESS Tech, Inc.” effective as of the Closing (as defined below), or “New ESS”), ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“ESS”), Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation (“Continental”) and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company and Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (collectively, “Computershare”).

WHEREAS, STWO and Continental have previously entered into a warrant agreement, dated as of September 16, 2020 (the “Warrant Agreement”) governing the terms of STWO’s 13,000,000 outstanding warrants (the “Warrants”) to purchase shares of Class A ordinary shares, par value $0.0001 per share, of STWO (“STWO Class A Ordinary Shares”); and

WHEREAS, STWO has entered into a merger agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021 (the “Merger Agreement”), with SCharge Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of STWO (“Merger Sub”) and ESS, pursuant to which (i) STWO will deregister by way of continuation under the Cayman Islands Companies Act (2021 Revision) and register as a corporation in the State of Delaware under Part XII of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “Domestication”), (ii) following the Domestication, Merger Sub will merge with and into ESS, with ESS surviving the merger and becoming a wholly-owned direct subsidiary of STWO, which will immediately be renamed “ESS Tech, Inc.” (the “Business Combination”); and

WHEREAS, effective upon the Business Combination, holders of the Class A Ordinary Shares will receive a number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New ESS (“New ESS Common Stock”) based on an adjusted equity value of ESS pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 4.5 of the Warrant Agreement, upon the closing of the Business Combination (the “Closing”), the Warrants will represent the right of the holders thereof to purchase shares of New ESS Common Stock; and

WHEREAS, as a result of the foregoing, the parties hereto wish for STWO to assign to New ESS all of STWO’s rights and interests and obligations in and under the Warrant Agreement and for New ESS to accept such assignment, and assume all of STWO’s obligations thereunder, in each case, effective upon the Closing;

WHEREAS, effective upon the Closing, New ESS wishes to appoint Computershare to serve as successor Warrant Agent and Transfer Agent under the Warrant Agreement; and

WHEREAS, in connection with and effective upon such appointment, Continental wishes to assign all of its rights, interests and obligations as Warrant Agent and Transfer Agent under the Warrant Agreement, as hereby amended, to Computershare, Computershare wishes to assume all of such rights, interests and obligations and New ESS wishes to approve such assignment and assumption.

NOW, THEREFORE, for good and valuable consideration, receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereby agree as follows:

1. Assignment and Assumption of Warrant Agreement. STWO hereby assigns, and New ESS hereby agrees to accept and assume, effective as of the Closing, all of STWO’s rights, interests and obligations in, and under the Warrant Agreement and Warrants. Unless the context otherwise requires, from and after the Closing, any references in the Warrant Agreement or the Warrants to: (i) the “Company” shall mean New ESS; (ii) “Ordinary Shares” shall mean the shares of New ESS Common Stock; and (iii) the “Board of Directors” or the “Board” or any committee thereof shall mean the board of directors of New ESS or any committee thereof.


2. Appointment of Successor Warrant Agent and Transfer Agent. New ESS hereby appoints Computershare to serve as successor Warrant Agent and Transfer Agent under the Warrant Agreement and Continental hereby assigns, and Computershare hereby agrees to accept and assume, effective as of the Closing, all of Continental’s rights, interests and obligations in, and under the Warrant Agreement and Warrants, as Warrant Agent and Transfer Agent. Unless the context otherwise requires, from and after the Closing, any references in the Warrant Agreement and the Warrants to the “Warrant Agent” or “Transfer Agent” shall mean Computershare. Any notice, statement or demand authorized by the Warrant Agreement to be given or made by the holder of any Warrant or by the Company to or on the Warrant Agent pursuant to Section 9.2 shall be delivered to:

Computershare Trust Company, N.A.

Computershare Inc.

150 Royall Street

Canton, MA 02021

Attn: Client Services

Email: Kathryn.Minyard@computershare.com

3. Replacement Instruments. Following the Closing, upon request by any holder of a Warrant, New ESS shall issue a new instrument for such Warrant reflecting the adjustment to the terms and conditions described herein and in Section 4.5 of the Warrant Agreement.

4. Amendment to Warrant Agreement. To the extent required by this Agreement, the Warrant Agreement is hereby deemed amended pursuant to Section 9.8 thereof to reflect the subject matter contained herein, effective as of the Closing, including the following:

 

  a.

The preamble is amended by (i) deleting “ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (the “Company”)” and replacing it with “ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”)”; (ii) deleting “Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a New York corporation, as warrant agent (in such capacity, the “Warrant Agent”)” and replacing it with “Computershare Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Computershare Inc.”), Computershare Trust Company, N.A., a federally chartered trust company and a wholly owned subsidiary of Computershare Inc. (“Trust Company” and together with Computershare Inc., in such capacity as warrant agent, the “Warrant Agent”).”

As a result thereof, all references in the Existing Warrant Agreement and the amendments to the Warrant Agreement below (i) to the “Company” shall be references to New ESS, (ii) to “Warrant Agent” shall be to Computershare Inc. and Trust Company, together.

 

  b.

The recitals are hereby deleted and replaced in their entirety as follows:

WHEREAS, ACON S2 Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“STWO”) has entered into that certain Sponsor Warrants Purchase Agreement, with ACON S2 Sponsor, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), pursuant to which the Sponsor agreed to purchase an aggregate of 4,666,667 warrants simultaneously with the closing of the Offering bearing the legend set forth in Exhibit B hereto (the “Private Placement Warrants”) at a purchase price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant. Each Private Placement Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Stock (as defined below) at a price of $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein; and

WHEREAS, in order to finance STWO’s transaction costs in connection with its initial business combination (the “Business Combination”), STWO or an affiliate of STWO or certain of STWO’s officers and directors may, but is not obligated to, loan to STWO as STWO may require, of which up to $1,500,000 of such loans may be convertible into up to an additional 1,000,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.50 per Private Placement Warrant; and

 

-2-


WHEREAS, STWO consummated an initial public offering (the “Offering”) of units of STWO’s equity securities, each such unit comprised of one Ordinary Share (as defined below) and one-third of one Public Warrant (as defined below) (the “Units”) and, in connection therewith, has issued and delivered 8,333,333 warrants to public investors in the Offering (the “Public Warrants”). Each whole Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Class A ordinary share of STWO, par value $0.0001 per share (“Ordinary Share”), for $11.50 per share, subject to adjustment as described herein Only whole Warrants are exercisable. A holder of the Public Warrants will not be able to exercise any fraction of a Warrant; and

WHEREAS, STWO has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) a registration statement on Form S-1, File Nos. 377-03361 and 333-248515 and prospectus (the “Prospectus”) for the registration, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Units, the Public Warrants and the Ordinary Shares included in the Units; and

WHEREAS, STWO, ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy ESS”), and SCharge Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of STWO (“Merger Sub”), are parties to that certain merger agreement, dated as of May 6, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), which, among other things, provides, following the consummation of the Domestication (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), for the merger of Merger Sub with and into Legacy ESS with Legacy ESS surviving such merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of STWO, which was subsequently renamed “ESS Tech, Inc.” (the “Merger”), and, as a result of the Merger, all Ordinary Shares will be exchanged for such number of shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”) as described in the Merger Agreement; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Letter Agreement, dated May 6, 2021 (the “Sponsor Letter Agreement”), 583,333 of the Private Placement Warrants were forfeited at Closing (as defined therein), 3,500,000 of the Private Placement Warrants vested at Closing and 583,334 of the Private Placement Warrants will vest in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the Milestone Events (as defined therein); and

WHEREAS, on October 8, 2021, pursuant to the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, the Company, STWO and the Warrant Agent entered into an Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement (the “Warrant Assumption Agreement”), pursuant to which STWO assigned its rights and obligations under this Agreement to the Company and the Company assumed STWO’s rights and obligations under this Agreement from STWO; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Warrant Assumption Agreement and Section 4.5 of this Agreement, effective as of the Effective Time (as defined in the Business Combination Agreement), each of the issued and outstanding Private Placement Warrants and Public Warrants shall no longer be exercisable for Ordinary Shares but shall instead become exercisable (subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement) for Common Stock (each a “Warrant” and collectively, the “Warrants”); and

WHEREAS, the Company desires the Warrant Agent to act on behalf of the Company, and the Warrant Agent is willing to so act, in connection with the issuance, registration, transfer, exchange, redemption and exercise of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS, the Company desires to provide for the form and provisions of the Warrants, the terms upon which they shall be issued and exercised, and the respective rights, limitation of rights, and immunities of the Company, the Warrant Agent, and the holders of the Warrants; and

WHEREAS, all acts and things have been done and performed which are necessary to make the Warrants, when executed on behalf of the Company and countersigned by or on behalf of the Warrant Agent (if a physical certificate is issued), as provided herein, the valid, binding and legal obligations of the Company, and to authorize the execution and delivery of this Agreement.

 

-3-


NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein contained, the parties hereto agree as follows:”

As a result of the foregoing, all references in the Warrant Agreement and the amendments to the Warrant Agreement below to “Ordinary Share” or “Ordinary Shares” shall be references to Common Stock.

 

  c.

The penultimate sentence of Section 3.3.2 is hereby amended by deleting the reference to “Section 4.6” and replacing it with “Section 4.7”.

 

  d.

Section 3.3.5 is hereby amended by deleting the phrase “Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as” and replacing it with the word “its”.

 

  e.

Section 4.6 is hereby amended by adding, immediately after the first full sentence of Section 4.6, the following sentence:

“The Warrant Agent shall be entitled to rely on such notice and any adjustment or statement therein contained and shall have no duty or liability with respect thereto and shall not be deemed to have knowledge of any such adjustment or any such event unless and until it shall have received such notice.”

 

  f.

Section 5.5 is hereby amended to add the following as the final sentence thereof.

“The Warrant Agent may countersign a Definitive Warrant Certificate in manual of facsimile form.”

 

  g.

Section 7.4 is hereby amended by adding new subsections 7.4.3, 7.4.4 and 7.4.5 to the end thereof as follows:

“7.4.3. Calculation of Ordinary Shares to be issued on Cashless Exercise. In connection with any cashless exercise of Warrants, the Company shall calculate and transmit to the Warrant Agent, and the Warrant Agent shall have no duty under this Agreement to determine, the number of Ordinary Shares to be issued on such cashless exercise, and the Warrant Agent shall have no duty or obligation to calculate or confirm whether the Company’s determination of the Ordinary Shares to be issued on such exercise is accurate.

7.4.4. Deliver of Warrant Exercise Funds. The Warrant Agent shall forward funds received for Warrant exercises in a given month by the 5th business day of the following month by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company.

7.4.5. Cost Basis Information. The Company hereby instructs the Warrant Agent to record cost basis for newly issued shares (whether pursuant to a cash exercise or a cashless exercise) in accordance with instructions by the Company. If the Company does not provide such cost basis information to the Warrant Agent as outlined above, then the Warrant Agent will treat those shares issued hereunder as uncovered securities or the equivalent, and each holder of such shares will need to obtain such cost basis information from the Company.

 

  h.

Section 8.3.1 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Remuneration. The Company agrees to pay the Warrant Agent reasonable remuneration (as may be agreed upon in writing by the Company and the Warrant Agent) for its services as such Warrant Agent hereunder and will reimburse the Warrant Agent upon demand for all of its reasonable expenses (including reasonable counsel fees and expenses) incurred in connection with the preparation, delivery, negotiation, amendment, administration and execution of this Agreement and the exercise and performance of its duties hereunder.”

 

  i.

Section 8.4.1 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Reliance on Company Statement. Whenever in the performance of its duties under this Agreement the Warrant Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that any fact or matter be proved or established by the Company prior to taking, suffering, or omitting to take any action

 

-4-


hereunder, such fact or matter may be deemed to be conclusively proved and established by a certificate signed by a person reasonably believed in the absence of bad faith by the Warrant Agent to be the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer, the President, Secretary or Chairman of the Board of the Company (each an authorized officer); and such certificate shall be full authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent and the Warrant Agent shall incur no liability for or in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by it under the provisions of this Agreement in reasonable reliance upon such certificate.”

 

  j.

Section 8.4.2 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Indemnity; Limitation on Liability. The Company also covenants and agrees to indemnify the Warrant Agent for, and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand, settlement, reasonable and documented third party cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) (“Losses”) that may be paid, incurred or suffered by it, or which it may become subject, other than such Losses arising in connection with the gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct on the part of the Warrant Agent (which gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), for any action taken, suffered, or omitted to be taken by the Warrant Agent in connection with the execution, acceptance, administration, exercise and performance of its duties under this Agreement, including the costs and expenses of defending against any claim of liability arising therefrom, directly or indirectly, or enforcing its rights hereunder. The Warrant Agent shall be liable hereunder only for its own gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct (which gross negligence, bad faith or willful misconduct must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction). Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, any liability of the Warrant Agent under this Agreement will be, other than in the case of fraud (as determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction), limited to the amount of annual fees paid by the Company to the Warrant Agent during the twelve (12) months immediately preceding the event for which recovery from the Warrant Agent is being sought. Anything to the contrary notwithstanding, in no event will the Warrant Agent be liable for special, punitive, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damages of any kind whatsoever (including, without limitation, lost profits), even if the Warrant Agent has been advised of the likelihood of such loss or damages, and regardless of the form of action. The provisions under Section 8.4shall survive the expiration of the Warrant and the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Warrant Agent.”

 

  k.

Section 8.5 is hereby amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

Acceptance of Agency. The Warrant Agent hereby accepts the agency established by this Agreement and agrees to perform the same upon the express terms and conditions (and no implied terms and conditions) herein set forth and among other things shall account for, and pay to the Company, all monies received by the Warrant Agent for the purchase of shares of Common Stock through the exercise of the Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall act hereunder solely as agent for the Company. The Warrant Agent shall not assume any obligations or relationship of agency or trust with any of the owners or holders of the Warrants or Common Stock. The Warrant Agent shall not have any duty or responsibility in the case of the receipt of any written demand from any holder of Warrants or Common Stock with respect to any action or default by the Company, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any duty or responsibility to initiate or attempt to initiate any proceedings at law or otherwise or to make any demand upon the Company. The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility to the Company, any holders of Warrants, any holders of Common Stock or any other Person for interest or earnings on any moneys held by the Warrant Agent pursuant to this Agreement.”

 

  l.

Section 8.6 is hereby deleted in its entirety.

 

-5-


  m.

The following provisions are hereby incorporated into Section 8 in the numerical order set forth below:

“8.6 Legal Counsel. The Warrant Agent may consult with legal counsel selected by it (who may be legal counsel for the Company), and the opinion or advice of such counsel shall be full and complete authorization and protection to the Warrant Agent as to any action taken or omitted by it in accordance with such advice or opinion in the absence of Warrant Agent’s bad faith, fraud, gross negligence or willful misconduct (each as must be determined by a final, non-appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

8.7 Reliance on Agreement and Warrants. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable for or by reason of any of the statements of fact or recitals contained in this Agreement or in the Warrants (except as to its countersignature thereof) or be required to verify the same, but all such statements and recitals are and shall be deemed to have been made by the Company only.

8.8 No Responsibility as to Certain Matters. The Warrant Agent shall not be under any responsibility in respect of the validity of this Agreement or the execution and delivery hereof (except the due execution hereof by the Warrant Agent); nor shall it be responsible for any breach by the Company of any covenant or condition contained in this Agreement or in any Warrant; nor shall it be responsible for any change in the exercisability of the Warrant any adjustment required under this Agreement or responsible for the manner, method or amount of any such adjustment or the ascertaining of the existence of facts that would require any such adjustment; nor shall it by any act hereunder be deemed to make any representation or warranty as to the authorization or reservation of any securities to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or any Warrant or as to whether any other securities will, when so issued, be validly authorized and issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

8.9 Freedom to Trade in Company Securities. Subject to applicable laws, the Warrant Agent and any stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent may buy, sell or deal in any of the Warrant or other securities of the Company or become pecuniarily interested in any transaction in which the Company may be interested, or contract with or lend money to the Company or otherwise act as fully and freely as though it were not Warrant Agent under this Agreement. Nothing herein shall preclude the Warrant Agent or any such stockholder, director, officer or employee of the Warrant Agent from acting in any other capacity for the Company or for any other legal entity.

8.10 Reliance on Attorneys and Agents. The Warrant Agent may execute and exercise any of the rights or powers hereby vested in it or perform any duty hereunder either itself or by or through its attorneys or agents, and the Warrant Agent shall not be answerable or accountable for any act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct of any such attorneys or agents or for any loss to the Company resulting from any such act, omission, default, neglect or misconduct, absent gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith in the selection and continued employment thereof (which gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith must be determined by a final, non- appealable judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

8.11 No Risk of Own Funds. No provision of this Agreement shall require the Warrant Agent to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder or in the exercise any of its rights or powers if it shall reasonably believes in the absence of bad faith that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnification against such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it.

8.12 No Notice. The Warrant Agent shall not be required to take notice or be deemed to have notice of any event or condition hereunder, including any event or condition that may require action by the Warrant Agent, unless the Warrant Agent shall be specifically notified in writing of such event or condition by the Company, and all notices or other instruments required by this Agreement to be delivered to the Warrant Agent must, in order to be effective, be received by the Warrant Agent as specified in Section 9.2 hereof, and in the absence of such notice so delivered, the Warrant Agent may conclusively assume no such event or condition exists.

 

-6-


8.13 Ambiguity. In the event the Warrant Agent believes any ambiguity or uncertainty exists hereunder or in any notice, instruction, direction, request or other communication, paper or document received by the Warrant Agent hereunder, the Warrant Agent, may, in its sole discretion, refrain from taking any action, and shall be fully protected and shall not be liable in any way to Company, the holder of any Warrant or any other person for refraining from taking such action, unless the Warrant Agent receives written instructions signed by the Company which eliminates such ambiguity or uncertainty to the satisfaction of Warrant Agent.

8.14 Non-Registration. The Warrant Agent shall not be liable or responsible for any failure of the Company to comply with any of its obligations relating to any registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or this Agreement, including without limitation obligations under applicable regulation or law.

8.15 Signature Guarantee. The Warrant Agent may rely on and be fully authorized and protected in acting or failing to act upon (a) any guaranty of signature by an “eligible guarantor institution” that is a member or participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program or other comparable “signature guarantee program” or insurance program in addition to, or in substitution for, the foregoing; or (b) any related law, act, regulation or any interpretation of the same.

8.16 Authorized Officers. The Warrant Agent shall be fully authorized and protected in relying upon written instructions received from any authorized officer of the Company and shall not be liable for any action taken, suffered or omitted to be taken by, the Warrant Agent in accordance with such advice or instructions.

8.17 Bank Accounts. All funds received by the Warrant Agent under this Agreement that are to be distributed or applied by the Warrant Agent in the performance of services hereunder (the “Funds”) shall be held by the Warrant Agent as agent for the Company and deposited in one or more bank accounts to be maintained by Computershare in its name as agent for the Company. Until paid pursuant to the terms of this Agreement, the Warrant Agent will hold the Funds through such accounts in: deposit accounts of commercial banks with Tier 1 capital exceeding $1 billion or with an average rating above investment grade by S&P (LT Local Issuer Credit Rating), Moody’s (Long Term Rating) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (LT Issuer Default Rating) (each as reported by Bloomberg Finance L.P.). The Warrant Agent shall have no responsibility or liability for any diminution of the Funds that may result from any deposit made by the Warrant Agent in accordance with this paragraph, including any losses resulting from a default by any bank, financial institution or other third party. The Warrant Agent may from time to time receive interest, dividends or other earnings in connection with such deposits. The Warrant Agent shall not be obligated to pay such interest, dividends or earnings to the Company, any holder or any other party. The Warrant Agent shall forward funds received for warrant exercises in a given month by the 5th business day of the following month by wire transfer to an account designated by the Company.”

8.18. Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Warrant Agent will not be liable for any delays or failures in performance resulting from acts beyond its reasonable control including, without limitation, acts of God, epidemics, pandemics, terrorist acts, shortage of supply, disruptions in public utilities, strikes and lock-outs, war, or civil unrest.

8.19 Confidentiality. The Warrant Agent and the Company agree that all books, records, information and data pertaining to the business of the other party, including inter alia, personal, non-public warrant holder information, which are exchanged or received pursuant to the negotiation or the carrying out of this Agreement including the fees for services hereunder shall remain confidential, and shall not be disclosed to any other person, until the second anniversary of the earlier of the termination of this Agreement and the resignation, replacement or removal of the Warrant Agent, except as may be required by law, including, without limitation, pursuant to subpoenas from state or federal government authorities (e.g., in divorce and criminal actions).

 

-7-


8.20 Further Assurances. The Company shall perform, acknowledge and deliver or cause to be performed, acknowledged and delivered all such further and other acts, documents, instruments and assurances as may be reasonably required by the Warrant Agent for the carrying out or performing by the Warrant Agent of the provisions of this Agreement.”

 

  n.

Section 9.2 is amended such that the address of ACON S2 Acquisition Corp. (with a copy to Kirkland & Ellis LLP) shall be changed to the address of New ESS (with a copy to Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.) as follows:

“ESS Tech, Inc.

26440 SW Parkway Ave., Bldg 83

Wilsonville, OR 97070

Attn: Jeff Bodner

Email: Jeff.Bodner@essinc.com

with a copy to:

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

One Market Plaza

Spear Tower, Suite 3300

San Francisco, CA 94105

Attn: Mark Baudler

Email: mbaudler@wsgr.com”

 

  o.

Section 9.8 is hereby amended to add the following sentences to the end thereof:

“No supplement or amendment to this Agreement shall be effective unless duly executed by the Warrant Agent and the Company. Upon the delivery of a certificate from an authorized officer of the Company which states that the proposed supplement or amendment is in compliance with the terms of this Section 9.8, the Warrant Agent shall execute such supplement or amendment. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, the Warrant Agent shall not be required to execute any supplement or amendment to this Agreement that it has determined would adversely affect its own rights, duties, obligations or immunities under this Agreement.”

5. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York, as such laws are applied to contracts entered into and performed in such State without resort to that State’s conflict-of-laws rules.

6. Counterpart. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Execution and delivery of this Agreement by email or exchange of facsimile copies bearing the facsimile signature of a party hereto shall constitute a valid and binding execution and delivery of this Agreement by such party.

7. Successors and Assigns. All the covenants and provisions of this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of each party’s respective successors and assigns.

8. Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Warrant Agreement, as hereby amended constitute the entire agreement, and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

9. Indemnification. The Company agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Computershare harmless from and to hold it harmless against, any and all loss, liability, damage, judgment, fine, penalty, claim, demand,

 

-8-


settlement, cost or expense (including, without limitation, the reasonable fees and expenses of legal counsel) that may be paid, incurred or suffered by it, or which it may become subject arising out of the assignment contemplated hereunder in connection with events occurring before the date of this Agreement, except as a result of Computershare’s gross negligence, willful misconduct or bad faith (which gross negligence, bad faith, or willful misconduct must be determined by a judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).

[Signature Pages Follow]

 

-9-


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

 

ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

/s/ Adam Kriger

  Name:   Adam Kriger
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eric Dresselhuys

  Name:   Eric Dresselhuys
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. and COMPUTERSHARE, INC.,

On behalf of both entities

By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

[Signature Page to Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement]


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

 

ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Craig Evans

  Name:   Craig Evans
  Title:   President
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. and COMPUTERSHARE, INC.,

On behalf of both entities

By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

 

[Signature Page to Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement]


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

 

ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eric Dresselhuys

  Name:   Eric Dresselhuys
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
By:  

/s/ Douglas Reed

  Name:   Douglas Reed
  Title:   Vice President of Account Administration

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. and COMPUTERSHARE, INC.,

On behalf of both entities

By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

 

[Signature Page to Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement]


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

 

 

ACON S2 ACQUISITION CORP.
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  
ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Eric Dresselhuys

  Name:   Eric Dresselhuys
  Title:   Chief Executive Officer
CONTINENTAL STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY
By:  

 

  Name:  
  Title:  

COMPUTERSHARE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. and COMPUTERSHARE, INC.,

On behalf of both entities

By:  

/s/ Collin Ekeogu

  Name:   Collin Ekeogu
  Title:   Manager, Corporate Actions

 

 

[Signature Page to Assignment, Assumption and Amendment Agreement]

Exhibit 10.2

ESS TECH, INC.

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This Indemnification Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of             , 2021, and is between ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and [insert name of indemnitee] (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS

A.    Indemnitee’s service to the Company substantially benefits the Company.

B.    Individuals are reluctant to serve as directors or officers of corporations or in certain other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of such service.

C.    Indemnitee does not regard the protection currently provided by applicable law, the Company’s governing documents and any insurance as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as a director or officer without additional protection.

D.    In order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the Company, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, Indemnitee as permitted by applicable law.

E.    This Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the indemnification provided in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and this Agreement shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to limit, diminish or abrogate any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

The parties therefore agree as follows:

1.    Definitions.

(a)    A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

(i)    Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing fifteen percent (15%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(ii)    Change in Board Composition. During any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Company’s board of directors, and any new directors (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 1(a)(i), 1(a)(iii) or 1(a)(iv)) whose election by the board of directors or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors;


(iii)    Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

(iv)    Liquidation. The approval by the stockholders of the Company of a complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

(v)    Other Events. Any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement.

For purposes of this Section 1(a), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1)    “Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(2)    “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; provided, however, that “Beneficial Owner” shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of (i) the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another entity or (ii) the Company’s board of directors approving a sale of securities by the Company to such Person.

(b)    “Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise.

(c)    “DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

(d)    “Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(e)    “Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(f)    “Expenses” include all reasonable and actually incurred attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and costs of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any

 

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Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersedeas bond or other appeal bond or their equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 12(d), Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(g)    “Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a partner or member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company or Indemnitee in any matter material to either such party (other than as Independent Counsel with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(h)    “Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, including any appeal therefrom and including without limitation any such Proceeding pending as of the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, a potential party, a non-party witness or otherwise by reason of (i) the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, (ii) any action taken by Indemnitee or any action or inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director or officer of the Company, or (iii) the fact that he or she is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

(i)    Reference to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company” as referred to in this Agreement.

2.    Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 2, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

3.    Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened

 

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to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses as the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

4.    Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the extent that Indemnitee is a party to or a participant in and is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. For purposes of this section, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

5.    Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness. To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

6.    Additional Indemnification.

(a)    Notwithstanding any limitation in Sections 2, 3 or 4, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with the Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.

(b)    For purposes of Section 6(a), the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

(i)    the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and

(ii)    the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

 

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7.    Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

(a)    for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid;

(b)    for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(c)    for any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (the “Sarbanes-Oxley Act”), or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(d)    initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Company’s board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, (iii) otherwise authorized in Section 12(d) or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; or

(e)    if prohibited by applicable law.

8.    Advances of Expenses. The Company shall advance the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding prior to its final disposition, and such advancement shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 90 days, after the receipt by the Company of a written statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditure made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law shall not be included with the invoice). Advances shall be unsecured and interest free and made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. This Section 8 shall not apply to the extent advancement is prohibited by law and shall not apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) for which indemnity is not permitted under this Agreement, but shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 7(b) or 7(c) prior to a determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

9.    Procedures for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a)    Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of notice thereof. The written notification to the Company shall include, in reasonable detail, a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding. The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights, except to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

 

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(b)    If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect that may be applicable to the Proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of the Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all commercially-reasonable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(c)    In the event the Company may be obligated to make any indemnity in connection with a Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding. Notwithstanding the Company’s assumption of the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s separate counsel to the extent (i) the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) counsel for the Company or Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense such that Indemnitee needs to be separately represented, (iii) the Company is not financially or legally able to perform its indemnification obligations or (iv) the Company shall not have retained, or shall not continue to retain, counsel to defend such Proceeding. The Company shall have the right to conduct such defense as it sees fit in its sole discretion. Regardless of any provision in this Agreement, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s personal expense. The Company shall not be entitled, without the consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

(d)    Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in connection with the Proceeding as may be reasonably appropriate.

(e)    The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee for any settlement of any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

(f)    The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (or any part thereof) in a manner that imposes any penalty or liability on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

10.    Procedures upon Application for Indemnification.

(a)    To obtain indemnification, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and as is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Proceeding. Any delay in providing the request will not relieve the Company from its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such failure is prejudicial.

(b)    Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a), a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made in the specific case (i) if a Change in Control shall have occurred, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Company’s board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (ii) if a Change in Control shall not have occurred, (A) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors, (B) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote

 

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of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors, (C) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Company’s board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee or (D) if so directed by the Company’s board of directors, by the stockholders of the Company. If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within ten days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(c)    In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b), the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 10(c). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company’s board of directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Company’s board of directors, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 of this Agreement, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after the later of (i) submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding, the parties have not agreed upon an Independent Counsel, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 10(b) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

(d)    The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel.

11.    Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a)    In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption.

 

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(b)    The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(c)    Neither the knowledge, actions nor failure to act of any other director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

12.    Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a)    Subject to Section 12(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 or 12(d) of this Agreement, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement within 90 days after the later of the receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification or the final disposition of the Proceeding, (iv) payment of indemnification pursuant to this Agreement is not made (A) within ten days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or (B) with respect to indemnification pursuant to Sections 4, 5 and 12(d) of this Agreement, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) the Company or any other person or entity takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration with respect to his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses, to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 180 days following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 4 of this Agreement. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration in accordance with this Agreement.

(b)    Neither (i) the failure of the Company, its board of directors, any committee or subgroup of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Company, its board of directors, any committee or subgroup of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial, or arbitration, on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be.

 

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(c)    To the fullest extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 of this Agreement that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statements not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d)    To the extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to the extent Indemnitee is successful in such action, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 90 days, after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to the provisions of Section 8.

(e)    Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

13.    Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amounts incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the events and transactions giving rise to such Proceeding; and (ii) the relative fault of Indemnitee and the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with such events and transactions.

14.    Non-exclusivity. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution of directors, or otherwise. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change, subject to the restrictions expressly set forth herein or therein. Except as expressly set forth herein, no right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. Except as expressly set forth herein, the assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

15.    Primary Responsibility. The Company acknowledges that Indemnitee has certain rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by an entity the Indemnitee served or is serving and certain affiliates thereof (collectively, the “Secondary Indemnitors”). The Company agrees that, as between the Company and the Secondary Indemnitors, the Company is primarily responsible for amounts

 

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required to be indemnified or advanced under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to provide indemnification or advancement for the same amounts is secondary to those Company obligations. To the extent not in contravention of any insurance policy or policies providing liability or other insurance for the Company or any director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, the Company waives any right of contribution or subrogation against the Secondary Indemnitors with respect to the liabilities for which the Company is primarily responsible under this Section 15. In the event of any payment by the Secondary Indemnitors of amounts otherwise required to be indemnified or advanced by the Company under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement, the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement or, to the extent such subrogation is unavailable and contribution is found to be the applicable remedy, shall have a right of contribution with respect to the amounts paid; provided, however, that the foregoing sentence will be deemed void if and to the extent that it would violate any applicable insurance policy. The Secondary Indemnitors are express third-party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 15.

16.    No Duplication of Payments. The Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment for such amounts under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise.

17.    Insurance. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, trustees, general partners, managing members, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Company or any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies to the same extent as the most favorably-insured persons under such policy or policies in a comparable position.

18.    Subrogation. In the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

19.    Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed from such position. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that any employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in any executed, written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), any existing formal severance policies adopted by the Company’s board of directors or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the DGCL. No such document shall be subject to any oral modification thereof.

20.    Duration. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) ten years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a

 

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director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other Enterprise, as applicable; or (b) one year after the final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 of this Agreement relating thereto.

21.    Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including any direct or indirect successor, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators.

22.    Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order or other applicable law, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

23.    Enforcement. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

24.    Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable law.

25.    Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment to this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement shall adversely affect any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

26.    Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:

(a)    if to Indemnitee, to Indemnitee’s address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as shown on the signature page of this Agreement or in the Company’s records, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof; or

 

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(b)    if to the Company, to the attention of the Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer of the Company at 26440 SW Parkway Ave, Wilsonville, Oregon 97070, or at such other current address as the Company shall have furnished to Indemnitee, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Mark Baudler, Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., 650 Page Mill Road, Palo Alto, CA 94304.

Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the United States mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via facsimile, upon confirmation of facsimile transfer or, if sent via electronic mail, upon confirmation of delivery when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipient’s next business day.

27.    Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12(a) of this Agreement, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, National Registered Agents, Inc., 160 Greentree Drive, Suite 101, in the City of Dover, County of Kent, Delaware 19904, as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

28.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

29.    Captions. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

(signature page follows)

 

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The parties are signing this Indemnification Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory sentence.

 

ESS TECH, INC.

 

(Signature)

 

(Print name)

 

(Title)
[INSERT INDEMNITEE NAME]

 

(Signature)

 

(Print name)

 

(Street address)

 

(City, State and ZIP)

 

(Signature page to Indemnification Agreement)

Exhibit 10.5

STOCKHOLDERS’ AGREEMENT

This Stockholders’ Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made as of May 6, 2021, by and among ESS Tech, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), SB Energy Global Holdings One Ltd., a United Kingdom Limited corporation (the “SBE Stockholder”) and Breakthrough Energy Ventures, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (the “BEV Stockholder”) (collectively, together with any individual or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 13, the “Parties” and each a “Party”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 6, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, ACON S2 Acquisition Corp. and SCharge Merger Sub, Inc.;

WHEREAS, in connection with the Merger Agreement and the transactions contemplated therein (the “Transactions”), the Company and the Parties have entered into a Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (as it may be amended, restated or supplemented from time to time, the “Registration Rights Agreement”); and

WHEREAS, as of immediately following the Closing each of the Parties Beneficially Owns (as defined below) the respective number of shares of Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Common Stock”), set forth on Annex A hereto.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the foregoing and of the promises and covenants contained herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

1. Definitions. Capitalized terms used herein but not defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Merger Agreement. In addition to the terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated when used in this Agreement with initial capital letters:

Affiliate” has the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act.

Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act; provided, that solely for purposes of (a) Section 3.a.i and Section 13.b solely with respect to the SBE Stockholder, and (b) solely for purposes of Section 3.a.ii and Section 13.b solely with respect to the BEV Stockholder, “Beneficially Own” has the meaning set forth in Section 16a-1(a)(2) of the Exchange Act. “Beneficially Owns,” “Beneficially Owned,” and “Beneficial Ownership” shall have correlative meanings.

Necessary Action” means, with respect to any Party and a specified result, all actions (to the extent such actions are not prohibited by applicable law and within such Party’s control, and


in the case of any action that requires a vote or other action on the part of the Board, to the extent such action is consistent with fiduciary duties that the Company’s directors may have in such capacity) necessary or desirable to cause such result, including (i) calling special meetings of stockholders, (ii) voting or providing a written consent or proxy, if applicable in each case, with respect to all Voting Shares, (iii) causing the adoption of stockholders’ resolutions and amendments to the Organizational Documents, (iv) executing agreements and instruments, (v) making, or causing to be made, with Governmental Authorities, all filings, registrations or similar actions that are required to achieve such result and (vi) nominating certain Persons for election to the Board in connection with the annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company.

Organizational Documents” means (i) the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended or restated from time to time, and (ii) the bylaws of the Company, as in effect on the Closing Date, as the same may be amended from time to time.

Voting Shares” means all securities of the Company that may be voted in the election of the Company’s directors that are Beneficially Owned by such Party, including any and all securities of the Company acquired and held in such capacity subsequent to the date hereof.

2. Agreement to Vote. Each Party, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company to, from the date hereof until the date on which such Party no longer has the right to designate a director to the Board under this Agreement, cause all Voting Shares such Person has the right to vote as of the applicable record date, to be present in person or by proxy for quorum purposes and to be voted (to the extent not prohibited by the Organizational Documents) at any meeting of stockholders or at any adjournments or postponements thereof, and to consent in connection with any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting in favor of each director nominated in accordance with Section 3.a for election at any such meeting or through any such written consent. Each Party, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company not to take, directly or indirectly, any action (a) to remove any director (other than a director nominated by such person) from office unless such removal is for cause or if the applicable Party nominating such director is no longer entitled to nominate such director pursuant to Section 3.a, or (b) that would frustrate, obstruct or otherwise affect the provisions of this Agreement and the intention of the parties hereto with respect to the composition of the Board as herein stated.

3. Board of Directors.

a. Board Representation. Each Party, severally and not jointly, agrees with the Company to take all Necessary Action to cause those individuals to be nominated in accordance with this Article 3, initially:

i. one of whom (the “SBE Designee”) has been nominated by the SBE Stockholder, who shall initially be Rich Hossfeld, and thereafter designated pursuant to this Section 3.a.i or Section 3.d.ii, as applicable; provided, further, that only for so long as the SBE Stockholder Beneficially Own a number of Voting Shares representing at least five percent (5%) of the total outstanding Voting Shares, the Company shall, and the Parties shall, take all Necessary Action to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at

 

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each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, including at every adjournment or postponement thereof, at which directors are to be elected, the SBE Designee; provided, further, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, after the SBE Stockholder is no longer entitled to designate the SBE Designee as a result of a reduction in the percentage of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by the SBE Stockholder below five percent (5%), the SBE Stockholder cannot subsequently re-gain the right to designate an SBE Designee as a result of the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Voting Shares by the SBE Stockholder; and

ii. one of whom (the “BEV Designee”) has been nominated by the BEV Stockholder, who shall initially be Kyle Teamey, and thereafter designated pursuant to this Section 3.a.ii or Section 3.d.iii, as applicable; provided that only for so long as the BEV Stockholder Beneficially Own a number of Voting Shares representing at least five percent (5%) of the total outstanding Voting Shares, the Company shall, and the Parties shall, take all Necessary Action to include in the slate of nominees recommended by the Board for election as directors at each applicable annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company, including at every adjournment or postponement thereof, at which directors are to be elected, the BEV Designee; provided, further, that, notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, after the BEV Stockholder is no longer entitled to designate the BEV Designee as a result of a reduction in the percentage of Voting Shares Beneficially Owned by the BEV Stockholder below five percent (5%), the BEV Stockholder cannot subsequently re-gain the right to designate a BEV Designee as a result of the acquisition of Beneficial Ownership of additional Voting Shares by the BEV Stockholder.

b. Decrease in Designees.

i. Upon any decrease in the number of directors that the SBE Stockholder or the BEV Stockholder is entitled to designate for nomination to the Board, the SBE Stockholder or the BEV Stockholder, as applicable, shall take all Necessary Action to cause the appropriate number of Designees to offer to tender their resignation, effective as of the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company. Any Designee resigning pursuant to this Section 3.b shall be permitted to continue serving as a director until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the Company.

ii. If as a result of the provisions of Section 3.a.i or (ii) there are seats on the Board for which none of the SBE Stockholder or the BEV Stockholder have the right to designate a director, the selection of such director shall be conducted in accordance with applicable law and with the Organizational Documents of the Company, and the other corporate governance documents of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board may, in its sole discretion and with the express written consent of such individual, recommend for nomination an SBE Designee or a BEV Designee that has tendered his or her resignation pursuant to this Section 3.

 

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c. Resignation; Removal; Vacancies.

i. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Board.

ii. (A) the SBE Stockholder shall have the exclusive right to remove the SBE Designee from the Board for a reason other than for cause, and the Company and the Parties shall take all Necessary Action to cause the removal of any such SBE Designee at the written request of the SBE Stockholder and (B) the SBE Stockholder shall have the exclusive right, in accordance with Subsection 3.a.i, to designate a director for election to the Board to fill a vacancy created by reason of death, removal, disqualification or resignation of the SBE Designee, and the Company and the Parties shall take all Necessary Action to cause any such vacancies to be filled by a replacement SBE Designee as promptly as reasonably practicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 3.c.ii, the SBE Stockholder shall not have the right to designate a replacement SBE Designee, and the Company and the Parties shall not be required to take any action to cause any vacancy to be filled by any such SBE Designee, to the extent the SBE Stockholder is no longer entitled to designate a nominee for membership on the Board pursuant to Subsection 3.a.i of this Agreement.

iii. (A) The BEV Stockholder shall have the exclusive right to remove the BEV Designee from the Board for a reason other than for cause, and the Company and the Parties shall take all Necessary Action to cause the removal of any such BEV Designee at the written request of the BEV Stockholder and (B) the BEV Stockholder shall have the exclusive right, in accordance with Subsection 3.a.ii, to designate a director for election to the Board to fill a vacancy created by reason of death, removal, disqualification or resignation of the BEV Designee, and the Company and the Parties shall take all Necessary Action to cause any such vacancies to be filled by a replacement BEV Designee as promptly as reasonably practicable. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Subsection 3.c.iii, the BEV Stockholder shall not have the right to designate a replacement BEV Designee, and the Company and the Parties shall not be required to take any action to cause any vacancy to be filled by any such BEV Designee, to the extent the BEV Stockholder is no longer entitled to designate a nominee for membership on the Board pursuant to Subsection 3.a.ii of this Agreement.

4. Representations and Warranties of each Party. Each Party on its own behalf hereby represents and warrants to the Company and each other Party, severally and not jointly, as of the date of this Agreement, as follows:

a. Organization; Authority. If such Party is a legal entity, such Party (i) is duly incorporated or organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation or organization and (ii) has all requisite power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to perform its obligations hereunder. If such Party is a natural person, such Party has the legal capacity to enter into this Agreement and perform his or her obligations hereunder. If such Party is a legal entity, this Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by such Party. This Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of such Party enforceable in accordance with its terms, except as enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors’ rights generally and by general principles of equity (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law).

 

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b. No Consent. Except as provided in this Agreement, no consent, approval or authorization of, or designation, declaration or filing with, any Governmental Authority or other Person on the part of such Party is required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, except where the failure to obtain such consents, approvals, authorizations or to make such designations, declarations or filings would not materially interfere with a Party’s ability to perform his, her or its obligations pursuant to this Agreement. If such Party is a natural person, no consent of such Party’s spouse is necessary under any “community property” or other laws for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the performance of such Party’s obligations hereunder. If such Party is a trust, no consent of any beneficiary is required for the execution and delivery of this Agreement or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

c. No Conflicts; Litigation. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, nor compliance with the terms hereof, will (A) if such Party is a legal entity, conflict with or violate any provision of the organizational documents of such Party, or (B) violate, conflict with or result in a breach of, or constitute a default (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) under any provision of, any trust agreement, loan or credit agreement, note, bond, mortgage, indenture, lease or other agreement, instrument, permit, concession, franchise, license, judgment, order, notice, decree, statute, law, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to such Party or to such Party’s property or assets, except, in the case of clause (B), that would not reasonably be expected to impair, individually or in the aggregate, such Party’s ability to fulfill its obligations under this Agreement. As of the date of this Agreement, there is no Action pending or, to the knowledge of a Party, threatened, against such Party or any of such Party’s Affiliates or any of their respective assets or properties that would materially interfere with such Party’s ability to perform his, her or its obligations pursuant to this Agreement or that would reasonably be expected to prevent, enjoin, alter or delay any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

d. Ownership of Shares. Such Party Beneficially Owns his, her or its Voting Shares free and clear of all Encumbrances. Except pursuant to this Agreement, the Merger Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement, there are no options, warrants or other rights, agreements, arrangements or commitments of any character to which such Party is a party relating to the pledge, acquisition, disposition, transfer or voting of Voting Shares and there are no voting trusts or voting agreements with respect to the Voting Shares. Such Party does not Beneficially Own (i) any shares of capital stock of the Company other than the Voting Shares set forth on Annex A and (ii) any options, warrants or other rights to acquire any additional shares of capital stock of the Company or any security exercisable for or convertible into shares of capital stock of the Company, other than as set forth on Annex A (collectively, “Options”).

5. Covenants of the Company.

a. The Company shall: (i) take any and all action reasonably necessary to effect the provisions of this Agreement and the intention of the parties with respect to the terms of this Agreement; (ii) not take any action, including entering into any agreement, that violates or is inconsistent with, or would reasonably be expected to adversely frustrate, obstruct or otherwise affect the rights of the SBE Stockholder under, this Agreement without the prior written consent of the SBE Stockholder; and (iii) not take any action, including entering into any agreement, that

 

5


violates or is inconsistent with, or would reasonably be expected to adversely frustrate, obstruct or otherwise affect the rights of the BEV Stockholder under, this Agreement without the prior written consent of the BEV Stockholder.

b. The Company shall (i) purchase and maintain in effect at all times directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in an amount and pursuant to terms determined by the Board to be reasonable and customary, (ii) for so long as any director nominated pursuant to this Agreement serves as a director on the Board, maintain such coverage with respect to such director, and (iii) cause the Organizational Documents of the Company (each as may be further amended, modified and/or supplemented) to at all times provide for the indemnification, exculpation and advancement of expenses of all directors of the Company to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law; provided, that upon removal or resignation of any director for any reason, the Company shall take all actions reasonable necessary to extend such directors’ and officers’ liability insurance coverage for a period of not less than six (6) years from any such event in respect of any act or omission occurring at or prior to such event.

c. The Company shall pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred by the directors in connection with the performance of his or her duties as a director and in connection with his or her attendance at any meeting of the Board. The Company shall enter into customary indemnification agreements with each director and officer of the Company at the Closing and from time to time thereafter.

6. No Other Voting Trusts or Other Arrangement. Each Party shall not, and shall not permit any entity under Party’s control to (i) deposit any Voting Shares or any interest in any Voting Shares in a voting trust, voting agreement or similar agreement, (ii) grant any proxies, consent or power of attorney or other authorization or consent with respect to any of the Voting Shares or (iii) subject any of the Voting Shares to any arrangement with respect to the voting of the Voting Shares, in each case, that conflicts with or prevents the implementation of this Agreement.

7. Additional Shares. Each Party agrees that all securities of the Company that may vote in the election of the Company’s directors that such Party purchases, acquires the right to vote or otherwise acquires Beneficial Ownership of (including by the exercise or conversion of any security exercisable or convertible for Voting Shares) after the execution of this Agreement shall be subject to the terms of this Agreement and shall constitute Voting Shares for all purposes of this Agreement.

8. No Agreement as Director or Officer. Each Party is signing this Agreement solely in his, her or its capacity as a stockholder of the Company. No Party makes any agreement or understanding in this Agreement in such Party’s capacity as a director or officer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (if such Party holds such office). Nothing in this Agreement will limit or affect any actions or omissions taken by a Party in his, her or its capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and no actions or omissions taken in such Party’s capacity as a director or officer shall be deemed a breach of this Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement will be construed to prohibit, limit or restrict a Party from exercising his or her fiduciary duties as an officer or director to the Company or its stockholders.

 

6


9. Specific Enforcement. It is agreed and understood that monetary damages would not adequately compensate an injured Party for the breach of this Agreement by any party hereto and, accordingly, that this Agreement shall be specifically enforceable, in addition to any other remedy to which such injured Party is entitled at law or in equity, and that any breach of this Agreement shall be the proper subject of a temporary or permanent injunction or restraining order. Further, each Party hereto waives any claim or defense that there is an adequate remedy at law for such breach or threatened breach or an award of specific performance is not an appropriate remedy for any reason at law or equity and agrees that a Party’s rights would be materially and adversely affected if the obligations of the other Parties under this Agreement were not carried out in accordance with the terms and conditions hereof. Each Party further agrees that no Party shall be required to obtain, furnish or post any bond or similar instrument in connection with or as a condition to obtain any remedy referred to in this Section 9, and each Party irrevocably waives any right it may have to require the obtaining, furnishing or posting of any such bond or similar instrument.

10. Termination. Following the Closing, (a) Sections 2, 3, and 5 of this Agreement shall terminate automatically (without any action by any party hereto) on the first date on which no Party has the right to designate a director to the Board under this Agreement; provided, that the provisions in Section 5.b shall survive such termination and (b) the remainder of this Agreement shall terminate automatically (without any action by any party hereto) as to each of the SBE Stockholder, on the one hand, and the BEV Stockholder, on the other hand, when such Party ceases to have the right to designate any directors.

11. Amendments and Waivers. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended or waived if, but only if, such amendment or waiver is in writing and is signed by the Company, the SBE Stockholder and the BEV Stockholder. No failure or delay by any party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies herein provided shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

12. Stock Splits, Stock Dividends, etc. In the event of any stock split, stock dividend, recapitalization, reorganization or the like, any securities issued with respect to Voting Shares held by the Parties shall become Voting Shares for purposes of this Agreement. During the term of this Agreement, all dividends and distributions payable in cash with respect to the Voting Shares shall be paid, as applicable, to each of the undersigned Parties and all dividends and distributions payable in Voting Shares shall become Voting Shares for purposes of this Agreement.

13. Assignment.

a. Neither this Agreement nor any of the rights, duties, interests or obligations of the Company hereunder shall be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

b. Except as otherwise permitted pursuant to this Agreement, no Party may assign, directly or indirectly, such Party’s rights and obligations under this Agreement, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the other Parties; provided, that, each Party shall be entitled to assign (solely in connection with a transfer of Voting Shares) to any of its Affiliates in

 

7


connection with a transfer of Voting Shares, without such prior written consent, all (but not less than all) of its rights and obligations hereunder; provided, further, that so long as a Party Beneficially Owns any Voting Shares, the obligations set forth in Section 3.a and Section 3.b shall continue to apply to such Party.

c. This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall, subject to Section 13.b, inure to the benefit of, shall be enforceable by and shall be binding upon the respective assigns and successors in interest of the Parties, including with respect to any of such Party’s Voting Shares that are transferred to an Affiliate thereof in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

d. No assignment in accordance with this Section 13 by any Party hereto (including pursuant to a transfer of any Party’s Voting Shares) of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company or any other Party hereto unless and until each of the other Parties hereto shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 19 and (ii) the executed written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to each of the other Parties hereto, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement) as fully as if it were an initial signatory hereto. Each Party shall not permit the transfer of any such Party’s Voting Shares to an Affiliate thereof unless and until the person to whom such securities are to be transferred has executed a written agreement as provided in clause (ii) of the preceding sentence.

e. Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 13 shall be null and void.

14. Other Rights. Except as provided by this Agreement, each Party shall retain the full rights of a holder of shares of capital stock of the Company with respect to the Voting Shares, including the right to vote the Voting Shares subject to this Agreement.

15. Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement shall be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

16. Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (1) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE AS APPLIED TO AGREEMENTS AMONG DELAWARE RESIDENTS ENTERED INTO AND TO BE PERFORMED ENTIRELY WITHIN DELAWARE AND (2) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN THE STATE OF DELAWARE.

17. TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY

 

8


APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

18. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall constitute one instrument.

19. Notices. Any notices provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by electronic mail. Notices provided pursuant to this Agreement shall be provided, (x) if to the Company, in accordance with the terms of the Merger Agreement, (y) if to any other party hereto, to the address or email address, as applicable, of such party set forth on Annex A hereto, or (z) to any other address or email address, as a party designates in writing to the other parties in accordance with this Section 19.

20. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Merger Agreement, the Ancillary Agreements and the Registration Rights Agreement, constitutes the full and entire understanding and agreement among the parties, and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding among the parties, with regard to the subject matter hereof, and no party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank; signature pages follow]

 

9


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

 

THE COMPANY:
ESS TECH, INC.
By:  

/s/ Craig Evans

  Name:   Craig Evans
  Title:   President & Founder
SBE STOCKHOLDER:
SB ENERGY GLOBAL HOLDINGS ONE LIMITED
By:  

/s/ Richard Hossfeld

  Name:   Richard Hossfeld
  Title:   Authorized Person
BEV STOCKHOLDER:
BREAKTHROUGH ENERGY VENTURES, LLC
By:   Breakthrough Energy Investments, LLC, its manager
By:  

/s/ Carmichael Roberts

  Name:   Carmichael Roberts
  Title:   Managing Director

 

[Signature Page to Stockholders’ Agreement]


Annex A

Voting Shares

Exhibit 10.12

ESS TECH, INC.

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

ESS Tech, Inc. (the “Company”) believes that providing cash and equity compensation to its members of the Board of Directors (the “Board,” and members of the Board, the “Directors”) represents an effective tool to attract, retain and reward Directors who are not employees of the Company (the “Outside Directors”). This Outside Director Compensation Policy (the “Policy”) is intended to formalize the Company’s policy regarding the compensation to its Outside Directors. Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Policy will have the meaning given to such terms in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), or if the Plan is no longer in place, the meaning given to such terms or any similar terms in the equity plan then in place. Each Outside Director will be solely responsible for any tax obligations incurred by such Outside Director as a result of the equity and cash payments such Outside Director receives under this Policy.

Subject to Section 9 of this Policy, this Policy will be effective as of the closing of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger dated May 6, 2021, by and between ACON S2 Acquisition Corp, SCharge Merger Sub, Inc., and ESS Tech, Inc. (such date, the “Effective Date”).

 

  1.

CASH COMPENSATION

Annual Cash Retainer

Each Outside Director will be paid an annual cash retainer of $50,000. There are no per-meeting attendance fees for attending Board meetings. This cash compensation will be paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis.

Committee Annual Cash Retainer

Effective as of the Effective Date, each Outside Director who serves as the lead Outside Director, or the chair or a member of a committee of the Board listed below will be eligible to earn additional annual cash fees (paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis) as follows:

 

Lead Independent Director

   $ 25,000  

Chair of Audit Committee:

   $ 20,000  

Member of Audit Committee:

   $ 10,000  

Chair of Compensation Committee:

   $ 15,000  

Member of Compensation Committee:

   $ 7,500  

Chair of Nominating and Governance Committee:

   $ 10,000  

Member of Nominating and Governance Committee:

   $ 5,000  


For clarity, each Outside Director who serves as the chair of a committee shall receive only the additional annual cash fee as the chair of the committee, and not the additional annual cash fee as a member of the committee.

 

  2.

EQUITY COMPENSATION

Outside Directors will be eligible to receive all types of Awards (except Incentive Stock Options) under the Plan (or the applicable equity plan in place at the time of grant), including discretionary Awards not covered under this Policy. All grants of Awards to Outside Directors pursuant to Section 2 of this Policy will be automatic and nondiscretionary, except as otherwise provided herein, and will be made in accordance with the following provisions:

(a)    No Discretion. No person will have any discretion to select which Outside Directors will be granted any Awards under this Policy or to determine the number of Shares to be covered by such Awards.

(b)    Initial Award. Subject to 4 of this Policy, each individual who first becomes an Outside Director following the Effective Date automatically will be granted an award of restricted stock units (an “Initial Award”). The Initial Award will be made on the first trading date on or after the date on which such individual first becomes an Outside Director (such date the Initial Award is granted, the “Grant Date”), whether through election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy. The Initial Award will cover a number of Shares covering a number of Shares having a Value (as defined below) equal to $200,000, rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If an individual was a member of the Board and also an employee, becoming an Outside Director due to termination of employment will not entitle the Outside Director to an Initial Award.

For purposes of this Policy, the “Value” of a Share is the average of the closing price for the 30-trading days ending on the trading day immediately prior to the Grant Date.

Subject to Section 3 of this Policy, the Initial Award will vest in equal 1/3 installments on each anniversary following the Grant Date, subject to the Outside Director continuing to be a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.

(c)    Annual Award. Subject to Section 4 of this Policy, on the date of each annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders following the Effective Date (an “Annual Meeting”) following the Effective Date, each Outside Director automatically will be granted an award of restricted stock units (an “Annual Award”) covering a number of Shares having a Value of $150,000, rounded down to the nearest whole Share.

Subject to Section 3 of this Policy, each Annual Award will vest on the earlier of (i) the one-year anniversary of the date the Annual Award is granted or (ii) the day prior to the date of the Annual Meeting next following the date the Annual Award is granted, in each case, subject to the Outside Director continuing to be a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.

 

  3.

CHANGE IN CONTROL

In the event of a Change in Control, each Outside Director outstanding Company equity awards will accelerate and vest.

 

-2-


  4.

ANNUAL COMPENSATION LIMIT

No Outside Director may be granted, in any Fiscal Year, Awards with values (based on their grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles), and be provided any other compensation (including without limitation any cash retainers or fees) in amounts that, in any Fiscal Year, in the aggregate, exceed $750,000 (increased to $1,000,000 in his or her initial year of service as an Outside Director), with the value of each equity compensation award based on its grant value for purposes of the limitation under this Section 4. Any Awards or other compensation provided to an individual (a) for his or her services as an Employee, or for his or her services as a Consultant other than as an Outside Director, or (b) prior to the Effective Date, will be excluded for purposes of this Section 4.

 

  5.

TRAVEL EXPENSES

Each Outside Director’s reasonable, customary and documented travel expenses to Board or Board committee meetings will be reimbursed by the Company.

 

  6.

ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS

All provisions of the Plan not inconsistent with this Policy will apply to Awards granted to Outside Directors.

 

  7.

EQUITY OWNERSHIP.

Each Outside Director is expected to comply with the minimum equity ownership guidelines as set forth on Exhibit A.

 

  8.

SECTION 409A

In no event will cash compensation or expense reimbursement payments under this Policy be paid after the later of (i) 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, or (ii) 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the calendar year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, in compliance with the “short-term deferral” exception under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the final regulations and guidance thereunder, as may be amended from time to time (together, “Section 409A”). It is the intent of this Policy that this Policy and all payments hereunder be exempt from or otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the compensation to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or comply. In no event will the Company reimburse an Outside Director for any taxes imposed or other costs incurred as a result of Section 409A.

 

  9.

REVISIONS

The Board may amend, alter, suspend or terminate this Policy at any time and for any reason. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of this Policy will materially impair the rights of an Outside Director with respect to compensation that already has been paid or awarded, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the Outside Director and the Company. Termination of this Policy will not affect the Board’s or the Compensation Committee’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it under the Plan with respect to Awards granted under the Plan pursuant to this Policy prior to the date of such termination.

 

-3-


Exhibit A

Equity Ownership Guidelines (the “Guidelines”)

Each Outside Director (a “Covered Person”) must comply with the following minimum ownership guidelines:

 

Minimum Ownership Level

  

Timing of Compliance

Equity Interests (as defined below) of at least 3 times the Annual Cash Retainer.    By the third anniversary of the later of (i) the Effective Date or (ii) the date such individual becomes an Outside Director, and thereafter at all times during which the individual remains an Outside Directors.

Equity Interests” means Shares: (1) directly owned by a Covered Person or his or her immediate family members residing in the same household; (2) beneficially owned by a Covered Person, but held in trust, limited partnerships, or similar entities for the sole benefit of the Outside Directors or his or her immediate family members residing in the same household; (3) held in retirement or deferred compensation accounts for the benefit of a Covered Person or his or her immediate family members residing in the same household; and (4) held by affiliates of the Outside Director (e.g., investment funds that employ an Outside Director or the Outside Director is a partner of). For clarity, “Equity Interests” includes unvested or restricted Shares and unvested or unsettled Company equity awards (other than Company options) but excludes any Company options (whether vested or unvested) covering Shares.

Exceptions: The Compensation Committee may waive, at its discretion, these Guidelines for Directors joining the Board from government, academia, or similar professions. The Compensation Committee may also temporarily suspend, at its discretion, these Guidelines for one or more Outside Directors if compliance would create severe hardship or prevent such Outside Director from complying with a court order.

Amendments: The Board may amend these Guidelines from time to time.

Exhibit 99.1

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Defined terms included below shall have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this Current Report on Form 8-K and, if not defined in the Form 8-K, the Registration Statement on Form S-4/A (File No. 333-257232) (the “Registration Statement”). Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “New ESS” refers to STWO and its wholly owned subsidiary after the Closing, “STWO” refers to ACON S2 Acquisition Corp. prior to the Closing, and “ESS” refers to ESS Tech, Inc. prior to the Closing.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of New ESS presents the combination of the historical financial information of STWO and ESS adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination and the other related events contemplated by the Merger Agreement.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 assumes that the Business Combination and other related events occurred on June 30, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and for the year ended December 31, 2020 present the pro forma effects of the Business Combination and other related events as if they had been completed on January 1, 2020, the first day of the earliest period presented.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements have been presented for illustrative purposes only and do not necessarily reflect what New ESS’ financial condition or results of operations would have been had the Business Combination and other related events occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the pro forma condensed combined financial information also may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of New ESS. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the unaudited pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors.

The historical financial information of STWO was derived from the unaudited interim condensed financial statements of STWO as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and from the audited financial statements of STWO for the year ended December 31, 2020 (as restated), included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus/information statement. The historical financial information of ESS was derived from the unaudited condensed financial statements of ESS as of and for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and from the audited financial statements of ESS for the year ended December 31, 2020, included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus/information statement. This information should also be read together with the sections titled “STWO Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “ESS Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, and other financial information included elsewhere in this proxy statement/prospectus/information statement.

Description of the Business Combination

Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, SCharge Merger Sub, Inc. (“Merger Sub”) merged with and into ESS, the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub ceased with ESS as the surviving company. ESS became a wholly owned subsidiary of STWO, which was immediately renamed “ESS Tech, Inc.” Upon the Closing, each share of ESS Common Stock was converted into the right to receive shares of New ESS Common Stock at a deemed value of $10.00 per share. The aggregate consideration paid to ESS stockholders in connection with the Business Combination (excluding any potential Earnout Stock), was 99,562,793 shares. The per share consideration was equal to approximately $1.47 (the “Per Share Consideration).

The Business Combination occurred based on the following events contemplated by the Merger Agreement:

 

   

Each issued and outstanding share of ESS Preferred Stock was converted into shares of ESS Common Stock at the then-effective conversion rate as calculated pursuant to the ESS Certificate of Incorporation;

 

   

Each issued and outstanding ESS Warrant was exercised in full in exchange for the issuance of shares of ESS Common Stock;


   

Each issued and outstanding share of ESS Common Stock (including shares of ESS Common Stock resulting from the conversion of ESS Preferred Stock and the exercise and settlement of all outstanding ESS Warrants) was cancelled and converted into the right to receive a number of shares of New ESS Common Stock equal to the Per Share Consideration;

 

   

Each issued and outstanding vested and unvested ESS Option was converted into New ESS Options exercisable for shares of New ESS Common Stock with the same terms except for the number of shares exercisable and the exercise price, each of which was adjusted using the Per Share Consideration; and

 

   

Each issued and outstanding vested and unvested ESS RSU was converted into New ESS RSUs for shares of New ESS common stock with the same terms except for the number of shares, which was adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

Other Related Events in Connection with the Business Combination

Other related events that took place in connection with the Business Combination are summarized below:

 

   

The issuance and sale of 25,000,000 shares of New ESS Common Stock at a purchase price of $10.00 per share for an aggregate purchase price of $250.0 million pursuant to the PIPE Financing;

 

   

The issuance to ESS employees of 825,000 New ESS restricted stock units (“RSUs”), subject to meeting certain future Earnout Milestone Events and continued service;

 

   

During the Earnout Period (as defined in the Merger Agreement), eligible ESS securityholders are also entitled to Earnout Stock comprising up to 16,500,000 shares of additional New ESS Common Stock, consisting of two separate tranches of 8,250,000 shares per tranche, upon the occurrence of the respective Earnout Milestone Event. As the Earnout Milestone Events have not yet been achieved, the Earnout Stock are contingently issuable, and accordingly, are accounted for as liability classified equity instruments in the unaudited pro forma financial information. The issuance of the Earnout Stock would dilute all New ESS Common Stock outstanding at that time. Based on the capital structure as of the Closing, the 8,250,000 shares issued in connection with each Earnout Milestone Event would represent approximately 6% each of shares outstanding.

Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination

The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization in accordance with GAAP. Under this method of accounting, ESS has been determined to be the accounting acquiror for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, for accounting purposes, the financial statements of New ESS represent a continuation of the financial statements of ESS with the Business Combination treated as the equivalent of ESS issuing stock for the net assets of STWO, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of ESS were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of ESS in future financial statements of New ESS. The Earnout Stock and the 583,334 shares underlying the Private Placement Warrants that will vest in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Letter Agreement (such shares, the “Private Placement Warrant Earnout Shares”) were accounted for as liability classified equity instruments that are earned upon achieving the Earnout Milestone Events, which include events that are not indexed to the common stock of New ESS.

Basis of Pro Forma Presentation

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 adjustments in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an illustrative understanding of New ESS upon consummation of the Business Combination and other related events in accordance with GAAP. Assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information are described in the accompanying notes.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results and financial position that would have been achieved had the Business Combination and other related events occurred on the dates indicated, and does not reflect


adjustments for any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings or cost savings. Any cash proceeds remaining after the consummation of the Business Combination and the other related events contemplated by the Merger Agreement are expected to be used for general corporate purposes. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not purport to project the future operating results or financial position of New ESS following the completion of the Business Combination and other related events. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of these unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and are subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed. STWO and ESS have not had any historical relationship prior to the transactions. Accordingly, no pro forma adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information reflects STWO stockholders’ approval of the Business Combination on October 8, 2021 and the redemption of 20,754,719 shares of STWO Class A Ordinary Shares at approximately $10.00 per share based on trust account figures prior to the Closing on October 8, 2021 for an aggregate payment of $207.5 million. The following summarizes the pro forma New ESS Common Stock issued and outstanding at the Closing:

 

     Number of
Shares
     %
Ownership
 

ESS Stockholders (1)(2)(3)(4)

     99,562,793        73.7

STWO Public Shareholders

     4,245,281        3.1

STWO Initial Shareholders (5)

     6,250,000        4.6

PIPE Investors

     25,000,000        18.6
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     135,058,074        100.0
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Excludes up to 16,500,000 shares of Earnout Stock that eligible ESS securityholders will have the right to receive following the Closing in two equal tranches upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events during the Earnout Period. We have excluded the Earnout Stock from the pro forma New ESS Common Stock issued to ESS stockholders after the Business Combination because they are contingently issuable based upon the share price of New ESS meeting reaching certain thresholds that have not yet been achieved.

(2)

Includes 67,090,925 shares of New ESS Common Stock issued to holders of an aggregate of 45,622,439 shares of ESS Common Stock and ESS Preferred Stock adjusted using the Per Share Consideration, including net settlement adjustment as applicable.

(3)

Includes 3,354,867 shares of New ESS Common Stock issued to holders of 2,280,661 ESS warrants adjusted using the Per Share Consideration and excludes 825,000 shares of New ESS Common Stock reserved as part of the Acquiror Common Stock Consideration, for potential future issuance upon the settlement of New ESS RSUs, which were issued at the Closing. All outstanding vested and unvested ESS Options were converted into New ESS Options exercisable for shares of New ESS Common Stock with the same terms except for the number of shares exercisable and the exercise price, each of which was adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

(4)

Includes the issuance of 29,117,001 shares of New ESS Common Stock resulting from the conversion of 5,427,464 shares of ESS Series C-2 Preferred Stock and related 14,365,207 ESS Series C-2 Preferred Stock warrants, adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

(5)

Includes 6,250,000 shares subscribed for by the Sponsor in return for STWO Class B Ordinary Shares. Excludes 583,334 shares related to the Private Placement Warrants earnout which will convert to New ESS Common Stock on a one-to-one basis, subject to the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events during the Earnout Period pursuant to the terms of the Sponsor Letter Agreement.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet and statements of operations are based on the assumption that there are no adjustments for the outstanding public warrants issued in connection with the IPO as such securities are not exercisable until 30 days after the Closing. There are also no adjustments for the estimated 825,000 shares reserved for the potential future issuance of New ESS Common Stock upon the settlement of New ESS RSUs, which will be issued upon the consummation of the Business Combination and will vest contingent on meeting certain Earnout Milestone Events.

If the actual facts are different than these assumptions, then the amounts and shares outstanding in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information will be different and those changes could be material.


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2021

(in thousands)

 

     ESS
(Historical)
    ESS
Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
            ESS As
Adjusted
    STWO
(Historical)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
         Pro
Forma
Combined
 

ASSETS

                   

Current assets:

                   

Cash and cash equivalents

     1,822       16,000        A        17,823       28       250,012     C      255,926  
     —         1        B        —         —         250,000     D   
     —         —             —         —         (17,050   J   
     —         —             —         —         (28,590   K   
     —         —             —         —         (8,750   L   
                 (207,547   Q   

Restricted cash

     1,217       —             1,217       —         —            1,217  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     3,390       —             3,390       224       (1,994   J      1,620  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current assets

     6,429       16,001           22,430       252       236,081          258,763  

Non-current assets:

                   

Property and equipment, net

     1,737       —             1,737       —         —            1,737  

Cash equivalents held in Trust Account

     —         —             —         250,012       (250,012   C   

Restricted cash

     75       —             75       —         —            75  

Other assets

     —         —             —         41       —            41  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total non-current assets

     1,812       —             1,812       250,053       (250,012        1,853  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

     8,241       16,001           24,242       250,305       (13,931        260,616  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

                   

Current liabilities:

                   

Accounts payable

     1,858       —             1,858       334       —            2,192  

Accrued and other current liabilities

     5,185       —             5,185       98       (1,724   J      3,559  

Accrued liabilities — related party

     —         —             —         100       —            100  

Notes payable

     5,530       —             5,530       —         —            5,530  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     12,573       —             12,573       532       (1,724        11,381  

Non-current liabilities:

                   

Earnout liability

     —         —             —         —         152,043     O      152,696  
     —         —             —         —         653     P   

Derivative liabilities

     211,747       —             211,747       —         (211,747   M   

Derivative warrant liabilities

     22,860       1        B        22,861       17,985       (22,861   M      16,551  
     —         —             —         —         (1,434   N   

Deferred underwriting commissions

     —         —             —         8,750       (8,750   L   

Other non-current liabilities

     3,399       —             3,399       —         —            3,399  

Notes payable

     11       —             11       —         —            11  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total non-current liabilities

     238,017       1           238,018       26,735       (92,096        172,657  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     250,590       1           250,591       27,267       (93,820        184,038  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

                   

Redeemable convertible preferred stock

     64,257       16,000        A        80,257       —         (80,257   G      —    

Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

     —         —             —         218,038       (218,038   E      —    

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     —         —             —         —         —            —    

Class A common stock

     —         —             —         —         —            —    

Class B common stock

     —         —             —         1       (1   F      —    

ESS common stock

     1       —             1       —         (1   H      —    

ESS common stock warrants

     153       —             153       —         (153   M      —    

New ESS common stock

     —         —             —         —         3     D      11  
     —         —             —         —         2     E      —    
     —         —             —         —         1     F      —    
     —         —             —         —         6     G      —    
     —         —             —         —         1     H      —    
                 (2   Q   

Additonal paid-in capital

     2,093       —             2,093       6,785       249,997     D      389,830  
     —         —             —         —         218,036     E      —    
     —         —             —         —         (1,786   I      —    
     —         —             —         —         (12,910   J      —    
     —         —             —         —         (28,590   K      —    
     —         —             —         —         22,861     M      —    
     —         —             —         —         211,747     M      —    
     —         —             —         —         153     M      —    
     —         —             —         —         1,434     N      —    
     —         —             —         —         (152,043   O      —    
     —         —             —         —         80,251     G      —    
     —         —             —         —         (653   P      —    
                 (207,545   Q   

Accumulated deficit

     (308,853     —             (308,853     (1,786     1,786     I      (313,263
     —         —             —         —         (4,410   J      —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     (306,606     —          —          (306,606     5,000       378,184     —        76,578  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES, REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT)

     8,241       16,001           24,242       250,305       (13,931        260,616  
  

 

 

   

 

 

       

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

 


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2021

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     ESS
(Historical)
    STWO
(Historical) (1)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
           Pro Forma
Combined
 

Operating expenses

           

Research and development

     11,874       —         —            11,874  

Sales and marketing

     1,213       —         —            1,213  

General and administrative

     5,351       923       4,410       EE        10,684  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     18,438       923       4,410          23,771  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (18,438     (923     4,410          (23,771

Other income (expense), net

           

Gain on marketable securities, net, and dividends held in Trust Account

     —         7       (7     AA        —    

Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities

     (14,804     3,370       (499     BB        2,871  
     —         —         14,804       CC        —    

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     (211,988     —         211,988          —    

Interest expense, net

     (111     —         —            (111

Other expense, net

     (19     —         —            (19
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (226,922     3,377       226,286          2,741  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

     (245,360     2,454       230,696          (21,030

Provision for income taxes

     —         —         —            —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

     (245,360     2,454       230,696          (21,030
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of New ESS common stock — basic

     —         —         —            135,058,074  

Basic net income per share — New ESS

     —         —         —          $ (0.16

Weighted average shares outstanding of New ESS common stock — diluted

     —         —         —            135,058,074  

Diluted net income per share — New ESS

     —         —         —          $ (0.16

Weighted average shares outstanding of ESS common stock — basic and diluted

     8,271,509       —              —    

Basic and diluted net loss per share — ESS

   $ (29.66     —              —    

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption — basic and diluted

     —         22,024,254            —    

Basic and diluted net income per share — Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

     —       $ —              —    

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A and B common stock, non redeemable ordinary shares

     —         9,225,746            —    

Basic and diluted net income per share — Class A and B common stock, non redeemable ordinary shares

     —       $ 0.27            —    

 

(1)

STWO’s financial statements for the period from July 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and for the period from July 21, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020 (the “Affected Periods”), are restated in its Annual Report on Form 10-K to correct the misapplication of accounting guidance related to STWO’s warrants in STWO’s previously issued audited and unaudited condensed financial statements for such periods.


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2020

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

     ESS
(Historical)
    STWO
(Historical)
(As Restated)
(1)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
           Pro Forma
Combined
 

Operating expenses

           

Research and development

     12,896       —         —            12,896  

Sales and marketing

     1,158       —         —            1,158  

General and administrative

     3,338       709       —            4,047  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     17,392       709       —            18,101  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (17,392     (709     —            (18,101

Other income (expense), net

           

Gain on marketable securities, net, and dividends held in Trust Account

     —         4       (4     AA        —    

Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities

     (1,296     (1,854     182       BB        (1,672
     —         —         1,296       CC        —    

Change in fair value of derivative liability

     (11,532     —         11,532          —    

Financing costs — derivative warrant liabilities

     —         (735     735       DD        —    

Other income (expense), net

     (199     —         —            (199
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (13,027     (2,585     13,741          (1,871
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Loss before provision for income taxes

     (30,419     (3,294     13,741          (19,972

Provision for income taxes

     —         —         —            —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Net loss

     (30,419     (3,294     13,741        $ (19,972
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

      

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding of New ESS common stock — basic

     —         —         —            135,058,074  

Basic net loss per share — New ESS

     —         —         —          $ (0.15

Weighted average shares outstanding of New ESS common stock — diluted

     —         —         —            135,058,074  

Diluted net loss per share — New ESS

     —         —         —          $ (0.15

Weighted average shares outstanding of ESS common stock — basic and diluted

     7,108,389       —         —            —    

Basic and diluted net loss per share — ESS

   $ (4.28     —         —            —    

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A common stock subject to possible redemption — basic and diluted

     —         21,719,426       —            —    

Basic and diluted net loss per share — Class A common stock subject to possible redemption

     —         —         —            —    

Weighted average shares outstanding of Class A and B common stock, non redeemable ordinary shares

     —         8,310,766       —            —    

Basic and diluted net loss per share — Class A and B common stock, non redeemable ordinary shares

     —       $ (0.40     —            —    

 

(1)

STWO’s financial statements for the period from July 21, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and for the period from July 21, 2020 (inception) through September 30, 2020 (the “Affected Periods”), are restated in its Annual Report on Form 10-K to correct the misapplication of accounting guidance related to STWO’s warrants in STWO’s previously issued audited and unaudited condensed financial statements for such periods.


NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

1.

Basis of Presentation

The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse capitalization in accordance with GAAP as ESS has been determined to be the accounting acquiror, primarily due to the fact that ESS Stockholders will continue to control New ESS. Under this method of accounting, while STWO was the legal acquiror, it was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of ESS issuing stock for the net assets of STWO, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of ESS were stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded. The historical operations of the New ESS presented prior to the Business Combination were those of ESS.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma 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 does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination and other related events.

The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination and other related events are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that ESS believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. ESS believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at this time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of New ESS. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of STWO and ESS.

 

2.

Accounting Policies

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, management will perform a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management may identify differences between the accounting policies of the two entities which, when conformed, could have a material impact on the financial statements of New ESS. Based on its initial analysis, management did not identify any differences that would have a material impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. As a result, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not assume any material differences in accounting policies.

 

3.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and has been prepared for informational purposes only.

The ESS transaction accounting adjustments reflect the adjustments that took place prior to May 6, 2021, the Merger Agreement date, to reflect the changes to the ESS capital structure immediately prior to the Business Combination.

The pro forma basic and diluted per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations are based upon the number of New ESS shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination and other related events occurred on January 1, 2020.


Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

The adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of June 30, 2021 are as follows:

 

  (A)

Reflects 5,427,464 shares of ESS Series C-2 Preferred Stock issued prior to Closing at a price of $2.95 per share, and related proceeds of $16.0 million. Upon the Closing, ESS Series C-2 Preferred Stock were converted into New ESS common stock adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

 

  (B)

Reflects the issuance of 14,365,207 preferred warrants to purchase ESS Series C-2 Preferred Stock prior to Closing at a price of $0.0001 per warrant, and related proceeds of $1,437. Upon the Closing, the ESS Series C-2 Preferred warrants were converted into common stock adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

 

  (C)

Reflects the liquidation and reclassification of $250.0 million of investments held in the Trust Account to cash and cash equivalents that became available for general use by New ESS.

 

  (D)

Reflects the proceeds of $250.0 million from the issuance and sale of 25.0 million shares of New ESS common stock at $10.00 per share pursuant to the Subscription Agreements in connection with the PIPE Financing.

 

  (E)

Reflects the reclassification of 25,000,000 STWO Class A Ordinary Shares subject to redemption into permanent equity and immediate conversion of all 25,000,000 shares of STWO Class A Ordinary Shares into shares of New ESS Common Stock on a one-to-one basis upon the Domestication.

 

  (F)

Reflects the conversion of STWO’s 6,250,000 STWO Class B Ordinary Shares into shares of New ESS Common Stock on a one-to-one basis upon the Domestication.

 

  (G)

Reflects the conversion of ESS Series A, B, C-1 and C-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock into shares of New ESS Common Stock adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

 

  (H)

Represents the issuance of new shares of New ESS common stock to holders of ESS Common Stock at the Closing pursuant to the Merger Agreement to affect the reverse recapitalization at the Closing, adjusted using the Per Share Consideration.

 

  (I)

Reflects the elimination of STWO’s historical accumulated deficit with a corresponding adjustment to additional paid-in capital for New ESS in connection with the reverse recapitalization at the Closing.

 

  (J)

Represents the reclassification of $2.0 million capitalized as deferred offering costs in prepaid expenses and other current assets on the balance sheet as of June 30, 2021, and additional cash disbursements for the preliminary estimated direct and incremental transaction costs of $17.1 million to be incurred by ESS prior to, or concurrent with, the Closing. The total estimated direct and incremental transaction costs consist of $12.9 million (of which $0.2 million has already been paid and included in the historical financial statements and $1.8 million included in accrued and other current liabilities) which represents advisory, legal, accounting and other fees that qualify as equity issuance costs to be offset against additional paid-in capital and $4.4 million which represents transaction costs that are not eligible to be capitalized which are recorded to accumulated deficit.

 

  (K)

Represents the cash disbursement for the preliminary estimated direct and incremental transaction costs of $28.6 million to be incurred by STWO prior to, or concurrent with, the Closing, excluding the $8.8 million of deferred underwriting fees related to STWO’s IPO. Transaction costs that are not eligible to be capitalized were expensed and have already been included in the historical financial statements.

 

  (L)

Reflects the cash disbursement of $8.8 million to settle the deferred underwriters’ fees due upon the Closing which were originally incurred by STWO during its IPO.

 

  (M)

Reflects the reclassification of ESS’s warrant and derivative liability related to Common and Preferred Stock, to APIC as a result of ESS Common and Preferred Stock warrants being net settled into shares of ESS Common Stock immediately prior to the Closing.

 

  (N)

Per the Merger Agreement, out of the outstanding 4,666,667 Private Placement Warrants, upon Closing, 3,500,000 warrants vested, 583,333 warrants were forfeited and the remaining 583,334 warrants will vest as Private Placement Warrants-contingent earnouts, based on meeting certain future Earnout Milestone Events. This adjustment reflects the reclassification of 583,334 Private Placement Warrants which will vest contingent on meeting certain Earnout Milestone Events and forfeiture of 583,333 Private Placement Warrants. Refer to Adjustment “P” for recording the fair value of the 583,334 Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares.


  (O)

Reflects the preliminary estimated fair value of the Earnout Stock contingently issuable to the eligible ESS Securityholders as of the Closing. The preliminary fair values were determined using the most reliable information available. The actual fair values could change materially once the final valuation is determined at the Closing.

 

  (P)

Reflects the preliminary estimated fair value of the Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares as of the Closing. The preliminary estimated fair values were determined using the most reliable information available. The actual fair values could change materially once the final valuation is determined at the Closing.

 

  (Q)

Represents the cash disbursed to redeem 20,754,719 shares of STWO Class A Ordinary Shares for $207.5 million allocated to New ESS Common Stock and additional paid-in capital, using a par value of $0.0001 per share at a redemption price of $10.00 per share.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:

 

  (AA)

Reflects the elimination of interest income of the trust account.

 

  (BB)

Reflects the elimination of the impact of change in fair value of 583,334 Private Placement Warrant liabilities replaced with the Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares, which will vest upon the occurrence of the Earnout Milestone Events, and forfeiture of 583,333 Private Placement Warrants. Therefore, the 583,333 Private Placement Warrants forfeited will not be marked to market at each reporting period. Refer to Adjustment “P” for recording the fair value of 583,334 Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares.

 

  (CC)

Reflects the elimination of the impact of change in fair value of the warrant and derivative liabilities as these securities became equity classified as a result of the Business Combination, and therefore will not be marked to market at each reporting period.

 

  (DD)

Represents the elimination of the financing costs associated with the derivative warrant liabilities.

 

  (EE)

Reflects the portion of estimated transaction costs not eligible for capitalization of $5.9 million. Of this amount, $1.5 million is already incurred and expensed in the historical statement of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021. This is a non-recurring item.


4.

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 since January 1, 2020. As the Business Combination and related proposed equity transactions are being reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the periods presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire periods presented.

Basic and diluted net loss per share attributable to common stockholders is presented in conformity with the two-class method required for participating securities.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on the following information:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2021
    Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

   Pro Forma Combined     Pro Forma Combined  

Numerator:

    

Net loss

   $ (21,030   $ (19,972
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

   $ (21,030   $ (19,972

Denominator:

    

ESS Stockholders

     99,562,793       99,562,793  

STWO Public Shareholders

     4,245,281       4,245,281  

STWO Initial Shareholders

     6,250,000       6,250,000  

PIPE investors

     25,000,000       25,000,000  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

     135,058,074       135,058,074  

STWO’s warrants

     —         —    

New ESS RSUs

     —         —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

     135,058,074       135,058,074  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders—basic and diluted

   $ (0.16   $ (0.15


Following the Closing, the following outstanding shares of common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of pro forma diluted net loss per share for all the periods and scenarios presented because including them would have had an anti-dilutive effect:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30, 2021
     Year Ended
December 31, 2020
 
     Pro Form Combined      Pro Form Combined  

STWO warrants (1)

     11,833,333        11,833,333  

New ESS awards (2)

     825,000        825,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     12,658,333        12,658,333  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes STWO 8,333,333 Public Warrants and 3,500,000 Private Placement Warrants vesting at the Closing, which are all antidilutive, as their exercise price is $11.50.

(2)

New ESS RSUs will be granted to employees prior to Closing and require future service throughout certain contingent triggering vesting dates.

 

5.

Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares

Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares are accounted for as liability classified equity instruments that are earned upon achieving the Earnout Milestone Events, which include events that are not indexed to the New ESS Common Stock. In an Earnout Milestone Event, New ESS may issue to eligible ESS securityholders up to 16,500,000 shares of additional New ESS Common Stock, minus the aggregate number of New ESS RSUs granted pursuant to the Merger Agreement from the Incentive RSU Pool that are outstanding as of immediately prior to Closing. Prior to Closing, to incentivize the employees and other service providers of New ESS that continue to serve New ESS on and following the Closing (each, a “Continuing Employee”), New ESS may grant up to an aggregate of 825,000 RSUs. New ESS RSUs under the Incentive RSU Pool shall vest subject to the occurrence of each Earnout Milestone Event set forth below and the Continuing Employee’s continued service to New ESS through each vesting date. Earnout Stock shall vest and be issued in two separate tranches upon the occurrence of the respective Earnout Milestone Event as follows:

 

  (i)

50% of the Earnout Stock if over any 20 Trading Days within any 30 Trading Day period the volume-weighted average price (VWAP) of the shares of New ESS Common Stock is greater than or equal to $12.50 per share; and

 

  (ii)

an additional 50% of the Earnout Stock if over any 20 Trading Days within any 30 Trading Day period the VWAP of the shares of Acquiror Common Stock is greater than or equal to $15.00 per share.

The preliminary estimated fair value of the Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares is $152.0 million and $0.7 million, respectively, as of June 30, 2021.

The estimated fair values of the Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares were determined by using a Monte Carlo simulation valuation model using a distribution of potential outcomes on a monthly basis over the five-year Earnout Period. The preliminary estimated fair values of Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares were determined using the most reliable information available on the date of the valuation. Assumptions used in the preliminary valuation, which are subject to change at the Closing, were as follows:

Current stock price: the current stock price was set at the deemed value of $10.00 per share for New ESS Common Stock.

Expected volatility: the volatility rate was determined by using an average of historical volatilities of selected industry peers deemed to be comparable to our business corresponding to the expected term of the awards.

Risk-free interest rate: The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of issuance for zero-coupon U.S. Treasury notes with maturities corresponding to the expected 5 year term of the Earnout Period.

Expected term: The expected term is the 5 year term of the Earnout Period.


Expected dividend yield: The expected dividend yield is zero as we have never declared or paid cash dividends and have no current plans to do so during the expected term.

The actual fair values of Earnout Stock and Private Placement Warrants Earnout Shares are subject to change as additional information becomes available and additional analyses are performed and such changes could be material once the final valuation is determined at the Closing.