Exhibit 3.1
EKSO BIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.
Incorporated Under the Laws of the
State of Nevada
BY-LAWS
ARTICLE I
OFFICES
Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc. (the “Corporation”) shall maintain a registered office in the State of Nevada. The Corporation may also have other offices at such places, either within or without the State of Nevada, as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate or the business of the Corporation may require.
ARTICLE II
STOCKHOLDERS
Section 1. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders for the election of directors or for any other purpose shall be held on such date, at such time and at such place, either within or without the State of Nevada, as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting or in a duly executed waiver of notice thereof. Only if so determined by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, (a) stockholders may participate in a meeting of stockholders by means of a telephone conference or similar methods of communication by which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other and/or (b) a meeting of stockholders may be held not at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of electronic communication, as provided in the Nevada Private Corporations Law (Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes) (the “NPCL”).
Section 2. Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall be held on such date and at such time as shall be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors and stated in the notice of the meeting, at which meeting the stockholders shall elect a Board of Directors and transact only such other business as is properly brought before the meeting in accordance with these By-Laws. Notice of the Annual Meeting stating the date, time and place of the meeting shall be given as permitted by law to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting.
Section 3. Special Meetings. Unless otherwise prescribed by law or the Articles of Incorporation (such Articles, as amended from time to time, including resolutions adopted from time to time by the Board of Directors establishing the designation, rights, preferences and other terms of any class or series of capital stock, the “Articles of Incorporation”), special meetings of the stockholders may be called, only at the request of a majority of the Board of Directors, by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or the Secretary. Notice of a Special Meeting stating the purpose or purposes for which the meeting is called and the date, time and place of the meeting, and the means of electronic communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxies shall be deemed to be present in person and vote, shall be given not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting. Only such business as is specified in the notice of special meeting shall come before such meeting.
Section 4. Quorum. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, the holders of shares of capital stock issued and outstanding entitled to vote thereat representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereat, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum at all meetings of the stockholders for the transaction of business. Whether or not a quorum is present, the chairman of the meeting, or the stockholders entitled to vote thereat, present or represented by proxy, holding shares representing at least a majority of the votes so present or represented and entitled to be cast thereon, shall have the power to adjourn the meeting from time to time, without notice other than announcement at the meeting. At such adjourned meeting at which a
quorum shall be present or represented, any business may be transacted which might have been transacted at the meeting as originally noticed. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting. When a quorum is once present, it is not broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any stockholder.
Section 5. Appointment of Inspectors of Election. The Board of Directors shall, in advance of sending to the stockholders any notice of a meeting of the holders of any class of shares, appoint one or more inspectors of election (“inspectors”) to act at such meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof and make a written report thereof. The Board of Directors may designate one or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is so appointed or if no inspector or alternate is able to act, the Chairman of the Board, or if none, the Secretary shall appoint one or more inspectors to act at such meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of such inspector’s duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspectors shall not be directors, officers or employees of the Corporation.
Section 6. Voting. Except as otherwise provided by law or by the Articles of Incorporation, each stockholder of record of any class or series of stock other than the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Corporation (“Common Stock”) shall be entitled on each matter submitted to a vote at each meeting of stockholders to such number of votes for each share of such stock as may be fixed in the Articles of Incorporation, and each stockholder of record of Common Stock shall be entitled at each meeting of stockholders to one vote for each share of such stock, in each case, registered in such stockholder’s name on the books of the Corporation on the date fixed pursuant to Section 5 of Article VI of these By-Laws as the record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at such meeting, or if no such record date shall have been so fixed, then at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which notice of such meeting is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next preceding the day on which the meeting is held.
Each stockholder entitled to vote at any meeting may vote either in person or by proxy duly appointed.
At all meetings of stockholders all matters, except as otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, shall be determined by the affirmative vote of the stockholders present in person or represented by proxy holding shares representing at least a majority of the votes so present or represented and entitled to be cast thereon, and where a separate vote by class is required, a majority of the votes represented by the shares of the stockholders of such class present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to be cast thereon shall be the act of such class.
The vote on any matter, including the election of directors, shall be by written ballot, or, if authorized by the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, by electronic ballot given in accordance with a procedure set out in the notice of such meeting. Each ballot shall state the number of shares voted.
Proxy cards shall be returned in envelopes addressed to the inspectors, who shall receive, inspect and tabulate the proxies. Comments on proxies, consents or ballots shall be transcribed and provided to the Secretary with the name and address of the stockholder. Nothing in this Article II shall prohibit the inspector from making available to the Corporation, prior to, during or after any annual or special meeting, information as to which stockholders have not voted and periodic status reports on the aggregate vote.
Stockholders may not take any action by written consent in lieu of a meeting.
Section 7. List of Stockholders Entitled to Vote. The officer of the Corporation who has charge of the stock ledger of the Corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten (10) days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting, arranged in alphabetical order and showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Nothing contained in this Section shall require the Corporation to include electronic mail addresses or other electronic contact
information on such list. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, during ordinary business hours, for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, either (i) on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or (ii) during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the Corporation. In the event that the Corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the Corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the Corporation. If the meeting is to be held at a place, the list shall also be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting during the whole time thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder of the Corporation who is present. If the meeting is to be held solely by means of remote communication, then the list shall also be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the meeting on a reasonably accessible electronic network, and the information required to access such list shall be provided with the notice of the meeting.
Section 8. Stock Ledger. The stock ledger of the Corporation shall be the only evidence as to who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required by Section 7 of this Article II or the books of the Corporation, or to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of stockholders.
Section 9. Advance Notice of Stockholder-Proposed Business at Annual Meeting. To be properly brought before the Annual Meeting, business must be either (a) specified in the notice of meeting (or any supplement thereto) given by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, (b) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (c) otherwise properly brought before the meeting by a stockholder of record. For business to be properly brought before an Annual Meeting by a stockholder, the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation and must have been a stockholder of record at such time. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one year anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting of the previous year; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the Annual Meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting was made, whichever first occurs. A stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the Annual Meeting (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the Annual Meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Corporation’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation that are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) any other information relating to the person or the proposal that is required to be disclosed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor provision or law) or applicable law.
Notwithstanding anything in these By-Laws to the contrary, no business shall be conducted at an Annual Meeting except in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 9; provided, however, that nothing in this Section 9 shall be deemed to preclude discussion by any stockholder of any business properly brought before the Annual Meeting. The chairman of an Annual Meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that business was not properly brought before the meeting in accordance with the provisions of this Section 9 and if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and any such business not properly brought before the meeting shall not be transacted.
Section 10. Nomination of Directors; Advance Notice of Stockholder Nominations. Only persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section 10 shall be eligible for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the Corporation at the Annual Meeting or at any special meeting of stockholders called in the manner set forth in Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors may be made at a meeting of stockholders by or at the direction of the Board of Directors, by any nominating committee or person appointed for such purpose by the Board of Directors, or by any stockholder of record of the Corporation entitled to vote for the election of directors at the meeting who
complies with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 10. Such nominations, other than those made by, or at the direction of, or under the authority of the Board of Directors, shall be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation by a stockholder of record at such time. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Corporation (a) in the case of an Annual Meeting, not less than ninety (90) nor more than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the one year anniversary of the date of the Annual Meeting of the previous year; provided, however, that in the event that the Annual Meeting is called for a date that is not within thirty (30) days before or after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholder in order to be timely must be so received not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such Annual Meeting and not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the annual meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the Annual Meeting was made, whichever first occurs; and (b) in the case of a special meeting of stockholders called in the manner set forth in Section 3 of this Article II for the purpose of electing directors, not earlier than one hundred twenty (120) days prior to such special meeting and not later than the close of business on the tenth (10th) day following the day on which notice of the date of the special meeting was mailed or public disclosure of the date of the special meeting was made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder’s notice to the Secretary shall set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business address and residence address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment of the person, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation, if any, which are beneficially owned by the person and (iv) any other information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (or any successor provision or law) or applicable law; and (b) as to the stockholder giving the notice (i) the name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder.
The chairman of the meeting shall, if the facts warrant, determine and declare to the meeting that a nomination was not made in accordance with the foregoing procedures and, if he should so determine, he shall so declare to the meeting and the defective nomination shall be disregarded.
ARTICLE III
DIRECTORS
Section 1. Number; Resignation; Removal. Except as otherwise required by the Articles of Incorporation, the number of directors which shall constitute the whole Board of Directors shall be fixed from time to time by resolution of the Board of Directors, but shall not be less than one Except as provided in Section 2 of this Article III and in the Articles of Incorporation, a nominee for director shall be elected to the Board of Directors by a plurality of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. A director may resign at any time upon notice to the Corporation. A director may be removed, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of holders of shares of capital stock issued and outstanding entitled to vote at an election of directors representing at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast thereon.
Section 2. Vacancies. Vacancies and newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so elected shall hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. If there are no directors in office, then an election of directors may be held in the manner provided by the NPCL. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.
Section 3. Duties and Powers. The business of the Corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors which may exercise all such powers of the Corporation and do all such lawful acts and things as are not by statute or by the Articles of Incorporation or by these By-Laws directed or required to be exercised or done solely by the stockholders.
Section 4. Meetings. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may hold meetings, both regular and special, either within or without the State of Nevada. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held without notice at such time and at such place as may from time to time be determined by the Board of Directors. Special meetings of the Board of Directors may be called by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or any director. Notice thereof stating the date, time and place of the meeting shall be given to each director either (i) by mail or courier not less than forty-eight (48) hours before the date of the meeting or (ii) by telephone, telegram or facsimile or electronic transmission, not less than twenty-four (24) hours before the time of the meeting or on such shorter notice as the person or persons calling such meeting may deem necessary or appropriate in the circumstances (provided that notice of any meeting need not be given to any director who shall either submit, before or after such meeting, a waiver of notice or attend the meeting without protesting, at the beginning thereof, the lack of notice).
Section 5. Quorum. Except as may be otherwise provided by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, a majority of the entire Board of Directors shall be necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the vote of a majority of the directors present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of the Board of Directors. Whether or not a quorum is present at a meeting of the Board of Directors, a majority of the directors present may adjourn the meeting to such time and place as they may determine without notice other than an announcement at the meeting.
Section 6. Action without a Meeting. Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any action required or permitted to be taken by the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting if all members of the Board of Directors or the committee consent in writing or by electronic transmission to the adoption of a resolution authorizing the action. The resolution and the consents thereto in writing or by electronic transmission by the members of the Board of Directors or committee shall be filed with the minutes of the proceedings of the Board of Directors or such committee.
Section 7. Participation by Telephone. Unless otherwise provided by the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws, any one or more members of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof may participate in a meeting of the Board of Directors or such committee by means of a conference telephone or other communications equipment allowing all persons participating in the meeting to hear each other. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at the meeting.
Section 8. Compensation. The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or any committee thereof and may be paid compensation as a director, committee member or chairman of any committee and for attendance at each meeting of the Board of Directors or committee thereof. No such payment shall preclude any director from serving the Corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation therefore or entering into transactions otherwise permitted by the Articles of Incorporation, these By-Laws or applicable law.
Section 9. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.
ARTICLE IV
COMMITTEES
Section 1. Committees. The Board of Directors may designate one or more committees, each committee to consist of one or more of the directors of the Corporation. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of any such committee. In the absence or disqualification of a member of a committee, and in the absence of a designation by the Board of Directors of an alternate member to replace the absent or disqualified member, the
member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not such member or member constitute a quorum, may by unanimous vote appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any absent or disqualified member. Any committee, to the extent allowed by law and provided in the resolution establishing such committee or in these By-Laws, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the Corporation, including the power to adopt any articles of merger, conversion, exchange or domestication, the authority to issue shares and the authority to declare a dividend, except as limited by the NPCL or other applicable law, but no such committee shall have power or authority in reference to the following matters: (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the NPCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval. or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any By-Law of the Corporation. All acts done by any committee within the scope of its powers and duties pursuant to these By-Laws and the resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors shall be deemed to be, and may be certified as being, done or conferred under authority of the Board of Directors. The Secretary or any Assistant Secretary is empowered to certify that any resolution duly adopted by any such committee is binding upon the Corporation and to execute and deliver such certifications from time to time as may be necessary or proper to the conduct of the business of the Corporation.
Section 2. Resignation. Any member of a committee may resign at any time. Such resignation shall be made in writing or by electronic transmission and shall take effect at the time specified therein, or, if no time be specified, at the time of its receipt by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or the Secretary. The acceptance of a resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective unless so specified therein.
Section 3. Quorum. A majority of the members of a committee shall constitute a quorum. The vote of a majority of the members of a committee present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.
Section 4. Record of Proceedings. Each committee shall keep a record of its acts and proceedings, and shall report the same to the Board of Directors when and as required by the Board of Directors.
Section 5. Organization, Meetings, Notices. A committee may hold its meetings at the principal office of the Corporation, or at any other place upon which a majority of the committee may at any time agree. Each committee may make such rules as it may deem expedient for the regulation and carrying on of its meetings and proceedings.
ARTICLE V
OFFICERS
Section 1. General. The officers of the Corporation shall be elected by the Board of Directors and shall consist of a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The Board of Directors, in its discretion, may also elect and specifically identify as officers of the Corporation a Chairman of the Board, a Chief Executive Officer, a Chief Financial Officer, a Controller, one or more vice presidents, assistant secretaries and assistant treasurers, and such other officers and agents as in its judgment may be necessary or desirable. Any number of offices may be held by the same person, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the Articles of Incorporation or these By-Laws. The officers of the Corporation need not be stockholders or directors of the Corporation. Any office named or provided for in this Article V (including, without limitation, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, President, Secretary, Treasurer and Controller) may, at any time and from time to time, be held by one or more persons. If an office is held by more than one person, each person holding such office shall serve as a co-officer (with the appropriate corresponding title) and shall have general authority, individually and without the need for any action by any other co-officer, to exercise all the powers of the holder of such office of the Corporation specified in these By-Laws and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or such other officer specified in this Article V.
Section 2. Election; Removal; Remuneration. The Board of Directors at its first meeting held after each Annual Meeting of Stockholders shall elect the officers of the Corporation who shall hold their offices for such terms and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors and may elect additional officers and may fill vacancies among the officers previously elected at any subsequent meeting of the Board of Directors; and all officers of the Corporation shall hold office until their successors are chosen and qualified, or until their earlier resignation or removal. Any officer elected by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time, either for or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Section 3. Voting Securities Owned by the Corporation. Powers of attorney, proxies, waivers of notice of meetings, consents and other instruments relating to securities owned by the Corporation may be executed in the name of and on behalf of the Corporation by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or the Secretary, and any such officer may, in the name and on behalf of the Corporation, take all such action as any such officer may deem advisable to vote in person or by proxy at any meeting of security holders of any company, partnership or other entity in which the Corporation may own securities, or to execute written consents in lieu thereof, and at any such meeting, or in giving any such consent, shall possess and may exercise any and all rights and powers incident to the ownership of such securities and which, as the owner thereof, the Corporation might have exercised and possessed if present. The Board of Directors may, by resolution, from time to time confer like powers upon any other person or persons.
Section 4. Chairman of the Board. The Chairman of the Board, if any, may be, but need not be, a person other than the Chief Executive Officer or the President of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Board may be, but need not be, an officer or employee of the Corporation. The Chairman of the Board shall preside at meetings of the Board of Directors and shall establish agendas for such meetings. In addition, the Chairman of the Board shall assure that matters of significant interest to stockholders and the investment community are addressed by management.
Section 5. Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer, if any, shall, subject to the direction of the Board of Directors, have general and active control of the affairs and business of the Corporation and general supervision of its officers, officials, employees and agents. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and shall preside at all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof of which he is a member, unless the Board of Directors or such committee shall have chosen another chairman. The Chief Executive Officer shall see that all orders and resolutions of the Board are carried into effect, and in addition, the Chief Executive Officer shall have all the powers and perform all the duties generally appertaining to the office of the chief executive officer of a corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall designate the person or persons who shall exercise his powers and perform his duties in his absence or disability and the absence or disability of the President.
Section 6. President. The President shall have such powers and perform such duties as are prescribed by the Chief Executive Officer or the Board of Directors, and in the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer, the President shall have the powers and perform the duties of the Chief Executive Officer, except to the extent the Board of Directors shall have otherwise provided. In addition, the President shall have such powers and perform such duties generally appertaining to the office of the president of a corporation, except to the extent the Chief Executive Officer, if any, or the Board of Directors shall have otherwise provided.
Section 7. Vice President. The Vice Presidents of the Corporation shall perform such duties and have such powers as may, from time to time, be assigned to them by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or these By-Laws.
Section 8. Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the stockholders and record all votes and the minutes of all proceedings in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall perform like duties for any committee appointed by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Corporation and affix it to any instrument when so authorized by the Board of Directors. The Secretary shall give or cause to be given, notice of all meetings of stockholders and special meetings of the Board of
Directors and shall perform generally all the duties usually appertaining to the office of secretary of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these By-Laws. The Board of Directors may give general authority to any other officer to affix the seal of the Corporation and to attest the affixing by his signature.
Section 9. Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary shall be empowered and authorized to perform all of the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Secretary or these By-Laws.
Section 10. Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer, if any, shall have responsibility for the administration of the financial affairs of the Corporation and shall exercise supervisory responsibility for the performance of the duties of the Treasurer and the Controller, if any. The Chief Financial Officer shall render to the Board of Directors, at its regular meetings, or when the Board of Directors so requires, an account of all of the transactions effected by the Treasurer and the Controller and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall generally perform all the duties usually appertaining to the affairs of a chief financial officer of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors or these By-Laws.
Section 11. Treasurer. The Treasurer shall have the custody of the corporate funds and securities and shall cause to be kept full and accurate accounts of receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the Corporation and shall deposit all monies and other valuable effects in the name and to the credit of the Corporation in such depositories as may be designated by persons authorized by the Board of Directors. The Treasurer shall disburse the funds of the Corporation as may be ordered by the Board of Directors, taking proper vouchers for such disbursements, and shall render to the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President and the Board of Directors whenever they may require it, an account of all of the transactions effected by the Treasurer and of the financial condition of the Corporation. The Treasurer may be required to give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties. The Treasurer shall generally perform all duties appertaining to the office of treasurer of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or these By-Laws.
Section 12. Assistant Treasurer. The Assistant Treasurers shall be empowered and authorized to perform all the duties of the Treasurer in the absence or disability of the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Treasurer or these By-Laws.
Section 13. Controller. The Controller, if any, shall prepare and have the care and custody of the books of account of the Corporation. The Controller shall keep a full and accurate account of all monies, received and paid on account of the Corporation, and shall render a statement of the Controller’s accounts whenever the Board of Directors shall require. The Controller shall generally perform all the duties usually appertaining to the affairs of the controller of a corporation and shall perform such other duties and have such other powers as may be prescribed by the Board of Directors, the Chief Financial Officer, if any, the President or these By-Laws. The Controller may be required to give a bond for the faithful discharge of his or her duties.
Section 14. Additional Powers and Duties. In addition to the foregoing especially enumerated duties and powers, the several officers of the Corporation shall perform such other duties and exercise such further powers as the Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine or as may be assigned to them by any superior officer.
Section 15. Other Officers. The Board of Directors may designate such other officers having such duties and powers as it may specify from time to time.
ARTICLE VI
CAPITAL STOCK
Section 1. Form of Certificate; Uncertificated Shares. The shares of the Corporation shall be represented by certificates, provided that the Board of Directors may provide by resolution or resolutions that some or all of any or all classes or series of its stock may be uncertificated shares. Any such resolution shall not apply to shares represented by a certificate until such certificate is surrendered to the Corporation. Every holder of stock in the Corporation represented by a certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed in the name of the Corporation (i) by the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Chief Executive Officer, if any, the President or any Vice President and (ii) by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, representing the number of shares registered in certificate form. Except as otherwise provided by law or these By-Laws, the rights and obligations of the holders of uncertificated shares and the rights and obligations of the holders of certificates representing stock of the same class and series shall be identical.
Section 2. Signatures. Any signature required to be on a certificate may be a facsimile. In case any officer, transfer agent or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued by the Corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer, transfer agent or registrar at the date of issue.
Section 3. Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Certificates. The Board of Directors may direct a new certificate to be issued in place of any certificate theretofore issued by the Corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen or destroyed. When authorizing such issue of a new certificate, the Board of Directors may, in its discretion and as a condition precedent to the issuance thereof, require the owner of such lost, stolen or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to advertise the same in such manner as the Board of Directors shall require and/or to give the Corporation a bond in such sum as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the Corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen or destroyed.
Section 4. Transfers. Stock of the Corporation shall be transferable in the manner prescribed by law and in these By-Laws. Transfers of stock shall be made on the books of the Corporation only by the holder of record or by such person’s attorney duly authorized, and upon the surrender of properly endorsed certificates for a like number of shares (or, with respect to uncertificated shares, by delivery of duly executed instructions or in any other manner permitted by applicable law).
Section 5. Record Date. In order that the Corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, or entitled to express consent to corporate action, or entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which shall not be more than sixty (60) days nor less than ten (10) days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty (60) days prior to any other action. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new record date for the adjourned meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors must fix a new record date if the meeting is adjourned to a date more than sixty (60) days later than the date set for the original meeting.
Section 6. Beneficial Owners. The Corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of the person registered on its books as the owner of a share to receive dividends and to vote as such owner, and to hold liable for calls and assessments a person registered on its books as the owner of shares, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by law.
Section 7. Dividends. Subject to the provisions of the Articles of Incorporation or applicable law, dividends upon the capital stock of the Corporation, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors at any regular or special meeting, and may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of capital stock. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the Corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in its absolute discretion, deems proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies,
or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the Corporation or for any proper purpose, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve.
Section 8. Common Stock. The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of shares of Common Stock are subject to, and qualified by, the rights of the holders of the preferred stock, if any, of the Corporation. Each share of Common Stock shall be treated identically as all other shares of Common Stock with respect to dividends, distributions, rights in liquidation and in all other respects.
ARTICLE VII
INDEMNIFICATION
Section 1. Indemnification Respecting Third Party Claims. The Corporation, to the full extent and in a manner permitted by Nevada law as in effect from time to time, shall indemnify, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, any person (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of any such person) who was or is made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding (including any appeal thereof), whether civil, criminal, administrative, or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of the Corporation or by any corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which the Corporation owns, directly or indirectly through one or more other entities, a majority of the voting power or otherwise possesses a similar degree of control), by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a director, officer, member, manager, partner, trustee, fiduciary, employee or agent (a “Subsidiary Officer”) of another corporation, limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise (any such entity for which a Subsidiary Officer so serves, an “Associated Entity”), against expenses, including attorneys’ fees and disbursements, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person is not liable pursuant to NPCL 78.138, or acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided, however, that (i) the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity against expenses incurred in connection with an action, suit, proceeding or investigation to which such person is threatened to be made a party but does not become a party unless the incurring of such expenses was authorized by or under the authority of the Board of Directors and (ii) the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify against any amount paid in settlement unless the Board of Directors has consented to such settlement. The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement or conviction or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person (i) is liable pursuant to NPCL 78.138 or (ii) did not act in good faith and in a manner which such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, that such person had reasonable cause to believe that his conduct was unlawful. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing provisions of this Section 1, a person shall not be entitled, as a matter of right, to indemnification pursuant to this Section 1 against costs or expenses incurred in connection with any action, suit or proceeding commenced by such person against the Corporation or any Associated Entity or any person who is or was a director, officer, fiduciary, employee or agent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Officer of any Associated Entity (including, without limitation, any action, suit or proceeding commenced by such person to enforce such person’s rights under this Article, unless and only to the extent that such person is successful on the merits of such claim), but such indemnification may be provided by the Corporation in a specific case as permitted by Section 7 below in this Article.
Section 2. Indemnification Respecting Derivative Claims. The Corporation, to the full extent and in a manner permitted by Nevada law as in effect from time to time, shall indemnify, in accordance with the provisions of this Article, any person (including the heirs, executors, administrators or estate of any such person) who was or is
made a party to or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action or suit (including any appeal thereof) brought in the right of the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity, against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) and costs actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or settlement of such action or suit if such person is not liable pursuant to NPCL 78.138, or acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation, except that no indemnification shall be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom to be liable to the Corporation unless, and only to the extent that the court in which such action or suit was brought or other court of competent jurisdiction determines that, in view of all the circumstances of the case, such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses and costs as a court of competent jurisdiction or such other court shall deem proper; provided, however, that the Corporation shall not be obligated to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity against expenses incurred in connection with an action or suit to which such person is threatened to be made a party but does not become a party unless the incurrence of such expenses was authorized by or under the authority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, a person shall not be entitled, as a matter of right, to indemnification pursuant to this Section 2 against costs and expenses incurred in connection with any action or suit in the right of the Corporation commenced by such person, but such indemnification may be provided by the Corporation in any specific case as permitted by Section 7 below in this Article.
Section 3. Determination of Entitlement to Indemnification. Any indemnification to be provided under either of Section 1 or 2 above in this Article (unless ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction or advanced as provided in Section 5 of this Article) shall be made by the Corporation only as authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification of the director, officer, employee or agent is proper under the circumstances. Such determination must be made (a) by the stockholders, (b) by the board of directors by majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding, (c) if a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding so orders, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (d) if a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the action, suit or proceeding cannot be obtained, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion. In the event a request for indemnification is made by any person referred to in Section 1 or 2 above in this Article, the Corporation shall use its reasonable best efforts to cause such determination to be made not later than sixty (60) days after such request is made after the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding.
Section 4. Right to Indemnification upon Successful Defense and for Service as a Witness. (a) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Article, to the extent that a present or former director or officer has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred to in either of Section 1 or 2 above in this Article, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) and costs actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
(b) To the extent any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation or a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity has served or prepared to serve as a witness in, but is not a party to, any action, suit or proceeding (whether civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or investigative in nature), including any investigation by any legislative or regulatory body or by any securities or commodities exchange of which the Corporation or an Associated Entity is a member or to the jurisdiction of which it is subject, by reason of his or her services as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or his or her service as a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity (assuming such person is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Subsidiary Officer of such Associated Entity), the Corporation may indemnify such person against expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) and out-of-pocket costs actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith and, if the Corporation has determined to so indemnify such person, shall use its reasonable best efforts to provide such indemnity within sixty (60) days after receipt by the Corporation from such person of a statement requesting such indemnification, averring such service and reasonably evidencing such expenses and
costs; it being understood, however, that the Corporation shall have no obligation under this Article to compensate such person for such person’s time or efforts so expended.
Section 5. Advance of Expenses. (a) Expenses incurred by any present or former director or officer of the Corporation in defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding shall, to the extent permitted by law, be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking in writing by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined by a court of competent jurisdiction that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation as authorized by this Article.
(b) Expenses and costs incurred by any other person referred to in Section 1 or 2 above in this Article in defending a civil, criminal, administrative, regulatory or investigative action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the Corporation in advance of the final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding as authorized by or under the authority of the Board of Directors upon receipt of an undertaking in writing by or on behalf of such person to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not entitled to be indemnified by the Corporation in respect of such costs and expenses as authorized by this Article and subject to any limitations or qualifications provided by or under the authority of the Board of Directors.
Section 6. Notice of Action; Assumption of the Defense. Promptly after receipt by any person referred to in Section 1, 2 or 5 above in this Article of notice of the commencement of any action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or advancement of expenses may be sought under any such Section, such person (the “Indemnitee”) shall notify the Corporation thereof. The Corporation shall be entitled to participate in the defense of any such action, suit or proceeding and, to the extent that it may wish, except in the case of a criminal action or proceeding, to assume the defense thereof with counsel chosen by it. If the Corporation shall have notified the Indemnitee of its election so to assume the defense, it shall be a condition of any further obligation of the Corporation under such Sections to indemnify the Indemnitee with respect to such action, suit or proceeding that the Indemnitee shall have provided an undertaking in writing to repay all legal or other costs and expenses subsequently incurred by the Corporation in conducting such defense if it shall ultimately be determined that the Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified in respect of the costs and expenses of such action, suit or proceeding by the Corporation as authorized by this Article. Notwithstanding anything in this Article to the contrary, after the Corporation shall have notified the Indemnitee of its election so to assume the defense, the Corporation shall not be liable under such Sections for any legal or other costs or expenses subsequently incurred by the Indemnitee in connection with the defense of such action, suit or proceeding, unless (a) the parties thereto include both (i) the Corporation and the Indemnitee, or (ii) the Indemnitee and other persons who may be entitled to seek indemnification or advancement of expenses under any such Section and with respect to whom the Corporation shall have elected to assume the defense, and (b) the counsel chosen by the Corporation to conduct the defense shall have determined, in their sole discretion, that, under applicable standards of professional conduct, a conflict of interest exists that would prevent them from representing both (i) the Corporation and the Indemnitee, or (ii) the Indemnitee and such other persons, as the case may be, in which case the Indemnitee may retain separate counsel at the expense of the Corporation to the extent provided in such Sections and Section 3 above in this Article.
Section 7. Indemnification Not Exclusive. The provision of indemnification to or the advancement of expenses and costs to any person under this Article, or the entitlement of any person to indemnification or advancement of expenses and costs under this Article does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the articles of incorporation or any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, for either an action in his official capacity or an action in another capacity while holding his office, except that indemnification, unless ordered by a court pursuant to NPCL 78.7502 or for the advancement of expenses made pursuant to Section 5 of this Article may not be made to or on behalf of any director or officer if a final adjudication establishes that his acts or omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the law and was material to the cause of action.
Section 8. Corporate Obligations; Reliance. The provisions of Sections 1, 2, 4(a) and 5(a) above of this Article shall be deemed to create a binding obligation on the part of the Corporation to the directors, officers,
employees and agents of the Corporation, and the persons who are serving at the request of the Corporation as Subsidiary Officers of Associated Entities, on the effective date of this Article and persons thereafter elected as directors and officers or retained as employees or agents, or serving at the request of the Corporation as Subsidiary Officers of Associated Entities (including persons who served as directors, officers, employees and agents, or served at the request of the Corporation as Subsidiary Officers of Associated Entities, on or after such date but who are no longer so serving at the time they present claims for advancement of expenses or indemnity), and such persons in acting in their capacities as directors, officers, employees or agents of the Corporation, or serving at the request of the Corporation as Subsidiary Officers of any Associated Entity, shall be entitled to rely on such provisions of this Article.
Section 9. Further Changes. Neither the amendment nor repeal of this Article, nor the adoption of any provision of the Articles of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article, shall eliminate or reduce the effect of such provisions in respect of any act or omission or any matter occurring prior to such amendment, repeal or adoption of an inconsistent provision regardless of when any cause of action, suit or claim relating to any such matter accrued or matured or was commenced, and such provision shall continue to have effect in respect of such act, omission or matter as if such provision had not been so amended or repealed or if a provision inconsistent therewith had not been so adopted.
Section 10. Successors. The right, if any, of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity, to indemnification or advancement of expenses under Sections 1 through 9 above in this Article shall continue after he shall have ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent or a Subsidiary Officer of an Associated Entity and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, distributees, executors, administrators and other legal representatives of such person.
Section 11. Insurance. (a) The Corporation may purchase and maintain insurance or make other financial arrangements on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the Corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the Corporation as a Subsidiary Officer of any Associated Entity, against any liability asserted against such person and liability and expenses incurred by such person in any such capacity, or arising out of such person’s status as such, whether or not the Corporation would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability and expenses.
(b) The other financial arrangements made by the Corporation pursuant to subsection (a) may include the following: (i) the creation of a trust fund; (ii) the establishment of a program of self-insurance; (iii) the securing of its obligation of indemnification by granting a security interest or other lien on any assets of the Corporation; and (iv) the establishment of a letter of credit, guaranty or surety. No financial arrangement made pursuant to this subsection may provide protection for a person adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction, after exhaustion of all appeals therefrom, to be liable for intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of law, except with respect to the advancement of expenses or indemnification ordered by a court.
(c) Any insurance or other financial arrangement made on behalf of a person pursuant to this section may be provided by the Corporation or any other person approved by the board of directors, even if all or part of the other person’s stock or other securities is owned by the Corporation.
(d) In the absence of fraud: (i) the decision of the Board of Directors as to the propriety of the terms and conditions of any insurance or other financial arrangement made pursuant to this Section and the choice of the person to provide the insurance or other financial arrangement is conclusive; and (ii) the insurance or other financial arrangement (A) is not void or voidable, and (B) does not subject any director approving it to personal liability for his action, even if, in either case, a director approving the insurance or other financial arrangement is a beneficiary of the insurance or other financial arrangement.
Section 12. Definitions of Certain Terms. For purposes of this Article, references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “serving at the request of the Corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer employee or agent of the Corporation or as a Subsidiary Officer of any Associated Entity which service imposes duties on, or involves services by, such person with respect to any employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Corporation” as referred to in this Article.
ARTICLE VIII
GENERAL
Section 1. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the Corporation shall be such date as shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors from time to time.
Section 2. Corporate Seal. The corporate seal shall have inscribed thereon the name of the Corporation, the year of its organization and the words “Corporate Seal, Nevada” The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise upon any paper, certificate or document.
Section 3. Disbursements. All checks, drafts or demands for money out of the funds of the Corporation and all notes and other evidences of indebtedness of the Corporation shall be signed by such officer or officers or such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may from time to time designate.
Section 4. Amendments. These By-Laws may be altered, amended or repealed, in whole or in part, or new By-Laws may be adopted by the stockholders or by the Board of Directors at any meeting thereof; provided, however, that notice of such alteration, amendment, repeal or adoption of new By-Laws shall be contained in the notice of such meeting of stockholders or in a notice of such meeting of the Board of Directors, as the case may be. Unless a higher percentage is required by law or by the Articles of Incorporation as to any matter which is the subject of these By-Laws, all such amendments must be approved by either the affirmative vote of holders of shares of capital stock issued and outstanding entitled to vote thereon representing at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast thereon or by a majority of the entire Board of Directors then in office.
Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Article and in these By-Laws generally, the term “entire Board of Directors” means the total number of directors which the Corporation would have if there were no vacancies.
Section 6. Exclusive Forums. (a) Except for (i) actions in which courts in the State of Nevada conclude that an indispensable party is not subject to the jurisdiction of the Nevada courts, (ii) actions described in Section 6(b) of this Article below and (iii) actions in which a federal court has assumed exclusive jurisdiction of a proceeding, any derivative action brought by or on behalf of the Corporation, and any direct action brought by a stockholder against the Corporation or any of its directors or officers, alleging a violation of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation or these By-laws or breach of fiduciary duties or other violation of Nevada decisional law relating to the internal affairs of the Corporation, shall be brought in the state courts of the State of Nevada, which shall be the sole and exclusive forum for such proceedings; provided, however, that the Corporation may consent to an alternative forum for any such proceedings upon the approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation.
(b) Unless the Corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum upon the approval of the Board of Directors of the Corporation, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including, without limitation, the U.S. district court for the district of Nevada.
(c) Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in any security of the Corporation shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this Section 6.
Exhibit 10.1
EKSO BIONICS HOLDINGS, INC.
AMENDED AND RESTATED 2014 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN (AS OF APRIL 13, 2021)
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:
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to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,
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to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and
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to promote the success of the Company’s business.
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The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.
(c) “Amendment Date” means December 29, 2020.
(d) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.
(e) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.
(f) “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(g) “Board” means the board of directors of the Company.
(h) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:
(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of stock in the Company that, together with the stock already held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any Person who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company before the acquisition will not be considered a Change in Control; or
(ii) The individuals who constitute the members of the Board cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members of the Board; or
(iii) The consummation of any of the following events: (A) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, or (B) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) above would be the result. For purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial
portion of the Company’s assets or a Change in Control: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total equity or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (iii)(B)(3) above. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.
For purposes of this Section 2(g), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation or other entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.
Notwithstanding the preceding, to the extent “Change in Control” is a payment trigger, and not merely a vesting trigger, for any 409A Award, a “Change in Control” shall not be deemed to have occurred unless such “Change in Control” is also a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of the Company, as described in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A-3(i)(5).
(i) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.
(j) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.
(k) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.
(l) “Company” means Ekso Bionics Holdings, Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.
(m) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, other than an Employee engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to such entity.
(n) “Determination Date” means the latest possible date that will not jeopardize the qualification of an Award granted under the Plan as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.
(o) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(p) “Disability” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time. The Administrator, in its discretion, may revise this definition of “Disability” for any grant, except to the extent that the Disability is a payment event under a 409A Award, in which event the definition of “Disability” in Treas. Reg. Section 1.409A.-3(i)(4) shall apply and cannot be changed after the 409A Award is granted.
(q) “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 18 hereof.
(r) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, other than a Consultant employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(s) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(t) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.
(u) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as the Administrator may determine in good faith, by reference to the closing price of such stock on any established stock exchange or on a
national market system on the day of determination, if the Common Stock is so listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system. If the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system, the value of the Common Stock will be determined as the Administrator may determine in good faith using (i) a valuation methodology set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B) or (ii) with respect to valuations applicable to Awards that are not subject to Code Section 409A, such other valuation methods as the Administrator may select.
(v) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(w) “409A Award” means any Award that is treated as a deferral of compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
(x) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(y) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or expressly provides that it is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(z) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(aa) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof.
(bb) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.
(cc) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(dd) “Performance Goals” will have the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.
(ee) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.
(ff) “Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(gg) “Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10 hereof.
(hh) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which transfers of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and, therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events specified in the applicable Award, as interpreted and construed by the Administrator.
(ii) “Plan” means this Amended and Restated 2014 Equity Incentive Plan.
(jj) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 hereof, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.
(kk) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(ll) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(mm) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(nn) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director, or Consultant.
(oo) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 hereof.
(pp) “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(qq) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Reserved Shares. Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is One Million Nine Hundred Seventy-Four Thousand Two Hundred Eighty-Six (1,974,286). The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.
(b) Lapsed Awards. Except as otherwise provided this in Section, for every Share subject to Awards, the Shares available for grant hereunder shall be reduced by one. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares subject to an Award that are transferred to or retained by the Company to pay the tax and/or exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan and, for the elimination of doubt, the number of Shares of equal value to such cash payment shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, Shares subject to an Award under the Plan may not again be made available for issuance under the Plan if such Shares are (x) Shares that were subject to an Option or a share-settled Stock Appreciation Right and were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right, (y) Shares delivered to or withheld by the Company or any Affiliate to pay the exercise price or the withholding taxes under an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or (z) Shares repurchased on the open market with the proceeds of an Option exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(b), subject to adjustment provided in Section 14 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a) above, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).
(c) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.
4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees may be established with respect to different groups of Service Providers; in that event, the Committee established with respect to a group of Service Providers shall administer the Plan with respect to Awards granted to members of such group.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(iv) Delegation of Authority. The Committee shall be the Plan Administrator and shall have the sole and plenary authority, in addition to other express powers and authorizations conferred on the Administrator by the Plan; provided, however, except to the extent prohibited by applicable law or the applicable rules and regulations of any securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the securities of the Company are listed or traded, the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and
may delegate all or any part of its responsibilities and powers to any person or persons selected by it. Any such allocation or delegation may be revoked by the Committee at any time. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may delegate to one or more Officers of the Company or any of its Affiliates the authority to act on behalf of the Committee with respect to any matter, right, obligation, or election that is the responsibility of or that is allocated to the Committee herein, and that may be so delegated as a matter of law, except for grants of Awards to persons who are non-employee Directors or otherwise are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the Plan, the Board may, in its sole discretion, at any time and from time to time, grant Awards and administer the Plan with respect to such Awards. In any such case, the Board shall have all the authority granted to the Committee under the Plan.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:
(i) to determine Fair Market Value;
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the terms and condition, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to institute an Exchange Program and to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, for (1) the surrender or cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for Awards of the same type, Awards of a different type, and/or cash, or (2) the reduction of the exercise price of outstanding Awards;
(v) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;
(vii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c) hereof);
(viii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to reflect or implement the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(ix) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine consistent with the requirements for compliance with or exemption from the provisions of Code Section 409A; and
(x) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as set forth in Section 14(a) of this Plan or as otherwise permitted in connection with a substitution of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right in connection with a corporate transaction and to the extent consistent with Section 409A or Section 422 of the Code, as applicable, the Administrator may not, without shareholder approval, (a) reprice any Options or Stock Appreciation Rights or (b) pay cash or issue new Awards (including Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units or any other full value Awards) in exchange for the surrender and cancellation of any, or all, of a Service Provider’s outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights at a time when the exercise price for such outstanding Options or Stock Appreciation Rights exceeds the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock.
(c) Foreign Participants. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in order to comply with the laws in other countries in which the Company and its Affiliates operate or have Service Providers, or in order to comply with the requirements of any foreign securities exchange, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the power and authority to: (a) determine which Affiliates shall be covered by the Plan; (b) determine which Service Providers outside the United States are eligible to participate in the Plan; (c) modify the terms and conditions of any Award granted to Service Providers outside the United States to comply with applicable foreign laws or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange; (d) establish subplans and modify exercise procedures and other terms and procedures, to the extent such actions may be necessary or advisable (and any such subplans and/or modifications shall be attached to the Plan as appendices); provided, however, that no such subplans and/or
modifications shall increase the Share limit described in Section 3 of this Plan; and (e) take any action, before or after an Award is made, that it deems advisable to obtain approval or comply with any necessary local governmental regulatory exemptions or approvals or listing requirements of any such foreign securities exchange. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may not take any actions hereunder, and no Awards shall be granted, that would violate the Code, the Exchange Act, the Securities Act, the rules of the securities exchange or automated quotation system on which the Shares are listed, quoted or traded or any other applicable law.
(d) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations, and interpretations will be final, binding and conclusive on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.
5. Award Eligibility and Limitations.
(a) General Rule. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other cash or stock awards may be granted to Service Providers as determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees. No Participant or any other person shall have any claim to be granted an Award under the Plan at any time, and the Company is not obligated to extend uniform treatment to Participants under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to each Participant.
(b) Special Rule Regarding 2014 Merger. As soon as practicable after the later of the Effective Date or the effective time of that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger and Reorganization, dated as of January 15, 2014 to which the Company is a party, the Company shall take or cause to be taken appropriate actions (i) to collect the options (and the agreements evidencing such options) issued under the Berkeley Exotech, Inc. 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, and outstanding immediately prior to the effective time of such merger agreement, and (ii) provided such options are canceled (or deemed to be canceled) pursuant to the terms of such merger agreement and equity incentive plan, the Administrator shall issue or cause to be issued to the holder of each such canceled option, an Award on such terms as the Administrator terms necessary, consistent with the terms of the Plan, to comply with the provisions of Section 1.8 of such merger agreement.
6. Stock Options.
(a) Limitations.
(i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000 (U.S.), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.
(ii) Subject to the limits set forth in Section 3, the Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Participant.
(b) Term of Option. The Administrator will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof in the case of Incentive Stock Options. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be
granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to the issuance or assumption of an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies in a manner consistent with said Section 424(a).
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.
(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
(d) Exercise of Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.
(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by Award Agreement, if any, or by operation of this Section 6(d)(ii), the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of cessation (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of cessation the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after cessation the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
7. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.
(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(d) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares with respect to which the Award is granted, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) above also will apply to the exercise of Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the “stock appreciation right exercise price,” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(i)(B)(2), i.e., the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right; times
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
8. Restricted Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until such Shares become non-forfeitable at the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise in a manner not prohibited by the Award Agreement.
(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be credited with any dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless
otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. Any such dividends or distributions credited to a Service Provider on account of such Service Provider’s Shares of Restricted Stock will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and provisions for forfeiture as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid and shall only be delivered to a Service Provider upon the expiration of the Period of Restriction applicable to such Shares of Restricted Stock.
(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.
9. Restricted Stock Units.
(a) Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) hereof, may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.
(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed, subject to the prohibition on acceleration of the timing of distribution of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to the Award.
(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.
(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement, which shall satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to such Award. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.
(e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.
10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.
(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.
(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.
(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by
the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Unless otherwise specified in an applicable Award Agreement, payment of earned and vested Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or, but in no event later than two and one-half months after the end of the Company’s taxable year to which such Performance Period relates, or if later, the end of the year in which such Performance Units/Shares are no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.
(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.
11. Performance-Based Compensation.
(a) General. Following the Amendment Date, the Administrator, in its discretion, may decide to grant Awards that are based on Performance Goals (as defined below) pursuant to this Section 11. Any Performance Units or Performance Shares granted prior to November 2, 2017, shall be governed by the terms of the Plan prior to the Amendment Date.
(b) Performance Goals. The granting and/or vesting of Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units and other incentives under the Plan may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals relating to one or more business criteria and may provide for a targeted level or levels of achievement (“Performance Goals”) including, but not limited to, (i) earnings per Share, (ii) operating cash flow, (iii) operating income, (iv) profit after-tax, (v) profit before-tax, (vi) return on assets, (vii) return on equity, (viii) return on sales, (ix) revenue, (x) total shareholder return, (xi) EBITDA, (xii) revenue or market share, (xiii) budget achievement, (xiv) achieving a level of productivity, (xv) completing acquisitions or dispositions of other businesses or assets, or integrating acquired businesses or assets, (xvi) scientific or regulatory achievements, (xvii) implementation, completion or attainment of measurable objectives with respect to research, development, patents, inventions, products, projects or facilities and other key performance indicators, (xviii) introducing products into one or more new markets, (xix) expense reduction or cost savings, and (xx) productivity improvements. Any Performance Goals may be used to measure the performance of the Company as a whole or a business unit of the Company and may be measured relative to a peer group or index. The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. The Administrator may determine whether any significant element(s) will be included in or excluded from the calculation of any Performance Goal with respect to any Participant.
12. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months and one day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.
13. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of
descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iv) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
14. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control; 2014 Merger.
(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Change in Control. In the event of a merger or Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines, including, without limitation, that each Award will be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation (the “Successor Corporation”). The Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in the transaction.
In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed vested and be payable at the higher of (i) fully vested to the extent of actual achievement of the Performance Goals, or (ii) pro-rata vesting to the extent of deemed achievement of the target levels, with such pro-rata vesting calculated by reference to the number of full calendar days that a Participant was a Service Provider during the Performance Period). In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.
For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to settle in cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to settle in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.
Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will
not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 14(c) to the contrary, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, the Administrator may, but shall not be obligated to accelerate, vest or cause the restrictions to lapse with respect to, all or any portion of an Award.
(d) Assumption of Awards by the Company. The Company, from time to time, also may substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either; (a) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award; or (b) assuming such award as if it had been granted under this Plan if the terms of such assumed award could be applied to an Award granted under this Plan. Such substitution or assumption will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. In the event the Company assumes an award granted by another company, the terms and conditions of such award will remain unchanged (except that the purchase price or the Exercise Price, as the case may be, and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement of any such Award will be adjusted appropriately pursuant to Section 424(a) of the Code). In the event the Company elects to grant a new Option in substitution rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted Exercise Price. Substitute Awards shall not reduce the number of Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in a calendar year.
15. Tax Withholding.
(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).
(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.
16. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
17. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
18. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 22 hereof, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board (the “Effective Date”). It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 19 hereof; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of this Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.
19. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.
(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.
(b) Stockholder Approval. The Company will obtain stockholder approval of the Plan and any Plan amendment to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
20. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Limitation on Exercise of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the terms of any Award Agreement to the contrary, the Administrator shall have the absolute discretion to impose a “blackout” period on the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right, as well as the settlement of any Award, with respect to any or all Participants (including those whose employment or service has terminated) to the extent that it determines that doing so is required or desirable in order to comply with applicable securities laws, provided that, if any blackout period occurs, the term of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right shall not expire until the earlier of (i) 30 days after the blackout period ends or (ii) the Option’s or Stock Appreciation Right’s expiration date but only if within 30 days thereafter the Company makes a cash payment to each affected Participant in an amount equal to the value of the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (as determined by the Administrator) immediately before its expiration and to the extent then vested and exercisable.
(c) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
(d) Restrictive Legends. All Award Agreements and all securities of the Company issued pursuant thereto shall bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer and such other legends as the appropriate officer of the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities and other laws.
21. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
22. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws, including without limitation Section 422 of the Code. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be void ab initio and of no effect. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Awards shall be exercisable until the date of such stockholder approval.
23. Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. If any Service Provider shall, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan, make the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, such Service Provider shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service and provide the Company with a copy thereof, in addition to any filing and a notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Section 83(b) of the Code. A Service Provider shall not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award of a Restricted Stock Unit.
24. Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code. Each Service Provider shall notify the Company of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within ten (10) days of such disposition.
25. 409A. This Plan and the Awards granted hereunder are intended to either comply with, or be exempt from, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with that intention. If at the time of a Service Provider’s separation from service,
such individual is considered a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any payment of nonqualified deferred compensation that such Service Provider becomes entitled to under the Plan or any Award is deemed payable on account of such individual’s separation from service, then any such payment shall be delayed and paid without interest on the first to occur of (i) six months and one day after the individual’s separation from service, or (ii) the individual’s death. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under this Plan comply with, or are exempt from, Section 409A and in no event shall the Company be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Service Provider on account of Section 409A or any other provision of the Code.
26. Governing Law. The law of the State of Nevada shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of laws rules, subject to the Company’s intention that the Plan satisfies the requirements of jurisdictions outside of the United States of America with respect to Awards subject to such jurisdictions.