Exhibit 99.1

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

(Adopted by the Board of Directors on November 2, 2022)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

SECTION 1.		ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE			1
SECTION 2.		DEFINITIONS			1
(a)		“Affiliate”			1
(b)		“Award”			1
(c)		“Award Agreement”			1
(d)		“Board of Directors” or “Board”			1
(e)		“Cash-Based Award”			1
(f)		“Change in Control”			1
(g)		“Code”			3
(h)		“Committee”			3
(i)		“Company”			3
(j)		“Consultant”			3
(k)		“Disability”			3
(l)		“Employee”			3
(m)		“Exchange Act”			3
(n)		“Exercise Price”			3
(o)		“Fair Market Value”			3
(p)		“Independent Board”			4
(q)		“Nonstatutory Option” or “NSO”			4
(r)		“Option”			4
(s)		“Outside Director”			4
(t)		“Parent”			4
(u)		“Participant”			4
(v)		“Plan”			4
(w)		“Purchase Price”			4
(x)		“Restricted Share”			4
(y)		“SAR”			4
(z)		“Section 409A”			5
(aa)		“Securities Act”			5
(bb)		“Service”			5
(cc)		“Share”			5

 

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(dd)		“Stock”			5
(ee)		“Stock Unit”			5
(ff)		“Subsidiary”			5
SECTION 3.		ADMINISTRATION			5
(a)		Committee Composition			5
(b)		Committee Procedures			5
(c)		Committee Responsibilities			6
SECTION 4.		ELIGIBILITY			7
(a)		General Rule			7
SECTION 5.		STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN			7
(a)		Basic Limitation			7
(b)		Additional Shares			8
SECTION 6.		RESTRICTED SHARES			8
(a)		Restricted Share Award Agreement			8
(b)		Payment for Awards			8
(c)		Vesting			8
(d)		Voting and Dividend Rights			8
(e)		Restrictions on Transfer of Shares			9
SECTION 7.		TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS			9
(a)		Stock Option Award Agreement			9
(b)		Number of Shares			9
(c)		Exercise Price			9
(d)		Withholding Taxes			9
(e)		Exercisability and Term			9
(f)		Exercise of Options			10
(g)		Effect of Change in Control			10
(h)		No Rights as a Stockholder			10
(i)		Restrictions on Transfer of Shares			10
SECTION 8.		PAYMENT FOR SHARES			10
(a)		General Rule			10

 

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(b)		Surrender of Stock			10
(c)		Services Rendered			10
(d)		Cashless Exercise			11
(e)		Exercise/Pledge			11
(f)		Net Exercise			11
(g)		Promissory Note			11
(h)		Other Forms of Payment			11
(i)		Limitations under Applicable Law			11
SECTION 9.		STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS			11
(a)		SAR Award Agreement			11
(b)		Number of Shares			11
(c)		Exercise Price			11
(d)		Exercisability and Term			12
(e)		Effect of Change in Control			12
(f)		Exercise of SARs			12
SECTION 10.		STOCK UNITS			12
(a)		Stock Unit Award Agreement			12
(b)		Payment for Awards			12
(c)		Vesting Conditions			12
(d)		Voting and Dividend Rights			13
(e)		Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units			13
(f)		Death of Participant			13
(g)		Creditors’ Rights			13
SECTION 11.		CASH-BASED AWARDS			13
SECTION 12.		ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES			14
(a)		Adjustments			14
(b)		Dissolution or Liquidation			14
(c)		Reorganizations			14
(d)		Reservation of Rights			15
SECTION 13.		DEFERRAL OF AWARDS			15
(a)		Committee Powers			15

 

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(b)		General Rules			16
SECTION 14.		LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS			16
SECTION 15.		TAXES			16
(a)		Withholding Taxes			16
(b)		Share Withholding			16
(c)		Section 409A			17
SECTION 16.		TRANSFERABILITY			17
SECTION 17.		PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS			17
SECTION 18.		RECOUPMENT			17
SECTION 19.		NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS			17
SECTION 20.		DURATION AND AMENDMENTS			18
(a)		Term of the Plan			18
(b)		Right to Amend the Plan			18
(c)		Effect of Termination			18
SECTION 21.		AWARDS TO NON-U.S. PARTICIPANTS			18
SECTION 22.		GOVERNING LAW			18
SECTION 23.		SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS			18
SECTION 24.		EXECUTION			18

 

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NIKOLA CORPORATION

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SECTION 1. ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE.

The Plan was adopted by the Board of Directors on November 2, 2022 and became effective on the same day (the “Effective Date”). The Plan’s purposes are to (a) to attract and retain the services of persons not previously an employee of the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to the individual’s entering into employment with the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, and (b) reward top talent through stock ownership to improve operating and financial performance and strengthen the mutuality of interest between Employees and stockholders. The Plan seeks to achieve these purposes by providing for Awards in the form of options, stock appreciation rights, stock bonuses, restricted stock, performance stock, stock units, restricted stock units, deferred shares, phantom stock, cash-based awards or similar rights to purchase or acquire shares, to the extent such awards qualify as an employment inducement award under Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS.

(a) “Affiliate” means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.

(b) “Award” means any award of an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share, a Stock Unit or a Cash-Based Award under the Plan.

(c) “Award Agreement” means the agreement between the Company and the recipient of an Award which contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Award.

(d) “Board of Directors” or “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(e) “Cash-Based Award” means an Award that entitles the Participant to receive a cash-denominated payment.

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

 

(i)

A change in the composition of the Board of Directors occurs, as a result of which fewer than one-half of the incumbent directors are directors who either:

 

(A)

Had been directors of the Company on the “look-back date” (as defined below) (the “original directors”); or

 

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(B)

Were elected, or nominated for election, to the Board of Directors with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of the aggregate of the original directors who were still in office at the time of the election or nomination and the directors whose election or nomination was previously so approved (the “continuing directors”);

provided, however, that for this purpose, the “original directors” and “continuing directors” shall not include any individual whose initial assumption of office occurred as a result of an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents, by or on behalf of a person other than the Board;

 

(ii)

Any “person” (as defined below) who by the acquisition or aggregation of securities, is or becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities ordinarily (and apart from rights accruing under special circumstances) having the right to vote at elections of directors (the “Base Capital Stock”); except that any change in the relative beneficial ownership of the Company’s securities by any person resulting solely from a reduction in the aggregate number of outstanding shares of Base Capital Stock, and any decrease thereafter in such person’s ownership of securities, shall be disregarded until such person increases in any manner, directly or indirectly, such person’s beneficial ownership of any securities of the Company;

 

(iii)

The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company or a Subsidiary of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization, if persons who were not stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or other reorganization own immediately after such merger, consolidation or other reorganization 50% or more of the voting power of the outstanding securities of each of (A) the Company (or its successor) and (B) any direct or indirect parent corporation of the Company (or its successor); or

 

(iv)

The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets.

For purposes of subsection (f)(i) above, the term “look-back” date means the later of (1) the Effective Date and (2) the date that is 24 months prior to the date of the event that may constitute a Change in Control.

For purposes of subsection (f)(ii) above, the term “person” shall have the same meaning as when used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act, but shall exclude (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan maintained by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary and (2) a corporation owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Stock.

 

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Any other provision of this Section 2(f) notwithstanding, a transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction, and a Change in Control shall not be deemed to occur if the Company files a registration statement with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with an initial or secondary public offering of securities or debt of the Company to the public.

(g) “Code” means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(h) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee as designated by the Board of Directors, which is authorized to administer the Plan, as described in Section 3 hereof.

(i) “Company” means Nikola Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

(j) “Consultant” means an individual who is a consultant or advisor and who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor (not including service as a member of the Board of Directors) or a member of the board of directors of a Parent or a Subsidiary, in each case who is not an Employee.

(k) “Disability” means any permanent and total disability as defined by Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(l) “Employee” means any individual who is a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.

(m) “Exchange Act” means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(n) “Exercise Price” means, in the case of an Option, the amount for which one Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price” means, in the case of a SAR, an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Award Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.

(o) “Fair Market Value” with respect to a Share, means the market price of one Share, determined by the Committee as follows:

 

(i)

If the Stock was traded over-the-counter on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the last transaction price quoted for such date by the OTC Bulletin Board or, if not so quoted, shall be equal to the mean between the last reported representative bid and asked prices quoted for such date by the principal automated inter-dealer quotation system on which the Stock is quoted or, if the Stock is not quoted on any such system, by the Pink Quote system;

 

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(ii)

If the Stock was traded on any established stock exchange (such as the New York Stock Exchange, The Nasdaq Global Market or The Nasdaq Global Select Market) or national market system on the date in question, then the Fair Market Value shall be equal to the closing price reported for such date by the applicable exchange or system; or

 

(iii)

If none of the foregoing provisions is applicable, then the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate.

In all cases, the determination of Fair Market Value by the Committee shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.

(p) “Independent Board” means a majority of the independent directors on the Board. For these purposes, “independent director” has the meaning given under Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

(q) “Nonstatutory Option” or “NSO” means an employee stock option that is not an incentive stock option as described under Section 422 of the Code.

(r) “Option” means a Nonstatutory Option granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Shares.

(s) “Outside Director” means a member of the Board of Directors who is not a common-law employee of, or paid consultant to, the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary.

(t) “Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be a Parent commencing as of such date.

(u) “Participant” means a person who holds an Award.

(v) “Plan” means this 2022 Inducement Plan of Nikola Corporation, as amended from time to time.

(w) “Purchase Price” means the consideration for which one Share may be acquired under the Plan (other than upon exercise of an Option), as specified by the Committee.

(x) “Restricted Share” means a Share awarded under the Plan.

(y) “SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.

 

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(z) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code.

(aa) “Securities Act” means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder,

(bb) “Service” means service as an Employee, Consultant or Outside Director, subject to such further limitations as may be set forth in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement. Service does not terminate when an Employee goes on a bona fide leave of absence, that was approved by the Company in writing, if the terms of the leave provide for continued Service crediting, or when continued Service crediting is required by applicable law. Service terminates in any event when the approved leave ends, unless such Employee immediately returns to active work. The Company determines which leaves of absence count toward Service, and when Service terminates for all purposes under the Plan.

(cc) “Share” means one share of Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 12 (if applicable).

(dd) “Stock” means the Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company.

(ee) “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the Company’s obligation to deliver one Share (or distribute cash) on a future date in accordance with the provisions of a Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(ff) “Subsidiary” means any corporation, if the Company and/or one or more other Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of such corporation. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Committee Composition. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee in compliance with Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules (and any successor thereto) or of any successor national stock exchange on which the Stock shall be listed during the term of the Plan. At any time and on any one or more occasions, the Independent Board may exercise any of the powers or responsibilities assigned to the Committee under the Plan, and when so acting, shall have the benefit of all of the provisions of the Plan pertaining to the Committee’s exercise of its authorities hereunder. The Committee shall consist of two or more directors of the Company each of whom shall qualify as an “independent direct” as defined in Section 5605(a)(2) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. In addition, to the extent required by the Board, the composition of the Committee shall satisfy such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Rule 16b-3 (or its successor) under the Exchange Act.

(b) Committee Procedures. The Board of Directors shall designate one of the members of the Committee as chairman. The Committee may hold meetings at such times and places as it shall determine. The acts of a majority of the Committee members present at meetings at which a quorum exists, or acts reduced to or approved in writing (including via email) by all Committee members, shall be valid acts of the Committee.

 

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(c) Committee Responsibilities. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full authority and discretion to take the following actions:

 

(i)

To interpret the Plan and to apply its provisions;

 

(ii)

To adopt, amend or rescind rules, procedures and forms relating to the Plan;

 

(iii)

To adopt, amend or terminate sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws including qualifying for preferred tax treatment under applicable foreign tax laws;

 

(iv)

To authorize any person to execute, on behalf of the Company, any instrument required to carry out the purposes of the Plan;

 

(v)

To determine when Awards are to be granted under the Plan;

 

(vi)

To select the Participants to whom Awards are to be granted;

 

(vii)

To determine the type of Award and number of Shares or amount of cash to be made subject to each Award;

 

(viii)

To prescribe the terms and conditions of each Award, including (without limitation) the Exercise Price and Purchase Price, and the vesting or duration of the Award (including accelerating the vesting of Awards, either at the time of the Award or thereafter, without the consent of the Participant), and to specify the provisions of the agreement relating to such Award;

 

(ix)

To amend any outstanding Award Agreement, subject to applicable legal restrictions and Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules and to the consent of the Participant if the Participant’s rights or obligations would be materially impaired;

 

(x)

To prescribe the consideration for the grant of each Award or other right under the Plan and to determine the sufficiency of such consideration;

 

(xi)

To determine the disposition of each Award or other right under the Plan in the event of a Participant’s divorce or dissolution of marriage;

 

(xii)

To determine whether Awards under the Plan will be granted in replacement of other grants under an incentive or other compensation plan of an acquired business;

 

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(xiii)

To correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award Agreement;

 

(xiv)

To establish or verify the extent of satisfaction of any performance goals or other conditions applicable to the grant, issuance, exercisability, vesting and/or ability to retain any Award;

 

(xv)

Within the limitations of the Plan, and subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders to the extent required by Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules (and any successor thereto) and the consent of the Participant if the Participant’s rights or obligations would be materially impaired, to modify, extend, assume or renew outstanding Awards or accept the cancellation of outstanding Awards (to the extent not previously exercised or settled), whether or not granted hereunder, in return for the grant of new similar Awards for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price (to the extent applicable), or in return for the grant of a different Award for the same or a different number of shares or for cash; and

 

(xvi)

To take any other actions deemed necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.

Subject to the requirements of applicable law, the Committee may prescribe such conditions and limitations as it may deem appropriate. All decisions, interpretations and other actions of the Committee shall be final and binding on all Participants and all persons deriving their rights from a Participant. No member of the Committee shall be liable for any action that he has taken or has failed to take in good faith with respect to the Plan or any Award under the Plan.

SECTION 4. ELIGIBILITY.

(a) General Rule. Only Employees who were not previously employed by the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or following a bona fide period of non-employment, as an inducement material to the individual’s entering into employment with the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules shall be eligible for the grant of Awards.

SECTION 5. STOCK SUBJECT TO PLAN.

(a) Basic Limitation. Shares offered under the Plan shall be authorized but unissued Shares or treasury Shares. The aggregate number of Shares authorized for issuance as Awards under the Plan shall not exceed 1,500,000 Shares. The number of Shares that are subject to Awards outstanding at any time under the Plan shall not exceed the number of Shares which then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available sufficient Shares to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

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(b) Additional Shares. If Restricted Shares are forfeited, then such Shares shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. If Stock Units, Options or SARs are forfeited or terminate for any reason before being exercised or settled, then the corresponding Shares shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. If Stock Units are settled, then only the number of Shares (if any) actually issued in settlement of such Stock Units shall reduce the number available in Section 5(a) and the balance (including any Shares withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations) shall again become available for Awards under the Plan. The full number of Options exercised shall be counted against the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares actually issued upon exercise of such Options. The full number of SARs settled shall be counted against the number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan, regardless of the number of Shares actually issued in settlement of such SARs. Any Shares withheld to satisfy the tax withholding obligation pursuant to any Award of Options or SARs shall not be added to the Shares available for Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5(b), Shares that have actually been issued shall not again become available for Awards under the Plan, except for Restricted Shares that are forfeited and do not become vested.

SECTION 6. RESTRICTED SHARES.

(a) Restricted Share Award Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Share Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Share Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Payment for Awards. Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, full-recourse promissory notes, past services and future services.

(c) Vesting. Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Share Award Agreement. A Restricted Share Award Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Restricted Shares or thereafter, that all or part of such Restricted Shares shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(d) Voting and Dividend Rights. A holder of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders, except that in the case of any unvested Restricted Shares, the holder shall not be entitled to any dividends or other distributions paid or distributed by the Company in respect of outstanding Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at the Committee’s discretion, the holder of unvested Restricted Shares may be credited with such dividends and other distributions, provided that such dividends and other distributions shall be paid or distributed to the holder only if, when and to the extent such unvested Restricted Shares vest. The value of dividends and other distributions payable or distributable with respect to any unvested Restricted Shares that do not vest shall be forfeited. For the avoidance of doubt, other than with respect to the right to receive dividends and other distributions, the holders of unvested Restricted Shares shall have the same voting rights and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders in respect of such unvested Restricted Shares.

 

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(e) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. Restricted Shares shall be subject to such rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal or other restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Restricted Share Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

SECTION 7. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.

(a) Stock Option Award Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and which the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in a Stock Option Award Agreement. The provisions of the various Stock Option Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the number of Shares that are subject to the Option and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

(c) Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of an Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(c), the Exercise Price under any Option shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Exercise Price shall be payable in one of the forms described in Section 8.

(d) Withholding Taxes. As a condition to the exercise of an Option, the Participant shall make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such exercise. The Participant shall also make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with the disposition of Shares acquired by exercising an Option.

(e) Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the Option is to become exercisable. The Stock Option Award Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option. A Stock Option Award Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability, or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Participant’s Service. Options may be awarded in combination with SARs, and such an Award may provide that the Options will not be exercisable unless the related SARs are forfeited. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 7(e), the Committee in its sole discretion shall determine when all or any installment of an Option is to become exercisable and when an Option is to expire.

 

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(f) Exercise of Options. Each Stock Option Award Agreement shall set forth the extent to which the Participant shall have the right to exercise the Option following termination of the Participant’s Service, and the right to exercise the Option of any executors or administrators of the Participant’s estate or any person who has acquired such Option(s) directly from the Participant by bequest or inheritance. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.

(g) Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting an Option or thereafter, that such Option shall become exercisable as to all or part of the Shares subject to such Option in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(h) No Rights as a Stockholder. A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares covered bythe Participant’sOption until the date of the issuance of a stock certificate for such Shares. No adjustments shall be made, except as provided in Section 12.

(i) Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. Any Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Stock Option Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any general restrictions that may apply to all holders of Shares.

SECTION 8. PAYMENT FOR SHARES.

(a) General Rule. The entire Exercise Price or Purchase Price of Shares issued under the Plan shall be payable in lawful money of the United States of America at the time when such Shares are purchased, except as provided in Section 8(b) through Section 8(h) below.

(b) Surrender of Stock. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Shares which have already been owned by the Participant or the Participant’s representative. Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when the new Shares are purchased under the Plan. The Participant shall not surrender, or attest to the ownership of, Shares in payment of the Exercise Price if such action would cause the Company to recognize compensation expense (or additional compensation expense) with respect to the Option for financial reporting purposes.

(c) Services Rendered. At the discretion of the Committee, Shares may be awarded under the Plan in consideration of services rendered to the Company or a Subsidiary. If Shares are awarded without the payment of a Purchase Price in cash, the Committee shall make a determination (at the time of the Award) of the value of the services rendered by the Participant and the sufficiency of the consideration to meet the requirements of Section 6(b).

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

10

(d) Cashless Exercise. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker to sell Shares and to deliver all or part of the sale proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(e) Exercise/Pledge. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form prescribed by the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a securities broker or lender to pledge Shares, as security for a loan, and to deliver all or part of the loan proceeds to the Company in payment of the aggregate Exercise Price.

(f) Net Exercise. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement so provides, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the number of Shares issuable upon exercise of the Option shall be reduced by the largest whole number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price (plus tax withholdings, if applicable) and any remaining balance of the aggregate Exercise Price (and/or applicable tax withholdings) not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole Shares to be issued shall be paid by the Participant in cash or any other form of payment permitted under the Stock Option Agreement.

(g) Promissory Note. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made all or in part by delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) a full-recourse promissory note.

(h) Other Forms of Payment. To the extent that a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement so provides, payment may be made in any other form that is consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.

(i) Limitations under Applicable Law. Notwithstanding anything herein or in a Stock Option Award Agreement or Restricted Share Award Agreement to the contrary, payment may not be made in any form that is unlawful, as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

SECTION 9. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

(a) SAR Award Agreement. Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various SAR Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Number of Shares. Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the number of Shares to which the SAR pertains and shall provide for the adjustment of such number in accordance with Section 12.

(c) Exercise Price. Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price. The Exercise Price of a SAR shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, SARs may be granted with an Exercise Price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code. Subject to the foregoing in this Section 9(c), the Exercise Price under any SAR shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

11

(d) Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Award Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become exercisable. The SAR Award Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR. A SAR Award Agreement may provide for accelerated exercisability in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Participant’s Service. SARs may be awarded in combination with Options, and such an Award may provide that the SARs will not be exercisable unless the related Options are forfeited. A SAR may be included in an Option at the time of grant or thereafter. A SAR granted under the Plan may provide that it will be exercisable only in the event of a Change in Control.

(e) Effect of Change in Control. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting a SAR or thereafter, that such SAR shall become fully exercisable as to all Common Shares subject to such SAR in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

(f) Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Participant (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after the Participant’s death) shall receive from the Company (i) Shares, (ii) cash or (iii) a combination of Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, be equal to the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price.

SECTION 10. STOCK UNITS.

(a) Stock Unit Award Agreement. Each grant of Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Unit Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Stock Unit Award Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.

(b) Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award recipients.

(c) Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Stock Unit Award Agreement. A Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting in the event of the Participant’s death, Disability or retirement or other events. The Committee may determine, at the time of granting Stock Units or thereafter, that all or part of such Stock Units shall become vested in the event that a Change in Control occurs with respect to the Company.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

12

(d) Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, any Stock Unit awarded under the Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, carry with it a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Share while the Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Shares, or in a combination of both. Dividend equivalents shall not be distributed prior to settlement of the Stock Unit to which the dividend equivalents pertain. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions (including without limitation, any forfeiture conditions) as the Stock Units to which they attach. The value of dividend equivalents payable or distributable with respect to any unvested Stock Units that do not vest shall be forfeited.

(e) Form and Time of Settlement of Stock Units. Settlement of vested Stock Units may be made in the form of (i) cash, (ii) Shares or (iii) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee. The actual number of Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors. Methods of converting Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average Fair Market Value of Shares over a series of trading days. A Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide that vested Stock Units may be settled in a lump sum or in installments. A Stock Unit Award Agreement may provide that the distribution may occur or commence when all vesting conditions applicable to the Stock Units have been satisfied or have lapsed, or it may be deferred to any later date, subject to compliance with Section 409A. The amount of a deferred distribution may be increased by an interest factor or by dividend equivalents. Until an Award of Stock Units is settled, the number of such Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 12.

(f) Death of Participant. Any Stock Unit Award that becomes payable after the Participant’s death shall be distributed to the Participant’s beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each recipient of a Stock Unit Award under the Plan shall designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Participant’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Participant, then any Stock Units Award that becomes payable after the Participant’s death shall be distributed to the Participant’s estate.

(g) Creditors’ Rights. A holder of Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Stock Unit Award Agreement.

SECTION 11. CASH-BASED AWARDS.

The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Cash-Based Awards to any Participant in such number or amount and upon such terms, and subject to such conditions, as the Committee shall determine at the time of grant and specify in an applicable Award Agreement.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

13

The Committee shall determine the maximum duration of the Cash-Based Award, the amount of cash which may be payable pursuant to the Cash-Based Award, the conditions upon which the Cash-Based Award shall become vested or payable, and such other provisions as the Committee shall determine. Each Cash-Based Award shall specify a cash-denominated payment amount, formula or payment ranges as determined by the Committee. Payment, if any, with respect to a Cash-Based Award shall be made in accordance with the terms of the Award and may be made in cash or in Shares, as the Committee determines.

SECTION 12. ADJUSTMENT OF SHARES.

(a) Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Stock, a declaration of a dividend payable in Shares or a declaration of a dividend payable in a form other than Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Stock (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee shall make appropriate and equitable adjustments in:

 

(i)

The number of Shares available for future Awards and the limitations set forth under Section 5;

 

(ii)

The number of Shares covered by each outstanding Award; and

 

(iii)

The Exercise Price under each outstanding Option and SAR.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.

(c) Reorganizations. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger or other reorganization, outstanding Awards shall be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization. Subject to compliance with Section 409A, such agreement shall provide for:

 

(i)

The continuation of the outstanding Awards by the Company, if the Company is a surviving corporation;

 

(ii)

The assumption of the outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary;

 

(iii)

The substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent or subsidiary of its own awards for the outstanding Awards;

 

(iv)

Immediate vesting, exercisability or settlement of outstanding Awards followed by the cancellation of such Awards upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such transaction; or

 

(v)

Settlement of the intrinsic value of the outstanding Awards (whether or not then vested or exercisable) in cash or cash equivalents or equity

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

14

(including cash or equity subject to deferred vesting and delivery consistent with the vesting restrictions applicable to such Awards or the underlying Shares) followed by the cancellation of such Awards (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Committee determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment); in each case without the Participant’s consent. Any acceleration of payment of an amount that is subject to Section 409A will be delayed, if necessary, until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A without triggering any additional taxes applicable under Section 409A.

The Company will have no obligation to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, or all Awards of the same type, similarly.

(d) Reservation of Rights. Except as provided in this Section 12, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class. Any issue by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award. The grant of an Award pursuant to the Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations or changes of its capital or business structure, to merge or consolidate or to dissolve, liquidate, sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets. In the event of any change affecting the Shares or the Exercise Price of Shares subject to an Award, including a merger or other reorganization, for reasons of administrative convenience, the Company in its sole discretion may refuse to permit the exercise of any Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the occurrence of such event.

SECTION 13. DEFERRAL OF AWARDS.

(a) Committee Powers. Subject to compliance with Section 409A, the Committee (in its sole discretion) may permit or require a Participant to:

 

(i)

Have cash that otherwise would be paid to such Participant as a result of the exercise of a SAR or the settlement of Stock Units credited to a deferred compensation account established for such Participant by the Committee as an entry on the Company’s books;

 

(ii)

Have Shares that otherwise would be delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR converted into an equal number of Stock Units; or

 

(iii)

Have Shares that otherwise would be delivered to such Participant as a result of the exercise of an Option or SAR or the settlement of Stock Units converted into amounts credited to a deferred compensation account established for such Participant by the Committee as an entry on the Company’s books. Such amounts shall be determined by reference to the Fair Market Value of such Shares as of the date when they otherwise would have been delivered to such Participant.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

15

(b) General Rules. A deferred compensation account established under this Section 13 may be credited with interest or other forms of investment return, as determined by the Committee. A Participant for whom such an account is established shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Such an account shall represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable agreement between such Participant and the Company. If the deferral or conversion of Awards is permitted or required, the Committee (in its sole discretion) may establish rules, procedures and forms pertaining to such Awards, including (without limitation) the settlement of deferred compensation accounts established under this Section 13.

SECTION 14. LEGAL AND REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS.

Shares shall not be issued under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such Shares complies with (or is exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act, state securities laws and regulations and the regulations of any stock exchange on which the Company’s securities may then be listed, and the Company has obtained the approval or favorable ruling from any governmental agency which the Company determines is necessary or advisable. The Company shall not be liable to a Participant or other persons as to: (a) the non-issuance or sale of Shares as to which the Company has not obtained from any regulatory body having jurisdiction the authority deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares under the Plan; and (b) any tax consequences expected, but not realized, by any Participant or other person due to the receipt, exercise or settlement of any Award granted under the Plan.

SECTION 15. TAXES.

(a) Withholding Taxes. To the extent required by applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant or the Participant’s successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

(b) Share Withholding. The Committee may permit a Participant to satisfy all or part ofthe Participant’s withholding or income tax obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Shares that he or she previously acquired. Such Shares shall be valued at their Fair Market Value on the date when taxes otherwise would be withheld in cash. In no event may a Participant have Shares withheld that would otherwise be issued to him or her in excess of the number necessary to satisfy the maximum applicable tax withholding rate.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

16

(c) Section 409A. Each Award that provides for “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order to comply with Section 409A. If any amount under such an Award is payable upon a “separation from service” (within the meaning of Section 409A) to a Participant who is then considered a “specified employee” (within the meaning of Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to interest, penalties and/or additional tax imposed pursuant to Section 409A. In addition, the settlement of any such Award may not be accelerated except to the extent permitted by Section 409A.

SECTION 16. TRANSFERABILITY.

Unless the agreement evidencing an Award (or an amendment thereto authorized by the Committee) expressly provides otherwise, no Award granted under the Plan, nor any interest in such Award, may be sold, assigned, conveyed, gifted, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise transferred in any manner (prior to the vesting and lapse of any and all restrictions applicable to Shares issued under such Award), other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Any purported assignment, transfer or encumbrance in violation of this Section 16 shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

SECTION 17. PERFORMANCE BASED AWARDS.

The number of Shares or other benefits granted, issued, retainable and/or vested under an Award may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals. The Committee may utilize any performance criteria selected by it in its sole discretion to establish performance goals.

SECTION 18. RECOUPMENT.

In the event that the Company is required to prepare restated financial results owing to an executive officer’s intentional misconduct or grossly negligent conduct, the Board (or a designated committee) shall have the authority, to the extent permitted by applicable law, to require reimbursement or forfeiture to the Company of the amount of bonus or incentive compensation (whether cash-based or equity-based) such executive officer received during the three fiscal years preceding the year the restatement is determined to be required, to the extent that such bonus or incentive compensation exceeds what the officer would have received based on an applicable restated performance measure or target. The Company will recoup incentive-based compensation from executive officers to the extent required under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and any rules, regulations and listing standards that may be issued under that act. Any right of recoupment under this provision will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other rights of recoupment that may be available to the Company.

SECTION 19. NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS.

No provision of the Plan, nor any Award granted under the Plan, shall be construed to give any person any right to become, to be treated as, or to remain an Employee or service provider of the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates. The Company and its Parent, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate any person’s Service at any time and for any reason, with or without notice.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

17

SECTION 20. DURATION AND AMENDMENTS.

(a) Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall come into existence on the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors; provided, however, that no Award may be granted hereunder prior to the Effective Date. The Board of Directors may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time.

(b) Right to Amend the Plan. The Board of Directors may amend the Plan at any time and from time to time. Rights and obligations under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan shall not be materially impaired by such amendment, except with consent of the Participant. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.

(c) Effect of Termination. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan shall not affect Awards previously granted under the Plan.

SECTION 21. AWARDS TO NON-U.S. PARTICIPANTS.

Awards may be granted to Participants who are non-United States nationals or employed or providing services outside the United States, or both, on such terms and conditions different from those applicable to Awards to Participants who are employed or providing services in the United States as may, in the judgment of the Committee, be necessary or desirable to recognize differences in local law, tax policy or custom. The Committee also may impose conditions on the exercise, vesting or settlement of Awards in order to minimize the Company’s obligation with respect to tax equalization for Participants on assignments outside their home country.

SECTION 22. GOVERNING LAW.

The Plan and each Award Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without application of the conflicts of law principles thereof.

SECTION 23. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS.

The terms of the Plan shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company and any successor entity, including any successor entity contemplated by Section 12(c).

SECTION 24. EXECUTION.

To record the adoption of the Plan, the Company has caused its authorized officer to execute the same.

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

18

 

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

19

Exhibit 99.2

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

You have been granted the following Restricted Stock Units (the “Restricted Stock Units”, “RSU” or this “Award”) representing shares of Common Stock of Nikola Corporation (the “Company”) under the Nikola Corporation 2022 Inducement Plan (as may be amended from time to time, the “Plan”). The Award is intended to serve as a material inducement to your entering into employment with the Company or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries or Affiliates within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

 

Name of Recipient:		[Name of Recipient]
Grant Date:		[Date of Grant]
Total Number of Shares Subject to Restricted Stock Units:		[Total Shares]
Vesting Commencement Date:		[Vesting Commencement Date]
Vesting Schedule:		The RSUs vest over 36-months in equal tranches on each six-month anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, subject to your continuous Service as an Employee or Consultant.

By your written signature below (or your electronic acceptance) and the signature of the Company’s representative below, you and the Company agree that the RSUs are granted under and governed by the term and conditions of the Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (this “Agreement”), including any special terms for Participants outside the United States set forth in the Addendum, each of which is attached to and made a part of this document.

By your written signature below (or your electronic acceptance), you further agree that the Company may deliver by e-mail all documents relating to the Plan or this Award (including without limitation, prospectuses required by the Securities and Exchange Commission) and all other documents that the Company is required to deliver to its security holders (including without limitation, annual reports and proxy statements). You also agree that the Company may deliver these documents by posting them on a website maintained by the Company or by a third party under contract with the Company. If the Company posts these documents on a website, it will notify you by e-mail. You acknowledge that the Company will process your personal data in connection with your participation in the Plan as described in more detail below. Should you electronically accept this Agreement, you agree to the following: “This electronic contract contains my electronic signature, which I have executed with the intent to sign this Agreement.”

 

RECIPIENT		NIKOLA CORPORATION
Recipient’s Signature   Recipient’s Printed Name		By:                                                                                                                        Name:                                                                                                                  Title:

NIKOLA CORPORATION

2022 INDUCEMENT PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

 

The Plan and Other Agreements		The RSUs that you are receiving are granted pursuant and subject in all respects to the applicable provisions of the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms not defined in this Agreement will have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.   The attached Notice, this Agreement, including any special terms for Participants outside the United States set forth in the Addendum, and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this Award. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this Award are superseded. This Agreement may be amended by the Committee without your consent; however, if any such amendment would materially impair your rights or obligations under this Agreement, this Agreement may be amended only by another written agreement, signed by you and the Company.
Payment for RSUs		No cash payment is required for the RSUs you receive. You are receiving the RSUs as an inducement to accept employment with the Company or its Subsidiary and in consideration for Service to be rendered by you as an Employee.
Vesting		The RSUs that you are receiving will vest in installments, as shown in the Notice of RSU Award. No additional RSUs vest after your Service as an Employee or a Consultant has terminated for any reason.
Forfeiture		If your Service terminates for any reason, then this Award expires immediately as to the number of RSUs that have not vested before the termination date and do not vest as a result of termination. This means that the unvested RSUs will immediately be cancelled. You receive no payment for RSUs that are forfeited. The Company determines when your Service terminates for this purpose and all purposes under the Plan and its determinations are conclusive and binding on all persons.
Leaves of Absence		For purposes of this Award, your Service does not terminate when you go on a military leave, a sick leave or another bona fide leave of absence, if the leave of absence was approved by the Company in writing and if continued crediting of Service is required by the terms of the leave or by applicable law. But your Service terminates when the approved leave ends, unless you immediately return to active work.

 

2

		If you go on a leave of absence, then the vesting schedule specified in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award may be adjusted in accordance with the Company’s leave of absence policy or the terms of your leave. If you commence working on a part-time basis, then the vesting schedule specified in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award may be adjusted in accordance with the Company’s part-time work policy or the terms of an agreement between you and the Company pertaining to your part-time schedule.
Nature of RSUs		Your RSUs are mere bookkeeping entries. They represent only the Company’s unfunded and unsecured promise to issue Shares on a future date. As a holder of RSUs, you have no rights other than the rights of a general creditor of the Company.
No Voting Rights or Dividends		Your RSUs carry neither voting rights nor rights to dividends. You, or your estate or heirs, have no rights as a stockholder of the Company unless and until your RSUs are settled by issuing Shares. No adjustments will be made for dividends or other rights if the applicable record date occurs before your Shares are issued, except as described in the Plan.
RSUs Nontransferable		You may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of any RSUs. For instance, you may not use your RSUs as security for a loan. If you attempt to do any of these things, your RSUs will immediately become invalid.
Settlement of RSUs		Each of your vested RSUs will be settled when it vests; provided, however, that if the Committee requires you to pay withholding taxes through a sale of Shares, settlement of each RSU may be deferred to the first permissible trading day for the Shares, if later than the applicable vesting date.   Under no circumstances may your RSUs be settled later than two and one-half (2-1/2) months following the calendar year in which the applicable vesting date occurs.   For purposes of this Agreement, “permissible trading day” means a day that satisfies all of the following requirements: (1) the exchange on which the Shares are traded is open for trading on that day; (2) you are permitted to sell Shares on that day without incurring liability under Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act; (3) either (a) you are not in possession of material non-public information that would make it illegal for you to sell Shares on that day under Rule 10b-5 under the Exchange Act or (b) Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act would apply to the sale; (4) you are permitted to sell Shares on that day under such written insider trading policy as may have been adopted by the Company; and (5) you are not prohibited from selling Shares on that day by a written agreement between you and the Company or a third party.

 

3

		At the time of settlement, you will receive one Share for each vested RSU; provided, however, that no fractional Shares will be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or this Agreement, and the Committee will determine whether cash will be paid in lieu of any fractional Share or whether such fractional Share and any rights thereto will be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated. In addition, the Shares are issued to you subject to the condition that the issuance of the Shares not violate any law or regulation.
Withholding Taxes and Stock Withholding		Regardless of any action the Company and/or the Subsidiary or Affiliate employing you (“Employer”) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related withholding (“Tax-Related Items”), you acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items legally due by you is and remains your responsibility and that the Company and/or your Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of this Award, including the award, vesting or settlement of the RSUs, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to settlement and the receipt of any dividends; and (2) do not commit to structure the terms of the award or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items.   Prior to the settlement of the RSUs, you shall pay or make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all withholding and payment on account obligations of the Company and/or your Employer. In this regard, you authorize the Company and/or your Employer to withhold all applicable Tax-Related Items legally payable by you from your wages or other cash compensation paid to you by the Company and/or your Employer.   Unless an alternative arrangement satisfactory to the Committee has been provided prior to the vesting date, the default method for paying withholding taxes is withholding Shares that otherwise would be issued to you when the RSUs are settled, provided that the Company only withholds Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount necessary to satisfy the maximum applicable tax withholding rate.   The Committee may also require the withholding of taxes from the proceeds of the sale of the Shares, either through a voluntary sale or through a mandatory sale arranged by the Company (on your behalf pursuant to this authorization), or any other arrangement approved by the Committee.

 

4

		The Fair Market Value of the Shares, determined as of the effective date when taxes otherwise would have been withheld in cash, will be applied as a credit against the withholding taxes. Finally, you will pay to the Company or your Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or your Employer may be required to withhold as a result of your participation in the Plan or your acquisition of Shares that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to deliver the Shares if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items as described in this section, and your rights to the Shares will be forfeited if you do not comply with such obligations on or before the date that is two and one-half (2-1/2) months following the calendar year in which the applicable vesting date for the RSUs occurs.
Restrictions on Resale		You agree not to sell any Shares at a time when applicable laws, Company policies or an agreement between the Company and its underwriters prohibit a sale. This restriction will apply as long as your Service continues and for such period of time after the termination of your Service as the Company may specify.
No Retention Rights		Neither this Award nor this Agreement gives you the right to be employed or retained by the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company in any capacity. The Company and its Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate your Service at any time, with or without cause.
Adjustments		The number of RSUs covered by this Award will be subject to adjustment in the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in Shares, and in other circumstances, as set forth in the Plan. The forfeiture provisions and restrictions described above will apply to all new, substitute or additional restricted stock units or securities to which you are entitled by reason of this Award.
Successors and Assigns		Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or this Agreement, every term of this Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors, transferees and assigns.
Notice		Any notice required or permitted under this Agreement will be given in writing and will be deemed effectively given upon the earliest of personal delivery, receipt or the third (3rd) full day following mailing with postage and fees prepaid, addressed to the other party hereto at the address last known in the Company’s records or at such other address as such party may designate by ten (10) days’ advance written notice to the other party hereto.
Section 409A of the Code		To the extent this Agreement is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A of the Code, this Agreement is intended to comply with Section 409A, and its provisions will be interpreted in a manner consistent with such intent. You acknowledge and agree that changes may be made to this Agreement to avoid adverse tax consequences to you under Section 409A.

 

5

Applicable Law and Choice of Venue		This Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware as to matters within the scope thereof, and as to all other matters, the internal laws of the State of Arizona, without regard to the laws of any other jurisdiction that might be applied because of the conflicts of laws principles of any state.   For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this Award or this Agreement, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Arizona and agree that such litigation will be conducted only in the courts of Maricopa County, Arizona, or the federal courts for the United States for the District of Arizona, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.
Addendum		Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Award shall be subject to additional terms and conditions for Participants outside the United States set forth in the Addendum to this Agreement, including any special terms and conditions for your country. Moreover, if you relocate to another country, the special terms and conditions for such country will apply to you, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Addendum constitutes part of this Agreement.
Data Privacy		You understand and acknowledge that your Employer will disclose to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate any personal data, including information regarding your employment, the nature and amount of your compensation and the fact and conditions of your participation in the Plan, as your Employer deems necessary or appropriate to facilitate your participation in and the administration of the Plan.   You further understand and acknowledge that the Company, your Employer and the Company’s other Subsidiaries and Affiliates will hold and process certain personal data regarding you for the purpose of managing and administering the Plan, including (without limitation) your name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social insurance or other government identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company and details of all awards or any other entitlements to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor (the “Data”). You further understand and acknowledge that the Company, its Subsidiaries and/or its Affiliates will transfer Data among themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation,

 

6

		administration and management of your participation in the Plan and that the Company and/or any Subsidiary may each further transfer Data to any third party assisting the Company in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, including a transfer of Data to any broker or other third party with whom you elect to deposit Shares acquired under the Plan as may be required for the administration of the Plan and/or the subsequent holding of Shares on your behalf.. You understand and acknowledge that the recipients of Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the laws of a recipient’s country of operation (e.g., the United States) may not have equivalent privacy protections as local laws where you reside or work.   Where Data to which the EU General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (“GDPR”) applies is transferred to a jurisdiction outside of the European Economic Area which has not received an adequacy decision from the European Commission, your Employer, the Company and/or any Subsidiary will implement appropriate safeguards as defined by the GDPR.   For further information on how your personal data is processed in connection with the Plan and your related rights, please refer to our Privacy Policy.
Miscellaneous		You understand and acknowledge that (1) the Plan is entirely discretionary, (2) the Company has reserved the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Plan at any time, (3) the grant of this Award does not in any way create any contractual or other right to receive additional grants of awards (or benefits in lieu of awards) at any time or in any amount and (4) all determinations with respect to any additional grants, including (without limitation) the times when awards will be granted, the number of Shares subject to awards and the vesting schedule, will be at the sole discretion of the Company.   The value of this Award will be an extraordinary item of compensation outside the scope of your employment contract, if any, and will not be considered a part of your normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating severance, resignation, redundancy or end-of-service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments.   You understand and acknowledge that participation in the Plan ceases upon termination of your Service for any reason, except as may explicitly be provided otherwise in the Plan or this Agreement.

 

7

BY SIGNING THE COVER SHEET OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND IN THE PLAN.

 

8

ADDENDUM

ADDITIONAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPANTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.

This Addendum includes additional country-specific terms and conditions that apply to Participants working and/or residing in the countries listed below. This Addendum is part of the Agreement and contains terms and conditions material to participation in the Plan. Unless otherwise provided below, capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meanings assigned to them in the Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

The information is based on the securities and other laws in effect in the respective countries as of June 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that you not rely on the information in this Addendum as the only source of information relating to the consequences of your participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date when your Award vests or settles, or you sell Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure you of a particular result. Accordingly, you should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in your country may apply to your situation.

Finally, if you are a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which you are currently working and/or residing or you transfer employment or residency after the Date of Grant, or if you are considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, then the provisions contained herein may not be apply. The Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to what extent the terms and conditions included herein will apply under these circumstances.

 

9

TERMS APPLICABLE TO ALL PARTICIPANTS OUTSIDE THE U.S.

1. NATURE OF GRANT. In accepting the Award, you understand, acknowledge and agree that:

(a) Your participation in the Plan is voluntary;

(b) The Award and the Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(c) The future value of the underlying Shares is unknown, indeterminable and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(d) If you acquire Shares upon settlement of the Award, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease;

(e) No claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Award or any portion thereof resulting from the termination of your Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any);

(f) Unless otherwise agreed with the Company, the Award and the Shares subject to the Award, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service you may provide as a director of a Subsidiary or Affiliate; and

(g) Neither the Company nor the Employer shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the U.S. Dollar that may affect the value of the Award or of any amounts due to you pursuant to the Award or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement.

2. SECURITIES LAW NOTICE. Unless otherwise noted, neither the Company nor the Shares are registered with any local stock exchange or under the control of any local securities regulator outside the U.S. The Agreement, the Plan, and any other communications or materials that you may receive regarding participation in the Plan do not constitute advertising or an offering of securities outside the U.S., and the issuance of securities described in any Plan-related documents is not intended for public offering or circulation in your jurisdiction.

3. INSIDER DEALING. You acknowledge and understand that you must comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy. Insider dealing rules apply to the extent you have knowledge of any inside information in relation to the Company and you disclose, make available, recommend or induce a third party on the basis of such information to make an acquisition or disposal of the Company’s shares or make use of the inside information to acquire or dispose of the Company’s shares. You further understand that your country of residence may have insider trading or market abuse laws which may affect your ability to acquire or sell Shares under the Plan. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to keep yourself informed of and comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy and any applicable laws and regulations.

 

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4. WITHHOLDING TAXES AND STOCK WITHHOLDING. You acknowledge that any payments which may be due to you in connection with the Award will be made in accordance with applicable laws through your Employer’s payroll.

5. LANGUAGE. You acknowledge you are sufficiently proficient in English or have consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow you to understand the terms of this Agreement. If you have received this Agreement or any other documents related to the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

6. FOREIGN ASSET/ACCOUNT REPORTING. You acknowledge that there may be certain foreign asset and/or account reporting requirements which may affect your ability to acquire or hold Shares acquired under the Plan or cash received from participating in the Plan in an escrow, trust, brokerage or bank account outside your country. You may be required to report such accounts, assets or transactions to the tax or other authorities in your country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of participation in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be compliant with such regulations, and you should consult your personal legal advisor for any details.

GERMANY

The Plan and Other Agreements

You acknowledge and agree that neither the Award nor the attached Notice, this Agreement or the Plan establish any rights or claims against the Company and/or the Employer.

Prospectus Exemption

You understand and acknowledge that the Plan and any Awards made under the Plan are exempt from the obligation to publish a prospectus under Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

 

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Exhibit 99.3

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

SECTION 1. PURPOSE

Romeo Power, Inc. hereby establishes this 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). This Plan is intended to (i) attract and retain the best available personnel to ensure the success of the Company (as defined below) and its Affiliates (as defined below) and accomplish the goals of the Company and its Affiliates; (ii) to incentivize selected Eligible Persons (as defined below) with long-term incentive awards to align their interests with the interests of the Company’s stockholders; and (iii) to promote the success of the business of the Company and its Affiliates.

SECTION 2. DEFINITIONS

As used in the Plan, the following terms have the meanings set forth below:

 

(a)

“Affiliate” shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, as determined by the Committee.

 

(b)

“Applicable Law” shall mean the legal requirements that apply to the Plan and Awards granted hereunder in any given circumstance as shall be in place from time to time under any statute, law, ordinance, regulation, rule, code, executive order, injunction, judgment, decree or order of any governmental authority, whether of the United States, any other country, and any provincial, state, or local subdivision, that relate to the administration of equity plans or equity awards, as well as any applicable stock exchange or automated quotation system rules or regulations.

 

(c)

“Award” shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, Dividend Equivalent, Other Stock-Based Award or cash Award granted under the Plan.

 

(d)

“Award Agreement” shall mean any written agreement, contract, or other instrument or document, including an electronic communication, as may from time to time be designated by the Company as evidencing any Award granted under the Plan.

 

(e)

“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(f)

“Cause” for termination from a Participant’s Continuous Service will exist (unless another definition is provided in an applicable Option Agreement, Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement, employment agreement or other applicable written agreement) if the Company reasonably determines that the Participant engage in (i) any breach by Participant of any written agreement between Participant and the Company; (ii) any failure by Participant to comply with the Company’s written policies or rules as they may be in effect from time to time; (iii) neglect or persistent unsatisfactory performance of Participant’s duties; (iv) Participant’s repeated failure to follow reasonable and lawful instructions from the Board or Chief Executive Officer; (v) Participant’s commission, conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime that results in, or is reasonably expected to result in, material harm to the business or reputation of the Company; (vi) Participant’s commission of or participation in an act of fraud against the Company; (vii) Participant’s damage to the Company’s business, property or reputation; or (viii) Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of any proprietary information or trade secrets of the Company or any other party to whom the Participant owes an obligation of nondisclosure as a result of his or her relationship with the Company. For purposes of clarity, a termination without “Cause” does not include any termination that occurs as a result of Participant’s death or disability. The determination as to whether a Participant’s Continuous Service has been terminated for Cause shall be made in good faith by the Company and shall be final and binding on the Participant. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability to terminate a Participant’s employment or consulting or other service relationship at any time, and the term “Company” will be interpreted to include any Subsidiary, Parent, Affiliate, or any successor thereto, if appropriate. Furthermore, a Participant’s Continuous Service shall be deemed to have terminated for Cause within the meaning hereof if, at any time (whether before, on, or after termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service), facts or circumstances are discovered that would have justified a termination for Cause, regardless of whether the Participant initiated the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

(g)

“Change in Control” shall mean (i) a sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets other than to an Excluded Entity (as defined below), (ii) a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, limited liability company or other entity other than an Excluded Entity, or (iii) the consummation of a transaction, or series of related transactions, in which any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of all of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control if its purpose is to (A) change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, (B) create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who hold the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction, or (C) obtain funding for the Company in a financing that is approved by the Board. An “Excluded Entity” means a corporation or other entity of which the holders of voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such transaction are the direct or indirect holders of voting securities representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by all of such corporation’s or other entity’s voting securities outstanding immediately after such transaction.

 

(h)

“Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations issued thereunder.

 

(i)

“Committee” shall mean a committee of the Board, acting in accordance with the provisions of Section 3, designated by the Board to administer the Plan and composed of not less than two non-Employee Directors. The initial Committee shall be the Compensation Committee of the Board.

 

(j)

“Company” shall mean Romeo Power, Inc. and, to the extent determined appropriate by the Board, in its sole discretion, any Affiliate or successor thereto.

 

(k)

“Consultant” shall mean any person (other than an Employee or Director), including an advisor, who is engaged by the Company or any Affiliate to render services and is compensated for such services.

 

(l)

“Continuous Service” means a Participant’s period of service in the absence of any interruption or termination of service as an Employee, Consultant, or Director. Continuous Service as an Employee or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted or terminated in the case of: (i) Company approved sick leave; (ii) military leave; (iii) any other bona fide leave of absence approved by the Company, provided that, if an Employee is holding an Incentive Stock Option and such leave exceeds three months then, for purposes of Incentive Stock Option status only, such Employee’s service as an Employee shall be deemed terminated on the first day following such three-month period and the Incentive Stock Option shall thereafter automatically become a Non-Qualified Stock Option in accordance with Applicable Laws, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to a written Company policy. Also, Continuous Service as an Employee or Consultant shall not be considered interrupted or terminated in the case of a transfer between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parents, Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or their respective successors, or a change in status from an Employee to a Consultant or Director or from a Consultant or Director to an Employee.).

 

(m)

“Director” shall mean a member of the Board, or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate.

 

(n)

“Disability” shall mean “disability” within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

 

(o)

“Dividend Equivalent” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.

 

(p)

“Eligible Person” shall mean (i) an Employee, Consultant, or Director, or (ii) a non-Employee, non-Consultant, or non-Director to whom an offer of a service relationship as an Employee, Consultant, or Director has been extended.

 

(q)

“Employee” shall mean any person whom the Company or any Affiliate classifies as an employee (including an officer) for employment tax purposes or, if in a jurisdiction that does not have employment taxes, any person whom the Company or any Affiliate classifies as an employee (including an officer), in either case whether or not that classification is correct. The payment by the Company of director’s fees to a Director shall not constitute “employment” of such Director by the Company.

 

(r)

“Fair Market Value” shall mean, with respect to any Shares or other securities, the closing price of a Share or other security on the date as of which the determination is being made or as otherwise determined in a manner specified by the Committee.

(s)

“Grant Date” shall mean the later of (i) the date designated as the “Grant Date” within an Award Agreement and (ii) the date on which the Committee determines the key terms of an Award, provided that as soon as reasonably practicable thereafter the Company both notifies the Eligible Person of the Award and issues an Award Agreement to the Eligible Person.

 

(t)

“Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto.

 

(u)

“Non-Qualified Stock Option” shall mean an option granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan that is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(v)

“Option” shall mean an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

 

(w)

“Other Stock-Based Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(f) of the Plan.

 

(x)

“Participant” shall mean an Eligible Person designated to be granted an Award under the Plan.

 

(y)

“Performance Award” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.

 

(z)

“Performance Criteria” shall mean any quantitative and/or qualitative measures, as determined by the Committee, which may be used to measure the level of performance of the Company or any individual Participant during a Performance Period.

 

(aa)

“Performance Period” shall mean any period as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

 

(bb)

“Person” shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or political subdivision thereof.

 

(cc)

“Restricted Stock” shall mean any award of Shares granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.

 

(dd)

“Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean any restricted stock unit granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan that is denominated in Shares.

 

(ee)

“Retirement” shall mean that a Participant retires from the Company after attaining age 60 and eight years of service with the Company and its Affiliates and satisfies any additional criteria as may be determined by the Committee.

 

(ff)

“Shares” shall mean the common shares of the Company, and such other securities as may become the subject of Awards, or become subject to Awards, pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(b) of the Plan.

 

(gg)

“Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.

 

(hh)

“10% Stockholder” means a Person who, as of a relevant date, owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company.

SECTION 3. ADMINISTRATION

Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall have the power to interpret the Plan and to adopt such rules and guidelines for implementing the terms of the Plan as it may deem appropriate, provided however, that the Board may act in lieu of the Committee on any matter. The Committee shall have the ability to modify the Plan provisions, to the extent necessary, or delegate such authority, to accommodate any changes in Applicable Law.

 

(a)

Subject to the terms of the Plan and Applicable Law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: designate Participants; determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) Awards; determine the terms and conditions of any Award; determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances Awards may be settled or exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards, or terminated, forfeited, canceled or suspended, and the method or methods by which Awards may be settled, exercised, terminated, forfeited, canceled or suspended; determine whether, to what extent, and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or of the Committee; interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement relating to, or Award made under, the Plan; establish, amend, suspend, or waive such rules and guidelines; appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan; and correct any defect, supply any omission, or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it deems desirable.

(b)

Actions of the Committee may be taken by: the Chair of the Committee; a subcommittee, designated by the Committee; the Committee but with one or more members abstaining or recusing himself or herself from acting on the matter. Such action, authorized by such a subcommittee or by the Committee on the abstention or recusal of such members, shall be the action of the Committee for purposes of the Plan; or one or more officers or managers of the Company or any Affiliate, or a committee of such officers or managers whose authority is subject to such terms and limitations set forth by the Committee, and only with respect to Eligible Persons who are not officers or directors of the Company for purposes of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This delegation shall include modifications necessary to accommodate changes in the laws or regulations of jurisdictions outside the U.S.

 

(c)

Without limiting the foregoing, the Committee shall have the discretion to interpret or construe ambiguous, unclear, or implied (but omitted) terms as it deems to be appropriate in its sole discretion and to make any findings of fact needed in the administration of this Plan or Award Agreements. The Committee’s prior exercise of its discretionary authority shall not obligate it to exercise its authority in a like fashion thereafter. The Committee’s interpretation and construction of any provision of this Plan, or of any Award or Award Agreement, and all determinations the Committee or the Company makes pursuant to this Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive (subject only to the Committee’s or the Company’s inherent authority to change their determinations). The validity of any such interpretation, construction, decision or finding of fact shall not be given de novo review if challenged in court, by arbitration, or in any other forum, and shall be upheld unless clearly affected by fraud.

 

(d)

Any determination made by the Committee or the Company with respect to any provisions of this Plan may be made on an Award-by-Award basis. The Committee and the Company have no obligation to be uniform, consistent, or nondiscriminatory between classes of similarly-situated Eligible Persons, Participants, Awards or Award Agreements, except as required by Applicable Law.

 

(e)

CLAIMS LIMITATION PERIOD. Any Participant who believes he or she is being denied any benefit or right under this Plan or under any Award or Award Agreement may file a written claim with the Committee. Any claim must be delivered to the Committee within six months of the specific event giving rise to the claim. Untimely claims will not be processed and shall be deemed denied. The Committee, or its designee, generally will notify the Participant of its decision in writing as soon as administratively practicable. Claims shall be deemed denied if the Committee does not respond in writing within 180 days of the date the written claim is delivered to the Committee. The Committee’s decision (or deemed decision) is final and conclusive and binding on all Persons. No lawsuit or arbitration relating to this Plan may be filed or commenced before a written claim is filed with the Committee and is denied or deemed denied, and any lawsuit must be filed within one year of such denial or deemed denial or be forever barred.

 

(f)

NO LIABILITY; INDEMNIFICATION. Neither the Board nor any Committee member, nor any Person acting at the direction of the Board or the Committee, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction, or determination made in good faith with respect to this Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. The Company shall pay or reimburse any Director, Employee, or Consultant who in good faith takes action on behalf of this Plan, for all expenses incurred with respect to this Plan, and to the full extent allowable under Applicable Law shall indemnify each and every one of them for any claims, liabilities, and costs (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of their good faith performance of duties on behalf of this Plan. The Company may, but shall not be required to, obtain liability insurance for this purpose.

 

(g)

EXPENSES. The Company shall bear the expenses of administering this Plan.

 

SECTION

4. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR AWARDS AND NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION LIMITS

 

(a)

SHARES AVAILABLE. Subject to adjustment as provided in this Section 4:

 

(i)

The total number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Awards may not exceed 15,000,000, all of which Shares may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Incentive Stock Options, plus any Shares that become eligible for issuance under this Plan because of forfeited or converted awards under the Romeo Systems, Inc. 2016 Stock Plan. This is the “Share Reserve.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, no more than 15,000,000 Shares shall be available for delivery pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options.

Except as otherwise provided herein, any Award made under the 2016 Plan shall continue to be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. If any Shares issued to a Participant under the Plan are subject to an Award that is terminated, forfeited or cancelled (e.g., unvested Restricted Stock Awards), such Shares will be again be available for future grant as part of the Share Reserve. If any awards granted under the 2016 Plan (“Prior Awards”) are terminated, forfeited, cancelled or expire unexercised, in whole or in part, new Awards may be issued under this Plan, rather than the 2016 Plan, with respect to the Shares covered by such Prior Awards. In the event that withholding tax liabilities arising from an Award under this Plan or the 2016 Plan other than an Option or Stock Appreciation Right are satisfied by the withholding of Shares by the Company, then the Shares so withheld shall be available for Awards under the Plan and the Share Reserve shall be increased by the same number of Shares as the Share Reserve was decreased on account of such Shares, if any.

 

(ii)

ACCOUNTING FOR AWARDS. For purposes of this Section 4, unless the Committee determines otherwise:

 

(A)

if an Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent) is denominated in Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan;

 

(B)

Dividend Equivalents denominated in Shares and Awards not denominated, but potentially payable, in Shares shall be counted against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan in such amount and at such time as the Dividend Equivalents and such Awards are settled in Shares. Any Shares that are delivered by the Company, and any Awards that are granted by, or become obligations of, the Company through the assumption by the Company or an Affiliate of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted by an acquired company, whether through an asset or equity transaction, shall not be counted against the Shares available for granting Awards under this Plan; and

 

(C)

Shares subject to Awards that qualify as inducement grants under NYSE Rule 303A.08 or its successor shall not be counted against the Shares available for granting Awards under this Plan nor shall they be counted for purposes of applying the limits set forth in Section 4(a).

 

(iii)

SOURCES OF SHARES DELIVERABLE UNDER AWARDS. The Shares to be issued, transferred, and/or sold under the Plan shall be made available from authorized and unissued Shares or from the Company’s treasury shares.

 

(b)

ADJUSTMENTS.

 

(i)

In the event that the Committee determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, or other securities), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event constitutes an equity restructuring, as that term is defined in the Accounting Standards Codification Master Glossary and used in Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto), or otherwise affects the Shares, then the Committee may adjust the following in a manner that is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan:

 

(A)

the number and type of Shares or other securities which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards including the limit specified in Section 4(a)(i);

 

(B)

the number and type of Shares or other securities subject to outstanding Awards;

 

(C)

the grant, purchase, or exercise price with respect to any Award, or, if deemed appropriate, make provision for a cash payment to the holder of an outstanding Award; and

 

(D)

other value determinations applicable to outstanding Awards.

provided, however, in each case, that with respect to Awards of Incentive Stock Options no such adjustment is authorized to the extent that such authority would cause the Plan to violate Section 422(b)(1) of the Code or any successor provision thereto; and provided further, however, that the number of Shares subject to any Award denominated in Shares shall always be a whole number.

(ii)

ADJUSTMENTS OF AWARDS ON CERTAIN ACQUISITIONS. In the event that a company acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines has shares available under a pre-existing plan approved by its stockholders and not adopted in contemplation of such acquisition or combination, the shares available for grant pursuant to the terms of such pre-existing plan (as adjusted, to the extent appropriate, using the exchange ratio or other formula used in such transaction to determine the consideration payable to the holders of common stock of such acquired company) may be used for similar Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the Shares authorized for issuance or transfer under the Plan; provided that Awards using such available shares shall not be made after the date awards or grants could have been made under the terms of the pre-existing plan, absent the acquisition or combination, and shall only be made to individuals who were not employed, immediately before such acquisition or combination, by the post-transaction listed company or entities that were its subsidiaries immediately before the transaction.

 

(iii)

ADJUSTMENTS OF AWARDS ON THE OCCURRENCE OF CERTAIN UNUSUAL OR NONRECURRING EVENTS. The Committee is authorized to make adjustments in the terms and conditions of, and the criteria included in, Awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company, or the financial statements of the Company, or of changes in Applicable Law or accounting principles, whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits to be made available under the Plan.

 

(iv)

DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION. Except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, in the event of the dissolution or liquidation of the Company other than as part of a Change in Control, each Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such dissolution or liquidation, subject to the ability of the Committee to exercise any discretion authorized in the case of a Change in Control.

 

(v)

CHANGE IN CONTROL. In the event of a Change in Control but subject to the terms of any Award Agreements or employment-related agreements between the Company or any Affiliates and any Participant, each outstanding Award may be assumed or a substantially equivalent award may be substituted by the surviving or successor company or a parent or subsidiary of such successor company (in each case, the “Successor Company”) upon consummation of the transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, instead of having outstanding Awards be assumed or substituted with equivalent awards by the Successor Company, the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion and authority, without obtaining the approval or consent of the Company’s stockholders or any or all Participant(s), take one or more of the following actions:

 

(A)

accelerate the vesting of Awards so that some or all Awards shall vest (and, to the extent applicable, become exercisable) as to some or all of the Shares that otherwise would have been unvested and/or provide that repurchase rights of the Company, if any, with respect to Shares issued pursuant to an Award shall lapse;

 

(B)

arrange or otherwise provide for the payment of cash or other consideration to Participants in exchange for the satisfaction and cancellation of all or some outstanding Awards (based on the Fair Market Value, on the date of the Change in Control, of the Award being cancelled, based on any reasonable valuation method selected by the Committee; provided that the Committee shall have full discretion to unilaterally cancel (1) either all Awards or only select Awards (such as only those that have vested on or before the Change in Control), and (2) any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights whose exercise price is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of the Shares, as of the date of the Change in Control, with such cancellation being without the payment of any consideration whatsoever to those Participants whose Options and Stock Appreciation Rights are being cancelled;

(C)

terminate all or some Awards upon the consummation of the transaction without payment of any consideration, subject to the notice requirements of Section 8(o); or

 

(D)

make such other modifications, adjustments or amendments to outstanding Awards or this Plan as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate.

 

(c)

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR LIMITS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, no non-Employee Director shall receive in excess of $600,000 of compensation in any calendar year, determined by adding (i) all cash compensation to such non-Employee Director and (ii) the Fair Market Value of all Awards granted to such non-Employee Director in such calendar year, based on the Fair Market Value of such Awards on the Grant Date (as determined in a manner consistent with that used for non-Employee Director compensation for proxy statement disclosure purposes in the year in which the Award occurs); provided, however, the Board may make exceptions to this limit for individual non-Employee Directors in extraordinary circumstances, so long as this paragraph would not be violated if the $600,000 figure were instead $750,000, as the Board may determine in its sole discretion, provided that the non-Employee Director receiving such additional compensation may not participate in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving non-Employee Directors.

SECTION 5. ELIGIBILITY

Any Eligible Person is eligible to be designated a Participant. The Committee shall determine which Eligible Persons may receive Awards. If the Committee does not determine that an Eligible Person is to receive a specific Award, he or she shall not be entitled to any such Award. Each Award shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement that: sets forth the Grant Date and all other terms and conditions of the Award; is signed on behalf of the Company; and (unless waived by the Committee) is signed by the Eligible Person in acceptance of the Award. The grant of an Award shall not obligate the Company or any Affiliate to continue the employment or service of any Eligible Person, or to provide any future Awards or other remuneration at any time thereafter.

SECTION 6. AWARDS

 

(a)

OPTIONS. The Committee is authorized to grant Options to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as the Committee shall determine:

 

(i)

EXERCISE PRICE. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, and except as provided in Section 4(b), that such purchase price shall not be less than (A) 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option or (B) if the Person to whom an Incentive Stock Option is granted is a 10% Stockholder on the date of grant, the exercise price shall be not less than 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date the Incentive Stock Option is granted. However, an Option may be granted with an exercise price lower than that set forth in the preceding sentence if such Option is granted pursuant to an assumption or substitution for another option in a manner satisfying the provisions of Section 424 of the Code or Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(v)(D).

 

(ii)

OPTION TERM. The term of each Option shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant; provided, however, that with respect to Incentive Stock Options issued to 10% Stockholders, the term of each such Option shall not exceed five (5) years from the date it is granted.

 

(iii)

TIME AND METHOD OF EXERCISE. The Committee shall establish in the applicable Award Agreement the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part, and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, or other Awards, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price, in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made. The Company shall not be required to deliver Shares pursuant to the exercise of an Option and the Option will be deemed unexercised until the Company has received sufficient funds or value to cover the full exercise price due and all applicable withholding obligations. The Committee may in its sole discretion set forth in an Award Agreement that a Participant may exercise an unvested Option, in which case the Shares then issued shall be restricted Shares having the same vesting restrictions as the unvested Option.

(iv)

TERMINATION OF CONTINUOUS SERVICE. The Committee may set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, or a severance agreement, employment agreement, service agreement or severance plan, the terms and conditions by which an Option is exercisable, if at all, after the date of a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service. The Committee may waive or modify these provisions at any time. To the extent that a Participant is not entitled to exercise an Option on the date of a Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, or if the Participant (or other Person entitled to exercise the Option) does not exercise the Option within the time and as specified in the Award Agreement or below (as applicable), the Option shall terminate. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Company has a contingent contractual obligation to provide for accelerated vesting or extended exercisability after termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service, such Options shall not terminate at the time they otherwise would terminate but instead shall remain outstanding, but unexercisable, until the maximum contractual time for determining whether such contingency will occur, and terminate at such time if the contingency has not then occurred; provided that no such extension shall cause an Option to be exercisable after the 10-year anniversary of its Grant Date or the date such Option otherwise would have terminated had the Participant remained in Continuous Service.

Subject to the preceding paragraph and Section 6(a)(vi) and to the extent an Award Agreement, or a severance agreement, employment agreement, service agreement or severance plan, does not otherwise specify the terms and conditions on which an Option shall terminate when a Participant terminates Continuous Service, the following provisions apply:

 

Reason for Terminating Continuous Service		Option Termination Date
(I) By the Company for Cause, or what would have been Cause if the Company had known all of the relevant facts, or due to Participant’s material breach of his or her unexpired employment agreement or independent contractor agreement with the Company.		All Options, whether or not vested, shall immediately expire effective on the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service, or when Cause first existed if earlier.
(II) Retirement of the Participant unless Reason 1 applies).		All unvested Options shall immediately expire effective on the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service. All vested and unexercised Options shall expire six (6) months after the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.
(III) Disability or Death of the Participant during Continuous Service (in either case unless Reason I applies).		All unvested Options shall immediately expire effective as of the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service, and all vested and unexercised Options shall expire 12 months after such termination.
(IV) Any other reason.		All unvested Options shall immediately expire effective on the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service. All vested and unexercised Options, to the extent unexercised, shall expire effective 90 days after the date of termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

(v)

BLACKOUT PERIODS. If there is a blackout period (whether under the Company’s insider trading policy, Applicable Law, or a Committee-imposed blackout period) that prohibits buying or selling Shares during any part of the ten (10) day period before an Option expires (as described above), the Option exercise period shall be extended until ten (10) days beyond the end of the blackout period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan or any Award Agreement, no Option can be exercised beyond the later of the date its original term expires as set forth in the Award Agreement, the date on which the Option otherwise would become unexercisable, or the ten-year anniversary of its Grant Date.

 

(vi)

COMPANY CANCELLATION RIGHT. Subject to Applicable Law, if the Fair Market Value for Shares subject to any Option is more than 50% below the Option’s exercise price for more than 90 consecutive business days, the Committee unilaterally may declare the Option terminated, effective on the date the Committee provides written notice to the Option holder. The Committee may take such action with respect to any or all Options granted under the Plan and with respect to any individual Option holder or class(es) of Option holders.

 

(vii)

NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. An Option granted to an Employee who is non-exempt for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will not be first exercisable for any Shares until at least six (6) months after the Grant Date of the Option (although the Award may vest prior to such date). Notwithstanding the foregoing, consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, the vested portion of any Options may be exercised earlier than six (6) months after the Grant Date: (A) if the non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability; (B) in connection with a corporate transaction in which the Option is not assumed, continued, or substituted; (C) on a Change in Control; or (D) on the Participant’s retirement (as may be defined in the Participant’s Award Agreement or other agreement with the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines). The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt Employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.

 

(viii)

INCENTIVE STOCK OPTIONS. By law, only Employees are eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options. The terms of any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be designed to comply in all respects with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code, or any successor provision thereto, and any regulations promulgated thereunder. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 6(a) to the contrary, Options designated as Incentive Stock Options shall not be eligible for treatment under the Code as Incentive Stock Options (and will be deemed to be Non-Qualified Stock Options) to the extent that either (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value of Shares (determined as of the time of grant) with respect to which such Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted, or (B) such Options otherwise remain exercisable but are not exercised within three (C) months of termination of Continuous Service (or such other period of time provided in Section 422 of the Code).

 

(ix)

NO RELOAD OPTIONS. No Option shall include terms entitling the Participant to a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights on exercise of the Option.

 

(b)

STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive, on exercise thereof, the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise over (ii) the grant price of the right as specified by the Committee.

(i)

GRANT PRICE. The grant price shall be determined by the Committee, provided, however, and except as provided in Section 4(b), that such price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, except that if a Stock Appreciation Right is at any time granted in tandem with an Option, the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right shall not be less than the exercise price of such Option.

 

(ii)

TERM. The term of each Stock Appreciation Right shall not exceed ten (10) years from the date of grant.

 

(iii)

OTHER RULES. The rules of Sections 6(a)(iii) – 6(a)(ix) shall apply to Stock Appreciation Rights as if the Award were an Option.

 

(c)

RESTRICTED STOCK AND RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.

 

(i)

ISSUANCE. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Participants.

 

(ii)

RESTRICTIONS. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may establish in the applicable Award Agreement (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate. Unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner as the Committee shall deem appropriate, shall be delivered to the holder of Restricted Stock promptly after such restrictions have lapsed. Subject to Applicable Law, the Committee may make Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units with or without the requirement for payment of cash or other consideration.

 

(iii)

REGISTRATION. Any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units granted under the Plan may be evidenced in such manner as the Committee may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, book-entry registration or issuance of a stock certificate or certificates. In the event any stock certificate is issued in respect of Shares of Restricted Stock granted under the Plan, such certificate shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock.

 

(iv)

FORFEITURE. On termination of Continuous Service during the applicable restriction period, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units still, in either case, subject to restriction shall be forfeited and, to the extent applicable, reacquired by the Company. However, if the Participant paid cash or other consideration for Restricted Stock that is so forfeited, the Company shall return to the Participant the lower of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date of forfeiture or their original purchase price, to the extent set forth in an Award Agreement or required by Applicable Law.

 

(d)

PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants. Performance Awards include arrangements under which the grant, issuance, retention, vesting and/or transferability of any Award are subject to Performance Criteria and such additional conditions or terms as the Committee may designate. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, a Performance Award granted under the Plan:

 

(i)

may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock), other securities, or other Awards; and

 

(ii)

shall confer on the holder thereof rights valued as determined by the Committee and payable to, or exercisable by, the holder of the Performance Award, in whole or in part, on the achievement of such performance goals during such Performance Periods as the Committee shall establish.

 

(iii)

AMENDMENT OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. After a Performance Award has been granted, the Committee may, if it determines appropriate, amend any Performance Criteria, at its sole and absolute discretion.

(iv)

SATISFACTION OF PERFORMANCE CRITERIA. If, as a result of the applicable Performance Criteria being met, a Performance Award becomes vested and/or exercisable in respect of some, but not all of the number of Shares underlying such Award, which did not become vested and exercisable by the end of the Performance Period, such Performance Award shall thereupon lapse and cease to be exercisable in respect of the balance of the Shares which did not vest and/or become exercisable by the end of the Performance Period.

 

(e)

DIVIDEND EQUIVALENTS. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Participants Awards (other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights) under which the holders thereof shall be entitled to receive payments equivalent to dividends or interest with respect to a number of Shares determined by the Committee, and the Committee may provide that such amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or otherwise reinvested. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, such Awards may have such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine.

 

(f)

OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. The Committee is authorized to grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan, provided, however, that such grants must comply with Applicable Law. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares or other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6(f) shall be purchased for such consideration, as the Committee shall determine, the value of which consideration, as established by the Committee, and except as provided in Section 4(b), shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.

 

(g)

GENERAL.

 

(i)

NO CASH CONSIDERATION FOR AWARDS. Awards may be granted for no cash consideration or for such cash consideration as may be required by Applicable Law or determined by the Committee; however, Participants may be required to pay any amount the Committee determines in connection with Awards not inconsistent with the terms of this Plan.

 

(ii)

AWARDS MAY BE GRANTED SEPARATELY OR TOGETHER. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under any other plan of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(iii)

FORMS OF PAYMENT UNDER AWARDS. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate on the grant, exercise, or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, cash, Shares, rights in or to Shares issuable under the Award or other Awards, other securities, or other Awards, or any combination thereof, and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments, or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments or the grant or crediting of Dividend Equivalents in respect of installment or deferred payments.

(iv)

LIMITS ON TRANSFER OF AWARDS. Except as provided by the Committee, no Award and no right under any such Award, shall be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by a Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the Participant with respect to any Award on the death of the Participant. Each Award, and each right under any Award, shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant or, if permissible under Applicable Law, by the Participant’s guardian or legal representative. No Award and no right under any such Award, may be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(v)

CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS ON SECURITIES SUBJECT TO AWARDS. The Committee may provide that the Shares issued on exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or otherwise subject to or issued under an Award shall be subject to such further agreements, restrictions, conditions or limitations as the Committee in its discretion may specify prior to the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the grant, vesting or settlement of such Award, including without limitation, conditions on vesting or transferability and forfeiture or repurchase provisions or provisions on payment of taxes arising in connection with an Award. Without limiting the foregoing, such restrictions may address the timing and manner of any re-sales by the Participant or other subsequent transfers by the Participant of any Shares issued under an Award, including without limitation: (A) restrictions under an insider trading policy or pursuant to Applicable Law, (B) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and holders of other Company equity compensation arrangements, (C) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such re-sales or other transfers and (D) provisions requiring Shares to be sold on the open market or to the Company in order to satisfy tax withholding or other obligations. The Committee shall include in any Award Agreement any claw back or forfeiture provisions required by Applicable Law. The Committee also may include in any Award Agreement provisions providing for forfeiture of the Award or requiring the Participant to return the Shares underlying the Award to the Company in the event the Participant engages in specified behavior that is adverse to the Company’s interests, including after termination of his or her service relationship with the Company, such as for competing with the Company, soliciting its Employees, or breaching a written agreement with the Company.

Each Award under this Plan is intended to align the Participant’s long-term interests with those of the Company. Accordingly, to the extent expressly provided in an Award Agreement, the Committee may terminate any outstanding Awards (“Termination”), rescind any exercise, payment or delivery pursuant to an Award (“Rescission”), or recapture any Shares or proceeds from the Participant’s sale of Shares issued pursuant to an Award (“Recapture”), if the Participant does not comply with the conditions of this Section 6(g)(v) or conditions or restrictions set forth in a Participant’s Award Agreement (collectively, the “Conditions”).

The Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion, impose a Termination, Rescission, and/or Recapture with respect to any or all of a Participant’s relevant Awards or restricted Shares if the Committee determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, that (i) the Participant has materially violated any agreement between the Participant and the Company or one of its Affiliates, (ii) within six months after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service, the Participant has solicited any non-administrative employee of the Company (or one of its Affiliates) to terminate employment with the Company (or one of its Affiliates), or (iii) during his or her Continuous Service, a Participant (A) has rendered services to or otherwise directly or indirectly engaged in or assisted, any organization or business that, in the judgment of the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, is or is working to become competitive with the Company (or one of its Affiliates); (B) has solicited any non-administrative employee of the Company (or one of its Affiliates) to terminate employment with the Company (or one of its Affiliates); or

(C) has engaged in activities which are materially prejudicial to or in conflict with the interests of the Company, including any breaches of fiduciary duty or the duty of loyalty.

Within ten (10) days after receiving notice from the Committee of any such activity described in the paragraph above, the Participant shall deliver to the Company the Shares acquired pursuant to the Award, or, if Participant has sold the Shares, the gain realized, or payment received as a result of the rescinded exercise, payment, or delivery; provided, that if the Participant returns Shares that the Participant purchased, the Company shall promptly refund, without earnings, an amount equal to the cash, if any, that the Participant paid for the Shares or, if the Fair Market Value of the Shares is less than the cash purchase price paid, promptly pay to the Participant the Fair Market Value of the returned Shares. Any payment by the Participant to the Company pursuant to this Section 6(g)(v) shall be made either in cash or by returning to the Company the number of Shares that the Participant received in connection with the rescinded exercise, payment, or delivery.

Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(g)(v), the Committee has sole and absolute discretion not to require Termination, Rescission and/or Recapture, and its determination not to require Termination, Rescission and/or Recapture with respect to any particular act by a particular Participant or Award shall not in any way reduce or eliminate the Committee’s authority to require Termination, Rescission and/or Recapture with respect to any other act or Participant or Award. Nothing in this Section 6(g)(v) shall be construed to impose obligations on the Participant to refrain from engaging in lawful competition with the Company after the termination of Continuous Service that does not violate the Conditions, other than any obligations that are part of any separate agreement between the Company and the Participant or that arise under Applicable Law.

If any provision within this Section 6(g)(v) is determined to be unenforceable or invalid under any Applicable Law, such provision will be applied to the maximum extent permitted by Applicable Law, and shall automatically be deemed amended in a manner consistent with its objectives and any limitations required under Applicable Law.

This Section 6(g)(v) is supplemental to, and does not supersede, any other agreement between the Participant and the Company or any of its Affiliates.

 

(vi)

SHARE CERTIFICATES. All Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders and other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations, and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any stock exchange on which such Shares or other securities are then listed, and any applicable federal, state, or local securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

 

(vii)

RECOUPMENT OF AWARDS. Unless otherwise specifically provided in an Award Agreement, and to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Committee may in its sole and absolute discretion, without obtaining the approval or consent of the Company’s stockholders or of any Participant, require that any Participant reimburse the Company for all or any portion of any Awards granted under this Plan (“Reimbursement”), or the Committee may require the Termination or Rescission of, or the Recapture relating to, any Award held by the Participant, if and to the extent—

 

(A)

the granting, vesting, or payment of an Award was predicated upon the achievement of certain financial results that were subsequently the subject of a material financial restatement;

 

(B)

in the Committee’s view the Participant either benefited from a calculation that later proves to be materially inaccurate, or engaged in fraud or misconduct that caused or partially caused the need for a material financial restatement by the Company or any Affiliate; or

 

(C)

a lower granting, vesting, or payment of an Award would have occurred based on the conduct described in the foregoing clauses (i) or (ii).

In each instance, the Committee may, to the extent practicable and allowable or required under Applicable Laws, require Reimbursement, Termination or Rescission of, or Recapture relating to, any such Award granted to a Participant; provided that the Committee will not seek Reimbursement, Termination or Rescission of, or Recapture

relating to, any such Awards that were paid or vested more than three years prior to the first date of the applicable restatement period. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, all Awards shall be subject to Reimbursement, Termination, Rescission, and/or Recapture to the extent required by Applicable Law, including but not limited to Section 10D of the Exchange Act.

SECTION 7. AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Plan shall terminate on the 10-year anniversary of its approval by the Board, but no such termination shall affect any outstanding grants under the Plan. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Law and unless otherwise expressly provided in an Award Agreement or in the Plan:

 

(a)

AMENDMENTS TO THE PLAN. The Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate the Plan, in whole or in part; provided, however, that without the prior approval of the Company’s stockholders, no material amendment shall be made if stockholder approval is required by Applicable Law; and provided, further, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation, or termination shall be made without the approval of the stockholders of the Company that would:

 

(i)

increase the total number of Shares available for Awards under the Plan, except as provided in Section 4 hereof;

 

(ii)

materially expand the class of Eligible Persons under the Plan, materially increase the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, materially extend the term of the Plan with respect to Share-based Awards, or expand the types of Share-based Awards available for issuance under the Plan; or

 

(iii)

except as provided in Section 4(b), permit Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, or other Stock-Based Awards encompassing rights to purchase Shares to be repriced, replaced, or regranted through cancellation, or by lowering the exercise price of a previously granted Option or the grant price of a previously granted Stock Appreciation Right, or the purchase price of a previously granted Other Stock-Based Award.

 

(b)

AMENDMENTS TO AWARDS. The Committee may waive any conditions or rights under, amend any terms of, or amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or terminate, any Awards theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively. No such amendment or alteration shall be made which would impair the rights of any Participant, without such Participant’s consent, under any Award theretofore granted, provided that no such consent shall be required with respect to any amendment or alteration if the Committee determines in its sole discretion that such amendment or alteration either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Award to satisfy or conform to Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the limitations of Applicable Law, if any, and without the affected Participant’s consent, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Awards if necessary to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an ISO or to bring the Award into compliance with Section 409A of the Code.

SECTION 8. GENERAL PROVISIONS

 

(a)

NO RIGHTS TO AWARDS. No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, or, having been selected to receive an Award under this Plan, to be selected to receive a future Award, and further there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each recipient.

(b)

WITHHOLDING. The Company or any Affiliate shall be authorized to withhold from any Award granted or any payment due or transfer made under any Award or under the Plan the amount (in cash, Shares, other securities, or other Awards) of withholding taxes due in respect of an Award, its exercise, or any payment or transfer under such Award or under the Plan and to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or Affiliate to satisfy statutory withholding obligations for the payment of such taxes. Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, Participants are solely responsible and liable for the satisfaction of all taxes and penalties that may arise in connection with Awards, and neither the Company, nor any Affiliate, nor any of their employees, directors, or agents, shall have any duty or obligation to mitigate, minimize, indemnify, or to otherwise hold any Participant harmless from any or all of such tax consequences. The Company’s obligation to deliver Shares (or to pay cash or other consideration) to Participants pursuant to Awards is at all times subject to such Participant’s prior or coincident satisfaction of all withholding taxes.

 

(c)

NO LIMIT ON OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

(d)

NO RIGHT TO EMPLOYMENT. The grant of an Award shall not constitute an employment contract nor be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate. Further, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment, free from any liability, or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

 

(e)

GOVERNING LAW. The validity, construction, and effect of the Plan and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable Federal law without regard to conflict of law.

 

(f)

SEVERABILITY. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, or as to any Person or Award, or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to Applicable Law, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, Person, or Award, and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

 

(g)

NO TRUST OR FUND CREATED. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

(h)

NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash, or other securities shall be paid or transferred in lieu of any fractional Shares, or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

 

(i)

HEADINGS. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.

(j)

COMPLIANCE WITH THE CODE. Except to the extent specifically provided otherwise by the Committee, Awards under the Plan are intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code so as to avoid the imposition of any additional taxes or penalties under Section 409A of the Code. If the Committee determines that an Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or any other action or arrangement contemplated by the provisions of the Plan would, if undertaken, cause a Participant to become subject to any additional taxes or other penalties under Section 409A of the Code, or adverse tax consequences under another Code provision, then unless the Committee specifically provides otherwise, such Award, Award Agreement, payment, distribution, deferral election, transaction or other action or arrangement shall not be given effect to the extent it causes such result and the related provisions of the Plan and/or Award Agreement will be deemed modified, or, if necessary, suspended in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or another Code provision to the extent determined appropriate by the Committee, in each case without the consent of or notice to the Participant. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any provision of the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, Participants shall be solely responsible for the satisfaction of any taxes or interest or other consequence, that may arise pursuant to Awards (including taxes arising under Code Section 409A), and neither the Company nor the Committee nor anyone other than the Participant, his or her estate or beneficiaries, shall have any obligation whatsoever to pay such taxes or interest or to otherwise indemnify or hold any Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes.

 

(k)

CODE SECTIONS 280G AND 4999. Notwithstanding anything else contained in the Plan or any other document to the contrary, in no event shall the vesting of any Award or payment be accelerated to an extent or in a manner so that such Award or payment, together with any other compensation and benefits provided to, or for the benefit of, a Participant under any other plan or agreement of the Company or its Affiliates, would not be fully deductible by the Company or one of its Affiliates for U.S. federal income tax purposes because of Section 280G of the Code. If a holder of an Award would be entitled to benefits or payments hereunder and under any other plan or program that would constitute “parachute payments” as defined in Section 280G of the Code, then the Company shall reduce or eliminate such parachute payments in the following order so that the Company or one of its Affiliates is not denied federal income tax deductions because of Section 280G of the Code: cash severance benefits shall be reduced or eliminated first, then any accelerated vesting of Options shall be reduced or eliminated, and finally any other benefits to which the Participant is or may be entitled shall be reduced or eliminated. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant is a party to a written agreement with the Company or one of its Affiliates, or is a participant in a severance program sponsored by the Company or one of its Affiliates that contains express provisions regarding Section 280G and/or Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar successor provision), or the applicable Award Agreement includes such provisions, the Section 280G and/or Section 4999 provisions of such other agreement or plan, as applicable, shall control as to the Awards held by that Participant.

 

(l)

NO REPRESENTATIONS OR COVENANTS WITH RESPECT TO TAX QUALIFICATION. Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify an Award for favorable U.S. or foreign tax treatment or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain favorable or avoid unfavorable tax treatment. The Company shall be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on holders of Awards under the Plan.

 

(m)

AWARDS TO NON-U.S. EMPLOYEES. The Committee shall have the power and authority to determine which Affiliates shall be covered by this Plan and which employees outside the U.S. shall be eligible to participate in the Plan. The Committee may adopt, amend or rescind rules, procedures or sub-plans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan to accommodate the specific requirements of local laws, procedures, and practices. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee is specifically authorized to adopt rules, procedures and sub-plans with provisions that limit or modify rights on death, Disability or Retirement or on termination of Continuous Service; available methods of exercise or settlement of an Award; payment of income, social insurance contributions and payroll taxes; and the withholding procedures and handling of any stock certificates or other indicia of ownership which vary with local requirements. The Committee may also adopt rules, procedures or sub-plans applicable to particular Affiliates or locations.

(n)

DATA PRIVACY. As a condition of receipt of any Award, each Participant explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use, and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this section by and among, as applicable, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering, and managing this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. In furtherance of such implementation, administration, and management, the Company and its Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Participant with respect to one or more Awards under the Plan, including, but not limited to, the Participant’s name, home address, telephone number, date of birth, social security or insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title(s), information regarding any securities of the Company or any of its Affiliates, and details of all Awards (the “Data”). In addition to transferring the Data amongst themselves as necessary for the purpose of implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, the Company and its Affiliates each may transfer the Data to any third parties assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan. Recipients of the Data may be located in the Participant’s country or elsewhere, and the Participant’s country and any given recipient’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections. By accepting an Award, each Participant authorizes such recipients to receive, possess, use, retain, and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of assisting the Company in the implementation, administration, and management of this Plan and Awards and the Participant’s participation in this Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Participant may elect to deposit any Shares. A Participant may, at any time, view the Data held by the Company with respect to such Participant, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data with respect to such Participant, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data with respect to the Participant, or refuse or withdraw the consents herein in writing, in any case without cost, by contacting such Participant’s local human resources representative. The Company may cancel the Participant’s eligibility to participate in this Plan, and in the Committee’s discretion, the Participant may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Participant refuses or withdraws the consents described herein. For more information on the consequences of refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participants may contact their local human resources representative.

 

(o)

NO DUTY TO NOTIFY. The Company shall have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising an Award. Furthermore, the Company shall have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, the Company shall take reasonable steps to notify Participants holding then outstanding Awards (which would be vested as of the date of the Change in Control) regarding the occurrence of a Change in Control; provided, further, that if pursuant to the Change in Control outstanding vested Awards shall be cancelled for no consideration, such notice shall be provided at least five (5) business days prior to the occurrence of the Change in Control (or such shorter period as the Committee may determine is reasonable in its sole discretion taking into account the potential need for confidentiality with respect to a Change in Control). For purposes of the foregoing, the Company providing notice via e-mail to (i) a Participant’s Company email address for Participants who are then in Continuous Service, or (ii) the personal email address in the Company’s personnel records for a Participant no longer in Continuous Service shall be deemed to be reasonable steps to notify a Participant on the part of the Company.

(p)

NO STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS. Neither a Participant nor any transferee or Beneficiary of a Participant shall have any rights or status as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any Shares underlying any Award until the date of issuance of a stock certificate to such Participant, transferee, or Beneficiary for such Shares in accordance with the Company’s governing instruments and Applicable Law, and if Shares are not certificated, the date the Company’s records are updated to reflect the Participant’s (or transferee’s or Beneficiary’s) status as a stockholder with respect to the Shares in accordance with the Company’s governing instruments and Applicable Law. Prior to the issuance of Shares or Restricted Shares pursuant to an Award, a Participant shall not have the right to vote or to receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder with respect to the Shares underlying the Award (unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement for Restricted Shares), notwithstanding its exercise in the case of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right that is determined based on a record date prior to the date the share certificate is issued, except as otherwise specifically provided for in this Plan or an Award Agreement.

 

(q)

COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS. The granting of Awards and the issuance of Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all Applicable Law. The Company shall have no obligation to issue or deliver evidence of title for Shares issued under the Plan prior to:

 

(i)

obtaining any approvals from governmental agencies that the Company determines are necessary or advisable; and

 

(ii)

completion of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any applicable national or foreign law or ruling of any governmental body that the Company determines to be necessary or advisable or at a time when any such registration or qualification is not current, has been suspended or otherwise has ceased to be effective.

The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein or in any Award Agreement, the Committee shall have the absolute discretion to impose a “blackout” period on the exercise of any Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as well as the settlement of any Award, with respect to any or all Participants to the extent the Committee determines that doing so is desirable or required to comply with applicable securities laws.

SECTION 9. EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE PLAN

The Plan shall be effective as of the date of its approval by the stockholders of the Company.

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

TERM SHEET FOR STOCK OPTION AWARD

Romeo Power, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Participant named below a stock option (the “Option”) to purchase any part or all of the number of Shares that are covered by this Option, as specified below, at the exercise price specified below and on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Term Sheet, the Romeo Power, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Plan’s Standard Terms and Conditions for Stock Options (the “Standard Terms and Conditions”), each as amended from time to time (the Term Sheet and the Standard Terms and Conditions, as in effect at the time of the execution of the Term Sheet, together constituting the “Award Agreement” between Participant and the Company). This Option is granted pursuant to the Plan and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by the Award Agreement. If the Award Agreement conflicts with the Plan, the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein are defined in the Plan.

 

Name of Participant:
Grant Date:
Type of Option:				☐ Incentive Stock Option ☐ Non-Qualified Stock Option
Number of Shares covered by Option:
Exercise Price Per Share:				$
Vesting Commencement Date:				☐ Same as Grant Date ☐ Date:
Vesting Schedule:				[insert applicable vesting schedule]
Expiration Date:				☐ The ten-year anniversary of the Grant Date ☐ The five-year anniversary of the Grant Date (select if Participant is a 10% Shareholder receiving an Incentive Stock Option)

If this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option but fails in whole or in part to so qualify, then this Option shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock Option to the extent of that failure. By accepting this Term Sheet, Participant acknowledges that he or she has received and read, and agrees that this Option shall be subject to, and Participant shall comply with, the terms of the Award Agreement and the Plan.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Option to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

[Participant/Spouse Signature page follows on the reverse side of this Term Sheet]

PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing Option and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement and the Plan. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the attached Standard Terms and Conditions and that a copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s internal SharePoint website.

 

By his or her signature below, the spouse of Participant, if Participant is legally married as of the date of his or her execution of this Term Sheet, acknowledges that he or she has read this Term Sheet, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan and is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Term Sheet, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan.

 

Name of Spouse				Signature of Spouse

OR

By his or her signature below, Participant represents that he or she is not legally married as of the date of execution of this Term Sheet.

 

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

STOCK OPTIONS

These Standard Terms and Conditions apply to any Options granted under the Romeo Power, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) that are evidenced by a Term Sheet or an action of the Committee that specifically refers to these Standard Terms and Conditions (the Term Sheet and the Standard Terms and Conditions, as in effect at the time of the execution of the Term Sheet, together constituting the “Award Agreement” between Participant and the Company). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning set forth in the Term Sheet and, if not set forth therein, in the Plan.

 

1.

TERMS OF OPTION

The Company has granted to the Participant named in the Term Sheet provided to Participant herewith an Option to purchase up to the number of Shares set forth in the Term Sheet, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Term Sheet, and upon the other terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Award Agreement and the Plan.

 

2.

EXERCISE OF OPTION

The Option shall vest, in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set forth on the Term Sheet, so long as Participant remains in Continuous Service with the Company through the vesting date. Participant may exercise any vested portion of the Option at any time prior to the Expiration Date of the Option, except as otherwise provided in the Plan.

To exercise the Option (or any part thereof), Participant shall provide notice to the Company specifying the number of Shares Participant wishes to purchase and how Participant’s Shares should be registered (in Participant’s name only or in Participant’s and Participant’s spouse’s names as community property or as joint tenants with right of survivorship).

The exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) of the Option is set forth in the Term Sheet. The Company shall not be obligated to issue any shares of Common Stock until Participant has paid the total Exercise Price for that number of shares of Common Stock. The Exercise Price may be paid by one or more of the following means if permitted by the Committee in its sole discretion: (i) by cash or check payable to the Company; (ii) by delivery to the Company of already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; (iii) by a “net exercise” arrangement whereby Participant surrenders to the Company Shares otherwise receivable upon exercise of the Option (e.g., the Company will reduce the number of Shares issued upon exercise of the Option by the largest whole number of Shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate Exercise Price) provided that the Option is a Non-Qualified Stock Option; (iv) by a cashless exercise program that the Committee may approve, from time to time in its discretion, pursuant to which a Participant may elect to concurrently provide irrevocable instructions (A) to Participant’s broker or dealer to effect the immediate sale of the purchased Shares and remit to the Company, out of the sale proceeds available on the settlement date, sufficient funds to cover the Exercise Price of the Option plus all applicable withholding taxes, and (B) to the Company to deliver the certificates for the purchased Shares directly to the broker or dealer in order to complete the sale; or (v) in any other form of legal consideration.

Fractional Shares will not be issued. Shares will be issued as soon as practical after exercise. Notwithstanding the above, the Company shall not be obligated to deliver any Shares during any period when the Company determines that the exercisability of the Option or the delivery of Shares hereunder would violate Applicable Law.

3.

EXPIRATION OF OPTION

The Option shall expire and cease to be exercisable on the Expiration Date set forth in the Term Sheet.

 

4.

RESTRICTIONS ON RESALES OF OPTION SHARES

The Company may impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by Participant or other subsequent transfers by Participant of any Shares issued as a result of the exercise of the Option, including without limitation (a) restrictions under an insider trading policy, (b) restrictions designed to delay and/or coordinate the timing and manner of sales by Participant and other optionholders, (c) restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales or other transfers or (d) restrictions under Applicable Law.

 

5.

INCOME TAXES

Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise by reason of an Option exercise or disposition of Shares issued as a result of an Option exercise. The Company shall not be required to issue Shares or to recognize the disposition of such Shares until such obligations are satisfied.

 

6.

TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTION

Except as required by Applicable Law, the Option shall not be assignable, alienable, saleable, or transferable by Participant except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of Participant with respect to the Option on the death of Participant. The Option shall be exercisable, during Participant’s lifetime, only by Participant or, if permissible under Applicable Law, by Participant’s guardian or legal representative. The Option may not be pledged, alienated, attached, or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment, or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the Option does not qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code, then Participant may transfer some or all of his or her Non-qualified Stock Options to one or more “family members,” which is not a “prohibited transfer for value,” provided that (i) the Participant (or such Participant’s estate or representative) shall remain obligated to satisfy all income or other tax withholding obligations associated with the exercise of such Non-qualified Stock Option; (ii) the Participant shall notify the Company in writing that such transfer has occurred and disclose to the Company the name and address of the “family member” or “family members” and their relationship to Participant, and (iii) such transfer shall be effected pursuant to transfer documents in a form approved by the Committee. For purposes of the foregoing, the terms “family members” and “prohibited transfer for value” have the meaning ascribed to them in the General Instructions to form S-8 (or any successor form) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

7.

TERMINATION

The Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of his or her Option (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence).

Cause. In the event that Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, as of the date of such termination all Shares covered by this Option shall cease to vest and any outstanding and vested Options that have yet to be exercised (pursuant to these Standard Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company, and all rights of Participant to this Option will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

Other. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination all Shares covered by this Option shall cease to vest and (except for any vested Option shares that have yet to be exercised, pursuant to these Standard Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company and all rights of Participant to such Option shares will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

 

8.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Participant acknowledges that the Company may issue the Shares upon the exercise of the Option without registering such Shares under the Securities Act, on the basis of certain exemptions from such registration requirement if the Company is not then publicly traded. Accordingly, Participant agrees that his or her exercise of the Option may be expressly conditioned upon his or her delivery to the Company of an investment certificate including such representations and undertakings as the Company may reasonably require in order to assure the availability of such exemptions, including a representation that Participant is acquiring the Shares for investment and not with a present intention of selling or otherwise disposing thereof and an agreement by Participant that the certificates evidencing the Shares may bear a legend indicating such non-registration under the Securities Act and the resulting restrictions on transfer. Participant acknowledges that, because the Shares received upon exercise of an Option may be unregistered, Participant may be required to hold the Shares indefinitely unless they are subsequently registered for resale under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available.

Participant acknowledges that Applicable Law may require the placement of certain restrictive legends upon the Shares issued upon exercise of the Option, and Participant hereby consents to the placing of any such legends upon certificates evidencing the Shares as the Company may deem necessary or advisable.

Participant acknowledges that he or she shall be solely responsible for the satisfaction of any taxes or interest or other consequence, that may arise pursuant to the Option (including taxes arising under Code Section 409A of the Code), and neither the Company nor the Committee nor anyone other than Participant, or his or her estate or beneficiaries, shall have any obligation whatsoever to pay such taxes or interest or to otherwise indemnify or hold Participant harmless from any or all of such taxes.

 

9.

THE PLAN AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

In addition to the Award Agreement, the Option shall be subject to the terms of the Plan, which are incorporated into the Award Agreement by this reference. A copy of the Plan, and the accompanying prospectus, is available on the Company’s internal SharePoint website.

The Award Agreement and the Plan constitute the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Option. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning the Option are superseded.

 

10.

LIMITATION OF INTEREST IN SHARES SUBJECT TO OPTION

Neither Participant (individually or as a member of a group) nor any beneficiary or other person claiming under or through Participant shall have any right, title, interest, or privilege in or to any Shares allocated or reserved for the purpose of the Plan or subject to the Award Agreement except as to such Shares, if any, as shall have been issued to such person upon exercise of the Option.

 

11.

NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHT

Nothing in the Plan, in the Award Agreement or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate Participant’s Continuous Service at any time for any reason.

12.

GENERAL

In the event that any provision of the Award Agreement is declared to be illegal, invalid or otherwise unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, such provision shall be reformed, if possible, to the extent necessary to render it legal, valid and enforceable, or otherwise deleted, and the remainder of the Award Agreement shall not be affected except to the extent necessary to reform or delete such illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision.

Section headings are inserted solely for convenience of reference, and shall not constitute a part of the Award Agreement, nor shall they affect its meaning, construction or effect.

Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or in the Plan, every covenant, term, and provision of the Award Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their respective heirs, legatees, legal representatives, successors, transferees, and assigns.

The Award Agreement may be modified or amended at any time, in accordance with the Plan and provided that Participant must consent in writing to any modification that would impair his or her rights under the Award Agreement provided that no such consent shall be required with respect to any modification if the Committee determines in its sole discretion that such modification either (i) is required or advisable in order for the Company, the Plan or the Option to satisfy or conform to Applicable Law or to meet the requirements of any accounting standard, or (ii) is not reasonably likely to significantly diminish the benefits provided under such Option.

 

13.

“MARKET STAND-OFF” CONDITIONS

Participant agrees that, if requested by the Company, Participant will not sell or otherwise transfer or dispose of any Shares held by Participant without the prior written consent of the Company during such period of time.

 

14.

INTERPRETATION

This Option is granted pursuant to the terms of the Plan, and shall in all respects be interpreted in accordance therewith. The Committee shall have the power to interpret the Plan and the Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan and the Award Agreement as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules. Any action, decision, interpretation or determination by the Committee shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Company and Participant. No member of the Committee shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan, the Award Agreement, or the Option.

 

15.

NOTICES

Any notice, demand or request required or permitted to be given under the Award Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when delivered personally or three (3) days after being deposited in the United States mail, as certified or registered mail, with postage prepaid, and addressed, if to the Company, at its principal place of business, Attention: Stock Administration, and if to Participant, at his or her most recent address as shown in the employment or stock records of the Company.

 

16.

GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

The validity, construction, interpretation, and effect of this Option shall be governed by and determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, regardless of the law that might be applied under principles of conflicts of laws. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this Option, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Delaware, or the federal courts for the United States for Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

17.

COUNTERSIGNATURE

The Term Sheet may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and all of which together shall be deemed one instrument, and is incorporated herein.

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

Romeo Power, Inc. (“Company”) has awarded to you (“Participant”) restricted stock units (“RSUs”) covering the number of Shares set forth below (the “RSU Award”) under the Romeo Power, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Your “Award Agreement” applicable to the RSUs consists of (a) this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (this “Notice”), and (b) the attached Standard Terms and Conditions for Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) (the “RSU Terms and Conditions”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Award Agreement will have the same meanings specified in the Plan.

 

Name of Participant:
Grant Date:
Grant ID:
Number of RSUs:
Country at Grant:		United States
Vesting Commencement Date:
Vesting Schedule:		[insert applicable vesting schedule]

By accepting (whether electronically or otherwise) the RSU Award, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

 

1.	The RSU Award is governed by the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan will prevail.

 

2.

You have received a copy of the Plan, this Award Agreement, the Plan prospectus, and the Romeo Power, Inc. Statement of Policy Concerning Trading in Company Securities (“Trading Policy”), and represent that you have read these documents and are familiar with their terms. You further agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions relating to the RSU Award and the Plan.

 

3.	Vesting of the RSUs is subject to your Continuous Service as an Employee, Director, or Consultant, which is for an unspecified duration and may be terminated at any time, with or without Cause, and nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan changes the nature of that relationship.

 

4.

The Company is not providing any tax, legal, or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding participation in the Plan. You should consult with your own personal tax, legal, and financial advisors regarding participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

5.

If you do not accept or decline this RSU Award within 90 days of the Grant Date or by such other date that may be communicated to you by the Company, the Company will accept this RSU Award on your behalf and you will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the RSUs set forth in the Plan and this Award Agreement and you must sign any future agreements related to this RSU Award as and when requested by the Company or this RSU Award will be forfeited without consideration. If you wish to decline this RSU Award, you should promptly notify the Company at its principal place of business, Attention: Stock Administration, or by electronic mail to Stock Administration. If you decline this RSU Award, the RSUs will be cancelled and no benefits from the RSUs nor any compensation or benefits in lieu of the RSUs will be provided to you.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Notice to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

[Participant/Spouse Signature page follows on the reverse side of this Notice]

PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing RSU Award and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement and the Plan. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the attached Standard Terms and Conditions and that a copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s internal SharePoint website.

 

By his or her signature below, the spouse of Participant, if Participant is legally married as of the date of his or her execution of this Notice, acknowledges that he or she has read this Notice, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan and is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Notice, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan.

 

Name of Spouse				Signature of Spouse

OR

By his or her signature below, Participant represents that he or she is not legally married as of the date of execution of this Notice.

 

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (RSUs)

1.GRANT OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

A restricted stock unit (“RSU”) is a non-voting unit of measurement that is deemed solely for bookkeeping purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding Share. The RSUs are used solely as a device to determine the number of Shares to eventually be issued to Participant if such RSUs vest. The RSUs shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.

2.SETTLEMENT

(a)On or as soon as administratively practical (and within thirty (30) days) following the applicable date of vesting under the Vesting Schedule set forth in the Notice (a “Vesting Date”), and subject to the Participant remaining in Continuous Service through the applicable Vesting Date, the Company will deliver to Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of RSUs subject to the RSU Award that vest on the applicable Vesting Date, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items (defined below); provided, however, that if, at the time of proposed settlement, the Participant is restricted from transacting in Shares due to Company policy (including, without limitation, the Company’s Trading Policy), settlement shall be delayed until the Participant is no longer restricted from transacting in Shares or, if earlier, March 1 of the year following the year in which the underlying RSUs vested. No fractional RSUs or rights for fractional Shares shall be created pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)The Company reserves the right to issue to Participant the cash equivalent of Shares, in part or in full satisfaction of the delivery of Shares, upon vesting of the RSUs, and to the extent applicable, references in this Award Agreement to Shares issuable in connection with the RSUs will include the potential issuance of its cash equivalent pursuant to such right.

3.DIVIDEND AND VOTING RIGHTS

Unless and until such time as Shares are issued in settlement of vested RSUs, Participant will have no ownership of the Shares allocated to the RSUs, and will have no rights to vote such Shares and no rights to dividends nor any payment, payment-in-kind or any equivalent with regard to any cash or other dividends that are declared and paid on Shares.

4.NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF RSUs

The RSUs and any interest therein will not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution or court order, and any permitted transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement will be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors, and assigns of Participant.

5.TERMINATION

The Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of his or her RSU Award (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence).

(a)Cause. In the event that Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, as of the date of such termination all RSUs shall cease to vest and any outstanding RSUs and vested RSUs that have yet to settle (pursuant to Section 2 of these RSU Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company, and all rights of Participant to such RSUs will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

(b)Other. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination all RSUs shall cease to vest and (except for any vested RSUs that have yet to settle, pursuant to Section 2 of these RSU Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company and all rights of Participant to such RSUs will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

6.TAXES

(a)Responsibility for Taxes. By accepting this RSU Award, Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, any Affiliate that employs Participant (the “Employer”), the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account, employment tax, stamp tax or other tax-related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant, including any employer liability for which the Participant is liable (the “Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSU Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting, or settlement of the RSU Award, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement, and the receipt of any dividends, and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the RSU Award to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction. Participant agrees to pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means described in this Section. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares, or the proceeds of the sale of Shares, if Participant fails to comply with Participant’s obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

(b)Withholding. Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items.

Withholding for Tax-Related Items will be made in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan and such rules and procedures as may be established by the Committee, and in compliance with the Trading Policy, if applicable. In the event the Company or the Employer withholds more than the Tax-Related Items using one of the methods described above, Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash but will have no entitlement to the Shares sold or withheld. If the withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, Participant will be deemed to have been issued the full number of vested Shares underlying the RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares is held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. No fractional Shares will be withheld or issued pursuant to the settlement of the RSUs and the Tax-Related Items thereunder.

7.CODE SECTION 409A

It is intended that the terms of the RSU Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, and this Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent. Payments pursuant to this RSU Award are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

8.GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises

directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Delaware, or the federal courts for the United States for Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

9.ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS

This Award Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, commitments, or negotiations between the parties. Except as otherwise permitted by the Plan, no modification of, or amendment to, this Award Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Award Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties to this Award Agreement (which may be electronic). The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Award Agreement will not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

10.SEVERABILITY

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

11.CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC DELIVERY AND PARTICIPATION

By accepting this RSU Award, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company, and consents to the electronic delivery of the Award Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses, and all other documents, communications, or information related to the RSU Award and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company’s internal SharePoint website or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail, or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service, or electronic mail to Stock Administration.

12.LANGUAGE

Participant acknowledges that Participant is proficient in the English language and, accordingly, understands the provisions of this Award Agreement and the Plan. If Participant has received this Award Agreement, or any other document related to the RSU Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

13.IMPOSITION OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the RSU Award, and on any cash payment delivered upon exercise of the RSU Award, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require Participant to accept any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

14.INSIDER TRADING/MARKET ABUSE LAWS

Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, the United States, which may affect Participant’s ability to accept, acquire, sell, or otherwise dispose of Shares, rights to Shares (e.g., RSUs), or rights linked to the value of Shares under the Plan during such times as Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by

the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under the Trading Policy. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries, or Affiliates will be responsible for such restrictions or liable for the failure on Participant’s part to know and abide by such restrictions. Participant should consult with his or her own personal legal advisers to ensure compliance with local laws.

15.NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHT

Nothing in the Plan, in the Award Agreement or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate Participant’s Continuous Service at any time for any reason.

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

NOTICE OF PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD

Romeo Power, Inc. (“Company”) has awarded to you (“Participant”) performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) covering the number of Shares set forth below (the “PSU Award”) under the Romeo Power, Inc. 2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Your “Award Agreement” applicable to the PSUs consists of (a) this Notice of Performance-Based Stock Unit Award (this “Notice”), and (b) the attached Standard Terms and Conditions for Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units (PSUs) (the “PSU Terms and Conditions”), including the Performance Vesting Terms. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Award Agreement will have the same meanings specified in the Plan.

 

Name of Participant:
Grant Date:
Grant ID:
[Target/Maximum] Number of PSUs:
Country at Grant:		United States
Vesting Commencement Date:
Vesting Schedule:		As provided in Exhibit A to this Notice (the “Performance Vesting Terms”)

By accepting (whether electronically or otherwise) the PSU Award, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

 

1.	The PSU Award is governed by the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan. In the event of a conflict between the terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms of the Plan will prevail.

 

2.

You have received a copy of the Plan, this Award Agreement, the Plan prospectus, and the Romeo Power, Inc. Statement of Policy Concerning Trading in Company Securities (“Trading Policy”), and represent that you have read these documents and are familiar with their terms. You further agree to accept as binding, conclusive, and final all decisions and interpretations of the Committee regarding any questions relating to the PSU Award and the Plan.

 

3.

Vesting of the PSUs is subject to your Continuous Service as an Employee, Director, or Consultant (except as provided in the Performance Vesting Terms), which is for an unspecified duration and may be terminated at any time, with or without Cause, and nothing in this Award Agreement or the Plan changes the nature of that relationship.

 

4.

The Company is not providing any tax, legal, or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding participation in the Plan. You should consult with your own personal tax, legal, and financial advisors regarding participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

5.

If you do not accept or decline this PSU Award within 90 days of the Grant Date or by such other date that may be communicated to you by the Company, the Company will accept this PSU Award on your behalf and you will be deemed to have accepted the terms and conditions of the PSUs set forth in the Plan and this Award Agreement and you must sign any future agreements related to this PSU Award as and when requested by the Company or this PSU Award will be forfeited withoutconsideration. If you wish to decline this PSU Award, you should promptly notify the Company at its principal place of business, Attention: Stock Administration, or by electronic mail to Stock Administration. If you decline this PSU Award, the PSUs will be cancelled and no benefits from the PSUs nor any compensation or benefits in lieu of the PSUs will be provided to you.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Notice to be executed by its duly authorized officer.

 

[Participant/Spouse Signature page follows on the reverse side of this Notice]

PARTICIPANT’S ACCEPTANCE

The undersigned hereby accepts the foregoing PSU Award and agrees to the terms and conditions of the Award Agreement and the Plan. The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of the attached Standard Terms and Conditions and that a copy of the Plan is available on the Company’s internal SharePoint website.

 

By his or her signature below, the spouse of Participant, if Participant is legally married as of the date of his or her execution of this Notice, acknowledges that he or she has read this Notice, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan and is familiar with the terms and provisions thereof, and agrees to be bound by all the terms and conditions of this Notice, the Standard Terms and Conditions and the Plan.

 

Name of Spouse				Signature of Spouse

OR

By his or her signature below, Participant represents that he or she is not legally married as of the date of execution of this Notice.

 

Exhibit A

Performance Vesting Terms

Romeo Power, Inc.

2020 Long-Term Incentive Plan

STANDARD TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR

PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS (PSUs)

1.GRANT OF PERFORMANCE-BASED RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS

(a)A performance-based restricted stock unit (“PSU”) is a non-voting unit of measurement that is deemed solely for bookkeeping purposes to be equivalent to one outstanding Share. The PSUs are used solely as a device to determine the number of Shares to eventually be issued to Participant if such PSUs vest. The PSUs shall not be treated as property or as a trust fund of any kind.

2.SETTLEMENT

(a)The number of PSUs that Participant actually earns will be determined by the level of achievement of the performance goal(s) in accordance with Exhibit A to the Notice. On or as soon as administratively practical (and within thirty (30) days) following the applicable date(s) of vesting (each, a “Vesting Date”), and subject to the Participant remaining in Continuous Service through the applicable Vesting Date, the Company will deliver to Participant a number of Shares (either by delivering one or more certificates for such Shares or by entering such Shares in book entry form, as determined by the Company in its discretion) equal to the number of PSUs subject to the PSU Award that vest on the applicable Vesting Date, subject to the satisfaction of any applicable withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items (defined below); provided, however, that if, at the time of proposed settlement, the Participant is restricted from transacting in Shares due to Company policy (including, without limitation, the Company’s Trading Policy), settlement shall be delayed until the Participant is no longer restricted from transacting in Shares or, if earlier, March 1 of the year following the year in which the underlying PSUs vested. No fractional PSUs or rights for fractional Shares shall be created pursuant to this Agreement.

(b)The Company reserves the right to issue to Participant the cash equivalent of Shares, in part or in full satisfaction of the delivery of Shares, upon vesting of the PSUs, and to the extent applicable, references in this Award Agreement to Shares issuable in connection with the PSUs will include the potential issuance of its cash equivalent pursuant to such right.

3.DIVIDEND AND VOTING RIGHTS

Unless and until such time as Shares are issued in settlement of vested PSUs, Participant will have no ownership of the Shares allocated to the PSUs, and will have no rights to vote such Shares and no rights to dividends nor any payment, payment-in-kind or any equivalent with regard to any cash or other dividends that are declared and paid on Shares.

4.NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF PSUs

The PSUs and any interest therein will not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution or court order, and any permitted transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement. The terms of the Plan and this Award Agreement will be binding upon the executors, administrators, heirs, successors, and assigns of Participant.

5.TERMINATION

Unless otherwise set forth in Exhibit A to the Notice, the following default provisions shall apply. The Committee shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of his or her PSU Award (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence).

(a)Cause. In the event that Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, as of the date of such termination all PSUs shall cease to vest and any outstanding PSUs and vested PSUs that have yet to settle (pursuant to Section 2 of these PSU Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company, and all rights of Participant to such PSUs will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

(b)Other. Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination all PSUs shall cease to vest and (except for any vested PSUs that have yet to settle, pursuant to Section 2 of these PSU Terms and Conditions) shall immediately be forfeited to the Company and all rights of Participant to such PSUs will immediately terminate without payment of consideration by the Company.

6.TAXES

(a)Responsibility for Taxes. By accepting this PSU Award, Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, any Affiliate that employs Participant (the “Employer”), the ultimate liability for all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account, employment tax, stamp tax or other tax-related items related to the Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant, including any employer liability for which the Participant is liable (the “Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company or the Employer. Participant further acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer (i) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the PSU Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting, or settlement of the PSU Award, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement, and the receipt of any dividends, and (ii) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the PSU Award to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if Participant is subject to Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction, as applicable, Participant acknowledges that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction. Participant agrees to pay to the Company or the Employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means described in this Section. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares, or the proceeds of the sale of Shares, if Participant fails to comply with Participant’s obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

(b)Withholding. Prior to the relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or the Employer to satisfy all Tax-Related Items.

Withholding for Tax-Related Items will be made in accordance with Section 8 of the Plan and such rules and procedures as may be established by the Committee, and in compliance with the Trading Policy, if applicable. In the event the Company or the Employer withholds more than the Tax-Related Items using one of the methods described above, Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash but will have no entitlement to the Shares sold or withheld. If the withholding obligation is satisfied by withholding in Shares, for tax purposes, Participant will be deemed to have been issued the full number of vested Shares underlying the PSUs, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares is held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items. No fractional Shares will be withheld or issued pursuant to the settlement of the PSUs and the Tax-Related Items thereunder.

7.CODE SECTION 409A

It is intended that the terms of the PSU Award will not result in the imposition of any tax liability pursuant to Section 409A of the Code, and this Award Agreement shall be construed and interpreted consistent with that intent. Payments pursuant to this PSU Award are intended to constitute separate payments for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.

8.GOVERNING LAW AND VENUE

This Award Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of law. For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by this grant or this Award Agreement, the parties hereby submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of Delaware and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Delaware, or the federal courts for the United States for Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.

9.ENTIRE AGREEMENT; ENFORCEMENT OF RIGHTS

This Award Agreement, together with the Plan, sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties relating to the subject matter herein and supersedes all prior discussions, agreements, commitments, or negotiations between the parties. Except as otherwise permitted by the Plan, no modification of, or amendment to, this Award Agreement, nor any waiver of any rights under this Award Agreement, will be effective unless in writing and signed by the parties to this Award Agreement (which may be electronic). The failure by either party to enforce any rights under this Award Agreement will not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

10.SEVERABILITY

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

11.CONSENT TO ELECTRONIC DELIVERY AND PARTICIPATION

By accepting this PSU Award, Participant agrees to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company, and consents to the electronic delivery of the Award Agreement, the Plan, account statements, Plan prospectuses, and all other documents, communications, or information related to the PSU Award and current or future participation in the Plan. Electronic delivery may include the delivery of a link to the Company’s internal SharePoint website or the internet site of a third party involved in administering the Plan, the delivery of the document via e-mail, or such other delivery determined at the Company’s discretion. Participant may receive from the Company a paper copy of any documents delivered electronically at no cost if Participant contacts the Company by telephone, through a postal service, or electronic mail to Stock Administration.

12.LANGUAGE

Participant acknowledges that Participant is proficient in the English language and, accordingly, understands the provisions of this Award Agreement and the Plan. If Participant has received this Award Agreement, or any other document related to the PSU Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

13.IMPOSITION OF OTHER REQUIREMENTS

The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the PSU Award, and on any cash payment delivered upon exercise of the PSU Award, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons, and to require Participant to accept any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

14.INSIDER TRADING/MARKET ABUSE LAWS

Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, the United States, which may affect Participant’s ability to accept, acquire, sell, or otherwise dispose of Shares, rights to Shares (e.g., PSUs), or rights linked to the value of Shares under the Plan during such times as Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under the Trading Policy. Neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates will be responsible for such restrictions or liable for the failure on Participant’s part to know and abide by such restrictions. Participant should consult with his or her own personal legal advisers to ensure compliance with local laws.

15.NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHT

Nothing in the Plan, in the Award Agreement or any other instrument executed pursuant to the Plan shall confer upon Participant any right to continue in the Company’s employ or service nor limit in any way the Company’s right to terminate Participant’s Continuous Service at any time for any reason.