As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 17, 2021

Registration No. 333-255683

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO
FORM S‑1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Under

The Securities Act of 1933

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

7389
(Primary Standard Industrial
Classification Code Number)

45-3188251

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

(888) 440-4826

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Dushyant Sharma

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

18390 NE 68th St.
Redmond, WA 98052

(888) 440-4826

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:

 

Michael Nordtvedt

Tony Jeffries

Victor Nilsson

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati,

Professional Corporation

701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5100

Seattle, WA 98104

(206) 883-2500

John Morrow

General Counsel and Secretary

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.
Redmond, WA 98052

(888) 440-4826

Byron B. Rooney

Emily Roberts

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

450 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10017
(212) 450-4000

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933 check the following box:

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of Securities Act.

 

CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

 

Title of Each Class
of Securities to be Registered

Shares
to be
Registered(1)

Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price Per Share(2)

Proposed Maximum
Aggregate
Offering Price(1)(2)

Amount of
Registration Fee(3)

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share

11,500,000

21.00

$241,500,000

$26,348

 

(1)Includes 1,500,000 shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase.

(2)Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(3)The registrant previously paid $10,910 of this amount in connection with a prior filing of this registration statement.

 

The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 

 


The information contained in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

 

Subject to Completion. Dated May 17, 2021

10,000,000 Shares

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Class A Common Stock

 

 

This is an initial public offering of shares of Class A common stock of Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price will be between $19.00 and $21.00 per share. We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PAY.”

Following this offering, we will have two classes of authorized common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be identical, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Each share of Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share. Each share of Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share and will be convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. Immediately following the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, shares of our Class B common stock beneficially owned by affiliates of Accel-KKR, or AKKR, and our founder and chief executive officer will collectively represent approximately 98.5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock, assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. Following this offering and the concurrent private placement, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange. See the section titled “Management—Controlled Company.”

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws and, as such, have elected to comply with certain reduced public company reporting requirements in this prospectus and may elect to do so in future filings.

 

 

See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 20 to read about factors you should consider before deciding to invest in shares of our Class A common stock.

 

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

Per Share

 

Total

Initial public offering price

 

$

 

$

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

 

$

 

$

Proceeds, before expenses, to Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

 

$

 

$

 

(1)   See the section titled “Underwriting” for a description of the compensation payable to the underwriters.

We have granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock from us at the initial public offering price, less the underwriting discounts and commissions.

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 500,000 shares of Class A common stock, or up to 5% of the shares offered by this prospectus, for sale at the initial public offering price through a directed share program to our senior executives and certain individuals associated with AKKR. See the section titled “Underwriting—Directed Share Program.”

Entities affiliated with AKKR have agreed to purchase an aggregate of $50 million of our Class A common stock in a private placement at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. This transaction is contingent upon, and is scheduled to close immediately following, the closing of this offering.

One or more funds advised by Capital World Investors and one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. have, severally but not jointly, indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of $30 million each ($60 million in the aggregate) in shares of our Class A common stock being offered in this offering at the initial public offering price. As these indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. may determine to purchase more, fewer or no shares in this offering or the underwriters may determine to sell more, fewer or no shares to one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The underwriters will receive the same discount on any shares of Class A common stock purchased by one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. as they will on any other shares of Class A common stock sold to the public in this offering.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A common stock against payment in New York, New York on          , 2021.

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

J.P. Morgan

 

BofA Securities

 

Citigroup

 

Baird

 

Nomura

 

Raymond James

 

Wells Fargo Securities

 

Fifth Third Securities

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

AmeriVet Securities

 

C.L. King & Associates

 

 

Prospectus dated              , 2021

 

 


 

Paymentus Powering the Next generation of Electronic Bill Payments

 


 

 

We enable the electronic bill payment value chain Billers Innovation User Experience Network Partners Flexible Implementation Technology Reduce Costs Single Vendor Relationship Consumers Paymentus

 


 

 

Disrupting electronic bill payments through an integrated, cloud-based platform that simplifies and promotes engagement between our billers and partners and their consumers

 


 

 

Paymentus Strong, Profitable Financial Profile $302M Revenue 2020 $13M Net Income 2020 28% Revenue Growth 2020 Year-over-Year Tremendous Scale >195M Transaction Processed 2020 >1,300 Billers As of December 31.2020 Extensive reach ~ 16M Monthly Consumers and business users in December 2020 Diversified Across industries

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

Page

LETTER FROM DUSHYANT SHARMA, OUR FOUNDER AND CEO

ii

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

1

RISK FACTORS

20

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

58

MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

59

USE OF PROCEEDS

60

DIVIDEND POLICY

61

CAPITALIZATION

62

DILUTION

64

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

66

BUSINESS

86

MANAGEMENT

106

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

114

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

125

PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

127

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

129

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

136

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK

138

UNDERWRITING

142

Concurrent Private Placement

151

LEGAL MATTERS

151

EXPERTS

151

CHANGES IN INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

152

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

153

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

F-1

 

 

Through and including             , 2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

Neither we nor any of the underwriters have authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different than the information contained in this prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. Neither we nor the underwriters take any responsibility for, and cannot provide any assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. The information contained in this prospectus or in any applicable free writing prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus or such free writing prospectus, as applicable, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any such free writing prospectus or of any sale of the securities offered hereby. Our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects may have changed since that date.

This prospectus is an offer to sell only the securities offered hereby and only under circumstances and in jurisdictions where it is lawful to do so. Neither we nor any of the underwriters have taken any action that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons who have come into possession of this prospectus in a jurisdiction outside the United States are required to inform themselves about and to observe any restrictions relating to this offering and the distribution of this prospectus.

 

 

i


 

 

Letter from Dushyant Sharma, our Founder and CEO

Seventeen years ago, I started Paymentus to solve a decades old problem – the complexity of bills and payments. Every year, billions of paper bills are paid by billions of paper checks, and there is an inherently flawed application of technology to the same paper paradigm. This problem touches consumers and businesses in the country and around the world.

Having spent my entire career in payments, I knew this massive challenge could be solved and have made it my life’s work to tackle it. In 2004, when I first attempted to obtain a patent for some of this technology, the application was denied, and it was suggested that electronic bill payments could be solved using a fax machine. I knew there was a better way. From the very beginning, my vision was to simplify how bills are paid through a next-generation platform that improves the experience of our billers and their consumers, both directly and through a broad network of partners that shifts the legacy paradigm toward modern channels and payment options that consumers demand.

When creating our initial strategy in 2004, we had to look far into the future of what the bill payments industry could become. This led us to design a strategy staggered over three expanding horizons, each of which continues to shape how we address the problem and remains a core part of our execution today. Horizon one began in 2004 with a focus on building a next-generation platform that targets mid-size billers, initially to prove to the market that our solutions worked. We have executed well and built a profitable and fast-growing business over this horizon. Horizon two started in 2011 when we brought on Accel-KKR as our investment partner to support a move up-market to serve larger billers. Over this horizon our growth has accelerated to over 1,300 billers, including many large national billers, and our reach has grown to approximately 16 million monthly users. We began executing on horizon three in 2019. We believe horizon three represents a unique growth opportunity for Paymentus, leveraging the growing biller and consumer footprint we have formed over horizons one and two, to build a more expansive global network – the Instant Payment Network, or IPN. The IPN combines the power of billers, consumers and global platforms to embed Paymentus as the heart of the bill payments ecosystem. We are proud that the founding partners of the IPN are PayPal and Walmart, and we are optimistic about our ability to continue to attract more IPN partners. I founded Paymentus to disrupt the bill payment ecosystem and I am more excited than ever about our ability to create value for our billers, partners, consumers, and now, public stockholders.

None of this would be possible without our team that works tirelessly to grow our business and create value for our stockholders. This team has built and operated large scale software and payment businesses and has the expertise to successfully execute the strategy I have designed. Together, we remain agile in the face of constantly evolving technology and consumer demands. Historically, we have focused on bill payments from consumers to businesses, but recently we have added business-to-business invoice payments as well as pay-out and disbursements capabilities. I am excited about these new offerings, and others that are in development, and am confident we have the talent and expertise to capture even more opportunities.

I remain humbled that the strategy developed during our formative years has come to fruition, and am even more energized about what the future has in store. I believe Paymentus is very well positioned for long-term, sustainable growth and to capitalize on this massive market opportunity with our:

 

next generation billing and payments platform;

 

fast growing and diverse customer base;

 

extensive reach of billers and users;

 

state of the art Instant Payment Network;

 

global consumer platforms as our IPN partners;

 

highly efficient distribution model; and

 

an amazing team with great experience to continue to lead the company on its successful path.

 

We are just getting started in our pursuit to modernize bill payments and look forward to having you join our journey to simplify how bills are paid!


Dushyant Sharma

Founder and CEO

 

 

ii


 

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. It does not contain all the information you should consider before investing in our Class A common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. In this prospectus, unless the context requires otherwise, all references to “we,” “our,” “us,” “Paymentus,” and the “Company” refer to Paymentus Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.

Our Mission

Our mission is to simplify how bills are paid.

Our Company

Paymentus is a leading provider of cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions. We deliver our next-generation product suite through a modern technology stack to more than 1,300 business clients—our billers. Our platform was used by approximately 16 million consumers and businesses in North America in December 2020 to pay their bills and engage with our billers. We serve billers of all sizes that provide non-discretionary services across a variety of industry verticals, including utilities, financial services, insurance, government, telecommunications and healthcare. By powering this comprehensive network of billers, each with their own set of bill payment requirements, we have created an enviable feedback loop that enables us to continuously drive innovation, grow our business and uniquely improve the electronic bill payment experience for everyone in the bill payment ecosystem.

Our platform provides our billers with easy-to-use, flexible and secure electronic bill payment experiences powered by an omni-channel payment infrastructure that allows consumers to pay their bills using their preferred payment type and channel. Because our platform is developed on a single code base and leverages a SaaS infrastructure, we can rapidly deploy new features and tools to our entire biller base simultaneously. Through a single point of integration to our billers’ core financial and operating systems, our mission-critical solutions provide our billers with a payments operating system that helps them collect revenue faster and more profitably and empower their consumers with the information and transparency needed to control their financial destiny.

We extend our platform’s reach through our Instant Payment Network, or IPN. This is a proprietary network, consisting of tens of thousands of billers, that connects our integrated billing, payment and reconciliation capabilities with our IPN partners’ platforms. Our IPN enables our partners, which include leading consumer brands and financial institutions, to access our next-generation electronic bill payment technology using the same integrated platform we provide directly to our billers. By being connected to our IPN, our IPN partners provide their consumers with the full capabilities of our next-generation product suite, including the ability to engage with and make payments to our large and growing base of billers. Those partners in turn expand our platform’s reach to millions of additional consumers in the United States and globally.

Paying bills is a fundamental obligation for people around the world and a recurring relationship exists between consumers and billers for non-discretionary, essential services. There were approximately 128 million households in the United States as of December 31, 2020, paying an average of ten bills per month per household. Bill payments represented 58% of total monthly expenditures among U.S. adults in a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Banks, with total estimated bill payment spending exceeding $4.6 trillion in the United States in 2020. Despite its ubiquity, the bill payment industry suffers from under-investment in technology, which creates slow, often manual and error-prone experiences for billers and consumers.

Today, most billers rely on legacy bill payment systems from financial institutions or biller-direct solutions. Both of these systems create challenges for billers and their consumers. Financial institutions often lack the ability to view billing details or obtain payment confirmation and limit payment types to their own checking accounts. Similarly, billers traditionally rely on non-integrated, multi-vendor solutions, which force consumers into a decentralized and fragmented experience. These legacy solutions result in inefficiencies in consumer communication, electronic bill presentment and payment capture, which hinder a biller’s ability to create a holistic and accurate perspective on its cash flow.

1


 

We address these inefficiencies through our cloud-native, integrated single-vendor solution. Our platform supports omni-channel, electronic bill payments across multiple commerce channels, including online, mobile, interactive voice response, or IVR, call center, chatbot and voice-based assistants. As we do not charge development or implementation fees, there is no minimum investment necessary for billers to achieve efficiencies from the use of our platform to replace some or all of their legacy bill payment systems or biller-direct solutions. We simplify how bills are paid and help our billers collect revenue faster and more profitably because our platform is:

 

Scalable: Our mission-critical platform is designed to support high velocity throughput of daily, non-discretionary consumer bill payments.

 

Innovative: Our artificial intelligence, or AI, enabled SaaS architecture is the foundation of our unified platform. Our machine learning, or ML, algorithms continuously learn and self-improve from transaction activity on our platform.

 

Flexible: We support multiple integration modalities to enhance our billers’ ability to consume the full breadth of our platform.

 

Configurable: Our platform can rapidly and cost-effectively reconfigure our business logic to accommodate the specific requirements of the different end markets we serve.

 

Integrated: Our library of over 350 integrations to core accounting software systems, including customer information systems, or CIS (which are software systems used to efficiently manage customer processes and data and often include bill pay, customer service and forecasting and analytics tools), and enterprise resource planning, or ERP, systems (which are software systems used to collect, store, manage and interpret data from many business activities, typically including accounting systems), helps connect disparate systems across the electronic bill payment value chain.

 

Extensible: Our platform is designed to integrate with new payment and consumer engagement technologies as well as new software, strategic and IPN partners.

 

Secure: Our platform is compliant with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI-DSS, and offers an intrusion detection and prevention system, multi-factor authentication and encryption and tokenization capabilities.

Our platform was built on more than ten years of data, investment, network scale and feedback from billers that used our platform on a daily basis. We leverage our next-generation platform and single code base to deploy new solutions across our entire biller base simultaneously. Our ability to rapidly and cost-effectively drive innovation requires a next generation platform powered by deep software integrations across the bill payment value chain, scale and data, which we believe makes our platform difficult to replicate.

Our ability to seamlessly serve billers, partners and consumers uniquely positions us at the center of a three-sided network and enables us to drive a powerful, and accelerating, flywheel effect. Our robust platform attracts billers and partners seeking to build stronger relationships with their consumers. Adding more billers and partners extends our platform’s reach to more consumers. These consumers drive more transactions to our platform, which strengthens biller and partner retention and in turn accelerates our organic growth. As we scale, we expect to drive increases in our operating leverage, which in turn enables higher profitability and more efficient biller and partner acquisition.

2


 

We captured over 15 billion unique transactional and behavioral data points from over 195 million transactions in 2020, across a network of more than 1,300 billers as of December 31, 2020 that had approximately 16 million consumers and business users in December 2020 alone. This rich data set continuously enhances our ML algorithms and AI capabilities, which power the network effects that attract billers, partners and consumers to our platform.

We rely on a diversified go-to-market strategy including direct sales, software and strategic partnerships and our IPN. While the direct sales channel is an important part of our business, we also rely on our software and strategic partners to deliver our solutions to our billers. Our software partners, such as Oracle, integrate our platform into their software products enabling us to power their bill payment capabilities. Our strategic partners, such as U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, refer new billers to our platform and in many cases we jointly sell to prospective customers with our strategic partners. Some of our strategic partners, particularly banks, also integrate our solutions into their platforms to provide an integrated bill presentment and omni-channel bill payment solution to their customers, and as such they are also IPN partners.

Our IPN promotes rapid adoption of our platform through partnerships with leading business networks, including:  

 

Banking Partners: We modernize the bill payment infrastructure of some of the largest U.S. banks, empowering their digital banking consumers with fast, secure and omni-channel payment technology by seamlessly integrating our solution into their core platforms.

 

eCommerce Partner: We power electronic bill payments through the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer, enabling millions of its users to retrieve information about, and pay, their bills for all billers on our network.

 

PayPal: We enable PayPal’s U.S. consumers to pay their bills directly from PayPal apps.

 

Other Partners: Other partners benefit from our IPN in a variety of ways, such as enabling bill payment for consumers at more than 70,000 retail locations. For example, we enable Walmart’s consumers to pay their bills either in-store at retail locations or online via Walmart’s retail websites or mobile apps.

Our enterprise-grade platform creates a compelling value proposition for our more than 1,300 billers as of December 31, 2020, ranging from small and midsize to large businesses. In 2020, we processed over $37.9 billion in transaction volume across a variety of industry verticals. As billers experience the benefits of our platform, they typically expand their usage. In 2020, 57% of our total dollar volume processed was in utilities, 23% in financial institutions and 16% in insurance. In addition, our biller and partner bases are diversified; in 2020, no single biller represented, and no single software, strategic or IPN partner was associated with, more than 10% of the transactions processed.

We have achieved significant growth through our capital efficient model. We generated revenue of $235.8 million in 2019 and $301.8 million in 2020, representing a year-over-year increase of 28.0%. Gross profit was $74.4 million in 2019 and $92.6 million in 2020, contribution profit was $96.7 million in 2019 and $120.5 million in 2020 and adjusted gross profit was $77.1 million in 2019 and $96.1 million in 2020. We had net income of $13.7 million in both 2019 and 2020, and adjusted EBITDA was $26.0 million in 2019 and $28.5 million in 2020. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $17.5 million in 2019 and $35.6 million in 2020, and we generated free cash flow of $6.3 million in 2019 and $20.8 million in 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, we generated revenue of $69.6 million and $92.2 million, respectively, representing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 32.5%. Gross profit was $20.8 million and $27.5 million, contribution profit was $27.6 million and $35.1 million and adjusted gross profit was $21.6 million and $28.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. We had net income of $2.8 million and $3.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of $6.2 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $4.9 million and $7.2 million and we generated free cash flow of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

See the section titled “—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data—Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures” for a discussion of the limitations of contribution profit, adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures for the periods presented.

3


 

Our Industry

The bill payment industry is undergoing technological transformation as consumers and billers demand a straightforward and streamlined approach to electronic bill presentment and payment and consumer engagement. The following key trends are currently defining the industry:

 

electronic bill payment requires an integrated, single-vendor solution;

 

billers and consumers are underserved by financial institutions;

 

emerging payment options through online and mobile channels are transforming the market; and

 

data is being underutilized.

Our Opportunity

The consumer bill payment market presents us with a significant opportunity. There were approximately 128 million households in the United States as of December 31, 2020, paying an average of ten bills per month per household.

According to Aite, U.S. consumers paid approximately 15.5 billion bills in 2020, which represents approximately $4.6 trillion. With less than 2% of those bills processed on our platform during the same period, we believe our platform and network positions us well to capture a meaningful portion of the market.

We believe we could address an even broader opportunity because the configurability and extensibility of our platform enables wider application of our software and solutions across different use cases and geographies. Over the long term, we intend to expand our offering to new and existing billers beyond traditional bill payments. According to the Nilson Report, global electronic payments totaled approximately $34.9 trillion in 2019.

Our Platform

Our platform is purpose-built to transform the way billers get paid and engage with their consumers. Our AI-driven SaaS platform provides a single-vendor solution that enhances the bill payment ecosystem with new functionality and added transparency. Our single code base architecture maximizes the inherent flexibility, extensibility and configurability of our solutions, which allows us to rapidly deploy our solutions to our billers.

4


 

Single Point of Access

APIs: Our easy-to-use application program interfaces, or APIs, enable billers and partners to seamlessly access the entirety of our network through a single connection.

iFrames: Enables our billers and partners to exercise more control over the user experience by customizing the business logic to meet their specific requirements.

Fully Hosted: We also provide a fully hosted alternative for our billers. In this option, our hosted platform provides our billers the full power of our platform without incurring the cost of using their own IT resources.

Technology Solutions

Engagement: We believe billers must regularly engage with their consumers using actionable and contextualized data. Our tools enable billers to provide billing details to their consumers and directly communicate with them over secure channels.

Presentment: Our solution offers electronic bill presentment across numerous channels. Our electronic bill presentment products help billers maximize their reach to accelerate revenue realization and engage consumers more efficiently.

Empowerment: Consumers can control communication preferences, multi-lingual capabilities, self-directed payment scheduling, multi-account management and dispute management. Billers are able to use automated case management and configurable reporting to quickly and comprehensively provide high-quality customer service.

Payment: Our secure and comprehensive omni-channel payment platform supports traditional and emerging payment technologies across multiple currencies and languages across a variety of payment channels. We support one-time payments, as well as future-dated, recurring and payment plan transactions.

Intelligence: Our AI-powered analytics engine produces data-driven insights on consumer preferences, channel usage, bill lifecycles, messaging effectiveness and paper suppression and can be used by billers to improve the consumer experience.

Technology Architecture

Single Code Base: Our extensible, cloud-based platform was built from the ground-up on a single code base with no versioning, which enables rapid deployment of new features and tools in part because there is no need to manage and reconcile separate versions of our software code.

AI / ML: Our platform uses AI and ML algorithms to increase efficiency and extract data-driven insights from transactions and interactions between consumers, billers, partners and our platform.

Our Network

Our innovative technology platform enables us to sit at the nexus of a powerful three-sided network of billers, partners and consumers. We use the power of this network to enhance the number of product features each biller uses to promote transaction growth. In 2020, our average biller used at least ten of 19 core platform features that enable billers to optimize their payment operations and user experience. Our portfolio data shows that payment adoption is highly correlated to feature utilization. By increasing feature usage, we believe we will realize an increase in transaction volume from our billers.

5


 

Our Billers

Our innovative technology platform empowers billers to offer electronic bill payment acceptance across multiple payment types, engage with their consumers and streamline their business operations efficiently and cost-effectively. We attract billers to our platform because our platform modernizes their payment infrastructure and helps them collect revenue faster and more profitably. Our platform is capable of posting payments directly to billers’ systems, which simplifies revenue operations and strengthens the relationship we have with billers.

Value Proposition to Billers

Flexible and Integrated Platform: Billers can offer their consumers a variety of traditional and emerging payment and engagement technologies that enable the billers to collect revenue faster and drive improved customer satisfaction, while reducing costs such as their PCI-DSS compliance burden. Billers have the flexibility to integrate directly to our platform through APIs, iFrames or a fully hosted solution, which allows them to cost-effectively select and customize our solutions to fit their specific requirements. Because our platform is flexible and scalable, and since we do not charge development or implementation fees, our value proposition applies to all billers whether they ultimately choose to use our platform for all of their bills or continue using legacy bill payment systems or biller-direct solutions together with our solutions.

Long-term Growth and Operating Leverage: The scalability of our platform allows billers to capitalize on growth opportunities for their business. While helping billers grow their revenue, we also help reduce costs by leveraging our integrated technology architecture to automate manual workflows, which reduces error-prone manual data entry and efficiently reconciles payments to backend financial and operating systems.

Our Partners

As our biller base expands, we attract market-leading software, strategic and IPN partners that use our platform to power bill payment experiences within their ecosystems. Our innovative platform facilitates a modern bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment experience for our partners’ customers, regardless of partner type.

Software Partners: Our software partners include large third-party technology providers, such as Oracle, which integrate our platform into their software suites to power bill payments for their customers and refer billers to us. For example, ERP providers integrate our platform into their own suite of solutions to offer a comprehensive solution set that enhances their ERP software with bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment capabilities. In certain cases, we have revenue sharing arrangements with our software partners based on our transaction fees. In other cases, rather than a revenue sharing arrangement, we and our software partner mutually benefit from the partnership as the software partner can offer a more comprehensive solution and stronger value proposition to its customers and we receive broader reach to potential billers and consumers, an efficient biller acquisition channel and stronger biller retention from an integrated solution.

Strategic Partners: Similar to our software providers, our strategic partners refer billers to us and, in many cases, integrate our solutions into their platforms. Our strategic partners, including U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, work with us to offer bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment capabilities to their customers, which are billers. For example, a large commercial bank has many business clients who seek to improve and streamline the bill presentment and bill payment experience for their consumers. In that case, the large commercial bank partners with us to sell a joint solution. In other cases, the

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commercial bank may prefer to sell a white-labeled solution, which it obtains from us. Both co-sale and white-label arrangements typically involve revenue sharing agreements with the strategic partner based on the transaction fees we receive.

IPN Partners: Our IPN partners work with us to gain access to broader biller networks and provide their consumers with innovative technology to streamline bill payments. Our IPN partners include PayPal, for which we power bill payment capabilities, a leading global ecommerce retailer, through which we offer electronic bill presentment and payment via its AI-assistant voice service, and Walmart, for which we enhance in-person bill payment capability at Walmart Money Centers. Unlike software and strategic partners, IPN partners typically have direct interactions with consumers, and leverage our platform to connect to our biller network. Through this connection, consumers can initiate bill payments through our IPN partners, which we route to the billers. There are many types of IPN partners, including consumer networks, retailers, banks and financial institutions. We offer consumer networks and retailers increased engagement with consumers by enabling streamlined bill presentment payment experiences for an array of billers through their networks. We similarly offer banks and financial institutions increased engagement with their retail clients. For IPN partners, we will typically receive a fee per transaction processed through our platform and in some cases we pay a referral fee to IPN partners.

Multiple Roles for Partners: Notably, partners may fit into multiple categories, particularly banks and financial institutions. For example, a bank can be a biller, a strategic partner and an IPN partner. As a biller, the bank generates bills, such as mortgage and credit card statements. As a strategic partner, the same bank uses our platform to power an omni-channel bill payment experience for a commercial customer of the bank. In this way, that commercial customer becomes a new biller for our network. Finally, as an IPN partner, the same bank leverages our IPN network to enable a more robust bill payment experience for its business customers and consumers by, for example, enabling its business customers and those businesses’ consumers to pay bills using alternative payment channels, such as PayPal.

Value Proposition to Partners

Higher Consumer Satisfaction: Partners gain access to our network of billers and can provide turnkey electronic bill payment functionality to their consumers through flexible integration options. By integrating our platform into their ecosystems, partners can provide a more comprehensive solution and drive higher customer satisfaction.

Access to Innovative Technology Solutions: As consumers demand a more seamless and secure experience, partners require consumer engagement and payment technology that caters to the latest consumer trends. Our platform offers cutting edge technology that enables partners to grow mind and wallet share with their consumers.

Our Billers’ and Partners’ Consumers

As our platform reaches more consumers, we capture and monetize more payment transactions. In December 2020, approximately 16 million consumers and businesses used our platform to pay their bills. As consumers increasingly demand omni-channel bill payment solutions for more of their bills, we attract more billers and partners who look to our platform to meet that demand.

Value Proposition to Consumers

Next-Generation Electronic Bill Payment Tools: Consumers gain access to advanced payments functionality to streamline their omni-channel bill payment experience. Consumers can view and pay bills through a variety of payment channels and types, engage with their billers and retrieve actionable insights regarding their payments and billing history.

Control Over Financial Health: Consumers gain added control and visibility over their financial health on a daily basis through the advanced tools and features we provide. Our platform allows consumers to set the terms of their bill payments in a way that best suits their needs.

Our Revenue Model

Our revenue model is highly visible because of the mission-critical, embedded and recurring nature of the solutions we provide to billers. Our standard contract length with our billers is three to five years and we derive the majority of our revenue from a fee paid per transaction by the biller or the consumer or a combination of both. In some industries, billers pass on the transaction costs to consumers, while in other industries, the biller pays for the

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transaction cost, providing the bill payment free of charge to the consumer. Additionally, some billers use a hybrid approach in which the consumer and biller share the cost of the transaction fee.

Our revenue model with respect to our strategic and IPN partners is generally similar to our biller revenue model. We typically receive a fee per payment transaction from our strategic and IPN partners similar to the fee we receive from our billers. We may also have a revenue sharing arrangement for referrals, which is based on transaction fees, with both strategic and IPN partners. Our partners may choose to pay the fee, may have a biller or consumer pay the fee or may use a hybrid approach where consumers and billers share the cost. While revenue derived from or through our IPN partnerships has not been significant historically, we expect that the revenue contribution from our IPN will grow over time. Our software partners may have no fees as an integration partner or may have a revenue sharing arrangement for referrals.

Our usage-based monetization strategy aligns our economic success with the success of our billers and partners. Since we benefit from increased transactional volume, we do not charge separate license fees or implementation fees. In addition, our modern platform architecture allows us to provide integration, implementation, maintenance and upgrades at no additional cost to billers.

Why We Win

We believe our platform provides us with a differentiated position in the market, built on a foundation of the following strengths:

We Integrate and Control the Most Important Components of the Electronic Bill Payment Value Chain into a Single Point of Access

Through a single integration, we provide an end-to-end electronic bill payment solution that eliminates key pain points across the entire bill payment value chain, including:

 

consumer communication and engagement;

 

electronic bill payment and presentment;

 

payment processing for numerous payment types;

 

accounting system integration;

 

security and risk management; and

 

reporting and analytical tools.

This end-to-end functionality is supported by over 350 integrations to core accounting software suites, including market-leading CIS and ERP systems. Additionally, for our key verticals, our solutions are deeply integrated into ERP and CIS systems and workflows of our billers and partners, which provides us with differentiated access to billers, partners and consumers and supports sustainable, long-term relationships.

We Benefit from Scale, Which Results in Powerful, and Accelerating, Network Effects

As billers issue, and consumers pay, bills on our platform, we accelerate connectivity that drives an organic expansion of our network. Leveraging the data we collect through transactional activity on our network, we continue to add in-demand features and functionality that facilitate frictionless and omni-channel consumer engagement and bill payment. These new tools attract more billers and partners to our network and drive further growth in transactions and unique data, which continues to enhance the value proposition of our network. The sheer size of our network attracts new billers who view our scale as validation of our value proposition. The acceleration of this network effect relies on our differentiated position in the bill payment ecosystem, which we believe is difficult to replicate. Through this network effect, we expand the reach of our network to more billers, partners and consumers, which drives our growth.

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Our Next-generation Platform is Highly Configurable and Future-ready

We architected our technology stack to be flexible, configurable and extensible in order to simplify and streamline the electronic bill payment experience. Our platform uses an advanced AI engine supported by our intellectual property portfolio that enables rapid and continuous learning and improvement. We leverage behavioral and transactional data to build next-generation tools that support the cutting edge of engagement and payment technology, including:

 

bill payment through next-generation payment channels such as social media and text;

 

AI-bots that can communicate with consumers and process payments; and

 

predictive payment alerts.

We Have a Large and Proprietary Data Asset

Our integrated platform, combined with our IPN, enables us to observe billing and payment interactions for thousands of billers and touches the everyday lives of millions of consumers. This provides us with a large and unique data asset. We use this data to enhance the ML algorithms that power our AI engine. We gain unique insight into the payment and behavioral patterns of consumers across their financial life as well as the manner in which billers and partners engage with consumers. Using this data to feed a continuous learning curve, our platform constantly evolves and adapts to these behavioral patterns, powering a network effect that drives higher customer satisfaction through data-driven insights, improves trust and safety and fuels further growth. For example, we use data to continuously improve the natural language processing in our chatbots and to detect and prevent fraud by identifying suspicious transaction patterns and as part of our payment authorization processes. We do not sell collected data to third parties and we only share individualized transaction data with the parties to the related transaction.

Our Growth Strategies

We intend to leverage our products and industry presence to establish our platform as the industry standard for electronic bill payments for billers and partners globally. Key elements of this strategy include:

 

continue to win new billers and partners;

 

grow with existing billers and partners;

 

expand into new channels and industry verticals;

 

build new products;

 

leverage our platform to expand internationally; and

 

pursue selective strategic acquisitions.

Our Principal Stockholders

We have a valuable relationship with our controlling stockholder, Accel-KKR. In September 2011, affiliates of Accel-KKR, or AKKR, acquired a controlling equity interest in our company. We refer to this transaction as the AKKR Investment. Dushyant Sharma, our founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer, has continued to retain a significant equity interest in our company since our inception and following the AKKR Investment.

AKKR is a technology-focused investment firm with over $10 billion in capital commitments. The firm focuses on investments in software and tech-enabled businesses. At the core of AKKR’s investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the AKKR network.

See the sections titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock and this Offering” and “Principal Stockholders” for additional information regarding our equity ownership and related risks you should consider before making an investment decision.

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Risk Factors Summary

Our business is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those highlighted in the section titled “Risk Factors” immediately following this prospectus summary. The following is a summary of the principal risks we face, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results, financial condition or prospects:

 

Our rapid growth may not be sustainable or indicative of future growth, and our business could be harmed if we fail to manage our infrastructure to support future growth.

 

If we are unsuccessful in establishing, growing or maintaining partnerships, our ability to compete could be impaired, and our operating results may suffer.

 

If we are unable to increase our revenue at a rate sufficient to offset expected increases in our costs, or if the investments we make in our business fail to generate the expected benefits, our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed and we may not be able to maintain profitability over the long term.

 

Our sales efforts to large enterprises involve considerable time and expense with long and unpredictable sales cycles.

 

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our employees, billers, partners, consumers and other key stakeholders, which could materially and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

We are subject to economic and geopolitical risk, the business cycles and credit risk of our billers and partners and their consumers, and the overall level of consumer, business and government spending, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The markets in which we participate are competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

 

Our revenue is sensitive to shifts in payment mix and if more consumers start paying their bills by payment methods with lower transaction fees, it could materially impact our operating results.

 

We expect fluctuations in our operating results, making it difficult to project future results, and if we fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors with respect to our operating results, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline.

 

We depend on third-party payment processors to process bill payments made on our platform and our business, operating results and reputation could be harmed if we experience service interruptions related to our payment processors.

 

We operate in an emerging and evolving market, which may develop more slowly or differently than we expect. If our market does not grow as we expect, or if we cannot expand our platform to meet the demands of this market, our revenue may decline or fail to grow.

 

Our risk management efforts may not be effective to prevent fraudulent activities, which could expose us to material financial losses and liability and otherwise harm our business.

 

If we fail to comply with extensive, complex, overlapping and frequently changing rules, regulations, standards and legal interpretations, including those related to payments, card network operations and other financial services, privacy, data protection and information security, our business could be materially harmed.

 

We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and if we fail to remediate these material weaknesses or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely affected.

 

We may experience software and technology defects, undetected errors, development delays or other performance problems in our software and other technology used as part of our platform, which could damage biller and partner relations, harm our reputation, result in significant costs to us, decrease our potential profitability and expose us to substantial liability.

 

If we fail to adequately obtain, maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our competitive position could be impaired, our reputation could be harmed and we may lose valuable assets, generate less revenue and incur costly litigation to protect our rights.

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We and our billers and partners and their consumers and other third parties that use our platform obtain, provide and process a large amount of sensitive and personal data. Any real or perceived improper or unauthorized use of, disclosure of or access to such data could harm our reputation as a trusted brand, as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

 

The dual class structure of our common stock and the stockholders agreement that we will enter into in connection with this offering will have the effect of concentrating voting control with AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer, which will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future and may depress the market price of our Class A common stock.

 

AKKR controls us and its interests may conflict with ours or yours in the future.

 

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions renouncing our interest and expectation to participate in certain corporate opportunities identified by, or presented to, AKKR or its affiliates, which could create conflicts of interest and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by AKKR to itself, its affiliates or third parties instead of to us.

Channels for Disclosure of Information

Investors, the media and others should note that, following the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we intend to announce material information to the public through filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, the investor relations page on our website, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts.

The information disclosed by the foregoing channels could be deemed to be material information. However, information disclosed through these channels does not constitute part of this prospectus and is not incorporated by reference herein.

Any updates to the list of disclosure channels through which we will announce information will be posted on the investor relations page on our website.

Corporate Information

We were founded as Bizpective Technologies, Inc. in Ontario, Canada in 2004. In 2005 we changed our name to Paymentus Corporation. Paymentus Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in Delaware in 2011 in connection with the AKKR Investment and acquired all of the assets of Paymentus Corporation in September 2011. Our principal executive offices are located at 18390 NE 68th St., Redmond, WA 98052. Our telephone number is (888) 440-4826. Our website is www.paymentus.com. Information contained on, or that can be accessed through, our website is not a part of, and is not incorporated into, this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

We use Paymentus and other marks as trademarks in the United States and other countries. This prospectus contains references to our trademarks and service marks and to those belonging to other entities. Solely for convenience, trademarks and trade names referred to in this prospectus, including logos, artwork and other visual displays, may appear without the ® or TM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate in any way that we will not assert, to the fullest extent under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to these trademarks and trade names. We do not intend our use or display of other entities’ trade names, trademarks or service marks to imply a relationship with, or endorsement or sponsorship of us by, any other entity.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012, as amended, or the JOBS Act. As such, we may take advantage of reduced disclosure and other requirements otherwise generally applicable to public companies, including:

 

presentation of only two years of audited financial statements and related financial disclosure;

 

exemption from the requirement to have our registered independent public accounting firm attest to management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;

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exemption from compliance with the requirement of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, or PCAOB, regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on the financial statements; 

 

reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and

 

exemption from the requirement to hold non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the earliest to occur of: (1) the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $1.07 billion in annual revenue; (2) the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700.0 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates; (3) the date on which we have issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the prior three-year period; and (4) the last day of the fiscal year ending after the fifth anniversary of our initial public offering.

As a result of this status, we have taken advantage of reduced reporting requirements in this prospectus and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in our future filings with the SEC. In particular, in this prospectus, we have provided only two years of audited financial statements and only two years of related management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations, and we have not included all of the executive compensation-related information that would be required if we were not an emerging growth company. In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies unless it otherwise irrevocably elects not to avail itself of this exemption. We have elected to use this extended transition period until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

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THE OFFERING

 

Class A common stock offered by us

 

10,000,000 shares.

 

 

 

Underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares from us

 

1,500,000 shares.

 

 

 

Concurrent private placement of Class A common stock

 

Immediately following the closing of this offering, entities affiliated with AKKR will purchase from us in a private placement an aggregate of $50 million of our Class A common stock at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, these AKKR entities will purchase an aggregate of 2,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the concurrent private placement. The sale of the shares in the concurrent private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares will not be registered in this offering and will be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus. For additional details regarding the lock-up agreements, see the section titled “Underwriting.”

 

 

 

Class A common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement

 

12,499,998 shares (or 13,999,998 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

 

 

Class B common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement

 

103,479,239 shares.

 

 

 

Total Class A common stock and Class B common stock to be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement

 

115,979,237 shares (or 117,479,237 shares if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full).

 

 

 

Indications of interest

 

One or more funds advised by Capital World Investors and one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. have, severally but not jointly, indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of $30 million each ($60 million in the aggregate) in shares of our Class A common stock being offered in this offering at the initial public offering price. As these indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. may determine to purchase more, fewer or no shares in this offering or the underwriters may determine to sell more, fewer or no shares to one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The underwriters will receive the same discount on any shares of Class A common stock purchased by one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. as they will on any other shares of Class A common stock sold to the public in this offering.

 

 

 

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Use of proceeds

 

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement will be approximately $231.8 million (or approximately $259.7 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this

prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility, create a public market for our Class A common stock and enable access to the public equity

markets for us and our stockholders. We intend to use approximately $57.4 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends), substantially all of which are held by AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer. We intend to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products, services or technologies. However, we do not have agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or investments at this time. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds.”

 

 

 

 

Voting rights

 

Following this offering, we will have two classes of authorized common stock, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be identical, except with respect to voting and conversion rights. Each share of Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share. Each share of Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share and will be convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. Immediately following the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, shares of our Class B common stock beneficially owned by AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer will collectively represent approximately 98.5% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock.”

 

 

 

Risk factors

 

See the section titled Risk Factors and other information included in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our Class A common stock.

 

 

 

Directed share program

 

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 500,000 shares of Class A common stock, or up to 5% of the shares offered by this prospectus, for sale at the initial public offering price through a directed share program to our senior executives and certain individuals associated with AKKR. The sales will be made at our direction by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and its affiliates through a directed share program. The number of shares of our Class A common stock available for sale to the general public in this offering will be reduced to the extent that such persons purchase such reserved shares. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. Participants in this directed share program other than our executive officers will not be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters with respect to any shares purchased through the directed share program. Any shares purchased through the directed share program by our executive officers will be subject to the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described in the section titled “Underwriting.” For additional information, see the section titled “Underwriting—Directed Share Program.”

 

 

 

Proposed New York Stock Exchange trading symbol

 

“PAY”

 

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The total number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement is based on 103,479,239 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and excludes:

 

7,566,155 shares of Class B common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of $4.72 per share;

 

1,563,450 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2012 Plan, as of March 31, 2021, which number of shares will be added to the shares of our Class A common stock to be reserved under our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan, upon its effectiveness, at which time we will cease granting awards under our 2012 Plan;

 

10,459,000 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Plan, which will become effective on the business day immediately prior to the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part; and

 

up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock underlying warrants issuable pursuant to a warrant agreement with an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, or the JPM warrant agreement, with an exercise price of $17.50 per share based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The actual number of shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement is tied to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025 pursuant to a related commercial agreement.

The 2021 Plan provides for an annual automatic increase in the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved thereunder and also provides for increases in the number of shares of our Class A common stock that may be granted thereunder based on shares under the 2012 Plan that expire, are forfeited or are repurchased by us, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans.”

Except as otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes or gives effect to the following:

 

no exercise of outstanding options described above;

 

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will authorize the issuance of our Class A common stock and effect the reclassification of our outstanding common stock into Class B common stock, and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws, both of which will occur immediately prior to the completion of this offering;

 

the redemption by us of all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends) using a portion of the net proceeds from this offering;

 

the issuance of 2,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock to entities affiliated with AKKR upon the closing of the concurrent private placement immediately following the closing of this offering, based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus;

 

a 5-for-1 forward stock split of our common stock effected on May 10, 2021, as if it had occurred on the date of such information; and

 

no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares.

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following summary consolidated statements of operations and cash flows data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. The summary consolidated statements of operations and cash flows data for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, and the summary consolidated balance sheet data as of March 31, 2021, are derived from our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We have prepared the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements on a basis substantially consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the financial information set forth in those unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements. You should read this data together with our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the information in the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.” Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of our future results, and our results for the three-month period ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2021 or any future year or period. The summary consolidated financial data in this section are not intended to replace, and are qualified in their entirety by, the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Revenue

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

161,344

 

 

 

209,140

 

 

 

48,816

 

 

 

64,675

 

Gross profit

 

 

74,434

 

 

 

92,627

 

 

 

20,777

 

 

 

27,547

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development(1)

 

 

17,864

 

 

 

24,510

 

 

 

5,768

 

 

 

7,730

 

Sales and marketing(1)

 

 

27,989

 

 

 

31,842

 

 

 

7,612

 

 

 

8,222

 

General and administrative(1)

 

 

10,210

 

 

 

17,847

 

 

 

3,688

 

 

 

6,742

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

56,063

 

 

 

74,199

 

 

 

17,068

 

 

 

22,694

 

Income from operations

 

 

18,371

 

 

 

18,428

 

 

 

3,709

 

 

 

4,853

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

106

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

(3

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

9

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

18,479

 

 

 

18,364

 

 

 

3,685

 

 

 

4,859

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,782

)

 

 

(4,653

)

 

 

(906

)

 

 

(1,221

)

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

(4,697

)

 

 

(5,186

)

 

 

(1,242

)

 

 

(1,360

)

Net income attributable to common stock

 

$

9,000

 

 

$

8,525

 

 

$

1,537

 

 

$

2,278

 

Net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.02

 

Diluted

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.08

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.02

 

Weighted-average number of shares used to compute basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

103,469,238

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

Diluted

 

 

106,350,473

 

 

 

106,207,883

 

 

 

106,129,442

 

 

 

106,303,894

 

 


16


 

 

(1)

Stock-based compensation expense was allocated in cost of revenue and operating expenses as follows:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Research and development

 

 

7

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

16

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

12

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

17

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,566

 

 

 

1,933

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

530

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

1,585

 

 

$

1,994

 

 

$

475

 

 

$

563

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

As of March 31, 2021

 

 

Actual

 

 

Pro Forma(1)

 

Pro Forma as Adjusted(2)(3)

 

 

(in thousands)

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

49,369

 

 

$ 49,369

 

$223,694

Working capital(4)

 

 

52,956

 

 

52,956

 

227,281

Total assets

 

 

134,789

 

 

134,789

 

309,114

Total liabilities

 

 

45,378

 

 

45,378

 

45,378

Series A preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

Treasury stock

 

 

(579

)

 

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

89,411

 

 

89,411

 

263,736

 

(1)

The pro forma consolidated balance sheet data gives effect to (a) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will authorize the issuance of our Class A common stock and effect the reclassification of our outstanding common stock into Class B common stock, and (b) the retirement of all of our issued treasury stock, which consists of 320 shares of Series A preferred stock and 1,306,412 shares of common stock.

(2)

The pro forma as adjusted balance sheet data gives effect to (a) the pro forma adjustments described in footnote (1) above, (b) the issuance and sale by us of 12,499,998 shares of Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement at the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (c) the application of $57.4 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our 23,013 issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, including accrued dividends (of the $57.4 million of net proceeds to be used to redeem the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, $0.9 million is included in cash and cash equivalents (pro forma as adjusted) in respect of the dividends that have accrued or will accrue on these shares from April 1, 2021 through the estimated closing date of this offering, which is also the expected date of the redemption).

(3)

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $9.3 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of shares offered by us in this offering would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our cash and cash equivalents, working capital, total assets and total stockholders’ equity by approximately $18.6 million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

(4)

Working capital is defined as current assets less current liabilities.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

17,511

 

 

$

35,620

 

 

$

4,901

 

 

$

7,177

 

Investing activities

 

 

(13,897

)

 

 

(15,137

)

 

 

(3,618

)

 

 

(4,412

)

Financing activities

 

 

(857

)

 

 

(1,358

)

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(95

)


17


 

Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures:

In addition to the GAAP financial measures presented in our consolidated financial statements, we rely on the number of transactions processed and the non-GAAP measures included in the table below to help us evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions. There are limitations to contribution profit, adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow, the non-GAAP measures presented in this prospectus. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies; other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for GAAP financial measures.

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands, except transaction data and percentages)

 

Transactions processed (in millions)(1)

 

146.2

 

 

 

195.0

 

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

62.4

 

Contribution profit(2)

$

96,664

 

 

$

120,503

 

 

$

27,628

 

 

$

35,109

 

Adjusted gross profit(3)

$

77,079

 

 

$

96,140

 

 

$

21,579

 

 

$

28,595

 

Adjusted EBITDA(4)

$

25,957

 

 

$

28,491

 

 

$

6,204

 

 

$

9,404

 

Free cash flow(5)

$

6,249

 

 

$

20,773

 

 

$

1,283

 

 

$

2,765

 

 

(1)

We define transactions processed as the number of accepted payment transactions, such as checks, credit card and debit card transactions, automated clearing house, or ACH, items and emerging payment types, which are initiated and processed through our platform during a period.

(2)

Contribution profit is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered an alternative to gross profit as a measure of operating performance. We calculate contribution profit as gross profit plus other cost of revenue. Other cost of revenue equals cost of revenue less interchange and assessment fees paid by us to our payment processors. We exclude interchange and assessment fees because we believe inclusion is less directly reflective of our operating performance as we do not control the payment channel used by consumers, which is the primary determinant of the amount of interchange and assessment fees. We use contribution profit to measure the amount available to fund our operations after interchange and assessment fees, which are directly linked to the number of transactions we process and thus our revenue and gross profit. We present contribution profit because it is used by our management and board of directors to manage our operations and assess our performance. We therefore believe it provides investors with useful information to enhance their understanding of our operating performance and enable them to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons. The following table provides a reconciliation of contribution profit to the GAAP measure of gross profit for the periods presented:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Gross profit

$

74,434

 

 

$

92,627

 

 

$

20,777

 

 

$

27,547

 

Plus: other cost of revenue

 

22,230

 

 

 

27,876

 

 

 

6,851

 

 

 

7,562

 

Contribution profit

$

96,664

 

 

$

120,503

 

 

$

27,628

 

 

$

35,109

 

 

(3)

Adjusted gross profit is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered an alternative to gross profit as a measure of operating performance. We calculate adjusted gross profit as gross profit adjusted for non-cash items, primarily stock-based compensation and amortization. The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted gross profit to the GAAP measure of gross profit for the periods presented:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Gross profit

$

74,434

 

 

$

92,627

 

 

$

20,777

 

 

$

27,547

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

2,645

 

 

 

3,513

 

 

 

802

 

 

 

1,048

 

Adjusted gross profit

$

77,079

 

 

$

96,140

 

 

$

21,579

 

 

$

28,595

 

 

(4)

Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered an alternative to net income as a measure of operating performance or as a measure of liquidity. We calculate adjusted EBITDA as net income before other income (expense) (which consists of interest income (expense), net and foreign exchange (gain) loss), amortization and depreciation and income taxes, adjusted to exclude the effects of stock-based compensation expense and certain nonrecurring expenses that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations, consisting primarily of professional fees and other indirect charges associated with our preparation for an initial public offering.

 

We have included adjusted EBITDA in this prospectus because it is a key measure used by our management and board of directors to evaluate our operating performance, generate future operating plans and make strategic decisions regarding the allocation of capital. In particular, the exclusion of certain expenses in calculating adjusted EBITDA facilitates operating performance comparisons on a period-to-period basis and, in the case of exclusion of the impact of stock-based compensation, excludes an item that we do not consider to be

18


 

indicative of our core operating performance. Accordingly, we believe that adjusted EBITDA provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating our operating results in the same manner as our management and board of directors.

 

Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are:

 

although depreciation and amortization are non-cash charges, the assets being depreciated and amortized may have to be replaced in the future, and adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in interest (income) expense;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect changes in foreign exchange (gain) loss;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not consider the potentially dilutive impact of stock-based compensation, which has been a significant recurring expense and will continue to constitute a significant recurring expense for the foreseeable future, as equity awards are expected to continue to be an important component of our compensation strategy;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us;

 

Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect certain nonrecurring expenses that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and

 

other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure.

Because of these limitations, you should consider adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income and our other GAAP results.

The following table provides a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA to the GAAP measure of net income for the periods presented:

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Net income

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

 

Excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (income) expense, net

 

(106

)

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(42

)

 

 

3

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

4,782

 

 

 

4,653

 

 

 

906

 

 

 

1,221

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,001

 

 

 

8,069

 

 

 

2,020

 

 

 

2,392

 

 

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

(2

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

(9

)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

1,585

 

 

 

1,994

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

563

 

 

Other nonrecurring expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,596

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

25,957

 

 

$

28,491

 

 

$

6,204

 

 

$

9,404

 

 

 

(5)

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure and should not be considered an alternative to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities as a measure of cash generated by operating activities. Free cash flow represents net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures and capitalized internal-use software development costs. We believe free cash flow is useful in evaluating liquidity and provides information to management and investors about our ability to fund future operating needs and strategic initiatives.

 

Free cash flow has limitations as an analytical tool and it should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of other GAAP financial measures, such as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities. Additionally, the utility of free cash flow is further limited as it does not reflect our future capital commitments, and it does not represent the total increase or decrease in our cash balance for a given period. The following table provides a reconciliation of free cash flow to the GAAP measure of net cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the periods presented:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

17,511

 

 

$

35,620

 

 

$

4,901

 

 

$

7,177

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(1,040

)

 

 

(458

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(156

)

Capitalized internal-use software development costs

 

(10,222

)

 

 

(14,389

)

 

 

(3,454

)

 

 

(4,256

)

Free cash flow

$

6,249

 

 

$

20,773

 

 

$

1,283

 

 

$

2,765

 

Net cash used in investing activities(6)

$

(13,897

)

 

$

(15,137

)

 

$

(3,618

)

 

$

(4,412

)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(857

)

 

$

(1,358

)

 

$

(317

)

 

$

(95

)

(6)

Net cash used in investing activities includes payments for purchases of property and equipment and costs related to capitalized internal-use software development, which is also included in our calculation of free cash flow.

 

19


 

RISK FACTORS

Investing in our Class A common stock involves a high degree of risk. Before making an investment decision, you should consider carefully the risks and uncertainties described below, together with all of the other information in this prospectus, including the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus. If any of the following risks actually occur, our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects could be adversely affected. In that event, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline, and you could lose part or all of your investment. Our business, operating results, financial condition or prospects could also be harmed by risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material.

Risks Related to Our Business and Industry

Our rapid growth may not be sustainable or indicative of our future growth.

Our recent rapid growth, including in payment volumes, may not be sustainable or indicative of our future growth. Even though the number of billers and consumers who use our platform has grown rapidly in recent years, there can be no assurance that we will be able to attract new billers or retain existing billers. Our costs associated with retaining revenue from existing billers are substantially lower than costs associated with attracting and generating revenue from new billers or costs associated with generating increased adoption of our platform by existing billers. Therefore, if we are unable to retain revenue from existing billers, even if related losses are offset by an increase in new billers or increased adoption of our platform by existing billers, our operating results could be adversely impacted.

Our ability to attract new billers, retain revenue from existing billers or increase adoption of our platform by both new and existing billers is impacted by a number of factors, including:

 

our transaction fees and certain of our billers’ ability to pass them on to consumers;

 

our ability to timely expand the functionality and scope of our platform;

 

our ability to maintain the rates at which our billers pay us and continue to use our platform;

 

competitive factors, including the introduction of competing solutions, discount pricing and other strategies that may be implemented by our competitors;

 

our ability to maintain high-quality customer support for billers and consumers;

 

our ability to attract and retain strategic partners, software partners and IPN partners;

 

our ability to expand into new industries and market segments;

 

actual or perceived privacy or security breaches;

 

the frequency and severity of any system outages, technological changes or similar issues;

 

our ability to successfully identify and acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies that we believe could complement or expand our platform;

 

our ability to increase awareness of our brand and successfully compete with other companies;

 

our ability to expand internationally; and

 

our focus on long-term value over short-term results, meaning that we may make strategic decisions that may not maximize our short-term revenue or profitability if we believe that the decisions are consistent with our mission and will improve our financial performance over the long-term.

Our business could be harmed if we fail to manage our infrastructure to support future growth.

The rapid growth we have experienced in our business places significant demands on our operational infrastructure. The scalability and flexibility of our platform depends on the functionality of our technology and network infrastructure and its ability to handle increased traffic and demand for bandwidth. The growth in the number of billers and partners using our platform and the number of bills processed through our platform has increased the amount of data that we process. Any problems with the transmission of increased data and bills could

20


 

result in harm to our brand or reputation. Moreover, as our business grows, we will need to devote additional resources to improving our operational infrastructure and continuing to enhance its scalability in order to maintain the performance of our platform, including customer support, risk and compliance operations and professional services. Any failure of or delay in these efforts could result in service interruptions, impaired system performance and reduced biller, partner and consumer satisfaction. If sustained or repeated, these performance issues could reduce the attractiveness of our platform to billers and partners and could result in lost biller and partner opportunities and higher attrition rates, any of which could hurt our revenue growth, biller and partner loyalty and our reputation. Even if our efforts to scale our business are successful, they will be expensive and complex, and require the dedication of significant management time and attention. We could also face inefficiencies or service disruptions as a result of our efforts to scale our internal infrastructure. We cannot be sure that the expansion and improvements to our internal infrastructure will be effectively implemented on a timely basis, if at all, and such failures could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Moreover, our rapid growth has placed, and will likely continue to place, a significant strain on our managerial, administrative, operational, financial and other resources. We have grown from approximately 250 full-time employees as of December 31, 2018 to more than 900 full-time employees as of March 31, 2021. We intend to further expand our overall business, including headcount, with no assurance that our revenue will continue to grow or grow sufficiently to offset the costs associated with increased headcount. As we grow, we will be required to continue to improve our operational and financial controls and reporting procedures and we may not be able to do so effectively. Furthermore, some members of our management do not have significant experience managing a large public company, so our management may not be able to manage such growth effectively. In managing our growing operations, we are also subject to the risks of over-hiring and over-compensating our employees and over-expanding our operating infrastructure. As a result, we may be unable to manage our expenses effectively in the future, which may negatively impact our gross profit or operating expenses.

In addition, we believe that an important contributor to our success has been our corporate culture, which we believe fosters innovation, and is rooted in a philosophy of aligning our success with that of billers, partners and consumers. As a result of our rapid growth, a significant portion of our employees have been with us for fewer than three years. As we continue to grow and develop the infrastructure of a public company, we must effectively integrate, develop and motivate a growing number of new employees, who will be dispersed geographically, with our headquarters in Redmond, Washington and a large employee presence in Toronto, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina and Delhi, India. Our geographically dispersed workforce may make it more difficult for our management to manage our growth effectively and preserve our corporate culture. In addition, we must preserve our ability to execute quickly in further developing our platform and implementing new features and tools. As a result, we may find it difficult to maintain our corporate culture, which could limit our ability to innovate and operate effectively. Any failure to preserve our culture could also negatively affect our ability to recruit and retain personnel, to continue to perform at current levels or to execute on our business strategy effectively and efficiently.

If we are unsuccessful in establishing, growing or maintaining partnerships, our ability to compete could be impaired, and our operating results may suffer.

We rely on integration of our end-to-end electronic bill payment solution into third-party software products, which enables us to power such software products’ bill payment capabilities. We also rely on strategic partners, such as U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, and industry-expert partners to refer new billers to our platform. Additionally, the IPN is our patented and proprietary network that enables partners, such as PayPal, Walmart, a leading global ecommerce retailer and banks, to embed our end-to-end electronic bill payment solution into their ecosystems through a single point of access. Collectively, our software, strategic and IPN partners drive increased transaction volume and adoption of our platform.

To grow our business, we will seek to expand our existing and establish additional relationships with strategic, software and IPN partners. Establishing such relationships, particularly with financial institutions and other large enterprises, entails extensive sales and marketing efforts with no guarantee of success. Sales and marketing to large organizations involve risks that may not be present, or that are present to a lesser extent, with sales and marketing to other, smaller organizations. We must invest significant time educating and selling to multiple management and technical decision-makers to obtain their support. In addition, we may be required to meet wide-ranging and detailed ancillary requirements. For example, financial institutions generally require us to submit to an exhaustive security audit, given the sensitivity and importance of storing consumer billing and payment data on our platform. Adoption is also frequently subject to budget constraints and unplanned administrative, processing and other delays, including considerable efforts to negotiate and document relationships. Further, platform deployment and integration with partners’ software and other solutions requires significant efforts. If we are unable to increase

21


 

adoption of our platform by partners and manage the costs associated with marketing our platform to potential partners and integrating with their systems, our business, operating results and financial condition may be adversely affected. In addition, if we are unsuccessful in establishing, growing or maintaining partnerships, our ability to compete could be impaired, and our operating results may suffer. If we lost one or more of our largest partnerships, we could also lose associated biller relationships or payment channels and our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

If we are unable to increase our revenue at a rate sufficient to offset expected increases in our costs, or if the investments we make in our business fail to generate the expected benefits, our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed and we may not be able to maintain profitability over the long term.

As we scale our business, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on:

 

sales and marketing, including an expansion of our sales organization and new initiatives in order to drive further expansion of our IPN and partner ecosystem;

 

our technology infrastructure, including systems architecture, scalability, availability, performance and security;

 

product development, including investments in our product development team and the development of new products and new functionality for our AI-enabled platform;

 

regulatory compliance and risk management;

 

acquisitions or strategic investments;

 

expansion into new channels, verticals and international markets; and

 

general administration, including increased legal and accounting expenses associated with being a public company.

The increased costs associated with these and other investments we may make in our business may fail to generate the expected benefits. If we are unable to increase our revenue at a rate sufficient to offset the expected increase in our costs, our business, operating results and financial condition will be harmed, and we may not be able to maintain profitability over the long term. In particular, we expect net income and adjusted EBITDA may decline in the near-term as we make investments in our platform and incur increased operating costs associated with being a public company.

Additionally, we anticipate that our growth rate will decline over time to the extent that the number of billers using our platform increases and we achieve higher market penetration rates. As our growth rate declines, investors’ perception of our business may be adversely affected and the market price of our Class A common stock could decline as a result. To the extent our growth rate slows, our business performance will become increasingly dependent on our ability to retain revenue from existing billers and increase adoption of our platform by existing billers.

Our sales efforts to large enterprises involve considerable time and expense with long and unpredictable sales cycles.

One of the factors affecting our growth and financial performance is the adoption of our platform by large enterprise billers over legacy solutions and in-house proprietary technologies or our competitor’s products. To increase adoption within large enterprise billers and to attract new large enterprise billers, we primarily rely on our direct sales team. As part of our sales efforts, we invest considerable time and expense evaluating the specific organizational needs of potential billers and educating these potential billers about the technical capabilities and value of our platform. Because large enterprises tend to have more consumers impacted by a switch in billing services, they often evaluate our platform at multiple levels within their organization, each of which often have specific requirements, and typically involve their senior management. As a result, our sales efforts to large enterprises involve considerable time and expense with long and unpredictable sales cycles, which may cause our results of operations to fluctuate.

Large enterprise billers also make product purchasing and adoption decisions based in part or entirely on factors, or perceived factors, not directly related to the features of platforms, including, among others, a biller’s projections of business growth, uncertainty about economic conditions (including as a result of the recent COVID-

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19 outbreak), capital budgets, anticipated cost savings from the implementation of our platform, potential preference for such biller’s internally-developed software and billing solutions, perceptions about our business and platform, more favorable terms offered by potential competitors and previous technology investments. In addition, certain decision-makers and other stakeholders within potential billers tend to have vested interests in the continued use of internally developed solutions or other existing electronic payment and billing solutions, which may make it more difficult for us to sell our products. As a result of these and other factors, our sales efforts to large enterprises typically require an extensive effort throughout the organization and a significant investment of human resources, expense and time, including by our senior management, and there can be no assurances that we will be successful in making a sale. If our sales efforts to a potential biller do not result in sufficient revenue to justify our investments, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our employees, billers, partners, consumers and other key stakeholders, which could materially and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to control its spread have significantly curtailed the movement of people, goods and services in the United States, where we generate substantially all of our revenue, and worldwide, where we are targeting future growth. It has also caused extreme societal, economic and financial market volatility, resulting in business shutdowns and a global economic downturn. The magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the magnitude and duration of its effect on business activity cannot be predicted with any certainty.

In light of the uncertainty relating to the spread of COVID-19, we have taken precautionary measures intended to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to our employees, billers and partners, and we may take further precautionary measures. In particular, governmental authorities have at times instituted, and in the future may institute, shelter-in-place policies and other restrictions in many jurisdictions in which we operate, including in Redmond, Washington, where our headquarters are located, and Toronto, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina and Delhi, India, where we maintain significant operations, which policies and restrictions have at times required our employees to work remotely. Even as shelter-in-place policies or other governmental restrictions are lifted, we are taking, and expect to continue to take, a measured and careful approach to having employees return to offices and travel for business. These precautionary measures and policies could negatively impact employee productivity, training and collaboration or otherwise disrupt our business operations. In addition, such restrictions impact certain of our sales efforts, marketing efforts and implementations, adversely affecting the effectiveness of such efforts in some cases and potentially inhibiting future growth.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt the operations of our billers and partners for an indefinite period of time, which in turn could negatively impact our business and operating results. Widespread remote work arrangements may also negatively impact our billers’ and partners’ operations, and the operations of third-party service providers who perform critical services for us, and, by extension, our operations.

Further, the extent and duration of working remotely exposes us, billers, partners and others with whom we have business relationships to increased risks of security breaches or incidents. The increase in remote working may also result in privacy, data protection, data security, and fraud risks, and our understanding of applicable legal and regulatory requirements, as well as the latest guidance from regulatory authorities in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic, may be subject to legal or regulatory challenge, particularly as regulatory guidance evolves in response to pandemic-related developments. Furthermore, we may need to enhance the security of our platform, our data and our internal IT infrastructure, which may require us to expend additional resources and may not be successful.

More generally, the COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected economies and financial markets globally, potentially leading to a prolonged economic downturn, which could decrease technology spending, lengthen sales and implementation cycles, and adversely affect demand for our products and harm our business and operating results. The COVID-19 pandemic may delay, or prevent us from making, collections, and disrupt our ability to develop or enhance offerings. As the COVID-19 pandemic persists, government authorities and companies may continue to implement or reimpose restrictions or policies that could adversely impact consumer spending and payment volumes, global capital markets, the global economy and the market price of our Class A common stock.


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We are subject to economic and geopolitical risk, the business cycles and credit risk of our billers and partners and their consumers, and the overall level of consumer, business and government spending, which could negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

The electronic bill presentment and payment services industry depends heavily on the overall level of consumer, business and government spending. We are exposed to general economic conditions that affect consumer confidence, consumer spending, consumer discretionary income and changes in consumer purchasing habits. A sustained deterioration in general economic conditions in the markets in which we operate or increases in interest rates may adversely affect our financial performance by reducing the number or average payment amount of transactions made using electronic bill payments on our platform. Relatedly, a reduction in the amount of consumer spending could result in a decrease in our revenue and profit. If our billers present fewer bills to consumers using electronic billing or consumers making electronic bill payments spend less per transaction, we will have fewer transactions to process or lower transaction amounts, each of which would contribute to lower revenue. These developments could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition.

Further, a downturn in the economy could force our billers or partners or their consumers to close or declare bankruptcy, resulting in lower revenue and earnings for us and greater exposure to potential credit losses and future transaction declines. We also have a certain amount of fixed and other costs, including rent and salaries, which could limit our ability to quickly adjust costs and respond to changes in our business and the economy. Changes in economic conditions could also adversely affect our future revenue and profit and cause a materially adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

The markets in which we participate are competitive, and if we do not compete effectively, our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

The market for electronic bill presentment and payment services is fragmented, competitive and constantly evolving. Our primary competitors are legacy solution providers and financial institutions with internally developed solutions for bill presentment and payment services. With the introduction of new technologies and market entrants, we expect that the competitive environment will remain intense. Legacy solution providers, new market entrant solution providers and financial institutions may internally develop products, acquire existing, third-party products or enter into partnerships or other strategic relationships that would enable them to expand their product offerings to compete with our platform, provide more comprehensive offerings than they individually had offered or achieve greater economies of scale than us.

These legacy solution providers and financial institutions may have the operating flexibility to bundle competing solutions with other offerings, and may offer them at a lower price or for no additional cost to billers as part of a larger sale. Legacy solution providers offer solutions for in-person cash payments, check-based mail payments, prior-generation interactive voice response, or IVR, phone-based payments and web-based payments, as well as a variety of point solutions for various payment needs.

In addition, new entrants not currently considered to be competitors may enter the market through acquisitions, partnerships, or strategic relationships. New market entrants include a variety of payment processing vendors, particularly those focused on online and mobile payments, as well as mobile wallets and other offerings. Many of these new entrants are also potential partners of ours. As we look to market and sell our platform to potential billers or strategic partners with existing solutions, we must convince their internal stakeholders that our platform is superior to their current solutions.

We compete on several factors, including:

 

product features, quality and breadth and depth of functionality;

 

ease of deployment and implementation speed;

 

ease of integration with leading billing and enterprise software, customer information systems and banking technology infrastructures;

 

ability to automate processes;

 

cloud-based delivery architecture;

 

advanced security, reliability, customer service and control features;

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data asset size and ability to leverage artificial intelligence, or AI, to grow faster and smarter;

 

regulatory compliance leadership;

 

brand awareness and reputation;

 

pricing, total cost of ownership and return on investment; and

 

consumer satisfaction.

Our competitors vary in size, breadth, and scope of the products and services offered. Many of our current and potential competitors have greater name recognition, longer operating histories, more established biller and consumer relationships, larger marketing budgets and greater resources than us. Our competitors may be able to respond more quickly and effectively than we can to new or changing opportunities, technologies, standards and requirements.

For these reasons, we may not be able to compete successfully or continue to achieve or maintain market acceptance for our platform, any of which would harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our revenue is sensitive to shifts in payment mix.

A substantial majority of our revenue is derived from transaction fees, either absorbed by billers or paid by consumers, and the majority of bills on our platform are paid via credit or debit cards. In general, we receive more revenue for card-based payments than for electronic check and automated clearing house, or ACH, payments. Accordingly, if more consumers start paying their bills by electronic check, ACH or other payment methods with lower transaction fees, it could materially impact our operating results.

We expect fluctuations in our operating results, making it difficult to project future results, and if we fail to meet the expectations of securities analysts or investors with respect to our operating results, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline.

Our rapid growth makes it difficult for us to forecast our future operating results. Our operating results have fluctuated in the past and are expected to fluctuate in the future due to a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, our past results may not be indicative of our future performance.

In addition to the other risks described herein, factors that may affect our operating results include the following:

 

fluctuations in demand for our platform;

 

our ability to attract new billers and retain and increase adoption by our existing billers;

 

our ability to expand our relationships with our partners and identify and attract new partners;

 

changes in payment method preferences and channels by consumers, which may affect our revenue and gross margin, particularly as a result of interchange fees;

 

variations across the industries of our billers, which may affect payment methods used by consumers and average payment amounts and, in turn, our revenue and gross margin, particularly as a result of interchange fees;

 

the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operating results, liquidity and financial condition and on our employees, billers, partners, consumers and other key stakeholders;

 

changes in biller preference for cloud-based services as a result of security breaches in the industry or privacy concerns, or other security or reliability concerns regarding our products;

 

fluctuations or delays in purchasing decisions in anticipation of new products or product enhancements by us or our competitors;

 

changes in biller and consumer budgets and in the timing of their budget cycles and purchasing decisions;

 

potential and existing billers choosing our competitors’ products or developing their own solutions in-house;

 

the development or introduction of new platforms or services that are easier to use or more advanced than our current platform and suite of services;

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our ability to adapt to new forms of payment that become widely accepted, including cryptocurrencies;

 

the adoption or retention of more entrenched or rival services in the international markets where we compete or plan to compete;

 

our ability to control costs, including our operating expenses;

 

the amount and timing of payment for operating expenses, particularly research and development and sales and marketing expenses, including commissions;

 

the amount and timing of non-cash expenses, including stock-based compensation, goodwill impairments and other non-cash charges;

 

the amount and timing of costs associated with recruiting, training and integrating new employees, and retaining and motivating existing employees;

 

the effects of acquisitions and their integration;

 

general economic conditions, both domestically and internationally, as well as economic conditions specifically affecting industries in which our billers operate;

 

the impact of new accounting pronouncements;

 

changes in the competitive dynamics of our markets;

 

security breaches of, technical difficulties with, or interruptions to, the delivery and use of our platform; and

 

awareness of our brand and our reputation in our target markets.

Any of these and other factors, or the cumulative effect of some of these factors, may cause our operating results to vary significantly. In addition, we expect to incur significant additional expenses due to the increased costs of operating as a public company. If the assumptions used to plan our business are incorrect, our revenue may fail to meet our expectations and we may fail to meet profitability expectations. Further, if our quarterly operating results fall below the expectations of investors and securities analysts who follow our Class A common stock, the price of our Class A common stock could decline substantially, and we could face costly lawsuits, including securities class action lawsuits.

We depend on third-party payment processors to process bill payments made on our platform and our business, operating results and reputation could be harmed if we experience service interruptions related to our payment processors.

We depend on third-party payment processors, including PayPal’s Braintree service, to process bill payments made through various channels on our platform, including credit and debit cards, ACH transfers, eChecks and PayPal. The per-transaction settlement fees we pay under our agreements with payment processors collectively comprise a significant portion of our cost of revenue. We also rely on payment processors to collect and store payment card information and provide certain fraud detection services. Our multiyear agreements with payment processors contain industry-standard terms and conditions, including technical requirements for how we must process and settle transactions and chargebacks. These agreements also obligate us to comply with card networks’ security standards and guidelines, and to reimburse the payment processors for any fines they are assessed by payment networks as a result of any rule violations by us. See the section titled “—Risks Related to Regulation—We are required to comply with payment network operating rules and changes to such rules or payment network fees could harm our business.”

If any of our payment processors were to terminate its relationship with us, whether as a result of a failure by us to meet our contractual obligations or for other reasons, or if any of them were to refuse to renew its agreement with us on commercially reasonable terms, we would need to engage one or more alternate payment processors. In that case, we could experience service interruptions and incur significant expenses in arranging for replacement payment processing services. Such interruptions could also negatively impact our reputation and our relationships with existing or potential billers and partners, as well as cause us to become obligated to provide service credits or refunds under our service level commitments. Likewise, our payment processors have in the past and may in the future experience outages that have and may cause us to temporarily lose our ability to process transactions on our platform. If any of our payment processors fails to meet our standards and expectations, becomes compromised or suffers errors, outages or vulnerabilities, we could temporarily lose our ability to process transactions on our platform until such issues have been remedied or we have engaged one or more alternate payment processors.

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We operate in an emerging and evolving market, which may develop more slowly or differently than we expect. If our market does not grow as we expect, or if we cannot expand our platform to meet the demands of this market, our revenue may decline or fail to grow.

Our primary competition remains the legacy processes that billers have relied on for many years, such as physical bills, physical checks and non-scalable legacy IVR and similar systems, as well as systems developed internally by financial institutions. Our success depends to a substantial extent on the widespread adoption of our cloud-based electronic billing and payment platform as an alternative to these existing solutions and adoption by billers that are not using any such solutions at all. Some organizations may be reluctant or unwilling to use our platform for several reasons, including concerns about additional costs, uncertainty regarding the reliability and security of cloud-based offerings or lack of awareness of the benefits of our platform. Our ability to expand sales of our platform depends on several factors, including prospective billers’ awareness of our platform; the timely completion, introduction and market acceptance of enhancements to our platform or new products that we may introduce; the effectiveness of our marketing programs; the costs of our platform and the ability of billers to pass on transaction costs to their consumers; and the success of competing solutions. If we are unsuccessful in developing and marketing our platform, or if organizations do not perceive or value the benefits of our platform as an alternative to legacy systems, the market for our platform may not continue to develop or may develop more slowly than we expect, either of which would harm our business, operating results and prospects.

Our risk management efforts may not be effective to prevent fraudulent activities, which could expose us to material financial losses and liability and otherwise harm our business.

We offer a software platform that automates the entire bill payment lifecycle, providing electronic bill presentment, consumer engagement and payment processing for a large number of billers and consumers. We are responsible for verifying the identity of our billers, and monitoring transactions for fraud. We and our billers have been in the past and will continue to be targeted by parties who seek to commit acts of financial fraud using techniques such as stolen identities and bank accounts, compromised business email accounts, employee or insider fraud, account takeover, false applications and check fraud. We may suffer losses from acts of financial fraud committed by or against our billers or partners or their consumers, our employees or other third-parties.

The techniques used to perpetrate fraud on our platform are continually evolving, and we expend considerable resources to continue to monitor and combat them. In addition, when we introduce new products and functionality, or expand existing products, we may not be able to identify all risks created by the new products or functionality. Our risk management policies, procedures, techniques and processes may not be sufficient to identify all of the risks to which we are exposed, to enable us to prevent or mitigate the risks we have identified or to identify additional risks to which we may become subject in the future. Furthermore, our risk management policies, procedures, techniques and processes may contain errors or our employees or agents may commit mistakes or errors in judgment as a result of which we may suffer large financial losses. The software-driven and highly automated nature of our platform could enable criminals and those committing fraud to cause significant losses to our business. As greater numbers of billers, partners and consumers use our platform, our exposure to material risk of losses from a single user, or from a small number of users, will increase.

Our current business and anticipated domestic and international growth will continue to place significant demands on our risk management efforts, and we will need to continue developing and improving our existing risk management infrastructure, policies, procedures, techniques and processes. As techniques used to perpetrate fraud on our platform evolve, we may need to modify our products or services to mitigate fraud risks. As our business grows and becomes more complex, we may be less able to forecast and carry appropriate reserves on our books for fraud related losses. Further, these types of fraudulent activities on our platform can also expose us to civil and criminal liability and governmental and regulatory sanctions as well as potentially cause us to be in breach of our contractual obligations to our third-party partners.

If we lose our founder and chief executive officer or other key members of our management team, or if we are unable to attract and retain executives and employees we need to support our operations and growth, our business may be harmed.

Our success and future growth depend upon the continued services of our management team and other key employees. Dushyant Sharma, our founder, chairman, president and chief executive officer, is critical to our overall management, as well as the continued development of our products, partnerships, culture and strategic direction. From time to time, there may be changes in our management team resulting from the hiring or departure of executives and key employees, which could disrupt our business. Our senior management and key employees are

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employed on an at-will basis. We currently do not have “key person” insurance on any of our employees. Certain of our key employees have been with us for a long period of time and have fully vested stock options or other long-term equity incentives that may become valuable and will be publicly tradable when we become a public company, which reduces the incentive for each of these key employees to remain at our company. The loss of our founder and chief executive officer, or one or more of our other senior management members, or other key employees, including due to illness resulting from COVID-19, could harm our business, and we may not be able to find adequate replacements. We cannot ensure that we will be able to retain the services of any members of our senior management or other key employees or that we would be able to timely replace members of our senior management or other key employees should any of them depart.

Failure to attract and retain additional qualified personnel and any restrictions on the movement of personnel could prevent us from executing our business strategy and growth plans.

To execute our business strategy, we must attract and retain highly qualified personnel. Competition for executive officers, software developers, compliance and risk management personnel and other key employees in our industry and location is intense and increasing. We compete with many other companies for software developers with high levels of experience in designing, developing, and managing cloud-based software and payment systems, as well as for skilled legal and compliance and risk operations professionals. Many of the companies with which we compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than we do and can frequently offer such personnel substantially greater compensation than we can offer. In addition, a new or revised visa program, and in particular one that limits the availability of H1-B and other visas, may impact our ability to recruit, hire, retain or effectively collaborate with qualified skilled personnel, including in the areas of AI and ML, and payment systems and risk management, which could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition. If we fail to identify, attract, develop and integrate new personnel, or fail to retain and motivate our current personnel, our growth prospects would be adversely affected.

If we fail to offer high-quality customer support, if we experience complaints regarding our customer support or if our support is more expensive than anticipated, our business and reputation could suffer.

Billers and their consumers rely on our customer support services to resolve issues and realize the full benefits provided by our platform. High-quality support is also important to maintain and drive further adoption by our existing billers and their consumers. We primarily provide customer support to billers over email, with some additional support provided over chat and through our platform, and to consumers over the phone. If we do not help our billers and their consumers quickly resolve issues and provide effective ongoing support, or if our support personnel or methods of providing support are insufficient to meet the needs of our billers and their consumers, our ability to retain billers, increase adoption by our existing billers and acquire new billers could suffer, and our reputation with existing or potential billers could be harmed. In addition, biller and consumer complaints or negative publicity about our customer service could diminish confidence in and use of our products or services. Effective customer service requires significant expenses, which, if not managed properly, could negatively impact our profitability. If we are not able to meet the customer support needs of our billers and their consumers during the hours that we currently provide support, we may need to increase our support coverage and provide additional support by other means and methods, which may reduce our profitability.

If the fees we charge are unacceptable to our billers or their consumers, our business, operating results and financial condition could be harmed.

We generate substantially all of our revenue by charging billers fees on a per-transaction basis. As the market for our platform matures, or as new or existing competitors introduce new products or services that compete with ours, we may experience pricing pressure and be unable to renew our agreements with existing billers or attract new billers at fee levels that are consistent with our pricing model and operating budget. Our pricing strategy for new products we introduce may prove to be unappealing to our billers or consumers, and our competitors could choose to bundle certain products and services competitive with ours and offer them at lower prices. If this were to occur, it is possible that we would have to change our pricing strategies or reduce our prices, which could harm our business, operating results and growth prospects.

Further, a significant portion of our revenue is generated from billers that elect to pass on transaction fees to consumers in the form of convenience fees. In certain markets, such as utilities and municipalities, convenience fees are commonplace. Despite the fact that such fees are relatively standard, they are often met with negative consumer perception, which could lead to heightened regulatory scrutiny and further pricing pressure.

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If we fail to meet our service level commitments, we could be obligated to provide credits or refunds or face contract terminations, which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Certain of our agreements with our billers and partners contain service level commitments, including commitments regarding the accuracy of information and data we provide and how quickly we will respond to support inquiries. If we are unable to meet the stated service level commitments or our platform suffers extended periods of unavailability or downtime, we may be contractually obligated to provide these parties with service credits or refunds. In addition, certain billers could shift to using a different solution such that we would no longer be their exclusive payment provider and we could also face contract terminations, either of which would adversely affect our future revenue. Further, any extended service outages could adversely affect our reputation, revenue and operating results.

If we fail to adapt and respond effectively to rapidly changing technology, evolving industry standards, changing regulations and changing business needs, requirements or preferences, our products may become less competitive and our growth rate could decline.

The market for electronic bill presentment and payment services is relatively new and subject to ongoing technological change, evolving industry standards, payment methods and changing regulations, and changing biller and consumer needs, requirements and preferences. The success of our business will depend, in part, on our ability to adapt and respond effectively to these changes on a timely basis, including launching new products and services. The success of any new product and service, or any enhancements or modifications to existing products and services, depends on several factors, including the timely completion, introduction and market acceptance of such products and services, enhancements and modifications. If we are unable to enhance our platform, add new payment methods or develop new products that keep pace with technological and regulatory change and achieve market acceptance, or if new technologies emerge that are able to deliver competitive products and services at lower prices, more efficiently, more conveniently or more securely than our products, our business, operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected. Moreover, we may experience delays in the development and introduction of new products due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, modifications to our existing platform or technology will increase our research and development expenses. Any of the foregoing could reduce the demand for our services, result in biller, partner and consumer dissatisfaction and adversely affect our business.

Failure to effectively develop and expand our sales and marketing capabilities could harm our ability to increase our biller base and achieve broader market acceptance of our products.

Our ability to increase our biller base and achieve broader market acceptance of our platform will depend to a significant extent on our ability to expand our sales and marketing organizations, and to deploy our sales and marketing resources efficiently. Although we will adjust our sales and marketing spend levels as needed in response to changes in the economic environment, we plan to continue expanding our direct sales team as well as our sales team focused on identifying partnerships. These efforts will require us to invest significant financial and other resources. We may not achieve anticipated revenue growth from expanding our sales team if we are unable to hire, develop, integrate and retain talented and effective sales personnel, if our new and existing sales personnel are unable to achieve desired productivity levels in a reasonable period of time or if our sales and marketing programs are not effective. Our business and operating results will be harmed if our sales and marketing efforts do not generate significant increases in revenue.

We plan to expand our operations internationally by targeting international billers and partners, and further expanding use of our platform internationally among our existing international billers and partners, which will create a variety of operational challenges.

A component of our growth strategy involves expanding our operations internationally. Although 98% of our 2020 revenue was generated in the United States, many of our largest billers have billable consumers in international geographies. We are continuing to adapt to and develop strategies to expand to international geographies. However, there is no guarantee that such efforts will have the desired effect or that we will be able to grow our international footprint without unexpected delay or expense when international expansion opportunities arise. If we invest substantial time and resources to further expand our operations internationally and are unable to do so successfully, cost-effectively and in a timely manner, our business and operating results may suffer.

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Our international operations strategy involves a variety of risks, including:

 

changes in regulations and our ability to comply with and obtain any relevant licenses;

 

currency exchange rate fluctuations and the resulting effect on our revenue and expenses, and the cost and risk of entering into hedging transactions;

 

reduction in cross-border trade and other adverse impacts resulting from trade sanctions or changes in trade relations, laws or regulations;

 

potential application of more stringent regulations relating to payments, privacy, data protection and information security, and the authorized use of, or access to, sensitive and personal data;

 

exposure to liabilities under anti-corruption and anti-money laundering laws, including the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, or FCPA, U.S. domestic bribery laws and similar laws and regulations in other jurisdictions; and

 

unexpected changes in tax laws.

Future acquisitions and strategic investments could be difficult to identify and integrate, divert the attention of management, disrupt our business, dilute stockholder value and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may in the future seek to acquire or invest in businesses, products or technologies that we believe could further complement or expand our platform, enhance our technical capabilities or otherwise offer growth opportunities. The pursuit of potential acquisitions may divert the attention of our management and cause us to incur various expenses in identifying, investigating and pursuing suitable acquisitions, whether or not such acquisitions are completed. In addition, we may not successfully identify desirable acquisition targets, or if we acquire additional businesses, we may not be able to integrate them effectively following the acquisition and we may not capture the benefits we hope to achieve from such acquisitions. Acquisitions could also result in dilutive issuances of equity securities or the incurrence of debt, as well as unfavorable accounting treatment and exposure to claims and disputes by third parties, including intellectual property claims. We also may not generate sufficient financial returns to offset the costs and expenses related to any acquisitions. In addition, if an acquired business fails to meet our expectations, our business, operating results and financial condition may suffer.

If we fail to maintain and enhance our brand, our ability to expand our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We believe that maintaining and enhancing the Paymentus brand is important to support the marketing and sale of our existing and future products to new billers and partners and to increase adoption of our platform by existing billers and partners. Successfully maintaining and enhancing our brand will depend largely on the effectiveness of our marketing and demand generation efforts, our ability to provide reliable products that continue to meet the needs of our billers and consumers at competitive prices, our ability to maintain our billers’ and consumers’ trust, our ability to continue to develop new functionality and products and our ability to successfully differentiate our products from competitive products and services. Our promotion activities may not generate brand awareness or yield increased revenue, and even if they do, any increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in building our brand. Further, any negative publicity about our industry, our company, the quality and reliability of our products and services, our risk management processes, our privacy, data protection or information security practices, litigation, regulatory activity or the experience of billers and partners with our products or services could harm our reputation. If we fail to successfully promote and maintain our brand, our business, operating results and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We may require additional capital to support the growth of our business, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

We have funded our operations since inception primarily through equity financings and cash from operations. We intend to continue to make investments to support our business, which may require us to engage in equity, equity-linked or debt financings to secure additional funds. Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. The market prices for other technology companies have been highly volatile as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and related governmental actions, which may also reduce our ability to access capital on favorable terms or at all and adversely impact the market price of our Class A common stock. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities, which could harm our

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business, operating results, financial condition and prospects. If we incur debt, the debt holders would have rights senior to holders of our Class A common stock to make claims on our assets, and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations, including our ability to pay dividends on our Class A common stock. Furthermore, if we issue additional equity securities, stockholders will experience dilution, and the new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our Class A common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in the future will depend on numerous considerations, including factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any future issuances of debt or equity securities. As a result, our stockholders bear the risk of future issuances of debt or equity securities reducing the market price of our Class A common stock and diluting their interests.

Natural catastrophic events, pandemics and man-made problems such as power disruptions, computer viruses, security breaches and terrorism may disrupt our business.

Natural disasters, pandemics such as COVID-19 or other catastrophic events may cause damage or disruption to our operations, commerce in general and the global economy, and thus could harm our business. Our headquarters are located in Redmond, Washington and we have a large employee presence in Toronto, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina, and Delhi, India. In the event of a major earthquake, hurricane or catastrophic event such as fire, power loss, telecommunications failure, vandalism, cyber-attack, war or terrorist attack affecting regions where we maintain operations or where our data centers are located, we may be unable to continue our operations and may endure system interruptions, reputational harm, delays in our application development, lengthy interruptions in our services, breaches of data security and loss of critical data, any of which could harm our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic and widespread shelter-in-place and other governmental restrictions have caused most of our employees to work remotely. Given these widespread remote work arrangements, if a natural disaster, power outage, connectivity issue or other event occurs that impacts our employees’ ability to work remotely, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible, for us to continue our business for a substantial period of time.

Additionally, as computer malware, viruses, computer hacking, intrusions, ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering attacks, fraudulent use attempts, phishing attacks and other security breaches have become more prevalent, we, and third parties upon which we rely, face increased risk in maintaining the performance, reliability, security and availability of our solutions and related services and technical infrastructure to the satisfaction of our billers, partners and consumers. Any computer malware, viruses, computer hacking, intrusions, ransomware attacks, denial-of-service attacks, social engineering attacks, fraudulent use attempts, phishing attacks or other security breaches related to our network infrastructure or information technology systems or to computer hardware we lease from third parties, could, among other things, harm our reputation and our ability to retain existing billers and partners and attract new billers and partners.

In addition, the insurance we maintain may be insufficient to cover our losses resulting from disasters, cyber-attacks or other business interruptions, and any incidents may result in loss of, or increased costs of, such insurance. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, or denials of coverage, could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results, financial condition and reputation.

Any future litigation, investigations or similar matters, or adverse facts and developments related thereto, could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We have in the past and may in the future become subject to legal proceedings, claims, investigations or similar matters that arise in the ordinary course of business, such as claims brought by our billers or their consumers in connection with commercial disputes, employment claims made by our current or former employees or claims regarding misappropriation of consumer data. Litigation, investigations or similar matters might result in substantial costs and may divert management’s attention and resources, which might seriously harm our business, operating results and financial condition. Insurance might not cover such matters, might not provide sufficient payments to cover all the costs to resolve one or more such matters and might not continue to be available on terms acceptable to us. A claim brought against us that is uninsured or underinsured could result in unanticipated costs, thereby reducing our operating results and leading analysts or potential investors to reduce their expectations of our performance, which could reduce the market price of our Class A common stock.

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Our estimates of market opportunity and forecasts of market growth may prove to be inaccurate, and even if the market in which we compete achieves the forecasted growth, our business could fail to grow at similar rates, if at all.

Market opportunity estimates and growth forecasts included in this prospectus, including those we have prepared ourselves, are subject to significant uncertainty and are based on assumptions and estimates that may not prove to be accurate. The variables that go into the calculation of our market opportunity are subject to change over time, and there is no guarantee that any particular number or percentage of addressable billers or consumers covered by our market opportunity estimates will purchase our products at all or generate any particular level of revenue for us. Any expansion in our market depends on a number of factors, including the cost, performance and perceived value associated with our platform and those of our competitors. Even if the market in which we compete meets the size estimates and growth forecasted, our business could fail to grow at similar rates, if at all. Our growth is subject to many factors, including our success in implementing our business strategy, which is subject to many risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, the forecasts of market growth included in this prospectus should not be taken as indicative of our future growth. For more information regarding the estimates of market opportunity and the forecasts of market growth included in this prospectus, see the section titled “Market, Industry and Other Data.”

Risks Related to Regulation

Payments and other financial services-related regulations and oversight are material to our business and any failure by us to comply could materially harm our business.

The local, state and federal laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and industry standards that govern our business, both directly and through our relationships with banks, card networks and other financial services partners, include, or may in the future include, those relating to payments services, such as payment processing and settlement services, anti-money laundering, combating terrorist financing, escheatment, international sanctions regimes and compliance with the PCI-DSS, a set of requirements designed to ensure that all companies that process, store or transmit payment card information maintain a secure environment to protect cardholder data. We do not directly collect or store payment card information; instead, we rely on a third-party payment processor to do so. These laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and standards are enforced by multiple authorities and governing bodies in the United States, including the Department of the Treasury, self-regulatory organizations and numerous state and local agencies. Currently, we do not possess any permits or licenses from financial regulators. We believe the licensing requirements of federal and state agencies that regulate or monitor banks or other types of providers of electronic commerce services do not apply to us. While our business itself is not currently subject to financial services-related regulation, and we have received confirmation from multiple state regulators that we are not required to obtain money transmitter licenses in those states, the banks, payment networks and card networks that we partner with operate in a highly regulated landscape and there is a risk that those regulations could become directly applicable to us. As we expand into new jurisdictions, the number of foreign laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and standards governing our business will expand as well. In addition, as our business and products continue to develop and expand, we may become subject to additional laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and standards. We may not always be able to accurately predict the scope or applicability of certain laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes or standards to our business, particularly as we expand into new areas of operations, which could have a significant negative effect on our existing business and our ability to pursue future plans.

In the future, as a result of the regulations that are or may become applicable to our business, we could be subject to investigations and resulting liability, including governmental fines, restrictions on our business or other sanctions, and we could be forced to cease conducting certain aspects of our business with residents of certain jurisdictions, be forced to change our business practices in certain jurisdictions or be required to obtain additional licenses, certifications or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that we will be able to successfully implement changes to our business practices or obtain or maintain any such licenses, certifications or regulatory approvals, and, even if we were able to do so, there could be substantial costs and potential product changes involved in obtaining, maintaining and renewing such licenses, certifications and approvals, which could have a material and adverse effect on our business. In addition, we could be subject to fines or other enforcement action if we are found to violate disclosure, reporting, anti-money laundering, capitalization, corporate governance or other requirements of such licenses, certifications or approvals. These factors could impose substantial additional costs, involve considerable delay to the development or provision of our products or services, require significant and costly operational changes or prevent us from providing our products or services in any given market.

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We are required to comply with payment network operating rules and changes to such rules or payment network fees could harm our business.

Payment networks, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, NACHA and INTERAC, establish their own rules and standards that allocate liabilities and responsibilities among the payment networks and their participants. These rules and standards, including PCI-DSS, govern a variety of areas, including how consumers may use their cards, the security features of cards, security standards for processing, data protection and information security and allocation of liability for certain acts or omissions, including liability in the event of a data breach. Participants are subject to audits by the payment networks to ensure compliance with applicable rules and standards.

We are required to comply with card network operating rules and have agreed to reimburse our service providers for any fines they are assessed by payment networks as a result of any rule violations by us. We may also be directly liable to the payment networks for rule violations. The payment networks set and interpret the card operating rules. The payment networks could adopt new operating rules or interpret or reinterpret existing rules that we or our processors might find difficult or even impossible to follow or costly to implement. These changes may be made for any number of reasons, including as a result of changes in the regulatory environment, to maintain or attract new participants or to serve the strategic initiatives of the networks, and may impose additional costs and expenses on or be disadvantageous to certain participants. For example, changes in the payment network rules regarding chargebacks may affect our ability to dispute chargebacks and the amount of losses we incur from chargebacks. If we fail to make such changes or otherwise resolve the issue with the payment networks, the networks could pass on fines and assessments in respect of fraud or chargebacks related to our merchants or disqualify us from processing transactions if satisfactory controls are not maintained, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition. As a result of any violations of rules or new rules being implemented, the networks may fine, penalize or suspend the registration of participants for certain acts or omissions or the failure of the participants to comply with applicable rules and standards, existing billers, partners or other third parties may cease using or referring our services, prospective billers, partners or other third parties may choose to terminate negotiations with us, or delay or choose not to consider us for their processing needs, and the networks could refuse to allow us to process payments through their networks. Any of the foregoing could materially adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.

From time to time, these networks increase the fees that they charge payment processors. We could attempt to pass these increases along to our billers, but this strategy might result in the loss of billers to competing solutions. If competitive practices prevent us from passing along the higher fees to our billers in the future, we may have to absorb all or a portion of such increases, which may increase our operating costs and reduce our earnings. In addition, regulators are subjecting interchange and other fees to increased scrutiny, and new regulations could require greater pricing transparency of the breakdown in fees or fee limitations, which could lead to increased price-based competition, lower margins and higher rates of biller attrition and negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. As a result of any increased fees, such payments could become prohibitively expensive for us or for our billers.

We are subject to U.S. and foreign governmental laws, regulations, rules, standards, policies, contractual obligations and other legal obligations, particularly those related to privacy, data protection and information security, and our actual or perceived failure to comply with such obligations could harm our business, by resulting in litigation, fines, penalties, increased costs or adverse publicity and reputational damage that may negatively affect the value of our business and decrease the market price of our Class A common stock.

Our billers and consumers store personal and business information, financial information and other sensitive information on our platform. In addition, we receive, store, handle, transmit, use and otherwise process personal and business information and other data from and about actual and prospective billers, as well as our employees and service providers. As a result, we and our handling of data are subject to a variety of laws, rules and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security, including regulation by various governmental authorities, such as the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, and various state, local and foreign agencies. Our data handling and processing activities are also subject to contractual obligations and industry standard requirements. The legislative and regulatory landscapes for privacy, data protection and information security continue to evolve in jurisdictions worldwide, with an increasing focus on privacy and data protection issues with the potential to affect our business. Failure to comply with any of these laws or regulations could result in litigation, enforcement actions, damages, fines, penalties or adverse publicity and reputational damage, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

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The U.S. federal and various state and foreign governments have also adopted or proposed limitations on the collection, distribution, use and storage of data relating to individuals and businesses, including the use of contact information and other data for marketing, advertising and other communications with individuals and businesses. In the United States, various laws and regulations apply to the security, collection, processing, storage, use, disclosure and other processing of certain types of data, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Gramm Leach Bliley Act, and state and local laws relating to privacy and data security. Additionally, the FTC and many state attorneys general have interpreted and are continuing to interpret federal and state consumer protection laws to impose standards for the online collection, use, dissemination, processing and security of data.

In addition, many states in which we operate have laws that protect the privacy and security of sensitive and personal data. Certain U.S. state laws may be more stringent or broader in scope, or offer greater individual rights, with respect to sensitive and personal information than international, federal, or other state laws, and such laws may differ from each other, which may complicate compliance efforts. For example, in June 2018, California enacted the California Consumer Privacy Act, or the CCPA, which became operative on January 1, 2020 and broadly defines personal information, gives California residents expanded privacy rights and protections, including the right to access and delete certain personal information, as well as the right to opt-out of certain sales of personal information, and provides for civil penalties for violations and a private right of action for data breaches. This private right of action may increase the likelihood of, and risks associated with, data breach litigation. Additionally, a new California ballot initiative, the California Privacy Rights Act, or the CPRA, was passed in November 2020. Effective beginning on January 1, 2023, the CPRA imposes additional obligations on companies covered by the legislation and will significantly modify the CCPA, including by expanding California residents’ rights with respect to certain sensitive personal information. The CPRA also creates a new state agency that will be vested with authority to implement and enforce the CCPA and the CPRA. The interpretation and enforcement of the CCPA and many aspects of the CPRA remain unclear, and the effects of the CCPA and the CPRA potentially are significant and may require us to modify our data collection or processing practices and policies and to incur substantial costs and expenses in an effort to comply and increase our potential exposure to regulatory enforcement and sanctions and litigation.

Certain other state laws impose similar privacy obligations, and all 50 states have laws including obligations to provide notification of security breaches of computer databases that contain personal information to affected individuals, state officers and others. For example, the CCPA has prompted the enactment of several new state laws or amendments of existing state laws, such as in New York and Nevada. These laws could mark the beginning of a trend toward more stringent privacy legislation in other U.S. states and have prompted a number of proposals for new federal and state-level privacy legislation. This legislation, if passed, may add additional complexity, variation in requirements, restrictions and potential legal risk, require additional investment of resources in compliance programs, impact strategies and the availability of previously useful data and could result in increased compliance costs or changes in business practices and policies.

In addition, several foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the European Union, or EU, have established their own laws, rules and regulations addressing privacy, data protection and information security with regard to the handling and processing of sensitive and personal data obtained from their residents with which we or our billers or partners may need to comply. These laws and regulations are in certain cases more restrictive than those in the United States. Laws and regulations in these jurisdictions apply broadly to the collection, use, storage, disclosure and security of various types of data, including data that identifies or may be used to identify an individual, such as names, email addresses and in some jurisdictions, IP addresses. The EU’s privacy, data protection and information security landscapes are currently evolving, resulting in possible significant operational costs for internal compliance and risk to our business. Within the EU, the General Data Protection Regulation, or GDPR, which went into effect in May 2018, contains numerous requirements and changes from previously existing EU law, including more robust, direct obligations on data processors in addition to data controllers, heavier documentation requirements for data protection compliance programs by companies and significantly increases the level of sanctions for non-compliance as compared to previous EU data protection law. In particular, under the GDPR, EU data protection authorities have the power to impose administrative fines for violations of the GDPR of up to a maximum of €20 million or 4% of the data controller’s or data processor’s total global turnover for the preceding fiscal year, whichever is higher, and violations of the GDPR may also lead to damages claims by data controllers and data subjects. Such penalties are in addition to any civil litigation claims by data controllers, customers and data subjects. Being subject to the GDPR, we may need to take steps to cause our processes to be compliant with applicable portions of the GDPR, but we cannot assure you that we will be able to implement changes in a timely manner or without significant disruption to our business, or that such steps will be effective, and we may face the risk of liability under the GDPR. The laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and

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information security are evolving, can be subject to significant change, and may result in ever-increasing regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions.

We are also subject to certain obligations under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, or HIPAA, as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act of 2009, or HITECH, as well as certain state laws and related contractual obligations. HIPAA imposes obligations on certain covered entity healthcare providers, health plans and healthcare clearinghouses, as well as on business associates, like us, that perform certain services involving the use or disclosure of individually identifiable health information, including mandatory contractual terms, with respect to safeguarding the privacy, security and transmission of individually identifiable health information.

The scope and interpretation of the laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security that are or may be applicable to us are often uncertain and may be conflicting, as a result of the rapidly evolving regulatory framework for privacy issues worldwide. It is possible that these laws may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing data management practices, solutions or platform capabilities. For example, laws relating to the liability of providers of online services for activities of their users and other third parties are currently being tested by a number of claims, including actions based on invasion of privacy and other torts, unfair competition, copyright and trademark infringement, and other theories based on the nature and content of the materials searched, the ads posted or the content provided by users. As a result of the laws that are or may be applicable to us, and due to the sensitive nature of the information we collect, we have implemented policies and procedures to preserve and protect our data and our platform users’ data against loss, misuse, corruption, misappropriation caused by systems failures or unauthorized access. If our policies, procedures or measures relating to privacy, data protection, information security or the processing of data for marketing purposes or consumer communications fail to comply with laws, regulations, policies, legal obligations or industry standards, we may be subject to governmental enforcement actions, litigation, regulatory investigations, fines, penalties and negative publicity, and could cause our application providers, billers and partners to lose trust in us, and have an adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

In addition to government regulation, privacy advocates and industry groups may propose new and different self-regulatory standards that may apply to us. Because the interpretation and application of privacy, data protection and information security laws, regulations, rules and other standards are still uncertain, it is possible that these laws, rules, regulations and other actual or alleged legal obligations, such as contractual or self-regulatory obligations, may be interpreted and applied in a manner that is inconsistent with our existing data management practices or the functionality of our platform. If so, in addition to the possibility of fines, lawsuits and other claims, we could be required to fundamentally change our business activities and practices or modify our software, which could have an adverse effect on our business.

Further, any failure or perceived failure by us, or any third parties with which we do business, to comply with laws, regulations, policies (including our publicly posted privacy policies), procedures, measures, legal or contractual obligations, industry standards or regulatory guidance relating to privacy, data protection or information security may result in governmental investigations and enforcement actions, litigation, fines and penalties, or adverse publicity, and could cause our billers and partners to lose trust in us, which could have an adverse effect on our reputation, business, operating results and financial condition. We expect that there will continue to be new proposed laws, regulations and industry standards relating to privacy, data protection, information security, marketing and consumer communications, and we cannot predict the impact such future laws, regulations and standards may have on our business. Future laws, regulations, standards and other obligations or any changed interpretation of existing laws or regulations may be inconsistent among jurisdictions and may conflict with our current or future practices, which could impair our ability to develop and market new functionality and maintain and grow our biller base and increase revenue. Additionally, our billers or partners may be subject to differing privacy laws, rules and legislation, which may mean that they require us to be bound by varying contractual requirements applicable to certain other jurisdictions. Future restrictions on the collection, use, processing, storage, sharing or disclosure of various types of data, including financial information and other personal data, or additional requirements for express or implied consent of our billers, partners or consumers for the collection, use, processing, storage, sharing and disclosure of such information could require us to incur additional costs or modify our platform, possibly in a material manner, and could limit our ability to develop new functionality. Complying with these requirements and changing our policies and practices may be onerous and costly, and we may not be able to respond quickly or effectively to regulatory, legislative and other developments.

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If we are not able to comply with these laws or regulations, or if we become liable under these laws or regulations, we could be directly harmed, including through fines and litigation, and we may be forced to implement new measures to reduce our exposure to this liability. This may require us to expend substantial resources or to discontinue certain products, which would negatively affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, the increased attention focused upon liability issues as a result of lawsuits and legislative proposals could harm our reputation or otherwise adversely affect the growth of our business. Furthermore, any costs incurred as a result of this potential liability could harm our operating results.

Our and our billers’ and partners’ communications with existing and potential consumers are subject to laws regulating telephone and email marketing practices, and our or their failure to comply with such communications laws could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and significantly harm our reputation.

Our platform enables our billers and partners to communicate directly with their consumers, including via email, text messages and telephone calls. Our platform also enables recording and monitoring of calls between our billers and partners and their consumers for training and quality assurance purposes. On occasion we also send communications directly to consumers. These activities are subject to a variety of U.S. state and federal laws, rules and regulations, such as the Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991, or the TCPA, the CAN-SPAM Act of 2003, or the CAN-SPAM Act, and others related to telemarketing, recording and monitoring of communications. The TCPA prohibits companies from making telemarketing calls to numbers listed in the Federal Do-Not-Call Registry and imposes other obligations and limitations on making phone calls and sending text messages to consumers. The CAN-SPAM Act regulates commercial email messages and specifies penalties for the transmission of commercial email messages that do not comply with certain requirements, such as providing an opt-out mechanism for stopping future emails from senders. The TCPA, the CAN-SPAM Act and other communications laws, rules and regulations are subject to varying interpretations by courts and governmental authorities and often require subjective interpretation, making it difficult to predict their application and therefore making compliance efforts more challenging. We and our billers and partners may be required to comply with these and similar laws, rules and regulations. To comply with these laws, rules and regulations, in some cases we rely on our billers and partners to obtain legally required consents from their consumers to receive communications sent using our platform. We cannot, however, be certain that our or their efforts to comply will always be successful. Our business could be adversely affected by changes to the application or interpretation of existing laws, rules and regulations governing our platform’s communication capabilities, or the enactment of new laws, rules and regulations, and by our and our billers’ and partners’ failure to comply with such laws, rules and regulations in using our platform. If any of these laws, rules or regulations were to significantly restrict our or our billers’ or partners’ ability to use our platform to communicate with existing and potential consumers, we may not be able to develop adequate alternative communication modules for our platform. Further, our or our billers’ or partners’ non-compliance with these laws, rules and regulations could result in significant financial penalties, litigation, including class action litigation, consent decrees and injunctions, adverse publicity and other negative consequences, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition and significantly harm our reputation.

If we fail to comply with extensive, complex, overlapping and frequently changing rules, regulations and legal interpretations, our business could be materially harmed.

Our success and increased visibility, and that of the electronic and online billing and payments sector more generally, may result in increased regulatory oversight and enforcement and more restrictive rules and regulations that apply to our business. We are subject to a wide variety of local, state, federal and international laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and industry standards in the United States and in other countries in which we operate. These laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and standards govern numerous areas that are important to our business. In addition to the payments and financial services-related regulations, and the privacy, data protection and information security-related laws described elsewhere in this prospectus, our business is also subject to, without limitation, rules and regulations applicable to securities, labor and employment, immigration, competition and marketing and communications practices. Laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and standards applicable to our business are subject to change and evolving interpretations and application, including by means of legislative changes and executive orders, and it can be difficult to predict how they may be applied to our business and the way we conduct our operations, particularly as we introduce new products and services and expand into new jurisdictions. We may not be able to respond quickly or effectively to regulatory, legislative and other developments, and these changes may in turn impair our ability to offer our existing or planned features, products and services and increase our cost of doing business.

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There can be no assurance that our employees or contractors will not violate laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes and industry standards. Any failure or perceived failure by us or our employees or contractors to comply with existing or new laws, rules, regulations, licensing schemes, industry standards or orders of any governmental authority (including changes to or expansion of the interpretation of those laws, regulations, standards or orders), may, among other things:

 

subject us to significant fines, penalties, criminal and civil lawsuits, license suspension or revocation, forfeiture of significant assets, audits, inquiries, whistleblower complaints, adverse media coverage, investigations and enforcement actions in one or more jurisdictions levied by federal, state, local or foreign regulators, state attorneys general and private plaintiffs who may be acting as private attorneys general pursuant to various applicable federal, state and local laws;

 

result in additional compliance and licensure requirements;

 

increase regulatory scrutiny of our business;

 

restrict our operations, product features, quality and breadth and depth of functionality; and

 

force us to change our business practices or compliance program, make product or operational changes or delay planned product launches or improvements.

The complexity of U.S. federal and state regulatory and enforcement regimes, coupled with the current and potential future scope of our international operations and the evolving regulatory environment, could result in a single event giving rise to many overlapping investigations and legal and regulatory proceedings by multiple government authorities in different jurisdictions.

Any of the foregoing could, individually or in the aggregate, harm our reputation as a trusted provider, damage our brand and business, cause us to lose existing billers and partners, prevent us from obtaining new billers and partners, require us to expend significant funds to remedy problems caused by breaches and to avert further breaches, expose us to legal risk and potential liability, and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the preparation and audit of our financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future that may cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements of our financial statements. If we fail to remediate any material weaknesses, identify additional material weaknesses, or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely affected.

We are not currently required to comply with the rules of the SEC implementing Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and are therefore not required to make a formal assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for that purpose. As a public company, we will be required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Sections 302 and 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which will require management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports and provide an annual management report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Though we will be required to disclose changes made in our internal control over financial reporting on a quarterly basis, we will not be required to make our first annual assessment of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC. As an emerging growth company, our independent registered public accounting firm will not be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 until the later of the year following our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC or the date we are no longer an emerging growth company. If our internal control over financial reporting is not effective, management’s report and our independent registered public accounting firm’s report would be adverse.

In connection with the preparation and audit of our consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, we and our independent registered public accounting firm identified certain control deficiencies in the design and implementation of our internal control over financial reporting that constituted material weaknesses. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Our evaluation was based on the Committee of

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Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013). These material weaknesses are as follows:

 

We lacked a sufficient number of trained professionals with an appropriate level of accounting knowledge, training and experience to appropriately analyze, record and disclose accounting matters, including accounting for capitalized internal-use software development costs, identification of reporting units, translation of foreign currency in consolidation, accounting for deferred compensation, calculation of earnings per share and classification of accounts in the financial statements. Additionally, we did not design and maintain effective controls over verifying the appropriate review and approval of journal entries.

 

We did not design and maintain effective controls relevant to the preparation of our financial statements with respect to certain information technology, or IT, general controls for information systems. Specifically, we did not design and maintain (1) program change management controls to ensure that IT program and data changes affecting certain IT applications and underlying accounting records are identified, tested, authorized and implemented appropriately; and (2) user access controls to ensure appropriate segregation of duties and that adequately restrict user and privileged access to financial applications, programs and data to appropriate company personnel.

These material weaknesses resulted in misstatements related to capitalized internal-use software development costs, accumulated other comprehensive income, cost of revenue, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses, general and administrative expenses, income tax expense, the disclosure of deferred compensation, the classification of revenue, sales and marketing expenses, research and development expenses and general and administrative expenses, the calculation of earnings per share and the disclosure of revenue by geography as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019, which resulted in the restatement of the 2019 consolidated financial statements and a classification adjustment that was recorded to revenue and sales and marketing expenses in the 2020 consolidated financial statements. Additionally, these material weaknesses could result in a misstatement of substantially all of our accounts or disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to the annual or interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.

As of the date of this prospectus we have begun implementing a plan to remediate the material weaknesses described above. In 2020, we implemented a new general ledger accounting system, including the design of permissions within that system which allow for effective restricted access and segregation of duties to govern the preparation and review of journal entries. Additional remediation measures are ongoing and include the following:

 

enhancing and documenting management review controls over the review of journal entries and the identification and review of complex transactions;

 

continuing to hire additional personnel with public company experience for our accounting and finance function, in addition to our new chief financial officer; and

 

designing and implementing comprehensive access control protocols for our relevant IT applications to enforce restricted user and privileged access and implementing controls to review the activities for those users who have privileged access.

While we believe these efforts will remediate the material weaknesses, we may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing or any required remediation in a timely fashion, or at all. We cannot assure you that the measures we have taken to date and may take in the future will be sufficient to remediate the control deficiencies that led to the identified material weaknesses in internal control over financial reporting or that the measures will prevent or avoid future material weaknesses. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting is subject to various inherent limitations, including cost limitations, judgments used in decision making, assumptions about the likelihood of future events, the possibility of human error and the risk of fraud. If we are unable to remediate the material weaknesses, our ability to record, process and report financial information accurately, and to prepare financial statements within the time periods required under SEC rules, could be adversely affected. This may in turn adversely affect our reputation and business and the market price of our Class A common stock. In addition, any such failures could result in litigation or regulatory actions by the SEC or other regulatory authorities, loss of investor confidence, delisting of our Class A common stock and diversion of financial and management resources from the operation of our business.

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The requirements of being a public company may strain our resources, result in more litigation and divert management’s attention.

As a public company, we will be subject to the requirements of the Exchange Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and other applicable securities rules and regulations. Complying with these rules and regulations has increased and will continue to increase our legal and financial compliance costs, make some activities more difficult, time consuming or costly and increase demand on our systems and resources. To address these challenges, we recently expanded our finance and accounting teams. The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires, among other things, that we maintain effective disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. We are required to disclose changes made in our internal control and procedures on a quarterly basis. In order to maintain and, if required, improve our disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting to meet this standard, significant resources and management oversight may be required. As a result, management’s attention may be diverted from other business concerns, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. We may need to hire additional employees or engage outside consultants to comply with these requirements, which will increase our costs and expenses.

In addition, changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure are creating uncertainty for public companies, increasing legal and financial compliance costs and making some activities more time consuming. These laws, regulations and standards are subject to varying interpretations, in many cases due to their lack of specificity, and, as a result, their application in practice may evolve over time as new guidance is provided by regulatory and governing bodies. This could result in continuing uncertainty regarding compliance matters and higher costs necessitated by ongoing revisions to disclosure and governance practices. We intend to invest resources to comply with evolving laws, regulations and standards, and this investment may result in increased general and administrative expenses and a diversion of management’s time and attention from revenue-generating activities to compliance activities. If our efforts to comply with new laws, regulations and standards differ from the activities intended by regulatory or governing bodies, due to ambiguities related to their application and practice or for other reasons, regulatory authorities may initiate legal proceedings against us and our business may be adversely affected.

These new rules and regulations may make it more expensive for us to obtain director and officer liability insurance, and in the future, we may be required to accept reduced coverage or incur substantially higher costs to obtain coverage. These factors could also make it more difficult for us to attract and retain qualified members of our board of directors, particularly to serve on our audit committee and compensation committee, and qualified executive officers.

By disclosing information in this prospectus and in filings required of a public company, our business and financial condition will become more visible, which we believe may result in threatened or actual litigation, including by competitors and other third parties. If those claims are successful, our business could be seriously harmed. Even if the claims do not result in litigation or are resolved in our favor, the time and resources needed to resolve them could divert our management’s resources and our financial resources, and seriously harm our business.

We are subject to laws and regulations regarding export control, import, economic and trade sanctions, anti-money laundering and counter-terror financing that could impair our ability to compete in international markets or subject us to criminal or civil liability if we violate them.

We plan to expand internationally and will thus become subject to additional laws and regulations for which we will need to implement new regulatory compliance controls. In some cases, our products are subject to export control laws and regulations, including the Export Administration Regulations administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce, and our activities may be subject to trade and economic sanctions, including U.S. economic and trade sanctions administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, which we collectively refer to as trade controls. As such, a license may be required to export or re-export our products, or provide related services, to certain countries and billers. Further, our products incorporating encryption functionality may be subject to special controls applying to encryption items or certain reporting requirements. The process for obtaining necessary licenses may be time-consuming or unsuccessful, potentially causing delays in sales or losses of sales opportunities.

We have procedures in place designed to ensure our compliance with trade controls, with which failure to comply could subject us to both civil and criminal penalties, including substantial fines, possible incarceration of responsible individuals for willful violations, possible loss of our export or import privileges and reputational harm.

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For example, we have processes in place to comply with the OFAC regulations as well as similar requirements in other jurisdictions. As part of our compliance efforts, we scan our billers against OFAC and other watchlists. If our platform is accessed from a sanctioned country in violation of trade and economic sanctions, we could be subject to fines or other enforcement action. Although we have no knowledge that our activities have resulted in violations of trade controls, any failure by us or our partners to comply with applicable laws and regulations would have negative consequences for us, including reputational harm, government investigations and penalties.

In addition, various countries regulate the import of certain encryption technology, including through import permit and license requirements, and have enacted laws that could limit our ability to distribute our products or could limit billers’ ability to implement our products in those countries. Changes in our products or changes in export and import regulations in such countries may create delays in the introduction of our products into international markets, prevent billers with international operations from deploying our products globally or, in some cases, prevent or delay the export or import of our products to certain countries, governments or persons altogether. Any change in export or import laws or regulations, economic sanctions or related legislation, shift in the enforcement or scope of existing export, import or sanctions laws or regulations, or change in the countries, governments, persons or technologies targeted by such export, import or sanctions laws or regulations, could result in decreased use of our products by, or in our decreased ability to export or sell our products to, existing or potential billers with international operations. Any decreased use of our products or limitation on our ability to export to or sell our products in international markets could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

We are also subject to various anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing laws and regulations around the world that prohibit, among other things, our involvement in transferring the proceeds of criminal activities. There has been increased scrutiny in the United States and globally regarding compliance with these laws and regulations, which may require us to further revise or expand our compliance program, including the procedures we use to verify the identity of our billers.

We are subject to anti-corruption, anti-bribery and similar laws, and non-compliance with such laws can subject us to criminal or civil liability and harm our business.

We are subject to the FCPA, U.S. domestic bribery laws and other anti-corruption laws. Anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws have been enforced aggressively in recent years and are interpreted broadly to generally prohibit companies, their employees and their third-party intermediaries from authorizing, offering or providing, directly or indirectly, improper payments or benefits to recipients in the public sector. These laws also require that we keep accurate books and records and maintain internal controls and compliance procedures designed to prevent any such actions. Although we currently only maintain operations in the United States, Canada and India, as we increase our international cross-border business and expand operations abroad, we may engage with business partners and third-party intermediaries to market our services and to obtain necessary permits, licenses and other regulatory approvals. Our operations are dependent in part upon transmission bandwidth provided by third-party network providers and access to co-location facilities to house our servers, which in some countries may be state owned. Similarly, some of our billers may be state-owned, in each case exposing us to potential risks. In addition, we or our third-party intermediaries may have direct or indirect interactions with officials and employees of government agencies or state-owned or affiliated entities. We can be held liable for the corrupt or other illegal activities of these third-party intermediaries, our employees, representatives, contractors, partners and agents, even if we do not explicitly authorize such activities. We cannot assure you that all of our employees and agents will not take actions in violation of our policies and applicable law, for which we may be ultimately held responsible. As we increase our international business, our risks under these laws may increase.

Detecting, investigating and resolving actual or alleged violations of anti-corruption laws can require a significant diversion of time, resources and attention from management. In addition, noncompliance with anti-corruption or anti-bribery laws could subject us to whistleblower complaints, investigations, sanctions, settlements, prosecution, enforcement actions, fines, damages, other civil or criminal penalties, injunctions, suspension or debarment from contracting with certain persons, reputational harm, adverse media coverage and other collateral consequences. If any subpoenas are received or investigations are launched, or governmental or other sanctions are imposed, or if we do not prevail in any possible civil or criminal proceeding, our business, operating results and financial condition could be materially harmed.

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Changes in our effective tax rate or tax liability may adversely affect our operating results.

Our effective tax rate could increase due to several factors, including:

 

changes in the relative amounts of income before taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we operate due to differing statutory tax rates in various jurisdictions;

 

changes in tax laws, tax treaties and regulations or the interpretation thereof, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, as modified by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act;

 

changes to our assessment about our ability to realize our deferred tax assets that are based on estimates of our future results, the prudence and feasibility of possible tax planning strategies and the economic and political environments in which we do business;

 

the outcome of current and future tax audits, examinations or administrative appeals; and

 

limitations or adverse findings regarding our ability to do business in some jurisdictions.

Any of these developments could adversely affect our operating results.

 

Risks Related to Our Technology and Intellectual Property

If we are unable to ensure that our platform interoperates with a variety of software suites, applications and other technologies that are developed by others, including our partners, or if there are performance issues with such third-party systems, our solutions will not operate effectively, we may become less competitive and our business, operating results and financial condition may be harmed.

Our platform must integrate with a variety of software suites, applications and other technologies that are developed by third parties, and we need to continuously modify and enhance our platform to adapt to changes in such software and other technologies. In particular, we have developed our platform to be able to easily integrate with key third-party applications of our software partners. We are typically subject to standard terms and conditions of providers of software or other technology, which govern the distribution and operation of such software and other technologies and are subject to change by such providers from time to time. Our business will be harmed if any provider of such software or other technologies:

 

discontinues or limits our access to its software or other technologies;

 

modifies its terms of service or other legal terms or policies, including fees charged to, or other restrictions on us;

 

changes how information is accessed by us or our billers or partners or their consumers;

 

has performance or other problems that affect the perception of our platform, products or services;

 

establishes exclusive or more favorable relationships with one or more of our competitors; or

 

develops or otherwise favors its own competitive offerings over our platform or products.

For example, to deliver a comprehensive solution, our platform integrates with offerings of popular software providers, including Oracle and SAP, through APIs made available by these software providers. If any providers of software or other technologies change the features of their APIs, discontinue their support of such APIs, restrict our access to their APIs or alter the terms governing their use in a manner that is adverse to our business, we will not be able to provide synchronization capabilities, which could significantly diminish the value of our platform and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.

Third-party services and products are constantly evolving, and we may not be able to modify our platform to assure its compatibility with that of other third parties as they continue to develop or emerge in the future, or we may not be able to make such modifications in a timely and cost-effective manner. In addition, some of our competitors may be able to disrupt the operations or compatibility of our platform with their products or services, or exert strong business influence on our ability to, and terms on which we, operate our platform. Should any of our competitors modify their products or standards in a manner that degrades the functionality of our platform or gives preferential treatment to our competitors or competitive products, whether to enhance their competitive position or for any other reason, the interoperability of our platform with these products could decrease and our business,

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results of operations and financial condition would be harmed. If we are not permitted or able to integrate with these and other third-party software suites, applications and other technologies in the future, our business, results of operations and financial condition would be harmed.

Furthermore, the functionality of our platform also depends on our and our partners’ ability to integrate our platform with their offerings. These partners periodically update and change their systems, and although we have been able to adapt our platform to their evolving needs in the past, there can be no guarantee that we will be able to do so in the future or in a way such that our billers or partners or their consumers are satisfied with the quality of work performed by us or with the technical support services rendered. In particular, if we are unable to adapt to the needs of our partners’ platforms, software and solutions, our billers’ and partners’ operations may be disrupted, which could result in disputes with our billers or partners or their consumers or other third parties and additional costs to address the situation. Additionally, our billers and partners may terminate their relationship with us and we may lose access to large numbers of consumers and biller referrals as a result.

Any negative publicity related to our solutions, regardless of its accuracy or whether the ultimate cause of any poor performance actually results from our platform, or from the systems of our billers, partners or consumers, may adversely affect our reputation, business, operating results and financial condition.

Interruptions or delays in the services provided by our third-party data centers or internet service providers could impair the delivery of our platform. Any changes in the systems that these providers make available to us that degrade the functionality of our platform, impose additional costs or requirements on us, or give preferential treatment to competitors’ services, including their own services, could materially and adversely affect usage of our products and services.

Our third-party service providers are ultimately responsible for maintaining their own network security, disaster recovery and system management procedures, and our review processes for such providers may be insufficient to identify, prevent or mitigate adverse events. The owners and operators of our current and future hosting facilities do not guarantee that our billers’ or partners’ or their consumers’ access to our solutions will be uninterrupted, error-free or secure. We or our third-party service providers may experience website disruptions, outages and other performance problems. We have periodically experienced service disruptions in the past, and we cannot assure you that we will not experience service interruptions or delays in the future. We depend on our third-party service providers to protect their infrastructure against damage, interruption and other performance problems, maintain their respective configuration, architecture and interconnection specifications and protect information stored by such providers, as well as on internet service providers to transmit data. We may also incur significant costs for using alternative equipment or taking other actions in preparation for, or in reaction to, events that damage the data storage services we use.

Although we have disaster recovery plans that use multiple data storage locations, any incident affecting their infrastructure that may be caused by fire, flood, severe storm, earthquake, power loss, telecommunications failures, unauthorized entry or intrusion, sabotage, criminal acts, intentional acts of vandalism and other misconduct, computer viruses and disabling devices, natural disasters, military actions, terrorist attacks, negligence, infrastructure changes, human or software errors, fraud, spikes in biller, partner or consumer usage and denial of service issues, hardware failures, improper operation, data loss, compromise or corruption, cybersecurity attacks, wars, hurricanes, tornadoes and other similar events beyond our control could negatively affect our platform. In some instances, we may not be able to identify the cause or causes of these performance problems within an acceptable period of time. Any prolonged service disruption affecting our platform for any of the foregoing reasons could result in lengthy interruptions in the delivery of our platform, products or services, cause system interruptions, prevent our billers, partners or consumers from accessing their accounts online, damage our reputation with current and potential billers, partners or consumers, expose us to liability, cause us to lose billers, partners or consumers, cause the loss of critical data, prevent us from supporting our platform, products or services, result in regulatory investigations, enforcement actions and litigation or cause us to incur additional expense in investigating, remediating and responding to these disruptions and arranging for new facilities and support or otherwise harm our business.

Also, in the event of damage or interruption, our insurance policies may not adequately compensate us for any losses that we may incur. System failures or outages, including any potential disruptions due to significantly increased global demand on certain cloud-based systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, could compromise our ability to perform these functions in a timely manner, which could harm our ability to conduct business or delay our financial reporting. Such failures could adversely affect our operating results and financial condition. In addition, certain of our third-party service providers are required to notify us if they experience a security breach or

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unauthorized disclosure of certain personal information, or, in some cases, confidential data or information of ours or our billers, partners or consumers, and their failure to timely notify us of such a breach or disclosure may cause us to incur significant costs or otherwise harm our business.

Our platform is accessed by many billers, partners and consumers, often at the same time. As we continue to expand the number of our billers, partners and consumers, and products available through our platform, we may not be able to scale our technology to accommodate the increased capacity requirements, which may result in interruptions or delays in service. In addition, the failure of data centers, internet service providers or other third-party service providers to meet our capacity requirements could result in interruptions or delays in access to our platform or impede our ability to grow our business and scale our operations. If our third-party infrastructure service agreements are terminated, or there is a lapse of service, interruption of internet service provider connectivity, or damage to data centers, we could experience interruptions in access to our platform as well as delays and additional expense in arranging new facilities and services.

We also depend on third-party internet-hosting providers and continuous and uninterrupted access to the internet through third-party bandwidth providers to operate our business. If we lose the services of one or more of our internet-hosting or bandwidth providers for any reason or if their services are disrupted, for example due to viruses, ransomware, denial of service or other attacks on their systems, or due to human error, intentional bad acts, power loss, hardware failures, telecommunications failures, fires, wars, terrorist attacks, floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes or similar catastrophic events, we could experience disruption in our ability to offer our solutions and adverse perception of our solutions’ reliability, or we could be required to retain the services of replacement providers, which could increase our operating costs and materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Furthermore, prolonged interruption in the availability, or reduction in the speed or other functionality, of our platform, products or services could materially harm our reputation and business. Frequent or persistent interruptions in accessing our platform, products and services could cause billers, partners or consumers to believe that our platform, products and services are unreliable, leading them to switch to our competitors or to avoid our platform, products and services, and could permanently harm our reputation and business.

Additionally, as our billers and partners and their consumers may use our platform for critical transactions, any errors, defects or other infrastructure problems could result in damage to such billers’, partners’ or consumers’ businesses. These billers, partners and consumers could seek significant compensation from us for their losses and our insurance policies may be insufficient to cover a claim. Even if unsuccessful, this type of claim may be time-consuming and costly for us to defend. Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We may experience software and technology defects, undetected errors, development delays or other performance problems in our software and other technology used as part of our platform, which could damage biller and partner relations, harm our reputation, result in significant costs to us, decrease our potential profitability and expose us to substantial liability.

Our software and other technology used as part of our platform may contain undetected errors, viruses or defects when implemented or when new functionality is released, as we may modify, enhance, upgrade and implement new systems, procedures and controls to reflect changes in our business, technological advancements and changing industry trends. Despite extensive testing, from time to time we have discovered and may in the future discover defects or errors in our solutions. Any performance problems or defects in our solutions could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial conditions. Defects, errors or other similar performance problems or disruptions, whether in connection with day-to-day operations or otherwise, could be costly for us, adversely affect our billers’ or partners’ businesses, harm our reputation and result in reduced sales or a loss of, or delay in, the market acceptance of our solutions. In addition, if we have any such errors, defects or other performance problems, our billers or partners could seek to terminate, or elect not to renew, their contracts with us, delay or withhold payment or make claims against us. Any of these actions could result in liability, lost business, increased insurance costs, difficulty in collecting accounts receivable, costly litigation or adverse publicity, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Additionally, our software uses open-source software and any defects or security vulnerabilities in such open-source software could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. In addition, we rely on technologies and software supplied by third parties that may also contain undetected errors, viruses or defects. Software defects and errors or delays in electronic bill presentment or our facilitation of payment processing could result in additional development costs, diversion of technical and other resources from our other

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development efforts, loss of credibility with current or potential billers, partners and consumers, harm to our reputation and exposure to liability claims, any of which could result in a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We use open source software in our platform and products, which may pose particular risks to our proprietary software in a manner that could subject us to litigation or other actions, negatively affect our ability to sell our products or otherwise adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

Our platform incorporates software modules licensed to us by third-party authors under “open source” licenses, and we expect to continue to incorporate open source software in our products and platform in the future. Some open source licenses contain requirements that those who distribute open source software as part of their own software product also make publicly available all or part of the source code for modifications or derivative works created based on the type of open source software they use, or grant other licenses to their intellectual property on unfavorable terms or at no cost, and we may be subject to such requirements.

The terms of many open source licenses to which we are subject have not been interpreted by U.S. or foreign courts, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide, or distribute our platform, products or services related to, the open source software subject to those licenses. In addition, the public availability of such software may make it easier for others to compromise our platform. Although we generally monitor our use of open source software to avoid subjecting our platform to conditions we do not intend and to try to ensure that none is used in a manner that would require us to disclose our proprietary source code or that would otherwise breach the terms of an open source agreement, such use could inadvertently occur, or could be claimed to have occurred, in part because open source license terms are often ambiguous. Moreover, we cannot assure you that our processes for controlling our use of open source software in our platform, products and services will be effective. From time to time, there have been claims challenging the ownership of open source software against companies that incorporate it into their products. Likewise, we could become subject to lawsuits and face claims from third parties claiming ownership of, or demanding release of, any open source software or derivative works that we have developed using such software, which could include our proprietary source code, or otherwise seeking to enforce the terms of the applicable open source license. These claims could result in litigation and could require us to make our software source code freely available, purchase a costly license or cease offering the implicated products or services. Litigation could be costly for us to defend, have a negative effect on our business, operating results and financial condition or require us to devote additional research and development resources to change our products. If we are held to have breached or failed to fully comply with all the terms and conditions of an open source software license, we could face infringement or other liability, or be required to seek costly licenses from third parties, to continue providing our offerings on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our platform (which could involve substantial time and resources), to discontinue or delay the provision of our offerings if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

In addition to risks related to complying with applicable license requirements, a release of our proprietary code could also allow our competitors to create similar offerings with lower development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of our competitive advantages. Furthermore, use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide support, warranties, indemnification or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. There is little legal precedent in this area and any actual or claimed requirement to disclose our proprietary source code or pay damages for breach of contract could harm our business and could help third parties, including our competitors, develop products and services that are similar to or better than ours. Any of these risks could be difficult to eliminate or manage, and, if not addressed, could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

If we fail to adequately obtain, maintain, protect or enforce our intellectual property and proprietary rights, our competitive position could be impaired, our reputation could be harmed and we may lose valuable assets, generate less revenue and incur costly litigation to protect our rights.

Our success is dependent, in part, upon protecting our intellectual property and proprietary technology. We rely on a combination of patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secret laws and contractual provisions with our employees, independent contractors, consultants and third parties with whom we have relationships to establish and protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights. However, the steps we take to

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protect our intellectual property may be inadequate, may not afford complete protection and may not adequately permit us to gain or keep any competitive advantage or otherwise fail to prevent unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology, and may not provide an adequate remedy in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure of our confidential information, intellectual property or technology.

Various factors outside our control pose a threat to our intellectual property rights, as well as to our products, services and technologies. Although we have been issued patents in the United States and Canada and have additional patent applications pending, we may be unable to obtain patent protection for the technology covered in our patent applications or obtain the coverage originally sought. In addition, any patents issued in the future may not provide us with competitive advantages or may be successfully challenged by third parties, which could result in them being narrowed in scope or declared invalid or unenforceable. For example, it is possible that third parties, including our competitors, may obtain patents relating to technologies that overlap or compete with our technology. If third parties obtain patent protection with respect to such technologies, they may assert that our technology infringes their patents and seek to charge us a licensing fee or otherwise preclude the use of our technology or file suit against us. Any of our patents, trademarks or other intellectual property rights may lapse, be abandoned, be challenged or circumvented by others or invalidated through administrative process or litigation. We also may allow certain of our registered intellectual property rights, or our pending applications for intellectual property rights, to lapse or to become abandoned if we determine that obtaining or maintaining the applicable registered intellectual property rights is not worthwhile. Despite our efforts to protect our intellectual property and proprietary rights, there can be no guarantee that such rights will be sufficient to protect against others offering products or services that are substantially similar to ours, independently developing similar products, duplicating any of our products, designing around our patents, adopting trade names or domain names similar to ours, competing with our business or attempting to copy aspects of our technology and using information that we consider proprietary, thereby impeding our ability to promote our platform and possibly leading to biller or consumer confusion. Furthermore, legal standards relating to the validity, enforceability and scope of protection of intellectual property rights are uncertain. Despite our precautions, it may be possible for unauthorized third parties to copy our products and use information that we regard as proprietary to create products and services that compete with ours.

We cannot guarantee that our ability to assert our intellectual property rights against potential competitors or to settle current or future disputes will not be limited by our agreements with third parties. Further, no assurance can be given that our agreements will be effective in controlling access to and distribution of our products and proprietary information, and they do not prevent our competitors or partners from independently developing technologies that are substantially equivalent or superior to our platform.

We will not be able to protect our intellectual property rights if we are unable to enforce our rights or if we do not detect unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights. Despite our efforts to protect our proprietary rights, unauthorized parties may attempt to copy, reverse engineer or otherwise obtain and use our products, technology, systems, methods, processes, intellectual property and other information that we regard as proprietary to create products and services that compete with ours. We cannot be certain that we will be able to prevent unauthorized use of our products, technology, systems, methods and processes or infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property, particularly in foreign countries where the laws may not protect our proprietary rights as comprehensively as in the United States, if at all. In addition, any changes in, or unexpected interpretations of, intellectual property laws may compromise our ability to enforce our trade secret and intellectual property rights. Failure to obtain or maintain protection of our trade secrets or other proprietary information could harm our competitive position and materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

In addition to registered intellectual property rights such as issued patents and trademark registrations, we rely on non-registered proprietary information and technology, such as copyrights, trade secrets, confidential information, know-how and technical information. In order to protect our proprietary information and technology, we rely in part on confidentiality and intellectual property assignment agreements with our employees and contractors involved in the development of material intellectual property for us, which place restrictions on the employees’ and contractors’ use and disclosure of this intellectual property. However, these agreements may not be self-executing, sufficient in scope or enforceable or may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or other proprietary information in the event of unauthorized use or disclosure or other breaches of the agreements. We cannot guarantee that we have entered into such agreements with each person or entity that may have or have had access to our trade secrets or proprietary information or otherwise developed intellectual property for us, including our technology and processes. Individuals that were involved in the development of intellectual property for us or who had access to our intellectual property but who are not subject to invention assignment agreements may make adverse ownership claims to our current and future intellectual property. Additionally, these agreements may be

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insufficient or breached, or this intellectual property, including trade secrets, may otherwise be disclosed or become known to our competitors, which could cause us to lose any competitive advantage resulting from this intellectual property. We may not be able to obtain adequate remedies for such breaches. Additionally, to the extent that our employees, independent contractors or other third parties with whom we do business use intellectual property owned by others in their work for us, disputes may arise as to the rights in related or resulting works of authorship, know-how and inventions. The loss of trade secret protection could make it easier for third parties to compete with our products and services by copying functionality.

Effective patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret and domain name protection is time-consuming and expensive. We may not be able to obtain protection for our technology and even if we are successful in obtaining effective patent, copyright, trademark, service mark, trade secret and domain name protection, it is expensive to maintain these rights, both in terms of application and maintenance costs, and the time and cost required to defend our rights could be substantial. Moreover, our failure to develop and properly manage and protect new intellectual property could hurt our market position and business opportunities. Furthermore, changes to U.S. or foreign intellectual property laws and regulations may jeopardize the enforceability and validity of our intellectual property portfolio and harm our ability to obtain patent protection, including for some of our unique business methods. We may be unable to obtain trademark protection for our products and brands, and our existing trademark registrations and applications, and any trademarks that may be used in the future, may not provide us with competitive advantages or distinguish our products and services from those of our competitors. We do not and may not own registered trademarks for all trademarks and logos used in our business in the jurisdictions in which we operate or may operate in the future. In addition, our trademarks may be contested or found to be unenforceable, weak or invalid, and we may not be able to prevent third parties from infringing or otherwise violating them. Litigation may be necessary to enforce our intellectual property rights, to protect our trade secrets or to determine the validity and scope of the proprietary rights of others, which could result in substantial costs and diversion of our resources. In addition, our efforts may be met with defenses and counterclaims challenging the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights or may result in a court determining that our intellectual property rights are unenforceable. Further, we have and may in the future employ individuals who previously were employed by our competitors, and, as a result, those competitors may bring claims against such individuals or us alleging their intellectual property rights have been infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated. If we are unable to cost-effectively protect our intellectual property rights, our business would be harmed. If competitors are able to use our technology or develop proprietary technology similar to ours or competing technologies, our ability to compete effectively and our growth prospects would be adversely affected.

We and our billers and partners and their consumers and other third parties that use our platform obtain, provide and process a large amount of sensitive and personal data. Any real or perceived improper or unauthorized use of, disclosure of or access to such data could harm our reputation as a trusted brand, as well as have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.

We and our billers and partners and their consumers and the third-party vendors and data centers that we use obtain, provide and process large amounts of sensitive and personal data, including data provided by and related to consumers and their transactions, as well as other data of the counterparties to their payments. We face risks, including to our reputation as a trusted brand, in the handling and protection of this data, and these risks will increase as our business continues to expand to include new products and technologies.

Cybersecurity threats and attacks, privacy and security breaches, insider threats or other incidents and malicious internet-based activity continue to increase generally, evolve in nature and become more sophisticated, and providers of cloud-based services have frequently been targeted by such attacks, particularly in the financial technology sector. These cybersecurity challenges, including threats to our own IT infrastructure or those of our billers or partners or their consumers or third-party service providers, may take a variety of forms ranging from stolen bank accounts, business email compromise, biller employee fraud, account takeover, check fraud or cybersecurity attacks, to “mega breaches” targeted against cloud-based services and other hosted software, which could be initiated by individual or groups of hackers or sophisticated cyber criminals. A cybersecurity incident or breach could result in loss, compromise, corruption or disclosure of confidential information, intellectual property and sensitive and personal data or data we rely on to provide our solutions and impair our ability to provide our solutions and meet our billers’ or partners’ or their consumers’ requirements, or cause production downtimes and compromised data. We may be unable to anticipate or prevent techniques used in the future to obtain unauthorized access or to sabotage systems because they change frequently and often are not detected until after an incident has occurred. As we increase our biller base and our brand becomes more widely known and recognized, third parties may increasingly seek to compromise our security controls or gain unauthorized access to our sensitive corporate information or our billers’ or partners’ or their consumers’ sensitive and personal data. Information

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security risks for technology companies such as ours have significantly increased in recent years in part because of the proliferation of new technologies, the use of the internet and telecommunications technologies to conduct financial transactions, and the increased sophistication and activities of organized crime, hackers, terrorists and other external parties as well as nation-state and nation-state-supported actors. Additionally, geopolitical events and resulting government activity could lead to information security threats and attacks by affected jurisdictions and their sympathizers. Because of our position in the financial services industry, we believe that we are likely to continue to be a target of such threats and attacks.

We have administrative, technical and physical security measures in place, and we have policies and procedures in place to contractually require service providers to whom we disclose data to implement and maintain reasonable privacy, data protection and information security measures. However, if our privacy protection, data protection or information security measures or those of the previously mentioned third parties are inadequate or are breached as a result of third-party action, employee or contractor error, malfeasance, malware, phishing, hacking attacks, system error, software bugs or defects in our products, trickery, process failure, or otherwise, and, as a result, there is improper disclosure of, or someone obtains unauthorized access to or exfiltrates funds or sensitive and personal data, including personally identifiable information, on our systems or our partners’ systems, or if we suffer a ransomware or advanced persistent threat attack, or if any of the foregoing is reported or perceived to have occurred, our reputation and business could be damaged. Recent high-profile security breaches and related disclosures of sensitive and personal data by large institutions suggest that the risk of such events is significant, even if privacy, data protection and information security measures are implemented and enforced. If sensitive and personal data is lost or improperly disclosed or threatened to be disclosed, we could incur significant costs associated with remediation and the implementation of additional security measures, and may incur significant liability and financial loss and be subject to regulatory scrutiny, investigations, proceedings and penalties.

In addition, because we leverage third-party service providers, including cloud, software, data center and other critical technology vendors to deliver our solutions to our billers, partners or consumers and their clients, we rely heavily on the data security technology practices and policies adopted by these third-party service providers. Such third-party service providers have access to sensitive and personal data and other data about our billers, partners and employees, as well as consumers using our products and services to pay the bills of our billers, and some of these providers in turn subcontract with other third-party service providers. Our ability to monitor our third-party service providers’ data security is limited. There have been and may continue to be significant supply chain attacks, and we cannot guarantee that our or our third-party service providers’ software or systems have not been breached or that they do not contain exploitable defects or bugs that could result in a breach of or disruption to our systems or the systems of third parties that support us and our services. A vulnerability in our third-party service providers’ software or systems, a failure of our third-party service providers’ safeguards, policies or procedures, or a breach of a third-party service provider’s software or systems could result in the compromise of the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our systems or the data housed in our third-party solutions. Techniques used to sabotage or obtain unauthorized access to systems are constantly evolving and our third-party service providers may face difficulties or delays in identifying breaches and compromises, and notifying us of any such breaches and compromises. This could cause us to face delays in responding to any such breach or compromise and providing any required notifications to consumers or other third parties.

In addition, our financial institution strategic partners conduct regular audits of our cybersecurity program, and if any of them were to conclude that our systems and procedures are insufficiently rigorous, they could terminate their relationships with us, and our financial results and business would be adversely affected. Under our terms of service and our contracts with strategic partners, if there is a breach of payment information that we store, we could be liable to the partner for their losses and related expenses. Additionally, if our own confidential business information were improperly disclosed, our business could be materially and adversely affected. A core aspect of our business is the reliability and security of our platform. Any perceived or actual breach of security, regardless of how it occurs or the extent of the breach, could have a significant impact on our reputation as a trusted brand, cause us to lose existing billers, partners and consumers, prevent us from obtaining new billers, partners and consumers, require us to expend significant funds to remedy problems caused by breaches and implement measures to prevent further breaches, and expose us to legal risk and potential liability including those resulting from governmental or regulatory investigations, class action litigation, indemnity obligations, damages for contract breach or penalties for violation of security obligations and costs associated with remediation, such as fraud monitoring and forensics, all of which could divert resources and attention of our management and key personnel away from our business operations and materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition. Any actual or perceived security breach at a third-party service provider providing services to us or our billers, partners or consumers could have similar effects. Further, as the current COVID-19 pandemic continues to result in a significant number of people working from home, these cybersecurity risks may be heightened by an

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increased attack surface across our business and those of our partners and service providers. We cannot guarantee that our efforts, or the efforts of those upon whom we rely and partner with, will be successful in preventing any such information security incidents or protecting sensitive and personal data that they obtain and process on our behalf.

Federal, state and international regulations may require us or our billers or partners to notify governmental entities and individuals of data security incidents involving certain types of personal and sensitive data or information technology systems. Security compromises experienced by others in our industry, our billers or partners or their consumers, our third-party service providers or us may lead to public disclosures and widespread negative publicity. Any security compromise in our industry, whether actual or perceived, could erode consumer, biller or partner confidence in the effectiveness of our security measures, negatively impact our ability to attract new billers, partners and consumers, cause existing billers, partners and consumers to elect not to renew or expand their use of our platform, services and products or subject us to third-party lawsuits, regulatory fines or other actions or liabilities, which could materially and adversely affect our business, operating results and financial condition.

In addition, some of our billers and partners contractually require notification of data security compromises and include representations and warranties in their contracts with us that our platform, products and services comply with certain legal and technical standards related to data security and privacy and meet certain service levels. In our contracts, a data security compromise or operational disruption impacting us or one of our critical vendors, or system unavailability or damage due to other circumstances, may constitute a material breach and give rise to a biller’s or partner’s right to terminate their contract with us. In these circumstances, it may be difficult or impossible to cure such a breach in order to prevent billers or partners from potentially terminating their contracts with us. Furthermore, although our contracts typically include limitations on our potential liability, we cannot ensure that such limitations of liability would be adequate or apply to data security compromises.

While we maintain cybersecurity insurance, our insurance may be insufficient or may not cover all liabilities incurred by such attacks. We also cannot be certain that our insurance coverage will be adequate for data handling or data security liabilities actually incurred, that insurance will continue to be available to us on economically reasonable terms, or at all, or that any insurer will not deny coverage as to any future claim. The successful assertion of one or more large claims against us that exceed available insurance coverage, litigation to pursue claims under our insurance policies or the occurrence of changes in our insurance policies, including premium increases or the imposition of large deductible or co-insurance requirements, or denials of coverage, could have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, operating results and financial condition.

We may in the future become subject to or initiate intellectual property disputes, which are costly and time-consuming to defend against or pursue, and may subject us to significant liability and increased costs of doing business.

We may in the future become subject to and involved in lawsuits, disputes, legal proceedings or claims to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights, and we may be subject to claims by third parties that we have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated their intellectual property. Even if we believe that particular intellectual property-related claims are without merit, litigation may be necessary to determine the scope and validity of intellectual property or proprietary rights of others or to protect or enforce our intellectual property rights. The ultimate outcome of any allegation is often uncertain and, regardless of the outcome, lawsuits, with or without merit, are time-consuming and expensive to resolve and they divert management’s time and attention and require us to, among other things, redesign or stop providing our products or services, pay substantial amounts to satisfy judgments or settle claims or lawsuits, pay substantial royalty or licensing fees, or satisfy indemnification obligations that we have with certain parties with whom we have commercial relationships. Although we carry insurance, our insurance may not cover potential claims of this type or may not be adequate to indemnify us for all liability that may be imposed. We cannot predict the outcome of lawsuits and cannot assure you that the results of any such actions will not have an adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

The software industry is characterized by the existence of many patents, copyrights, trademarks, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights. Companies in the software industry are often required to defend against litigation claims based on allegations of infringement or other violations of intellectual property rights. Our technologies may not be able to withstand any third-party claims against their use. We could also face trade name or trademark or service mark infringement claims brought by owners of other registered or unregistered trademarks or service marks, including trademarks or service marks that may incorporate variations of our brand names. Any claims related to our intellectual property or biller or consumer confusion related to our marketplace could damage our reputation and adversely affect our growth prospects. In addition, many companies have the capability to

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dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them than we do. Any litigation may also involve patent holding companies or other adverse patent owners that have no relevant product revenue, and therefore, our patents may provide little or no deterrence as we would not be able to assert them against such entities or individuals. If a third party is able to obtain an injunction preventing us from accessing such third-party’s intellectual property rights, or if we cannot license or develop alternative technology for any infringing aspect of our business, we would be forced to limit or stop sales of our products or cease business activities related to such intellectual property. Any inability to license third-party technology in the future would have an adverse effect on our business or operating results and would adversely affect our ability to compete.

We also are, and may in the future become, contractually obligated to indemnify our billers and partners in the event of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of a third party’s intellectual property rights. Responding to such claims, regardless of their merit, can be time-consuming, costly to defend and damaging to our reputation and brand.

Our business and platform depend in part on intellectual property and proprietary rights and technology licensed from or otherwise made available to us by third parties.

Much of our business and our platform rely on key technologies developed or licensed by third parties. These third-party software components may become obsolete, defective or incompatible with future versions of our services, relationships with the third-party licensors or technology providers may deteriorate, or our agreements with the third-party licensors or technology providers may expire or be terminated. Additionally, some of these licenses or other grants of rights may not be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable, or at all, or that allow our platform, products and services to remain competitive. Our inability to obtain licenses or rights on favorable terms could have a material and adverse effect on our business and results of operations. Furthermore, incorporating intellectual property or proprietary rights licensed from or otherwise made available to us by third parties on a non-exclusive basis in our products or services could limit our ability to protect the intellectual property and proprietary rights in our services and our ability to restrict third parties from developing, selling or otherwise providing similar or competitive technology using the same third-party intellectual property or proprietary rights.

We believe we have all the necessary licenses and other grants of rights from third parties to use technology and software that we do not own. A third party could, however, allege that we are infringing its rights, which may deter our ability to obtain licenses or other grants of rights on commercially reasonable terms from the third party, if at all, or cause the third party to commence litigation against us. Our failure to obtain necessary licenses or other rights, or litigation or claims arising out of intellectual property matters, may harm or restrict our business. Even if we were able to obtain a license or other grant of rights, it could be non-exclusive, thereby giving our competitors and other third parties access to the same technologies licensed to or otherwise made available to us. In addition, we could be found liable for significant monetary damages, including treble damages and attorneys’ fees, if we are found to have willfully infringed a patent or other intellectual property right. Any such litigation or the failure to obtain any necessary licenses or other rights could adversely impact our business, financial position, results of operations and liquidity.

Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock and this Offering

The market price of our Class A common stock may be volatile or may decline steeply or suddenly regardless of our operating performance, and we may not be able to meet investor or analyst expectations. You may not be able to resell your shares at or above the initial public offering price and may lose all or part of your investment.

The initial public offering price for our Class A common stock will be determined through negotiations between the underwriters and us, and may vary from the market price of our Class A common stock following this offering. If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock in this offering, you may not be able to resell those shares at or above the initial public offering price. We cannot assure you that the market price following this offering will equal or exceed prices in privately negotiated transactions of our shares that have occurred from time to time before this offering. The market price of our Class A common stock may fluctuate or decline significantly in response to numerous factors, many of which are beyond our control, including:

 

the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including but not limited to market volatility and economic disruption caused by the pandemic;

 

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results;

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variations between our actual operating results and the expectations of securities analysts, investors and the financial community;

 

any forward-looking financial or operating information we may provide to the public or securities analysts, any changes in this information or our failure to meet expectations based on this information;

 

actions of securities analysts who initiate or maintain coverage of us, changes in financial estimates by any securities analysts who follow our company or our failure to meet these estimates or the expectations of investors;

 

whether investors or securities analysts view our stock structure unfavorably, particularly our dual-class structure and the significant voting control of AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer;

 

additional shares of our Class A common stock being sold into the market by us or our existing stockholders, or the anticipation of such sales, including if existing stockholders sell shares into the market when applicable “lock-up” periods end;

 

announcements by us or our competitors of significant products or features, technical innovations, acquisitions, strategic partnerships, joint ventures or capital commitments;

 

changes in operating performance and stock market valuations of companies in our industry, including our competitors;

 

price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market, including as a result of trends in trading patterns or the economy as a whole;

 

lawsuits, claims or investigations threatened, filed or initiated against us;

 

developments in new legislation and pending lawsuits or regulatory actions, including interim or final rulings by judicial or regulatory bodies; and

 

other events or factors, including those resulting from war or incidents of terrorism, or responses to these events.

In addition, extreme price and volume fluctuations in the stock markets have affected and continue to affect many other technology companies’ stock prices. Often, their stock prices have fluctuated in ways unrelated or disproportionate to the companies’ operating performance. In the past, stockholders have filed securities class action litigation following periods of market volatility. If we were to become involved in securities litigation, it could subject us to substantial costs, divert resources and the attention of management from our business and seriously harm our business.

Moreover, because of these fluctuations, comparing our operating results on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. You should not rely on our past results as an indication of our future performance. This variability and unpredictability could also result in our failing to meet the expectations of industry or financial analysts or investors for any period. If our revenue or operating results fall below the expectations of analysts or investors or below any forecasts we may provide to the market, or if the forecasts we provide to the market are below the expectations of analysts or investors, the price of our Class A common stock could decline substantially. Such a stock price decline could occur even when we have met any previously publicly stated revenue or earnings forecasts that we may provide.

An active trading market for our Class A common stock may never develop or be sustained.

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PAY.” However, we cannot assure you that an active trading market for our Class A common stock will develop on that exchange or elsewhere or, if developed, that any market will be sustained. Accordingly, we cannot assure you of the liquidity of any trading market, your ability to sell your shares of our Class A common stock when desired or the prices that you may obtain for your shares.

Further, one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors and one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. have, severally but not jointly, indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of $30 million each ($60 million in the aggregate) in shares of our Class A common stock being offered in this offering at the initial public offering price. As these indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. may determine to purchase more, fewer or no shares in this offering or the underwriters may determine to sell more,

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fewer or no shares to one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. If one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. is allocated all or a portion of the shares in which it has indicated an interest in this offering, and purchases any such shares, such purchase could further reduce the available “public float” of our Class A common stock if such entities hold these shares long term.

Future sales of shares by existing stockholders, or the perception that such sales could occur, could cause our stock price to decline.

If our existing stockholders, including AKKR and employees and service providers who obtain equity, sell or indicate an intention to sell, substantial amounts of our Class A common stock in the public market after the lock-up and legal restrictions on resale discussed in this prospectus lapse, or if there is a perception that such sales could occur, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline. Based on shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021, upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, we will have outstanding a total of 12,499,998 shares of Class A common stock and 103,479,239 shares of Class B common stock. Of these shares, only the shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable, without restriction, in the public market immediately after the offering. Each of our directors, executive officers and other holders of substantially all our outstanding equity securities, including the concurrent private placement purchasers, have entered into lock-up agreements with the underwriters that restrict their ability to sell or transfer such securities for a period of 180 days after the date of this prospectus. However, such restrictions may be waived before the lock-up agreements expire with the prior written consent of at least two of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in their sole discretion, provided that in all cases either Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC agrees to such waiver.

After the lock-up agreements expire, 105,979,237 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2021 (assuming the closing of this offering and the concurrent private placement) will be eligible for sale in the public market, of which 105,697,705 shares are held by AKKR and our directors, executive officers and other affiliates and will be subject to volume limitations under Rule 144 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and various vesting agreements. Further, following the closing of this offering, AKKR will have rights, subject to certain conditions, to require us to file registration statements for the public resale of its shares of our Class A common stock or to include such shares in registration statements that we may file. Sales of a substantial number of such shares upon expiration of the lock-up and market stand-off agreements, the perception that such sales may occur or early release of these agreements, could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to fall or make it more difficult for you to sell your Class A common stock at a time and price that you deem appropriate.

In addition, 7,566,155 shares of Class B common stock were subject to outstanding stock options as of March 31, 2021 and up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock may be issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement, based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. These shares will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent permitted by the provisions of various vesting agreements, the lock-up agreements and Rules 144 and 701 of the Securities Act. We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act covering all the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock subject to stock options outstanding and reserved for issuance under our 2012 Plan and 2021 Plan. That registration statement will become effective immediately on filing, and shares covered by that registration statement will be eligible for sale in the public markets, subject to Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates and the lock-up agreements described above. If these additional shares are sold, or if it is perceived that they will be sold in the public market, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline.

The dual class structure of our common stock and the stockholders agreement that we will enter into in connection with this offering will have the effect of concentrating voting control with AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer, which will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future and may depress the market price of our Class A common stock.

Our Class B common stock will have ten votes per share and our Class A common stock, which is the stock we are offering in this offering, will have one vote per share. Stockholders that beneficially own shares of Class B common stock, including AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer, will together control approximately 98.8% of the voting power of our outstanding common stock following this offering and the concurrent private placement. Because of the ten-to-one voting ratio between our Class B common stock and Class A common stock, the holders of our Class B common stock collectively will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock and therefore be able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders so long as the shares of Class B common stock represent at least 9.1% of all outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, including the election of directors, amendments of our organizational documents,

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compensation matters and any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets, or other major corporate transaction requiring stockholder approval. This concentrated control will limit or preclude your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future.

Further, the stockholders agreement we will enter into with AKKR in connection with this offering will provide that, for so long as AKKR or certain of its permitted transferees hold more of our outstanding common stock than Mr. Sharma and certain of his affiliates, AKKR will have the right to nominate (x) five directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock and (y) two directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 5% but less than 10% of our outstanding common stock. Moreover, after such time as AKKR ceases to hold more of our outstanding common stock than Mr. Sharma and certain of his affiliates, AKKR will continue to have the right to nominate two directors to our board of directors until such time as AKKR ceases to beneficially own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock. See the sections titled “Management—Board of Directors” and “Description of Capital Stock—Stockholders Agreement” for additional information.

Future transfers by holders of Class B common stock will generally result in those shares converting to Class A common stock, subject to limited exceptions, such as transfers to affiliates, members or partners of AKKR and transfers for estate planning purposes so long as the transferring holder retains exclusive voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares transferred. The conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock will have the effect, over time, of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of Class B common stock who retain their shares in the long term. For a description of our dual class structure and the automatic conversion features of our Class B common stock, see the sections titled “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights” and “—Conversion.”

In addition, certain index providers have implemented restrictions on including companies with multiple-class share structures in certain of their indices. The FTSE Russell requires new constituents of its indices to have greater than 5% of the company’s voting rights in the hands of public stockholders, and S&P Dow Jones does not admit companies with multiple-class share structures to certain of its indices. Affected indices include the Russell 2000 and the S&P 500, S&P MidCap 400 and S&P SmallCap 600, which together make up the S&P Composite 1500. The dual class structure of our common stock will make us ineligible for inclusion in these indices and we cannot assure you that other stock indices will not take similar actions. It is unclear what effect, if any, these policies have on the valuations of publicly traded companies excluded from such indices, but it is possible that they may depress valuations, as compared to similar companies that are included. Further, given the sustained flow of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indices, exclusion from certain stock indices will likely preclude investment by many of these funds and could make our Class A common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

AKKR controls us and its interests may conflict with ours or yours in the future.

Immediately following this offering and the concurrent private placement, AKKR will control approximately 79.5% of the voting power of our common stock. As a result, AKKR will have the ability to elect all of the members of our board of directors and thereby control our policies and operations, including the appointment of management, future issuances of our Class A common stock or other securities, the payment of dividends, if any, on our Class A common stock, the incurrence of debt by us, amendments to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and the entering into extraordinary transactions, and the interests of AKKR may not in all cases be aligned with our or your interests.

AKKR may have an interest in pursuing acquisitions, divestitures and other transactions that, in its judgment, could enhance its investment in us, even though such transactions might involve risks to you. For example, AKKR could cause us to make acquisitions that increase our indebtedness or cause us to sell revenue-generating assets. Moreover, AKKR will be able to determine the outcome of all matters requiring stockholder approval and will be able to cause or prevent a change of control of our company or a change in the composition of our board of directors and could preclude any acquisition of our company. This concentration of voting control could deprive you of an opportunity to receive a premium for your shares of Class A common stock as part of a sale of our company and ultimately might affect the market price of our Class A common stock.

So long as AKKR continues to beneficially own a sufficient number of shares of Class B common stock, even if it beneficially owns significantly less than 50% of the shares of our outstanding common stock, it will continue to be able to effectively control our decisions. For example, if our Class B common stock amounted to 15% of our outstanding common stock, beneficial owners of our Class B common stock (including AKKR), would collectively

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control approximately 64% of the voting power of our common stock. Moreover, AKKR will continue to have the right to nominate directors to our board of directors under our stockholders agreement for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 5% of our outstanding common stock.

Our certificate of incorporation contains provisions renouncing our interest and expectation to participate in certain corporate opportunities identified by, or presented to, AKKR or its affiliates, which could create conflicts of interest and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects if attractive corporate opportunities are allocated by AKKR to itself, its affiliates or third parties instead of to us.

AKKR, our controlling stockholder, is in the business of making investments in companies and may from time to time acquire and hold interests in businesses that compete directly or indirectly with us or that would be complementary to our business if we acquired them. Our certificate of incorporation that will be in effect on the completion of this offering will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, none of AKKR or its affiliates, or any of their respective directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers or employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as our officers or directors (all of whom we refer to as the “Exempted Persons”), will have any duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us or any of our affiliates. In addition, to the fullest extent permitted by law, in the event that any Exempted Person is presented with a business opportunity, even if the opportunity is one that we or our affiliates might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, such Exempted Person will have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates. No Exempted Person will be liable to us, any of our affiliates or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, solely by reason of the fact that any such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, sells, assigns, transfers or directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to us or any of our affiliates. These provisions could create conflicts of interest and have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and prospects if attractive business opportunities are allocated by AKKR or another Exempted Person to itself, its affiliates or third parties instead of to us. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Conflicts of Interest.”

We may invest or spend the proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement in ways with which you may not agree or in ways that may not yield a return.

We intend to use approximately $57.4 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends), substantially all of which are held by AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer. We intend to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products, services or technologies. However, we do not have agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or investments at this time. Our management will have considerable discretion in the application of the net proceeds, and you will not have the opportunity, as part of your investment decision, to assess whether the proceeds are being used appropriately. The net proceeds may be used for purposes that do not increase the value of our business or increase the risks to you, which could cause the price of our Class A common stock to decline. Until net proceeds are used, they may be placed in investments that do not produce significant income or that may lose value.

If securities or industry analysts either do not publish research about us or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about us, our business or our market, or if they adversely change their recommendations regarding our Class A common stock, the market price or trading volume of our Class A common stock could decline.

The trading market for our Class A common stock will be influenced in part by the research and reports that securities or industry analysts may publish about us, our business, our market or our competitors. If one or more of the analysts initiate research with an unfavorable rating or downgrade our Class A common stock, provide a more favorable recommendation about our competitors or publish inaccurate or unfavorable research about our business, our Class A common stock price would likely decline. If any analyst who may cover us were to cease coverage of us or fail to regularly publish reports on us, we could lose visibility in the financial markets, which in turn could cause the market price or trading volume of our Class A common stock to decline.

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We are an emerging growth company, and any decision on our part to comply only with certain reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an emerging growth company, and for as long as we continue to be an emerging growth company, we may choose to take advantage of exemptions from various reporting requirements applicable to other public companies but not to “emerging growth companies,” including:

 

presentation of only two years of audited financial statements and related financial disclosure;

 

exemption from the requirement to have our registered independent public accounting firm attest to management’s assessment of our internal control over financial reporting;

 

exemption from compliance with the requirement of the PCAOB regarding the communication of critical audit matters in the auditor’s report on the financial statements; 

 

reduced disclosure about our executive compensation arrangements; and

 

exemption from the requirement to hold non-binding advisory votes on executive compensation or golden parachute arrangements.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies unless it otherwise irrevocably elects not to avail itself of this exemption. We have elected to use this extended transition period until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

We could be an emerging growth company for up to five years following the completion of this offering. Our status as an emerging growth company will end as soon as any of the following takes place:

 

the last day of the fiscal year in which we have at least $1.07 billion in annual revenue;

 

the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700.0 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates;

 

the date on which we have issued, in any three-year period, more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; or

 

the last day of the fiscal year during which the fifth anniversary of the completion of this offering occurs.

We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on any of the exemptions afforded emerging growth companies. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive because we rely on any of these exemptions, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock and the market price of our Class A common stock may be more volatile.

We have elected to take advantage of the “controlled company” exemption to the corporate governance rules for New York Stock Exchange-listed companies, which could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

After completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, AKKR will continue to control a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Because we qualify as a “controlled company” under the corporate governance rules for New York Stock Exchange-listed companies, we are not required to have a majority of our board of directors be independent, nor are we required to have an independent compensation committee or an independent nominating function. In light of our status as a controlled company, in the future we could elect not to have a majority of our board of directors be independent or not to have an independent compensation committee or nominating and corporate governance committee. Accordingly, should the interests of our management and AKKR differ from those of other stockholders, the other stockholders may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of the corporate governance rules for New York Stock Exchange-listed companies. Our status as a controlled company could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.

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Future securities issuances could result in significant dilution to our stockholders and impair the market price of our Class A common stock.

Future issuances of shares of our Class A common stock or the conversion of a substantial number of shares of our Class B common stock, or the perception that these sales or conversions may occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock and result in dilution to existing holders of our Class A common stock. Also, to the extent outstanding options to purchase shares of our Class B common stock are exercised or options or other equity-based awards are issued or become vested, there will be further dilution. The amount of dilution could be substantial depending upon the size of the issuances or exercises. Furthermore, we may issue additional equity securities that could have rights senior to those of our Class A common stock. As a result, purchasers of our Class A common stock in this offering bear the risk that future issuances of debt or equity securities may reduce the market price of our Class A common stock and further dilute their ownership interest.

As of March 31, 2021, there were 7,566,155 shares of Class B common stock subject to outstanding options. In connection with this offering, all of the shares of Class B common stock subject to outstanding options will be registered for public resale under the Securities Act. Accordingly, these shares will be able to be freely sold in the public market upon issuance as permitted by any applicable vesting requirements, and subject to compliance with applicable securities laws.

In addition, upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, the holders of up to 104,887,140 shares of our Class B common stock, or certain permitted transferees, will be entitled to require us to file registration statements for the public resale of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of their shares of Class B common stock, or to include such shares in registration statements that we may file, subject to certain conditions. If we register the offer and sale of shares for the holders of registration rights, those shares can be freely sold in the public market upon registration, subject to the restrictions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act in the case of our affiliates.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Washington law could make an acquisition of us difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management and depress the market price of our Class A common stock.

In addition to AKKR controlling approximately 79.5% of the voting power of our common stock immediately following this offering and the concurrent private placement, our certificate of incorporation and bylaws that will be in effect on the completion of this offering contain provisions that could depress the market price of our Class A common stock by acting to discourage, delay or prevent a change of control of our company or changes in our management that the stockholders of our company may deem advantageous. Among other things, these provisions provide that:

 

we will have a dual class common stock structure, with differing voting rights;

 

the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

 

any vacancies on the board of directors and any newly created directorships may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

our board of directors will be divided into three classes, each of which will stand for election once every three years;

 

there will be no cumulative voting;

 

the board of directors may issue “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan;

 

the board of directors may adopt, alter or repeal our bylaws;

 

the forum for certain litigation against us is restricted to Delaware; and

 

stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide notice in writing in a timely manner, and also meet specific requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.

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Additional provisions will become effective on such date when AKKR and its affiliates cease to beneficially own in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the voting power of our capital stock, which, among other things, provide that:

 

stockholders may not call special meetings of stockholders or act by written consent;

 

directors may only be removed from office for cause and with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock; and

 

amending certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will be subject to super-majority voting thresholds.

Moreover, our certificate of incorporation contains a provision that provides us with protections similar to Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, and prevents us from engaging in a business combination with certain interested stockholders (excluding AKKR, certain of its direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which AKKR is a party), including a person who owns 15% or more of our voting stock for a period of three years from the date such person acquired such common stock, unless approval from our board of directors or stockholders is obtained prior to the acquisition and subject to other exceptions.

In addition, because our principal executive offices are located in Washington, the anti-takeover provisions of the Washington Business Corporation Act, or WBCA, may apply to us under certain circumstances now or in the future. These provisions prohibit a “target corporation” from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any stockholder constituting an “acquiring person” for a period of five years following the date on which the stockholder became an “acquiring person.”

Any provision of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or under Washington law, that has the effect of delaying or deterring a change in control could limit the opportunity for our stockholders to receive a premium for their shares of our common stock, and could also affect the price that some investors are willing to pay for our Class A common stock. For information regarding these and other provisions, see the section captioned “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Washington Law.”

Our bylaws will designate a state or federal court located within the State of Delaware as the exclusive forum for substantially all disputes between us and our stockholders, and also provide that the federal district courts will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, each of which could limit our stockholders’ ability to choose the judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, stockholders or employees.

Our bylaws will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, stockholders, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (3) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws or (4) any other action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, another State court in Delaware or the federal district court for the District of Delaware), except for any claim as to which such court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court or for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction. This provision would not apply to any action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. 

Section 22 of the Securities Act establishes concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over Securities Act claims. Accordingly, both state and federal courts have jurisdiction to hear such claims. To prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our bylaws will also provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act.

Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding or owning (or continuing to hold or own) any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing bylaw provisions. Although we believe these exclusive forum provisions benefit us by providing increased consistency in the

56


 

application of Delaware law and federal securities laws in the types of lawsuits to which each applies, the exclusive forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our current or former directors, officers, stockholders or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our current and former directors, officers, stockholders and other employees. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder as a result of our exclusive forum provisions.

Further, the enforceability of similar exclusive forum provisions in other companies’ organizational documents has been challenged in legal proceedings, and it is possible that a court of law could rule that these types of provisions are inapplicable or unenforceable if they are challenged in a proceeding or otherwise. If a court were to find either exclusive forum provision contained in our bylaws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions, all of which could harm our results of operations.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws, which statements involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or our future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “could,” “intend,” “target,” “project,” “contemplate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, plans or intentions. Forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus include statements about:

 

our ability to effectively manage our growth and expand our operations;

 

our ability to further attract, retain and expand our biller, partner and consumer base;

 

our expectations regarding our revenue, expenses and other operating results;

 

the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our operating results, liquidity and financial condition and on our employees, billers, partners, consumers and other key stakeholders;

 

our market opportunity and anticipated trends in our business and industry;

 

our ability to remain competitive as we continue to scale our business;

 

our ability to develop new product features and enhance our platform;

 

our ability to hire and retain experienced and talented employees as we grow our business;

 

general economic conditions and their impact on consumer demand;

 

our future acquisitions or strategic investments in complementary companies, products or technologies;

 

our ability to maintain and enhance our brand;

 

our plan to expand into new channels and industry verticals across different markets;

 

our international expansion plans and ability to expand internationally; and

 

our anticipated use of the proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement.

We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus.

You should not rely upon forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, operating results, financial condition and prospects. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. We cannot assure you that the results, events and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements will be achieved or occur, and actual results, events or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

Neither we nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. Moreover, the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect new information or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures or investments we may make.

In addition, statements that “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this prospectus, and while we believe such information forms a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely upon these statements.

 

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MARKET, INDUSTRY AND OTHER DATA

This prospectus contains estimates and information concerning our industry, including market size of the markets in which we participate, that are based on various third-party sources, industry publications and reports, as well as our own internal information. This information involves a number of assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to such estimates and information. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these third-party sources, industry publications and reports. The markets in which we operate are subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these sources, publications and reports.

The source of certain statistical data, estimates and forecasts contained in this prospectus include the following independent industry publications or reports:

 

Aite Group, How Americans Pay Their Bills: Sizing Bill Pay Channels and Methods, 2020 Update (September 2020);

 

Katie Darden, U.S. Mobile Banking Survey, S&P Global Market Intelligence (July 2018);

 

Claire Greene and Joanna Stavins, Consumer Payment Choice for Bill Payments, Federal Reserve Bank of Boston Working Paper 20-9 (June 2020); and

 

The Nilson Report, Global Network Card Results in 2019 (June 2020).

The content of the foregoing sources, publications and reports, except to the extent specifically set forth in this prospectus, does not constitute part of this prospectus and is not incorporated herein.

 

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that the net proceeds from the sale of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement will be approximately $231.8 million (or approximately $259.7 million if the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full), based upon the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement by $9.3 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares of our Class A common stock offered by us in this offering would increase or decrease, as applicable, the net proceeds from this offering by $18.6 million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We do not expect that a change in the initial public offering price or the number of shares by these amounts would have a material effect on our use of the proceeds from this offering, although it may accelerate the time when we need to seek additional capital.

The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility, create a public market for our Class A common stock and enable access to the public equity markets for us and our stockholders. We intend to use approximately $57.4 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends), substantially all of which are held by AKKR and our founder and chief executive officer. We intend to use the remainder of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Additionally, we may use a portion of the net proceeds to acquire or invest in businesses, products, services or technologies. However, we do not have agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or investments at this time.

Because we expect to use the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement for working capital and other general corporate purposes, our management will have broad discretion over the use of the net proceeds from this offering and the concurrent private placement. As of the date of this prospectus, we intend to invest the net proceeds that are not used as described above in capital-preservation investments, including short-term interest-bearing debt instruments or bank deposits.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not currently intend to pay any cash dividends on our capital stock in the foreseeable future. We currently intend to retain all available funds and any future earnings to support operations and to finance the growth and development of our business. Any future determination to pay dividends will be made at the discretion of our board of directors subject to applicable laws and will depend upon, among other factors, our operating results, financial condition, contractual restrictions and capital requirements. Our future ability to pay cash dividends on our capital stock may be limited by any future debt instruments or preferred securities.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table summarizes our cash and cash equivalents, as well as our capitalization, as of March 31, 2021:

 

on an actual basis;

 

on a pro forma basis to give effect to (1) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will authorize the issuance of our Class A common stock and effect the reclassification of our outstanding common stock into Class B common stock, and (2) the retirement of all of our issued treasury stock; and

 

on a pro forma as adjusted basis to give effect to (1) the pro forma adjustments set forth above, (2) the issuance and sale by us of 12,499,998 shares of Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement at the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (3) the application of $57.4 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, including accrued dividends (of the $57.4 million of net proceeds to be used to redeem the outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, $0.9 million is included in cash and cash equivalents (pro forma as adjusted) in respect of the dividends that have accrued or will accrue on these shares from April 1, 2021 through the estimated closing date of this offering, which is also the expected date of the redemption).

You should read this table together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus and the sections titled “Prospectus Summary—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data,” “Use of Proceeds” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

 

As of March 31, 2021

 

 

 

Actual

 

 

Pro Forma

 

 

Pro Forma

as Adjusted(1)

 

 

 

(in thousands, except share and per share data)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

49,369

 

 

$

49,369

 

 

$

223,694

 

Stockholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share, 50,000 shares authorized, 23,333 shares issued and 23,013 outstanding, actual and pro forma; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 5,000,000 shares authorized and no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, par value $0.005 per share, 150,000,000 shares authorized, 104,785,651 shares issued and 103,479,239 outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

 

 

517

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 883,950,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding, pro forma; 883,950,000 shares authorized, 12,499,998 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

 

Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, no shares authorized, issued or outstanding, actual; 111,050,000 shares authorized, 103,479,239 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma; 111,050,000 shares authorized, 103,479,239 shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

 

 

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

10

 

Treasury stock at cost, 320 shares of Series A preferred stock and 1,306,412 shares of common stock, actual; no shares of treasury stock, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

 

 

(579

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

30,551

 

 

 

30,479

 

 

 

204,802

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

237

 

 

 

237

 

 

 

237

 

Retained earnings

 

 

58,685

 

 

 

58,685

 

 

 

58,685

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

89,411

 

 

 

89,411

 

 

 

263,736

 

Total capitalization

 

$

89,411

 

 

$

89,411

 

 

$

263,736

 

 

(1)

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our cash and cash equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $9.3 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of shares offered by us in this offering would increase or decrease, as applicable, each of our cash and cash

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equivalents, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ equity and total capitalization by approximately $18.6 million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. The pro forma information discussed above is illustrative only and will adjust based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing.

The total number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement is based on 103,479,239 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and excludes:

 

7,566,155 shares of Class B common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of $4.72 per share;

 

1,563,450 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Plan as of March 31, 2021, which number of shares will be added to the shares of our Class A common stock to be reserved under our 2021 Plan upon its effectiveness, at which time we will cease granting awards under our 2012 Plan;

 

10,459,000 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Plan, which will become effective on the business day immediately prior to the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part; and

 

up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock underlying warrants issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement, with an exercise price of $17.50 per share based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The actual number of shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement is tied to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025 pursuant to a related commercial agreement.

The 2021 Plan provides for an annual automatic increase in the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved thereunder and also provides for increases in the number of shares of our Class A common stock that may be granted thereunder based on shares under the 2012 Plan that expire, are forfeited or are repurchased by us, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans.”

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of our Class A common stock and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement. Net tangible book value dilution per share to new investors represents the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock immediately after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement.

Net tangible book value per share is determined by dividing our total tangible assets less our total liabilities by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding. Our historical net tangible book value as of March 31, 2021 was $52.8 million, or $0.51 per share.

After giving effect to (1) the issuance and sale by us of 12,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement at the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (2) the redemption of all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends) as described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds,” our pro forma net tangible book value as of March 31, 2021 would have been $227.1 million, or $1.96 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $1.45 per share to our existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in pro forma net tangible book value of $18.04 per share to investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering at the assumed initial public offering price. The following table illustrates this dilution:

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

 

 

 

$20.00

Historical net tangible book value per share as of March 31, 2021

 

$               0.51

 

 

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to

   investors purchasing shares of Class A common stock in this offering and the concurrent private placement

 

 

 

1.45

 

 

Pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after this

   offering and the concurrent private placement

 

 

 

1.96

Dilution in pro forma net tangible book value per share to new investors

   in this offering and the concurrent private placement

 

 

 

$18.04

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, our pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement by approximately $0.08, and would increase or decrease, as applicable, dilution per share to new investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering or the concurrent private placement by $0.92, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares of our Class A common stock offered by us in this offering would increase or decrease, as applicable, our pro forma net tangible book value immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement by approximately $0.14 per share and increase or decrease, as applicable, the dilution to new investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering or the concurrent private placement by $0.14 per share, assuming the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their option in full to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares of Class A common stock in this offering, the pro forma net tangible book value per share immediately after the offering would be $2.17 per share, the increase in the pro forma net tangible book value per share to existing stockholders would be $1.66 per share and the pro forma dilution to new investors purchasing Class A common stock in this offering would be $17.83 per share.

The following table presents, on a pro forma basis to give effect to this offering, as of March 31, 2021, the differences between the existing stockholders and the new investors purchasing shares of our Class A common stock in this offering with respect to the number of shares purchased from us, the total consideration paid or to be

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paid to us and the average price per share paid or to be paid to us at the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, before deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us:

 

 

Shares Purchased

 

 

Total Consideration

 

 

Average

Price Per

 

 

Number

 

Percent

 

 

Amount

 

Percent

 

 

Share

Existing stockholders before this offering

 

103,479,239

 

89.2

%

 

3,286,017

 

1.3

%

 

$0.03

Investors participating in this offering

 

10,000,000

 

8.6

 

 

200,000,000

 

79.0

 

 

20.00

Concurrent private placement investors

 

2,499,998

 

2.2

 

 

50,000,000

 

19.7

 

 

20.00

Total

 

115,979,237

 

100.0

%

 

253,286,017

 

100.0

%

 

 

The table above assumes no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares in this offering. If the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full, the number of shares of our common stock held by existing stockholders would be reduced to 88.1% of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding after this offering, and the number of shares of common stock held by investors purchasing shares in this offering and the concurrent private placement would be increased to 11.9% of the total number of shares outstanding after this offering.

Each $1.00 increase or decrease in the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase or decrease, as applicable, the total consideration paid by new investors and the total consideration paid by all stockholders by approximately $9.3 million, assuming that the number of shares offered by us, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting estimated underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase or decrease of 1.0 million in the number of shares offered by us in this offering would increase or decrease, as applicable, total consideration paid by new investors and total consideration paid by all stockholders, by approximately $18.6 million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting the underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

The total number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement is based on 103,479,239 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, and excludes:

 

7,566,155 shares of Class B common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding options as of March 31, 2021, with a weighted-average exercise price of $4.72 per share;

 

1,563,450 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2012 Plan as of March 31, 2021, which number of shares will be added to the shares of our Class A common stock to be reserved under our 2021 Plan upon its effectiveness, at which time we will cease granting awards under our 2012 Plan;

 

10,459,000 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2021 Plan, which will become effective on the business day immediately prior to the date of effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part; and

 

up to 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock underlying warrants issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement, with an exercise price of $17.50 per share based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. The actual number of shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement is tied to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025 pursuant to a related commercial agreement.

The 2021 Plan provides for an annual automatic increase in the number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved thereunder and also provides for increases in the number of shares of our Class A common stock that may be granted thereunder based on shares under the 2012 Plan that expire, are forfeited or are repurchased by us, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans.”

To the extent that any outstanding options to purchase our common stock are exercised or new awards are granted under our equity compensation plans, or additional shares of our Class A common stock or our Class B common stock are issued, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FIN
ANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

You should read the following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations together with our consolidated financial statements and the related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis or set forth elsewhere in this prospectus, including information with respect to our plans and strategy for our business, includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should read the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Overview

Paymentus is a leading provider of cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions. We deliver our next-generation product suite through a modern technology stack to more than 1,300 business clients—our billers. Our platform was used by approximately 16 million consumers and businesses in North America in December 2020 to pay their bills and engage with our billers. We serve billers of all sizes that provide non-discretionary services across a variety of industry verticals, including utilities, financial services, insurance, government, telecommunications and healthcare. By powering this comprehensive network of billers, each with their own set of bill payment requirements, we have created an enviable feedback loop that enables us to continuously drive innovation, grow our business and uniquely improve the electronic bill payment experience for everyone in the bill payment ecosystem.

Our platform provides our billers with easy-to-use, flexible and secure electronic bill payment experiences powered by an omni-channel payment infrastructure that allows consumers to pay their bills using their preferred payment type and channel. Because our platform is developed on a single code base and leverages a SaaS infrastructure, we can rapidly deploy new features and tools to our entire biller base simultaneously. Through a single point of integration to our billers’ core financial and operating systems, our mission-critical solutions provide our billers with a payments operating system that helps them collect revenue faster and more profitably and empower their consumers with the information and transparency needed to control their financial destiny.

We generate substantially all of our revenue from payment transaction fees and have achieved significant growth through our capital efficient model. We generated revenue of $235.8 million in 2019 and $301.8 million in 2020, representing a year-over-year increase of 28.0%. Gross profit was $74.4 million in 2019 and $92.6 million in 2020, contribution profit was $96.7 million in 2019 and $120.5 million in 2020 and adjusted gross profit was $77.1 million in 2019 and $96.1 million in 2020. We had net income of $13.7 million in both 2019 and 2020, and adjusted EBITDA was $26.0 million in 2019 and $28.5 million in 2020. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $17.5 million in 2019 and $35.6 million in 2020, and we generated free cash flow of $6.3 million in 2019 and $20.8 million in 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, we generated revenue of $69.6 million and $92.2 million, respectively, representing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 32.5%. Gross profit was $20.8 million and $27.5 million, contribution profit was $27.6 million and $35.1 million and adjusted gross profit was $21.6 million and $28.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. We had net income of $2.8 million and $3.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of $6.2 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $4.9 million and $7.2 million and we generated free cash flow of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

See the section titled “Prospectus Summary—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data—Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures” for a discussion of the limitations of contribution profit, adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures for the periods presented.

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Business Model

We rely on a diversified go-to-market strategy to reach new billers. We acquire new billers through direct sales channels, software and strategic partnerships and our Instant Payment Network, or IPN, which together promote rapid adoption of our platform through partnerships with leading business networks. Through these channels, our platform reaches millions of consumers, driving transaction growth.

Our revenue is highly visible. We derive the majority of our revenue from a fee paid per transaction by the consumer, the biller or a combination of both. Our usage-based monetization strategy aligns our economic success with the success of our billers and partners. Since we benefit from increased transactional volume, we do not charge separate license fees or implementation fees. In addition, our modern platform architecture allows us to provide integration, implementation, maintenance and upgrades at no additional cost to billers.

We have also been successful in retaining our billers and increasing the number of transactions processed with us over time. An important indicator of biller satisfaction and usage of our platform is our gross dollar-based retention rate. It reflects only biller losses and not biller expansion or contraction, so it demonstrates that the vast majority of our billers continue to use our solution. Our gross dollar-based retention rate was 98.0% and 97.2% as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. We calculate our gross dollar-based retention rate as of the period end by starting with the annual revenue from all billers as of 12 months prior to such period end, or the prior period annual revenue. We then deduct from the prior period annual revenue any annual revenue from billers who are no longer billers as of the current period end, to reach the current period remaining annual revenue. We then divide the total current period remaining annual revenue by the total prior period annual revenue to arrive at our gross dollar-based retention rate, which is the percentage of annual revenue from all billers as of the year prior that is not lost to biller churn.

Another indicator of our success in expanding within our existing biller base is our net dollar-based retention rate. It reflects biller renewals, expansion, contraction and churn. Our net dollar-based retention rate was in excess of 117% for both of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. We calculate our net dollar-based retention rate as of period end by starting with the revenue from our billers as of 12 months prior to such period end, or prior period revenue. We then calculate the revenue from these same billers as of the current period end, or current period revenue. Current period revenue includes any expansion and full year impact of new billers in the prior period and is net of contraction or churn over the trailing 12 months, but excludes revenue from new billers in the current period. We then divide the current period revenue by the prior period revenue to arrive at our net dollar-based retention rate.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic and efforts to control its spread have significantly curtailed the movement of people, goods and services in the United States, where we generate substantially all of our revenue, and worldwide, where we are targeting future growth. It has also caused extreme societal, economic and financial market volatility, resulting in business shutdowns and a global economic downturn. The magnitude and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic and the magnitude and duration of its effect on business activity cannot be predicted with any certainty.

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In light of the uncertainty relating to the spread of COVID-19, we have taken precautionary measures intended to reduce the risk of the virus spreading to our employees, billers and partners, and we may take further precautionary measures. In particular, governmental authorities have at times instituted, and in the future may institute, shelter-in-place policies and other restrictions in many jurisdictions in which we operate, including in Redmond, Washington, where our headquarters are located, and Toronto, Canada, Charlotte, North Carolina and Delhi, India, where we maintain significant operations, which policies and restrictions have at times required our employees to work remotely. Even as shelter-in-place policies or other governmental restrictions are lifted, we are taking, and expect to continue to take, a measured and careful approach to having employees return to offices and travel for business. These precautionary measures and policies could negatively impact employee productivity, training and collaboration or otherwise disrupt our business operations. In addition, such restrictions impact certain of our sales efforts, marketing efforts and implementations, adversely affecting the effectiveness of such efforts in some cases and potentially inhibiting future growth.

In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted and may continue to disrupt the operations of our billers and partners for an indefinite period of time, which in turn could negatively impact our business and operating results. Widespread remote work arrangements may also negatively impact our billers’ and partners’ operations, and the operations of third-party service providers who perform critical services for us, and, by extension, our operations.

We will continue to evaluate the nature and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic’s potential impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. See the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Industry—The COVID-19 pandemic could have a material adverse impact on our employees, billers, partners, consumers and other key stakeholders, which could materially and adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.”

Factors Affecting Our Performance

Increased Adoption of Electronic Bill Payment Solutions

As the number of financial transactions online continues to increase, electronic bill payment is becoming a greater share of the bill payment market. We have observed that consumers demand a frictionless electronic bill payment experience and increasingly prefer more flexible and innovative digital payment options. We expect this trend to continue, providing us with a greater opportunity to provide next-generation bill payment technology and power more transactions, further fueling our growth.

Acquiring New Billers

Our future growth depends on the continued adoption of our platform by new billers. We intend to continue investing in our efficient go-to-market strategies, increase brand awareness and drive adoption of our platform and products. We had more than 1,100 billers and more than 1,300 billers as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, including billers of all sizes and across numerous vertical markets. Our ability to attract new billers and drive adoption of our platform will depend on a number of factors, including the effectiveness and pricing of our products, offerings of our competitors, and the effectiveness of our marketing efforts.

Expanding Usage of Our Platform with Existing Billers

Our large base of existing billers represents a significant opportunity for further consumption of our platform. We believe our solutions create a superior experience for consumers and accelerate revenue realization for our billers, which drives increased usage of our platform. We intend to continue investing in this value proposition. Leveraging our platform to capture more transactions from our existing biller base will organically drive transaction growth at lower cost.

Growing Our Partner Base

We believe there is a significant opportunity to increase the transactions on our platform through expanding our base of software, strategic and IPN partners. While revenue derived from or through our IPN partnerships has not been significant historically, we expect that the revenue contribution from our IPN will grow over time. As our IPN partner base expands, and new partners use our platform to power bill payment experiences within their ecosystems, we organically expand the reach of our platform to millions of new consumers and thereby drive new, revenue-generating transactions to our platform. We intend to invest in the expansion of our partner base, including

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the addition of new IPN partners, because our ability to secure new partners will have a direct impact on our transaction growth.

Investing in Sales and Marketing

We will continue to expand efforts to market our platform through our diversified sales and marketing strategy. We intend to invest in sales and marketing strategies that we believe will drive further brand awareness and preference among our billers, partners and consumers. Given the nature of our biller and partner base, our investment in sales and marketing in a given period may not impact results until subsequent periods. We approach sales and marketing spend strategically to maintain efficient biller and partner acquisition.

Innovation and Enhancement of Our Platform

We will continue to invest in our platform and IPN to maintain our position as a leading provider of biller communication and payments. To drive adoption and increase penetration of our platform, we will continue to introduce new products and features. We believe that investment in research and development will contribute to our long-term growth, but may also negatively impact our short-term profitability. We will continue to leverage emerging technologies and invest in the development of more features and better functionality for consumers.

Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures

We review the following metrics to measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, prepare financial projections and make strategic decisions. We believe that these key performance and non-GAAP measures provide meaningful supplemental information for management and investors in assessing our historical and future operating performance. The calculation of the key performance and non-GAAP measures discussed below may differ from other similarly titled metrics used by other companies, securities analysts or investors.

Transactions Processed

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

% Growth

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

% Growth

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions processed

146.2

 

 

 

195.0

 

 

33.4

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

62.4

 

 

 

35.9

 

We define transactions processed as the number of accepted payment transactions, such as checks, credit card and debit card transactions, automated clearing house, or ACH, items and emerging payment types, which are initiated and processed through our platform during a period. The increase in transactions processed from 2019 to 2020 was driven by the addition of new billers and increased transactions from our existing billers.

Non-GAAP Measures

We use supplemental measures of our performance that are derived from our consolidated financial information but which are not presented in our consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. These supplemental non-GAAP measures include contribution profit, adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow. We calculate contribution profit as gross profit plus other cost of revenue. Other cost of revenue equals cost of revenue less interchange and assessment fees paid by us to our payment processors. We calculate adjusted gross profit as gross profit adjusted for non-cash items, primarily stock-based compensation and amortization. We calculate adjusted EBITDA as net income before other income (expense) (which consists of interest income (expense), net and foreign exchange gain (loss)), amortization and depreciation and income taxes, adjusted to exclude the effects of stock-based compensation expense and certain nonrecurring expenses that management believes are not indicative of ongoing operations, consisting primarily of professional fees and other indirect charges associated with our preparation for an initial public offering. We calculate free cash flow as net cash provided by (used in) operating activities less capital expenditures and capitalized internal-use software development costs.

We use non-GAAP measures to supplement financial information presented on a GAAP basis. We believe that excluding certain items from our GAAP results allows management and our board of directors to more fully understand our consolidated financial performance from period to period and helps management project our future consolidated financial performance as forecasts are developed at a level of detail different from that used to

69


 

prepare GAAP-based financial measures. Moreover, we believe these non-GAAP measures provide our investors with useful information to help them evaluate our operating results by facilitating an enhanced understanding of our operating performance and enabling them to make more meaningful period-to-period comparisons. In particular, we exclude interchange and assessment fees in the presentation of contribution profit because we believe inclusion is less directly reflective of our operating performance as we do not control the payment channel used by consumers, which is the primary determinant of the amount of interchange and assessment fees. We use contribution profit to measure the amount available to fund our operations after interchange and assessment fees, which are directly linked to the number of transactions we process and thus our revenue and gross profit. There are limitations to the use of the non-GAAP measures presented in this prospectus. Our non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies; other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate non-GAAP measures differently than we do, limiting the usefulness of those measures for comparative purposes. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation from or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. See the section titled “Prospectus Summary—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data—Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures” for further discussion of the limitations of these non-GAAP measures.

Contribution Profit

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Gross profit

$

74,434

 

 

$

92,627

 

 

$

20,777

 

 

$

27,547

 

Plus: other cost of revenue

 

22,230

 

 

 

27,876

 

 

 

6,851

 

 

 

7,562

 

Contribution profit

$

96,664

 

 

$

120,503

 

 

$

27,628

 

 

$

35,109

 

Adjusted Gross Profit

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Gross profit

$

74,434

 

 

$

92,627

 

 

$

20,777

 

 

$

27,547

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization

 

2,645

 

 

 

3,513

 

 

 

802

 

 

 

1,048

 

Adjusted gross profit

$

77,079

 

 

$

96,140

 

 

$

21,579

 

 

$

28,595

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

Net income

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

 

Excluding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest (income) expense, net

 

(106

)

 

 

(52

)

 

 

(42

)

 

 

3

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

4,782

 

 

 

4,653

 

 

 

906

 

 

 

1,221

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

6,001

 

 

 

8,069

 

 

 

2,020

 

 

 

2,392

 

 

Foreign exchange (gain) loss

 

(2

)

 

 

116

 

 

 

66

 

 

 

(9

)

 

Stock-based compensation

 

1,585

 

 

 

1,994

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

563

 

 

Other nonrecurring expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,596

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

$

25,957

 

 

$

28,491

 

 

$

6,204

 

 

$

9,404

 

 

70


 

Free Cash Flow

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

$

17,511

 

 

$

35,620

 

 

$

4,901

 

 

$

7,177

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

(1,040

)

 

 

(458

)

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(156

)

Capitalized internal-use software development costs

 

(10,222

)

 

 

(14,389

)

 

 

(3,454

)

 

 

(4,256

)

Free cash flow

$

6,249

 

 

$

20,773

 

 

$

1,283

 

 

$

2,765

 

Net cash used in investing activities(1)

$

(13,897

)

 

$

(15,137

)

 

$

(3,618

)

 

$

(4,412

)

Net cash used in financing activities

$

(857

)

 

$

(1,358

)

 

$

(317

)

 

$

(95

)

 

(1)

Net cash used in investing activities includes payments for purchases of property and equipment and costs related to capitalized for internal-use software development, which is also included in our calculation of free cash flow.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We generate substantially all of our revenue from payment transaction fees. Transaction fees are fees collected for each transaction processed through our platform, on either a fixed basis or variable basis based on the transaction value, with the actual fees dependent on type of payment, payment channel and industry vertical. However, irrespective of these factors, the transaction fees that we receive are generally consistent across payment types, payment channels and industry verticals. We receive such transaction fees directly from billers, partners or, in some cases, from consumers as a convenience fee.

Cost of Revenue, Gross Profit and Gross Margin

Cost of revenue consists of certain direct costs that are directly attributed to processing payment transactions on our platform. This includes interchange, assessment and network expenses incurred for processing payments as well as costs of servicing our clients through product support, implementations and customer care. Cost of revenue also includes an allocation of hosting and datacenter costs for our infrastructure and platform environment, telecommunication expenses used by sales and customer support teams and a portion of amortization of capitalized internal-use software development costs and a portion of amortization of intangible assets. We expect that cost of revenue will increase in absolute dollars, but it may fluctuate as a percentage of revenue from period to period, as our payment mix changes and we continue to invest in growing our business across all geographical segments.

Gross profit is equal to our revenue less cost of revenue. Gross profit as a percentage of our revenue is referred to as gross margin. Our gross margin has been and will continue to be affected by a number of factors, including average transaction value, payment type and payments through our IPN.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development

Research and development expenses consist of personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation expenses, incurred in developing new products or enhancing existing products and are expensed as incurred, unless they qualify as internal-use software development costs, which are capitalized and amortized. We expect our research and development expenses to increase in absolute dollars, but they may fluctuate as a percentage of revenue from period to period as we expand our research and development team to develop new products and product enhancements. Over the longer term, we expect research and development expenses to decrease as a percentage of revenue as we leverage the scale of our business.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation expenses for sales and marketing personnel, sales commissions, partner fees, marketing program expenses, travel-related expenses and costs to market and promote our platform through advertisements,

71


 

marketing events, partnership arrangements and direct biller acquisition. We expect our sales and marketing expenses to increase in absolute dollars, but they may fluctuate as a percentage of revenue from period to period.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses, including stock-based compensation expenses for finance, risk management, legal and compliance, human resources, information technology and facilities personnel. General and administrative expenses also include costs incurred for external professional services and other corporate expenses. We expect to incur additional general and administrative expenses as a result of operating as a public company, and to support the growth in our business. We expect that our general and administrative expenses will increase in absolute dollars, but they may fluctuate as a percentage of revenue from period to period. Over the longer term, we expect general and administrative expenses to decrease as a percentage of revenue as we leverage the scale of our business.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth our results of operations for the periods presented:

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Revenue

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

Cost of revenue(1)

 

 

161,344

 

 

 

209,140

 

 

 

48,816

 

 

 

64,675

 

Gross profit

 

 

74,434

 

 

 

92,627

 

 

 

20,777

 

 

 

27,547

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development(1)

 

 

17,864

 

 

 

24,510

 

 

 

5,768

 

 

 

7,730

 

Sales and marketing(1)

 

 

27,989

 

 

 

31,842

 

 

 

7,612

 

 

 

8,222

 

General and administrative(1)

 

 

10,210

 

 

 

17,847

 

 

 

3,688

 

 

 

6,742

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

56,063

 

 

 

74,199

 

 

 

17,068

 

 

 

22,694

 

Income from operations

 

 

18,371

 

 

 

18,428

 

 

 

3,709

 

 

 

4,853

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

106

 

 

 

52

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

(3

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

9

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

18,479

 

 

 

18,364

 

 

 

3,685

 

 

 

4,859

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,782

)

 

 

(4,653

)

 

 

(906

)

 

 

(1,221

)

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

 

(1)

Stock-based compensation expense was allocated in cost of revenue and operating expenses as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

 

$

 

Research and development

 

 

7

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

16

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

12

 

 

 

34

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

17

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,566

 

 

 

1,933

 

 

 

463

 

 

 

530

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

1,585

 

 

$

1,994

 

 

$

475

 

 

$

563

 

72


 

The following table presents the components of our consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented as a percentage of revenue:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

Revenue

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

Cost of revenue

 

 

68.4

 

 

 

69.3

 

 

 

70.1

 

 

 

70.1

 

Gross profit

 

 

31.6

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

29.9

 

 

 

29.9

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

8.4

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

8.9

 

General and administrative

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

7.3

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

24.6

 

Income from operations

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

5.3

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

5.3

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(1.3

)

Net income

 

 

5.8

%

 

 

4.6

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

Comparison of the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2021

Revenue

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Revenue

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

 

$

22,629

 

 

 

32.5

 

The increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in the number of transactions processed, which was driven by the addition of new billers and increased transactions from our existing billers.

Cost of Revenue, Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

48,816

 

 

$

64,675

 

 

$

15,859

 

 

 

32.5

 

Gross profit

 

$

20,777

 

 

$

27,547

 

 

$

6,770

 

 

 

32.6

 

Gross margin

 

 

29.9

%

 

 

29.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The increase in cost of revenue was partially driven by the increase in revenue and transactions processed as it consists primarily of interchange and processor costs as well as other direct and indirect costs associated with making our platform available to our billers. In addition, the average payment amount of our transactions during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was 3% higher than the same period in 2020, resulting in increased interchange costs.

Gross margin was flat during the three months ended March 31, 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020.


73


 

Operating Expenses

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

5,768

 

 

$

7,730

 

 

$

1,962

 

 

 

34.0

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

7,612

 

 

 

8,222

 

 

 

610

 

 

 

8.0

 

General and administrative

 

 

3,688

 

 

 

6,742

 

 

 

3,054

 

 

 

82.8

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

17,068

 

 

$

22,694

 

 

$

5,626

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

8.3

%

 

 

8.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

10.9

%

 

 

8.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

5.3

%

 

 

7.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and Development Expenses

The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits due to an increase in headcount as we continued to invest in building and adding additional features and functionality to our platform as well as increased data center and hosting costs. Our average research and development headcount during the three months ended March 31, 2021 increased by 36% compared to the same period in 2020.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

The increase in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits, as we continued to expand our sales and marketing efforts with additional headcount in order to continue to drive our growth. Our average sales and marketing headcount increased by 21% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower marketing expense related to events and lower travel-related costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

General and Administrative Expenses

The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits and stock-based compensation, due to an increase in general and administrative headcount. Our average general and administrative headcount increased by 34% during the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020. The increase was also driven by an increase in indirect costs associated with preparation for our initial public offering.

The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the addition of operating leases for office space in the United States, Canada and India, as well as certain one-time and increased ongoing costs associated with preparation for our initial public offering.

Other Income (Loss)

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

$

42

 

 

$

(3

)

 

$

(45

)

 

 

(107.1

)

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

 

 

(66

)

 

 

9

 

 

 

75

 

 

 

113.6

 

The decrease in interest income (expense), net was primarily due to additional interest expense recorded for finance leases entered into during the second quarter of 2020, which was offset against interest income.

74


 

Income Taxes

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

(906

)

 

$

(1,221

)

 

$

(315

)

 

 

34.8

 

The change in provision for income taxes was in line with the slight change in income before income taxes.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2020

Revenue

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

 

$

65,989

 

 

 

28.0

 

The increase in revenue was primarily due to an increase in the number of transactions processed, which was driven by the addition of new billers and increased transactions from our existing billers.

Cost of Revenue, Gross Profit and Gross Margin

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

161,344

 

 

$

209,140

 

 

$

47,796

 

 

 

29.6

 

Gross profit

 

$

74,434

 

 

$

92,627

 

 

$

18,193

 

 

 

24.4

 

Gross margin

 

 

31.6

%

 

 

30.7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The increase in cost of revenue was consistent with the increase in revenue and transactions processed as it consists primarily of interchange and processor costs as well as other direct and indirect costs associated with making our platform available to our billers.

The decrease in gross margin was primarily due to our increasing focus on selling our platform to larger billers. This shift toward larger billers resulted in slightly lower pricing, which decreased our gross margin. This trend of slightly decreasing margins may continue until such time as we see more of a mix of revenue from our IPN partners.

Operating Expenses

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

$

17,864

 

 

$

24,510

 

 

$

6,646

 

 

 

37.2

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

27,989

 

 

 

31,842

 

 

 

3,853

 

 

 

13.8

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,210

 

 

 

17,847

 

 

 

7,637

 

 

 

74.8

 

Total operating expenses

 

$

56,063

 

 

$

74,199

 

 

$

18,136

 

 

 

 

 

Percentage of total revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

7.6

%

 

 

8.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

11.9

%

 

 

10.6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

General and administrative

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

5.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

75


 

Research and Development Expenses

The increase in research and development expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits due to an increase in headcount as we continued to invest in building and adding additional features and functionality to our platform as well as increased data center and hosting costs. Our average research and development headcount during 2020 increased by 37% compared to 2019.

The increase in research and development expense as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to increased costs associated with higher data center and hosting costs as well as some additional costs associated with building out functionality related to our IPN.

Sales and Marketing Expenses

The increase in sales and marketing expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits as we continued to expand our sales and marketing efforts with additional headcount in order to continue to drive our growth. Our average sales and marketing headcount increased by 17% during 2020 compared to 2019.

The decrease in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to lower marketing expense related to events and lower travel-related costs as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

General and Administrative Expenses

The increase in general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in employee-related costs, including benefits and stock-based compensation, due to an increase in general and administrative headcount. Our average general and administrative headcount increased by 56% during 2020 compared to 2019. The increase was also driven by an increase in rent expense due to the addition of operating leases for office space in the United States, Canada and India, as well as an increase in costs associated with preparation for our initial public offering.

The increase in general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily due to the addition of operating leases for office space in the United States, Canada and India, as well as certain one-time and increased ongoing costs associated with preparation for our initial public offering.

Other Income (Loss)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Interest income, net

 

$

106

 

 

$

52

 

 

$

(54

)

 

 

(50.9

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(116

)

 

 

(118

)

 

 

(5,900.0

)

The decrease in interest income, net was primarily due to additional interest expense recorded for finance leases entered into during 2020, which is offset against interest income. Interest income decreased slightly due to lower interest rates in 2020 as compared to 2019 on interest-bearing accounts.

Income Taxes

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Change

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

 

2020

 

 

Amount

 

 

%

 

 

 

(dollars in thousands)

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

(4,782

)

 

$

(4,653

)

 

$

129

 

 

 

(2.7

)

The change in provision for income taxes was in line with the slight change in income before income taxes.


76


 

Quarterly Results of Operations and Transaction Data

The following tables present selected unaudited consolidated statements of operations and transaction data for each of the quarters indicated, as well as the percentage that each line represents of revenue. The unaudited consolidated statements of operations have been prepared on the same basis as the annual consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus and reflect all normal and recurring adjustments that are, in our opinion, necessary for the fair presentation of the results of operations for the periods presented. The following quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our quarterly results of operations will vary in the future and historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future, and results for a particular quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results for a full year.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Mar. 31,

2019

 

 

Jun. 30,

2019

 

 

Sep. 30,

2019

 

 

Dec. 31,

2019

 

 

Mar. 31,

2020

 

 

Jun. 30,

2020

 

 

Sep. 30,

2020

 

 

Dec. 31,

2020

 

 

Mar. 31,

2021

 

 

 

(unaudited, in thousands)

 

Revenue

 

$

50,944

 

 

$

55,714

 

 

$

63,353

 

 

$

65,767

 

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

71,734

 

 

$

78,018

 

 

$

82,422

 

 

$

92,222

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

33,341

 

 

 

37,575

 

 

 

46,570

 

 

 

43,858

 

 

 

48,816

 

 

 

48,332

 

 

 

55,365

 

 

 

56,627

 

 

 

64,675

 

Gross profit

 

 

17,603

 

 

 

18,139

 

 

 

16,783

 

 

 

21,909

 

 

 

20,777

 

 

 

23,402

 

 

 

22,653

 

 

 

25,795

 

 

 

27,547

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and

   development

 

 

3,828

 

 

 

4,279

 

 

 

4,708

 

 

 

5,049

 

 

 

5,768

 

 

 

5,981

 

 

 

6,221

 

 

 

6,540

 

 

 

7,730

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

5,533

 

 

 

6,069

 

 

 

7,331

 

 

 

9,056

 

 

 

7,612

 

 

 

7,632

 

 

 

8,002

 

 

 

8,596

 

 

 

8,222

 

General and

   administrative

 

 

1,812

 

 

 

2,471

 

 

 

2,818

 

 

 

3,109

 

 

 

3,688

 

 

 

3,469

 

 

 

4,959

 

 

 

5,731

 

 

 

6,742

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

11,173

 

 

 

12,819

 

 

 

14,857

 

 

 

17,214

 

 

 

17,068

 

 

 

17,082

 

 

 

19,182

 

 

 

20,867

 

 

 

22,694

 

Income from operations

 

 

6,430

 

 

 

5,320

 

 

 

1,926

 

 

 

4,695

 

 

 

3,709

 

 

 

6,320

 

 

 

3,471

 

 

 

4,928

 

 

 

4,853

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

27

 

 

 

27

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

26

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

3

 

 

 

4

 

 

 

(3

)

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

385

 

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(20

)

 

 

(343

)

 

 

(66

)

 

 

(24

)

 

 

(19

)

 

 

(7

)

 

 

9

 

Income before income

   taxes

 

 

6,842

 

 

 

5,327

 

 

 

1,932

 

 

 

4,378

 

 

 

3,685

 

 

 

6,299

 

 

 

3,455

 

 

 

4,925

 

 

 

4,859

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(1,770

)

 

 

(1,378

)

 

 

(516

)

 

 

(1,118

)

 

 

(906

)

 

 

(1,614

)

 

 

(841

)

 

 

(1,292

)

 

 

(1,221

)

Net income

 

$

5,072

 

 

$

3,949

 

 

$

1,416

 

 

$

3,260

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

4,685

 

 

$

2,614

 

 

$

3,633

 

 

$

3,638

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Mar. 31,

2019

 

 

Jun. 30,

2019

 

 

Sep. 30,

2019

 

 

Dec. 31,

2019

 

 

Mar. 31,

2020

 

 

Jun. 30,

2020

 

 

Sep. 30,

2020

 

 

Dec. 31,

2020

 

 

Mar. 31,

2021

 

 

 

(unaudited) (as a percentage of revenue)

 

Revenue

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

 

 

100.0

%

Cost of revenue

 

 

65.4

 

 

 

67.4

 

 

 

73.5

 

 

 

66.7

 

 

 

70.1

 

 

 

67.4

 

 

 

71.0

 

 

 

68.7

 

 

 

70.1

 

Gross profit

 

 

34.6

 

 

 

32.6

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

29.9

 

 

 

32.6

 

 

 

29.0

 

 

 

31.3

 

 

 

29.9

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

8.3

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

8.4

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

13.7

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

General and administrative

 

 

3.6

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

7.3

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

23.4

 

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

23.8

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

25.3

 

 

 

24.6

 

Income from operations

 

 

12.6

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

5.3

 

Other income (expense)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income

   taxes

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

6.7

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

6.0

 

 

 

5.3

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(1.3

)

Net income

 

 

10.0

%

 

 

7.1

%

 

 

2.3

%

 

 

5.0

%

 

 

4.0

%

 

 

6.6

%

 

 

3.3

%

 

 

4.4

%

 

 

4.0

%

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Three Months Ended

 

 

 

Mar. 31,

2019

 

 

Jun. 30,

2019

 

 

Sep. 30,

2019

 

 

Dec. 31,

2019

 

 

Mar. 31,

2020

 

 

Jun. 30,

2020

 

 

Sep. 30,

2020

 

 

Dec. 31,

2020

 

 

Mar. 31,

2021

 

 

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

Transactions processed

 

 

29.4

 

 

 

33.0

 

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

42.7

 

 

 

45.9

 

 

 

46.2

 

 

 

48.7

 

 

 

54.2

 

 

 

62.4

 

Quarterly Changes in Revenue

Revenue increased sequentially in each of the quarters presented primarily due to a corresponding increase in the number of transactions processed on our platform. The number of transactions processed increased as a result of the addition of new billers to our platform and increased transactions processed by existing billers. Because our revenue is based on the number of transactions processed and the number of transactions processed is dependent on a variety of factors including the number of billers on our platform, number of bills issued by those billers and number of payments made against those bills, our historical revenue results are not necessarily indicative of future performance.

Quarterly Changes in Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue increased sequentially in most of the quarters presented primarily as a result of increased interchange and processor fees in conjunction with a higher number of transactions processed as well as increasing other direct costs associated with making our platform available to our billers. In addition, we continue to improve our platform and have increased capitalized internal-use software development costs, with a portion of the amortization expense associated with that capitalization recorded to cost of revenue. Our cost of revenue will continue to increase as more transactions are processed through our platform. In addition, we plan to continue to increase the functionality of our platform and anticipate an increase in amortization expense recorded to cost of revenue.

Quarterly Changes in Gross Profit

Our decreased gross profit percentage during the last four quarters presented is primarily attributable to our increasing focus on selling our platform to larger billers. This shift toward larger billers resulted in overall lower pricing while our costs remained relatively constant. While we believe that we will be successful in maintaining consistent gross margin going forward, we anticipate that we will continue to add larger billers in the future and as such it is possible that our gross margin will decrease further.

Quarterly Changes in Operating Expenses

Operating expenses have generally increased over the quarters presented primarily due to increased headcount and other related costs to support our growth, including adding additional office space. We intend to continue to make significant investments in research and development as we add features and enhance our platform, specifically building out functionality related to our IPN and higher data center and hosting costs. We also intend to invest in our sales and marketing organization to drive future revenue growth. During 2020, we experienced a decrease in certain operating expenses such as travel and certain marketing expenses related to in person events due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once the various travel restrictions are eased, we anticipate that our travel and marketing expenses will return to their pre-pandemic levels.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Sources and Uses of Funds

As of March 31, 2021, we had $49.4 million of cash and cash equivalents. We believe that existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to support our working capital and capital expenditure requirements for at least the next 12 months. Since inception, we have financed operations primarily through the sale of equity securities and revenue from payment transaction fees and subscriptions. Our principal uses of cash are funding operations and capital expenditures.

From time to time, we may explore additional financing sources and means to lower our cost of capital, which could include equity, equity-linked and debt financing. We cannot assure you that any additional financing will be

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available to us on acceptable terms, or at all. The inability to raise capital would adversely affect our ability to achieve our business objectives. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, the ownership of our existing stockholders will be diluted. If we raise additional financing by the incurrence of indebtedness, we may be subject to increased fixed payment obligations and could be subject to additional restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. Any future indebtedness we incur may result in terms that could be unfavorable to equity investors.

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes our consolidated cash flows.

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

Three Months Ended
March 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2020

 

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Net cash provided by (used in)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

17,511

 

 

$

35,620

 

 

$

4,901

 

 

$

7,177

 

Investing activities

 

 

(13,897

)

 

 

(15,137

)

 

 

(3,618

)

 

 

(4,412

)

Financing activities

 

 

(857

)

 

 

(1,358

)

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(95

)

Effects of foreign exchange on cash

 

 

36

 

 

 

114

 

 

 

(47

)

 

 

33

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

2,793

 

 

$

19,239

 

 

$

919

 

 

$

2,703

 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Our primary source of operating cash is revenue from payment transaction fees. Our primary uses of operating cash are personnel-related costs, payments to third parties to fulfill our payment transactions and payments to sales and marketing partners.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 was $4.9 million, primarily consisting of our net income of $2.8 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $2.0 million in depreciation and amortization, $0.6 million in non-cash lease expense related to our operating right-of-use assets, $0.5 million in stock-based compensation, $0.4 million in deferred income taxes, and net cash outflows of $1.4 million provided by changes in our operating assets and liabilities. The main drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities were a $3.8 million increase in accounts and other receivables resulting primarily from higher sales and relative timing of our cash collections, an increase of $0.4 million in prepaid expenses, a $0.8 million decrease in accrued liabilities, and a $0.6 decrease in operating lease liabilities due to current period payments on operating leases. These amounts were partially offset by an increase of $3.1 million in accounts payable, an increase of $0.7 million in contract liabilities, and a $0.5 million decrease in income taxes receivable due to the receipt of an overpayment from the prior year end.

Net cash provided by operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 was $7.2 million, primarily consisting of our net income of $3.6 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $2.4 million in depreciation and amortization, $0.8 million in non-cash lease expense related to our operating right-of-use assets, $0.6 million in stock-based compensation, $0.8 million in deferred income taxes, and net cash outflows of $1.0 million provided by changes in our operating assets and liabilities. The main drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities includes a $5.6 million increase in accounts and other receivables due to higher sales and relative timing of our cash collections, an increase in income tax receivables, net of $0.2 million, and a $0.7 million decrease in operating lease liabilities. These amounts were partially offset by a $4.8 million increase in accounts payable due in part to a change in processer payment timing from real-time payments to transactions being processed on a monthly cadence where we are invoiced in arrears for fees owed, and an increase of $0.9 million in contract liabilities.

Net cash provided by operating activities during 2019 was $17.5 million, primarily consisting of our net income of $13.7 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $6.0 million in depreciation and amortization, $1.6 million in stock-based compensation, $1.3 million in deferred income taxes and net cash outflows of $5.1 million provided by changes in our operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions. The main drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of the effect of acquisitions, were a $5.1 million increase in accounts and other receivables resulting primarily from higher sales and relative timing of our cash collections, a $1.4 million increase

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in income taxes receivable, net due to the overpayment of income taxes in the prior period, a decrease of $0.6 million in accounts payable and a decrease of $0.3 million decrease in contract liabilities. These amounts were partially offset by a $2.1 million increase in accrued liabilities due to increased headcount and growth in our business and a $0.2 million increase in prepaid expenses.

Net cash provided by operating activities during 2020 was $35.6 million, primarily consisting of our net income of $13.7 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $8.1 million in depreciation and amortization, $2.8 million in non-cash lease expense related to our operating right-of-use assets, $2.0 million in stock-based compensation, $1.6 million in deferred income taxes, $0.1 million for provision for credit losses and net cash inflows of $7.3 million provided by changes in our operating assets and liabilities. The main drivers of the changes in operating assets and liabilities includes a $14.6 million increase in accounts payable due in part to a change in processer payment timing from real-time payments such that the transactions are processed on a monthly cadence where we are invoiced in arrears for fees owed, a $2.8 million increase in accrued liabilities due to increased headcount and growth in our business, a decrease of $0.8 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets due the amortization of additional insurance premiums, an increase of $0.2 million in contract liabilities and a decrease in income tax receivables, net of $0.2 million. These amounts were partially offset by an $8.7 million increase in accounts and other receivables due to higher sales and relative timing of our cash collections, and a $2.6 million decrease in operating lease liabilities.

Net Cash Used in Investing Activities

Cash used in our investing activities consists primarily of capitalized internal-use software development costs, purchases of property and equipment, intangible assets and cash paid for acquisitions.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted of $3.4 million of capitalized internal-use software development costs and $0.2 million of purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 consisted of $4.3 million of capitalized internal-use software development costs and $0.1 million of purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities during 2019 consisted of $10.2 million of capitalized internal-use software development costs, $1.4 million of cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash acquired, $1.3 million of purchases of intangible assets and $1.0 million of purchases of property and equipment.

Net cash used in investing activities during 2020 consisted of $14.4 million of capitalized internal-use software development costs, $0.5 million of purchases of property and equipment and $0.3 million related to the payment of deferred consideration for an acquisition.

Net Cash Used in Financing Activities

Cash used in our financing activities consists primarily of payments on capital lease and other financing arrangements and principal payments on debt offset by proceeds from the issuance of equity securities.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2020 consisted of $0.3 million of payments on finance leases and other financing obligations.

Net cash used in financing activities for the three months ended March 31, 2021 consisted of $0.4 million of payments on finance leases and other financing obligations and $0.5 million of payments of deferred offering costs directly related to our initial public offering, offset by proceeds of $0.8 million from the repayment of a related party loan.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2019 consisted of $0.9 million of payments on finance leases and other financing obligations and $0.1 million of payments on debt assumed in acquisitions, offset by $0.1 million of proceeds from the issuance of equity securities.

Net cash used in financing activities during 2020 consisted of $1.4 million of payments on finance leases and other financing obligations.

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Contractual Obligations and Other Commitments

The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and commitments in cash as of March 31, 2021:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments Due by Period:

 

 

 

Total

 

 

Less than

1 Year

 

 

1 - 3 Years

 

 

3 -5 Years

 

 

More than

5 Years

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Operating lease liabilities(1)

 

 

8,645

 

 

 

2,381

 

 

 

2,034

 

 

 

1,724

 

 

 

2,506

 

Finance lease liabilities(2)

 

 

581

 

 

 

203

 

 

 

378

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchase obligations(3)

 

 

3,996

 

 

 

1,714

 

 

 

2,111

 

 

 

171

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

13,222

 

 

$

4,298

 

 

$

4,523

 

 

$

1,895

 

 

$

2,506

 

 

(1)

Consists of operating lease liabilities for our offices and data centers.

(2)

Consists of finance lease liabilities for equipment.

(3)

Consists of purchase obligations which were not recognized on the balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, related primarily to infrastructure services and IT software and maintenance service costs.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We have not entered into any off-balance sheet arrangements and do not have any holdings in variable interest entities.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risk in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Risk

Our cash and cash equivalents consist of bank deposits and money market funds with original maturities of three months or less. Our cash and cash equivalents are held for working capital purposes. We do not enter into investments for trading or speculative purposes. Our cash equivalents and our investment portfolio are subject to market risk due to changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2021, a hypothetical 10% relative change in interest rates would not have had a material impact on the value of our cash equivalents or investment portfolio.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

Certain of our operations are conducted in foreign currencies. While we have generated a substantially all of our revenue from billers in the United States, we have foreign currency risks related to revenue denominated in other currencies, such as the Canadian dollar. In addition, we have significant operations outside of the United States, particularly in Canada and India, where expenses are denominated in the local currency. Decreases in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies may negatively affect revenue and other operating results as expressed in U.S. dollars. We have not engaged in the hedging of foreign currency transactions, although we may do so in the future. We do not believe that an immediate 10% increase or decrease in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies would have a material effect on operating results.

Emerging Growth Company Status

The JOBS Act provides that an emerging growth company may take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards, delaying the adoption of these accounting standards until they would apply to private companies unless it otherwise irrevocably elects not to avail itself of this exemption. We have elected to use this extended transition period until we are no longer an emerging growth company or until we affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

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Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations are based upon our financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, revenue and expenses at the date of the financial statements. Generally, we base our estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions in accordance with GAAP that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

Critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we consider the most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations because they require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The critical accounting policies and estimates that we believe have the most significant impact on our consolidated financial statements are described below. See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for additional information.

Revenue Recognition

Application of the accounting principles in U.S. GAAP related to the measurement and recognition of revenue requires us to make judgments and estimates. Complex arrangements with nonstandard terms and conditions may require significant contract interpretation to determine the appropriate accounting. Specifically, the determination of whether we are a principal to a transaction or an agent can require considerable judgment. We have concluded that we are the principal in our payment processing arrangements as we control the service on our platform. We also contract directly with our billers and have complete pricing latitude on the processing fees charged to our billers. As such, we bear the credit risk for network fees and transactions charged back to the biller.

We will evaluate our accounts receivable portfolio to determine if an allowance for doubtful accounts is necessary. The development of the allowance for doubtful accounts is based on an expected loss model that considers reasonable and supportable forecasts of future conditions and a review of past due amounts, historical write-off and recovery experience, as well as aging trends affecting specific accounts and general operational factors affecting all accounts. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote.

We consider current economic trends when evaluating the adequacy of the allowance for doubtful accounts. If circumstances relating to specific billers change or unanticipated changes occur in the general business environment, our estimate of the recoverability of receivables could be further adjusted.

Internal-use Software Development Costs

Internal-use software development costs consist of personnel costs, including related benefits, incurred to develop functionality for our platform, as well as certain upgrades and enhancements that are expected to result in enhanced functionality. We capitalize certain software development costs for new offerings as well as upgrades to our existing software platforms. We amortize these development costs over the estimated useful life of three to five years on a straight-line basis. We believe there are two key estimates within the internal-use capitalized software development balance, which are the determination of the useful life of the software and the determination of the amounts to be capitalized.

We determined that a three to five year life is appropriate for our internal-use software based on our best estimate of the useful life of the internally developed software after considering factors such as continuous developments in the technology, obsolescence and anticipated life of the service offering before significant upgrades. Based on our prior experience, internally generated software will generally remain in use for a minimum of three to five years before being significantly replaced or modified to keep up with evolving biller and company needs. While we do not anticipate any significant changes to this three to five year estimate, a change in this estimate could produce a material impact on our financial statements. For example, if we received information that indicated the useful life of all internally developed software was one year rather than three to five, our capitalized software balance would materially decrease and our expense would materially increase.

We determine the amount of internal-use software development costs to be capitalized based on the amount of time spent by our developers on projects. Costs associated with building or significantly enhancing our platforms

82


 

are capitalized, while costs associated with planning new developments and maintaining our platform are expensed as incurred. There is judgment involved in estimating the stage of development as well as estimating time allocated to a particular project. A significant change in the time spent on each project could have a material impact on the amount capitalized and related amortization expense in subsequent periods.

Valuation of Goodwill and Intangibles

The valuation of assets acquired in a business combination and asset impairment reviews require the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The acquisition method of accounting for business combinations requires us to estimate the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in an acquired business to allocate purchase price consideration between assets that are depreciated and amortized and goodwill. Impairment testing for assets, other than goodwill requires the comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or an asset group to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds these estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group. Our estimates are based upon assumptions that we believe to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain and unpredictable. These valuations require the use of management’s assumptions, which do not reflect unanticipated events and circumstances that may occur.

We evaluate goodwill for impairment on an annual basis, or sooner if indicators of impairment exist. Under U.S. GAAP, the evaluation of goodwill for impairment allows for a qualitative assessment to be performed. In performing these qualitative assessments, we consider relevant events and conditions, including but not limited to: macroeconomic trends, industry and market conditions, overall financial performance, cost factors, company-specific events, legal and regulatory factors and our market capitalization. If the qualitative assessments indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amounts, we must perform a quantitative impairment test.

Goodwill impairment is recognized when the quantitative assessment results in the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeding its fair value, in which case an impairment charge is recorded to goodwill to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value, limited to the amount of goodwill. Measurement of the fair value of a reporting unit is based on one or more of the following fair value measures: amounts at which the unit as a whole could be bought or sold in a current transaction between willing parties, present value techniques of estimated future cash flows, valuation techniques based on multiples of earnings or revenue or a similar performance measure.

Stock-based Compensation

We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock option awards granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards with the compensation expense recognized on a straight‑line basis over the vesting period of the award. Forfeitures are accounted for in the period in which they occur.

We estimate grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by the estimated fair value of our common stock, as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables that are complex, subjective and generally require significant judgment to determine. If factors change and different assumptions are used, our stock-based compensation expense could be materially different in the future.

The valuation assumptions were determined as follows:

Fair Value of Underlying Common StockBecause our common stock is not yet publicly traded, we must estimate the fair value of common stock. Our board of directors considers numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the fair value of our common stock at each meeting in which awards are approved.

Expected TermThe expected life of options granted to employees in 2019 and 2020 was determined by using management’s best estimation of exercise activity.

Risk-free Interest Rate—We use a risk-free interest rate in the option valuation model based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues, with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the options.

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Expected Volatility—As we do not have any trading history for our common stock, the expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of our publicly traded industry peers utilizing a period of time consistent with our estimate of expected term.

Expected Dividend Yield—We do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, use an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

We will continue to use judgment in evaluating the assumptions related to our stock-based compensation on a prospective basis. As we continue to accumulate additional data related to our common stock, we may have refinements to our estimates, which could materially impact our future stock-based compensation expense.

Common Stock Valuations

The fair value of the common stock underlying our stock-based awards has historically been determined by our board of directors with input from management and the assistance of third-party valuations. We believe that our board of directors has the relevant experience and expertise to determine the fair value of our common stock. Given the absence of a public trading market of our common stock and in accordance with approaches and methodologies consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation, our board of directors exercised reasonable judgment and considered numerous objective and subjective factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of our common stock at each grant date. These include historical and projected financial information, prospects and risks, company performance, various corporate documents, capitalization and economic and financial market conditions. Management, with its third-party valuation firm, also used other economic, industry and market information obtained from other resources considered reliable.

For valuations after the completion of this offering, our board of directors will determine the fair value of each share of underlying common stock based on the closing price of our common stock as reported on the date of grant. Future expense amounts for any particular period could be affected by changes in our assumptions or market conditions.

Income Taxes

We are subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining our provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities, including evaluating uncertainties in the application of accounting principles and complex tax laws.

We record a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, we recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as for loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred assets and liabilities are measured using the statutorily enacted tax rates anticipated to be in effect when those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance is established if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. We consider all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income, in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.

Our tax positions are subject to income tax audits by multiple tax jurisdictions throughout the world. We recognize the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the position will be sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. This evaluation is based on all available evidence and assumes that the tax authorities have full knowledge of all relevant information concerning the tax position. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not (greater than 50% likely) to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. We recognize interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. We make adjustments to these reserves in accordance with the income tax guidance when facts and circumstances change, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made and could have a material impact on our financial condition and operating results.

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Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted as of the date of the financial statements.

 

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BUSINESS

Our Mission

Our mission is to simplify how bills are paid.

Our Company

Paymentus is a leading provider of cloud-based bill payment technology and solutions. We deliver our next-generation product suite through a modern technology stack to more than 1,300 business clients—our billers. Our platform was used by approximately 16 million consumers and businesses in North America in December 2020 to pay their bills and engage with our billers. We serve billers of all sizes that provide non-discretionary services across a variety of industry verticals, including utilities, financial services, insurance, government, telecommunications and healthcare. By powering this comprehensive network of billers, each with their own set of bill payment requirements, we have created an enviable feedback loop that enables us to continuously drive innovation, grow our business and uniquely improve the electronic bill payment experience for everyone in the bill payment ecosystem.

Our platform provides our billers with easy-to-use, flexible and secure electronic bill payment experiences powered by an omni-channel payment infrastructure that allows consumers to pay their bills using their preferred payment type and channel. Because our platform is developed on a single code base and leverages a SaaS infrastructure, we can rapidly deploy new features and tools to our entire biller base simultaneously. Through a single point of integration to our billers’ core financial and operating systems, our mission-critical solutions provide our billers with a payments operating system that helps them collect revenue faster and more profitably and empower their consumers with the information and transparency needed to control their financial destiny.

We extend our platform’s reach through our Instant Payment Network, or IPN. This is a proprietary network, consisting of tens of thousands of billers, that connects our integrated billing, payment and reconciliation capabilities with our IPN partners’ platforms. Our IPN enables our partners, which include leading consumer brands and financial institutions, to access our next-generation electronic bill payment technology using the same integrated platform we provide directly to our billers. By being connected to our IPN, our IPN partners provide their consumers with the full capabilities of our next-generation product suite, including the ability to engage with and make payments to our large and growing base of billers. Those partners in turn expand our platform’s reach to millions of additional consumers in the United States and globally.

Paying bills is a fundamental obligation for people around the world and a recurring relationship exists between consumers and billers for non-discretionary, essential services. There were approximately 128 million households in the United States as of December 31, 2020, paying an average of ten bills per month per household. Bill payments represented 58% of total monthly expenditures among U.S. adults in a recent survey by the Federal Reserve Banks, with total estimated bill payment spending exceeding $4.6 trillion in the United States in 2020. Despite its ubiquity, the bill payment industry suffers from under-investment in technology, which creates slow, often manual and error-prone experiences for billers and consumers.

Today, most billers rely on legacy bill payment systems from financial institutions or biller-direct solutions. Both of these systems create challenges for billers and their consumers. Financial institutions often lack the ability to view billing details or obtain payment confirmation and limit payment types to their own checking accounts. Similarly, billers traditionally rely on non-integrated, multi-vendor solutions, which force consumers into a decentralized and fragmented experience. These legacy solutions result in inefficiencies in consumer communication, electronic bill presentment and payment capture, which hinder a biller’s ability to create a holistic and accurate perspective on its cash flow.

We address these inefficiencies through our cloud-native, integrated single-vendor solution. Our platform supports omni-channel, electronic bill payments across multiple commerce channels, including online, mobile, interactive voice response, or IVR, call center, chatbot and voice-based assistants. As we do not charge development or implementation fees, there is no minimum investment necessary for billers to achieve efficiencies from the use of our platform to replace some or all of their legacy bill payment systems or biller-direct solutions. We simplify how bills are paid and help our billers collect revenue faster and more profitably because our platform is:

 

Scalable: Enterprise-grade platform capable of supporting transaction growth for billers of all sizes across numerous industry verticals.

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Innovative: Artificial intelligence, or AI, and machine learning, or ML, algorithms power an omni-channel, end-to-end solution that adapts to new technologies and continuously learns from transaction activity.

 

Flexible: Platform accessible through an array of application program interfaces, or APIs, iFrames and fully hosted solutions that provide complete control over the user experience.

 

Configurable: Reconfigurable business logic that allows us to quickly implement new functionality required by new and existing billers.

 

Integrated: Our library of over 350 integrations to core accounting software systems, including customer information systems, or CIS (which are software systems used to efficiently manage customer processes and data and often include bill pay, customer service and forecasting and analytics tools), and enterprise resource planning, or ERP, systems (which are software systems used to collect, store, manage and interpret data from many business activities, typically including accounting systems), helps connect disparate systems across the electronic bill payment value chain.

 

Extensible: Adaptable to new technologies and emerging payment channels, such as pay-by-text, AI-based virtual assistants and social media payments.

 

Secure: Multi-layer intrusion detection and prevention system, multi-factor authentication and encryption and tokenization designed for trust and security of transaction activity and information.

Our platform was built on more than ten years of data, investment, network scale and feedback from billers that used our platform on a daily basis. We leverage our next-generation platform and single code base to deploy new solutions across our entire biller base simultaneously. Our ability to rapidly and cost-effectively drive innovation requires a next generation platform powered by deep software integrations across the bill payment value chain, scale and data, which we believe makes our platform difficult to replicate.

Our ability to seamlessly serve billers, partners and consumers uniquely positions us at the center of a three-sided network and enables us to drive a powerful, and accelerating, flywheel effect. Our robust platform attracts billers and partners seeking to build stronger relationships with their consumers. Adding more billers and partners extends our platform’s reach to more consumers. These consumers drive more transactions to our platform, which strengthens biller and partner retention and in turn accelerates our organic growth. As we scale, we expect to drive increases in our operating leverage, which in turn enables higher profitability and more efficient biller and partner acquisition.

 

We captured over 15 billion unique transactional and behavioral data points from over 195 million transactions in 2020, across a network of more than 1,300 billers as of December 31, 2020 that had approximately 16 million consumers and business users in December 2020 alone. This rich data set continuously enhances our ML algorithms and AI capabilities, which power the network effects that attract billers, partners and consumers to our platform.

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We rely on a diversified go-to-market strategy including direct sales, software and strategic partnerships and our IPN. While the direct sales channel is an important part of our business, we also rely on our software and strategic partners to deliver our solutions to our billers. Our software partners, such as Oracle, integrate our platform into their software products enabling us to power their bill payment capabilities. Our strategic partners, such as U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, refer new billers to our platform and in many cases we jointly sell to prospective customers with our strategic partners. Some of our strategic partners, particularly banks, also integrate our solutions into their platforms to provide an integrated bill presentment and omni-channel bill payment solution to their customers, and as such they are also IPN partners.

Our IPN promotes rapid adoption of our platform through partnerships with leading business networks, including:  

 

Banking Partners: We modernize the bill payment infrastructure of some of the largest U.S. banks, empowering their digital banking consumers with fast, secure and omni-channel payment technology by seamlessly integrating our solution into their core platforms.

 

eCommerce Partner: We power electronic bill payments through the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer, enabling millions of its users to retrieve information about, and pay, their bills for all billers on our network.

 

PayPal: We enable PayPal’s U.S. consumers to pay their bills directly from PayPal apps.

 

Other Partners: Other partners benefit from our IPN in a variety of ways, such as enabling bill payment for consumers at more than 70,000 retail locations. For example, we enable Walmart’s consumers to pay their bills either in-store at retail locations or online via Walmart’s retail websites or mobile apps.

Our enterprise-grade platform creates a compelling value proposition for our more than 1,300 billers as of December 31, 2020, ranging from small and midsize to large businesses. In 2020, we processed over $37.9 billion in transaction volume across a variety of industry verticals. As billers experience the benefits of our platform, they typically expand their usage. In 2020, 57% of our total dollar volume processed was in utilities, 23% in financial institutions and 16% in insurance. In addition, our biller and partner bases are diversified; in 2020, no single biller represented, and no single software, strategic or IPN partner was associated with, more than 10% of the transactions processed.

We have achieved significant growth through our capital efficient model. We generated revenue of $235.8 million in 2019 and $301.8 million in 2020, representing a year-over-year increase of 28.0%. Gross profit was $74.4 million in 2019 and $92.6 million in 2020, contribution profit was $96.7 million in 2019 and $120.5 million in 2020 and adjusted gross profit was $77.1 million in 2019 and $96.1 million in 2020. We had net income of $13.7 million in both 2019 and 2020, and adjusted EBITDA was $26.0 million in 2019 and $28.5 million in 2020. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $17.5 million in 2019 and $35.6 million in 2020, and we generated free cash flow of $6.3 million in 2019 and $20.8 million in 2020.

For the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, we generated revenue of $69.6 million and $92.2 million, respectively, representing a quarter-over-quarter increase of 32.5%. Gross profit was $20.8 million and $27.5 million, contribution profit was $27.6 million and $35.1 million and adjusted gross profit was $21.6 million and $28.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. We had net income of $2.8 million and $3.6 million and adjusted EBITDA of $6.2 million and $9.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively. Our net cash provided by operating activities was $4.9 million and $7.2 million and we generated free cash flow of $1.3 million and $2.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

See the section titled “Prospectus Summary—Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data—Key Performance and Non-GAAP Measures” for a discussion of the limitations of contribution profit, adjusted gross profit, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow and reconciliations of these non-GAAP measures to the most comparable GAAP measures for the periods presented.

 

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Our Industry

The bill payment industry is undergoing technological transformation as consumers and billers demand a straightforward and streamlined approach to electronic bill presentment and payment and consumer engagement. The following key trends are currently defining the industry:

Electronic Bill Payment Requires an Integrated, Single-vendor Solution

As electronic bill payments continue to evolve with consumer preferences, billers demand an integrated single-vendor solution suite to remain competitive. A typical electronic bill payment experience requires the coordination of multiple vendors for bill notification, presentment, various payment channels, call center support, and data and analytics. These vendors lack integration, which results in a fragmented consumer experience and increased cost to the biller. Billers that are able to access a single, integrated end-to-end solution are able to provide a seamless experience for their consumers.

Billers and Consumers Are Underserved by Financial Institutions

Traditional financial institutions have been slow to adopt digital bill payment technologies. In 2010, 38% of U.S. online consumer bill payment volume was made through a bank’s bill payment solution, but that has since decreased to 22% in 2020. We believe this reduction is driven by consistent under-investment by financial institutions in their bill payment platforms, resulting in a poor consumer experience. Consumers must generally manually add billers to a financial institution’s system and are generally limited to automated clearing house, or ACH, payments rather than omni-channel payment capabilities. Ultimately, the lack of optionality and transparency inherent to a financial institution’s bill payment solutions creates an opportunity that we seek to address.

Emerging Payment Options Through Online and Mobile Channels Are Transforming the Market

Consumers are transacting anywhere and everywhere and through different channels. With the widespread use of mobile phones and home computers, consumer devices are becoming the aggregation point for billing information. According to S&P Global Market Intelligence, in 2018, 54% of U.S. consumers pointed to bill pay among their most valued mobile banking features. As consumers move beyond paper checks and adopt emerging payment technologies, we believe the continued digitization of the bill payment industry will manifest through increased adoption of technologies such as pay by text, digital wallets and AI-based assistants. The emergence of these new technologies unlocks previously untapped opportunities to grow our network.

Data Is Being Underutilized

Consumer bill payment transactions are rich repositories of data that can be used to significantly improve the electronic bill payment experience. We believe the bill payment industry has under-invested in the technology required to capture and analyze this data. As the industry continues to evolve around changing consumer preferences and the emergence of new payment technologies, data and analytics plays an increasingly important role in improving the full transaction value chain. Our proprietary transactional data creates workflow efficiencies and provides insights (e.g., payment methods depending on bill size and bill type) that strengthen the connection between billers and consumers

Our Opportunity

The consumer bill payment market presents us with a significant opportunity. There were approximately 128 million households in the United States as of December 31, 2020, paying an average of ten bills per month per household.

According to Aite, U.S. consumers paid approximately 15.5 billion bills in 2020, which represents approximately $4.6 trillion. With less than 2% of those bills processed on our platform during the same period, we believe our platform and network positions us well to capture a meaningful portion of the market.

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We believe we could address an even broader opportunity because the configurability and extensibility of our platform enables wider application of our software and solutions across different use cases and geographies. Over the long term, we intend to expand our offering to new and existing billers beyond traditional bill payments. According to the Nilson Report, global electronic payments totaled approximately $34.9 trillion in 2019.

Our Platform

Our platform is purpose-built to transform the way billers get paid and engage with their consumers. Our AI-driven SaaS platform provides a single-vendor solution that enhances the bill payment ecosystem with new functionality and added transparency. Our single code base architecture maximizes the inherent flexibility, extensibility and configurability of our solutions, which allows us to rapidly deploy our solutions to our billers.

Single Point of Access

APIs: Our easy-to-use APIs enable billers and partners to seamlessly access the entirety of our network through a single connection.

iFrames: Enables our billers and partners to exercise more control over the user experience by customizing the business logic to meet their specific requirements. Many of our billers who use iFrames have in-house IT resources but use our infrastructure for payment processing and Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI-DSS compliance.

Fully Hosted: We also provide a fully hosted alternative for our billers. In this option, our hosted platform provides our billers the full power of our platform without incurring the cost of using their own IT resources.

Technology Solutions

Engagement: We believe billers must regularly engage with their consumers using actionable and contextualized data. Our smart notifications and messaging tools enable billers to provide billing details to their consumers, such as account status, and directly communicate with them over secure channels. Our response-time survey of hundreds of our billers’ unique consumers showed that billers who delivered billing reminders using the smart notifications and messaging tools on our platform, in addition to using outbound IVR phone calls that are also available without using our platform, received 30% more timely payments. Our engagement products help billers facilitate timely and secure bill payments, while driving digital adoption and reducing cost to serve.

Presentment: Consumers are increasingly demanding omni-channel access to their bills through their preferred engagement channels. Our solution offers electronic bill presentment across numerous channels

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including web, mobile, text, secure PDF, email, IVR, chatbot, social media and through our IPN partners. Our electronic bill presentment products help billers maximize their reach to accelerate revenue realization and engage consumers more efficiently.

Empowerment: Our comprehensive suite of solutions empowers consumers and billers to customize, control and enhance the bill payment experience. Consumers can control communication preferences, multi-lingual capabilities, self-directed payment scheduling, multi-account management and dispute management. Billers are able to use automated case management and configurable reporting to quickly and comprehensively provide high-quality customer service.

Payment: We believe consumers demand an omni-channel payment experience that enables use of their preferred payment type and channel. Our secure and comprehensive omni-channel payment platform supports traditional and emerging payment technologies across multiple currencies and languages. Our platform supports electronic bill payments using credit, debit, ACH and digital wallets across a variety of payment channels, including web, mobile, IVR, text, secure PDF, chatbot, agent-assisted (call center), in-person, the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer, in Walmart and certain other retail stores, and through alternative payment rails such as PayPal. We support one-time payments, as well as future-dated, recurring and payment plan transactions.

Intelligence: Electronic bill payment transactions contain a rich volume of consumer and behavioral data that can improve the bill payment experience for billers and consumers. Our AI-powered analytics engine produces data-driven insights on consumer preferences, channel usage, bill lifecycles, messaging effectiveness and paper suppression and can be used by billers to improve the consumer experience. For example, our analytics engine can analyze frequently asked questions to call centers and enable billers to quickly predict answers to those questions in the future, creating a better consumer experience with reduced cost to serve for the biller.

Technology Architecture

Single Code Base: Our extensible, cloud-based platform was built from the ground-up on a single code base with no versioning, which enables rapid deployment of new features and tools in part because there is no need to manage and reconcile separate versions of our software code. This flexibility empowers billers and partners across our network to offer their consumers the strength of our platform without paying us development or implementation fees.

AI / ML: Our platform uses AI and ML algorithms to increase efficiency and extract data-driven insights from transactions and interactions between consumers, billers, partners and our platform. These algorithms are embedded within, and enhance, each of our technology solutions to deliver a more intelligent and predictive consumer experience.

What Sets Our Platform Apart

Paymentus was built on the notion that existing bill payment systems are not equipped to handle how bills will be paid in the future. Our platform is a cloud-native solution that automates the entire bill payments lifecycle between billers and consumers through a single integration, simplifying how consumers pay bills and accelerating billers’ revenue recognition through the following characteristics:

 

Scalable: Our mission-critical platform is designed to support high velocity throughput of daily, non-discretionary consumer bill payments. Our platform is capable of scaling up market to serve large billers, each processing payments for millions of bills per month, while also serving smaller billers, each processing payments for one bill per month. In 2020, we processed over 195 million bill payments and an average of over 500,000 bill payments were made each day using our platform.

 

Innovative: Our AI-enabled, SaaS architecture is the foundation of our unified platform. Our ML algorithms continuously learn and self-improve from transaction activity on our platform. Our platform and our intensely client-centric approach inform our product development strategy, enabling us to offer new features and functionality that improve our value proposition to our billers.

 

Flexible: We support multiple integration modalities to enhance our billers’ ability to consume the full breadth of our platform. Some of our billers use our APIs or iFrames, which offer more control over the user experience, but require our infrastructure for payment processing and PCI-DSS compliance. Other billers

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use our fully hosted solution because they lack requisite IT resources and must leverage our technology and customer support systems to offer an electronic bill payment experience. We also allow our billers to adopt a hybrid approach that leverages our APIs for certain environments.

 

Configurable: Our platform can rapidly and cost-effectively reconfigure our business logic to accommodate the specific requirements of the different end markets we serve. In 2020, over 87% of new biller implementations were completed without any code changes or significant development costs. Once configured, we can use these solutions with new and existing billers to expand into new verticals and geographies. For example, in 2019, we developed a digital disbursement system for a biller in the insurance vertical. This product created new use cases for billers in other verticals, such as utility billers, to offer deposit refunds to consumers. By developing products through this platform approach we are able to drive additional growth and expand the reach of our platform.

 

Integrated: Our library of over 350 integrations to core accounting software systems, including leading CIS and ERP systems, helps connect disparate systems across the electronic bill payment value chain. Our billers gain access to the entirety of our platform through an easy-to-deploy, single point of access. These integrations allow us to own and control the key components of the electronic bill payment value chain, including accounting and back-end integrations to CIS and ERP systems. Our portfolio of integrations span hundreds of software versions – some of which are decades old but still in use today by many of our billers – which enables us to rapidly integrate with billers. We believe competitors would need to invest significant time and resources in order to replicate our software integration portfolio.

 

Extensible: Our platform is designed to integrate with new payment and consumer engagement technologies as well as new software, strategic and IPN partners. For example, through integrations with PayPal and a leading global ecommerce retailer, we have extended our platform to hundreds of millions of new consumers who wish to interact with billers in the PayPal app or through the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer.

 

Secure: Biller, partner and consumer security is of paramount importance to our business. Our PCI-DSS-compliant platform offers an intrusion detection and prevention system, multi-factor authentication and encryption and tokenization capabilities. We enforce our security policies and procedures through regular internal and third party audits, 24/7 digital monitoring, continued education and sophisticated technology tools.

 

Our Network

Our innovative technology platform enables us to sit at the nexus of a powerful three-sided network of billers, partners and consumers. We use the power of this network to enhance the number of product features each biller uses to promote transaction growth. In 2020, our average biller used at least ten of 19 core platform features that enable billers to optimize their payment operations and user experience. Our portfolio data shows that payment adoption is highly correlated to feature utilization. By increasing feature usage, we believe we will realize an increase in transaction volume from our billers.

 

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Our Billers

Our innovative technology platform empowers billers to offer electronic bill payment acceptance across multiple payment types, engage with their consumers and streamline their business operations efficiently and cost-effectively. We attract billers to our platform because our platform modernizes their payment infrastructure and helps them collect revenue faster and more profitably. Our platform is capable of posting payments directly to billers’ systems, which simplifies revenue operations and strengthens the relationship we have with billers.

Value Proposition to Billers

Flexible and Integrated Platform: Billers can offer their consumers a variety of traditional and emerging payment and engagement technologies that enable the billers to collect revenue faster and drive improved customer satisfaction, while reducing costs such as their PCI-DSS compliance burden. Billers have the flexibility to integrate directly to our platform through APIs, iFrames or a fully hosted solution, which allows them to cost-effectively select and customize our solutions to fit their specific requirements. Because our platform is flexible and scalable, and since we do not charge development or implementation fees, our value proposition applies to all billers whether they ultimately choose to use our platform for all of their bills or continue using legacy bill payment systems or biller-direct solutions together with our solutions.

Long-term Growth and Operating Leverage: The scalability of our platform allows billers to capitalize on growth opportunities for their business. While helping billers grow their revenue, we also help reduce costs by leveraging our integrated technology architecture to automate manual workflows, which reduces error-prone manual data entry and efficiently reconciles payments to backend financial and operating systems.

Our Partners

As our biller base expands, we attract market-leading software, strategic and IPN partners that use our platform to power bill payment experiences within their ecosystems. Our innovative platform facilitates a modern bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment experience for our partners’ customers, regardless of partner type.

Software Partners: Our software partners include large third-party technology providers, such as Oracle, which integrate our platform into their software suites to power bill payments for their customers and refer billers to us. For example, ERP providers integrate our platform into their own suite of solutions to offer a comprehensive solution set that enhances their ERP software with bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment capabilities. In certain cases, we have revenue sharing arrangements with our software partners based on our transaction fees. In other cases, rather than a revenue sharing arrangement, we and our software partner mutually benefit from the partnership as the software partner can offer a more comprehensive solution and stronger value proposition to its customers and we receive broader reach to potential billers and consumers, an efficient biller acquisition channel and stronger biller retention from an integrated solution.

Strategic Partners: Similar to our software providers, our strategic partners refer billers to us and, in many cases, integrate our solutions into their platforms. Our strategic partners, including U.S. Bank, JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, work with us to offer bill presentment, consumer engagement and bill payment capabilities to their customers, which are billers. For example, a large commercial bank has many business clients who seek to improve and streamline the bill presentment and bill payment experience for their consumers. In that case, the large commercial bank partners with us to sell a joint solution. In other cases, the commercial bank may prefer to sell a white-labeled solution, which it obtains from us. Both co-sale and white-label arrangements typically involve revenue sharing agreements with the strategic partner based on the transaction fees we receive.

IPN Partners: Our IPN partners work with us to gain access to broader biller networks and provide their consumers with innovative technology to streamline bill payments. Our IPN partners include PayPal, for which we power bill payment capabilities, a leading global ecommerce retailer, through which we offer electronic bill presentment and payment via its AI-assistant voice service, and Walmart, for which we enhance in-person bill payment capability at Walmart Money Centers. Unlike software and strategic partners, IPN partners typically have direct interactions with consumers, and leverage our platform to connect to our biller network. Through this connection, consumers can initiate bill payments through our IPN partners, which we route to the billers. There are many types of IPN partners, including consumer networks, retailers, banks and financial institutions. We offer consumer networks and retailers increased engagement with consumers by enabling streamlined bill presentment

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payment experiences for an array of billers through their networks. We similarly offer banks and financial institutions increased engagement with their retail clients. For IPN partners, we will typically receive a fee per transaction processed through our platform and in some cases we pay a referral fee to IPN partners.

Multiple Roles for Partners: Notably, partners may fit into multiple categories, particularly banks and financial institutions. For example, a bank can be a biller, a strategic partner and an IPN partner. As a biller, the bank generates bills, such as mortgage and credit card statements. As a strategic partner, the same bank uses our platform to power an omni-channel bill payment experience for a commercial customer of the bank. In this way, that commercial customer becomes a new biller for our network. Finally, as an IPN partner, the same bank leverages our IPN network to enable a more robust bill payment experience for its business customers and consumers by, for example, enabling its business customers and those businesses’ consumers to pay bills using alternative payment channels, such as PayPal.

Value Proposition to Partners

Higher Consumer Satisfaction: Partners gain access to our network of billers and can provide turnkey electronic bill payment functionality to their consumers through flexible integration options. By integrating our platform into their ecosystems, partners can provide a more comprehensive solution and drive higher customer satisfaction.

Access to Innovative Technology Solutions: As consumers demand a more seamless and secure experience, partners require consumer engagement and payment technology that caters to the latest consumer trends. Our platform offers cutting edge technology that enables partners to grow mind and wallet share with their consumers.

Our Billers’ and Partners’ Consumers

As our platform reaches more consumers, we capture and monetize more payment transactions. In December 2020, approximately 16 million consumers and businesses used our platform to pay their bills. As consumers increasingly demand omni-channel bill payment solutions for more of their bills, we attract more billers and partners who look to our platform to meet that demand.

Value Proposition to Consumers

Next-Generation Electronic Bill Payment Tools: Consumers gain access to advanced payments functionality to streamline their omni-channel bill payment experience. Consumers can view and pay bills through a variety of payment channels and types, engage with their billers and retrieve actionable insights regarding their payments and billing history.

Control Over Financial Health: Consumers gain added control and visibility over their financial health on a daily basis through the advanced tools and features we provide. Our platform allows consumers to set the terms of their bill payments in a way that best suits their needs.

Our Revenue Model

Our revenue model is highly visible because of the mission-critical, embedded and recurring nature of the solutions we provide to billers. Our standard contract length with our billers is three to five years and we derive the majority of our revenue from a fee paid per transaction by the biller or the consumer or a combination of both. In some industries, billers pass on the transaction costs to consumers, while in other industries, the biller pays for the transaction cost, providing the bill payment free of charge to the consumer. Additionally, some billers use a hybrid approach in which the consumer and biller share the cost of the transaction fee.

Our revenue model with respect to our strategic and IPN partners is generally similar to our biller revenue model. We typically receive a fee per payment transaction from our strategic and IPN partners similar to the fee we receive from our billers. We may also have a revenue sharing arrangement for referrals, which is based on transaction fees, with both strategic and IPN partners. Our partners may choose to pay the fee, may have a biller or consumer pay the fee or may use a hybrid approach where consumers and billers share the cost. While revenue derived from or through our IPN partnerships has not been significant historically, we expect that the revenue contribution from our IPN will grow over time. Our software partners may have no fees as an integration partner or may have a revenue sharing arrangement for referrals.

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Our usage-based monetization strategy aligns our economic success with the success of our billers and partners. Since we benefit from increased transactional volume, we do not charge separate license fees or implementation fees. In addition, our modern platform architecture allows us to provide integration, implementation, maintenance and upgrades at no additional cost to billers.

Why We Win

We believe our platform provides us with a differentiated position in the market, built on a foundation of the following strengths:

We Integrate and Control the Most Important Components of the Electronic Bill Payment Value Chain into a Single Point of Access

Through a single integration, we provide an end-to-end electronic bill payment solution that eliminates key pain points across the entire bill payment value chain, including:

 

consumer communication and engagement;

 

electronic bill payment and presentment;

 

payment processing for numerous payment types;

 

accounting system integration;

 

security and risk management; and

 

reporting and analytical tools.

This end-to-end functionality is supported by over 350 integrations to core accounting software suites, including market-leading CIS and ERP systems. For example, we are a preferred provider of electronic bill payment functionality for Oracle Utilities and Oracle Financials. Additionally, for our key verticals, our solutions are deeply integrated into ERP and CIS systems and workflows of our billers and partners, which provides us with differentiated access to billers, partners and consumers and supports sustainable, long-term relationships.

We Benefit from Scale, Which Results in Powerful, and Accelerating, Network Effects

As billers issue, and consumers pay, bills on our platform, we accelerate connectivity that drives an organic expansion of our network. Leveraging the data we collect through transactional activity on our network, we continue to add in-demand features and functionality that facilitate frictionless and omni-channel consumer engagement and bill payment. These new tools attract more billers and partners to our network and drive further growth in transactions and unique data, which continues to enhance the value proposition of our network. The sheer size of our network attracts new billers who view our scale as validation of our value proposition. The acceleration of this network effect relies on our differentiated position in the bill payment ecosystem, which we believe is difficult to replicate. Through this network effect, we expand the reach of our network to more billers, partners and consumers, which drives our growth.

Our Next-generation Platform is Highly Configurable and Future-ready

We architected our technology stack to be flexible, configurable and extensible in order to simplify and streamline the electronic bill payment experience. Our platform uses an advanced AI engine supported by our intellectual property portfolio that enables rapid and continuous learning and improvement. We leverage behavioral and transactional data to build next-generation tools that support the cutting edge of engagement and payment technology, including:

 

bill payment through next-generation payment channels such as social media and text;

 

AI-bots that can communicate with consumers and process payments; and

 

predictive payment alerts.

The single code base upon which our platform is built supports rapid and cost-effective deployment of an expanding capabilities footprint. For example, we developed a proprietary feature called Secure Service based on actual biller demand during the COVID-19 global pandemic. It allows billers’ customer service agents to engage

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with consumers without exchanging or handling sensitive financial information. This reduces or eliminates our billers’ PCI-DSS compliance burden while also allowing their customer service agents to work from home during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We Have a Large and Proprietary Data Asset

Our integrated platform, combined with our IPN, enables us to observe billing and payment interactions for thousands of billers and touches the everyday lives of millions of consumers. This provides us with a large and unique data asset. We use this data to enhance the ML algorithms that power our AI engine. We gain unique insight into the payment and behavioral patterns of consumers across their financial life as well as the manner in which billers and partners engage with consumers. Using this data to feed a continuous learning curve, our platform constantly evolves and adapts to these behavioral patterns, powering a network effect that drives higher customer satisfaction through data-driven insights, improves trust and safety and fuels further growth. For example, we use data to continuously improve the natural language processing in our chatbots and to detect and prevent fraud by identifying suspicious transaction patterns and as part of our payment authorization processes. We do not sell collected data to third parties and we only share individualized transaction data with the parties to the related transaction.

Biller and Partner Case Studies

The following are representative examples of how some of our billers and partners have benefitted from using our platform:

PayPal

Situation: PayPal, one of the world’s leading payment companies, with over 375 million active accounts worldwide as of February 2021, identified bill pay as a strategic growth opportunity. Given the domain expertise, network size and technology required to penetrate the bill pay market, PayPal embarked on an exhaustive evaluation to identify a modern platform via a partnership. PayPal concluded that the Paymentus platform combined with our IPN would enable PayPal to efficiently deliver a modernized bill pay experience for PayPal users. PayPal and Paymentus have announced a multi-faceted strategic partnership.

Solution: Using our IPN APIs, PayPal has deployed a streamlined bill pay experience within the PayPal app for its U.S. users. The newly released functionality, powered by Paymentus, enables PayPal users to get bill details, receive relevant bill notifications and make payments for many of the most commonly paid bills.

Result: In the first quarter of 2021, PayPal launched “Pay Your Bills” within the PayPal app to a portion of its U.S. users with a general launch planned during 2021. PayPal users are now able to pay thousands of billers directly from the PayPal app via our IPN.

Consumers Energy

Situation: Consumers Energy is a Fortune 500 electric and gas utility serving over 6.7 million residents in Michigan. Consumers Energy selected Paymentus to improve its billing and payment capabilities as part of a large digital customer experience improvement initiative. In addition, Consumers Energy asked Paymentus to optimize its IVR experience to reduce volume reaching its call centers.

Solution: We migrated Consumers Energy’s billing and payment operations from legacy providers to our advanced platform, integrated with Consumers Energy’s systems and configured the user experience to adhere to its brand standards and requirements.

Result: Our work with Consumers Energy resulted in a 5% improvement in customer satisfaction based on customer experience index indicators and saved Consumers Energy over $1 million in the first year. These benefits were driven by a 30% reduction in in-person payments traffic, a 27% decrease in reported payment problems and a 34% increase in the payment success rate. Operationally, we were able to reduce IVR call time by 65%, and eliminated over 102,000 calls annually that reached live agents in Consumers Energy’s call centers.

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Puget Sound Energy, Inc.

Situation: Puget Sound Energy, Inc. or PSE, the largest energy utility in the state of Washington with over one million customers, embarked on a “Payment Platform Replacement Plan” as part of a broad customer transformation program. The program covered four areas: streamlining and improving billing, payment, credit and collections processes; redesigning how customers interact with PSE; improving data quality and analytics; and optimizing fieldwork through automated and mobile solutions. Paymentus was selected following a broad competitive request for proposal, or RFP, evaluation to replace multiple disparate legacy vendors and modernize PSE’s capabilities.

Solution: We implemented our omni-channel solution with direct integration into SAP, PSE’s customer information system. Multi-lingual configurations were activated as part of the deployment and our user interface editor tools were used to match PSEs branding standards. We also extended our platform to include additional payment methods PSE had not previously offered, including advanced payment methods like PayPal.

Result: We seamlessly, and without customer action, migrated over 268,000 autopay customer accounts from a legacy provider to Paymentus. In just the first month on our platform, PSE generated a 12% jump in net new autopay enrollments which was a critical part of PSE’s efforts to drive an increase in on-time payments.

Feedback from PSE customers on the new user experience powered by Paymentus:

“I wanted to send a note to whomever designed and implemented your online account payment and auto pay platform. It is one of best I’ve ever seen/used. Simple, logical, well laid out and it works. As the owner of a software company, I congratulate you. Well done!”

“Before you had to enter your billing info every time, and now my debit card is there, and I don’t have to keep entering it every month. That’s a HUGE win.”

UPS

Situation: As the world’s largest small package delivery and logistics company, UPS regularly seeks to deploy advanced digital solutions to help customers more efficiently manage the world of commerce. Recently, UPS determined that its legacy billing presentment and payment system was nearing end of life and presented a competitive disadvantage.

Solution: In 2020, after an exhaustive RFP process, UPS selected Paymentus to provide a “best-in-class” customer experience and increase digital adoption of the UPS Billing Center, its global invoicing and payment solution. The UPS Billing Center is used by customers across multiple UPS business segments and requires the ability to support local language, currency, regulatory and payment types in at least 24 countries (including the United States and Canada).

Result: In less than one year, implementation of our platform across the global UPS ecosystem has begun. When completed UPS expects to see streamlined interactions, automated processes, increased self-serve capabilities and a robust analytics suite for customers. UPS believes the Paymentus platform provides them with best-in-class capabilities and a billing system that can be personalized for customer’s individualized experiences and requirements.

Our Growth Strategies

We intend to leverage our products and industry presence to establish our platform as the industry standard for electronic bill payments for billers and partners globally. Key elements of this strategy include:

Continue to Win New Billers and Partners

We believe the majority of billers use inferior electronic bill payment platforms. We plan to continue winning new billers and partners by investing in the growth of our IPN, expanding our diversified go to market strategies and strengthening our value proposition. We intend to continue winning market share through a superior product offering that is easy to integrate and provides a feature-rich experience for our billers, partners and consumers.

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Grow with Existing Billers and Partners

We believe we have a significant opportunity to leverage the full scope of our highly scalable model to drive further adoption of our platform with existing billers and partners, including our IPN partners. Adding product features and additional functionality enables us to capture more electronic bill payments, strengthens our biller and partner retention and generates more transaction revenue.

Expand into New Channels and Industry Verticals

We intend to leverage our platform to expand into new channels and new industry verticals. In particular, we anticipate growth of our IPN and additional partnerships with leading business networks to drive further expansion into new channels, such as PayPal’s bill pay app. We also intend to continue to cost-effectively expand into new verticals and expect that our expansion efforts will center on verticals with favorable bill payment characteristics such as recurring payments for non-discretionary, essential services, similar to our previous expansion into the healthcare and insurance verticals. Our configurability and platform approach to new feature development enables us to cost-effectively extend products that were initially designed for an existing vertical into powerful use cases for new verticals.

Build New Products

We believe the significant investments we have made in our technology platform are a core differentiator of our business. As billers, partners and consumers adopt new consumer engagement and bill payment technologies, we intend to continue investing in our platform in order to create innovative features and add emerging payment types that further enhance the bill payment experience.

Leverage our Platform to Expand Internationally

We believe there is global demand for electronic bill payment technology among billers with international consumers and partners that serve international billers. Although 98% of our 2020 revenue was generated in the United States, many of our largest billers serve billable consumers in international geographies and several of our partners maintain international operations. We believe this presents us with a large opportunity to expand internationally without needing to significantly increase international headcount or retain local resources to initially serve international markets. Our international growth strategy is focused on leveraging our existing biller and partner relationships and our platform is already well-positioned to quickly adapt to local payment channels and regulatory schemes. In particular, we anticipate that our near-term international growth opportunities will come through our U.S.-based billers seeking a technology platform to power bill presentment and payment in international markets within their existing industry verticals, as well as through our larger partners that serve international billers. We also expect to expand our existing presence in Canada and India over time, both within current and new industry verticals.

Pursue Selective Strategic Acquisitions

We plan to pursue strategic acquisitions that we believe will be complementary to our existing solutions, enhance our technology and increase the value proposition we deliver to our billers and partners and their consumers. For example, we may pursue acquisitions that we believe will help us expand within existing or new industry verticals and channels, accelerate our biller growth or enter new markets.

Our Platform Features

The electronic bill payment process involves more than just a payment. It requires an end-to-end engagement mechanism that facilitates communication and payment between billers, partners and consumers to ensure timely and transparent payment through a frictionless consumer experience. Various features of our platform support this:

Consumer Engagement

We enable our billers to improve their consumer engagement with targeted communications, such as smart notifications, broadcast messaging, inbound and outbound communications, and campaign management, all of which are managed by our communications management tools. Our engagement modules allow billers to communicate with consumers based on desired characteristics such as regional location, due date, account status (such as late payment), or custom logic. Our billers can also communicate new offerings, incentives for payment

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and new payment types (such as PayPal). In 2020, our billers sent approximately 95 million emails, sent 3 million text messages and had over 1.5 million IVR calls using our communications modules.

Bill Presentment

Billers can present electronic bills and balance amounts through the biller’s own mobile app, text, secure PDFs, IVR, and chatbots or via alternative channels such as digital wallets, the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer, PayPal’s bill pay app, social media and our other IPN Partners.

Consumer and Biller Employee Empowerment

We enable billers to empower both their consumers and employees, which significantly increases consumer satisfaction and on-time bill payment rates for many of our billers. Billers are able to empower consumers with an array of choices:

 

communications preferences – consumers can choose email, text, portal or otherwise;

 

language preferences – consumers can select their preferred language for receiving billing information and interact via IVR;

 

payment scheduling and type – consumers can schedule payments at specific times and use specific payment type to best suit their needs; and

 

multi-account management – consumers can manage multiple accounts with a single provider in one place.

We offer complementary features to our biller’s employees, including tools for automated case management, configurable reporting and “see what they see” where the customer service employees can see exactly what the consumer sees to quickly resolve problems.

We have also made significant investments in research and development, including in an automated, streamlined onboarding experience to help our billers go live faster and in self-service features to help billers quickly adapt to consumer needs.

Payment Types

We have significantly invested in innovative payment types to provide billers a seamless, omni-channel suite of tools. We believe no other provider in our markets offers a similar array of easy-to-implement options.

These features are seamlessly integrated with our engagement and empowerment tools to provide a superior consumer and biller experience. Our platform supports a variety of payment types, including

 

ACH and eCheck;

 

debit card;

 

credit card; and

 

emerging payment types.

Emerging payment types include PayPal, Venmo, PayPal Credit, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Amazon Pay. These payment types are gaining increasing traction with consumers, and as a result, are viewed as increasingly important by billers.

Payment Channels

Our platform offers an omni-channel payment infrastructure, which means that it enables bill payments through all the traditional payment channels billers and consumers expect, as well as many emerging payment channels. These include web portal, mobile, IVR, text, secure PDF, chatbot, agent-assisted (call center), in-person, the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer,, in Walmart stores and through alternative payment rails such as PayPal. Key features and examples of several of these channels are described and illustrated in the following pages.

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Chatbot: Enable billers to engage with consumers through an automated, AI-powered interface that constantly improves the customer service experience through data-driven insights.

 

PayPal App: Leveraging our APIs, PayPal’s U.S. consumers can pay their bills directly from PayPal.

 

Secure Service: Our patented Secure Service feature enables billers to accept payments over the phone while minimizing PCI-DSS compliance risk. Many billers avoid accepting payment information over the phone by directing consumers to websites or automated phone systems, which creates poor experiences and results in abandoned payments. Our Secure Service allows the biller’s employee and the consumer to remain connected throughout the process, while removing the biller’s employee from PCI-DSS scope by concealing payment details. As a result, the transaction is able to be completed securely and the consumer can be returned to the same employee directly on completion.

 

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AI-assistant Voice Service: We power bill payments for the AI-assistant voice service of a leading global ecommerce retailer, enabling millions of its users to retrieve information about, and pay, their bills for all billers on our network using voice commands.

Text-based: Pay by text leverages our text based bill presentment technology for a text payment authorization, which then uses stored payment types in the consumer’s account.

IVR: Interactive voice response is a powerful tool to make payments and check balances, and is available in multi-lingual options.

Agent-assisted Call Center Payments: Our agent-assisted call center capability enables a biller to support and assist their consumers with bill payments and other related issues.

Portal: Our bill payment portal enables billers to provide advanced usage and consumption data to their consumers such as power use by day.

 

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In-person Payments: We also power in-person payments, which include payments at kiosks or a counter for point-of-sale transactions. This is particularly appealing for many billers who may have a local customer service center.

Payment Timing

We support an array of timing alternatives including one-time guest payments, recurring payments, future-dated payments, multiple payments and payment plans.

 

Our Technology

Our technology architecture has been built from the ground up with a flexible SaaS, fully unified, multi-tenant architecture. Our code base is built on a single version, which facilitates easy and rapid deployment of value-added features, functionality and integrations that can be used by all of our billers and partners.

To achieve excess system capacity we use multiple processors, run the same tasks in parallel on multiple servers, which is often referred to as “modern clustering,” and distribute tasks over multiple computers to make processing more efficient, which is often referred to as “load balancing.” To enhance system reliability, we have implemented an active-active mirrored topology with multi-layer redundancy and no single points of failure for our data backups. All data transmitted and stored is fully encrypted and tokenized, and an AI-based intrusion detection system monitors and detects threats with the ability to self-cure detected incidents to mitigate adverse impacts. We remain focused on adhering to industry standard security and best practices. Our business and operations undergo regular third-party audits and are compliant with PCI-DSS Level One for credit card payments, Nacha Operating rules for ACH payments and applicable HIPAA requirements for our healthcare billers.

Our Go-to-Market Strategy

We employ a diversified go-to-market strategy that leverages targeted marketing efforts, a direct sales team and relationships with technology partners as we seek to acquire billers in an efficient manner. Our marketing strategy targets prospective billers through industry- and role-based marketing efforts at trade shows and industry events, direct marketing and social media programs. We also leverage partnerships and referral relationships of various types.

Our direct sales team is responsible for outbound lead generation, driving new business and helping to manage account relationships and renewals. Our sales team also maintains close relationships with existing billers and acts as an advisor to each biller to help identify and understand their specific needs, challenges, goals and opportunities.

We also leverage strong relationships with our partners to extend the reach of our platform and receive new biller referrals. Our software partners, including Oracle, integrate our platform into their software products, enabling us to power their bill payment capabilities for their consumers. Our strategic partners, including U.S. Bank,

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JPMorgan Chase and a major payroll solutions provider, also refer new billers to our platform. Our software is regularly integrated with our software partners’ offerings and with the software suites of other market-leading software providers commonly used by our billers, including SAP and Guidewire, in each case to power electronic bill payment functions for our billers and their consumers.

We also benefit from the significant reach of our IPN. Through partnerships with PayPal, a leading global ecommerce retailer and financial institution partners, our platform reaches millions of consumers. Jointly delivering our platform with our software and strategic partners provides consistency of approach and a high-quality experience for billers, partners and consumers.

Our Competition

Our primary competition has historically been legacy solution providers and systems internally developed by financial institutions for bill presentment and payment services. The legacy solution providers have generally either served the financial services or the biller market individually. In both markets, legacy solution providers offer solutions for in-person cash payments, check-based mail payments, prior-generation IVR, phone-based payments and web-based payments, as well as a variety of point solutions for various payment needs. These solutions are often built via acquisitions and frequently not well integrated based on data architectures.

In the financial services market, providers integrate into a bank’s online banking system. They offer access to a limited number of electronic bills, so only a fraction can be reviewed before deciding on payment. Once the consumer decides to pay the bill, the provider generally only allows for one type of payment, limiting the ability of consumers to use credit or other alternatives. The bank-based payments are slow, sometimes taking up to three days to reach a biller, so a consumer is not able to make a same-day payment, which is important to 81% of consumers.

In the biller-direct market, legacy providers have been slow to respond to biller and consumer needs because their systems are expensive to maintain and are not nimble enough to keep up with the pace of innovation. As a result, they do not offer the breadth of channels and payment methods demanded by consumers, nor the integration and analytics capabilities required by billers.

We believe these solutions lack the modern infrastructure necessary to provide billers and consumers with an omni-channel electronic bill payment experience enhanced by AI, ML and contextualized data. We believe the strength and agility of our platform will drive our success in growing our business by demonstrating to billers and partners that our platform delivers superior business outcomes to those of third-party vendors or internally developed systems.

While competitive factors and their relative importance can vary, in general, we will be assessed on a number of factors including security, reliability, breadth and depth of functionality, ease of deployment and implementation speed, total cost of ownership and return on investment, customer satisfaction, customer service, partnerships, brand awareness and reputation and the ability to provide contextualized and actionable data-driven insights that improve the transaction experience. We believe we compete favorably on all of these factors.

Our Intellectual Property

We rely on a combination of intellectual property rights, including patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and contractual rights, to protect our proprietary software and our brands. We have obtained or applied for patent protection in the United States on certain material aspects of our proprietary technologies and we have registered or applied to register certain of our trademarks in the United States. In addition to the intellectual property that we own, we license certain technologies and intellectual property from third parties, including software that is incorporated in our platform. We generally control access to and use of our software and other proprietary or confidential information through the use of internal and external controls, including entering into non-disclosure and confidentiality agreements with both our employees and third parties who have access to our software and other confidential information.

As of March 31, 2021, we held 12 issued U.S. patents and one issued Canadian patent related to our proprietary technologies. As of March 31, 2021, we also held one allowed, five published and two pending U.S. patent applications. If our currently issued patents are maintained until the end of their terms, they will expire between 2025 and 2038. The expiration of these patents is not reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, as of March 31, 2021, we owned five registered trademarks and three pending trademark applications in the United States.

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For additional discussion of how intellectual property protection affects our business, see the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Technology and Intellectual Property.”

Government Regulation

Various aspects of our business and service areas are subject to U.S. federal, state, and local regulation, as well as regulation outside the United States. Certain of our services are also subject to rules promulgated by various card and payment networks and other authorities, as more fully described below. These descriptions are not exhaustive, and these laws, regulations and rules frequently change and are increasing in number.

Our billers and partners and their consumers store personal and business information, financial information and other sensitive information on our platform. In addition, we receive, store, handle, transmit, use and otherwise process personal and business information and other data from and about actual and prospective billers and partners, as well as our employees and service providers. As a result, we and our handling of data are subject to a variety of laws, rules and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security, including regulation by various governmental authorities, such as the FTC, and various state, local and foreign agencies. Our data handling and processing activities are also subject to contractual obligations and industry standard requirements. The U.S. federal and various state and foreign governments have also adopted or proposed limitations on the collection, distribution, use, and storage of data relating to individuals and businesses, including the use of contact information and other data for marketing, advertising, and other communications with individuals and businesses. The legislative and regulatory landscapes for privacy, data protection and information security continue to evolve in jurisdictions worldwide, with an increasing focus on privacy and data protection issues with the potential to affect our business.

In the United States, various laws and regulations apply to the security, collection, processing, storage, use, disclosure and other processing of certain types of data, including the Electronic Communications Privacy Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, the Gramm Leach Bliley Act, and state and local laws relating to privacy and data security. Additionally, the FTC and many state attorneys general have interpreted and are continuing to interpret federal and state consumer protection laws to impose standards for the online collection, use, dissemination, processing and security of data. In addition, many states in which we operate have enacted laws that protect the privacy and security of sensitive and personal data, such as the CCPA and the CPRA in California. Certain other state laws impose similar privacy obligations, and all 50 states have laws including obligations to provide notification of security breaches of computer databases that contain personal information to affected individuals, state officers and others. In addition, several foreign countries and governmental bodies, including the EU, have established their own laws, rules and regulations addressing privacy, data protection and information security with regard to the handling and processing of sensitive and personal data obtained from their residents with which we or our billers or partners may need to comply. These laws and regulations, such as the GDPR, are in certain cases more restrictive than those in the United States. Because we process individually identifiable protected health information in certain cases, we are also subject to certain obligations under HIPAA, as amended by HITECH, as well as certain state laws and related contractual obligations.

We are also subject to the rules and standards of Visa, Mastercard, American Express, NACHA and INTERAC and other payment networks and their participants. In order to provide our payment processing services, we must be registered either indirectly or directly as service providers with the payment networks that we use. As such, we are subject to applicable card association and payment network rules, standards and regulations, which impose various requirements and could subject us to a variety of fines or penalties that may be levied by such associations or networks for certain acts or omissions. Card associations and payment networks and their member financial institutions regularly update and generally expand security expectations and requirements related to the security of consumer data and environments. Failure to comply with the networks’ requirements, or to pay the fees or fines they may impose, could result in the suspension or termination of our registration with the relevant payment networks and therefore require us to limit or cease providing the relevant payment processing services. It could also cause existing billers or partners, their consumers or other third parties to cease using or referring our services or prospective billers or partners to terminate negotiations with us.

Further, we and our partners and billers are subject to a variety of U.S. state and federal laws, rules and regulations related to telemarketing, recording and monitoring of communications, such as the TCPA, the CAN-SPAM Act and others, because our platform enables our billers and partners to communicate directly with their consumers, including via e-mail, text messages and calls, and also enables recording and monitoring of calls between our billers and partners and their consumers for training and quality assurance purposes.

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In addition to the laws and regulations described above, various regulatory agencies in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions continue to examine a wide variety of issues which are or may be applicable to us and may impact our business. These issues include identity theft, account management guidelines, privacy, disclosure rules, cybersecurity and marketing. The laws and regulations relating to privacy, data protection and information security are evolving, can be subject to significant change and may result in ever-increasing regulatory and public scrutiny and escalating levels of enforcement and sanctions. As our business continues to develop and expand, including internationally, we continue to monitor the additional laws and regulations that may become relevant. Any actual or perceived failure to comply with legal and regulatory requirements may result in, among other things, revocation of required licenses or registrations, loss of approved status, private litigation, including class action litigation, consent decrees and injunctions, regulatory or governmental investigations, administrative enforcement actions, sanctions, civil and criminal liability, damages, fines, penalties, adverse publicity, reputational damage and constraints on our ability to continue to operate.

For additional discussion on governmental regulation and payment network operating rules affecting our business, please see the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Regulation.”

Employees and Human Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2021, we employed 916 full-time employees and no part-time employees. None of our employees are represented by a labor union or are party to a collective bargaining agreement, and we have had no labor-related work stoppages. We believe that we have good relationships with our employees.

Our human capital resources objectives include, as applicable, identifying, recruiting, retaining, incentivizing and integrating our existing and new employees and consultants. We believe we provide our employees significant ongoing career growth opportunities in an exciting growth company and industry. The principal purpose of our incentive programs is to attract, retain and reward personnel in order to increase stockholder value and the success of our company by motivating such individuals to perform to the best of their abilities and achieve our objectives.

Facilities

We are headquartered in Redmond, Washington. We also lease office space in Charlotte, North Carolina, Richmond Hill, Canada (part of the Greater Toronto Area) and Blacksburg, Virginia, as well as in Delhi, Gurugram and Punjab, India. The table below sets forth certain information regarding these properties, all of which are leased.

 

Location

  

Type

  

Square Footage

(approximate)

  

Lease

Expiration

Redmond, Washington

  

Corporate headquarters

  

36,000

 

August 30, 2022

Charlotte, North Carolina

  

Office space

  

33,500

 

November 30, 2021

Richmond Hill, Canada

 

Office space

 

56,000

 

March 31, 2031

Richmond Hill, Canada(1)

 

Office space

 

30,700

 

May 31, 2021

Blacksburg, Virginia

 

Office space

 

6,000

 

January 31, 2022

Delhi, India

 

Office space

 

4,000

 

October 23, 2028

Gurugram, India

 

Office space

 

24,500

 

February 28, 2029

Punjab, India

 

Office space

 

12,000

 

December 31, 2022

 

(1)

We intend to extend this lease until May 31, 2022 but only with respect to approximately 3,000 square feet.

For leases that are scheduled to expire during the next 12 months, we may negotiate new lease agreements, renew existing lease agreements or use alternate facilities. We believe that our facilities are adequate for our needs and believe that we should be able to renew any of the above leases or secure similar property without an adverse impact on our operations.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in legal proceedings and subject to claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. Although the results of legal proceedings and claims cannot be predicted with certainty, we believe we are not currently party to any legal proceedings which, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, operating results or financial condition.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding our executive officers and directors as of March 31, 2021:

 

Name

 

Age

 

Position(s)

Executive Officers

 

 

 

 

Dushyant Sharma

 

52

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

Matt Parson

 

46

 

Chief Financial Officer

Gerasimos (Jerry) Portocalis

 

56

 

Chief Commercial Officer

John Morrow

 

51

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Non-employee Directors

 

 

 

 

William Ingram(1)(3)

 

64

 

Director

Jason Klein(1)(2)

 

48

 

Director

Adam Malinowski

 

34

 

Director

Robert Palumbo(2)(3)

 

55

 

Director

Gary Trainor(1)

 

68

 

Director

 

(1)

Member of the audit committee

(2)

Member of the compensation committee

(3)

Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee

Executive Officers

Dushyant Sharma, our founder, has served as president, chief executive officer and a member of our board of directors since our inception, and is also currently serving as our chairman. Before founding Paymentus, Mr. Sharma cofounded Derivion Corporation, a SaaS-based electronic billing company, in 1998. Derivion was acquired in 2001 by Metavante Corporation, a banking and payment technologies provider. Mr. Sharma continued employment with Metavante from May 2001 to November 2004. Mr. Sharma holds a bachelor of engineering in computer science and engineering from Marathwada University, India.

Matt Parson has served as our chief financial officer since August 2020. Prior to joining Paymentus, Mr. Parson served as chief financial officer and senior vice president, operations, of CloudBees, Inc., an enterprise software delivery company, from January 2018 to August 2020. Prior to that, Mr. Parson served in various finance roles at Red Hat, Inc., a provider of enterprise open source solutions, from June 2005 to December 2017, most recently as treasurer. Mr. Parson holds an M.S. and a B.S. in accounting from North Carolina State University.

Jerry Portocalis has served as our chief commercial officer since October 2020 and prior to that served as our senior vice president, sales and operations since October 2012. Prior to joining Paymentus, Mr. Portocalis served as president and chief executive officer of QT Technologies, a business-process outsourcing and e-payments company, from October 2006 to March 2012. Mr. Portocalis was also previously an executive founder of the BillMatrix Corporation, a Fiserv company providing business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-payment solutions, from March 1999 to October 2006, most recently as executive vice president, sales, marketing and client services. Mr. Portocalis holds an M.B.A. from California State University, East Bay and a B.S. in marketing from Northern Illinois University.

John Morrow has served as our general counsel and secretary since April 2020. Prior to joining Paymentus, Mr. Morrow served as general counsel and secretary, and in various corporate development positions, at Apptio, Inc., a SaaS provider of technology business management solutions, from September 2014 to March 2020, most recently as chief administrative officer, general counsel and secretary. From June 2006 to March 2014, Mr. Morrow was with Vertafore, a leading insurance technology provider, in a variety of roles, including senior vice president, corporate development, general counsel and secretary. Mr. Morrow was previously a shareholder at Heller Ehrman LLP, and held positions at Venture Law Group and Baker & Hostetler LLP. Mr. Morrow holds a J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School and a B.A. in political science from DePauw University.

Non-employee Directors

William Ingram has served as a member of our board of directors since February 2021. Mr. Ingram previously served as the chief financial officer and treasurer of Avalara, Inc., a provider of software for automated

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tax compliance that is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, from December 2015 to March 2020. Prior to joining Avalara, Mr. Ingram served as interim chief financial officer of Khan Academy, a provider of online learning resources, from April 2015 to December 2015. Mr. Ingram also held various executive roles at Leap Wireless International, Inc., the parent company of Cricket Wireless, a wireless telecommunications provider, including executive vice president and chief of strategy, from August 2007 to March 2014, and with the acquiring company, AT&T, from March 2014 to January 2015. Mr. Ingram currently serves on the board of directors of Avalara and CCC Information Services, Inc. Mr. Ingram holds a B.A. in economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. We believe Mr. Ingrams experience in the areas of corporate strategy, finance and business transactions, as well as his experience working with other public technology and software companies, qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Jason Klein has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2011. Mr. Klein is a managing director at AKKR and joined the firm during its inaugural fund in May 2005. He has served on the board of many companies and currently serves on the board of several of AKKR’s private portfolio companies. Mr. Klein holds an M.B.A. in finance and strategic management from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and a B.S. in finance and accounting from the Pennsylvania State University. Mr. Klein is a certified public accountant (inactive) and holds the chartered financial analyst designation. We believe Mr. Klein’s experience in the areas of corporate strategy, finance, business transactions and software investments, as well as his extensive experience serving on other boards of directors, qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Adam Malinowski has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2019. Mr. Malinowski has served as an investment professional at AKKR since August 2010, and currently serves on the board of several of AKKR’s private portfolio companies. Mr. Malinowski holds a B.S. in business administration and a B.A. in economics from the University of California, Berkeley. We believe Mr. Malinowski’s experience in the areas of corporate strategy, finance, business transactions and software investments qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Robert Palumbo has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2011. Mr. Palumbo has served as managing director and founding partner of AKKR since November 2004, and currently serves on the board of several of AKKR’s private portfolio companies. Mr. Palumbo holds an A.B. from Princeton University. We believe Mr. Palumbo’s experience in the areas of corporate strategy, finance, investment banking, business transactions and software investments, as well as his experience working with other technology and software companies, qualify him to serve on our board of directors.

Gary Trainor has served as a member of our board of directors since September 2011, and served as our executive chairman from September 2011 to September 2013. Mr. Trainor has served as executive chairman of EasyWorkforce, a workforce management software company, since September 2020, Mindmarker Corporation, a learning software platform company, since August 2020, and Flores & Associates, a national benefits administrator, since April 2020, as well as chief executive officer of CFH Strategic Investment I, LLC, a family office, since March 2018. Mr. Trainor previously served as chief executive officer of Viventium Software from December 2014 to March 2018 and Infinisource (now iSolved Benefit Services) from September 2011 to January 2014, both SaaS-based human capital management software providers. Earlier in his career, Mr. Trainor served as division president at First Data and ADP. Mr. Trainor holds an M.B.A. from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a B.A. in business administration from Rutgers University. We believe Mr. Trainor’s extensive industry and management experience, including at other SaaS companies, qualifies him to serve on our board of directors.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our board of directors intends to adopt a code of business conduct and ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller or persons performing similar functions, as well as our contractors, consultants and agents. Following this offering, the full text of our code of business conduct and ethics will be posted on the investor relations page on our website. We intend to disclose any amendments to our code of business conduct and ethics, or waivers of its requirements, on our website or in filings under the Exchange Act.

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Board of Directors

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. In connection with this offering, we will enter into a stockholders agreement with AKKR and Mr. Sharma, Ashigrace LLC, or Ashigrace, which is an entity under the control of Mr. Sharma, and certain trusts affiliated with Mr. Sharma, which we collectively refer to as the Sharma parties. The stockholders agreement contemplates that our board of directors may have up to nine members and will provide that, for so long as AKKR or certain of its permitted transferees hold more of our outstanding common stock than the Sharma parties, AKKR will have the right to nominate (x) five directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock and (y) two directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 5% but less than 10% of our outstanding common stock. Moreover, after such time as AKKR ceases to hold more of our outstanding common stock than the Sharma parties, AKKR will continue to have the right to nominate two directors to our board of directors until such time as AKKR ceases to beneficially own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, for so long as the Sharma parties own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock or Mr. Sharma serves as our chief executive officer, the Sharma parties will have the right to nominate Mr. Sharma to our board of directors. The stockholders agreement further provides that any directors other than those nominated by AKKR or the Sharma parties will be independent directors. 

Upon the completion of this offering, Messrs. Klein, Malinowski and Palumbo will serve on our board of directors as AKKR nominees, Mr. Sharma will serve on our board of directors and as our chief executive officer and Messrs. Ingram and Trainor will serve as independent directors. We will add at least one more independent director to our board of directors within a year of our listing date on the New York Stock Exchange, to comply with the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange for audit committee members.

Classified Board

We intend to adopt an amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering. Our certificate of incorporation will provide that our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Under the stockholders agreement, each class will be required to have at least one seat for an AKKR director for so long as AKKR is entitled to nominate five directors and thereafter AKKR directors shall serve in separate classes for so long as AKKR is entitled to nominate two directors.

Our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

the Class I directors will be Messrs. Ingram and Palumbo, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2022;

 

the Class II directors will be Messrs. Malinowski and Trainor, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2023; and

 

the Class III directors will be Messrs. Klein and Sharma, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2024.

Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The classification of our board of directors with staggered three-year terms may have the effect of delaying or preventing changes in control of our company. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Washington Law.”

Director Independence

Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his background, employment and affiliations, our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Ingram, Klein, Malinowski, Palumbo and Trainor, representing five of our six directors, do not have a relationship that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is an “independent director” as defined under the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other

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facts and circumstances that our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence, including the beneficial ownership of our capital stock by each non-employee director, and the transactions involving them described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Controlled Company

Upon the completion of this offering, AKKR will continue to control a majority of the voting power represented by our capital stock. As a result, we will be a “controlled company” within the meaning of the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Under these corporate governance rules, a company of which more than 50% of the voting power for the election of directors is held by an individual, a group or another company is a “controlled company” and may elect not to comply with certain corporate governance requirements. We intend to rely on the foregoing exemptions provided to controlled companies under the corporate governance rules of the New York Stock Exchange. Therefore, immediately following the consummation of this offering, we may not have a majority of independent directors on our board of directors, an entirely independent nominating and corporate governance committee or an entirely independent compensation committee, and may not perform annual performance evaluations of the nominating and corporate governance committee and compensation committee unless and until such time as we are required to do so. Accordingly, you may not have the same protections afforded to stockholders of companies that are subject to all of these corporate governance requirements. If we cease to be a “controlled company” and our shares continue to be listed on the New York Stock Exchange, we will be required to comply with these provisions within the applicable transition periods. See the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Class A Common Stock and this Offering—We have elected to take advantage of the “controlled company” exemption to the corporate governance rules for New York Stock Exchange-listed companies, which could make our Class A common stock less attractive to some investors or otherwise harm our stock price.”

Lead Independent Director

Our board of directors intends to adopt corporate governance guidelines that will provide that, if our board of directors does not have an independent chairperson, then our board of directors will appoint a lead independent director. Our board of directors has appointed Mr. Palumbo to serve as our lead independent director. As lead independent director, Mr. Palumbo will call and preside over periodic meetings of our independent directors, serve as a liaison between our chairperson and our independent directors and perform such additional duties as our board of directors may otherwise determine and delegate.

Board Committees

Our board of directors has established an audit committee, a compensation committee and a nominating and corporate governance committee. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors is described below. Under the stockholders agreement, for so long as AKKR is entitled to designate one or more directors to our board of directors, AKKR will also be entitled to designate at least one member of each committee of our board of directors, subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Members will serve on these committees until the earlier of their resignation or removal by our board of directors in its discretion.

Audit Committee

Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the members of our audit committee will be Messrs. Ingram, Klein and Trainor, with Mr. Ingram serving as chairperson. As of the date of this prospectus, each of Messrs. Ingram and Trainor meets the independence requirements for audit committee members under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Each member of our audit committee also meets the financial literacy requirements of the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. In addition, our board of directors has determined that each of Messrs. Ingram and Trainor is an audit committee financial expert within the meaning of Item 407(d) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act. Following completion of this offering, our audit committee will, among other things:

 

select, retain, compensate, evaluate, oversee and, where appropriate, terminate our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

review and approve the scope and plans for the audits and the audit fees and approve all non-audit and tax services to be performed by the independent auditor;

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evaluate the independence and qualifications of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

review our financial statements, and discuss with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the results of the annual audit and the quarterly reviews;

 

review and discuss with management and our independent registered public accounting firm the quality and adequacy of our internal controls and our disclosure controls and procedures;

 

discuss with management our procedures regarding the presentation of our financial information, and review earnings press releases and guidance;

 

oversee the design, implementation and performance of our internal audit function, if any;

 

set hiring policies with regard to the hiring of employees and former employees of our independent auditor and oversee compliance with such policies;

 

review and monitor compliance with our code of business conduct and ethics, and review conflicts of interest of our board members and officers;

 

review, approve and monitor related party transactions as specified in our related person transactions policy;

 

adopt and oversee procedures to address complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls and auditing matters, including confidential, anonymous submissions by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters;

 

review and discuss with management and our independent auditor the adequacy and effectiveness of our legal, regulatory and ethical compliance programs; and

 

review and discuss with management and our independent auditor our guidelines and policies to identify, monitor and address enterprise risks.

Our audit committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Compensation Committee

Upon completion of this offering, the members of our compensation committee will be Messrs. Klein and Palumbo, with Mr. Palumbo serving as chairperson. As of the date of this prospectus, each of Messrs. Klein and Palumbo meets the independence requirements for compensation committee members under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Following completion of this offering, our compensation committee will, among other things:

 

review and approve the compensation for our executive officers, including our chief executive officer;

 

review, approve and administer our employee benefit and equity incentive plans;

 

establish and review the compensation plans and programs of our employees, and ensure that they are consistent with our general compensation strategy;

 

approve the creation or revision of any clawback policy;

 

review, approve and monitor ordinary course compensation of any immediate family member of a related person that would constitute a related person transaction as specified in our related person transactions policy; and

 

determine non-employee director compensation.

Our compensation committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Upon completion of this offering, the members of our nominating and corporate governance committee will be Messrs. Ingram and Palumbo, with Mr. Palumbo serving as chairperson. As of the date of this prospectus, each of

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Messrs. Ingram and Palumbo meets the independence requirements for nominating and corporate governance committee members under the applicable listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange. Following completion of this offering, our nominating and corporate governance committee will, among other things:

 

review, assess and make recommendations to our board of directors regarding desired qualifications, expertise and characteristics sought of board members;

 

identify, evaluate, select or make recommendations to our board of directors regarding nominees for election to our board of directors, subject to the director nomination rights in the stockholders agreement;

 

develop policies and procedures for considering stockholder nominees for election to our board of directors;

 

review our succession planning process for our chief executive officer and any other members of our executive management team;

 

review and make recommendations to our board of directors regarding the composition, organization and governance our board of directors and its committees;

 

review and make recommendations to our board of directors regarding our corporate governance guidelines and corporate governance framework;

 

oversee director orientation for new directors and continuing education for our directors;

 

oversee the evaluation of the performance of our board of directors and its committees; and

 

administer policies and procedures for communications with the non-management members of our board of directors.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee will operate under a written charter, to be effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, that satisfies the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

The members of our compensation committee are Messrs. Klein and Palumbo. Neither of the members of our compensation committee is or has been an officer or employee of our company. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past year has served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee (or other board committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such committee, the entire board of directors) of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving on our board of directors or compensation committee.

Director Compensation

The compensation paid to Mr. Sharma in 2020 in respect of his employment is included in the “Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2020” in the section titled “Executive Compensation.” No compensation was paid or provided to the directors affiliated with AKKR in 2020.

In February 2021, our compensation committee retained Compensia, Inc., or Compensia, a third-party compensation consultant, to provide our board of directors and its compensation committee with an analysis of publicly available market data and assistance in determining compensation to be provided to our non‑employee directors on and after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Based on the discussions with and assistance from Compensia, prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors intends to adopt, and we expect our stockholders will approve, an outside director compensation policy that will provide for certain compensation to our non‑employee directors effective on and after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Our board of directors or any committee of our board of directors that has been designated appropriate authority to administer our outside director compensation policy may amend, alter, suspend or terminate such policy at any time and for any reason.

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Cash Compensation

The outside director compensation policy will provide for the following cash compensation program for our non‑employee directors, effective upon the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part:

 

$30,000 per year for service as a non‑employee director;

 

$15,000 per year for service as lead independent director;

 

$20,000 per year for service as chairperson of the audit committee;

 

$10,000 per year for service as a member of the audit committee;

 

$12,000 per year for service as chairperson of the compensation committee;

 

$6,000 per year for service as a member of the compensation committee;

 

$8,000 per year for service as chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee; and

 

$4,000 per year for service as a member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

Each non‑employee director who serves as a committee chair will receive only the cash retainer fee as the chair of the committee but not the cash retainer fee as a member of that committee. The non-employee director who serves as the lead independent director will receive the cash retainer fee for services provided in such role as well as the cash retainer fee as a non-employee director. These fees to our non‑employee directors will be paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis. However, our outside director compensation policy will provide that any non-employee director who served as a director at any time prior to December 31, 2020, will not be eligible to receive the cash retainer fees described above. Accordingly, Messrs. Klein, Malinowski, Palumbo and Trainor will not be paid any cash retainer fees under our outside director compensation policy for service on our board of directors.

Under our outside director compensation policy, we will reimburse our non‑employee directors for reasonable travel expenses to attend meetings of our board of directors and its committees.

Equity Compensation

Initial Award  

Pursuant to our outside director compensation policy, each person who first becomes a non‑employee director after the effective date of such policy will receive, on the first trading day on or after the date that the person first becomes a non‑employee director, an initial award, or the Initial Award, of restricted stock units covering shares of our Class A common stock with a value of $340,000. Such value will be equivalent to the fair market value of the shares subject to such Initial Award on its grant date (provided that any resulting fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole share). The Initial Award will be scheduled to vest as to one-third of the shares subject to the Initial Award on each of the one-, two-, and three-year anniversaries of its grant date, in each case subject to continued services with us through the applicable vesting date. If the person was a member of our board of directors and also an employee, then becoming a non‑employee director due to termination of employment will not entitle the person to an Initial Award.

Annual Award  

On the first trading day immediately after the date of each annual meeting of our stockholders that occurs following the effective date of our outside director compensation policy, each non-employee director automatically will receive an annual award, or the Annual Award, of restricted stock units covering shares of our Class A common stock with a value of $170,000. If an individual commences service as a non-employee director after the date of the second most recent annual meeting of our stockholders prior to the Annual Award’s grant date (or if there is no such prior annual meeting, after the effective date of our outside director compensation policy), then the Annual Award granted to such individual will be prorated based on the number of months that the individual served as a non-employee director during the 12-month period preceding the most recent annual meeting of our stockholders. The value of the Annual Award will be equivalent to the fair market value of the shares subject to such Annual Award on its grant date (provided that any resulting fractional shares will be rounded down to the nearest whole share). Each Annual Award will be scheduled to vest as to all of the shares subject to the Annual Award on the

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earlier of the one-year anniversary of its grant date, or the date of the next annual meeting of stockholders that occurs after the grant date of the Annual Award, subject to continued service with us through the applicable vesting date.

Notwithstanding the above terms, our outside director compensation policy will provide that any non-employee director who served as a director at any time prior to December 31, 2020, will not be eligible to receive any equity awards under our outside director compensation policy, including Annual Awards. Accordingly, Messrs. Klein, Malinowski, Palumbo and Trainor will not be granted equity awards pursuant to our outside director compensation policy for service on our board of directors.

Change in Control  

In the event of our change in control, as defined in the 2021 Plan, each non‑employee director’s then outstanding equity awards covering shares of our common stock granted to him or her while a non-employee director will accelerate vesting in full, provided that he or she remains a non‑employee director through the date of our change in control.

Other Award Terms  

Each Initial Award and Annual Award will be granted under and be subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 Plan (or its successor plan, as applicable) and form of award agreement under such plan.

Director Compensation Limits

Our outside director compensation policy will provide that in any fiscal year, a non‑employee director may be paid cash compensation and granted equity awards with an aggregate value of no more than $550,000 (with the value of equity awards based on the grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP for purposes of this limit), with such limit increased to $750,000 for the fiscal year of his or her initial service as a non‑employee director. Equity awards granted or other compensation provided to a non‑employee director for his or her services as an employee or consultant (other than a non‑employee director), or granted or provided before the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, will not count toward this annual limit. This maximum limit provision does not reflect the intended size of any potential grants or a commitment to make grants to our non-employee directors in the future.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws to be in effect upon the completion of this offering will provide for the indemnification of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. In addition, our certificate of incorporation will provide that our directors shall not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director and that if the DGCL is amended to authorize corporate action further limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of our directors shall be limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.

As permitted by the DGCL, we expect to enter into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and certain of our officers that require us, among other things, to indemnify them against certain liabilities which may arise by reason of their status as directors or officers. We have obtained insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the policies, coverage is provided to our directors and executive officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful acts as a director or executive officer, including claims relating to public securities matters, and to us with respect to payments that may be made by us to these directors and executive officers pursuant to our indemnification obligations or otherwise as a matter of law. The coverage provided by these policies may apply whether or not we would have the power to indemnify such person against such liability under the provisions of the DGCL.

We believe that these provisions and agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as our officers and directors. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving our directors or officers for whom indemnification is required or permitted, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation or proceeding that may result in a claim for indemnification.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Our named executive officers, consisting of our principal executive officer and the two most highly compensated executive officers (other than our principal executive officer), as of December 31, 2020, were:

 

Dushyant Sharma, our chairman, president and chief executive officer;

 

Matt Parson, our chief financial officer; and

 

John Morrow, our general counsel and secretary.

Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2020

The following table represents information regarding the total compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to our named executive officers for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020:

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

 

Option

Awards

($)(1)

 

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($)(2)

 

All Other

Compensation

($)(3)

 

Total ($)

Dushyant Sharma

Chairman, President

   and Chief Executive Officer

 

2020

 

350,000

 

 

700,000

 

690

 

1,050,690

Matt Parson(4)

Chief Financial Officer

 

2020

 

142,500

 

1,240,505

 

100,000

 

169

 

1,483,174

John Morrow(5)
General Counsel and Secretary

 

2020

 

212,500

 

428,990

 

150,000

 

489

 

791,979

 

(1)

In accordance with SEC rules, the amounts represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted during 2020 computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid or realized by the named executive officer. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock options granted to our named executive officers in Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

(2)

The amounts represent bonuses earned and payable upon the achievement of corporate objectives, all of which will be paid in 2021. See the section titled “—Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation.”

(3)

The amounts represent the value of group term life insurance premiums paid by us.

(4)

Mr. Parson joined us in August 2020.

(5)

Mr. Morrow joined us in April 2020.

Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2020

The following table sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by our named executive officers as of December 31, 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

Option Awards

Name

 

Vesting

Commencement

Date

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Exercisable

 

Number of

Securities

Underlying

Unexercised

Options (#)

Unexercisable

 

Option

Exercise

Price ($)

 

Option

Expiration

Date

Dushyant Sharma

 

01/25/2019(1)

 

1,266,865

  

2,038,005  

 

8.66

 

04/09/2029

Matt Parson

 

08/10/2020(1)(2)

 

  

335,000

 

8.66

 

08/20/2030

John Morrow

 

04/16/2020(1)(3)

 

  

115,500

 

8.66

 

05/14/2030

 

(1)

Stock options are scheduled to vest over five years, with 20% vesting on the first anniversary of the vesting commencement date and 1.6667% vesting thereafter on each monthly anniversary of the vesting commencement date, subject to continued employment with us through the applicable vesting date.

(2)

Vesting is subject to acceleration if, immediately prior to a change of control, less than 235,000 shares underlying the stock option have vested, subject to continued employment by us through the time of such acceleration. In such event, immediately prior to such change of control, vesting shall be accelerated such that only 100,000 shares underlying the stock option remain unvested, and such 100,000 unvested shares shall vest in 12 equal monthly installments beginning on the one-month anniversary of the consummation of the change of control.

(3)

Vesting is subject to acceleration if a change of control occurs on or prior to April 16, 2024, subject to continued employment by us through the time of such acceleration. In such event, immediately prior to such change of control, vesting shall be accelerated such that only 20,000 shares underlying the stock option remain unvested, and such 20,000 unvested shares shall vest in 12 equal monthly installments beginning on the one-month anniversary of the consummation of the change of control.

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Non-equity Incentive Plan Compensation

Each of our named executive officers was eligible to receive a cash bonus for 2020 based on attainment of certain corporate objectives achieved during 2020. Our compensation committee, in its discretion, may increase, reduce or eliminate bonuses for 2020, taking into consideration any factors that it deemed relevant in assessing performance and determining appropriate bonus amounts. For 2020, the annual target bonus opportunity for each of Messrs. Sharma, Parson and Morrow was $600,000, $240,000 and $200,000, respectively, provided that Messrs. Parson and Morrow were eligible in 2020 for a prorated portion of such target bonus opportunities that reflects their partial year of employment. The corporate objectives for 2020 related to our revenue, profitability and certain strategic goals, each allocated specific weightings. At the beginning of 2021, our compensation committee reviewed the extent of attainment of the corporate objectives for each of our named executive officers as well as other significant achievements and individual performance during the year, and determined that the amounts set forth in the “Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal Year 2020” under the column “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” be paid to the named executive officers. The bonus awards were paid to the named executive officers in February 2021.

Named Executive Officer Employment Arrangements

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a confirmatory employment letter setting forth the terms and conditions of employment with each of our named executive officers as described below.

Dushyant Sharma

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a confirmatory employment letter with Mr. Sharma, our chairman, president and chief executive officer. The confirmatory employment letter will have no specific term and will provide that Mr. Sharma is an at-will employee. Mr. Sharma’s current annual base salary is $350,000 and he is eligible for a target cash incentive payment for our 2021 fiscal year equal to $675,000.

Matt Parson

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a confirmatory employment letter with Mr. Parson, our chief financial officer. The confirmatory employment letter will have no specific term and will provide that Mr. Parson is an at-will employee. Mr. Parson’s current annual base salary is $360,000 and he is eligible for a target cash incentive payment for our 2021 fiscal year equal to $240,000.

John Morrow

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a confirmatory employment letter with Mr. Morrow, our general counsel. The confirmatory employment letter will have no specific term and will provide that Mr. Morrow is an at-will employee. Mr. Morrow’s current annual base salary is $300,000 and he is eligible for a target cash incentive payment for our 2021 fiscal year equal to $200,000.

Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control

Named Executive Officer Change in Control and Severance Agreements

Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to enter into a change in control and severance agreement, or severance agreement, with each of Messrs. Sharma, Parson and Morrow, which would provide for certain benefits in connection with certain qualifying involuntary terminations, including in connection with a change in control. Each severance agreement will become effective as of the business day immediately prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

If the named executive officer’s employment is terminated outside the period beginning on the date that is three months prior to the date of a change in control and ending on the one-year anniversary date of such change in control, or the change in control period, either (1) by us without “cause” and other than due to his death or disability, or (2) by the named executive officer for “good reason” (as such terms are defined in the severance agreement), the named executive officer will receive the following benefits, provided he timely signs and does not revoke a separation agreement and release of claims in our favor:

 

continuing payments of the named executive officer’s base salary for a period of six months (or, in the case of Mr. Sharma, 12 months) following the date of such termination;

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in the case of Mr. Sharma, a lump sum cash payment equal to Mr. Sharma’s annual target bonus, prorated for the period during which Mr. Sharma was employed by us in the calendar year such termination occurs; and

 

if the named executive officer and his eligible dependents (if any) have qualifying health care at the time of such termination, then company-paid premiums for coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended, or COBRA, for up to 12 months in the case of Mr. Sharma and his eligible dependents, if any, and up to six months for each other named executive officer and his eligible dependents, if any.

If, during the change in control period, the employment of a named executive officer is terminated either (1) by us without cause and other than due to his death or disability, or (2) by the named executive officer for good reason, the named executive officer will receive the following benefits, provided he timely signs and does not revoke a separation agreement and release of claims with us:

 

a lump sum cash payment equal to 75% (or, in the case of Mr. Sharma, 100%) of the greater of the named executive officer’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to his termination, or the named executive officer’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the change in control;

 

a lump sum cash payment equal to the named executive officer’s annual target bonus, prorated for the period during which the named executive officer was employed by us in the calendar year such termination occurs;

 

if the named executive officer and his eligible dependents (if any) have qualifying health care at the time of such termination, then company-paid premiums for coverage under COBRA for up to 12 months in the case of Mr. Sharma and his eligible dependents, if any, and up to nine months for each other named executive officer and his eligible dependents, if any; and

 

vesting acceleration of 100% of the shares subject to the named executive officer’s outstanding and unvested time-based equity awards.

For clarity, such vesting acceleration under the severance agreement for each of Messrs. Parson and Morrow would be in addition to any vesting acceleration that apply to the named executive officer’s outstanding options, as described in the footnotes to table above titled the “Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2020.”

If any of the amounts provided for under the severance agreement otherwise payable to the named executive officer would constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, and could be subject to the related excise tax, the named executive officer would be entitled to receive either full payment of benefits or such lesser amount which would result in no portion of the benefits being subject to the excise tax, whichever results in the greater amount of after-tax benefits to the named executive officer. The severance agreements do not provide for any Section 280G-related tax gross-up payments from us.

Under each severance agreement, “cause” generally means the applicable named executive officer’s:

 

commission of a criminal offense involving moral turpitude or dishonesty, theft or fraud against us or any of our affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has or reasonably could have a material negative effective on us or any of our affiliates;

 

substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed;

 

gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to us or any of our affiliates or any of our customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relations;

 

breach of fiduciary duty with respect to us or any of our affiliates, customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relations, which has or reasonably could have a material negative effect on us or any of our affiliates;

 

repeated conduct causing us or any of our affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm;

 

any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of ours or any of our affiliates to the material disadvantage or detriment of us and our affiliates;

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a material failure to observe our policies or standards regarding employment practices as in effect from time to time, or

 

a failure to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of us or our directors, officers or employees if we or our board of directors has requested the named executive officer’s cooperation.

Under each severance agreement, “good reason” generally means that the named executive officer resigns his employment with us within 90 days following the end of our cure period discussed below as a result of any of the following that occurs without the named executive officer’s written consent:

 

a material reduction in the named executive officer’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction (in other words, a reduction of at least 10%), provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other similarly situated employees by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level reduction would not constitute such a reduction;

 

a relocation of the named executive officer’s principal work location to a principal work location more than 35 miles from the named executive officer’s then present location;

 

the failure by us to obtain assumption of the severance agreement by any successor of ours in accordance with the terms of the agreement; or

 

a material breach by us of the severance agreement or any other written agreement between the named executive officer and us, relating to any material terms of the named executive officer’s employment with us.

In order to qualify as “good reason,” the named executive officer must provide us with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for good reason within 90 days following the initial existence of the grounds for good reason, and we must have failed to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of such notice.

Employee Benefit and Stock Plans

Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

Prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors intends to adopt our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. Our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan will be administered by our board of directors or a committee appointed by our board of directors. Unless and until our board of directors determines otherwise, our compensation committee will administer our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan. Our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan will allow us to grant incentive awards, generally payable in cash, to employees of ours or of any parent, subsidiary or affiliate of ours who is selected by the administrator, including our named executive officers.

Under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, the administrator will determine any performance goals applicable to an award, which goals may include, without limitation, goals related to attainment of research and development milestones; sales bookings; business divestitures and acquisitions; capital raising; cash flow; cash position; contract awards or backlog; corporate transactions; customer renewals; customer retention rates from an acquired company, subsidiary, business unit or division; earnings (which may include any calculation of earnings, including but not limited to earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and net taxes); earnings per share; expenses; financial milestones; gross margin; growth in stockholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or another index; internal rate of return; leadership development or succession planning; license or research collaboration arrangements; market share; net income; net profit; net sales; new product or business development; new product invention or innovation; number of customers; operating cash flow; operating expenses; operating income; operating margin; overhead or other expense reduction; patents; procurement; product defect measures; product release timelines; productivity; profit; regulatory milestones or regulatory-related goals; retained earnings; return on assets; return on capital; return on equity; return on investment; return on sales; revenue; revenue growth; sales results; sales growth; savings; stock price; time to market; total stockholder return; working capital; unadjusted or adjusted actual contract value; unadjusted or adjusted total contract value; and individual objectives such as peer reviews or other subjective or objective criteria. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award. The administrator also may determine that a target award or portion of a target award will not have a performance goal associated with it but instead will be granted, if at all, as determined by the administrator.

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The administrator of our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, in its sole discretion and at any time, may increase, reduce or eliminate a participant’s actual award, and/or increase, reduce or eliminate the amount allocated to any bonus pool for a particular performance period. The actual award may be below, at or above a participant’s target award, in the discretion of the administrator. The administrator may determine the amount of any reduction on the basis of such factors as it deems relevant, and the administrator is not required to establish any allocation or weighting with respect to the factors it considers. All determinations made by the administrator or delegate of the administrator will be final, conclusive and binding on all persons and will be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

Actual awards generally will be paid in a single cash lump sum (or its equivalent) only after they are earned, and, unless otherwise determined by the administrator, a participant must be employed with us through the date the actual award is paid. The administrator of our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan reserves the right to settle an actual award with a grant of an equity award under our then-current equity compensation plan, which equity award may have such terms and conditions, including vesting, as determined by the administrator. Payment of awards occurs as soon as administratively practicable after they are earned, but no later than the dates set forth in our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan.

Awards under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan are subject to any clawback policy of ours which we may be required to adopt from time to time to comply with the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which our securities are listed or as is otherwise required by applicable laws. The administrator also may impose such other clawback, recovery, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement or reacquisition provisions with respect to an award under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan as the administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including for example, upon a termination of a participant’s employment for cause. Certain participants may be required to reimburse us for certain amounts paid under an award under our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan in connection with certain accounting restatements we may be required to prepare due to our material noncompliance with any financial reporting requirements under applicable securities laws, as a result of misconduct.

The administrator of our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan will have the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan, provided such action does not materially alter or materially impair without the consent of the participant the rights or obligations under any awards earned by the participant. Our Executive Incentive Compensation Plan will remain in effect until terminated in accordance with its terms.

2012 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors adopted our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2012 Plan, in October 2012. Prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, our 2012 Plan will be terminated and we will not grant any additional awards under our 2012 Plan thereafter. However, our 2012 Plan will continue to govern the terms and conditions of the outstanding awards granted under our 2012 Plan prior to its termination.

Our 2012 Plan allows for the grant of nonstatutory stock options and restricted stock (which are collectively referred to in this description of the 2012 Plan as “awards”) to eligible officers, directors, employees, consultants and advisors of our company or any of our subsidiaries.

Authorized Shares

As of March 31, 2021, an aggregate of 14,000,000 shares of our common stock were reserved for issuance under our 2012 Plan. As of March 31, 2021, there were stock options covering 7,566,155 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding under our 2012 Plan and no restricted stock was outstanding under our 2012 Plan. The shares of our Class B common stock issuable under our 2012 Plan may be authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares, or a combination of both.

Plan Administration  

The compensation committee of our board of directors or, if the compensation committee of our board of directors has not been appointed by our board of directors, our board of directors administers the 2012 Plan. The administrator has authority and discretion to administer our 2012 Plan and to control its operation, including the authority to interpret the terms of our 2012 Plan, select participants, grant or issue awards and determine the form or amount of such awards, delegate certain authority under the 2012 Plan to certain persons, and make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the

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2012 Plan. The administrator may amend or modify the terms of awards, provided that any amendment or modification of an award or awards that impairs the rights of the participant or participants will be subject to the consent of such participant or a majority of such participants who are affected (with any such majority determined by the number of shares underlying the affected award or awards, and provided that options and restricted stock will be considered separately with respect to determining whether any such majority has consented with respect to affected options or affected restricted stock, as applicable). Subject to a participant’s consent, the administrator may cancel such participant’s options and grant a new option to such participant.

Stock Options

Stock options have been granted under our 2012 Plan. The term of an option is determined by the administrator and is stated in the applicable award agreement, but may not exceed 10 years from the grant date. The administrator determines the exercise price of options and the times that such options are exercisable. Options are exercisable in whole or in part by written notice to us accompanied by payment in full of the exercise price in cash or in such other manner as determined by the administrator. The administrator determines the period of time after a participant’s separation from service during which the participant may exercise his or her option, except that such time shall be 180 days after the date of the participant’s death or disability or 90 days after the date of resignation for any reason or termination of employment (or for an award granted to a non-employee participant, service) without “cause” (as defined in the 2012 Plan). Except to the extent required by applicable law, if a participant’s separation from service is for cause, his or her options will terminate immediately. In no event will an option remain exercisable beyond its term to expiration, and options may terminate earlier in accordance with the terms of the 2012 Plan (for example, in connection with our change in control).

Transferability of Stock Options

Our 2012 Plan generally does not allow for the transfer of stock options except by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and only the recipient of a stock option may exercise such option during his or her lifetime.

Restricted Stock

Our 2012 Plan permits the grant of restricted stock awards. Restricted stock awards are grants of shares of our Class B common stock that may vest in accordance with the terms and conditions established by the administrator. Recipients of restricted stock awards will have rights to distribution and other ownership rights with respect to such shares of restricted stock, subject to any substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer as determined by the administrator. The administrator will determine whether restricted stock will be granted in consideration of the performance of services but without other additional consideration or with payment by the recipient in an amount determined by the administrator.

Certain Adjustments  

In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split, or combination or other change in shares of our common stock, the administrator or our board of directors will make appropriate adjustments to the number and type of shares authorized by the 2012 Plan and available for issuance thereunder, and the number and type of shares covered by outstanding options and the exercise prices specified therein, each as determined to be appropriate and equitable by the administrator or our board of directors.

Change of Control

Our 2012 Plan provides that in the event of a “change of control” (as defined in our 2012 Plan), the administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, that the outstanding awards become immediately vested (and exercisable, as applicable), by any participants employed or engaged as a service provider by us at the time of the change of control. Immediately prior to any change of control, our board of directors may, with respect to any or all outstanding stock options or outstanding and unvested restricted stock, provide that such awards may be (1) assumed, substituted or continued, or (2) either (a) terminated for no consideration if unvested or if the fair market value of our Class B common stock underlying a vested stock option is less than the exercise price, or (b) with respect to any vested stock option that is not terminated as described in the immediately preceding clause (a), cancelled in exchange for a payment equal to the fair market value of the Class B common stock underlying such vested stock option as of the consummation of the change of control less the exercise price associated with such vested stock option. The administrator or our board of directors, as applicable, need not take the same action with respect to all awards or with respect to all participants. Except as expressly provided in an option agreement, or

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determined otherwise by the administrator (or our board of directors, as applicable) with approval of AKKR, all options will terminate if unexercised upon our change of control.

Amendment and Termination

Our board of directors or the compensation committee thereof has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate our 2012 Plan at any time. No amendment will be made without stockholder approval to the extent such approval is required by law, agreement or the rules of any applicable exchange. Furthermore, no amendment, suspension or termination of our 2012 Plan will adversely affect the rights of a participant with respect to their options without the consent of either such participant or a majority of the participants affected thereby (with such majority determined by the number of shares underlying the affected options) or the rights of a participant with respect to their restricted stock without the consent of either such participant or a majority of the participants affected thereby (with such majority determined by the number of shares of affected restricted stock). No awards may be granted under our 2012 Plan after the ten-year anniversary of its adoption. However, as noted above, it is expected that prior to the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, our 2012 Plan will be terminated, and we will not grant any additional awards under our 2012 Plan thereafter.

2021 Equity Incentive Plan

Prior to the completion of this offering, our board of directors intends to adopt, and we expect our stockholders will approve, our 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, or the 2021 Plan. We expect that the 2021 Plan will be effective on the business day immediately prior to the effective date of our registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. Our 2021 Plan will provide for the grant of incentive stock options, within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code, to our employees and any of our parent or subsidiary corporations’ employees, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and performance awards to our employees, directors and consultants and any of our parent or subsidiary corporations’ employees and consultants.

Authorized Shares  

A total of 10,459,000 shares of our Class A common stock will be reserved for issuance pursuant to our 2021 Plan. In addition, the shares reserved for issuance under our 2021 Plan will include shares of our common stock subject to awards granted under our 2012 Plan that, after the date of termination of the 2012 Plan, are cancelled, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full, are tendered to or withheld by us for payment of an exercise price or for tax withholding obligations, or are forfeited to or repurchased by us due to failure to vest, with the maximum number of such shares that may be added to the 2021 Plan pursuant to such provision being 7,563,990 shares. The number of shares available for issuance under our 2021 Plan also will include an annual increase on the first day of each of our fiscal years, for a period of ten years beginning with our fiscal year 2022, equal to the least of:

 

12,551,000 shares;

 

four percent (4%) of the outstanding shares of all classes of our common stock as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year; and

 

such number of shares as the administrator of the 2021 Plan may determine no later than the last day of our immediately preceding fiscal year.

Shares issuable under our 2021 Plan will be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired shares of our Class A common stock. If an award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an exchange program (as described below), or, with respect to restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance awards, is forfeited to or repurchased due to failure to vest, the unpurchased shares (or for awards other than stock options or stock appreciation rights, the forfeited or repurchased shares) will become available for future grant or sale under the 2021 Plan. With respect to stock appreciation rights, only the net shares actually issued will cease to be available under the 2021 Plan and all remaining shares under stock appreciation rights will remain available for future grant or sale under the 2021 Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the 2021 Plan under any award will not be returned to the 2021 Plan; except if shares issued pursuant to awards of restricted stock, restricted stock units or performance awards are repurchased or forfeited due to failure to vest, such shares will become available for future grant under the 2021 Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an award or satisfy the tax liabilities or withholdings related to an award will become available for future grant or sale

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under the 2021 Plan. To the extent an award is paid out in cash rather than shares, such cash payment will not result in a reduction in the number of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan.

Plan Administration  

Our board of directors or one or more committees appointed by our board of directors will have authority to administer our 2021 Plan. Our compensation committee of our board of directors initially will administer our 2021 Plan. In addition, if we determine it is desirable to qualify transactions under our 2021 Plan as exempt under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, such transactions will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3. Subject to the provisions of our 2021 Plan, the administrator has the power to administer our 2021 Plan and make all determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the 2021 Plan, including but not limited to the power to determine the fair market value of our Class A common stock, select the service providers to whom awards may be granted, determine the number of shares or dollar amounts covered by each award, approve forms of award agreements for use under the 2021 Plan, determine the terms and conditions of awards (including, but not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times at which awards may be exercised, any vesting acceleration or waiver or forfeiture restrictions and any restriction or limitation regarding any award or the shares relating thereto), construe and interpret the terms of our 2021 Plan and awards granted under it, prescribe, amend and rescind rules relating to our 2021 Plan, including creating sub-plans, modify or amend each award and allow a participant to defer the receipt of payment of cash or the delivery of shares that otherwise would be due to such participant under an award. The administrator also has the authority to institute an exchange program under which outstanding awards granted under the 2021 Plan may be surrendered or cancelled in exchange for awards of the same type, which may have a higher or lower exercise price and/or different terms, awards of a different type and/or cash, participants have the opportunity to transfer outstanding awards granted under the 2021 Plan to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the administrator, or the exercise price of an outstanding award granted under the 2021 Plan is increased or reduced. The administrator’s decisions, interpretations and other actions are final and binding on all participants and will be given the maximum deference permitted by applicable law.

Stock Options  

Stock options may be granted under our 2021 Plan. The exercise price of options granted under our 2021 Plan must be equal to at least 100% of the fair market value of a share of our Class A common stock on the date of grant. The term of an option may not exceed ten years. With respect to any participant who owns more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of our (or any of our parent’s or subsidiary’s) outstanding stock, the term of an incentive stock option granted to such participant must not exceed five years and the per share exercise price must equal at least 110% of the fair market value of a share of our Class A common stock on the grant date. The administrator may grant incentive stock options under the 2021 Plan for a period of ten years from the earlier of the date our board of directors approves the 2021 Plan or the date that our stockholders approve the 2021 Plan. The administrator will determine the methods of payment of the exercise price of an option, which may include cash, certain shares, cashless exercise, net exercise, as well as other types of consideration permitted by applicable law. After the termination of service of an employee, director or consultant, he or she may exercise his or her option for the period of time stated in his or her option agreement. In the absence of a specified time in an award agreement, if termination is due to death or disability, the option will remain exercisable for six months. In all other cases, in the absence of a specified time in an award agreement, the option will remain exercisable for three months following the termination of service. An option, however, may not be exercised later than the expiration of its term. Subject to the provisions of our 2021 Plan, the administrator determines the terms of options.

Stock Appreciation Rights  

Stock appreciation rights may be granted under our 2021 Plan. Stock appreciation rights allow the recipient to receive the appreciation in the fair market value of our Class A common stock between the exercise date and the date of grant. The term of a stock appreciation right may not exceed ten years. After the termination of service of an employee, director or consultant, he or she may exercise his or her stock appreciation right for the period of time stated in his or her stock appreciation rights agreement. In the absence of a specified time in an award agreement, if termination is due to death or disability, the stock appreciation rights will remain exercisable for six months. In all other cases, in the absence of a specified time in an award agreement, the stock appreciation rights will remain exercisable for three months following the termination of service. However, in no event may a stock appreciation right be exercised later than the expiration of its term. Subject to the provisions of our 2021 Plan, the administrator determines the terms of stock appreciation rights, including when such rights become exercisable and whether to pay any increased appreciation in cash or with shares of our Class A common stock, or a combination thereof,

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except that the per-share exercise price for the shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of a stock appreciation right will be no less than 100% of the fair market value per share on the date of grant.

Restricted Stock  

Restricted stock may be granted under our 2021 Plan. Restricted stock awards are grants of shares of our Class A common stock that may vest in accordance with terms and conditions established by the administrator. The administrator will determine the number of shares of restricted stock granted to any employee, director or consultant and, subject to the provisions of our 2021 Plan, will determine the terms and conditions of such awards. The administrator may impose whatever vesting conditions (if any) it determines to be appropriate (for example, the administrator may set restrictions based on the achievement of specific performance goals or continued service to us), and the administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed. The administrator may determine that an award of restricted stock will not be subject to any period of restriction and that consideration for the award is paid for by past services. Recipients of restricted stock awards generally will have voting and dividend rights with respect to such shares upon grant, unless the administrator provides otherwise. Shares of restricted stock that do not vest are subject to our right of repurchase or forfeiture.

Restricted Stock Units  

Restricted stock units may be granted under our 2021 Plan. Restricted stock units are bookkeeping entries representing an amount equal to the fair market value of one share of our Class A common stock. Subject to the provisions of our 2021 Plan, the administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock units, including any vesting criteria and the form and timing of payment. The administrator may set vesting criteria based on the achievement of company-wide, divisional, business unit or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws or any other basis determined by the administrator in its discretion. The administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned restricted stock units in the form of cash, shares or a combination of both. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

Performance Awards  

Performance awards may be granted under the 2021 Plan. Performance awards are awards that may be earned in whole or in part on the attainment of performance goals or other vesting criteria that the administrator may determine, and that may be denominated in cash or stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the 2021 Plan, the administrator determines the terms and conditions of performance awards, including any vesting criteria and form and timing of payment. The administrator may set vesting criteria based on the achievement of company-wide, divisional, business unit or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws or any other basis determined by the administrator in its discretion. The administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned performance awards in the form of cash, shares or a combination of both. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the administrator, in its sole discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

Outside Directors  

All outside (non-employee) directors will be eligible to receive all types of awards (except for incentive stock options) under our 2021 Plan. Prior to the completion of this offering, we intend to implement a formal outside director compensation policy pursuant to which our outside directors will be eligible to receive equity awards under our 2021 Plan. Our 2021 Plan will provide that in any given fiscal year, no outside director may be granted awards (the value of which will be based on their grant date fair value) under our 2021 Plan and any other compensation (including without limitation any cash retainers and fees) that in the aggregate exceed $550,000, provided that such amount is increased to $750,000 in the fiscal year of his or her initial service as an outside director. The grant-date fair values of awards granted under our 2021 Plan will be determined according to U.S. GAAP. Any awards or other compensation provided to an individual for his or her services as an employee or a consultant (other than an outside director), or prior to the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, will not count toward this limit. This maximum limit provision does not reflect the intended size of any potential grants or a commitment to make grants to our outside directors under our 2021 Plan in the future.

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Non-transferability of Awards  

Unless the administrator provides otherwise, our 2021 Plan generally does not allow for the transfer of awards other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and only the recipient of an award may exercise an award during his or her lifetime. If the administrator makes an award transferrable, such award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the administrator deems appropriate.

Certain Adjustments  

In the event of certain changes in our capitalization, such as a dividend or other distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, reclassification, repurchase or exchange of our shares or other securities or other change in our corporate structure affecting our shares (other than ordinary dividends or other ordinary distributions), to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits available under our 2021 Plan, the administrator will adjust the number and class of shares that may be delivered under our 2021 Plan and/or the number, class and price of shares covered by each outstanding award and any numerical share limits set forth in our 2021 Plan.

Dissolution or Liquidation  

In the event of our proposed liquidation or dissolution, the administrator will notify participants as soon as practicable and all awards will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed transaction.

Merger or Change in Control  

Our 2021 Plan provides that in the event of our merger or change in control, as defined in our 2021 Plan, each outstanding award will be treated as the administrator determines, without a participant’s consent. The administrator may provide that awards granted under the 2021 Plan will be assumed or substituted by substantially equivalent awards, be terminated upon or immediately before the merger or change in control upon written notice to participants, become vested and exercisable or payable and be terminated in connection with the merger or change in control, be terminated in exchange for cash, other property or other consideration or any combination of the above. The administrator is not required to treat all awards, all awards held by a participant, all portions of awards, or all awards of the same type similarly.

If an acquiring or successor corporation or its affiliate does not assume or substitute a substantially equivalent award for any outstanding award (or a portion of such award), then such award (or its applicable portion) will fully vest, all restrictions on such award (or its applicable portion) will lapse, all performance goals or other vesting criteria applicable to such award (or its applicable portion) will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and such award (or its applicable portion) will become fully exercisable, if applicable, for a specified period prior to the transaction, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable award agreement or other written agreement with the participant. The award (or its applicable portion) will then terminate upon the expiration of the specified period of time. If an option or stock appreciation right is not assumed or substituted, the administrator will notify the participant that such option or stock appreciation right will be 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.

If an outside director’s awards are assumed or substituted for in our merger or change in control and the service of such outside director is terminated (other than upon his or her voluntary resignation that does not include a resignation at the request of the acquirer) on or following the date of the assumption or substitution, all such awards will fully vest, all restrictions on such awards will lapse, all performance goals or other vesting criteria applicable to such awards will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and such awards will become fully exercisable, if applicable, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable award agreement or other written agreement with the outside director.

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Clawback

Awards are subject to any clawback policy of ours, which we may establish and/or amend from time to time to comply with applicable laws. The administrator also may specify in an award agreement that the participant’s rights, payments and benefits with respect to an award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, reimbursement or reacquisition upon the occurrence of certain specified events. Our board of directors may require a participant to forfeit, return or reimburse us all or a portion of the award and any amounts paid under the award in order to comply with any clawback policy of ours or applicable laws.

Amendment; Termination

The administrator has the authority to amend, alter, suspend or terminate our 2021 Plan, provided such action does not materially impair the rights of any participant unless mutually agreed otherwise. Our 2021 Plan will remain in effect until terminated in accordance with its terms.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a 401(k) retirement savings plan for the benefit of our employees, including our named executive officers, who satisfy certain eligibility requirements. Our 401(k) plan provides eligible employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax-advantaged basis. Under our 401(k) plan, eligible employees may elect to defer a portion of their compensation, within the limits prescribed by the Code and the applicable limits under the 401(k) plan on a pre-tax or after-tax (Roth) basis, through contributions to the 401(k) plan. All of a participant’s contributions into the 401(k) plan are 100% vested when contributed. The 401(k) plan permits us to make matching contributions and profit-sharing contributions to eligible participants. The 401(k) plan is intended to qualify under Sections 401(a) and 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) plan and earnings on those pre-tax contributions are not taxable to the employees until distributed from the 401(k) plan, and earnings on Roth contributions are not taxable when distributed from the 401(k) plan.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

The following is a summary of transactions since January 1, 2018 to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeded $120,000 and in which any of our executive officers, directors, promoters or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any immediate family member of or person sharing a household with any of the foregoing, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest, other than employment and compensation arrangements which are described in the section titled “Executive Compensation.”

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

We intend to adopt a formal, written policy regarding related person transactions, which will become effective upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. This written policy regarding related person transactions will provide that a related person transaction is a transaction, arrangement or relationship or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships, in which we are a participant and in which a related person has, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest and in which the aggregate amount involved exceeds $60,000. Our policy will also provide that a related person means any of our executive officers and directors (including director nominees), in each case at any time since the beginning of our last fiscal year, or holders of more than 5% of any class of our voting securities and any member of the immediate family of, or person sharing the household with, any of the foregoing persons. Our audit committee will have the primary responsibility for reviewing and approving or disapproving related person transactions and our compensation committee will be responsible for reviewing and approving or disapproving ordinary course compensation of any immediate family member of a related person that would constitute a related person transaction under our policy. In addition to our policy, our audit committee charter and compensation committee charter that will be in effect upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part will provide that these committees shall review and approve or disapprove of any related person transactions as specified in the related person transaction policy.

All related person transactions described in this section occurred prior to adoption of the formal, written policy described above, and therefore these transactions were not subject to the approval and review procedures set forth in the policy.

Stockholders Agreement

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a stockholders agreement with AKKR and Mr. Sharma, Ashigrace, which is an entity under the control of Mr. Sharma, and certain trusts affiliated with Mr. Sharma, which we collectively refer to as the Sharma parties. The stockholders agreement will provide AKKR and the Sharma parties with the right to designate a certain number of nominees for election to our board of directors. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Stockholders Agreement” for an additional description of the stockholders agreement.

Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with AKKR and the Sharma parties. Pursuant to the registration rights agreement, these stockholders will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act following this offering. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights” for a description of these registration rights.

Concurrent Private Placement

On May 16, 2021, we entered into a purchase agreement with entities affiliates with AKKR pursuant to which these AKKR entities agreed to purchase from us in a private placement an aggregate of $50 million of our Class A common stock at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, these AKKR entities will purchase an aggregate of 2,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock. The sale of the shares in the concurrent private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. See the section titled “Concurrent Private Placement.”

Redemption of Series A Preferred Stock

We intend to use approximately $47.9 million of the net proceeds from this offering to redeem 19,068 shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends) held by AKKR, and approximately $9.0 million of the net

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proceeds from this offering to redeem 3,609 shares of Series A preferred stock (including accrued dividends) held by Ashigrace, an entity controlled by Mr. Sharma.

Other Transactions

In September 2011, we issued a promissory note to Mr. Sharma in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $0.8 million at an interest rate of 2% per annum. Mr. Sharma pledged 805 shares of Series A preferred stock and 1,788,205 shares of common stock as security for the promissory note. In March 2021, Mr. Sharma repaid this promissory note in full, including accrued interest, for an aggregate amount of approximately $1.0 million.

Ruma Sharma, who is the wife of Mr. Sharma, serves as a vice president of our company. Ms. Sharma received aggregate compensation, inclusive of her base salary and bonus, of $210,345 for her employment with us in 2020.

Chris Trainor, who is the son of our director Gary Trainor, serves as a vice president of our company. Chris Trainor received aggregate compensation, inclusive of his base salary and bonus, of $260,060 for his employment with us in 2020.

Gary Trainor was affiliated with Infinisource Holdings, Inc., an AKKR portfolio company, during the term of our sublease with Infinisource for office space in Charlotte, North Carolina. From January 1, 2018 through August 31, 2019, when the sublease expired, we paid an aggregate of approximately $0.4 million in rent.

Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, each as expected to be in effect upon the completion of this offering, will provide that we shall indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. For further information, see the section titled “Management—Limitation of Liability and Indemnification of Officers and Directors.” We intend to enter into customary indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors that provide them with customary indemnification in connection with their service to us or on our behalf.

 

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PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of our capital stock as of April 30, 2021 by:

 

each of our named executive officers;

 

each of our directors;

 

all of our executive officers and directors as a group; and

 

each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of any class of our common stock.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting power and sole investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Applicable percentage ownership before this offering is based on no shares of Class A common stock and 103,479,239 shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of April 30, 2021, after giving effect to (1) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of our Class A common stock and effect the reclassification of our outstanding common stock into Class B common stock, and (2) the redemption of all issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock. Applicable percentage ownership after this offering is based on 12,499,998 shares of Class A common stock and 103,479,239 shares of Class B common stock outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of such person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares subject to options held by the person that are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021. We did not, however, deem such shares outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. The following table does not reflect any shares of Class A common stock that may be purchased pursuant to our directed share program described in the section titled “Underwriting.”

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each person or entity listed in the table is c/o Paymentus Holdings, Inc., 18390 NE 68th St., Redmond, WA 98052.

 

 

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

Before this Offering and the Concurrent Private Placement

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

After this Offering and the
Concurrent Private Placement

 

 

Class B Common Stock

 

% of

Total

Voting

Power†

 

Class A Common Stock

 

Class B Common Stock

 

% of

Total

Voting

Power†

Name of Beneficial Owner

 

Number

 

%

 

 

Number

 

%

 

Number

 

%

 

Greater than 5%

   Stockholders:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entities affiliated with

   AKKR(1)

 

83,056,119

 

80.3

 

80.3

 

2,499,998

 

20.0

 

83,056,119

 

80.3

 

79.5

Ashigrace LLC(2)

 

19,147,150

 

18.2

 

18.2

 

 

 

19,147,150

 

18.2

 

18.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Named Executive

   Officers and

   Directors:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dushyant Sharma(3)

 

20,928,378

 

19.9

 

19.9

 

 

 

20,928,378

 

19.9

 

19.7

Matt Parson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John Morrow(4)

 

26,950

 

*

 

*

 

 

 

26,950

 

*

 

*

William Ingram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jason Klein

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adam Malinowski

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert Palumbo(5)

 

83,056,119

 

80.3

 

80.3

 

2,499,998

 

20.0

 

83,056,119

 

80.3

 

79.5

Gary Trainor(6)

 

1,477,715

 

1.4

 

1.4

 

 

 

1,477,715

 

1.4

 

1.4

All directors and

   executive officers as a

   group (9 persons)(7)

 

106,640,477

 

99.7

 

99.7

 

2,499,998

 

20.0

 

106,640,477

 

99.7

 

98.8

 

*

Represents less than 1%.

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Represents the voting power with respect to all shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting together as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock will be entitled to ten votes per share. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of our stockholders, except under limited circumstances described in “Description of Capital Stock—Common Stock—Voting Rights.”

(1)

Consists of (a) 71,863,439 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP, or CV III; (b) 3,025,270 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners III, LP, or GC III; (c) 101,395 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II Strategic Fund, LP, or GC II Strategic; (d) 1,195,150 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II, LP, or GC II; (e) 5,635,005 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Accel-KKR Members Fund, LLC, or Members Fund, and collectively with CV III, GC III, GC II Strategic and GC II, the Accel-KKR Funds; and (f) 1,235,860 shares of Class B common stock held directly by KKR-AKI Investors L.L.C., or KKR-AKI. The number of shares of Class A common stock shown as beneficially owned after this offering and the concurrent private placement consists of shares to be purchased in the concurrent private placement as follows: (g) 2,358,180 shares to be purchased by CV III; (h) 99,273 shares to be purchased by GC III; (i) 39,218 shares to be purchased by GC II; and (j) 3,327 shares to be purchased by GC II Strategic, in each case based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. AKKR Fund III Management Company CV, LP, or CV III GP, is the sole general partner of CV III. AKKR Growth Capital Management Company III, LP, or GC III GP, is the sole general partner of GC III. AKKR Growth Capital Management Company II, LP, or GC II GP, is the sole general partner of GC II Strategic and GC II. AKKR Management Company, LLC, or UGP, is the sole managing member of Members Fund and the sole general partner of CV III GP, GC III GP and GC II GP. KKR-AKI is subject to a voting agreement with respect to the shares of Class B common stock that it holds and has granted UGP a proxy and attorney-in-fact, with full power of substitution, to vote all of its shares as required by such voting agreement if KKR-AKI does not comply with the terms thereof. Accel-KKR Holdings GP, LLC, or Topco GP, is the sole managing member of UGP. Thomas C. Barnds and Robert Palumbo are the sole two directors and members of Topco GP. AKKR Fund II Management Company, LP, or the Management Company, is the sole management company of each of the Accel-KKR Funds, and UGP is the general partner of the Management Company. Consequently, Mr. Barnds, Mr. Palumbo, CV III GP, GC III GP, GC II GP, UGP, Topco GP and the Management Company may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares held by the Accel-KKR Funds and KKR-AKI. The principal business address of entities and persons identified in this footnote is c/o Accel-KKR, 2180 Sand Hill Road, Suite 300, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

(2)

Consists of (a) 17,549,795 shares of Class B common stock held directly by Ashigrace and (b) 1,597,355 options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021 held directly by Ashigrace. Mr. Sharma is the sole manager of Ashigrace and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by Ashigrace.

(3)

Consists of (a) the shares and options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021 described in footnote (2) above; (b) 1,152,560 shares of Class B common stock held by The Ruma Sharma Family Trust dated December 3, 2018, or the Ruma Sharma Trust; (c) 157,167 shares of Class B common stock held directly by The Sharma Family Trust A dated March 30, 2021, or Trust A; (d) 157,167 shares of Class B common stock held directly by The Sharma Family Trust B dated March 30, 2021, or Trust B; (e) 157,167 shares of Class B common stock held directly by The Sharma Family Trust C dated March 30, 2021, or Trust C; and (f) 157,167 shares of Class B common stock held directly by The Sharma Family Trust D dated March 30, 2021, or collectively with Trust A, Trust B and Trust C, the Sharma Family Trusts. See footnote (2) regarding Mr. Sharma's relationship with Ashigrace. Mr. Sharma serves as the trustee for the Ruma Sharma Trust and Mr. Sharma's spouse serves as the trustee for the Sharma Family Trusts. Mr. Sharma disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Sharma Family Trusts.

(4)

Consists of 26,950 options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021.

(5)

Consists of the shares described in footnote (1) above. See footnote (1) regarding Mr. Palumbo's relationship with the Accel-KKR Funds and KKR-AKI.

(6)

Consists of 1,477,715 options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021. In May 2021, Mr. Trainor transferred these options to TF Investment Holdings LLC, or TF Investment. Mr. Trainor is the sole manager of TF Investment and has sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by TF Investment.

(7)

Consists of (a) 103,197,707 shares of Class B common stock and (b) 3,442,815 options exercisable within 60 days of April 30, 2021.

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

The following description summarizes certain important terms of our capital stock, as they are expected to be in effect immediately prior to completion of this offering. We expect to adopt an amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, and this description summarizes the provisions that are expected to be included in such documents. Because it is only a summary, it does not contain all the information that may be important to you. For a complete description of the matters set forth in this section titled “Description of Capital Stock,” you should refer to our certificate of incorporation, bylaws, stockholders agreement and registration rights agreement, which are included as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and to the applicable provisions of Delaware law.

Immediately prior to the completion of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of 1,000,000,000 shares of capital stock, $0.0001 par value per share, of which:

 

883,950,000 shares are designated as Class A common stock;

 

111,050,000 shares are designated as Class B common stock; and

 

5,000,000 shares are designated as preferred stock;

As of March 31, 2021, after giving effect to (1) the filing of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to authorize the issuance of our Class A common stock and effect the reclassification of our outstanding common stock into Class B common stock, and (2) the redemption of all issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock, there were no shares of Class A common stock outstanding and an aggregate of 103,479,239 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding, held by 18 stockholders of record. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation, our board of directors will have the authority, without stockholder approval except as required by the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange, to issue additional shares of our Class A common stock.

Common Stock

Our authorized shares of common stock are designated as Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting and conversion.

Dividend Rights

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of our common stock are entitled to receive dividends out of funds legally available if our board of directors, in its discretion, determines to issue dividends and then only at the times and in the amounts that our board of directors may determine. See the section titled “Dividend Policy” for more information.

No Preemptive or Similar Rights

Our common stock is not entitled to preemptive rights and is not subject to redemption or sinking fund provisions. Our Class A common stock is not subject to conversion provisions.

Voting Rights

Holders of our Class A common stock are entitled to one vote per share held as of the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our Class A common stock, and holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to ten votes per share held as of the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of the holders of our Class B common stock. The holders of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will generally vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of our stockholders, unless otherwise required by Delaware law or our certificate of incorporation. Delaware law could require either holders of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock to vote separately as a single class if we were to seek to amend our certificate of incorporation in a manner that alters or changes the powers, preferences or special rights of such class of common stock in a manner that affected such shares adversely but does not so affect the shares of the other class of common stock.

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Our stockholders do not have the ability to cumulate votes for the election of directors. As a result, the holders of a plurality of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they should so choose. With respect to matters other than the election of directors, at any meeting of the stockholders at which a quorum is present or represented, the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at such meeting and entitled to vote on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, our governing documents or the rules of the stock exchange on which our securities are listed. The holders of a majority of the voting power of the capital stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote as of the applicable record date, present in person or represented by proxy, shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at all meetings of the stockholders.

Our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will provide for a classified board of directors consisting of three classes of approximately equal size, each serving staggered three-year terms. Only the directors in one class will be elected at each annual meeting of our stockholders, with the directors in the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms.

Liquidation Rights

If we become subject to a liquidation, dissolution or winding-up, the assets legally available for distribution to our stockholders would be distributable ratably among the holders of our common stock and any participating preferred stock outstanding at that time, subject to prior satisfaction of all outstanding debt and liabilities and the preferential rights of and the payment of liquidation preferences, if any, on any outstanding shares of preferred stock.

Fully Paid and Non-assessable

In connection with this offering, our legal counsel will opine that the shares of our Class A common stock to be issued in this offering will be fully paid and non-assessable.

Conversion

Each share of our Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of our Class A common stock. In addition, each share of our Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of our Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, except for certain limited transfers exempted by our certificate of incorporation, including transfers to affiliates, members or partners of AKKR and transfers for estate planning purposes so long as the transferring holder retains exclusive voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares transferred. Once converted into a share of our Class A common stock, such share of our Class B common stock will not be reissued.

In addition, each outstanding share of Class B common stock held by a stockholder who is a natural person, other than Mr. Sharma, or held by a permitted transferee of such natural person (as described in our certificate of incorporation), will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon the death or incapacity of such natural person. In the event of the death or incapacity of Mr. Sharma, shares of Class B common stock held by Mr. Sharma and his permitted transferees will also convert automatically to Class A common stock, provided that the conversion will be deferred for nine months.

Each outstanding share of Class B common stock will automatically convert into one share of our Class A common stock on the first trading day following the date on which AKKR, Mr. Sharma, the persons and entities then party to the stockholders agreement, and their respective affiliates and permitted transferees, collectively cease to hold at least 10% of our then outstanding common stock. Following the conversion of all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock into Class A common stock, no further shares of our Class B common stock will be issued.

Preferred Stock

Our board of directors will have the authority, subject to limitations prescribed by Delaware law, to issue shares of authorized but unissued preferred stock in one or more series, and to fix the designations, powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, in each case without further vote or action by our stockholders. These powers, rights, preferences and privileges could include dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price(s) and liquidation preferences, and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such

130


 

series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of the common stock. The issuance of preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of common stock and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in our control or other corporate action. As of the closing of this offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding.

Options

As of March 31, 2021, we had outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 7,566,155 shares of our Class B common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $4.72 per share, under our 2012 Plan.

Registration Rights

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a registration rights agreement with AKKR and the Sharma parties. Upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, the holders of up to 104,887,140 shares of our Class B common stock, or certain permitted transferees, will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of their shares under the Securities Act, as described below. In addition, if AKKR or the Sharma parties exercise the piggyback registration rights described below, the warrant holder under the JPM warrant agreement will be entitled to exercise the same rights with respect to the shares of Class A common stock underlying the outstanding warrants, subject to certain limitations. These rights are subject to specified conditions and limitations, including the right of the underwriters to limit the number of shares included in an underwritten offering and our right to delay or withdraw a registration statement under certain circumstances.

Demand Registration Rights

At any time after the closing of this offering, AKKR will have the right to request that we file an unlimited number of registration statements for the registration of the offer and sale of all or any portion of their shares on Form S-1 or any similar long-form registration statement or on Form S-3 or any similar short-form registration statement, if available. At any time beginning on the second anniversary of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the Sharma parties will have the collective right to request up to three long-form registrations or short-form registrations in the aggregate. In connection with their demand registration rights, AKKR and the Sharma parties will also have customary shelf registration rights.

Piggyback Registration Rights

At any time after the closing of this offering, if we propose to register the offer and sale of any of our equity securities under the Securities Act (excluding registrations on Form S-4 or Form S-8), either for our own account or for the account of other stockholders, AKKR, the Sharma parties and any other stockholder with registration rights under the registration rights agreement will have the right, subject to certain exceptions, to include such stockholder’s shares in the registration statement.

Expenses of Registration

We will pay all expenses relating to any demand registrations (including shelf registrations) and piggyback registrations, other than underwriting discounts and selling commissions.

Coordination

Until the earlier of the second anniversary of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and, with respect to each holder under the registration rights agreement, such time as such holder owns less than 2% of our outstanding equity securities, AKKR and certain permitted transferees will have the right to require all holders to coordinate any sales of shares with one another. Such coordination will include certain limitations on the ability of the Sharma parties and other holders to transfer their shares.

Termination

The registration rights under the registration rights agreement terminate as to a particular holder’s registrable securities when they have been (1) sold or distributed pursuant to a public offering, (2) sold in compliance with Rule 144, (3) distributed to the direct or indirect partners or members of AKKR without a corresponding grant or assignment of rights or (4) repurchased by us.

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Stockholders Agreement

In connection with this offering, we will enter into a stockholders agreement with AKKR and the Sharma parties. The stockholders agreement contemplates that our board of directors may have up to nine members and will provide that, for so long as AKKR or certain of its permitted transferees hold more of our outstanding common stock than the Sharma parties, AKKR will have the right to nominate (x) five directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 10% of our outstanding common stock and (y) two directors to our board of directors for so long as AKKR beneficially owns at least 5% but less than 10% of our outstanding common stock. Moreover, after such time as AKKR ceases to hold more of our outstanding common stock than the Sharma parties, AKKR will continue to have the right to nominate two directors to our board of directors until such time as AKKR ceases to beneficially own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock. In addition, for so long as the Sharma parties own at least 5% of our outstanding common stock or Mr. Sharma serves as our chief executive officer, the Sharma parties will have the right to nominate Mr. Sharma to our board of directors. The stockholders agreement further provides that any directors other than those nominated by AKKR or the Sharma parties will be independent directors.

Under the stockholders agreement, we will agree to use our best efforts to cause the election of the slate of nominees recommended by our board of directors which, subject to the fiduciary duties of the directors, will include the persons nominated by AKKR and the Sharma parties in accordance with the terms of the stockholders agreement. Subject to the terms of the stockholders agreement, AKKR and the Sharma parties will agree to vote their shares in favor of the election of the director nominees designated by AKKR and the Sharma parties. Further, for so long as AKKR is entitled to designate one or more directors to our board of directors, AKKR will also be entitled to designate at least one member of each committee of our board of directors, subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and the listing standards of the New York Stock Exchange.

The stockholders agreement will terminate as to each of AKKR and the Sharma parties at such time as such stockholder ceases to own any shares of our common stock.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and Washington Law

Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, our bylaws and Washington law, which are summarized below, may have the effect of delaying, deferring or discouraging another person from acquiring control of us. They are also designed, in part, to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with an unfriendly or unsolicited acquirer outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging a proposal to acquire us because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will include a number of provisions that could deter hostile takeovers or delay or prevent changes in control of our board of directors or management. Among other things, these provisions provide that:

 

we will have a dual class common stock structure, with differing voting rights;

 

the authorized number of directors may be changed only by resolution of the board of directors;

 

any vacancies on the board of directors and any newly created directorships may only be filled by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even if less than a quorum;

 

our board of directors will be divided into three classes, each of which will stand for election once every three years;

 

there will be no cumulative voting;

 

the board of directors may issue “blank check” preferred stock that our board of directors could use to implement a stockholder rights plan;

 

the board of directors may adopt, alter or repeal our bylaws;

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the forum for certain litigation against us is restricted to Delaware; and

 

stockholders seeking to present proposals before a meeting of stockholders or to nominate candidates for election as directors at a meeting of stockholders must provide notice in writing in a timely manner, and also meet specific requirements as to the form and content of a stockholder’s notice.

Additional provisions will become effective on such date when AKKR and its affiliates cease to beneficially own in the aggregate, directly or indirectly, at least 50% of the voting power of our capital stock, which, among other things, provide that:

 

stockholders may not call special meetings of stockholders or act by written consent;

 

directors may only be removed from office for cause and with the affirmative vote of at least a majority of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock; and

 

amending certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation and bylaws will be subject to super-majority voting thresholds.

We are not subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL, or Section 203. In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a three-year period following the time that the person becomes an interested stockholder, unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed manner. A "business combination" includes, among other things, a merger, asset or stock sale or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or did own within three years prior to the determination of interested stockholder status, 15% or more of the corporation's voting stock.

Under Section 203, a business combination between a corporation and an interested stockholder is prohibited unless it satisfies one of the following conditions: (1) before the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder; (2) upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the voting stock outstanding, shares owned by persons who are directors and also officers, and employee stock plans, in some instances; or (3) at or after the time the stockholder became an interested stockholder, the business combination was approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of the stockholders by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interested stockholder.

A Delaware corporation may "opt out" of these provisions with an express provision in its original certificate of incorporation or an express provision in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws resulting from a stockholders' amendment approved by at least a majority of the outstanding voting shares.

We have opted out of Section 203; however, our certificate of incorporation to be in effect immediately prior to completion of this offering will contain similar provisions providing that we may not engage in certain "business combinations" with any "interested stockholder" for a three-year period following the time that the stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless:

 

prior to such time, our board of directors approved either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder;

 

upon consummation of the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested stockholder owned at least 85% of our voting stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding certain shares; or

 

at or subsequent to that time, the business combination is approved by our board of directors and by the affirmative vote of holders of at least 66-2/3% of our outstanding voting stock that is not owned by the interested stockholder.

Under certain circumstances, this provision will make it more difficult for a person who would be an "interested stockholder" to effect various business combinations with us for a three-year period. This provision may encourage companies interested in acquiring us to negotiate in advance with our board of directors because the stockholder approval requirement would be avoided if our board of directors approves either the business combination or the

133


 

transaction which results in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder. These provisions also may have the effect of preventing changes in our board of directors and may make it more difficult to accomplish transactions which stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Our certificate of incorporation to be in effect immediately prior to completion of this offering will provide that AKKR, certain of its direct or indirect transferees and any group as to which AKKR is a party for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of our capital stock, do not constitute "interested stockholders" for purposes of this provision.

Washington Business Corporation Act

The laws of Washington, where our principal executive offices are located, impose restrictions on certain transactions between certain foreign corporations and significant stockholders. In particular, the WBCA prohibits a “target corporation,” with certain exceptions, from engaging in certain “significant business transactions” with a person or group of persons which beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting securities of the target corporation, or an “acquiring person,” for a period of five years after such acquisition, unless the transaction or acquisition of shares is approved by a majority of the members of the target corporation’s board of directors prior to the time of acquisition. Such prohibited transactions may include, among other things:

 

any merger or consolidation with, disposition of assets to, or issuance or redemption of stock to or from, the acquiring person;

 

any termination of 5% or more of the employees of the target corporation as a result of the acquiring person’s acquisition of 10% or more of the shares; and

 

allowing the acquiring person to receive any disproportionate benefit as a stockholder.

After the five-year period, a significant business transaction may take place as long as it complies with certain fair price provisions of the statute or is approved at an annual or special meeting of stockholders.

We will be considered a “target corporation” so long as our principal executive office is located in Washington, and: (1) a majority of our employees are residents of the state of Washington or we employ more than one thousand residents of the state of Washington; (2) a majority of our tangible assets, measured by market value, are located in the state of Washington or we have more than $50 million worth of tangible assets located in the state of Washington; and (3) any one of the following: (a) more than 10% of our stockholders of record are resident in the state of Washington; (b) more than 10% of our shares are owned of record by residents of the state of Washington; or (c) 1,000 or more of our stockholders of record are resident in the state of Washington.

If we meet the definition of a target corporation, the WBCA may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change of control.

Exclusive Forum

Our bylaws will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf, (2) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, stockholders, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders, (3) any action arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or our certificate of incorporation or bylaws or (4) any other action asserting a claim that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if the Court of Chancery does not have jurisdiction, another State court in Delaware or the federal district court for the District of Delaware), except for, as to each of (1) through (4) above, any claim as to which such court determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of such court (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of such court within ten days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than such court or for which such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction. This provision would not apply to any action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Our bylaws will also provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States will be the sole and exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding or owning (or continuing to hold or own) any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing bylaw provisions. Our stockholders will not be deemed to have waived our compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder as a result of our exclusive forum provisions.

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Conflicts of Interest

Delaware law permits corporations to adopt provisions renouncing any interest or expectancy in certain opportunities that are presented to the corporation or its officers, directors or stockholders. Our certificate of incorporation will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of AKKR or its affiliates, or any of their respective directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers or employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as our officers or directors (all of whom we refer to as the “Exempted Persons”) will have any duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as us or any of our affiliates. Our certificate of incorporation will provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, we, on behalf of ourselves and our affiliates, renounce any interest or expectancy that we or our affiliates have in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to the Exempted Persons, even if the opportunity is one that we or our affiliates might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each Exempted Person will have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to us or any of our affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to us, any of our affiliates or our stockholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, solely by reason of the fact that any such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, sells, assigns, transfers or directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to us or any of our affiliates. Our certificate of incorporation will not renounce any interest or expectancy we may have in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to any Exempted Person solely in his or her capacity as one of our directors or officers, and not in any other capacity. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no business opportunity will be deemed to be a potential corporate opportunity for us if (1) we are not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake it, (2) if, from its nature, the opportunity is not in our line of business or is of no practical advantage to us or (3) we have no interest or reasonable expectancy in such business opportunity.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

Upon the completion of this offering, the transfer agent and registrar for our common stock will be American Stock Transfer & Trust Company. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

Listing

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PAY.”

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock, and we cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares of our Class A common stock or the availability of shares of our Class A common stock for sale will have on the market price of our Class A common stock prevailing from time to time. Future sales of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market, or the availability of such shares for sale in the public market, could adversely affect market prices of our Class A common stock prevailing from time to time. As described below, only a limited number of shares of our Class A common stock will be available for sale shortly after this offering due to contractual and legal restrictions on resale. Nevertheless, sales of our Class A common stock in the public market after such restrictions lapse, or the perception that those sales may occur, could adversely affect the prevailing market price at such time and our ability to raise equity capital in the future.

Upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, based on our shares of our capital stock outstanding as of March 31, 2021, we will have a total of 12,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock outstanding and 103,479,239 shares of our Class B common stock outstanding. Of these outstanding shares, all 10,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable, except that any shares purchased in this offering by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act, would only be able to be sold in compliance with the Rule 144 limitations described below.

The remaining outstanding shares of our Class A common stock (including shares issuable upon conversion of our Class B common stock) will be, and shares subject to stock options will be upon issuance, deemed “restricted securities” as that term is defined under Rule 144. Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if their offer and sale is registered under the Securities Act or if the offer and sale of those securities qualify for an exemption from registration, including exemptions provided by Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, which are summarized below. As a result of the lock-up agreements described below and subject to the provisions of Rules 144 or 701, shares of our Class A common stock that will be available for sale in the public market following the completion of this offering are as follows:

 

beginning on the date of this prospectus, all 10,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering will be immediately available for sale in the public market; and

 

beginning 181 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to the terms of the lock-up agreements described below, all remaining 105,979,237 shares will become eligible for sale in the public market, of which 105,697,705 shares will be held by affiliates and subject to the volume and other restrictions of Rule 144, as described below.

In addition, following this offering, pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement, we will issue warrants to an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC covering a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to $8.75 million divided by 87.5% of the offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, at a strike price equal to 87.5% of such offering price per share. We may also become obligated to issue additional warrants under the JPM warrant agreement subject to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025 that cover a number of shares of our Class A common stock equal to $8.75 million divided by 87.5% of the offering price per share set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, at a strike price equal to 87.5% of such offering price per share.

Lock-up Agreements

We, our directors and executive officers and substantially all of the other holders of our equity securities, including the concurrent private placement purchasers, have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to offer, sell or transfer any such equity securities for 180 days after the date of this prospectus without first obtaining the written consent of at least two of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in their sole discretion, including at least one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, and subject to FINRA Rule 5131. These agreements are further described in the section titled “Underwriting.”

Rule 144

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates for purposes of the Securities Act at any time during the 90 days preceding a sale and who has beneficially owned the shares of our Class A common stock proposed to be sold for at least six

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months is entitled to sell those shares without complying with the manner of sale, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144, subject to compliance with the public information requirements of Rule 144. If such a person has beneficially owned the shares proposed to be sold for at least one year, including the holding period of any prior owner other than our affiliates, then that person would be entitled to sell those shares without complying with any of the requirements of Rule 144.

In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, our affiliates or persons selling shares of our Class A common stock on behalf of our affiliates are entitled to sell upon expiration of the lock-up agreements described above, within any three-month period, a number of shares that does not exceed the greater of:

 

1% of the number of shares of our Class A common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately 125,000 shares immediately after this offering and the concurrent private placement; and

 

the average weekly trading volume of our Class A common stock during the four calendar weeks preceding the date of filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to the sale.

Sales under Rule 144 by our affiliates or persons selling shares of our Class A common stock on behalf of our affiliates are also subject to certain manner of sale provisions and notice requirements and to the availability of current public information about us.

Rule 701

In general, under Rule 701 a person who purchased shares of our capital stock pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been one of our affiliates during the immediately preceding 90 days may sell these shares in reliance upon Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the notice, manner of sale or public information requirements or volume limitation provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required to wait until 90 days after the effective date of this prospectus before selling such shares pursuant to Rule 701.

Registration Rights

Pursuant to the registration rights agreement that we will enter into in connection with this offering, upon the completion of this offering and the concurrent private placement, the holders of up to 104,887,140 shares of our Class B common stock, or certain permitted transferees, will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of the offer and sale of those shares under the Securities Act. These registration rights are described under the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” Upon the effectiveness of a registration statement covering these shares, the shares would become freely tradable without restriction under the Securities Act, subject to the Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates, and a large number of shares may be sold into the public market.

Registration Statement on Form S-8

We intend to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the Securities Act promptly after the completion of this offering to register shares of our Class A common stock subject to options outstanding, as well as reserved for future issuance, under our equity compensation plans. The registration statement on Form S-8 is expected to become effective immediately upon filing, and shares covered by the registration statement will then become eligible for sale in the public market, subject to the Rule 144 limitations applicable to affiliates, vesting restrictions and lock-up agreements. See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” for a description of our equity compensation plans.

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS FOR
NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK

The following is a summary of material U.S. federal income tax considerations of the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock acquired in this offering by a “non-U.S. holder” (as defined below) but does not purport to be a complete analysis of all the potential tax considerations relating thereto. This summary is based on the provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder and administrative rulings and judicial decisions, all as of the date hereof. These authorities may be changed, possibly retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax considerations different from those set forth below. We have not sought, and do not intend to seek, any ruling from the Internal Revenue Service, or the IRS, with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS or a court will agree with such statements and conclusions.

This summary also does not address the tax considerations arising under the laws of any U.S. state or local or non-U.S. jurisdiction or under U.S. federal gift and estate tax rules, or the effect, if any, of the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income. In addition, this discussion does not address tax considerations applicable to an investor’s particular circumstances or to investors that may be subject to special tax rules, including, without limitation:

 

banks, insurance companies, regulated investment companies, real estate investment trusts or other financial institutions;

 

persons subject to the alternative minimum tax;

 

tax-exempt organizations;

 

pension plans and tax-qualified retirement plans;

 

controlled foreign corporations, passive foreign investment companies and corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax;

 

entities or arrangements classified as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes or other pass through entities (or investors in such entities or arrangements);

 

brokers or dealers in securities or currencies;

 

traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market method of tax accounting for their securities holdings;

 

persons who own, or are deemed to own, more than five percent of our capital stock (except to the extent specifically set forth below);

 

certain former citizens or long-term residents of the United States;

 

persons who hold our Class A common stock as a position in a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction,” or other risk reduction transaction;

 

persons who hold or receive our Class A common stock pursuant to the exercise of any option;

 

persons who do not hold our Class A common stock as a capital asset within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment);

 

persons deemed to sell our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code; or

 

persons subject to special tax accounting rules as a result of any item of gross income with respect to our Class A common stock being taken into account in an “applicable financial statement” as defined in Section 451(b) of the Code.

In addition, if a partnership (or other entity or arrangement classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds our Class A common stock, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership generally will depend on the status of the partner and upon the activities of the partnership. A partner in a partnership that will hold our Class A common stock should consult his, her or its own tax advisor regarding the tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock through a partnership.

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You are urged to consult your tax advisor with respect to the application of the U.S. federal income tax laws to your particular situation, as well as any tax considerations of the purchase, ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock arising under the U.S. federal gift or estate tax rules or under the laws of any U.S. state or local, non-U.S. or other taxing jurisdiction or under any applicable tax treaty.

Non-U.S. Holder Defined

For purposes of this discussion, you are a “non-U.S. holder” if you are a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is neither a partnership nor:

 

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

a corporation or other entity taxable as a corporation created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States or any political subdivision thereof, or otherwise treated as such for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

 

an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source; or

 

a trust (x) whose administration is subject to the primary supervision of a U.S. court and that has one or more U.S. persons who have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (y) that has made a valid election under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person.

Distributions

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we have never declared or paid cash dividends on our Class A common stock, and we do not anticipate paying any dividends on our Class A common stock following the completion of this offering. However, if we do make distributions on our Class A common stock, those payments will constitute dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent paid from our current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles. To the extent those distributions exceed both our current and our accumulated earnings and profits, the excess will constitute a return of capital and will first reduce your basis in our Class A common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain from the sale of stock as described below under “—Gain on Disposition of Class A Common Stock.”

Subject to the discussions below regarding effectively connected income, backup withholding and Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act, or FATCA, withholding, any dividend paid to you generally will be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax either at a rate of 30% of the gross amount of the dividend or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence. In order to receive a reduced treaty rate, you must provide us or the applicable paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or other appropriate version of IRS Form W-8 certifying qualification for the reduced rate. Under applicable Treasury Regulations, we may withhold up to 30% of the gross amount of the entire distribution even if the amount constituting a dividend, as described above, is less than the gross amount. You may obtain a refund of any excess amounts withheld by filing an appropriate claim for refund with the IRS. If you hold our Class A common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on your behalf, you will be required to provide appropriate documentation to the agent, which then will be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries.

Dividends received by you that are treated as effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, that are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States) are generally exempt from the 30% U.S. federal withholding tax, subject to the discussions below regarding backup withholding and FATCA withholding. In order to obtain this exemption, you must provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI or other applicable IRS Form W-8 properly certifying such exemption. Such effectively connected dividends, although not subject to U.S. federal withholding tax, generally are taxed at the U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons, net of certain deductions and credits. In addition, if you are a corporate non-U.S. holder, dividends you receive that are effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business may also be subject to a branch profits tax at a rate of 30% or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty between the United States and your country of residence. You should consult your tax advisor regarding the tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock, including the application of any applicable tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

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Gain on Disposition of Class A Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below regarding backup withholding and FATCA withholding, you generally will not be required to pay U.S. federal income tax on any gain realized upon the sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless:

 

the gain is effectively connected with your conduct of a U.S. trade or business (and, if an applicable income tax treaty so provides, the gain is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base maintained by you in the United States);

 

you are an individual who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the calendar year in which the sale or disposition occurs and certain other conditions are met; or

 

our Class A common stock constitutes a United States real property interest by reason of our status as a “United States real property holding corporation,” or a USRPHC, for U.S. federal income tax purposes at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding your disposition of, or your holding period for, our Class A common stock.

We believe that we are not currently and will not become a USRPHC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and the remainder of this discussion so assumes. However, because the determination of whether we are a USRPHC depends on the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests relative to the fair market value of our U.S. and worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business, there can be no assurance that we will not become a USRPHC in the future. Even if we become a USRPHC, however, as long as our Class A common stock is regularly traded on an established securities market, your Class A common stock will be treated as U.S. real property interests only if you actually (directly or indirectly) or constructively hold more than five percent of our regularly traded common stock at any time during the shorter of the five-year period preceding your disposition of, or your holding period for, our Class A common stock.

If you are a non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above, you generally will be required to pay tax on the gain derived from the sale (net of certain deductions and credits) under U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. persons, and a corporate non-U.S. holder described in the first bullet above also may be subject to the branch profits tax at a 30% rate, or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are an individual non-U.S. holder described in the second bullet above, you will be subject to tax at 30% (or such lower rate specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the gain derived from the sale, which gain may be offset by U.S. source capital losses for the year, provided you have timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. You should consult your tax advisor regarding any applicable income tax or other treaties that may provide for different rules.

Backup Withholding and Information Reporting

Generally, we must report annually to the IRS the amount of dividends paid to you, your name and address and the amount of tax withheld, if any. A similar report will be sent to you. Pursuant to applicable income tax treaties or other agreements, the IRS may make these reports available to tax authorities in your country of residence.

Payments of dividends on or of proceeds from the disposition of our Class A common stock made to you may be subject to backup withholding at the applicable statutory rate unless you establish an exemption, for example, by properly certifying your non-U.S. status on a properly completed IRS Form W-8BEN or W-8BEN-E or another appropriate version of IRS Form W-8. Notwithstanding the foregoing, backup withholding and information reporting may apply if either we or our paying agent has actual knowledge, or reason to know, that you are a U.S. person.

Backup withholding is not an additional tax; rather, the U.S. federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund or credit may generally be obtained from the IRS, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS in a timely manner.

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Additional Withholding Requirements under the Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

FATCA, including sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations and other official IRS guidance issued thereunder, generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on, and the gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of, our Class A common stock, paid to a “foreign financial institution” (as specially defined under these rules), unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to, among other things, withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding the U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity and debt holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are non-U.S. entities with U.S. owners) or otherwise establishes an exemption. FATCA also generally imposes a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on dividends on, and the gross proceeds from a sale or other disposition of, our Class A common stock paid to a “non-financial foreign entity” (as specially defined under these rules) unless such entity provides the withholding agent with a certification identifying the substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity, certifies that it does not have any substantial U.S. owners, or otherwise establishes an exemption.

The withholding obligations under FATCA generally apply to dividends on our Class A common stock and to the payment of gross proceeds of a sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock. However, the U.S. Treasury Department has issued proposed regulations that, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate FATCA withholding on gross proceeds of the sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock (but not on payments of dividends). The preamble of such proposed regulations states that they may be relied upon by taxpayers until final regulations are issued or until such proposed regulations are rescinded. The FATCA withholding tax will apply regardless of whether the payment otherwise would be exempt from withholding tax, including under the exemptions described above. Under certain circumstances, you might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and your country of residence may modify the requirements described in this section. You should consult with your own tax advisors regarding the application of FATCA withholding to your investment in, and ownership and disposition of, our Class A common stock.

The preceding discussion of U.S. federal income tax considerations is for general information only. It is not tax advice to investors in their particular circumstances. You should consult your own tax advisor regarding the particular U.S. federal, state and local and non-U.S. tax considerations of purchasing, owning and disposing of our Class A common stock, including the consequences of any proposed change in applicable laws.

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UNDERWRITING

We and the underwriters named below will enter into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares being offered. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter will severally agree to purchase the number of shares of Class A common stock indicated in the following table. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. are the representatives of the underwriters.

Underwriters

 

Number of Shares

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

 

BofA Securities, Inc.

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

 

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

 

 

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

 

AmeriVet Securities, Inc.

 

 

C.L. King & Associates, Inc.

 

 

Total

 

10,000,000

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional 1,500,000 shares of Class A common stock from us to cover sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than the total number set forth in the table above. They may exercise that option for 30 days from the date of this prospectus. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase 1,500,000 additional shares.

 

 

No Exercise

 

Full Exercise

Per Share

 

$

 

$

Total

 

$

 

$

Shares sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Certain of the underwriters may offer and sell the shares through one or more of their respective affiliates or other registered broker-dealers or selling agents. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $        per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part.

One or more funds advised by Capital World Investors and one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. have, severally but not jointly, indicated an interest in purchasing up to an aggregate of $30 million each ($60 million in the aggregate) in shares of our Class A common stock being offered in this offering at the initial public offering price. As these indications of interest are not binding agreements or commitments to purchase, one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. may determine to purchase more, fewer or no shares in this offering or the underwriters may determine to sell more, fewer or no shares to one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. The underwriters will receive the same discount on any shares of Class A common stock purchased by one or more funds advised by Capital World Investors or one or more funds managed by Franklin Advisers, Inc. as they will on any other shares of Class A common stock sold to the public in this offering.

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Our executive officers, directors and other holders of substantially all of our equity securities, including the concurrent private placement purchasers, have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions detailed below, not to, except with the prior written consent of at least two of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., in their sole discretion (provided that in all cases either Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC so consents), through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus:

 

offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of such common stock, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of such common stock (we refer to such options, warrants or other securities, collectively, as derivative instruments);

 

engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any shares of such common stock or derivative instruments, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of such common stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise; or

 

otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in any of the foregoing.

 

We have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions detailed below, not to, except with the prior written consent of at least two of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., (provided that in all cases either Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC so consents), during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus:

 

offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or publicly file with the SEC a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to, any shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, or any derivative instruments;

 

enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Class A common stock or Class B common stock, or any derivative instruments; or

 

otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in any of the foregoing.

 

The restrictions described in the preceding paragraphs applicable to our executive officers, directors and holders of substantially all of our equity securities are subject to specified exceptions, including transfers of our common stock or derivative instruments:

 

acquired from the underwriters in this offering or in open market transactions after the completion of this offering;

 

as a bona fide gift or charitable contribution, or for bona fide estate planning purposes;

 

to an immediate family member or a trust, partnership, limited liability company or any other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or such immediate family member of the lock-up party;

 

to any beneficiary of or estate of a beneficiary of the lock-up party pursuant to a trust, will, other testamentary document or intestate succession or applicable laws of descent in connection with the death of the lock-up party;

 

by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order of a court (including a divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement) or regulatory agency;

 

to limited partners, general partners, members, stockholders or holders of similar equity interests of the lock-up party, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the lock-up party, or to any affiliates of the lock-up party (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the lock-up party is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor

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partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership, and where the lock-up party is a corporation, to any wholly-owned subsidiary of such corporation);

 

if the lock-up party is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust;

 

to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under the second through the seventh bullets in this paragraph;

 

to us in connection with the repurchase of the lock-up party’s shares in connection with the termination of the lock-up party’s employment with us pursuant to contractual agreements with us;

 

through the disposition or forfeiture of the lock-up party’s shares to us to satisfy any income, employment or tax withholding and remittance obligations of the lock-up party or the employer of the lock-up party in connection with the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other incentive awards settled in shares of such common stock held by the lock-up party; provided that such restricted stock, restricted stock units or other incentive awards were granted under a stock incentive plan, stock purchase plan or pursuant to a contractual employment arrangement described in this prospectus;

 

to us through the exercise of a stock option granted under a stock incentive plan or stock purchase plan or a warrant described in this prospectus by the lock-up party, and the receipt by the lock-up party from us of shares of such common stock upon any such exercise;

 

pursuant to a bona fide third-party tender offer for all of our outstanding common stock, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving a change of control of our company and approved by our board of directors;

 

to us in connection with the conversion of shares of Class B common stock into shares of Class A common stock; and

 

to us in connection with the reclassification, repurchase, redemption, conversion or exchange of our common stock or outstanding preferred stock in connection with the consummation of this offering;

provided that certain of the foregoing exceptions are subject to conditions including those requiring the transferee to execute a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for the remainder of the restricted period and restrictions on public announcements and filings. In addition, the aforementioned lock-up parties may establish a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, so long as such plan does not provide for the transfer of any securities during the 180-day restricted period.

The restrictions described in the preceding paragraphs applicable to us are subject to specified exceptions, including:

 

the sale of the Class A common stock in this offering;

 

the issuance of shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date of this prospectus and described herein;

 

the issuance of Class A common stock upon the conversion of shares of Class B common stock;

 

the issuance of Class A common stock or derivative instruments pursuant to stock plans, employee stock purchase plans and equity incentive plans that are described in this prospectus;

 

the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto with respect to the registration of securities to be offered under any employee benefit plans, equity incentive plans or employee stock purchase plans described in this prospectus;

 

the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Class A common stock; provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Class A common stock during the restricted period, and no public filing, report or announcement is voluntarily made or required during the restricted period;

 

the issuance of warrants or securities underlying such warrants under the JPM warrant agreement;

 

the issuance of Class A common stock to the concurrent private placement purchasers; and

 

the issuance of Class A common stock or derivative instruments in connection with (x) the acquisition by us of the securities, business, technology, property or other assets of another person or entity or pursuant to

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an employee benefit plan assumed by us in connection with such acquisition, or (2) our joint ventures, equipment leasing arrangements, debt financings or other strategic transactions; provided that the aggregate number of shares issued or issuable across one or more transactions may not exceed 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of common stock immediately following this offering;

provided that certain of the foregoing exceptions are subject to conditions including those requiring a recipient of any securities to execute a lock-up agreement with the underwriters for the remainder of the restricted period. We have also agreed to notify Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, BofA Securities, Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. in writing at least five business days prior to any confidential submission with the SEC of a registration statement under the Securities Act relating to our common stock or derivative instruments.

See the section titled “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a discussion of certain transfer restrictions.

Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the shares of our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price will be negotiated among us and the representatives. Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price of the shares, in addition to prevailing market conditions, will be our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of our management and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.

We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PAY.”

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of Class A common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. A “covered short position” is a short position that is not greater than the amount of additional shares for which the underwriters’ option described above may be exercised. The underwriters may cover any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to cover the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option described above. “Naked” short sales are any short sales that create a short position greater than the amount of additional shares for which the option described above may be exercised. The underwriters must cover any such naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Class A common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of Class A common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of the Class A common stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain or otherwise affect the market price of the Class A common stock. As a result, the price of the common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on the New York Stock Exchange, in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of this offering and the concurrent private placement, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions, will be approximately $4.3 million. We will agree to reimburse the underwriters for certain expenses incurred by them in connection with the offering, including up to $55,000 relating to the clearance of this offering with FINRA. We will also agree to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

A prospectus in electronic format may be made available on websites maintained by one or more underwriters, or selling group members, if any, participating in this offering. The representatives may agree to

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allocate a number of our shares to underwriters for sale to their online brokerage account holders. Internet distributions will be allocated by the representatives to underwriters that may make internet distributions on the same basis as other allocations.

Other Relationships

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses.

For example, we are party to the JPM warrant agreement with an affiliate of J.P. Morgan Securities LLC pursuant to which we have agreed to issue warrants for up to 1,000,000 shares of our Class A common stock with an exercise price of $17.50 per share based on the assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth of the cover page of this prospectus. The actual number of shares of Class A common stock issuable pursuant to the JPM warrant agreement is tied to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025 pursuant to a related commercial agreement. The warrant holder will be subject to a 180-day lock-up agreement in favor of the underwriters. The JPM warrant agreement also provides the warrant holder with certain registration rights. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights.” Maximum underwriting compensation in connection with this offering will not exceed 9% of the gross offering proceeds.

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors and employees may purchase, sell or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities and/or instruments of ours (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or persons and entities with relationships with us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities and instruments.

Directed Share Program

At our request, the underwriters have reserved up to 500,000 shares of Class A common stock, or up to 5% of the shares offered by this prospectus, for sale at the initial public offering price through a directed share program to our senior executives and certain individuals associated with AKKR. The sales will be made at our direction by Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and its affiliates through a directed share program. The number of shares of our Class A common stock available for sale to the general public in this offering will be reduced to the extent that such persons purchase such reserved shares. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the underwriters to the general public on the same terms as the other shares of Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. Participants in this directed share program other than our executive officers will not be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters with respect to any shares purchased through the directed share program. Any shares purchased through the directed share program by our executive officers will be subject to the lock-up agreements with the underwriters described above. We have agreed to indemnify Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and its affiliates in connection with the directed share program, including for certain liabilities under the Securities Act. Other than the underwriting discount described on the front cover of this prospectus, the underwriters will not be entitled to any commission with respect to shares of Class A common stock sold pursuant to the directed share program.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each member state of the European Economic Area (each a “Relevant State”), no shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant State

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or, where appropriate, approved in another Relevant State and notified to the competent authority in that Relevant State, all in accordance with the Prospectus Regulation, except that offers of shares may be made to the public in that Relevant State at any time under the following exemptions under the Prospectus Regulation:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under the Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under the Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of representatives; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the Prospectus Regulation or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any shares or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a “qualified investor” within the meaning of Article 2(e) of the Prospectus Regulation. In the case of any shares being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in the Prospectus Regulation, each such financial intermediary will be deemed to have represented, acknowledged and agreed that the shares acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares to the public other than their offer or resale in a Relevant State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters have been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in any Relevant State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares, and the expression “Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129.

United Kingdom

No shares have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the United Kingdom prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, except that the shares may be offered to the public in the United Kingdom at any time:

 

(a)

to any legal entity which is a qualified investor as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation;

 

(b)

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than qualified investors as defined under Article 2 of the UK Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives; or

 

(c)

in any other circumstances falling within Section 86 of the FSMA;

provided that no such offer of the shares shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the UK Prospectus Regulation. For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to the shares in the United Kingdom means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares and the expression “UK Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

Any invitation or inducement to engage in investment activity (within the meaning of Section 21 of the FSMA) in connection with the issue or sale of the shares may only be communicated or caused to be communicated in circumstances in which Section 21(1) of the FSMA does not apply to us.

All applicable provisions of the FSMA must be complied with in respect to anything done by any person in relation to the shares of our common stock in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom.

Switzerland

The shares may not be publicly offered in Switzerland and will not be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (“SIX”) or on any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. This document has been prepared without regard to the disclosure standards for issuance prospectuses under art. 652a or art. 1156 of the Swiss Code of Obligations or the disclosure standards for listing prospectuses under art. 27 ff. of the SIX Listing

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Rules or the listing rules of any other stock exchange or regulated trading facility in Switzerland. Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the shares or the offering may be publicly distributed or otherwise made publicly available in Switzerland.

Neither this document nor any other offering or marketing material relating to the offering, the Company, the shares have been or will be filed with or approved by any Swiss regulatory authority. In particular, this document will not be filed with, and the offer of shares will not be supervised by, the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority FINMA (FINMA), and the offer of shares has not been and will not be authorized under the Swiss Federal Act on Collective Investment Schemes ("CISA"). The investor protection afforded to acquirers of interests in collective investment schemes under the CISA does not extend to acquirers of shares.

Canada

The shares may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions or subsection 73.3(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions, and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the shares must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation, provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with this offering.

Hong Kong

The shares have not been offered or sold and will not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (a) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571) of Hong Kong and any rules made under that Ordinance; or (b) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies Ordinance (Cap. 32) of Hong Kong or which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of that Ordinance. No advertisement, invitation or document relating to the shares has been or may be issued or has been or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue, whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere, which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public of Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made under that Ordinance.

Singapore

This prospectus has not been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person pursuant to Section 275(1), or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A), and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to compliance with conditions set forth in the SFA.

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Where the shares are subscribed for or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is:

 

(a)

a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor; or

 

(b)

a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an individual who is an accredited investor,

shares, debentures and units of shares and debentures of that corporation or the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferred within six months after that corporation or that trust has acquired the shares pursuant to an offer made under Section 275 of the SFA except:

 

(1)

to an institutional investor (for corporations, under Section 274 of the SFA) or to a relevant person defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA, or to any person arising from an offer referred to in Section 275(1A) or Section 276(4)(i)(B) of the SFA;

 

(2)

where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer;

 

(3)

where the transfer is by operation of law;

 

(4)

as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA; or

 

(5)

as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore.

Solely for the purposes of its obligations pursuant to Section 309B of the SFA, we have determined, and hereby notify all relevant persons (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018), that the shares are “prescribed capital markets products” (as defined in the CMP Regulations 2018) and Excluded Investment Products (as defined in MAS Notice SFA 04-N12: Notice on the Sale of Investment Products and MAS Notice FAA-N16: Notice on Recommendations on Investment Products).

Japan

The shares have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Law of Japan (Law No. 25 of 1948, as amended) and, accordingly, will not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan, or for the benefit of any Japanese Person or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to any Japanese Person, except in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and ministerial guidelines promulgated by relevant Japanese governmental or regulatory authorities in effect at the relevant time. For the purposes of this paragraph, “Japanese Person” shall mean any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan.

China

This prospectus will not be circulated or distributed in the PRC and the shares will not be offered or sold, and will not be offered or sold to any person for re-offering or resale directly or indirectly, to any residents of the PRC except pursuant to any applicable laws and regulations of the PRC. Neither this prospectus nor any advertisement or other offering material may be distributed or published in the PRC, except under circumstances that will result in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Australia

No placement document, prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document has been lodged with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (“ASIC”), in relation to the offering. This prospectus does not constitute a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act 2001 (the “Corporations Act”), and does not purport to include the information required for a prospectus, product disclosure statement or other disclosure document under the Corporations Act.

Any offer in Australia of the shares may only be made to persons (the “Exempt Investors”) who are “sophisticated investors” (within the meaning of section 708(8) of the Corporations Act), “professional investors” (within the meaning of section 708(11) of the Corporations Act) or otherwise pursuant to one or more exemptions

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contained in section 708 of the Corporations Act so that it is lawful to offer the shares without disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act.

The shares applied for by Exempt Investors in Australia must not be offered for sale in Australia in the period of 12 months after the date of allotment under the offering, except in circumstances where disclosure to investors under Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act would not be required pursuant to an exemption under section 708 of the Corporations Act or otherwise or where the offer is pursuant to a disclosure document which complies with Chapter 6D of the Corporations Act. Any person acquiring shares must observe such Australian on-sale restrictions.

This prospectus contains general information only and does not take account of the investment objectives, financial situation or particular needs of any particular person. It does not contain any securities recommendations or financial product advice. Before making an investment decision, investors need to consider whether the information in this prospectus is appropriate to their needs, objectives and circumstances, and, if necessary, seek expert advice on those matters.

Dubai International Financial Centre

This prospectus relates to an Exempt Offer in accordance with the Offered Securities Rules of the Dubai Financial Services Authority (“DFSA”). This prospectus is intended for distribution only to persons of a type specified in the Offered Securities Rules of the DFSA. It must not be delivered to, or relied on by, any other person. The DFSA has no responsibility for reviewing or verifying any documents in connection with Exempt Offers. The DFSA has not approved this prospectus nor taken steps to verify the information set forth herein and has no responsibility for the prospectus. The shares to which this prospectus relates may be illiquid and/or subject to restrictions on their resale. Prospective purchasers of the shares offered should conduct their own due diligence on the shares. If you do not understand the contents of this prospectus you should consult an authorized financial advisor.

Brazil

The shares have not been, and will not be, registered with the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários), or the CVM. The shares may not be offered or sold in Brazil, except in circumstances that do not constitute a public offering or unauthorized distribution under Brazilian laws and regulations. The shares are not being offered into Brazil. Documents relating to the offering of the shares, as well as information contained therein, may not be supplied to the public in Brazil, nor be used in connection with any public offer for subscription or sale of the shares to the public in Brazil.

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Concurrent Private Placement

Immediately following the closing of this offering, entities affiliated with AKKR will purchase from us in a private placement an aggregate of $50 million of our Class A common stock at a price per share equal to the initial public offering price. Based on an assumed initial public offering price of $20.00 per share, which is the midpoint of the estimated offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, these AKKR entities will purchase an aggregate of 2,499,998 shares of our Class A common stock. We will receive the full proceeds and will not pay any underwriting discounts or commissions with respect to the shares that are sold in the concurrent private placement. The sale of the shares in the concurrent private placement is contingent upon the completion of this offering. The sale of these shares will not be registered in this offering and will be subject to lock-up agreements with the underwriters for a period of up to 180 days after the date of this prospectus.

LEGAL MATTERS

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C., Seattle, Washington, which has acted as our counsel in connection with this offering, will pass upon the validity of the shares of our Class A common stock being offered by this prospectus. Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, New York, New York, is acting as counsel for the underwriters in connection with this offering.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 and for the two years in the period ended December 31, 2020 included in this prospectus have been so included in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, or PwC, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.

In connection with this offering, PwC completed an independence assessment to evaluate the services and relationships with us and our affiliates that may bear on PwC’s independence under the SEC and the PCAOB independence rules for the audit period commencing January 1, 2019. PwC informed us that its U.S. member firm and certain member firms within PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited, each of which is a separate legal entity, or PwC member firm, held prohibited business relationships with entities that were former and current affiliates under common control by AKKR.

These business relationships, which are not in accordance with the auditor independence standards of Regulation S-X and PCAOB, comprised the following:

 

Commencing prior to 2019 and continuing through July 2019, a PwC member firm established a business relationship with an entity formerly under common control by AKKR for the purpose of co-selling that entity’s spend management software tool.

 

Commencing prior to 2019 and continuing through July 2019, a PwC member firm was engaged by an entity formerly under common control by AKKR for the purpose of assisting that entity’s client implement a procurement software tool.

 

Commencing prior to 2019 and continuing through August 2020, a PwC member firm established a business relationship with an entity under common control by AKKR for the purpose of marketing that entity’s customer relationship management software.

All of these business relationships were terminated prior to the commencement of PwC’s professional engagement period for our consolidated financial statement audits for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

PwC provided an overview of the facts and circumstances surrounding the business relationships to our audit committee and management, including the entities involved, the nature of the business relationships, an approximation of the fees earned related to the business relationships and other relevant factors.

Considering the facts presented, our audit committee and PwC have concluded that the relationships would not impact PwC’s application of objective and impartial judgment on any matters encompassed within the audit engagement performed by PwC for our consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. Furthermore, our audit committee concluded that a reasonable investor with knowledge of the relevant facts and circumstances would reach the same conclusion.

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CHANGES IN INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

On September 4, 2020, we dismissed KPMG LLP as our independent auditors. The decision to change our independent registered public accounting firm was approved by the audit committee of our board of directors.

The audit report of KPMG LLP on our financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, and was not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. KPMG LLP did not audit our consolidated financial statements for any period subsequent to December 31, 2019. The audit reports as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 previously issued have been restated. See the section titled "Risk Factors—Risks Related to Regulation—We identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting in connection with the preparation and audit of our financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, and we may identify additional material weaknesses in the future that may cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations or result in material misstatements of our financial statements. If we fail to remediate any material weaknesses, identify additional material weaknesses, or if we otherwise fail to establish and maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, our ability to accurately and timely report our financial results could be adversely affected.”

During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period through September 4, 2020, we had no disagreements with KPMG LLP on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to its satisfaction, would have caused KPMG LLP to make reference in connection with its report to the subject matter of the disagreement during the audit preceding its dismissal. During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period through September 4, 2020, there were no “reportable events” as such term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K.

We have provided KPMG LLP with a copy of the foregoing disclosures and requested that KPMG LLP furnish us with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether KPMG LLP agrees with the above statements and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of that letter is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

On September 4, 2020, we engaged PwC as our independent registered public accounting firm to re-audit the financial statements as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.

During the two most recent fiscal years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 and the subsequent interim period through September 4, 2020, neither we, nor anyone acting on our behalf, consulted with PwC on matters that involved the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on our financial statements or any of the matters described in Item 304(a)(2)(i) or (ii) of Regulation S-K.

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WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1 under the Securities Act with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock offered by this prospectus. This prospectus constitutes only a part of the registration statement. Some items are contained in exhibits to the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and our Class A common stock, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or document referred to are not necessarily complete. If a contract or document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit. The SEC also maintains an internet website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information about issuers, like us, that file electronically with the SEC.

Immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, we will become subject to the information and reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and, in accordance with this law, will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. We also maintain a website at www.paymentus.com. Upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on our website is not a part of or incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is an inactive textual reference only.

 

 

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INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Consolidated Financial Statements

As of and for the Year Ended December 31, 2019 and 2020

 

 

Page

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

F-2

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020

 

F-3

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020

 

F-4

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020

 

F-5

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020

 

F-6

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2019 AND 2020

 

F-7

 

 

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

F-8

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

As of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021 and
for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2021

 

 

 

Page

Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets as of December 31 2020 AND March 31, 2021 (Unaudited)

 

F-31

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 (Unaudited)

 

F-32

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three months Ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 (Unaudited)

 

F-33

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Stockholder’s Equity FOR THE three months ENDED MARCH 31, 2020 and 2021 (Unaudited)

 

F-34

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 (Unaudited)

 

F-35

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed ConsolidateD Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

F-36

 

 

 

F-1


 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors of Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the related consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for the years then ended, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the years then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Restatement of Previously Issued Financial Statements

As discussed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has restated its 2019 financial statements to correct a misstatement.

Changes in Accounting Principles

As discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for leases in 2020 and the manner in which it accounts for revenue in 2019.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits of these consolidated financial statements in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina

March 22, 2021, except for the effects of the stock split discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is May 13, 2021

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

F-2


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

27,427

 

 

$

46,666

 

Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance of $0 and $100

 

 

19,456

 

 

 

28,034

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

1,909

 

 

 

2,011

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

2,706

 

 

 

3,117

 

Total current assets

 

 

51,498

 

 

 

79,828

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $2,758 and $3,760

 

 

1,477

 

 

 

1,772

 

Capitalized internal-use software development costs, net

 

 

13,070

 

 

 

20,963

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

875

 

 

 

296

 

Goodwill

 

 

13,220

 

 

 

13,205

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

 

 

 

8,322

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

319

 

 

 

270

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

 

 

 

218

 

Total assets

 

$

80,459

 

 

$

124,874

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

2,173

 

 

$

16,825

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

7,218

 

 

 

10,201

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

3,010

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

428

 

 

 

612

 

Income tax payable

 

 

126

 

 

 

463

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

9,945

 

 

 

31,111

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

1,910

 

 

 

3,499

 

Operating leases, net of current portion

 

 

 

 

 

5,476

 

Finance leases and other finance obligations, net of current portion

 

 

 

 

 

412

 

Total liabilities

 

 

11,855

 

 

 

40,498

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A preferred stock - par value $0.01 per share; 50,000 shares authorized; 23,333 shares issued; and 23,013 outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.005 par value per share; 150,000,000 shares authorized; 104,785,651 shares issued; and 103,479,239 outstanding as of December 31, 2019 and 2020

 

 

517

 

 

 

517

 

Treasury stock at cost, 320 Series A preferred shares and 1,306,412 common shares as of December 31, 2019 and 2020

 

 

(579

)

 

 

(579

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

27,181

 

 

 

29,175

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

149

 

 

 

216

 

Retained earnings

 

 

41,336

 

 

 

55,047

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

68,604

 

 

 

84,376

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

80,459

 

 

$

124,874

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-3


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(as restated)

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

161,344

 

 

 

209,140

 

Gross profit

 

 

74,434

 

 

 

92,627

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

17,864

 

 

 

24,510

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

27,989

 

 

 

31,842

 

General and administrative

 

 

10,210

 

 

 

17,847

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

56,063

 

 

 

74,199

 

Income from operations

 

 

18,371

 

 

 

18,428

 

Other income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income, net

 

 

106

 

 

 

52

 

Foreign exchange gain (loss)

 

 

2

 

 

 

(116

)

Income before income taxes

 

 

18,479

 

 

 

18,364

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

(4,782

)

 

 

(4,653

)

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

(4,697

)

 

 

(5,186

)

Net income attributable to common stock

 

$

9,000

 

 

$

8,525

 

Net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.08

 

Diluted

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.08

 

Weighted-average number of shares used to compute net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

103,469,238

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

Diluted

 

 

106,350,473

 

 

 

106,207,883

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-4


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $17 and $0

 

16

 

 

 

67

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

13,713

 

 

$

13,778

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-5


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

Series A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Income

 

 

Equity

 

Balances at December 31, 2018

 

 

22,972

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,380,582

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

25,496

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

27,639

 

 

$

133

 

 

$

53,206

 

Issuance of shares

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

98,657

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,585

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,585

 

Related party loan receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

 

 

 

16

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,697

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

27,181

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

41,336

 

 

$

149

 

 

$

68,604

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,994

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,994

 

Related party loan receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67

 

 

 

67

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,711

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,711

 

Balances at December 31, 2020

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

29,175

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

55,047

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

84,376

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-6


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(In thousands)

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

   activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

6,001

 

 

 

8,069

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,279

 

 

 

1,638

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

1,585

 

 

 

1,994

 

Non-cash lease expense

 

 

 

 

 

2,802

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

 

 

 

100

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of business

   combination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and other receivables

 

 

(5,070

)

 

 

(8,689

)

Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets

 

 

208

 

 

 

840

 

Accounts payable

 

 

(596

)

 

 

14,636

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

2,131

 

 

 

2,759

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

(2,641

)

Contract liabilities

 

 

(323

)

 

 

184

 

Income taxes receivable, net of payable

 

 

(1,401

)

 

 

217

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

17,511

 

 

 

35,620

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business combination, net of cash acquired

 

 

(1,370

)

 

 

(290

)

Other intangible assets acquired

 

 

(1,265

)

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(1,040

)

 

 

(458

)

Capitalized internal-use software development costs

 

 

(10,222

)

 

 

(14,389

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(13,897

)

 

 

(15,137

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common shares

 

 

59

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of Series A preferred shares

 

 

41

 

 

 

 

Payment on debt assumed in acquisitions

 

 

(86

)

 

 

 

Payments on other financing obligations

 

 

(675

)

 

 

(1,035

)

Payments on finance leases

 

 

(196

)

 

 

(323

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(857

)

 

 

(1,358

)

Foreign currency effect on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

36

 

 

 

114

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

2,793

 

 

 

19,239

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 

24,634

 

 

 

27,427

 

End of period

 

$

27,427

 

 

$

46,666

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

4,735

 

 

$

2,891

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and other

   payables

 

$

16

 

 

$

7

 

Business acquisition liability in accrued liabilities

 

 

290

 

 

 

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prepaid insurance funded through short-term borrowings

 

$

860

 

 

$

1,389

 

Property and equipment acquired through finance lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

814

 

Intangibles acquired through other financing obligations

 

 

 

 

 

55

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

F-7


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.

Organization and Description of Business

Description of Business

Paymentus Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Paymentus” or “the Company”) provides electronic bill presentment and payment services, enterprise customer communication and self-service revenue management to customers through a Software-as-a-Service, (“SaaS”), secure, omni-channel technology platform. The platform seamlessly integrates into a biller’s core financial and operating systems to provide flexible and secure access to payment processing of credit cards, debit cards, eChecks and digital wallets across a significant number of channels including online, mobile, IVR, call center, chatbot and voice-based assistants. Paymentus was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 2, 2011 with office locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada), Blacksburg, Virginia, Redmond, Washington and Delhi (India). The Company was headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina until 2020 when the Company moved its headquarters to Redmond, Washington.

2.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

Stock Split

On May 10, 2021, the Company effected a 5-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock. In connection with the forward stock split, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, automatically and without action on the part of the holders, became five shares of common stock. The par value per share of common was not adjusted. All share, per share and related information presented in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, to reflect the impact of the stock split.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Paymentus Group Inc. (Delaware), Paymentus Canada Corporation, Paymentus Corporation (Delaware), Paymentus Acquisition Corp. (Delaware), Tele-Works Inc. and Paxcom India Private Limited (“Paxcom”). All intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to make operating decisions, allocate resources and assess performance. The Company has three operating segments based on geography. The United States segment represents the vast majority of the Company’s consolidated net sales and gross profit. The additional two operating segments, Canada and India, do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting, either individually or in the aggregate. None of the operating segments qualified for aggregation. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on revenue and gross profit. The Company does not analyze discrete segment balance sheet information related to long-term assets. All other financial information is presented on a consolidated basis. For information regarding the Company’s long-lived assets and revenue by geographic area, see Note 15.

F-8


 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates include revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, internal-use software development costs, goodwill, the fair value of the Company’s common stock, stock-based compensation, and accounting for income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and also on assumptions that management considers reasonable. The Company assesses these estimates on a regular basis; however, actual results could differ from these estimates.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. The pandemic is causing major disruptions to businesses and markets worldwide as the virus continues to spread. A number of countries as well as many states and cities within the United States and Canada have enacted temporary closures of businesses, issued quarantine orders and taken other restrictive measures in response to COVID-19. The Company is closely monitoring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented a work from home plan early in the pandemic, with limited individuals allowed in the Company’s office locations.

The actions taken by governments in North America to encourage social distancing and implement quarantine directives resulted in a delay in certain of the Company’s sales cycles as well as delays in certain of the Company’s customer implementation timelines. However, these delays did not affect the Company’s results in any material fashion. There has been no material deterioration in the Company’s financial results even as the pandemic spread further and the number of countries and localities adopting restrictive measures increased. The Company does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have any material effect on the Company’s revenues and financial results, although the magnitude and duration of the ultimate effects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are not possible to predict at this time.

Foreign Currency

The reporting currency of the Company is the United States Dollar. The Company’s foreign subsidiaries use the local currency of their respective countries as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities are translated using the exchange rates at the balance sheet date. Revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates during the period. Equity transactions are translated using historical exchange rates. The effects of foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) or (“AOCI”) as a component of stockholders' equity, and related periodic movements are summarized as a line item in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Gains and losses from the remeasurement of foreign currency transactions into the functional currency are recognized as foreign exchange gain (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Revenue Recognition

The Company generates revenue primarily from payment transaction fees processed through the Company’s platform. The fees are generated as a percentage of transaction value or a specified fee per transaction, with the actual fees dependent on payment type, payment channel or industry vertical. The payment transaction fees are received directly from billers, who absorb the cost, or from customers in the form of a convenience-type fee. Transaction fees are collected for each completed transaction processed through the platform. The Company also earns other revenue, which primarily consists of maintenance revenue and subscription revenue that was inherited by the Company through the past acquisitions. Other revenue represented approximately 1.4% of total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. The Company adopted the requirements of the Accounting Standard Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, Revenues from Contracts with Customers (“Topic 606”) as of January 1, 2019 for all contracts, utilizing the modified retrospective transition method, which resulted in no impact for the cumulative effect of applying the standard.

F-9


 

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of interchange and assessment fees, processing fees and bank settlement fees paid to third-party payment processors and financial institutions, and personnel-related costs associated with the Company’s customer support teams, including salaries, benefits, and bonuses. Cost of revenue also includes an allocation of hosting and datacenter costs for the Company’s infrastructure and platform environment, telecommunication expenses used by sales and customer support teams, a portion of amortization of capitalized internal-use software development costs, and a portion of amortization of intangible assets.

Research and Development Costs

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred, unless they qualify as internal-use software development costs. Research and development expenses consist primarily of personnel-related expenses associated with the Company’s research and development staff, including salaries, benefits, stock-based compensation and bonuses.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are expensed as incurred and are included in sales and marketing expenses in the consolidated statement of operations. These costs were $0.2 million and $0.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Income Taxes

The Company is subject to income taxes in the United States and numerous foreign jurisdictions. Significant judgment is required in determining its provision for income taxes and deferred tax assets and liabilities, including evaluating uncertainties in the application of accounting principles and complex tax laws.

The Company records a provision for income taxes for the anticipated tax consequences of the reported results of operations using the asset and liability method. Under this method, the Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the expected future tax consequences of temporary differences between the carrying amounts for financial reporting purposes and the tax bases of assets and liabilities, as well as for loss and tax credit carryforwards. The deferred assets and liabilities are measured using the statutorily enacted tax rates anticipated to be in effect when those tax assets and liabilities are expected to be realized or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the period that includes the enactment date.

A valuation allowance is established if, based upon the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company considers all available evidence, both positive and negative, including historical levels of income, expectations and risks associated with estimates of future taxable income in assessing the need for a valuation allowance.

The Company’s tax positions are subject to income tax audits by multiple tax jurisdictions throughout the world. The Company recognizes the tax benefit of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not the position will be sustainable upon examination by the taxing authority, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes. This evaluation is based on all available evidence and assumes that the tax authorities have full knowledge of all relevant information concerning the tax position. The tax benefit recognized is measured as the largest amount of benefit which is more likely than not (greater than 50% likely) to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the taxing authority. The Company recognizes interest accrued and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in income tax expense. The Company makes adjustments to these reserves in accordance with the income tax guidance when facts and circumstances change, such as the closing of a tax audit or the refinement of an estimate. To the extent that the final tax outcome of these matters is different from the amounts recorded, such differences will affect the provision for income taxes in the period in which such determination is made and could have a material impact on the Company’s financial condition and operating results.

F-10


 

Stock-based Compensation

The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all stock option awards granted to employees based on the estimated fair value of the awards on the grant date of the award. The Company estimates grant date fair value using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The determination of the grant-date fair value using an option-pricing model is affected by the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock as well as assumptions regarding a number of other complex and subjective variables. These variables include expected stock price volatility over the expected term of the award, actual and projected employee stock option exercise behaviors, the risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the award, and expected dividends. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight‑line basis over the employee requisite service period, which is the stated vesting period of the award, provided that total compensation cost recognized at least equals the pro rata value of the awards that have vested. Forfeitures are accounted for in the period in which they occur. Substantially all compensation expense related to share-based awards is recorded as a component of general and administrative expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid investments with original or remaining maturities of three months or less when purchased to be cash equivalents, which are composed of primarily bank deposits and government issued securities.

Custodial Accounts

The Company has established a relationship with its merchant processors to act as collection and paying agents, whereby a merchant processor receives funds from customers and forwarding such funds to the respective Paymentus client, based on the instructions received from the Company. These merchant processors act as custodians of the cash received and the Company has no legal ownership rights to the funds held in such custodial accounts and does not control the use of these funds. As the Company does not take ownership of the funds, these custodial accounts are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The balance of cash in the custodial accounts held by these merchant processors was $0.5 million and $20.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with high-quality financial institutions with investment-grade ratings. For accounts receivable, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers to the extent of the amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for either of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, and one customer accounted for 13% of accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2019. No customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Fair Value Measurements

The Company utilizes valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs to the extent possible. The Company determines fair value based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability in the principal or most advantageous market. When considering market participant assumptions in fair value measurements, the following fair value hierarchy distinguishes between observable and unobservable inputs, which are categorized in one of the following levels:

 

Level 1 inputs - unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities accessible to the reporting entity at the measurement date;

 

Level 2 inputs - other than quoted prices included in Level 1 inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the asset or liability; and

F-11


 

 

Level 3 inputs - unobservable inputs for the asset or liability used to measure fair value to the extent that observable inputs are not available, thereby allowing for situations in which there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability at the measurement date.

The carrying amounts reflected in the consolidated balance sheets for accounts receivable, and accounts payable approximate their respective fair values due to the short maturities of those instruments.

Accounts and Other Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses

Accounts receivable are recorded at invoiced amounts and do not bear interest. The Company will evaluate its accounts receivable portfolio to determine if an allowance for credit losses is necessary. The development of the allowance for credit losses is based on an expected loss model that considers reasonable and supportable forecasts of future conditions and a review of past due amounts, historical write-off and recovery experience. Past due balances over 90 days and over a specified amount are reviewed individually for collectability and all other balances are reviewed as a portfolio. Account balances are charged off against the allowance after all means of collection have been exhausted and the potential for recovery is considered remote. The Company does not have any off‑balance sheet exposure related to its customers. Other receivables included $5.0 million and $2.4 million in rebates related to interchange fees for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

The changes in the allowance for credit losses were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allowance for credit losses at beginning of period

 

 

$

 

Charge-offs

 

 

 

 

Recoveries

 

 

 

 

Provision for credit losses

 

 

 

100

 

Allowance for credit losses at end of period

 

 

$

100

 

Internal-use Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes qualifying internal-use software development costs related to its platform. The costs consist of personnel costs (including related benefits) that are incurred during the application development stage. Capitalization of costs begins when two criteria are met: (1) the preliminary project stage is completed, and (2) it is probable that the software will be completed and used for its intended function. Capitalization ceases when the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, including the completion of all significant testing. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation operating activities are expensed as incurred. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the Company capitalized $10.2 million and $14.4 million in software development costs, respectively.

Capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, which management estimated to be a range of three to five years, and are recorded on a straight-line basis, which represents the manner in which the expected benefit will be derived. Amortization expense is recorded in cost of revenue and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations aligned with the internal organizations that are the primary beneficiaries of such assets. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the Company recorded $2.0 million and $3.5 million of amortization expense in cost of revenue, and $2.0 million and $3.0 million of amortization expense in operating expenses, respectively.

F-12


 

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net is stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the related asset as follows:

Computer equipment

 

3 years

Furniture and fixtures

 

5 years

Automobile

 

5 years

Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of estimated useful life or the remaining lease term. Expenses that improve an asset or extend its remaining useful life are capitalized. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of, and the related accumulated depreciation, is removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. Costs of maintenance or repairs that do not extend the lives of the respective assets are expensed as incurred.

Business Combination

The purchase price of an acquisition is allocated to the tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the acquisition dates. The excess of total consideration over the fair values of the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. During the measurement period, which may be up to one year from the acquisition date, the Company may record adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed with the corresponding offset to goodwill. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or final determination of the values of assets acquired or liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments would be recorded in the consolidated statements of operations.

Impairment of Long-lived Assets (Including Goodwill and Intangible Assets)

Long-lived assets with finite lives include property and equipment, capitalized internal-use software development costs, and acquired intangible assets. The Company evaluates long-lived assets, including acquired intangible assets and capitalized internal-use software development costs, for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets held and used is measured by comparison of the carrying amount of an asset or an asset group to estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or asset group. If the carrying amount of an asset exceeds these estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeds the fair value of the asset or asset group.

Goodwill is not amortized but rather tested at the reporting unit level for impairment at least annually in the fourth quarter, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that goodwill may be impaired. The Company has three reporting units. Goodwill impairment is recognized when the quantitative assessment results in the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeding its fair value, in which case an impairment charge is recorded to goodwill to the extent the carrying value exceeds the fair value, limited to the amount of goodwill. See Note 7 for more information regarding the carrying value of goodwill by reporting unit.

In performing this qualitative assessment, the Company considers the following circumstances as well as others:

 

Changes in general macroeconomic conditions such as a deterioration in general economic conditions; limitations on accessing capital; or other developments in equity and credit markets;

 

Changes in industry and market conditions such as a deterioration in the environment in which the Company operates; an increased competitive environment; a decline in market-dependent multiples or metrics (in both absolute terms and relative to peers); a change in the market for an entity’s products or services; or a regulatory or political development;

F-13


 

 

Changes in cost factors that have a negative effect on earnings and cash flows;

 

Decline in overall financial performance (for both actual and expected performance); and

 

Recent implied valuation resulting from equity transactions and third-party valuations.

The Company completed its annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2020 using a qualitative assessment. The Company did not recognize any impairment of goodwill during the years ended December 31, 2019 or 2020.

Leases

On January 1, 2020, the Company adopted Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) No. 842, Leases, on a modified retrospective basis. Under this transition method, the Company did not recast the prior period financial statements presented. Financial information related to periods prior to adoption are as originally reported under ASC 840, Leases.

At January 1, 2020, the Company recorded operating lease right-of-use (“ROU”) assets and operating lease liabilities of $3.4 million. The adoption of the standard did not have a material impact on the Company’s stockholders’ equity, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company classifies leases as either operating or financing at inception and as necessary at modification. Leased assets represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent its obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. The Company does not obtain and control its right to use the identified asset until the lease commencement date. Although it may have a right and an obligation to exchange lease payments for a leased asset from the date of inception, the Company is unlikely to have an obligation to make lease payments before the asset is made available for use; therefore, lease classification, recognition, and measurement are determined at the lease commencement date.

The new standard provides several optional practical expedients in transition. The Company elected the package of three practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which eliminates the requirement to reassess whether a contract contains a lease and lease classification. The Company also elected the use of hindsight in determining the relevant lease terms for use in the capitalization of the operating lease liability.

The Company has also made accounting policy elections, including a short-term lease exception policy, permitting the Company to not apply the recognition requirements of this standard to short-term leases (i.e., leases with expected terms of 12 months or less), and an accounting policy to account for lease and certain non-lease components as a single component for certain classes of assets other than computer equipment leases. For computer equipment leases, the Company has agreements with lease and non-lease components, which are accounted for separately. For these agreements, lease payments are allocated between the lease and non-lease components based on the relative stand-alone price of these components.

The Company has leases for office facilities, computer equipment, and data centers. The Company’s leases have remaining initial lease terms of less than one year to approximately ten years, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 4 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases.

Operating leases are included in operating lease ROU assets, and operating lease liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Operating lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at the lease commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As the Company’s leases do not provide an implicit rate, the Company uses the incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at the commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate is the rate of interest that the Company would have to pay to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over a similar term and in a similar economic environment. The operating lease ROU asset also includes any initial direct costs, lease

F-14


 

payments made prior to lease commencement, and lease incentives received. The Company’s lease terms are the noncancelable period including any rent-free periods provided by the lessor and may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that it will exercise that option. At lease inception, and upon modification or remeasurement, the Company estimates the lease term based on its assessment of extension and termination options that are reasonably certain to be exercised. Lease cost for lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.

Leased property under finance leases are included in property and equipment, net. Finance lease liabilities are included within accrued liabilities, and finance lease and other finance obligations, net of current portion on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. Property and equipment under finance leases is generally amortized over the lease term and is included in general and administrative expenses. The interest on the finance lease liabilities is included in interest income, net.

Judgment is required when determining whether any of the Company’s data center contracts contain a lease. The Company concluded a lease exists when the asset is specifically identifiable, substantially all the economic benefit of the asset is obtained, and the right to direct the use of the asset exists during the term of the lease.

Treasury Stock

The Company accounts for treasury stock acquisitions using the cost method. The Company accounts for the retirement of treasury stock by deducting its par value from common stock or Series A preferred stock and reflecting any excess of cost over par value as a deduction from additional paid-in capital in the consolidated balance sheets.

Accounting Pronouncements

The Company is provided the option to adopt new or revised accounting guidance as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) either (1) within the same periods as those otherwise applicable to public business entities, or (2) within the same time periods as non-public business entities, including early adoption when permissible. With the exception of standards the Company elected to early adopt, when permissible, the Company has elected to adopt new or revised accounting guidance within the same time period as non-public business entities, as indicated below.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (“Topic 842”) (“ASU 2016-02”). The standard requires lessees to recognize the assets and liabilities that arise from leases on the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 requires the recognition on the balance sheet of a lease liability to make lease payments by lessees and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. The new guidance will also require significant additional disclosure about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows from leases. The new lease guidance is effective for periods beginning after December 15, 2018 for public entities and January 1, 2021 for non-public companies. The Company early adopted this standard beginning January 1, 2020, using the modified retrospective approach as discussed above. For additional information, see Note 8 – Leases.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (“Topic 326”): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which requires a financial asset measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected, with further clarifications made more recently. For trade receivables, loans, and other financial instruments, the Company will be required to use a forward-looking expected loss model rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses which reflects losses that are probable. This guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

F-15


 

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU No. 2018-15, Intangibles—Goodwill and Other—Internal-Use Software, which aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software (and hosting arrangements that include an internal-use software license). This guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company adopted this guidance on January 1, 2020. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (“Topic 740”): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating some exceptions to the general approach in ASC 740, Income Taxes in order to reduce cost and complexity of its application. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

3.

Restatement of Previously Issued Consolidated Financial Statements

The Company has restated its previously issued consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 to correct for the misstatement of its undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock, which resulted in the misstatement of net income attributable to common stock and net income per share attributable to common stock. Specifically, the Company incorrectly calculated its 2019 net income per share attributable to common stock due to the erroneous inclusion of cumulative undeclared dividends on the Series A preferred stock instead of only those undeclared dividends applicable to 2019. Such errors had no net impact to the Company’s previously issued consolidated net income, financial position or cash flows. In connection with the restatement of the consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 for the item noted above, the Company has also corrected for the misclassification of $2.7 million of costs recorded as sales and marketing expenses instead of as reductions to revenue. The adjustments to net income per share attributable to common stock and revenue also affected certain notes to the consolidated financial statements, and conforming changes have been made to Notes 4, 5 and 15, and elsewhere within these statements as applicable.

The effects of the restatement on the line items within the Company’s consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2019 are as follows (in thousands except share and per share data):

 

 

Year Ended December 31, 2019

 

 

 

As Previously Reported

 

 

Adjustment

 

 

As Restated

 

Revenue

 

$

238,457

 

 

$

(2,679

)

 

$

235,778

 

Gross profit

 

 

77,113

 

 

 

(2,679

)

 

 

74,434

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

30,668

 

 

 

(2,679

)

 

 

27,989

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

58,742

 

 

 

(2,679

)

 

 

56,063

 

Net income

 

 

13,697

 

 

 

 

 

 

13,697

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

(26,937

)

 

 

22,240

 

 

 

(4,697

)

Net (loss) income attributable to common stock

 

 

(13,240

)

 

 

22,240

 

 

 

9,000

 

Net (loss) income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

(0.13

)

 

 

0.22

 

 

 

0.09

 

Diluted

 

 

(0.13

)

 

 

0.21

 

 

 

0.08

 

Weighted-average number of shares used to compute net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

103,469,238

 

 

 

 

 

 

103,469,238

 

Diluted

 

 

103,469,238

 

 

 

2,881,235

 

 

 

106,350,473

 

 

F-16


 

4.

Revenue

Pursuant to ASC 606, the Company evaluates the services promised in contracts with customers at contract inception, and identifies a performance obligation for each promise to transfer a service that is distinct. For the payment transaction services, the promise to the customer is that the Company stands ready to process payment transactions the customer requests on a daily basis over the contract term. Since the timing and quantity of transactions to be processed by Paymentus is not determinable, the Company views payment services to comprise an obligation to stand ready to process as many transactions as the customer requests. Under a stand-ready obligation, the evaluation of the nature of a performance obligation is focused on each time increment rather than the underlying activities. Therefore, the Company views payment services to comprise a series of distinct days of service that are substantially the same and have the same pattern of transfer to the customer. Accordingly, the promise to stand ready is accounted for as a single-series performance obligation.

ASC 606 requires that the Company determines for each customer arrangement whether revenue should be recognized at a point in time or over time. Substantially all of the Company’s revenues are recognized over time. The majority of the payment transaction services are priced as a percentage of transaction value or a specified fee per transaction. Given the nature of the promise based on unknown quantities or outcomes of services to be performed over the contract term, the total consideration is determined to be variable consideration. The variable consideration for the Company’s payment service is usage-based and, therefore, it specifically relates to the Company’s efforts to satisfy its payment services obligation. The variability is satisfied each day the service is provided to the customer. The Company directly assigns variable fees to the distinct day of service to which it relates, by considering the services performed each day. Therefore, Paymentus measures revenue for its payment service on a daily basis based on the services that are performed on that day and recognizes revenue once the transaction is complete.

Customer contracts are usually open-ended and can be terminated by either party without a termination penalty after the notice period has lapsed. Some of the contracts include tiered pricing, based primarily on volume. The fee charged per transaction is adjusted up or down if the volume processed for a specified period is different from prior period defined volumes. The Company has concluded that this volume-based pricing approach does not constitute a future material right since the discount is within a range typically offered to a class of customers with similar volume.

The Company recognizes fees charged to customers primarily on a gross basis as transaction revenue when the Company is the principal in respect of completing a payment transaction. In order to provide payment services, the Company routes and clears each transaction through the applicable payment network. The Company obtains authorization for the transaction and requests funds settlement from the card issuing financial institution through the payment network. When third parties are involved in the transfer of goods or services to customers, the Company considers the nature of each specific promised good or service and applies judgment to determine whether the Company controls the good or service before it is transferred to the customer or whether the Company is acting as an agent of the third party. To determine whether or not the Company controls the good or service before it is transferred to the customer, the Company assesses indicators including whether the Company or the third party is primarily responsible for fulfillment and which party has discretion in determining pricing for the good or service, as well as other considerations. Based on an assessment of these indicators, the Company has concluded that the Company bears primary responsibility for the fulfillment of the payment service, contracts directly with customers, controls the product specifications, and defines the value proposal from the Company’s services. The Company therefore bears full margin risk when completing a payment transaction, and on that basis, controls those services prior to being transferred to the customer. The interchange fees charged by the card issuing financial institutions and the fees charged by the payment networks are recognized as transaction expense within cost of revenue in the consolidated statements of operations.

ASC 606 requires disclosure of the aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to unsatisfied performance obligations. As permitted by ASC 606, the Company has elected to exclude from this disclosure any contracts with an original duration of one year or less and any variable consideration that meets specified criteria. As described above, most significant performance obligations consist of

F-17


 

variable consideration under a stand-ready series of distinct days of service. Such variable consideration meets the specified criteria for the disclosure exclusion; therefore, the majority of the aggregate amount of transaction price that is allocated to performance obligations that have not yet been satisfied is variable consideration that is not required for this disclosure.

Contract Balances

The Company does not have any capitalized contract costs as the Company’s sales compensation paid to the sales force is earned based on the margins earned from the contract over the contract term, contingent on continued employment with the Company by the salesperson. Sales commissions tied to key operating metrics other than new sales, are not considered incremental costs of obtaining a customer and are expensed in the same period as they are earned. The Company records commission expense within sales and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company has an immaterial amount of contract liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets related to legacy contracts obtained from prior acquisitions associated with the Company’s insignificant other revenue stream.

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Payment transaction processing revenue

 

$

232,379

 

 

$

297,494

 

Other

 

 

3,399

 

 

 

4,273

 

Total revenue

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

 

5.

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Common Stock

Basic net income per share attributable to common stock is computed by deducting the undeclared dividends on the Series A preferred shares from net income to arrive at net income attributable to common stock and dividing net income attributable to common stock for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share attributable to common stock is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents to the extent they are dilutive. The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected in diluted net income per share attributable to common stock by application of the treasury stock method. The calculation of diluted net income per share attributable to common stock excludes all anti-dilutive common shares.

F-18


 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common stock (in thousands except share and per share data):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

13,697

 

 

$

13,711

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

(4,697

)

 

 

(5,186

)

Net income attributable to common stock

 

$

9,000

 

 

$

8,525

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares of common stock - basic

 

 

103,469,238

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

Dilutive effect of equity incentive awards

 

 

2,881,235

 

 

 

2,728,644

 

 

 

 

106,350,473

 

 

 

106,207,883

 

Net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.09

 

 

$

0.08

 

Diluted

 

 

0.08

 

 

 

0.08

 

The Company did not have any securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share attributable to common stock calculations for the periods presented as all options outstanding were considered to be dilutive.

6.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Computer equipment

 

 

$

3,099

 

 

$

4,368

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

 

948

 

 

 

976

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

183

 

Automobile

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

4,235

 

 

 

5,532

 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

(2,758

)

 

 

(3,760

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

$

1,477

 

 

$

1,772

 

Depreciation and amortization expense recorded for property and equipment was $0.6 million and $1.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. Property and equipment includes $0.9 million and $0.8 million of assets acquired through finance leases as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively. These leased assets are included in the computer equipment category in the table above.

7.

Acquisitions, Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Acquisitions

Paxcom

On February 7, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of Paxcom, by acquiring all of the outstanding shares for a total purchase price of approximately $1.2 million, consisting of cash consideration. The Company acquired Paxcom for access to its workforce, and to expand geographically. As part the purchase agreement, $0.3 million of the purchase price was recorded as a holdback and is included within accrued liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2019. The holdback was released and paid in August 2020. The allocation of the purchase price resulted in approximately $0.3 million in acquired software, net working capital of $0.1 million, net of $0.1 million of

F-19


 

assumed debt and goodwill of $0.8 million, which is attributable to expected growth opportunities, an assembled workforce and synergies expected to arise from the acquisition. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for income tax purposes. In connection with this acquisition, the Company incurred approximately $0.1 million of transaction fees.

Paxcel Technologies Private Limited

Paxcom, a subsidiary of the Company, entered into an asset purchase agreement with Paxcel Technologies Private Limited, (“Paxcel”), which was partially owned by an employee of Paymentus, on October 10, 2019 for a total purchase price of $0.5 million, consisting of cash consideration. The Company purchased Paxcel for access to its workforce, and to expand geographically. The Company allocated $0.5 million to goodwill, which is attributable to the expected growth opportunities, an assembled workforce and synergies expected to arise from the acquisition. The Company does not expect goodwill to be deductible for income tax purposes.

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

United

States

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

11,492

 

 

$

398

 

 

$

11,890

 

Goodwill acquired

 

 

811

 

 

 

500

 

 

 

1,311

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

19

 

 

 

19

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

 

12,303

 

 

 

917

 

 

 

13,220

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

(15

)

 

 

(15

)

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

$

12,303

 

 

$

902

 

 

$

13,205

 

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Useful Life

(Years)

 

Technology

 

$

7,570

 

 

$

(7,165

)

 

$

405

 

 

 

7.0

 

License

 

 

2,611

 

 

 

(2,411

)

 

 

200

 

 

 

1.0

 

Customer relationship

 

 

6,771

 

 

 

(6,771

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software

 

 

502

 

 

 

(232

)

 

 

270

 

 

 

3.0

 

Non-compete

 

 

325

 

 

 

(325

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark

 

 

200

 

 

 

(200

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

17,979

 

 

$

(17,104

)

 

$

875

 

 

 

 

 

F-20


 

 

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Useful Life

(Years)

 

Technology

 

$

7,579

 

 

$

(7,460

)

 

$

119

 

 

 

7.0

 

License

 

 

2,652

 

 

 

(2,652

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationship

 

 

6,782

 

 

 

(6,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software

 

 

532

 

 

 

(355

)

 

 

177

 

 

 

3.0

 

Non-compete

 

 

330

 

 

 

(330

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark

 

 

200

 

 

 

(200

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

18,075

 

 

$

(17,779

)

 

$

296

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $1.4 million and $0.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

As of December 31, 2020, future amortization expense is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

2021

 

$

145

 

2022

 

 

67

 

2023

 

 

36

 

2024

 

 

36

 

2025

 

 

12

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

Total future amortization expense

 

$

296

 

 

8.

Leases

The Company enters into operating and finance leases, primarily related to rental of office space, equipment and data centers. Both operating and finance leases have remaining lease terms which range from less than one year to ten years, and often include one or more renewal or termination options. These options are not included in the determination of the lease term at commencement unless it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option.

The components of lease cost were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

3,026

 

Finance lease cost

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

302

 

Interest on finance lease liabilities

 

 

23

 

Total finance lease cost

 

 

325

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

345

 

Total lease cost

 

$

3,696

 

F-21


 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows for operating leases

 

$

2,652

 

Operating cash flows for finance lease

 

 

23

 

Financing cash flows for finance leases

 

 

323

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange of operating lease obligations

 

$

7,678

 

Property and equipment obtained in exchange of finance lease obligations

 

 

814

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term and discount rate for the Company’s leases were as follows:

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

6.7

 

Finance leases

 

 

2.2

 

Weighted-average discount rate

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

2.98

%

Finance leases

 

 

3.24

%

The total remaining lease payments under non-cancelable operating and finance leases as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

Finance Leases

 

 

2021

 

 

$

3,058

 

 

$

269

 

 

2022

 

 

 

1,435

 

 

 

269

 

 

2023

 

 

 

568

 

 

 

105

 

 

2024

 

 

 

557

 

 

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

565

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

3,032

 

 

 

 

Total lease payments

 

 

$

9,215

 

 

$

643

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

 

(729

)

 

 

(23

)

Total lease liabilities

 

 

$

8,486

 

 

$

620

 

Operating lease payments presented above exclude $2.8 million of legally-binding lease commitments for a lease signed but not yet commenced as of December 31, 2020. This operating lease will commence in 2021 with a lease term of ten years.

F-22


 

Future minimum lease payments for capital and operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2019, prior to the adoption of new lease accounting guidance as described in Note 2, were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

Capital Leases

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

2020

 

 

$

117

 

 

$

2,274

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,180

 

 

2022

 

 

 

 

 

 

650

 

 

2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Minimum Payments

 

 

$

117

 

 

$

5,104

 

Less amounts representing interest

 

 

 

(5

)

 

 

 

 

Present value of capital lease obligations

 

 

$

112

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Payroll and employee-related expenses

 

$

5,344

 

 

$

6,474

 

Finance leases and other financing obligations

 

 

627

 

 

 

1,132

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

1,247

 

 

 

2,595

 

 

 

$

7,218

 

 

$

10,201

 

Finance leases and other financing obligations includes the current portion of finance leases related to the acquisition of computer equipment and short-term insurance premium financing arrangements. Prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Such reclassifications did not affect the total amount of accrued liabilities.

10.

Commitments and Contingencies

Other Commitments

The Company has entered into certain non-cancellable agreements for software and marketing services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum services to be used, pricing provisions and the approximate timing of the transaction. Obligations under contracts that are cancellable or with remaining terms of 12 months or less are not included.

Future minimum payments under other non-cancellable agreements as of December 31, 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

 

$

1,815

 

 

2022

 

 

 

1,160

 

 

2023

 

 

 

318

 

 

2024

 

 

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,293

 

F-23


 

401(k) Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering all eligible U.S. employees. Contributions to the 401(k) plan are discretionary. The Company did not make any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

Legal Matters

The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company believes that none of its current legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as of and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020.

Indemnification

The Company enters into indemnification provisions under agreements with other parties in the ordinary course of business, including business partners, investors, contractors, customers, and the Company’s officers, directors, and certain employees. The Company has agreed to indemnify and defend the indemnified party claims and related losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party from actual or threatened third-party claims due to the Company’s activities or non-compliance with obligations or representations made by the Company. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification provisions due to the Company’s limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular provision.

11.

Related Party Transactions

Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to the Company’s business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in the best interest of the Company.

On September 6, 2011, the Company issued a loan to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for $0.8 million at an interest rate of 2% per annum. The Company recorded the principal amount of $0.8 million as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity. The Chief Executive Officer and an entity affiliated with him have pledged 805 shares of the Company's Series A preferred shares and 1,788,205 common shares as security for the loan. The loan principal and interest are due and payable on September 6, 2026. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the Company recognized an immaterial amount of interest income relating to the loan. At December 31, 2020, the Company had recorded a receivable for accrued interest of $0.2 million, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company had a sub-lease agreement with an affiliated entity, where the Company leased office space. This agreement was terminated on August 31, 2019. Rent expense recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019 was $0.2 million, which is included in general and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

The wife of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer serves as a vice president for the Company. She received aggregate compensation, inclusive of her base salary and bonus, of $0.2 million for her employment with the Company for both of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. In addition, the son of a member of the Company’s board of directors serves as a vice president of the Company and he received aggregate compensation, inclusive of his base salary and bonus, of $0.2 million and $0.3 million for his employment with the Company for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively.

F-24


 

12.

Equity

Series A Preferred Stock

During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company issued 41 Series A preferred shares of the Company at a price of $1,000 per share. For further discussion, see Equity Sale as described below.

Dividends

Holders of the Series A preferred shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of 10% per annum, subject to board approval. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, the Series A preferred shares had accumulated dividends of $26.9 million and $32.1 million, respectively. These dividends had not been declared by the Board of Directors and, therefore, no liability has been reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 or 2020. The Series A preferred shares are not entitled to participate in any dividends or other distributions paid on the common stock.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each holder of Series A preferred shares shall be entitled to be paid, before any distribution or payment to the common stockholders, an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation value of $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As of December 31, 2020, the total liquidation amount would have been $55.1 million, consisting of aggregate liquidation value of $23.0 million and unpaid cumulative dividends of $32.1 million. The holders of Series A preferred shares are not entitled to any further payment with respect to such Series A preferred shares. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Company's assets to be distributed among the holders of the Series A preferred shares are insufficient, then the entire assets available shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among such holders based on the aggregate liquidation value of the Series A preferred shares held by such holders.

Voting

The Series A preferred shares have no voting rights.

Classification

The Series A preferred stock is contingently redeemable upon ordinary liquidation events of the Company. The Series A preferred stock is not mandatorily redeemable and does not contemplate any other deemed liquidation events that would constitute a redemption event outside of the Company’s control. The Company reviewed the guidance under ASC 480, and Accounting Series Release No. 268 (“ASR 268”) that requires preferred securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets be classified outside of permanent equity if the security meets certain requirements. Under ASC 480, ordinary liquidation events do not result in the instrument being subject to ASR 268, therefore all shares of the Series A preferred stock have been presented as permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

Common Stock

The Company has one class of common stock. Each holder of common stock has the right to one vote per share and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders' meeting in accordance with the bylaws of the Company, and shall be entitled to vote upon matters and in such manner as may be provided by law. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive any dividends as may be declared or paid from time to time by the board of directors and will participate in such dividends ratably on a per-share basis. The rights of common stockholders to receive dividends are subject to the rights of the holders of Series A preferred stock. In addition, subject to the provisions of the preferred stock, the holders of the common shares shall be entitled to participate ratably on a per-share basis in all distributions to the holders of common stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. No dividends have been declared or paid since inception.

F-25


 

Equity Sale

On February 7, 2019, the Company authorized the issuance of 41 shares of preferred stock and 98,657 shares of common stock to an employee of the Company for a total aggregate purchase price of $0.1 million. As noted above, the preferred shares were issued at fair value. The common shares were issued at $0.60 per share, which represented a significant discount to fair value, of $0.8 million on issuance date. As noted in the investment agreement, the shares vest only upon liquidation, dissolution or wind up of the Company, or upon termination without cause from the Company, whereby the repurchase price for each share will be equal to the fair value as of separation date. The Company will recognize the expense at the time vesting occurs, as the Company cannot reasonably conclude on the probability and timing of when the vesting condition will be met.

13.

Stock-Based Compensation

In 2012, the Company adopted a stock-based compensation plan (“the Plan”) pursuant to which the Company's Board of Directors may grant stock options to officers and key employees. To date, the Company has only granted stock options that are settled in shares. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company amended the Plan to authorize grants to purchase up to 14,000,000 shares of authorized but unissued common stock. Stock options can be granted with an exercise price less than, equal to or greater than the stock's fair value at the date of grant. All awards have 10-year terms and have vesting periods that are determined at the date of grant.

At December 31, 2020, there were 1,620,395 remaining options available for the Company to grant under the Plan. The grant date fair value of each option awarded is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company currently uses authorized and unissued shares to satisfy share award exercises.

A summary of the Company’s option activity during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

per Share

 

 

Life (years)

 

 

Value

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2018

 

 

3,489,340

 

 

$

0.05

 

 

 

4.72

 

 

$

1,922

 

Options granted

 

 

3,428,620

 

 

 

8.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(3,665

)

 

 

0.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2019

 

 

6,914,295

 

 

$

4.32

 

 

 

6.46

 

 

$

30,016

 

Options granted

 

 

610,500

 

 

 

8.66

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(15,585

)

 

 

1.00

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

 

7,509,210

 

 

$

4.68

 

 

 

5.80

 

 

$

36,580

 

Exercisable at December 31, 2020

 

 

4,751,660

 

 

$

2.40

 

 

 

4.19

 

 

$

33,986

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020, was $2.59 and $3.71, respectively. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock.

F-26


 

The fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the Plan:

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

Dividend yield

 

 

0.0

%

 

 

0.0

%

 

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

2.3

%

 

0.3 % - 0.4%

 

 

Expected term (in years)

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

 

Expected volatility

 

 

29.0

%

 

 

50.0

%

 

The determination of the fair value of stock options on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option-pricing model is affected by the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock, as well as assumptions regarding a number of variables that are complex, subjective and generally require significant judgment to determine. The valuation assumptions were determined as follows:

Expected Term

The expected life of options granted to employees in 2019 and 2020 was determined by using management’s best estimation of exercise activity.

Risk-Free Interest Rate

The Company utilizes a risk-free interest rate in the option valuation model based on U.S. Treasury zero-coupon issues, with remaining terms similar to the expected term of the options.

Expected Volatility

As the Company does not have any trading history for its common stock, the expected volatility is based on the historical volatility of the Company’s publicly traded industry peers utilizing a period of time consistent with the Company’s estimate of expected term.

Expected Dividend Yield

The Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future and, therefore, uses an expected dividend yield of zero in the option valuation model.

Fair Value of Underlying Common Stock

Because the Company’s common stock is not publicly traded, the Company must estimate the fair value of common stock. The Company prepared the valuations with the assistance of a third-party valuation firm, utilizing approaches and methodologies consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation and information provided by management, including historical and projected financial information, prospects and risks, company performance, various corporate documents, capitalization, and economic and financial market conditions. Management, with its third-party valuation firm, also utilized other economic, industry, and market information obtained from other resources considered reliable.

F-27


 

Stock-based compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

7

 

 

 

27

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

12

 

 

 

34

 

General and administrative

 

 

1,566

 

 

 

1,933

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

1,585

 

 

$

1,994

 

At December 31, 2020, there was $7.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 3.4 years.

14.

Income Taxes

The components of income before income taxes were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

United States

 

$

16,661

 

 

$

16,548

 

Foreign

 

 

1,818

 

 

 

1,816

 

Total

 

$

18,479

 

 

$

18,364

 

The provision for income taxes consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Current:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$

3,261

 

 

$

2,485

 

Foreign

 

 

241

 

 

 

534

 

Total

 

 

3,502

 

 

 

3,019

 

Deferred:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

 

1,071

 

 

 

1,583

 

Foreign

 

 

209

 

 

 

51

 

Total

 

 

1,280

 

 

 

1,634

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$

4,782

 

 

$

4,653

 

The effective income tax rate differs from the federal statutory income tax rate applied to the income before provision for income taxes due to the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Federal statutory rate

 

 

21.0

%

 

 

21.0

%

State taxes

 

 

4.3

%

 

 

4.3

%

Permanent differences

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

(0.3

)%

Difference in prior year tax filings from provision

 

 

0.1

%

 

 

0.1

%

Other

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

0.2

%

 

 

 

25.9

%

 

 

25.3

%

 

F-28


 

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities at December 31, 2019 and 2020 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

Deferred tax assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation and other accruals

 

$

1,278

 

 

$

1,714

 

State net operating losses

 

 

29

 

 

 

70

 

Research and development tax credit carry forward

 

 

98

 

 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

3,521

 

Fixed assets

 

 

203

 

 

 

197

 

Other

 

 

2

 

 

 

48

 

Total deferred tax assets

 

 

1,610

 

 

 

5,550

 

Valuation allowance

 

 

 

 

 

(22

)

Net deferred tax assets

 

$

1,610

 

 

$

5,528

 

Deferred tax liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Intangible assets

 

 

(2,919

)

 

 

(5,046

)

Research and development tax credit carry forward

 

 

 

 

 

(36

)

Fixed assets

 

 

 

 

 

(39

)

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

 

 

 

(3,423

)

Foregone foreign tax credit

 

 

(282

)

 

 

(213

)

Total deferred tax liabilities

 

 

(3,201

)

 

 

(8,757

)

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$

(1,591

)

 

$

(3,229

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported as:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax asset (non-current)

 

$

319

 

 

$

270

 

Deferred tax liability (non-current)

 

 

(1,910

)

 

 

(3,499

)

Net deferred tax liabilities

 

$

(1,591

)

 

$

(3,229

)

The Company provided a valuation allowance against the excess foreign tax credits as of December 31, 2020 as it was more likely than not the Company will not be able to utilize these credits.

The Company had net operating losses of $1.0 million and $1.5 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, in the U.S. that can be applied against taxable income in certain states in future years. To the extent that these losses are not used, they begin to expire in 2034. Furthermore, the Company had an immaterial amount of non-refundable federal investment tax credits as of December 31, 2019 and 2020 in Canada, which are available to reduce future federal tax liability and, if unused, begin to expire in 2033.

As of December 31, 2019 and 2020, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate was not material.

Interest and penalties related to income tax matters are classified as a component of income tax expense and were immaterial for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020. Although it is reasonably possible that certain unrecognized tax benefits may increase or decrease within the next 12 months due to tax examination changes, settlement activities, or the impact on recognition and measurement considerations related to the results of published tax cases or other similar activities, the Company does not anticipate any significant changes to unrecognized tax benefits over the next 12 months.

F-29


 

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions, and in various international jurisdictions. The Company’s tax filings remain subject to audits by applicable tax authorities for a certain length of time following the tax year to which those filings relate. Tax years 2017 and forward generally remain open for examination for federal and state tax purposes. Tax years 2016 and forward generally remain open for examination for foreign tax purposes.

The Company has not recorded foreign withholding taxes or deferred income tax liabilities related to undistributed earnings of foreign operations of approximately $0.6 million and $2.7 million as of December 31, 2019 and 2020, respectively, since such earnings are considered permanently invested.

15.

Geographic Information

Revenue by geographic area, based on the location of the Company’s users, was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

United States

 

$

230,975

 

 

$

295,761

 

Other

 

 

4,803

 

 

 

6,006

 

Total

 

$

235,778

 

 

$

301,767

 

Long-lived assets, comprising property and equipment assets, by geographic area were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

United States

 

$

560

 

 

$

717

 

Other

 

 

917

 

 

 

1,055

 

Total

 

$

1,477

 

 

$

1,772

 

 

16.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through March 22, 2021, the date on which these consolidated financial statements were issued, and noted no significant event that needs to be disclosed except as follows:

On March 16, 2021, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer paid in full a loan outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million, plus accrued interest of $0.2 million for a total payment of $1.0 million.

On May 10, 2021, the Company effected a 5-for-1 forward stock split as described in Note 2.

Events Subsequent to the Original Issuance of Financial Statements (Unaudited)

On May 13, 2021, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with an affiliate of a partner in connection with entering into a commercial agreement with the partner. The warrant agreement provides that the Company will issue warrants to the partner affiliate covering a number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock equal to $17.5 million divided by 87.5% of the initial public offering price per share, at a strike price equal to 87.5% of such offering price per share, half of which will become issuable upon completion of the initial public offering and half of which may become issuable subject to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025.

On May 16, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with existing stockholders pursuant to which they agreed to purchase, subject to certain conditions, up to $50.0 million of Class A common stock of the Company in a private placement concurrent with, and subject to, the completion of an initial public offering of the Company’s stock.

F-30


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

46,666

 

 

$

49,369

 

Accounts and other receivables, net of allowance of $100 and $96

 

 

28,034

 

 

 

33,634

 

Income tax receivable

 

 

2,011

 

 

 

1,697

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

3,117

 

 

 

3,593

 

Total current assets

 

 

79,828

 

 

 

88,293

 

Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation and

   amortization of $3,760 and $4,044

 

 

1,772

 

 

 

1,829

 

Capitalized internal-use software development costs, net

 

 

20,963

 

 

 

23,151

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

296

 

 

 

221

 

Goodwill

 

 

13,205

 

 

 

13,216

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

8,322

 

 

 

7,705

 

Deferred tax asset

 

 

270

 

 

 

154

 

Other long-term assets

 

 

218

 

 

 

220

 

Total assets

 

$

124,874

 

 

$

134,789

 

Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

16,825

 

 

$

21,677

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

10,201

 

 

 

9,788

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

3,010

 

 

 

2,377

 

Contract liabilities

 

 

612

 

 

 

1,495

 

Income tax payable

 

 

463

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

31,111

 

 

 

35,337

 

Deferred tax liability

 

 

3,499

 

 

 

4,136

 

Operating leases, net of current portion

 

 

5,476

 

 

 

5,559

 

Finance leases and other finance obligations, net of current portion

 

 

412

 

 

 

346

 

Total liabilities

 

 

40,498

 

 

 

45,378

 

Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stockholders’ equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Series A preferred stock - par value $0.01 per share; 50,000 shares

   authorized; 23,333 shares issued; and 23,013 outstanding

   as of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock: $0.005 par value per share; 150,000,000 shares

   authorized; 104,785,651 shares issued; and 103,479,239

   outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021

 

 

517

 

 

 

517

 

Treasury stock at cost, 320 Series A preferred shares and

   1,306,412 common shares as of December 31, 2020 and

   March 31, 2021

 

 

(579

)

 

 

(579

)

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

29,175

 

 

 

30,551

 

Accumulated other comprehensive income

 

 

216

 

 

 

237

 

Retained earnings

 

 

55,047

 

 

 

58,685

 

Total stockholders’ equity

 

 

84,376

 

 

 

89,411

 

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

$

124,874

 

 

$

134,789

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-31


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

Cost of revenue

 

 

 

48,816

 

 

 

64,675

 

Gross profit

 

 

 

20,777

 

 

 

27,547

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

 

5,768

 

 

 

7,730

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

 

7,612

 

 

 

8,222

 

General and administrative

 

 

 

3,688

 

 

 

6,742

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

 

17,068

 

 

 

22,694

 

Income from operations

 

 

 

3,709

 

 

 

4,853

 

Other income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net

 

 

 

42

 

 

 

(3

)

Foreign exchange (loss) gain

 

 

 

(66

)

 

 

9

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

 

3,685

 

 

 

4,859

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

 

(906

)

 

 

(1,221

)

Net income

 

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

 

(1,242

)

 

 

(1,360

)

Net income attributable to common stock

 

 

$

1,537

 

 

$

2,278

 

Net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.02

 

Diluted

 

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

0.02

 

Weighted-average number of shares used to compute net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

Diluted

 

 

 

106,129,442

 

 

 

106,303,894

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

F-32


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Net income

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax of $0 and $0

 

(23

)

 

 

21

 

Comprehensive income

 

$

2,756

 

 

$

3,659

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-33


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share amounts)

 

 

 

Series A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

Other

 

 

Total

 

 

 

Preferred Stock

 

 

Common Stock

 

 

Paid-In

 

 

Treasury

 

 

Retained

 

 

Comprehensive

 

 

Stockholders’

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Stock

 

 

Earnings

 

 

Income

 

 

Equity

 

Balances at December 31, 2019

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

27,181

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

41,336

 

 

$

149

 

 

$

68,604

 

Issuance of shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

--

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

475

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

475

 

Related party loan receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23

)

 

 

(23

)

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,779

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,779

 

Balances at March 31, 2020

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

27,656

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

44,115

 

 

$

126

 

 

$

71,835

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balances at December 31, 2020

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

29,175

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

55,047

 

 

$

216

 

 

$

84,376

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

563

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

563

 

Repayment of related party loan

   receivable

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

813

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

813

 

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 

 

 

21

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,638

 

 

 

 

 

 

3,638

 

Balances at March 31, 2021

 

 

23,013

 

 

$

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

$

517

 

 

$

30,551

 

 

$

(579

)

 

$

58,685

 

 

$

237

 

 

$

89,411

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

 

F-34


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

(In thousands)

 

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating

   activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

2,020

 

 

 

2,392

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

407

 

 

 

757

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

475

 

 

 

563

 

Non-cash lease expense

 

 

627

 

 

 

791

 

Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of impact of business

   combination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts and other receivables

 

 

(3,834

)

 

 

(5,596

)

Prepaid expenses and other current and long-term assets

 

 

(414

)

 

 

(77

)

Accounts payable

 

 

3,054

 

 

 

4,770

 

Accrued liabilities

 

 

(840

)

 

 

(67

)

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

(557

)

 

 

(725

)

Contract liabilities

 

 

712

 

 

 

883

 

Income taxes receivable, net of payable

 

 

472

 

 

 

(152

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

4,901

 

 

 

7,177

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Purchases of property and equipment

 

 

(164

)

 

 

(156

)

Capitalized internal-use software development costs

 

 

(3,454

)

 

 

(4,256

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(3,618

)

 

 

(4,412

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from repayment of related party loan

 

 

 

 

 

813

 

Payments of deferred offering costs

 

 

 

 

 

(457

)

Payments on other financing obligations

 

 

(259

)

 

 

(383

)

Payments on finance leases

 

 

(58

)

 

 

(68

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(317

)

 

 

(95

)

Foreign currency effect on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(47

)

 

 

33

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

919

 

 

 

2,703

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning of period

 

 

27,427

 

 

 

46,666

 

End of period

 

$

28,346

 

 

$

49,369

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for income taxes

 

$

 

 

$

616

 

Non-cash investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment purchases in accounts payable and other

   payables

 

$

32

 

 

$

75

 

Non-cash financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property and equipment acquired through finance lease liabilities

 

$

399

 

 

$

 

Intangibles acquired through other financing obligations

 

 

28

 

 

 

 

Unpaid deferring offering costs

 

 

 

 

 

190

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

F-35


 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.

Organization and Description of Business

Description of Business

Paymentus Holdings, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Paymentus” or “the Company”) provides electronic bill presentment and payment services, enterprise customer communication and self-service revenue management to customers through a Software-as-a-Service, (“SaaS”), secure, omni-channel technology platform. The platform seamlessly integrates into a biller’s core financial and operating systems to provide flexible and secure access to payment processing of credit cards, debit cards, eChecks and digital wallets across a significant number of channels including online, mobile, IVR, call center, chatbot and voice-based assistants. Paymentus was incorporated in the state of Delaware on September 2, 2011 with office locations in Charlotte, North Carolina, Richmond Hill, Ontario (Canada), Blacksburg, Virginia, Redmond, Washington and Delhi (India). The Company was headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina until 2020 when the Company moved its headquarters to Redmond, Washington.

2.

Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The interim condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021, and the interim consolidated statements of operations, of comprehensive loss, of cash flows, and of stockholders’ equity for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, and the related notes to such interim condensed consolidated financial statements are unaudited. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and do not include all disclosures normally required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. In management’s opinion, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the annual financial statements and reflect all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair statement of the Company’s financial position as of March 31, 2021 and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year or any other future interim or annual period. These unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto as of and for the year ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 included elsewhere in this prospectus.

Stock Split

On May 10, 2021, the Company effected a 5-for-1 forward stock split of its common stock. In connection with the forward stock split, each issued and outstanding share of common stock, automatically and without action on the part of the holders, became five shares of common stock. The par value per share of common was not adjusted. All share, per share and related information presented in the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been retroactively adjusted, where applicable, to reflect the impact of the stock split.

Principles of Consolidation

The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries, Paymentus Group Inc. (Delaware), Paymentus Canada Corporation, Paymentus Corporation (Delaware), Paymentus Acquisition Corp. (Delaware), Tele-Works Inc. and Paxcom India Private Limited (“Paxcom”). All intercompany accounts and balances have been eliminated upon consolidation.

Segment Information

Operating segments are defined as components of an enterprise for which separate financial information is available and evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to make operating decisions, allocate resources and assess performance. The Company has three operating segments based on geography. The United States segment represents the vast majority of the Company’s consolidated net

F-36


 

sales and gross profit. The additional two operating segments, Canada and India, do not meet the quantitative thresholds for separate reporting, either individually or in the aggregate. None of the operating segments qualified for aggregation. The Company’s CODM is its Chief Executive Officer. The CODM evaluates the performance of the Company’s operating segments based on revenue and gross profit. The Company does not analyze discrete segment balance sheet information related to long-term assets. All other financial information is presented on a consolidated basis. For information regarding the Company’s long-lived assets and revenue by geographic area, see Note 14.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates include revenue recognition, the allowance for credit losses, internal-use software development costs, goodwill, the fair value of the Company’s common stock, stock-based compensation, and accounting for income taxes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and also on assumptions that management considers reasonable. The Company assesses these estimates on a regular basis; however, actual results could differ from these estimates.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the COVID-19 virus a global pandemic. The pandemic is causing major disruptions to businesses and markets worldwide as the virus continues to spread. A number of countries as well as many states and cities within the United States and Canada have enacted temporary closures of businesses, issued quarantine orders and taken other restrictive measures in response to COVID-19. The Company is closely monitoring the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and implemented a work from home plan early in the pandemic, with limited individuals allowed in the Company’s office locations.

The actions taken by governments in North America to encourage social distancing and implement quarantine directives resulted in a delay in certain of the Company’s sales cycles as well as delays in certain of the Company’s customer implementation timelines. However, these delays did not affect the Company’s results in any material fashion. There has been no material deterioration in the Company’s financial results even as the pandemic spread further and the number of countries and localities adopting restrictive measures increased. The Company does not expect the COVID-19 pandemic to have any material effect on the Company’s revenues and financial results, although the magnitude and duration of the ultimate effects as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic are not possible to predict at this time.

Custodial Accounts

The Company has established a relationship with its merchant processors to act as collection and paying agents, whereby a merchant processor receives funds from customers and forwarding such funds to the respective Paymentus client, based on the instructions received from the Company. These merchant processors act as custodians of the cash received and the Company has no legal ownership rights to the funds held in such custodial accounts and does not control the use of these funds. As the Company does not take ownership of the funds, these custodial accounts are not included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. The balance of cash in the custodial accounts held by these merchant processors was $20.5 million and $22.9 million as of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021, respectively.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to credit risk primarily consist of cash, cash equivalents, and accounts receivable. The Company maintains its cash and cash equivalents with high-quality financial institutions with investment-grade ratings. For accounts receivable, the Company is exposed to credit risk in the event of nonpayment by customers to the extent of the amounts recorded in the consolidated balance sheets. No customer accounted for more than 10% of revenue for either of the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021. No customer accounted for more than 10% of accounts receivable for the year ended December 31, 2020 or for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

The Company’s significant accounting policies are discussed in Note 2, “Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements as of December 31, 2019 and

F-37


 

2020 and for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2020 included elsewhere in this prospectus. There have been no significant changes to these policies during the three months ended March 31, 2021, except as noted below.

Deferred Offering Costs

Deferred offering costs, which consist of direct incremental legal, accounting, and consulting fees relating to the Company’s proposed IPO, are capitalized in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred offering costs will be offset against IPO proceeds upon the consummation of an IPO. In the event the planned IPO is terminated, the deferred offering costs will be expensed. There were no material deferred offering costs recorded as of December 31, 2020. As of March 31, 2021, there was $0.6 million of deferred offering costs capitalized and included within prepaid expenses and other current assets on the unaudited interim condensed consolidated balance sheets.

Accounting Pronouncements

The Company is provided the option to adopt new or revised accounting guidance as an “emerging growth company” under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 (the “JOBS Act”) either (1) within the same periods as those otherwise applicable to public business entities, or (2) within the same time periods as non-public business entities, including early adoption when permissible. With the exception of standards the Company elected to early adopt, when permissible, the Company has elected to adopt new or revised accounting guidance within the same time period as non-public business entities, as indicated below.

Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (“Topic 740”): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which simplifies the accounting for income taxes by eliminating some exceptions to the general approach in ASC 740, Income Taxes in order to reduce cost and complexity of its application. The guidance is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company elected to early adopt this standard on January 1, 2021. Adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

3.

Revenue

Contract Balances

The Company does not have any capitalized contract costs as the Company’s sales compensation paid to the sales force is earned based on the margins earned from the contract over the contract term, contingent on continued employment with the Company by the salesperson. Sales commissions tied to key operating metrics other than new sales, are not considered incremental costs of obtaining a customer and are expensed in the same period as they are earned. The Company records commission expense within sales and marketing expense in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company recorded $0.6 million and $1.5 million of contract liabilities in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2020 and March 31, 2021, respectively, related to legacy contracts obtained from prior acquisitions associated with the Company’s insignificant other revenue stream and other payments the Company received in advance for services. The change in the contract liabilities is primarily the result of a timing difference between payment from the customer and the Company’s satisfaction of each performance obligation. The revenue recognized during the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 that was included in the contract liabilities at the beginning of each respective period was not material.

F-38


 

Disaggregation of Revenue

The following table presents a disaggregation of revenue from contracts with customers (in thousands):

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Payment transaction processing revenue

 

$

68,829

 

 

$

91,200

 

Other

 

 

764

 

 

 

1,022

 

Total revenue

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

 

4.

Net Income Per Share Attributable to Common Stock

Basic net income per share attributable to common stock is computed by deducting the undeclared dividends on the Series A preferred shares from net income to arrive at net income attributable to common stock and dividing net income attributable to common stock for the period by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per share attributable to common stock is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive common stock equivalents to the extent they are dilutive. The dilutive effect of outstanding options is reflected in diluted net income per share attributable to common stock by application of the treasury stock method. The calculation of diluted net income per share attributable to common stock excludes all anti-dilutive common shares.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per share attributable to common stock (in thousands except share and per share data):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

2,779

 

 

$

3,638

 

Undeclared dividends on Series A preferred stock

 

 

(1,242

)

 

 

(1,360

)

Net income attributable to common stock

 

$

1,537

 

 

$

2,278

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares of common stock - basic

 

 

103,479,239

 

 

 

103,479,239

 

Dilutive effect of equity incentive awards

 

 

2,650,203

 

 

 

2,824,655

 

 

 

 

106,129,442

 

 

 

106,303,894

 

Net income per share attributable to common stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

0.01

 

 

$

0.02

 

Diluted

 

 

0.01

 

 

 

0.02

 

The Company did not have any securities that were excluded from the computation of diluted net income per share attributable to common stock calculations for the periods presented as all options outstanding were considered to be dilutive.

5.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Computer equipment

 

 

$

4,368

 

 

$

4,600

 

Furniture and fixtures

 

 

 

976

 

 

 

1,085

 

Leasehold improvements

 

 

 

183

 

 

 

183

 

Automobile

 

 

 

5

 

 

 

5

 

Total property and equipment

 

 

 

5,532

 

 

 

5,873

 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

(3,760

)

 

 

(4,044

)

Property and equipment, net

 

 

$

1,772

 

 

$

1,829

 

F-39


 

Depreciation and amortization expense recorded for property and equipment was $0.2 million and $0.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

6.

Goodwill, Internal-use Software Development Costs and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reporting unit were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

United

States

 

 

Other

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2020

 

$

12,303

 

 

$

902

 

 

$

13,205

 

Foreign currency translation adjustments

 

 

 

 

 

11

 

 

 

11

 

Balance as of March 31, 2021

 

$

12,303

 

 

$

913.00

 

 

$

13,216

 

Internal-use Software Development Costs

The Company capitalizes qualifying internal-use software development costs related to its platform. The costs consist of personnel costs (including related benefits) that are incurred during the application development stage. Capitalization of costs begins when two criteria are met: (1) the preliminary project stage is completed, and (2) it is probable that the software will be completed and used for its intended function. Capitalization ceases when the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use, including the completion of all significant testing. Costs related to preliminary project activities and post-implementation operating activities are expensed as incurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company capitalized $3.4 million and $4.3 million in software development costs, respectively.

Capitalized costs are amortized over the estimated useful life of the software, which management estimated to be a range of three to five years, and are recorded on a straight-line basis, which represents the manner in which the expected benefit will be derived. Amortization expense is recorded in cost of revenue and operating expenses in the consolidated statement of operations aligned with the internal organizations that are the primary beneficiaries of such assets. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company recorded $0.8 million and $1.1 million of amortization expense in cost of revenue, and $0.7 million and $1.0 million of amortization expense in operating expenses, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

December 31, 2020

 

 

 

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Useful Life

(Years)

 

Technology

 

$

7,579

 

 

$

(7,460

)

 

$

119

 

 

 

7.0

 

License

 

 

2,652

 

 

 

(2,652

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationship

 

 

6,782

 

 

 

(6,782

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software

 

 

532

 

 

 

(355

)

 

 

177

 

 

 

3.0

 

Non-compete

 

 

330

 

 

 

(330

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark

 

 

200

 

 

 

(200

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

18,075

 

 

$

(17,779

)

 

$

296

 

 

 

 

 

F-40


 

 

 

March 31, 2021

 

 

 

Gross

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Accumulated

Amortization

 

 

Net

Carrying

Amount

 

 

Weighted-

Average

Useful Life

(Years)

 

Technology

 

$

7,590

 

 

$

(7,515

)

 

$

75

 

 

 

7.0

 

License

 

 

2,698

 

 

 

(2,698

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationship

 

 

6,795

 

 

 

(6,795

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Software

 

 

535

 

 

 

(389

)

 

 

146

 

 

 

3.0

 

Non-compete

 

 

335

 

 

 

(335

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trademark

 

 

200

 

 

 

(200

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

$

18,153

 

 

$

(17,932

)

 

$

221

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $0.3 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, respectively.

As of March 31, 2021, future amortization expense is expected to be as follows (in thousands):

 

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

2021 (remaining nine months)

 

$

70

 

2022

 

 

67

 

2023

 

 

36

 

2024

 

 

36

 

2025

 

 

12

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

Total future amortization expense

 

$

221

 

7.

Leases

The Company enters into operating and finance leases, primarily related to rental of office space, equipment and data centers. Both operating and finance leases have remaining lease terms which range from less than one year to ten years, and often include one or more renewal or termination options. These options are not included in the determination of the lease term at commencement unless it is reasonably certain that the Company will exercise the option. There were no material changes to the operating or finance leases during the three months ended March 31, 2021.

The components of lease cost were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

677

 

 

$

852

 

Finance lease cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

 

43

 

 

 

66

 

Interest on finance lease liabilities

 

 

3

 

 

 

5

 

Total finance lease cost

 

 

46

 

 

 

71

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

91

 

 

 

91

 

Total lease cost

 

$

814

 

 

$

1,014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F-41


 

Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows for operating leases

 

$

508

 

 

$

724

 

Operating cash flows for finance lease

 

 

11

 

 

 

5

 

Financing cash flows for finance leases

 

 

58

 

 

 

68

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange of operating lease obligations

 

 

2,546

 

 

 

97

 

The total remaining lease payments under non-cancelable operating and finance leases as of March 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

Operating Leases

 

 

Finance Leases

 

2021 (remaining nine months)

 

 

$

2,381

 

 

$

203

 

 

2022

 

 

 

1,456

 

 

 

271

 

 

2023

 

 

 

578

 

 

 

107

 

 

2024

 

 

 

567

 

 

 

 

 

2025

 

 

 

575

 

 

 

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

3,088

 

 

 

 

Total lease payments

 

 

$

8,645

 

 

$

581

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

 

(709

)

 

 

(19

)

Total lease liabilities

 

 

$

7,936

 

 

$

562

 

Operating lease payments presented above exclude $2.8 million of legally-binding lease commitments for a lease signed but not yet commenced as of March 31, 2021. This operating lease will commence in 2021 with a lease term of ten years.

8.

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued liabilities consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

Payroll and employee-related expenses

 

$

6,474

 

 

$

5,989

 

Finance leases and other financing obligations

 

 

1,132

 

 

 

758

 

Other accrued liabilities

 

 

2,595

 

 

 

3,041

 

 

 

$

10,201

 

 

$

9,788

 

Finance leases and other financing obligations includes the current portion of finance leases related to the acquisition of computer equipment and short-term insurance premium financing arrangements.

9.

Commitments and Contingencies

Other Commitments

The Company has entered into certain non-cancellable agreements for software and marketing services that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum services to be used, pricing provisions and the approximate timing of the transaction. Obligations under contracts that are cancellable or with remaining terms of 12 months or less are not included.

F-42


 

Future minimum payments under other non-cancellable agreements as of March 31, 2021 were as follows (in thousands):

Years Ending December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2021 (remaining nine months)

 

 

$

1,714

 

 

2022

 

 

 

1,548

 

 

2023

 

 

 

563

 

 

2024

 

 

 

159

 

 

2025

 

 

 

12

 

Thereafter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

3,996

 

401(k) Plan

The Company sponsors a 401(k) defined contribution plan covering all eligible U.S. employees. Contributions to the 401(k) plan are discretionary. The Company did not make any matching contributions to the 401(k) plan for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021.

Legal Matters

The Company is involved from time to time in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. While it is not feasible to predict or determine the ultimate outcome of these matters, the Company believes that none of its current legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its financial position, results of operations, or cash flows as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2021.

Indemnification

The Company enters into indemnification provisions under agreements with other parties in the ordinary course of business, including business partners, investors, contractors, customers, and the Company’s officers, directors, and certain employees. The Company has agreed to indemnify and defend the indemnified party claims and related losses suffered or incurred by the indemnified party from actual or threatened third-party claims due to the Company’s activities or non-compliance with obligations or representations made by the Company. It is not possible to determine the maximum potential loss under these indemnification provisions due to the Company’s limited history of prior indemnification claims and the unique facts and circumstances involved in each particular provision.

10.

Related Party Transactions

Transactions involving related parties cannot be presumed to be carried out on an arm’s length basis due to the absence of free market forces that naturally exist in business dealings between two or more unrelated entities. Related party transactions may not always be favorable to the Company’s business and may include terms, conditions and agreements that are not necessarily beneficial to or in the best interest of the Company.

On September 6, 2011, the Company issued a loan to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer for $0.8 million at an interest rate of 2% per annum. The Company recorded the principal amount of $0.8 million as a reduction to additional paid-in capital in the consolidated statements of stockholders’ equity. The Chief Executive Officer and an entity affiliated with him have pledged 805 shares of the Company's Series A preferred shares and 1,788,205 common shares as security for the loan. The loan principal and interest are due and payable on September 6, 2026. During the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021, the Company recognized an immaterial amount of interest income relating to the loan. At December 31, 2020, the Company had recorded a receivable for accrued interest of $0.2 million, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. On March 16, 2021, the Company’s Chief Executive Officer paid in full the loan outstanding in the amount of $0.8 million, plus accrued interest of $0.2 million for a total payment of $1.0 million.

F-43


 

11.

Equity

Series A Preferred Stock

Dividends

Holders of the Series A preferred shares are entitled to receive cumulative dividends at the rate of 10% per annum, subject to board approval. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the Series A preferred shares had accumulated dividends of $33.5 million. These dividends had not been declared by the Board of Directors and, therefore, no liability has been reflected in the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2020 or at March 31, 2021. The Series A preferred shares are not entitled to participate in any dividends or other distributions paid on the common stock.

Liquidation Preference

Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, each holder of Series A preferred shares shall be entitled to be paid, before any distribution or payment to the common stockholders, an amount equal to the aggregate liquidation value of $1,000 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. As of March 31, 2021, the total liquidation amount would have been $56.5 million, consisting of aggregate liquidation value of $23.0 million and unpaid cumulative dividends of $33.5 million. The holders of Series A preferred shares are not entitled to any further payment with respect to such Series A preferred shares. If upon any such liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the Company's assets to be distributed among the holders of the Series A preferred shares are insufficient, then the entire assets available shall be distributed on a pro rata basis among such holders based on the aggregate liquidation value of the Series A preferred shares held by such holders.

Voting

The Series A preferred shares have no voting rights.

Classification

The Series A preferred stock is contingently redeemable upon ordinary liquidation events of the Company. The Series A preferred stock is not mandatorily redeemable and does not contemplate any other deemed liquidation events that would constitute a redemption event outside of the Company’s control. The Company reviewed the guidance under ASC 480, and Accounting Series Release No. 268 (“ASR 268”) that requires preferred securities that are redeemable for cash or other assets be classified outside of permanent equity if the security meets certain requirements. Under ASC 480, ordinary liquidation events do not result in the instrument being subject to ASR 268, therefore all shares of the Series A preferred stock have been presented as permanent equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

Common Stock

The Company has one class of common stock. Each holder of common stock has the right to one vote per share and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders' meeting in accordance with the bylaws of the Company, and shall be entitled to vote upon matters and in such manner as may be provided by law. Holders of common shares are entitled to receive any dividends as may be declared or paid from time to time by the board of directors and will participate in such dividends ratably on a per-share basis. The rights of common stockholders to receive dividends are subject to the rights of the holders of Series A preferred stock. In addition, subject to the provisions of the preferred stock, the holders of the common shares shall be entitled to participate ratably on a per-share basis in all distributions to the holders of common stock in any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. No dividends have been declared or paid since inception.

F-44


 

12.

Stock-Based Compensation

A summary of the Company’s option activity during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was as follows (in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

Remaining

 

 

Aggregate

 

 

 

Options

 

 

Exercise Price

 

 

Contractual

 

 

Intrinsic

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

 

per Share

 

 

Life (years)

 

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2020

 

 

7,509,210

 

 

$

4.68

 

 

 

5.80

 

 

$

36,580

 

Options granted

 

 

61,445

 

 

 

9.55

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options exercised

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Options forfeited

 

 

(4,500

)

 

 

0.60

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding at March 31, 2021

 

 

7,566,155

 

 

$

4.72

 

 

 

5.58

 

 

$

36,540

 

Exercisable at March 31, 2021

 

 

4,921,702

 

 

$

2.62

 

 

 

4.08

 

 

$

34,115

 

The weighted average grant date fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021, was $3.02. There were no options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2020. Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the exercise price of the options and the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock.

The fair value of options granted during the three months ended March 31, 2021 was estimated using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions for the Plan:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

 

 

2021

 

Dividend yield

 

 

 

 

0.0

%

Risk-free interest rate

 

 

 

0.3 % - 0.7%

 

Expected term (in years)

 

 

 

3 - 5

 

Expected volatility

 

 

 

38% - 42%

 

Stock-based compensation expense included in the consolidated statements of operations was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cost of revenue

 

$

 

 

$

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Research and development

 

 

4

 

 

 

16

 

Sales and marketing

 

 

8

 

 

 

17

 

General and administrative

 

 

463

 

 

 

530

 

Total stock-based compensation

 

$

475

 

 

$

563

 

At March 31, 2021, there was $7.2 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized over a remaining weighted-average period of 3.2 years.

13.

Income Taxes

The Company computes its tax provision for interim periods by applying the estimated annual effective tax rate to year-to-date income from recurring operations and adjusting for discrete items arising in that quarter.

The Company’s effective tax rate for the three months ended March 31, 2020 and 2021 was 24% and 25%, respectively. The difference between the Company’s effective tax rate and the U.S. federal statutory rate of 21% in the above periods was primarily the result of state taxes, foreign income taxed at different rates and discrete tax adjustments.

F-45


 

14.

Geographic Information

Revenue by geographic area, based on the location of the Company’s users, was as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Three Months Ended March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

United States

 

$

68,123

 

 

$

90,307

 

Other

 

 

1,470

 

 

 

1,915

 

Total

 

$

69,593

 

 

$

92,222

 

Long-lived assets, comprising property and equipment assets, by geographic area were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

 

December 31,

 

 

March 31,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

United States

 

$

717

 

 

$

703

 

Other

 

 

1,055

 

 

 

1,126

 

Total

 

$

1,772

 

 

$

1,829

 

15.

Subsequent Events

The Company has evaluated subsequent events through May 13, 2021, the date on which these consolidated financial statements were issued and subsequently through May 17, 2021, which represents the date the condensed consolidated financials were reissued.

On May 13, 2021, the Company entered into a warrant agreement with an affiliate of a partner in connection with entering into a commercial agreement with the partner. The warrant agreement provides that the Company will issue warrants to the partner affiliate covering a number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock equal to $17.5 million divided by 87.5% of the initial public offering price per share, at a strike price equal to 87.5% of such offering price per share, half of which will become issuable upon completion of the initial public offering and half of which may become issuable subject to the achievement of certain commercial milestones through December 31, 2025.

On May 16, 2021, the Company entered into a purchase agreement with existing stockholders pursuant to which they agreed to purchase, subject to certain conditions, up to $50.0 million of Class A common stock of the Company in a private placement concurrent with, and subject to, the completion of an initial public offering of the Company’s stock.

 

 

 

F-46


 

 

10,000,000 Shares

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Class A Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

J.P. Morgan

 

BofA Securities

 

Citigroup

 

Baird

 

Nomura

 

Raymond James

 

Wells Fargo Securities

 

Fifth Third Securities

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

AmeriVet Securities

 

C.L. King & Associates

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Through and including             , 2021 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

 

 

 

 

 


 

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13.Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution

The following table sets forth all expenses to be paid by us in connection with this registration statement and the listing of our Class A common stock, other than underwriting discounts and commissions. All amounts shown are estimates except for the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, or FINRA, filing fee and the stock exchange listing fee:

 

 

 

Amount Paid or

to be Paid

 

SEC registration fee

 

$

26,348

 

FINRA filing fee

 

36,725

 

Stock exchange listing fee

 

121,000

 

Printing and engraving expenses

 

200,000

 

Accounting fees and expenses

 

1,700,000

 

Legal fees and expenses

 

1,800,000

 

Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses

 

5,000

 

Miscellaneous expenses

 

360,927

 

Total

 

$

4,250,000

 

 

Item 14.Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, or the DGCL, authorizes a corporation’s board of directors to grant, and authorizes a court to award, indemnity to officers, directors and other corporate agents.

We expect to adopt an amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will become effective immediately prior to the completion of this offering, and which will contain provisions that limit the liability of our directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Consequently, our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for the following:

 

any breach of their duty of loyalty to our company or our stockholders;

 

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the DGCL; or

 

any transaction from which they derived an improper personal benefit.

Any amendment, repeal or elimination of these provisions will not eliminate or reduce the effect of these provisions in respect of any act, omission or claim that occurred or arose prior to that amendment, repeal or elimination. If the DGCL is amended to provide for further limitations on the personal liability of directors of corporations, then the personal liability of our directors will be further limited to the greatest extent permitted by the DGCL.

In addition, we expect to adopt amended and restated bylaws, which will become effective as of the closing of this offering, and which will provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers, and may indemnify our employees, agents and any other persons, to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Our bylaws will also provide that we must advance expenses incurred by or on behalf of a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, subject to limited exceptions.

II-1


 

Further, we have entered into or will enter into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers that may be broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the DGCL. These indemnification agreements require us, among other things, to indemnify our directors and executive officers against liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or service. These indemnification agreements also require us to advance all expenses reasonably and actually incurred by the directors and executive officers in investigating or defending any such action, suit or proceeding. We believe that these agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified individuals to serve as directors and executive officers.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions that are expected to be included in our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and the indemnification agreements that we have entered into or will enter into with our directors and executive officers may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and executive officers for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and executive officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and executive officers as required by these indemnification provisions. At present, we are not aware of any pending litigation or proceeding involving any person who is or was one of our directors or officers, or is or was one of our directors or officers serving at our request as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, for which indemnification is sought, and we are not aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

We have obtained insurance policies under which, subject to the limitations of the policies, coverage is provided to our directors and executive officers against loss arising from claims made by reason of breach of fiduciary duty or other wrongful acts as a director or executive officer, including claims relating to public securities matters, and to us with respect to payments that may be made by us to these directors and executive officers pursuant to our indemnification obligations or otherwise as a matter of law.

Certain of our non-employee directors may, through their relationships with their employers, be insured or indemnified against certain liabilities incurred in their capacity as members of our board of directors.

The underwriting agreement filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement will provide for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our officers and directors for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, or otherwise.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers or persons controlling our company pursuant to the foregoing provisions, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

Item 15.Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Since January 1, 2018, we have issued the following unregistered securities:

Preferred Stock Issuances

On February 7, 2019, we issued and sold 41.20 shares of our Series A preferred stock to an accredited investor at a purchase price per share of $1,000, for an aggregate purchase price of $41,200.

Option and Common Stock Issuances

All share amounts and per share prices below have been retroactively adjusted to reflect a 5-for-1 forward stock split effected on May 10, 2021.

II-2


 

From January 1, 2018 through the filing date of this registration statement, we granted to our employees, directors and consultants options to purchase an aggregate of 4,147,815 shares of our common stock under our 2012 Equity Incentive Plan at exercise prices ranging from $0.60 to $9.55 per share.

On February 7, 2019, we issued and sold 98,657 shares of our common stock to an accredited investor at a purchase price per share of $0.60, for an aggregate purchase price of $58,800.

None of the foregoing transactions involved any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. We believe the offers, sales and issuances of the above securities were exempt from registration under the Securities Act (or Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder) by virtue of Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act because the issuance of securities to the recipients did not involve a public offering, or in reliance on Rule 701 because the transactions were pursuant to compensatory benefit plans or contracts relating to compensation as provided under such rule. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed upon the stock certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.

Item 16.Exhibits

(a) Exhibits

See the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the signature page hereto for a list of exhibits filed as part of this registration statement on Form S-1, which Exhibit Index is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Financial Statement Schedules

All financial statement schedules are omitted because the information called for is not required or is shown either in the consolidated financial statements or in the accompanying notes.

Item 17.Undertakings

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the SEC such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1)

For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

(2)

For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

II-3


 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Description

 

 

 

1.1

 

Form of Underwriting Agreement

 

 

 

3.1 

 

Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant, to be in effect upon completion of this offering

 

 

 

3.2**  

 

Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the registrant, to be in effect upon completion of this offering

 

 

 

4.1**   

 

Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate

 

 

 

4.2**

 

Form of Registration Rights Agreement

 

 

 

5.1

 

Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation

 

 

 

10.1**   

 

Form of Director and Executive Officer Indemnification Agreement

 

 

 

10.2+  

 

2012 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements

 

 

 

10.3+  

 

2021 Equity Incentive Plan and related form agreements

 

 

 

10.4+  

 

Executive Incentive Compensation Plan

 

 

 

10.5+  

 

Outside Director Compensation Policy

 

 

 

10.6+  

 

Confirmatory Employment Letter by and between the registrant and Dushyant Sharma

 

 

 

10.7+  

 

Confirmatory Employment Letter by and between the registrant and Matt Parson

 

 

 

10.8+  

 

Confirmatory Employment Letter by and between the registrant and John Morrow

 

 

 

10.9+ 

 

Change in Control and Severance Agreement by and between the registrant and Dushyant Sharma

 

 

 

10.10+ 

 

Change in Control and Severance Agreement by and between the registrant and Matt Parson

 

 

 

10.11+

 

Change in Control and Severance Agreement by and between the registrant and John Morrow

 

 

 

10.12**  

 

Form of Stockholders Agreement

 

 

 

10.13**

 

Form of Redemption Agreement

 

 

 

10.14  

 

Warrant Agreement, dated as of May 13, 2021, by and between the registrant and JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation

 

 

 

10.15   

 

Class A Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of May 16, 2021, by and among the registrant and the purchasers named therein

 

 

 

16.1**

 

Letter regarding change in certifying accountant

 

 

 

21.1**

 

List of subsidiaries of the registrant

 

 

 

23.1   

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

 

23.2

 

Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation (included in the opinion filed as Exhibit 5.1 to this registration statement)

 

 

 

24.1**

 

Power of Attorney (included on page II-6 of the original filing of this registration statement)

 

+

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

**

Previously filed.

II-4


 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of Redmond, State of Washington, on May 17, 2021.

 

Paymentus holdings, inc.

 

By:

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

 

Dushyant Sharma

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

 

Title

 

Date

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

 

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)

 

May 17, 2021

Dushyant Sharma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/ Matt Parson

 

Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

 

May 17, 2021

Matt Parson

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

 

William Ingram

 

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

 

Jason Klein

 

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

 

Adam Malinowski

 

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

 

Robert Palumbo

 

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

*

 

Director

 

 

Gary Trainor

 

 

 

May 17, 2021

 

*By:

/s/ Matt Parson

 

Matt Parson

 

Attorney-in-Fact

 

 

II-5

Exhibit 1.1

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Class A Common Stock, Par Value $0.0001 Per Share

 

Underwriting Agreement

[•], 2021

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

BofA Securities, Inc.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

As representatives (the “Representatives”) of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I hereto,

 

c/o Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street,

New York, New York 10282-2198

 

c/o J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

 

c/o BofA Securities, Inc.

One Bryant Park

New York, New York 10036

 

c/o Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, New York 10013

Ladies and Gentlemen:

Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), proposes, subject to the terms and conditions stated in this agreement (this “Agreement”), to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule ‎I hereto (the “Underwriters”) an aggregate of [•] shares (the “Firm Shares”) and, at the election of the Underwriters, up to [•] additional shares (the “Optional Shares”), of Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Stock”) of the Company (the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares that the Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 2 hereof being collectively called the “Shares”).

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC (the “Directed Share Underwriter”) has agreed to reserve a portion of the Shares to be purchased by it under this Agreement for sale at the direction of the Company to certain parties related to the Company (collectively, “Participants”). The Shares to be sold by the Directed Share Underwriter pursuant to the Directed Share Program are hereinafter called the “Directed Shares.” Any Directed Shares

 

 


 

not confirmed for purchase by the deadline established therefor by the Directed Share Underwriter in consultation with the Company will be offered to the public by the Underwriters as set forth in the Prospectus.

A portion of the net proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be used to finance the Company’s redemption of all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of Series A preferred stock (including accumulated dividends through the redemption date) as further described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds” in the Pricing Prospectus.

1.The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the Underwriters that:

(a)A registration statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255683) (the “Initial Registration Statement”) in respect of the Shares has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”); the Initial Registration Statement and any post‑effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered to the Representatives, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; other than a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a “Rule 462(b) Registration Statement”) filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), which became effective upon filing, no other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement has been filed with the Commission; and no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act has been initiated or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in the Initial Registration Statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the Act is hereinafter called a “Preliminary Prospectus”; the various parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and including the information contained in the form of final prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof and deemed by virtue of Rule 430A under the Act to be part of the Initial Registration Statement at the time it was declared effective, each as amended at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes effective, are hereinafter collectively called the “Registration Statement”; the Preliminary Prospectus relating to the Shares that was included in the Registration Statement immediately prior to the Applicable Time (as defined in Section 1(c) hereof) is hereinafter called the “Pricing Prospectus”; such final prospectus, in the form first filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act, is hereinafter called the “Prospectus”; any oral or written communication with potential investors undertaken in reliance on Section 5(d) of the Act or Rule 163B under the Act is hereinafter called a “Testing-the-Waters Communication”; any Testing-the-Waters Communication that is a written communication within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Act is hereinafter called a “Written Testing-the-Waters Communication”; and any “issuer free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 433 under the Act relating to the Shares is hereinafter called an “Issuer Free Writing Prospectus”);

(b) (A) No order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus has been issued by the Commission, and (B) each Preliminary Prospectus, at the time of filing thereof, conformed in all material

2


 

respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder, and did not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information (as defined in Section 9(b) of this Agreement);

(c)For the purposes of this Agreement, the “Applicable Time” is [•] pm (Eastern Time) on the date of this Agreement.  The Pricing Prospectus, as supplemented by the information listed on Schedule II(b) hereto, taken together (collectively, the “Pricing Disclosure Package”), as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section ‎‎4(a) of this Agreement) will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication does not conflict with the information contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus and each Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and each Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as supplemented by and taken together with the Pricing Disclosure Package, as of the Applicable Time, did not, and as of each Time of Delivery will not, include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;

(d)The Registration Statement, at the time it was declared effective, conformed, and the Prospectus and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement and the Prospectus, on the date when such document is filed, will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not, as of the applicable effective date as to each part of the Registration Statement, as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and any amendment or supplement thereto, and as of each Time of Delivery, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;

(e)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has, since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus, sustained any material loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus; and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus, there has not been (x) any change in the capital stock (other than as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus or as a result of (i) the grant, vesting, settlement or exercise, if any, of stock options or restricted stock units in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (ii) the repurchase

3


 

of shares of capital stock by the Company pursuant to agreements described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus providing the Company with an option or a right of first refusal to repurchase such shares from service providers or (iii) the issuance, if any, of stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of Company securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus) or long‑term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or (y) any Material Adverse Effect (as defined below); as used in this Agreement, “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean any material adverse change or effect, or any development involving a prospective material adverse change or effect, in or affecting (i) the business, properties, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholdersequity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, or (ii) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;

(f)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries owns any real property, and except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries have good and marketable title with respect to all personal property owned by them, in each case free and clear of all liens, encumbrances and defects; and any real property and buildings held under lease by the Company and its subsidiaries are held by them, to the Company’s knowledge, under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases (except as enforceability may be limited by (i) bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally and (ii) the application of general principles of equity affecting the availability of specific performance and other equitable remedies);

(g)Each of the Company and each of its subsidiaries has been (i) duly organized and is validly existing and in good standing (or the foreign equivalent) under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its business as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except, in the case of each of the Company’s subsidiaries, where the failure to be in good standing (or the foreign equivalent) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and (ii) duly qualified as a foreign corporation for the transaction of business and is in good standing (or the foreign equivalent) under the laws of each other jurisdiction in which it owns or leases properties or conducts any business so as to require such qualification, except, in the case of this clause (ii), where the failure to be so qualified or in good standing (where such concept exists) would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, and each subsidiary of the Company required to be listed in the Registration Statement has been listed in the Registration Statement;

(h)The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-assessable and conform to the description of the capital stock contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; and all of the issued shares of capital stock of each subsidiary of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued, are fully paid and non-assessable and (except, in the case of any foreign subsidiary, for directors’

4


 

qualifying shares) are owned directly or indirectly by the Company, free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, equities or claims;

(i)The Shares have been duly and validly authorized and, when issued and delivered against payment therefor as provided herein, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and non‑assessable and will conform in all material respects to the description of the Stock contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus; the issuance of the Shares is not subject to any preemptive or similar rights; and there are no persons with registration rights or other similar rights to have any securities registered pursuant to the Registration Statement or otherwise registered by the Company under the Act, except as have been validly waived or complied with;

(j)The execution and delivery of this Agreement, the issuance and sale of the Shares and the compliance by the Company with this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated in this Agreement and the Pricing Prospectus will not (i) conflict with or result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement, lease or instrument to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or by which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is subject, (ii) result in any violation of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document) of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (iii) result in any violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties except, in the case of clauses (i) and (iii), for such violations that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the Act, the approval by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) of the underwriting terms and arrangements and such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by the Underwriters, except where the failure to obtain any such consents, approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications would not impair, in any material respect, the ability of the Company to issue and sell the Shares or to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;

(k)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is (i) in violation of its certificate of incorporation or by-laws (or other applicable organizational document), (ii) in violation of any statute or any judgment, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their properties, or (iii) in default in the performance or observance of any obligation, agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound, except, in the case of the foregoing clauses (ii) and (iii), for such violations or defaults as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

5


 

(l)The statements set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus under the caption “Description of Capital Stock”, insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Stock and the Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company (the “Class B Common Stock”), and under the captions “Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations for Non-U.S. Holders of Our Class A Common Stock” and “Underwriting” (except for the statements set forth under the caption “Underwriting—Selling Restrictions” and any statements that constitute Underwriter Information), insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects;

(m)Other than as set forth in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, there are no legal, governmental or regulatory investigations, actions, demands, claims, suits, arbitrations, inquiries or proceedings (“Actions”) pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer or director of the Company, is a party or of which any property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or, to the Company’s knowledge, any officer or director of the Company, is the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (or such officer or director), would individually or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and, to the Company’s knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened or contemplated by governmental authorities or others; there are no current or pending Actions that are required under the Act to be described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus that are not so described therein; and there are no statutes, regulations or contracts or other documents that are required under the Act to be filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement or the Pricing Prospectus that are not so filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement or described in the Registration Statement and the Pricing Prospectus;

(n)Except as described in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance with any and all applicable federal and state laws, rules, regulations and court decrees relating to the business of payment processing, servicing, consumer finance, consumer protection or other regulations applicable to the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted (including, but not limited to, applicable rules and regulations promulgated by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Trade Commission Act, the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform) (such laws, rules and regulations, the “Regulatory Laws”), except to the extent that the failure to comply would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and none of the Company or its subsidiaries is subject to any order or action, and to the Company’s knowledge none has been threatened with any action, by any federal or state regulatory authority concerning its compliance with applicable Regulatory Laws, except for any such order, action or noncompliance that would not singly or in the aggregate reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(o)The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and sale of the Shares and the application of the proceeds thereof as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, will not be an “investment company”, as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;

6


 

(p)At the time of filing the Initial Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, at the earliest time thereafter that the Company or any offering participant made a bona fide offer (within the meaning of Rule 164(h)(2) under the Act) of the Shares, and at the date hereof, the Company was not and is not an “ineligible issuer,” as defined under Rule 405 under the Act;

(q)PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, which has certified certain financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, is an independent registered public accounting firm as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder;

(r)The Company maintains a system of internal control over financial reporting (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) that (i) complies with the requirements of the Exchange Act applicable to the Company, (ii) has been designed by the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer, or under their supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP (as defined below) and (iii) is sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that (A) transactions are executed in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization, (B) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and to maintain accountability for assets, (C) access to assets is permitted only in accordance with management’s general or specific authorization and (D) the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences; and except as disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company is not aware of any material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting (it being understood that this Section 1(r) shall not require the Company to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes Oxley Act of 2002 as of an earlier date than it would otherwise be required to so comply under applicable law);

(s)Since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, there has been no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that has materially and adversely affected, or is reasonably likely to materially and adversely affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting;

(t)The Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act) that comply with the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act; such disclosure controls and procedures have been designed to ensure that material information relating to the Company and its subsidiaries is made known to the Company’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer by others within those entities; and such disclosure controls and procedures are effective;

(u)This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company;

(v)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries has (i) made, offered, promised or authorized any unlawful

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contribution, gift, entertainment or other unlawful expense (or taken any act in furtherance thereof); (ii) made, offered, promised or authorized any direct or indirect unlawful payment; or (iii) violated or is in violation of any provision of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended, or the rules and regulations thereunder, the Bribery Act 2010 of the United Kingdom or any other applicable anti-corruption, anti-bribery or related law, statute or regulation (collectively, “Anti-Corruption Laws”); the Company, its subsidiaries and its controlled affiliates have conducted their businesses in compliance with Anti-Corruption Laws and have instituted and maintained and will continue to maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to promote and achieve compliance with such laws and with the representations and warranties contained herein; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries will use, directly or indirectly, the proceeds of the offering in furtherance of an offer, payment, promise to pay, or authorization of the payment or giving of money, or anything else of value, to any person in violation of Anti-Corruption Laws;

(w)The operations of the Company and its subsidiaries are and have been conducted at all times in compliance with the requirements of the applicable anti-money laundering laws of the various jurisdictions in which the Company and its subsidiaries conduct business, the rules and regulations thereunder and any related or similar rules, regulation or guidelines issued, administered or enforced by any governmental or regulatory agency (collectively, the “Money Laundering Laws”) and no action, suit or proceeding by or before any court or governmental or regulatory agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries with respect to the Money Laundering Laws is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened;

(x)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, nor any director, officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any agent, affiliate or other person associated with or acting on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is, or is owned or controlled by an entity that is (i) currently the subject or the target of any sanctions administered or enforced by the U.S. Government, including, without limitation, the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury (“OFAC”), or the U.S. Department of State and including, without limitation, the designation as a “specially designated national” or “blocked person,” the European Union, Her Majesty’s Treasury, the United Nations Security Council, or other relevant sanctions authority (collectively, “Sanctions”), (ii) located, organized, or resident in a country or territory that is the subject or target of Sanctions (a “Sanctioned Jurisdiction”), and the Company will not directly or indirectly use the proceeds of the offering of the Shares hereunder, or lend, contribute or otherwise make available such proceeds to any subsidiary, joint venture partner or other person or entity (i) to fund or facilitate any activities of or business with any person, or in any country or territory, that, at the time of such funding, is the subject or the target of Sanctions or (ii) in any other manner that will result in a violation by any person (including any person participating in the transaction, whether as underwriter, advisor or investor) of Sanctions; neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is engaged in, or has, at any time in the past five years, knowingly engaged in, any dealings or transactions with or involving any individual or entity that was or is, as applicable, at the time of such dealing or transaction, the subject or target of Sanctions or with any Sanctioned Jurisdiction; the Company and its subsidiaries have instituted, and maintain, policies and procedures designed to promote and achieve continued compliance with Sanctions;

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(y)The financial statements included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, together with the related schedules and notes, present fairly in all material respects the financial position of the Company and its subsidiaries at the dates indicated and the statement of operations, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its subsidiaries for the periods specified; such financial statements have been prepared in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) applied on a consistent basis throughout the periods involved.  The supporting schedules, if any, present fairly in all material respects and in accordance with GAAP the information required to be stated therein.  The summary financial information included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus present fairly in all material respects the information shown therein and have been compiled on a basis consistent with that of the audited financial statements included therein.  Except as included therein, no historical or pro forma financial statements or supporting schedules are required to be included in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus under the Act or the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.  All disclosures contained in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus regarding “non-GAAP financial measures” (as such term is defined by the rules and regulations of the Commission) comply in all material respects with Regulation G of the Exchange Act and Item 10 of Regulation S-K of the Act, to the extent applicable;

(z)Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (i) the Company and its subsidiaries own or possess, or have a valid and enforceable license or other valid right to use, any and all trademarks, service marks, trade names, trade dress, domain names, patents, inventions, copyrights, licenses, know how (including trade secrets and other unpatented and/or unpatentable proprietary or confidential information, systems or procedures), software, social media identifiers and accounts and all other technology and intellectual property and proprietary rights in any jurisdiction throughout the world (including all registrations and applications for registration of, and any and all goodwill associated with, any of the foregoing) (collectively, “Intellectual Property Rights”), necessary to the conduct of their respective businesses (1) as currently conducted and (2) to the Company’s knowledge, as proposed to be conducted in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except where, in each case of (i)(1) and (i)(2), a failure to own, possess or have a valid and enforceable license or other right to use any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (ii) to the Company’s knowledge, the Intellectual Property Rights owned by the Company and its subsidiaries (the “Company IP”) are valid, subsisting and enforceable, except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iii) all Company IP is owned solely and exclusively by the Company or one of its subsidiaries (except where a failure to own any of the foregoing would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect) free and clear of all liens, encumbrances, defects or other restrictions except for (1) non-exclusive licenses or other non-exclusive grants of rights granted in the ordinary course of business or (2) liens, encumbrances, defects or other restrictions as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (iv) there is no pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened action, suit, proceeding or claim by others (A) challenging the ownership, validity, scope or enforceability of, or any rights of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in, any Company IP, or (B) alleging that the Company or any of its subsidiaries

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infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates any Intellectual Property Rights of others, and in each case, the Company is not aware of any facts that would form the basis for any such action, suit, proceeding or claim and, in the case of each of (A) and (B), as would reasonably be expected to be required to be disclosed in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus; (v) neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received any written notice alleging any infringement, misappropriation or other violation of any Intellectual Property Rights of others that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (vi) to the knowledge of the Company, no person or entity is infringing, misappropriating or otherwise violating, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Company IP that would reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; (vii) to the knowledge of the Company, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, in any material respect, infringes, misappropriates or otherwise violates, or has infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated, any Intellectual Property Rights of others; (viii) all employees or contractors engaged in making contributions to or the development of Company IP have executed an invention assignment agreement whereby such employees or contractors presently assign, to the extent permitted under applicable law, all of their right, title and interest in and to such Company IP to the Company or its subsidiaries, and to the knowledge of the Company, no such agreement has been breached or violated, except where a failure to enter into such an agreement would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect; and (ix) except as would not reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) the Company and its subsidiaries use, and have used, reasonable efforts, in accordance with normal industry practice, to appropriately maintain the confidentiality of and protect any and all Intellectual Property Rights of the Company and its subsidiaries the value of which to the Company or any of its subsidiaries is contingent upon maintaining the confidentiality thereof, and (B) no such Intellectual Property Rights have been disclosed other than to employees, representatives and agents of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, all of whom are bound by contractual, fiduciary, professional, or other obligations of confidentiality;

(aa)The Company and its subsidiaries use and have used all software and other materials distributed under a “free,” “open source,” or similar licensing model (including but not limited to the MIT License, Apache License, GNU General Public License, GNU Lesser General Public License and GNU Affero General Public License) (“Open Source Materials”) in compliance with all license terms applicable to such Open Source Materials, except where the failure to comply would not have a Material Adverse Effect; and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries uses or distributes or has used or distributed any Open Source Materials in a manner that requires or has required (A) the Company or any of its subsidiaries to permit reverse engineering by a third party of any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective products or services or (B) any software code or other technology owned by the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any of their respective products or services to be (1) disclosed or distributed in source code form, (2) licensed for the purpose of making derivative works or (3) redistributed at no charge, except, in the case of clauses (A) and (B), as would not have a Material Adverse Effect;

(bb)Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries have established, implemented and maintain commercially reasonable policies, procedures, controls and safeguards consistent with applicable binding regulatory standards and

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customary industry practices (A) designed to maintain and protect the security, integrity, continuous operation and redundancy of all information technology assets and equipment, computer systems, websites, networks, hardware, incorporated software, applications, and databases that the Company or any of its subsidiaries own, operate, or that is otherwise in their possession, custody, or control (“IT Systems”), and all Personal Data (as defined below) and sensitive and confidential data (including all Personal Data and all sensitive or confidential data and information of their respective customers, clients, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers, vendors, business partners and any third-party data) in their possession, custody, or control (collectively, “Data”), including in relation to backup and disaster recovery technology, and (B) regarding their collection, use, disclosure, retention, processing, and transfer of, and maintenance of confidentiality, integrity, security and availability of, personal data (including all personal, personally identifiable, and sensitive personal information) of their respective customers, clients, employees, agents, contractors, suppliers, vendors and business partners in their possession, custody or control, or otherwise processed by or on behalf of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with their businesses (collectively, “Personal Data”). The Company and its subsidiaries own or have a valid right to access and use all IT Systems and Data, and such IT Systems (i) are adequate in capacity and operation for, and operate and perform, in all material respects as required in connection with, the operation of the business of the Company and its subsidiaries as currently conducted, (ii) have not malfunctioned or failed and (iii) to the Company’s knowledge, are free and clear of all bugs, errors, defects, Trojan horses, time bombs, back doors, drop dead devices, malware and other malicious code, except in the case of clauses (i), (ii), or (iii), as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in the Registration Statement, Pricing Prospectus and Prospectus, to the Company’s knowledge, the Company and its Subsidiaries have not experienced any outage, or any security breach, compromise, attack or other incident resulting in any destruction, loss, disablement, misappropriation, misuse, or unauthorized modification, disclosure, access, or use of any IT Systems or Data that has compromised the integrity or availability of the IT Systems or Data (each, a “Breach”), including any Breach that led to any exfiltration of Data of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, in each case that would, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and its subsidiaries have not been notified of, and have no knowledge of any event or condition that would reasonably be expected to result in, any Breach that would be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, nor any incidents under internal review or investigations relating to the same. Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, the Company and its subsidiaries have complied, and are presently in compliance, with all applicable laws, industry standards and statutes and all applicable binding judgments, orders, rules and regulations of any court or arbitrator or governmental or regulatory authority, all of their internal and external privacy policies, applicable binding financial industry data security standards and the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ contractual and other legal obligations, in each case, relating to the privacy, security and protection of their IT Systems and Data, including with respect to the collection, use, processing, transfer, storage, protection, disposal and disclosure of such Data and to the protection of such IT Systems and Data from a Breach (collectively, the “Data Security Obligations”). Except as would not, in the aggregate, be reasonably expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is under investigation by, or is a party to any action,

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suit or proceeding by or before, any governmental or regulatory agency or court, or (ii) has received any written claim, complaint, inquiry or notice from any governmental or regulatory agency or any written claim, complaint or notice from any other third party, in each case related to Data Security Obligations applicable to its collection, processing, use, transfer, storage, protection, disposal, privacy, security and/or disclosure of Personal Data or alleging (A) the violation of any Data Security Obligation, or (B) that its actions otherwise constitute an unfair, deceptive or misleading trade practice relating to privacy or data security. The Company and its subsidiaries have implemented commercially reasonable backup and disaster recovery technology consistent with applicable binding regulatory standards and customary industry practices, except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;

(cc)No forward-looking statement (within the meaning of Section 27A of the Act and Section 21E of the Exchange Act) included or incorporated by reference in any of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus has been made or reaffirmed without a reasonable basis or has been disclosed other than in good faith;

(dd)Nothing has come to the attention of the Company that has caused the Company to believe that the statistical and market-related data included in each of the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus is not based on or derived from sources that are reliable and accurate in all material respects;

(ee)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries, and to the Company’s knowledge, no other affiliate or anyone acting on the Company’s behalf (other than any Underwriter), has taken or will take, directly or indirectly, any action designed to or that could reasonably be expected to cause or result in the stabilization or manipulation of the price of any security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries in connection with the offering of the Shares;

(ff)The Company and each of its subsidiaries possess and are in compliance with such permits, licenses, approvals, consents, franchises, certificates of need and other approvals or authorizations from, and have made all decelerations and filings with, all governmental or regulatory authorities (“Permits”) as are necessary under applicable law to own or lease their respective properties and conduct their respective businesses in the manner described in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, except for any of the foregoing the absence of which would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received notice of any proceedings related to the revocation or modification of any such Permits that, individually or in the aggregate, if the subject of an unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a Material Adverse Effect;

(gg)The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, are insured against such losses and risks and in such amounts as are reasonable and customary in the businesses in which they are engaged and as required by law;

(hh)No material labor dispute with or disturbance by the employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries exists or is threatened, and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has received written notice of any existing, threatened or imminent labor disturbance by the employees of any of its principal suppliers, manufacturers or contractors;

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(ii)Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect, (A) each Plan (as defined below) has been maintained in compliance with its terms and the requirements of any applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations, including but not limited to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended (“ERISA”) and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and complies in form with the requirements of all applicable statutes, orders, rules and regulations including ERISA and the Code; (B) no non-exempt prohibited transaction, within the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code, has occurred with respect to any Plan; (C) for each Plan, no failure to satisfy the minimum funding standards (within the meaning of Sections 412 and 430 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived, has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (D) no “reportable event” (within the meaning of Section 4043(c) of ERISA, other than those events as to which notice is waived) has occurred or is reasonably expected to occur; (E) neither the Company nor any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code) has incurred, nor is reasonably expected to incur, any liability under Title IV of ERISA (other than contributions to any Plan or any Multiemployer Plan or premiums to the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, in the ordinary course and without default) in respect of a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan; and (F) each Plan that is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) of the Code is so qualified and, to the knowledge of the Company, nothing has occurred, whether by action or by failure to act, which would cause the loss of such qualification. For purposes of this paragraph, (x) the term “Plan” means an employee benefit plan, within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, subject to Title IV of ERISA, but excluding any Multiemployer Plan, for which the Company or any member of its “Controlled Group” (defined as any organization which is a member of a controlled group of corporations within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code) has any liability and (y) the term “Multiemployer Plan” means a multiemployer plan within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA;

(jj)Since the date as of which information is given in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and except as may otherwise be disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the Company has not, (i) issued or granted any securities, other than pursuant to employee benefit plans, stock option plans or other employee compensation plans disclosed in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus or pursuant to outstanding options or restricted stock units, (ii) incurred any liability or obligation, direct or contingent, other than liabilities and obligations which were incurred in the ordinary course of business, (iii) entered into any material transaction not in the ordinary course of business or (iv) declared or paid any dividends on its capital stock;

(kk)Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries (i) is in violation of any applicable statute, law, rule, regulation, ordinance, code, rule of common law or order of or with any governmental agency or body or any court, domestic or foreign, relating to the use, management, disposal or release of hazardous or toxic material, chemical substance, waste, pollutant or contaminant (together, “Hazardous Materials”) or relating to pollution, contamination or the protection of the environment or human health or relating to exposure to Hazardous Materials (collectively, “Environmental Laws”), (ii) has received any written claim, written request for information or written notice of liability or investigation arising under, relating to or based upon any Environmental Laws, or (iii) is aware of any pending or threatened notice, claim, proceeding or investigation which might lead to liability under

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Environmental Laws; except, in each case, where the failure to so comply or the potential liability would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. There has been no storage, generation, transportation, use, handling, spill, leak, seepage, pumping, dumping, disposing, depositing or dispersing of any Hazardous Materials; the Company does not anticipate incurring material capital expenditures relating to compliance with Environmental Laws (including, without limitation, any capital or operating expenditures required for clean-up, investigation or closure of properties or compliance with Environmental Laws or any permit, license, approval, any related constraints on operating activities and any potential liabilities to third parties); and neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has been named as a “potentially responsible party” under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980, as amended;

(ll)Except for any failures or exceptions that would not, individually or in the aggregate, reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect: (i) the Company and its subsidiaries have timely filed (taking into account valid extensions) all federal, state, local and foreign tax returns required to be filed in any jurisdiction and have paid all taxes (and any related interest, penalties and additions to tax) required to be paid (whether or not shown on a tax return and including in its capacity as a withholding agent), except for any taxes being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate reserves have been provided in accordance with GAAP; (ii) there are no current, pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened tax audits, assessments or other claims or proceedings with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries; and (iii) the Company and each of its subsidiaries have made adequate charges, accruals and reserves in the applicable financial statements in respect of all federal, state, local and foreign taxes in any jurisdiction (and any related interest, penalties and additions to tax) for all periods as to which the tax liability of the Company and its subsidiaries (as applicable) has not been finally determined;

(mm)There are (and prior to the Closing Date, will be) no debt securities or preferred stock issued or guaranteed by the Company or any of its subsidiaries that are rated by a “nationally recognized statistical rating organization,” as such term is defined in Section 3(a)(62) under the Exchange Act;

(nn)From the time of initial confidential submission of a registration statement relating to the Shares with the Commission through the date hereof, the Company has been and is an “emerging growth company” as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the Act (an “Emerging Growth Company”); and

(oo)Except as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is a party to any contract, agreement or understanding with any person (other than this Agreement) that would give rise to a valid claim against any of them or any Underwriter for a brokerage commission, finder’s fee or like payment in connection with the offering and sale of the Shares.

(pp)The Registration Statement, the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses and any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication comply in all material respects, and any further amendments or supplements thereto will comply in all material respects, with any applicable laws or regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Pricing Disclosure Package, the Prospectus, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus

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and any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, as amended or supplemented, if applicable, are distributed in connection with the Directed Share Program;

(qq)No authorization, approval, consent, license, order, registration or qualification of or with any government, governmental instrumentality or court, other than such as have been obtained, is necessary under the securities laws and regulations of foreign jurisdictions in which the Directed Shares are offered outside the United States;

(rr)The Company has specifically directed in writing the allocation of Shares to each Participant in the Directed Share Program, and neither the Directed Share Underwriter nor any other Underwriter has had any involvement or influence, directly or indirectly, in such allocation decision.

(ss)The Company has not offered, or caused the Directed Share Underwriter or its affiliates to offer, Shares to any person pursuant to the Directed Share Program (i) for any consideration other than the cash payment of the initial public offering price per share set forth in Schedule II(b) hereof or (ii) with the specific intent to unlawfully influence (x) a customer or supplier of the Company to alter the customer or supplier's terms, level or type of business with the Company or (y) a trade journalist or publication to write or publish favorable information about the Company or its products.

2.Subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, (a) the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at a purchase price per share of $[•], the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and (b) in the event and to the extent that the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares as provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price per share set forth in clause (a) of this Section 2 (provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares), that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which such election shall have been exercised (to be adjusted by the Representatives so as to eliminate fractional shares) determined by multiplying such number of Optional Shares by a fraction, the numerator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares which such Underwriter is entitled to purchase as set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and the denominator of which is the maximum number of Optional Shares that all of the Underwriters are entitled to purchase hereunder.

The Company hereby grants to the Underwriters the right to purchase at their election up to [•] Optional Shares, at the purchase price per share set forth in the paragraph above, provided that the purchase price per Optional Share shall be reduced by an amount per share equal to any dividends or distributions declared by the Company and payable on the Firm Shares but not payable on the Optional Shares.  Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised only by written notice from the Representatives to the Company, given within a period of 30 calendar days after the date of this Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives but in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4(a) hereof) or,

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unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier than two or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.

3.Upon the authorization by the Representatives of the release of the Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Shares for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus.

4.(a) The Shares to be purchased by each Underwriter hereunder, in definitive or book-entry form, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours’ prior notice to the Company shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives, through the facilities of the Depository Trust Company (“DTC”), for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by or on behalf of such Underwriter of the purchase price therefor by wire transfer of Federal (same-day) funds to the account specified by the Company to the Representatives at least forty-eight hours in advance.  The Company will cause the certificates, if any, representing the Shares to be made available for checking and packaging at least twenty-four hours prior to the Time of Delivery (as defined below) with respect thereto at the office of DTC or its designated custodian (the “Designated Office”). The time and date of such delivery and payment shall be, with respect to the Firm Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on [•], 2021 or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, and, with respect to the Optional Shares, 9:30 a.m., New York time, on the date specified by the Representatives in each written notice given by the Representatives of the Underwriters’ election to purchase such Optional Shares, or such other time and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing.  Such time and date for delivery of the Firm Shares is herein called the “First Time of Delivery”, each such time and date for delivery of the Optional Shares, if not the First Time of Delivery, is herein called the “Second Time of Delivery”, and each such time and date for delivery is herein called a “Time of Delivery.”

(b)The documents to be delivered at each Time of Delivery by or on behalf of the parties hereto pursuant to Section 8 hereof, including the cross receipt for the Shares and any additional documents requested by the Underwriters pursuant to Section 8(j) hereof, will be delivered at the offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, 450 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 (the “Closing Location”), and the Shares will be delivered through the facilities of DTC, all at such Time of Delivery.  A virtual meeting will be held at 4:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next preceding such Time of Delivery, at which meeting the final drafts of the documents to be delivered pursuant to the preceding sentence will be available for review by the parties hereto.  For the purposes of this Section 4, “New York Business Day” shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which banking institutions in New York City are generally authorized or obligated by law or executive order to close.

5.The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters:

(a)To prepare the Prospectus in a form approved by the Representatives and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commission’s close of business on the second business day following the execution and delivery of this Agreement, or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by Rule 430A(a)(3) under the Act; to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus prior to the last Time of Delivery which shall be

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disapproved by the Representatives promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the Representatives and their counsel, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any amendment or supplement to the Prospectus has been filed and to furnish the Representatives and their counsel with copies thereof; to file promptly all material required to be filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act; to advise the Representatives and their counsel, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus in respect of the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of the Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or the Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any Preliminary Prospectus or other prospectus or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

(b)Promptly from time to time to take such action as the Representatives may reasonably request to qualify the Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of the Shares, provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation (where not otherwise required) or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction (where not otherwise required) or subject itself to taxation in any jurisdiction in which it was not otherwise subject to taxation;

(c)Prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement (or such later time as may be agreed to by the Company and the Representatives) and from time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with written and electronic copies of the Prospectus in such quantities as the Representatives may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is required at any time prior to the expiration of nine months after the time of issue of the Prospectus in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such Prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, to notify the Representatives and upon the Representatives’ request to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities (whose name and address the Representatives shall furnish to the Company) as many written and electronic copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance; and in case any Underwriter is required to deliver a prospectus (or in lieu thereof, the notice referred to in Rule 173(a) under the Act) in connection with sales of any of the Shares at any time nine months or more after the time of issue of the Prospectus,

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upon the Representatives’ request but at the expense of such Underwriter, to prepare and deliver to such Underwriter as many written and electronic copies as the Representatives may request of an amended or supplemented Prospectus complying with Section 10(a)(3) of the Act;

(d)To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as practicable (which may be satisfied by filing with the Commissions’ Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”)), but in any event not later than sixteen months after the effective date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158);

(e)(1) During the period beginning from the date hereof and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus (the “Lock-Up Period”), not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, make any short sale or otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, or publicly file with the Commission a registration statement under the Act relating to, any shares of Stock or other securities of the Company that are substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any options or warrants to purchase shares of Stock or Class B Common Stock (together with the Stock, the “Common Stock”) or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities, or publicly disclose the intention to make any offer, sale, pledge, disposition or filing, (ii) enter into any swap or other agreement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common Stock or any such other securities, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other securities, in cash or otherwise, or (iii) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in any of the foregoing, in each case, without the prior written consent of at least two Representatives, including at least one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (the “Releasing Representatives”); provided, however, that the foregoing restrictions shall not apply to (A) the Shares sold hereunder; (B) the issuance by the Company of shares of Common Stock upon the exercise of an option or warrant or the conversion of a security outstanding on the date hereof and described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; (C) the issuance of Stock upon the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock; (D) the issuance by the Company of Stock or other securities convertible or exercisable into Stock, in each case pursuant to the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ stock plans, employee stock purchase plans and equity incentive plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; (E) the filing of a registration statement on Form S-8 or any successor form thereto with respect to the registration of securities to be offered under any employee benefit, equity incentive plans or employee stock purchase plans of the Company or its subsidiaries that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; (F) the establishment of a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of shares of Stock; provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer of Stock during the Lock-Up Period described above and, no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made or required during the Lock-Up Period; (G) the issuance by the Company of warrants or securities underlying such warrants to JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation or its affiliates as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; (H) the issuance and sale by the Company of Stock in the concurrent

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private placement as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus; and (I) issuance by the Company of Stock or securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive Stock in connection with (1) the acquisition by the Company or any of its subsidiaries of the securities, business, technology, property or other assets of another person or entity or pursuant to an employee benefit plan assumed by the Company in connection with such acquisition, or (2) the Company’s joint ventures, equipment leasing arrangements, debt financings or other strategic transactions; provided that the aggregate number of shares issued or issuable across one or more transactions pursuant to this clause (I) shall not exceed 10% of the total number of outstanding shares of Common Stock immediately following the issuance and sale of the Shares hereunder; provided further that each recipient of any shares of Stock and securities issued during the Lock-Up Period pursuant to clauses (B), (C), (D), (G), or (I) shall enter into an agreement substantially to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto for the remainder of the Lock-Up Period (as defined therein); and provided further that the Company agrees to notify the Representatives in writing at least five business days prior to any confidential submission with the Commission of a registration statement under the Act relating to the Common Stock or any securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to receive, Common Stock or any such substantially similar securities;

(2)If the Releasing Representatives, in their sole discretion, agree to release or waive the restrictions set forth in a lock-up letter described in Section 8(h) hereof for an officer or director of the Company and provides the Company with notice of the impending release or waiver at least three business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, the Company agrees to announce the impending release or waiver by a press release substantially in the form of Annex ‎I hereto through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, if required by FINRA Rule 5131;

(f)To enforce all existing agreements between the Company and any of its securityholders that prohibit the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or hypothecation of any of the Company’s securities in connection with the Company’s initial public offering until, in respect of any particular securityholder, the earlier to occur of (i) the expiration of the Lock-Up Period or (ii) the expiration of any similar arrangement entered into by such securityholder with the Representatives; to direct the transfer agent to place stop transfer restrictions upon any such securities of the Company that are bound by such existing “lock-up,” “market stand-off,” “holdback” or similar provisions of such agreements for the duration of the periods contemplated in the preceding clause; and not to release or otherwise grant any waiver of such provisions in such agreements during such periods without the prior written consent of the Releasing Representatives, on behalf of the Underwriters;

(g)During a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to furnish to its stockholders as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year an annual report (including a balance sheet and statements of income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries certified by independent public accountants) and, as soon as practicable after the end of each of the first three quarters of each fiscal year (beginning with the fiscal quarter ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement), to make available to its stockholders consolidated summary financial information of the Company

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and its subsidiaries for such quarter in reasonable detail; provided, however, that the Company may satisfy the requirements of this Section 5(g) by filing such information through EDGAR;

(h)During a period of three years from the effective date of the Registration Statement, so long as the Company is subject to the reporting requirements of either Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, to furnish to the Representatives copies of all reports or other communications (financial or other) furnished to stockholders generally, and to deliver to the Representatives (i) as soon as they are available, copies of any reports and financial statements furnished to or filed with the Commission or any national securities exchange on which any class of securities of the Company is listed; and (ii) such additional information concerning the business and financial condition of the Company as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request (such financial statements to be on a consolidated basis to the extent the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries are consolidated in reports furnished to its stockholders generally or to the Commission); provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to provide documents that are available through EDGAR;

(i)To use the net proceeds received by it from the sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement in the manner specified in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus under the caption “Use of Proceeds”;

(j)To use its best efforts to list for trading, subject to notice of issuance, the Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the “Exchange”);

(k)To file with the Commission such information on Form 10-Q or Form 10-K as may be required by Rule 463 under the Act;

(l)If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with Rule 462(b) by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b) under the Act;

(m)Upon request of any Underwriter, to furnish, or cause to be furnished, to such Underwriter an electronic version of the Company’s trademarks, servicemarks and corporate logo for use on the website, if any, operated by such Underwriter for the purpose of facilitating the on-line offering of the Shares (the “License”); provided, however, that the License shall be used solely for the purpose described above, is granted without any fee and may not be assigned or transferred;

(n)To comply with all applicable securities and other laws, rules and regulations in each jurisdiction in which the Directed Shares are offered in connection with the Directed Share Program; and

(o)To promptly notify the Representatives if the Company ceases to be an Emerging Growth Company at any time prior to the later of (i) completion of the distribution of the Shares within the meaning of the Act and (ii) the last Time of Delivery.    

6.(a) The Company represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a “free writing prospectus” as defined in Rule 405 under the Act; each

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Underwriter represents and agrees that, without the prior consent of the Company and the Representatives, it has not made and will not make any offer relating to the Shares that would constitute a free writing prospectus required to be filed with the Commission; any such free writing prospectus the use of which has been consented to by the Company and the Representatives is listed on Schedule II(a) hereto;

(b)The Company has complied and will comply with the requirements of Rule 433 under the Act applicable to any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, including timely filing with the Commission or retention where required and legending; and the Company represents that it has satisfied and agrees that it will satisfy the conditions under Rule 433 under the Act to avoid a requirement to file with the Commission any electronic road show;

(c)The Company agrees that if at any time following issuance of an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication any event occurred or occurs as a result of which such Issuer Free Writing Prospectus or Written Testing-the-Waters Communication would conflict with the information in the Registration Statement, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus or would include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances then prevailing, not misleading, the Company will give prompt notice thereof to the Representatives and, if requested by the Representatives, will prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, Written Testing-the-Waters Communication or other document which will correct such conflict, statement or omission; provided, however, that this covenant shall not apply to any statements or omissions in an Issuer Free Writing Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information;

(d)The Company represents and agrees that (i) it has not engaged in, or authorized any other person to engage in, any Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than Testing-the-Waters Communications with the prior consent of the Representatives with entities that the Company reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9), (a)(12) or (a)(13) under the Act; and (ii) it has not distributed, or authorized any other person to distribute, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communications, other than those distributed with the prior consent of the Representatives, which are listed on Schedule II(c) hereto; and the Company reconfirms that the Underwriters have been authorized to act on its behalf in engaging in Testing-the-Waters Communications;

(e)Each Underwriter represents and agrees that any Testing-the-Waters Communications undertaken by it were with entities that such Underwriter reasonably believes are qualified institutional buyers as defined in Rule 144A under the Act or institutions that are accredited investors as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), (a)(7), (a)(8), (a)(9), (a)(12) or (a)(13) under the Act.

7.The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees, disbursements and expenses of the Company’s counsel and accountants in connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation, printing, reproduction and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, any Written Testing-the-Waters Communication, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering

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of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing any agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Blue Sky Memorandum, closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky survey (iv) all fees and expenses in connection with listing the Shares on the Exchange; (v) the filing fees incident to, and the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with, any required review by FINRA of the terms of the sale of the Shares; provided, that the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters described in this clause (v) shall not exceed $55,000; (vi) the cost of preparing stock certificates, if applicable; (vii) the cost and charges of any transfer agent or registrar; (viii) all expenses incurred by the Company in connection with any “roadshow” presentation to potential investors, including without limitation, expenses associated with the production of road show slides and graphics, fees and expenses of any consultants engaged in connection with the road show presentations; and (ix) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section.  In addition, the Company shall pay or cause to be paid all reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program and stamp duties, similar taxes or duties or other taxes, if any, incurred by the Underwriters in connection with the Directed Share Program. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 9 and 12 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, stock transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

8.The obligations of the Underwriters hereunder, as to the Shares to be delivered at each Time of Delivery, shall be subject, in their discretion, to the condition that all representations and warranties and other statements of the Company herein are, at and as of the Applicable Time and such Time of Delivery, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:

(a)The Prospectus shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section ‎‎5(a) hereof; all material required to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act shall have been filed with the Commission within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by Rule 433; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b) under the Act, the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 P.M., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of this Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose or pursuant to Section 8A of the Act shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; no stop order suspending or preventing the use of the Pricing Prospectus, Prospectus or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus shall have been initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives’ reasonable satisfaction;

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(b)Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP, counsel for the Underwriters, shall have furnished to the Representatives such written opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives, and such counsel shall have received such papers and information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such matters;

(c)Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their written opinion and negative assurance letter, dated such Time of Delivery, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives;

(d)On the date of the Prospectus substantially concurrently with the execution of this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any post‑effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives;

(e)(i) The Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, shall not have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus any loss or interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus there shall not have been any change in the capital stock (other than as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus or as a result of (A) the grant, vesting, settlement or exercise, if any, of stock options or restricted stock units in the ordinary course of business pursuant to the Company’s equity plans that are described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, (B) the repurchase of shares of capital stock by the Company pursuant to agreements described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus providing the Company with an option or right of first refusal to repurchase such shares from service providers or (C) the issuance, if any, of stock upon conversion, exchange or exercise of Company securities as described in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus) or long‑term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change or effect, or any development involving a prospective change or effect, in or affecting (x) the business, properties, general affairs, management, financial position, stockholders’ equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, except as set forth or contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, or (y) the ability of the Company to perform its obligations under this Agreement, including the issuance and sale of the Shares, or to consummate the transactions contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus, the effect of which, in any such case described in clause (i) or (ii), is in the Representatives’ judgment so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;

(f)On or after the Applicable Time there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Market; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in

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the Company’s securities on the Exchange; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New York State authorities or a material disruption in commercial banking or securities settlement or clearance services in the United States; (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war or (v) the occurrence of any other calamity or crisis or any change in financial, political or economic conditions in the United States or elsewhere, if the effect of any such event specified in clause (iv) or (v) in the Representatives’ judgment makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Pricing Prospectus and the Prospectus;

(g)The Shares to be sold at such Time of Delivery shall have been duly listed, subject to notice of issuance, on the Exchange;

(h)The Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Underwriters executed copies of an agreement from each officer and director, and substantially all equityholders, of the Company, substantially to the effect set forth in Annex II hereto in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives;

(i)The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section 5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York Business Day next succeeding the date of this Agreement;

(j)The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the Representatives at each Time of Delivery certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to the Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request; and

(k)On the date of the Prospectus at a time prior to the execution of this Agreement, at 9:30 a.m., New York City time, on the effective date of any post‑effective amendment to the Registration Statement filed subsequent to the date of this Agreement and also at each Time of Delivery, the Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a certificate or certificates, dated the respective dates of delivery thereof, of the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, with respect to certain data contained in the Pricing Disclosure Package and the Prospectus, in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives.

9.(a) The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any “roadshow” as defined in Rule 433(h) under the Act (a “roadshow”), any “issuer information” filed or required to be filed pursuant to Rule 433(d) under the Act or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary

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to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, any roadshow or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information.

(b)Each Underwriter, severally and not jointly, will indemnify and hold harmless the Company against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission was made in the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus, the Pricing Prospectus or the Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, or any Issuer Free Writing Prospectus, or any roadshow or any Testing-the-Waters Communication, in reliance upon and in conformity with the Underwriter Information; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred. As used in this Agreement with respect to an Underwriter and an applicable document, “Underwriter Information” shall mean the written information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the Representatives expressly for use therein; it being understood and agreed upon that the only such information furnished by any Underwriter consists of the following information in the Prospectus furnished on behalf of each Underwriter: the concession amount appearing in the fifth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting,” and the information contained in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth paragraphs under the caption “Underwriting” concerning short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales by the Underwriters, and the eighteenth paragraph under the caption “Underwriting” concerning sales to discretionary accounts by the Underwriters.

(c)Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 9 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the indemnifying party shall not relieve the indemnifying party from any liability that it may have to an indemnified party other than

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under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9.  In case any such action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to such indemnified party (who shall not, except with the consent of the indemnified party, be counsel to the indemnifying party), and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to such indemnified party under the preceding paragraphs of this Section 9 for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, except, in any such proceeding, an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of such indemnified party unless (i) the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the indemnifying party has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party; (iii) the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the indemnifying party; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the indemnifying party and the indemnified party and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them.  No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (i) includes an unconditional release of the indemnified party, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of any indemnified party.

(d)If the indemnification provided for in this Section 9 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other from the offering of the Shares.  If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then each indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other in connection with the statements or omissions or allegations thereof which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to

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the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Underwriters, in each case as set forth in the table on the cover page of the Prospectus.  The relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Underwriters on the other and the partiesrelative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d).  The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Shares underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission.  No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  The Underwritersobligations in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting obligations and not joint.

(e)The obligations of the Company under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each employee, officer and director of each Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act and each broker-dealer or other affiliate of any Underwriter; and the obligations of the Underwriters under this Section 9 shall be in addition to any liability which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

(f)

(i)The Company will indemnify and hold harmless the Directed Share Underwriter against any losses, claims, damages and liabilities to which the Directed Share Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) (x) arise out of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, (y) arise out of or are based upon the failure of any Participant to pay for and accept delivery of Directed Shares that the Participant agreed to purchase, or (z) are related to, arise out of or are in connection with the

27


 

Directed Share Program, and will reimburse the Directed Share Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Directed Share Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that with respect to clauses (y) and (z) above, the Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability is finally judicially determined to have resulted from the bad faith or gross negligence of the Directed Share Underwriter.

(ii)Promptly after receipt by the Directed Share Underwriter of notice of the commencement of any action, the Directed Share Underwriter shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the Company, notify the Company in writing of the commencement thereof; provided that the failure to notify the Company shall not relieve the Company from any liability that it may have under the preceding paragraph of this Section ‎9(f) except to the extent that it has been materially prejudiced (through the forfeiture of substantive rights or defenses) by such failure; and provided further that the failure to notify the Company shall not relieve it from any liability that it may have to the Directed Share Underwriter otherwise than under the preceding paragraph of this Section ‎9(f).  In case any such action shall be brought against the Directed Share Underwriter and it shall notify the Company of the commencement thereof, the Company shall be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to the Directed Share Underwriter (who shall not, except with the consent of the Directed Share Underwriter, be counsel to the Company), and, after notice from the Company to the Directed Share Underwriter of its election so to assume the defense thereof, the Company shall not be liable to the Directed Share Underwriter under this subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by the Directed Share Underwriter, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation, except, in any such proceeding, the Directed Share Underwriter shall have the right to retain its own counsel, but the fees and expenses of such counsel shall be at the expense of the Directed Share Underwriter unless (i) the Company and the Directed Share Underwriter shall have mutually agreed to the contrary; (ii) the Company has failed within a reasonable time to retain counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Directed Share Underwriter; (iii) the Directed Share Underwriter shall have reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it that are different from or in addition to those available to the Company; or (iv) the named parties in any such proceeding (including any impleaded parties) include both the Company and the Directed Share Underwriter and representation of both parties by the same counsel would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interest between them.  The Company shall not, without the written consent of the Directed Share Underwriter, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the Directed Share Underwriter is an actual or potential party to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment (x) includes an unconditional release of the Directed Share Underwriter, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party, from all liability arising out of such action or claim and (y) does not include a statement as to or an

28


 

admission of fault, culpability or a failure to act, by or on behalf of the Directed Share Underwriter.

(iii)If the indemnification provided for in this Section ‎9(f) is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless the Directed Share Underwriter under Section ‎9(f)(i) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then the Company shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter on the other from the offering of the Directed Shares.  If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law, then the Company shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter on the other in connection with any statements or omissions or allegations thereof which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.  The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Directed Share Underwriter on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from the offering of the Directed Shares (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions received by the Directed Share Underwriter for the Directed Shares.  If the loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in any material prepared by or with the consent of the Company for distribution to Participants in connection with the Directed Share Program or arises out of or is based upon the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, the relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or the Directed Share Underwriter on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.  The Company and the Directed Share Underwriter agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section ‎9(f)(iii) were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in this Section ‎9(f)(iii).  The amount paid or payable by the Directed Share Underwriter as a result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this Section ‎9(f)(iii) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Directed Share Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section ‎9(f)(iii), the Directed Share Underwriter shall not be required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total price at which the Directed Shares sold by it and distributed to the Participants exceeds the amount of any damages which the Directed Share

29


 

Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  

(iv)The obligations of the Company under this Section ‎9(f) shall be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each employee, officer and director of the Directed Share Underwriter and each person, if any, who controls the Directed Share Underwriter within the meaning of the Act and each broker-dealer or other affiliate of the Directed Share Underwriter.

10.(a) If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase the Shares which it has agreed to purchase hereunder at a Time of Delivery, the Representatives may in their discretion arrange for a Representative or another party or other parties to purchase such Shares on the terms contained herein.  If within thirty‑six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase of such Shares, then the Company shall be entitled to a further period of thirty‑six hours within which to procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to purchase such Shares on such terms.  In the event that, within the respective prescribed periods, the Representatives notify the Company that the Representatives have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone such Time of Delivery for a period of not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which in the Representatives’ opinion may thereby be made necessary. The term “Underwriter” as used in this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had originally been a party to this Agreement with respect to such Shares.

(b)If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased does not exceed one‑eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non‑defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder at such Time of Delivery and, in addition, to require each non‑defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number of Shares which such Underwriter agreed to purchase hereunder) of the Shares of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

(c)If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of the Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains unpurchased exceeds one‑eleventh of the aggregate number of all the Shares to be purchased at such Time of Delivery, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described

30


 

in subsection (b) above to require non‑defaulting Underwriters to purchase Shares of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters, then this Agreement (or, with respect to the Second Time of Delivery, the obligations of the Underwriters to purchase and of the Company to sell the Optional Shares) shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company and the Underwriters as provided in Section 7 hereof and the indemnity and contribution agreements in Section 9 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

11.The respective indemnities, rights of contribution, agreements, representations, warranties and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or any director, officer, employee, affiliate or controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company, or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

12.If this Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 8(f)(i), (iii), (iv) or (v) or Section 10 hereof, the Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof; but, if for any other reason, any Shares are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will reimburse the Underwriters through the Representatives for all documented out‑of‑pocket expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of the Shares not so delivered, but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter except as provided in Sections 7 and 9 hereof.

13.In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives shall act on behalf of each of the Underwriters, and the parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request, notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by the Representatives jointly.

All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, Attention: Registration Department; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, Facsimile Number: 212-622-8358; BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: Syndicate Department, with a copy to ECM Legal, Facsimile Number (212) 230-8730; and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile Number: 646-291-1469; if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail or electronic mail to the address of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement or provided by the Company to the Representatives upon request, Attention: General Counsel and Secretary; provided, however, that any notice to an Underwriter pursuant to Section ‎9(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set forth in its Underwriters’ Questionnaire, or telex constituting such Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the Representatives upon request; provided, further, that notices under Section ‎5(e)

31


 

shall be in writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or facsimile transmission to the Representatives at Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282-2198, Attention: Control Room; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, 383 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10179, Attention: Equity Syndicate Desk, Facsimile Number: 212-622-8358; BofA Securities, Inc., One Bryant Park, New York, New York 10036, Attention: ECM; and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., 388 Greenwich Street, New York, New York 10013, Attention: General Counsel, Facsimile Number: 646-291-1469. Any such statements, requests, notices or agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

In accordance with the requirements of the USA Patriot Act (Title III of Pub. L. 107-56 (signed into law October 26, 2001)), the Underwriters are required to obtain, verify and record information that identifies their respective clients, including the Company, which information may include the name and address of their respective clients, as well as other information that will allow the underwriters to properly identify their respective clients.

14.This Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent provided in Sections 9 and 11 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, or any director, officer, employee, or affiliate of any Underwriter, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

15.Time shall be of the essence of this Agreement.  As used herein, the term “business day” shall mean any day when the Commission’s office in Washington, D.C.  is open for business.

16.The Company acknowledges and agrees that (i) the purchase and sale of the Shares pursuant to this Agreement is an arm’s-length commercial transaction between the Company, on the one hand, and the several Underwriters, on the other, (ii) in connection therewith and with the process leading to such transaction each Underwriter is acting solely as a principal and not the agent or fiduciary of the Company, (iii) no Underwriter has assumed an advisory or fiduciary responsibility in favor of the Company with respect to the offering contemplated hereby or the process leading thereto (irrespective of whether such Underwriter has advised or is currently advising the Company on other matters) or any other obligation to the Company except the obligations expressly set forth in this Agreement, (iv) the Company has consulted its own legal and financial advisors to the extent it deemed appropriate, and (v) none of the activities of the Underwriters in connection with the transactions contemplated herein constitutes a recommendation, investment advice, or solicitation of any action by the Underwriters with respect to any entity or natural person.  The Company agrees that it will not claim that the Underwriters, or any of them, has rendered advisory services of any nature or respect, or owes a fiduciary or similar duty to the Company, in connection with such transaction or the process leading thereto.

17.This Agreement supersedes all prior agreements and understandings (whether written or oral) between the Company and the Underwriters, or any of them, with respect to the subject matter hereof.

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18.This Agreement and any transaction contemplated by this Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related thereto shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York without regard to principles of conflict of laws that would result in the application of any other law than the laws of the State of New York. The Company agrees that any suit or proceeding arising in respect of this Agreement or any transaction contemplated by this Agreement (each, a “Related Proceeding”) will be tried exclusively in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York or, if that court does not have subject matter jurisdiction, in any state court located in The City and County of New York and the Company agrees to submit to the jurisdiction of, and to venue in, such courts. The Company irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which it may now or hereafter have to the laying of venue of any Related Proceeding brought in such a court and any claim that any such Related Proceeding brought in such a court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.

19.The Company and each of the Underwriters hereby irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any and all right to trial by jury in any legal proceeding arising out of or relating to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

20.This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts shall together constitute one and the same Agreement. Electronic signatures complying with the New York Electronic Signatures and Records Act (N.Y. State Tech. §§ 301-309), as amended from time to time, or other applicable law will be deemed original signatures for purposes of this Agreement. Transmission by telecopy, electronic mail or other transmission method of an executed counterpart of this Agreement will constitute due and sufficient delivery of such counterpart.

21.Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Company is authorized to disclose to any persons the U.S. federal and state income tax treatment and tax structure of the potential transaction and all materials of any kind (including tax opinions and other tax analyses) provided to the Company relating to that treatment and structure, without the Underwriters imposing any limitation of any kind. However, any information relating to the tax treatment and tax structure shall remain confidential (and the foregoing sentence shall not apply) to the extent necessary to enable any person to comply with securities laws. For this purpose, “tax structure” is limited to any facts that may be relevant to that treatment.

22.Recognition of the U.S. Special Resolution Regimes.

(a)In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, the transfer from such Underwriter of this Agreement, and any interest and obligation in or under this Agreement, will be effective to the same extent as the transfer would be effective under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement, and any such interest and obligation, were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(b)In the event that any Underwriter that is a Covered Entity or a BHC Act Affiliate of such Underwriter becomes subject to a proceeding under a U.S. Special Resolution Regime, Default Rights under this Agreement that may be exercised against such Underwriter are permitted to be exercised to no greater extent than such Default

33


 

Rights could be exercised under the U.S. Special Resolution Regime if this Agreement were governed by the laws of the United States or a state of the United States.

(c)As used in this section:

 

“BHC Act Affiliate” has the meaning assigned to the term “affiliate” in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 U.S.C. § 1841(k).

“Covered Entity” means any of the following:

(i) a “covered entity” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 252.82(b);

(ii) a “covered bank” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 47.3(b); or

(iii) a “covered FSI” as that term is defined in, and interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. § 382.2(b).

“Default Right” has the meaning assigned to that term in, and shall be interpreted in accordance with, 12 C.F.R. §§ 252.81, 47.2 or 382.1, as applicable.

“U.S. Special Resolution Regime” means each of (i) the Federal Deposit Insurance Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder and (ii) Title II of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

[Signature pages follow]

 

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If the foregoing is in accordance with the Representatives’ understanding, please sign and return to the Company counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by the Representatives, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters and the Company.  It is understood that the Representatives’ acceptance of this letter on behalf of each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the Company for examination upon request, but without warranty on the Representatives’ part as to the authority of the signers thereof.

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]


 

Accepted as of the date hereof:

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

BofA Securities, Inc.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

BofA Securities, Inc.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

By:

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

 

[Signature Page to Underwriting Agreement]


 

 

SCHEDULE I

 

Underwriter

 

Total

Number of

Firm Shares

to be

Purchased

 

Number of Optional

Shares to be

Purchased if

Maximum Option

Exercised

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

 

 

 

 

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

 

 

 

 

BofA Securities, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

 

 

 

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

 

 

 

 

Nomura Securities International, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Raymond James & Associates, Inc.

 

 

 

 

Wells Fargo Securities, LLC

 

 

 

 

Fifth Third Securities, Inc.

 

 

 

 

PNC Capital Markets LLC

 

 

 

 

AmeriVet Securities

 

 

 

 

C.L. King & Associates, Inc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

 

SCHEDULE II

(a) Issuer Free Writing Prospectuses not included in the Pricing Disclosure Package:

Electronic roadshow dated [•], 2021

 

(b) Information other than the Pricing Prospectus that comprise the Pricing Disclosure Package:

The initial public offering price per share for the Shares is $[•].

The number of Firm Shares purchased by the Underwriters is [•].

The number of Optional Shares to be sold by the Company at the option of the Underwriters is up to [•].

 

(c) Written Testing-the-Waters Communications:

[•]

 

 


 

ANNEX I

Form of Press Release

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.
[Date]

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) announced today that [•] and [•], being two of the representatives of the underwriters in the Company’s recent public sale of [•] shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, are [waiving] [releasing] a lock-up restriction with respect to [•] shares of the Company’s Class [A][B] common stock held by [certain officers or directors][an officer or director] of the Company.   The [waiver] [release] will take effect on      ,          2021, and the shares may be sold on or after such date.  

 

This press release is not an offer for sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction where such offer is prohibited, and such securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

 

 


 

ANNEX II

 

FORM OF LOCK-UP AGREEMENT

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Lock-Up Agreement

_______________, 2021

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

BofA Securities, Inc.

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

 

As representatives of the several Underwriters

named in Schedule I hereto,

 

c/o

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

200 West Street

New York, New York 10282-2198

 

c/o

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

383 Madison Avenue

New York, New York 10179

 

c/o

BofA Securities, Inc.

One Bryant Park

New York, NY 10036

 

c/o

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

388 Greenwich Street

New York, NY 10013

 

Re:  Paymentus Holdings, Inc. - Lock-Up Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

The undersigned understands that you, as representatives (the “Representatives”), propose to enter into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) on behalf of the several Underwriters named in Schedule I to such agreement (collectively, the “Underwriters”), with Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), providing for a public offering (the “Public Offering”) of shares (the “Offered Shares”) of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-1 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As used herein, the term “Common Stock” refers to shares of the Company’s common stock, including any shares of the Class A Common Stock and Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”).

Annex II - 1

 


 

In consideration of the agreement by the Underwriters to offer and sell the Offered Shares, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the undersigned agrees that, during the period beginning from the date of this agreement (this “Lock-Up Agreement”) and continuing to and including the date 180 days after the date set forth on the final prospectus used to sell the Offered Shares (the “Lock-Up Period”), the undersigned shall not, and shall not cause or direct any of its affiliates to, without the prior written consent of at least two Representatives, including at least one of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC or J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (the “Releasing Representatives”) (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of Common Stock of the Company, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Common Stock of the Company (such options, warrants or other securities, collectively, “Derivative Instruments”), including without limitation any such shares or Derivative Instruments now owned or hereafter acquired by the undersigned, (ii) engage in any hedging or other transaction or arrangement (including, without limitation, any short sale or the purchase or sale of, or entry into, any put or call option, or combination thereof, forward, swap or any other derivative transaction or instrument, however described or defined) which is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in a sale, loan, pledge or other disposition (whether by the undersigned or someone other than the undersigned), or transfer of any of the economic consequences of ownership, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, of any shares of Common Stock of the Company or Derivative Instruments, whether any such transaction or arrangement (or instrument provided for thereunder) would be settled by delivery of Common Stock or other securities, in cash or otherwise (any such sale, loan, pledge or other disposition, or transfer of economic consequences, a “Transfer”), or (iii) otherwise publicly announce any intention to engage in any of the foregoing.  The undersigned represents and warrants that the undersigned is not, and has not caused or directed any of its affiliates to be or become, currently a party to any agreement or arrangement that provides for, is designed to or which reasonably could be expected to lead to or result in any Transfer during the Lock-Up Period.  For the avoidance of doubt, the undersigned agrees that the foregoing provisions shall be equally applicable to any issuer-directed or other shares of Class A Common Stock the undersigned may purchase in the Public Offering.

If the undersigned is not a natural person, the undersigned represents and warrants that no single natural person, entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), other than a natural person, entity or “group” (as described above) that has executed a Lock-Up Agreement in substantially the same form as this Lock-Up Agreement, beneficially owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the common equity interests, or 50% or more of the voting power, in the undersigned.  

If the undersigned is an officer or director of the Company, (i) the Representatives agree that, at least three business days before the effective date of any release or waiver of the foregoing restrictions in connection with a transfer of shares of Common Stock, the Releasing Representatives will notify the Company of the impending release or waiver, and (ii) the Company has agreed or will agree in the Underwriting Agreement to announce the impending release or waiver by press release through a major news service at least two business days before the effective date of the release or waiver, if required by FINRA Rule 5131.  Any release or waiver granted by the Releasing Representatives hereunder to any such officer or director shall only be effective two business days after the publication date of such public notification.  The provisions of this paragraph will not apply if (a) the release or waiver is effected solely to permit a transfer not for consideration and (b) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the same terms described in this Lock-Up Agreement to the extent and for the duration that such terms remain in effect at the time of the transfer.  

Annex II - 2


 

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the undersigned may transfer any of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock or Derivative Instruments:

 

 

(i)

acquired from the Underwriters in the Public Offering or in open market transactions after the completion of the Public Offering;

 

 

(ii)

as a bona fide gift or charitable contribution, or for bona fide estate planning purposes;

 

 

(iii)

to an immediate family member or a trust, partnership, limited liability company or any other entity for the direct or indirect benefit of the undersigned or such immediate family member of the undersigned;

 

 

(iv)

to any beneficiary of or estate of a beneficiary of the undersigned pursuant to a trust, will, other testamentary document or intestate succession or applicable laws of descent in connection with the death of the undersigned; provided that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and, if required, any public filing, report or announcement, including under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to the transfer of securities pursuant to a trust, will, other testamentary document or intestate succession or applicable laws of descent;

 

 

(v)

by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order of a court (including a divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement) or regulatory agency; provided that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and, if required, any public filing, report or announcement, including under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to the transfer of securities by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order of a court (including a divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement) or regulatory agency;

 

 

(vi)

to limited partners, general partners, members, stockholders or holders of similar equity interests of the undersigned, or to any investment fund or other entity controlling, controlled by, managing or managed by or under common control with the undersigned, or to any affiliates of the undersigned (including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the undersigned is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership, and where the undersigned is a corporation, to any wholly-owned subsidiary of such corporation); provided that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made, and no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (other than a required Form 5 filing that includes a statement indicating the reason for such transfer and is filed no earlier than 120 days following the date set forth on the final prospectus used in the Public Offering) reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership shall be required, in each case during the Lock-Up Period;

 

 

(vii)

if the undersigned is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust;

 

 

(viii)

to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (ii) through (vii);

Annex II - 3


 

 

 

(ix)

to the Company in connection with the repurchase of the undersigned’s shares in connection with the termination of the undersigned’s employment with the Company pursuant to contractual agreements with the Company; provided that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and, if required, any public filing, report or announcement, including under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to the transfer of shares from the repurchase of the undersigned’s shares in connection with the termination of the undersigned’s employment with the Company pursuant to contractual agreements with the Company;

 

 

(x)

through the disposition or forfeiture of the undersigned’s shares to the Company to satisfy any income, employment or tax withholding and remittance obligations of the undersigned or the employer of the undersigned in connection with the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other incentive awards settled in shares of Common Stock held by the undersigned; provided that such restricted stock, restricted stock units or other incentive awards were granted under a stock incentive plan, stock purchase plan or pursuant to a contractual employment arrangement described in the prospectus related to the Public Offering; provided further that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and, if required, any public filing, report or announcement, including under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to the transfer of shares through the disposition or forfeiture of the undersigned’s shares to the Company to satisfy any income, employment or tax withholding and remittance obligations of the undersigned or the employer of the undersigned in connection with the vesting of restricted stock, restricted stock units or other incentive awards settled in shares held by the undersigned; provided further that any underlying Common Stock or Derivative Instruments shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;

 

 

(xi)

to the Company through the exercise of a stock option granted under a stock incentive plan or stock purchase plan or a warrant described in the prospectus relating to the Public Offering by the undersigned, and the receipt by the undersigned from the Company of shares of Common Stock upon any such exercise; provided that the underlying shares shall continue to be subject to the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement; provided further that no public filing, report or announcement shall be voluntarily made and, if required, any public filing, report or announcement, including under Section 16 of the Exchange Act, shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates to the exercise of a stock option or warrant;

 

 

(xii)

pursuant to a bona fide third party tender offer for all outstanding Common Stock of the Company, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction involving a Change of Control of the Company and approved by the Company’s board of directors; provided that, if such Change of Control transaction is not completed, the undersigned’s shares shall remain subject to the restrictions contained in this Lock-Up Agreement;

 

 

(xiii)

to the Company in connection with the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock; provided that any shares of Class A Common Stock received by the undersigned as a result of such conversion shall

Annex II - 4


 

 

be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement; and provided further that any public filing, report or announcement shall clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto that the filing relates solely to the conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock; or

 

 

(xiv)

to the Company in connection with the reclassification, repurchase, redemption, conversion or exchange of the Company’s Common Stock or outstanding preferred stock in connection with the consummation of the Public Offeringprovided that any securities received by the undersigned as a result shall be subject to the restrictions set forth in this Lock-Up Agreement;

 

provided that, in the case of clauses (ii) through (viii) above, it shall be a condition to such transfer that each transferee, donee or distributee sign and deliver a lock-up agreement substantially in the form of this Lock-Up Agreement; provided further that, in the case of clauses (i), (ii), (iii), (vii) and (viii) above, no filing under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act (other than a required Form 5 filing that includes a statement indicating the reason for such transfer and is filed no earlier than 120 days following the date set forth on the final prospectus used in the Public Offering) reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of such shares of Common Stock or Derivative Instruments shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period; provided further that, in the case of clauses (ii) and (vi), any such transfer shall not involve a disposition for value.

 

In addition, nothing in this Lock-Up Agreement shall prevent the undersigned from establishing a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act for the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock; provided that (i) such plan does not provide for the transfer of shares during the Lock-Up Period and (ii) no public filing, report or announcement shall be required or shall be voluntarily made during the Lock-Up Period.

 

For purposes of this Lock-Up Agreement, “immediate family” shall mean any relationship by blood, marriage or adoption, not more remote than first cousin and “Change of Controlshall mean the transfer (whether by tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons (other than an Underwriter pursuant to the Public Offering), of the Company’s voting securities if, after such transfer, such person or group of affiliated persons would hold more than 90% of the voting power represented by the outstanding securities of the Company (or the surviving entity). For the avoidance of doubt, the Public Offering is not a Change of Control. The undersigned also agrees and consents to the entry of stop transfer instructions with the Company’s transfer agent and registrar against the transfer of the undersigned’s shares of Common Stock of the Company except in compliance with the foregoing restrictions.

The undersigned acknowledges and agrees that none of the Underwriters has made any recommendation or provided any investment or other advice to the undersigned with respect to this Lock-Up Agreement or the subject matter hereof, and the undersigned has consulted its own legal, accounting, financial, regulatory, tax and other advisors with respect to this Lock-Up Agreement and the subject matter hereof to the extent the undersigned has deemed appropriate

The undersigned understands that the Company and the Underwriters are relying upon this Lock-Up Agreement in proceeding toward consummation of the offering.  The undersigned further understands that this Lock-Up Agreement is irrevocable and shall be binding upon the undersigned’s heirs, legal representatives, successors, and assigns.

Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Lock-Up Agreement will

Annex II - 5


 

automatically terminate and the undersigned will be released from all of his, her or its obligations hereunder upon the earliest to occur, if any, of (i) prior to the execution of the Underwriting Agreement, the Company advises the Representatives in writing that it has determined not to proceed with the Public Offering, (ii) the Company files an application to withdraw the registration statement related to the Public Offering, (iii) the Underwriting Agreement is executed but is terminated (other than the provisions thereof which survive termination) prior to payment for and delivery of the Offered Shares to be sold thereunder, and (iv) June 30, 2021, if the Underwriting Agreement has not been executed by such date.

The undersigned and the Representatives hereby consent to receipt of this Lock-Up Agreement in electronic form and understand and agree that this Lock-Up Agreement may be signed electronically. In the event that any signature is delivered by facsimile transmission, electronic mail, or otherwise by electronic transmission evidencing an intent to sign this Lock-Up Agreement (including any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com), such facsimile transmission, electronic mail or other electronic transmission shall create a valid and binding obligation of the undersigned with the same force and effect as if such signature were an original. Execution and delivery of this Lock-Up Agreement by facsimile transmission, electronic mail or other electronic transmission is legal, valid and binding for all purposes.

 

This Lock-Up Agreement and any claim, controversy or dispute arising under or related to this Lock-Up Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

[Signature page follows]

 

Annex II - 6


 

Very truly yours,

 

IF AN INDIVIDUAL:

 

IF AN ENTITY:

 

 

 

 

 

(duly authorized signature)

 

(please print complete name of entity)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

By:

 

 

 

 

(please print full name)

 

 

 

(duly authorized signature)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(please print full name)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(please print full title)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E-mail:

 

 

 

E-mail:

 

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Lock-Up Agreement]

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION OF

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

a Delaware corporation

Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware (the “Company”), does hereby certify as follows:

A.The original Certificate of Incorporation of the Company was filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on September 2, 2011.

B.This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was duly adopted in accordance with Sections 242 and 245 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) and has been duly approved by the written consent of the stockholders of the Company in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

C.The text of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as follows:

ARTICLE I

The name of the Company is Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

ARTICLE II

The address of the Company’s registered office in the State of Delaware is 1209 Orange Street, in the City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Delaware 19801. The name of its registered agent at such address is The Corporation Trust Company.

ARTICLE III

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

ARTICLE IV

Section 1.Classes of Stock. This Company is authorized to issue three classes of stock, to be designated, respectively, Class A Common Stock, Class B Common Stock and Preferred Stock. The total number of shares of Class A Common Stock authorized to be issued is 883,950,000, par value $0.0001 per share. The total number of shares of Class B Common Stock authorized to be issued is 111,050,000, par value $0.0001 per share. The total number of shares of Preferred Stock authorized to be issued is 5,000,000, par value $0.0001 per share. The Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are referred to together as “Common Stock.”

Immediately upon the Effective Time, automatically and without any further action, each share of “Common Stock” as defined in the certificate of incorporation of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Effective Time issued and outstanding or held in treasury immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be reclassified and changed into one share of Class B Common Stock. Any stock certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of the Company’s Common Stock shall after

 


 

the Effective Time represent the same number of shares of Class B Common Stock, without the need for surrender or exchange thereof.

Section 2.Rights of Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to any limitations prescribed by law, but to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide by resolution for the issuance of shares of Preferred Stock in series, and by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware (such certificate being hereinafter referred to as a “Preferred Stock Designation”), to establish from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such series, and to fix the designation, powers (which may include, without limitation, full, limited or no voting powers), preferences, and relative, participating, optional or other rights of the shares of each such series and any qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, including, without limitation, authority to fix by resolution or resolutions the dividend rights, dividend rate, conversion rights, voting rights, rights and terms of redemption (including sinking fund provisions), redemption price or prices, and liquidation preferences of any such series, and the number of shares constituting any such series and the designation thereof, or any of the foregoing. The Board of Directors is further authorized to increase (but not above the total number of authorized shares of the class) or decrease (but not below the number of shares of any such series then outstanding) the number of shares of any series, subject to the powers, preferences and rights, and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof stated in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the resolution of the Board of Directors originally fixing the number of shares of such series. Except as may be otherwise specified by the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, if the number of shares of any series of Preferred Stock is so decreased, then the Company shall take all such steps as are necessary to cause the shares constituting such decrease to resume the status which they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. Except as otherwise required by law or provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any Preferred Stock Designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

Section 3.Vote to Increase or Decrease Authorized Shares of Preferred Stock. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the majority of the Voting Stock, without a separate class vote of the holders of Preferred Stock, or any separate series votes of any series thereof, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL.

Section 4.Rights of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock. The relative powers, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions granted to or imposed on the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are as follows:

(a)Voting Rights.

(1)General Right to Vote Together; Exception. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall vote together as one class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders; providedhowever, that subject to the terms of any Preferred Stock Designation, the number of authorized shares of Class A Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Voting Stock,

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irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of DGCL (or any successor provision thereto), without a separate vote of the holders of the Class A Common Stock.

(2)Votes Per Share. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, on any matter that is submitted to a vote of the stockholders, each holder of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to one (1) vote for each such share held as of the applicable record date, and each holder of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to ten (10) votes for each such share held as of the applicable record date.

(b)Identical Rights. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters, including, without limitation:

(1)Dividends and Distributions. Shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any Distribution paid or distributed by the Company, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such applicable class treated adversely; providedhowever, that if a Distribution is paid in the form of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock), then holders of Class A Common Stock shall receive Class A Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be) and holders of Class B Common Stock shall receive Class B Common Stock (or Rights to acquire such stock, as the case may be).

(2)Subdivision or Combination. If the Company in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, the outstanding shares of the other such class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class.

(c)Equal Treatment in a Change of Control or any Merger Transaction. In connection with any Change of Control Transaction, after payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of the Company, and subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock in respect thereof, shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock shall be treated equally, identically and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any consideration into which such shares are converted or any consideration paid or otherwise distributed to stockholders of the Company by virtue of their ownership of such shares, unless different treatment of the shares of each such class is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class. Any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other entity that does not constitute a Change of Control Transaction shall require approval by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class, unless (i) the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock remain outstanding and no other consideration is received in respect thereof or (ii) such shares are converted on a pro rata basis into shares of the surviving or parent entity in such transaction having identical rights to the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, respectively.

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(d)Conversion of Class B Common Stock.

(1)Voluntary Conversion. Each one (1) share of Class B Common Stock shall be convertible into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock at the option of the holder thereof at any time upon written notice to the transfer agent of the Company; provided that such notice may specify a future time or future event upon which such conversion shall be effective.

(2)Automatic Conversion. Shares of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into an equal number of shares of Class A Common Stock upon the earliest of:

(A)a Transfer of such shares of Class B Common Stock; provided, however, that no automatic conversion shall occur in the case of a Transfer by a Class B Stockholder to any of the persons or entities listed in clauses (i) through (viii) of this subsection (d)(2)(A) (each, a “Permitted Transferee”) or by any such Permitted Transferee back to such Class B Stockholder and/or to any other Permitted Transferee, as of the time of each such Transfer, of such Class B Stockholder:

(i)a trust for the benefit of such Class B Stockholder or persons other than the Class B Stockholder so long as the Class B Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; provided such Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration (other than an interest in such trust) to the Class B Stockholder and, provided further, that if such Class B Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each such share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(ii)a trust under the terms of which such Class B Stockholder has retained a “qualified interest” within the meaning of §2702(b) of the Internal Revenue Code and/or a reversionary interest so long as the Class B Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust; providedhowever, that if the Class B Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such trust, each such share of Class B Common Stock then held by such trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(iii)an Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Class B Stockholder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code; provided that in each case such Class B Stockholder has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held in such account, plan or trust, and provided further that, if the Class B Stockholder no longer has sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such account, plan or trust, each such share of Class B Common Stock then held by such account, plan or trust shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(iv)a member of such Class B Stockholder’s Immediate Family; provided that such Class B Stockholder retains exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock transferred to such Immediate Family member, and provided further that such

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Transfer does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to such Class B Stockholder;

(v)a corporation, partnership or limited liability company in which such Class B Stockholder directly, or indirectly through one or more Permitted Transferees, owns shares, partnership interests or membership interests, as applicable, with sufficient Voting Control in the corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, or otherwise has legally enforceable rights, such that the Class B Stockholder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation, partnership or limited liability company; provided that if the Class B Stockholder no longer owns sufficient shares, partnership interests or membership interests, as applicable, or no longer has sufficient legally enforceable rights to ensure the Class B Stockholder retains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock held by such corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, each such share of Class B Common Stock then held by such corporation, partnership or limited liability company, as applicable, shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock;

(vi)if such transferring Class B Stockholder is a partnership, or a nominee for a partnership, any person or entity that, at the time of such Transfer, is a direct or indirect partner (whether general or limited) of such partnership in accordance with such person or entity’s ownership interests (whether by way of limited partnership, general partnership, carried interest or otherwise) in such partnership and the terms of any applicable partnership or similar agreement binding such partnership at the time of such Transfer;

(vii)if such transferring Class B Stockholder is a limited liability company, corporation or other entity (other than a partnership (which is addressed in clause (vi)) or a trust (which is addressed in clauses (i) through (iii) and (viii)), or a nominee for a limited liability company, corporation or such other entity, any person or entity that, at the time of such Transfer, is a direct or indirect member, stockholder or other equityholder of such limited liability company or corporation or such other entity in accordance with their ownership interests in such limited liability company, corporation or other entity (whether by way of membership, stock, carried interest or otherwise) and the terms of any applicable governing documents binding such limited liability company, corporation or other entity and its members, stockholders or other equityholders at the time of such Transfer; and

(viii)if such transferring Class B Stockholder is a trust for the benefit of Sharma or Sharma’s Immediate Family, any beneficiary of the trust that is Sharma or Sharma’s Immediate Family; provided that such Class B Stockholder or Sharma retains or gains sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the shares of Class B Common Stock transferred to such beneficiary;

(B)the date specified by a written notice and certification request of the Company to the holder of such share of Class B Common Stock requesting a certification, in a form satisfactory to the Company, verifying such holder’s ownership of Class B Common Stock and confirming that a conversion to Class A Common Stock has not occurred; provided that no such automatic conversion pursuant to this subsection (B) shall occur in the case of a Class B Stockholder or its Permitted Transferees that furnishes a certification satisfactory to the Company prior to the specified date.

For the avoidance of doubt, to the extent any shares are deemed to be held by a trustee of a trust described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) above, the trustee shall be deemed a Permitted Transferee so long as the other requirements of clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) are otherwise satisfied.

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(3)Conversion Upon Death or Incapacity of a Class B Stockholder.

(A)Each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by a Class B Stockholder, other than Sharma, or by such Class B Stockholder’s Permitted Transferees, shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the death or Incapacity of such Class B Stockholder.

(B)Upon the death or Incapacity of Sharma, each share of Class B Common Stock held of record by Sharma or by Sharma’s Permitted Transferees shall automatically convert into one (1) fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the close of business on the date that is nine (9) months after the date of death or Incapacity of Sharma.

(4)Automatic Conversion of all Outstanding Class B Common Stock. Each one (1) share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock upon the time (including a time determined by the happening of a future event) specified by affirmative vote or written election of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a single class (which election may be revoked by such holders prior to the time at which the automatic conversion would otherwise occur unless otherwise specified by such holders).

(5)Final Conversion of Class B Common Stock. At the Final Conversion Time, each one (1) issued share of Class B Common Stock shall automatically, without any further action, convert into one (1) share of Class A Common Stock. Following such conversion, the reissuance of all shares of Class B Common Stock shall be prohibited, and such shares shall be retired and cancelled in accordance with Section 243 of the DGCL and the filing with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware required thereby, and upon such retirement and cancellation, all references to Class B Common Stock in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall be eliminated to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

(6)Procedures. The Company may, from time to time, establish such administrative policies and procedures relating to the conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock and the general administration of this multi-class stock structure, including the issuance of stock certificates with respect thereto, as it may deem reasonably necessary or advisable, and may from time to time request that holders of shares of Class B Common Stock furnish certifications, affidavits or other proof to the Company as it deems necessary to verify the ownership of Class B Common Stock and to confirm that a conversion to Class A Common Stock has not occurred. A determination by the Secretary of the Company or the Board of Directors or a duly authorized committee thereof as to whether or not a Transfer has occurred and results in a conversion to Class A Common Stock shall be conclusive and binding.

(7)Immediate Effect. In the event of a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to this ARTICLE IV, Section 4(d), including at the Final Conversion Time, such conversion(s) shall be deemed to have been made at the time that the Transfer of shares occurred, at the conversion time or event otherwise provided herein, or immediately at the Final Conversion Time, as applicable. Upon any conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock, all rights of the holder or holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock. Shares of Class B Common Stock that are converted into shares of Class A Common Stock as provided in this ARTICLE IV, Section 4(d) or are otherwise redeemed, repurchased or acquired by the Company shall be retired and may not be reissued.

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(8)Reservation of Stock. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of Class B Common Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock will not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as will be sufficient for such purpose.

Section 5.No Further Issuances. Except for the issuance of Class B Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Rights outstanding as of the first date that the Company’s equity securities have been listed for trading on a Securities Exchange or a dividend payable in accordance with ARTICLE IV, Section 4(b)(1), and without limiting ARTICLE IV, Section 4(b)(2), the Company shall not at any time from and after the first date that the Company’s equity securities have been listed for trading on a Securities Exchange issue any additional shares of Class B Common Stock, unless such issuance is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting separately as a class. After the Final Conversion Time, the Company shall not issue any additional shares of Class B Common Stock.

ARTICLE V

The following terms, where capitalized in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Article V:

Affiliates” means (i) with respect to any holder, any other holder who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such holder, including, without limitation, any general partner, managing member, officer or director of such holder, or any private equity or venture capital fund now or hereafter existing which is controlled by one or more general partners or managing members of, or shares the same management company with, such holder and (ii) a trust created for the benefit of the holder or a holder’s Immediate Family, except in Article XII hereof, where “Affiliate” shall have the definition provided therein.

AKKR Investors” means each of Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP; Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II Strategic Fund, LP; Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II, LP; Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners III, LP; Accel-KKR Members Fund, LLC; and KKR-AKI Investors, LLC.

Amendment Trigger Date” means the first date on which the AKKR Investors, their Affiliates and any Permitted Transferees of the AKKR Investors or their Affiliates cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) at least 50% of the Voting Stock.

Change of Control Share Issuance” means the issuance by the Company, in a transaction or series of related transactions, of voting securities representing more than two percent (2%) of the total voting power (assuming the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock each have one (1) vote per share) of the Company before such issuance to any person or persons acting as a group as contemplated in Rule 13d-5(b) under the Exchange Act (or any successor provision) that immediately prior to such transaction or series of related transactions held fifty percent (50%) or less of the total voting power of the Company (assuming the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock each have one (1) vote per share), such that, immediately following such transaction or series of related transactions, such person or group of persons would hold more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company (assuming the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock each have one (1) vote per

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share)provided that any issuance by the Company of any securities to the AKKR Investors or Sharma shall not constitute a “Change of Control Share Issuance.”

Change of Control Transaction” means (i) the sale, lease, exchange, or other disposition (other than liens and encumbrances created in the ordinary course of business, including liens or encumbrances to secure indebtedness for borrowed money that are approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, so long as no foreclosure occurs in respect of any such lien or encumbrance) of all or substantially all of the Company’s property and assets (which shall for such purpose include the property and assets of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company); provided that any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of property or assets exclusively between or among the Company and any direct or indirect subsidiary or subsidiaries of the Company shall not be deemed a “Change of Control Transaction”; (ii) the merger, consolidation, business combination, or other similar transaction of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger, consolidation, business combination, or other similar transaction that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company as outstanding immediately after such merger, consolidation, business combination, or other similar transaction, and stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the merger, consolidation, business combination, or other similar transaction continue to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by voting securities of the Company, the surviving entity or its parent immediately following the merger, consolidation, business combination, or other similar transaction; (iii) a recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or other similar transaction involving the Company, other than a recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution, or other similar transaction that would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company as outstanding immediately after such recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction, and the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to the recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction own voting securities of the Company, the surviving entity or its parent immediately following the recapitalization, liquidation, dissolution or other similar transaction in substantially the same proportions (vis-a-vis each other) as such stockholders owned the voting securities of the Company immediately prior to the transaction; and (iv) any Change of Control Share Issuance.

Class B Stockholder” means (i) the registered holder of a share of Class B Common Stock at the Effective Time; provided that, for purposes of Section 4(d)(vi) and (vii) of Article IV, this clause (i) shall be limited to any Person who is an AKKR Investor or any of their respective Affiliates, (ii) the initial registered holder of any shares of Class B Common Stock that are originally issued by the Company after the Effective Time; provided that, for purposes of Section 4(d)(vi) and (vii) of Article IV, this clause (ii) shall be limited to any Person who is an AKKR Investor or any of their respective Affiliates and (iii) a Permitted Transferee.

Distribution” means (i) any dividend or distribution of cash, property, shares of the Company’s capital stock, or Rights in respect of shares of the Company’s capital stock, when, as and if declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of any assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor; and (ii) any distribution following or in connection with any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary.

Effective Time” means immediately upon the filing and effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

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Exempted Persons” means any of the AKKR Investors and/or their Affiliates and/or their respective directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers and/or employees, including any of the foregoing who serve as officers or directors of the Company.

Final Conversion Time” means the first Trading Day following the date on which the AKKR Investors, Sharma, the Persons then party to the Stockholders Agreement and their respective Affiliates and Permitted Transferees collectively cease to hold at least ten percent (10%) of the then outstanding Common Stock.

Immediate Family” means any child, stepchild, grandchild or other descendant, any parent, stepparent, grandparent or other ancestor, any spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, uncle, aunt, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, or brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships.

Incapacity” shall mean that such holder is incapable of managing his or her financial affairs under the criteria set forth in the applicable probate code that can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a licensed practitioner. In the event of a dispute regarding whether a Class B Stockholder has suffered an Incapacity, no Incapacity of such holder will be deemed to have occurred unless and until an affirmative determination regarding such Incapacity has been made by the Board of Directors.

Internal Revenue Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

Rights” means any option, warrant, conversion right or contractual right of any kind to acquire shares of the Company’s authorized but unissued capital stock.

Securities Exchange” means, at any time, the registered national securities exchange on which the Company’s equity securities are then principally listed or traded, which shall be the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq Global Select Market (or similar national quotation system of the Nasdaq Stock Market) (“Nasdaq”) or any successor exchange of either the New York Stock Exchange or Nasdaq.

Sharma” means Dushyant Sharma.

Stockholders Agreement” means that certain Stockholders Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company, the AKKR Investors, Sharma and the other parties named therein in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, as amended from time to time.

Trading Day” means any day on which the Securities Exchange is open for trading.

Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock shall mean any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation, gift, pledge, mortgage or other transfer or disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial right or interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A “Transfer” shall also include, without limitation and for the avoidance of doubt, (i) a Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock to a broker or other nominee (regardless of whether or not there is a corresponding change in beneficial ownership), (ii) the Transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, Voting Control over a share of Class B Common Stock by proxy or otherwise, (iii) the Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock by a stockholder that is an entity to the beneficial or record owners of equity of such entity (unless otherwise explicitly permitted hereunder) or (iv) any Transfer

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in connection with a divorce proceeding, domestic relations order or similar legal requirement; providedhowever, that the following shall not be considered a “Transfer”: (a) entering into a support, voting, tender or similar agreement, arrangement or understanding (with or without granting a proxy), and taking any action contemplated thereunder, in connection with a Change of Control Transaction or other proposal that has been approved by the Board of Directors of the Company; (b) the grant of a proxy to officers or directors of the Company at the request of the Board of Directors of the Company in connection with actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or the grant of a revocable proxy given to any other person in response to a public proxy or consent solicitation made pursuant to, and in accordance with, the applicable provisions of the General Rules and Regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act; (c) the pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a Class B Stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction so long as the Class B Stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; providedhowever, that a foreclosure on such shares of Class B Common Stock or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a “Transfer”; (d) any entry into a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act with a broker or other nominee; provided, however, that a sale of such shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to such plan shall constitute a “Transfer” at the time of such sale; (e) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy) solely with stockholders who are holders of Class B Common Stock, which voting trust, agreement or arrangement (i) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the Corporation, (ii) either has a term not exceeding one year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (iii) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than (if applicable) the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner; or (f) the fact that, as of the Effective Time or at any time after the Effective Time, the spouse of any Class B Stockholder possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction (excluding in connection with a divorce proceeding, domestic relations order or similar legal requirement, all of which shall constitute “Transfers”), so long as no other event or circumstance shall exist or have occurred that constitutes a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock.

Trigger Date” means the close of business on the date on which the AKKR Investors and their Affiliates (as defined herein) cease to beneficially own in the aggregate (directly or indirectly) fifty percent (50%) or more of the Voting Stock.

Voting Control” with respect to a share of capital stock or other security means the power (whether exclusive or shared, and whether directly or indirectly) to vote or direct the voting of such share of security by proxy, voting agreement, or otherwise.

Voting Stock” means the voting power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company, except in Article XII hereof, where “Voting Stock” shall have the definition provided therein. For the avoidance of doubt, every reference to a percentage of Voting Stock in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation shall refer to such percentage of the votes of the shares of such Voting Stock.

Whole Board” means the total number of authorized directorships whether or not there exist any vacancies or other unfilled seats in previously authorized directorships.

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ARTICLE VI

Section 1.Number of Directors. Subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, the number of directors that constitutes the entire Board of Directors of the Company shall be fixed only by resolution of the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board. At each annual meeting of stockholders, directors of the Company shall be elected to hold office until the expiration of the term for which they are elected and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until their earlier death, resignation or removal, except that if any such meeting shall not be so held, such election shall take place at a stockholders’ meeting called and held in accordance with the DGCL.

Section 2.Election of Directors. From and after the effectiveness of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the directors of the Company shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast; provided that, whenever the holders of any class or series of capital stock of the Company are entitled to elect one or more directors pursuant to the provisions of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including, but not limited to, any Preferred Stock Designation), such directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes cast by such holders. The directors of the Company (other than any who may be elected by holders of Preferred Stock under specified circumstances) shall be divided into three classes as nearly equal in size as is practicable, hereby designated Class I, Class II and Class III. Directors already in office shall be assigned to each class at the Effective Time by a resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors and in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the date hereof, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. If the number of directors is changed, any newly created directorships or decrease in directorships shall be so apportioned hereafter among the classes as to make all classes as nearly equal in number as is practicable; provided that no decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

ARTICLE VII

Section 1.Removal and Resignation of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding and notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, (i) prior to the Trigger Date, directors may be removed with or without cause upon the affirmative vote of stockholders representing at least a majority of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class and (ii) on and after the Trigger Date, only for so long as the Board of Directors is classified and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, any director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed from office at any time, but only for cause, and only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least a majority of the Voting Stock entitled to vote in the election of directors, at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders called for that purpose. Any director may resign at any time upon written notice to the Company.

Section 2.Vacancies and Newly Created Directorships. From and after the Trigger Date, and subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock with respect to election of directors under specified circumstances or except as otherwise provided by resolution of a majority of the Whole Board and, if applicable, in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement, newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors, created in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company, and

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any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other cause shall be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director, and not by the stockholders. Prior to the Trigger Date, vacancies and newly created directorships may be filled in accordance with the Stockholders Agreement by the remaining directors (though less than a quorum) or by the stockholders. A person so elected to fill a vacancy or newly created directorship shall hold office until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

ARTICLE VIII

Section 1.Perpetual Existence. The Company is to have perpetual existence.

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

Section 3.Amendment of Bylaws. In furtherance and not in limitation of the powers conferred by statute, the Board of Directors is expressly authorized to adopt, alter, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. The affirmative vote of at least a majority of the Whole Board shall be required in order for the Board of Directors to adopt, amend, alter or repeal the Company’s Bylaws. The Company’s Bylaws may also be adopted, amended, altered or repealed by the stockholders of the Company; provided that the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required for stockholders to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any Bylaw inconsistent with, Article II, Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 and 3.11 of Article III, Article VIII, Section 9.5 of Article IX or Article X of the Bylaws (including, without limitation, any such Article or Section as renumbered as a result of any amendment, alteration, change, repeal, or adoption of any other Bylaw). No Bylaw hereafter legally adopted, amended, altered or repealed shall invalidate any prior act of the directors or officers of the Company that would have been valid if such Bylaw had not been adopted, amended, altered or repealed.

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

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

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ARTICLE IX

Section 1.Action by Written Consent. From and after Trigger Date, and subject to the rights of holders of Preferred Stock, any action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company must be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of stockholders of the Company and may not be effected by any consent in writing by such stockholders. Prior to the Trigger Date, any action required or permitted to be taken by stockholders of the Company that could be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting of the stockholders may be effected by written consent in lieu of such meeting only if the action is first recommended or approved by the Board of Directors.

Section 2.Special Meetings. From and after the Trigger Date, and subject to the terms of any series of Preferred Stock, special meetings of stockholders of the Company may be called only by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board, but a special meeting may not be called by any other person or persons and any power of stockholders to call a special meeting of stockholders is specifically denied. Prior to the Trigger Date, special meetings of the stockholders of the Company may be called, in addition to the persons listed in the immediately preceding sentence, by holders of a majority of the Voting Stock. Only such business shall be considered at a special meeting of stockholders as shall have been stated in the notice for such meeting.

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

ARTICLE X

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

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

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

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

ARTICLE XI

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

ARTICLE XII

Section 1.Section 203 of the DGCL. The Company expressly elects not to be subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the DGCL.

Section 2.Business Combinations with Interested Stockholders. Notwithstanding any other provision in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to the contrary, unless waived by unanimous approval of a Business Combination by the Board of Directors before or after an Interested Stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder, the Company shall not engage in any Business Combination (as defined hereinafter), at any point in time at which any shares of Common Stock are registered under Section 12(b) or 12(g) of the Exchange Act, with any Interested Stockholder (as defined hereinafter) for a period of three years following the time that such stockholder became an Interested Stockholder, unless:

(a)prior to such time the Board of Directors approved either the Business Combination or the transaction which resulted in such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder;

(b)upon consummation of the transaction which resulted in such stockholder becoming an Interested Stockholder, such stockholder owned at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the Voting Stock outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the Voting Stock (but not the Voting Stock owned by such Interested Stockholder) those shares owned (i) by Persons (as defined hereinafter) who are directors and also officers of the Company and (ii) employee stock plans of the Company in which employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer; or

(c)at or subsequent to such time, the Business Combination is approved by the Board of Directors and authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by

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the affirmative vote of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Voting Stock which is not owned by such Interested Stockholder.

Section 3.Exceptions to Prohibition on Interested Stockholder Transactions. The restrictions contained in this ARTICLE XII shall not apply if:

(a)a stockholder becomes an Interested Stockholder inadvertently and (i) as soon as practicable divests itself of ownership of sufficient shares so that the stockholder ceases to be an Interested Stockholder; and (ii) would not, at any time within the three- year period immediately prior to a Business Combination between the Company and such stockholder, have been an Interested Stockholder but for the inadvertent acquisition of ownership; or

(b)the Business Combination is proposed prior to the consummation or abandonment of and subsequent to the earlier of the public announcement or the notice required hereunder of a proposed transaction which (i) constitutes one of the transactions described in the second sentence of this ARTICLE XII, Section 3(b); (ii) is with or by a Person who either was not an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or who became an Interested Stockholder with the approval of the Board of Directors; and (iii) is approved or not opposed by a majority of the directors then in office (but not less than one) who were directors prior to any Person becoming an Interested Stockholder during the previous three years or were recommended for election or elected to succeed such directors by a majority of such directors. The proposed transactions referred to in the preceding sentence are limited to (x) a merger or consolidation of the Company (except for a merger in respect of which, pursuant to Section 251(f) of the DGCL, no vote of the stockholders of the Company is required); (y) a sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company (other than to any direct or indirect wholly-owned subsidiary or to the Company) having an aggregate market value equal to fifty percent (50%) or more of either that aggregate market value of all of the assets of the Company determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding Stock (as defined hereinafter) of the Company; or (z) a proposed tender or exchange offer for fifty percent (50%) or more of the Voting Stock. The Company shall give not less than 20 days’ notice to all Interested Stockholders prior to the consummation of any of the transactions described in clause (x) or (y) of the second sentence of this ARTICLE XII, Section 3(b).

Section 4.Definitions. As used in this ARTICLE XII only, notwithstanding any definitions ascribed to such terms in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation outside of this Article XII, and unless otherwise provided by the express terms of this ARTICLE XII, the following terms shall have the meanings ascribed to them as set forth in this Section 4:

(a)Affiliate” means a Person that directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, another Person;

(b)Associate,” when used to indicate a relationship with any Person, means: (i) any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity of which such Person is a director, officer or general partner or is, directly or indirectly, the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of any class of Voting Stock; (ii) any trust or other estate in which such Person has at least a twenty percent (20%) beneficial interest or as to which such Person serves as trustee or in a similar fiduciary capacity; and (iii) any relative or spouse of such Person, or any relative of such spouse, who has the same residence as such Person;

(c)Business Combination” means:

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(1)any merger or consolidation of the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company with (A) the Interested Stockholder, or (B) any other corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity if the merger or consolidation is caused by the Interested Stockholder and as a result of such merger or consolidation ARTICLE XII, Section 2 is not applicable to the surviving entity;

(2)any sale, lease, exchange, mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of transactions), except proportionately as a stockholder of the Company, to or with the Interested Stockholder, whether as part of a dissolution or otherwise, of assets of the Company or of any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company which assets have an aggregate market value equal to ten percent (10%) or more of either the aggregate market value of all the assets of the Company determined on a consolidated basis or the aggregate market value of all the outstanding Stock of the Company;

(3)any transaction which results in the issuance or transfer by the Company or by any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company of any Stock of the Company or of such subsidiary to the Interested Stockholder, except: (A) pursuant to the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Stock of the Company or any such subsidiary which securities were outstanding prior to the time that the Interested Stockholder became such; (B) pursuant to a merger under Section 251(g) of the DGCL; (C) pursuant to a dividend or distribution paid or made, or the exercise, exchange or conversion of securities exercisable for, exchangeable for or convertible into Stock of the Company or any such subsidiary which security is distributed, pro rata to all holders of a class or series of Stock of the Company subsequent to the time the Interested Stockholder became such; (D) pursuant to an exchange offer by the Company to purchase Stock made on the same terms to all holders of such Stock; or (E) any issuance or transfer of Stock by the Company; provided, however, that in no case under items (C)-(E) of this ARTICLE XII, Section 4(c)(3) shall there be an increase in the Interested Stockholder’s proportionate share of the Stock of any class or series of the Company or of the Voting Stock of the Company;

(4)any transaction involving the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company which has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing the proportionate share of the Stock of any class or series, or securities convertible into the Stock of any class or series, of the Company or of any such subsidiary which is owned by the Interested Stockholder, except as a result of immaterial changes due to fractional share adjustments or as a result of any purchase or redemption of any shares of Stock not caused, directly or indirectly, by the Interested Stockholder; or

(5)any receipt by the Interested Stockholder of the benefit, directly or indirectly (except proportionately as a stockholder of the Company), of any loans, advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits (other than those expressly permitted in ARTICLE XII, Section 4(c)(1)-(4)) provided by or through the Company or any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company;

(d)Control,” including the terms “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common control with,” means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of Voting Stock, by contract or otherwise. A Person who is the owner of twenty percent (20%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of any corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity shall be presumed to have control of such entity, in the absence of proof by a preponderance of the evidence to the contrary; notwithstanding the foregoing, a presumption of control shall not apply where such Person holds Voting Stock, in good faith and not for the purpose of circumventing this ARTICLE XII, as an agent, bank, broker, nominee, custodian or trustee for one or more owners who do not individually or as a group (as such term is used in Rule 13d-

- 16 -


 

5 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in effect as of the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation) have control of such entity;

(e)Interested Stockholder” means any Person (other than the Company and any direct or indirect majority-owned subsidiary of the Company) that (i) is the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company, or (ii) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Company and was the owner of fifteen percent (15%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company at any time within the three-year period immediately prior to the date on which it is sought to be determined whether such Person is an Interested Stockholder, and the Affiliates and Associates of such Person. Notwithstanding anything in this ARTICLE XII to the contrary, the term “Interested Stockholder” shall not include: (x) the AKKR Investors or any of their Affiliates, or any other Person with whom any of the foregoing are acting as a group or in concert for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting or disposing of shares of Stock of the Company, (y) any Person who would otherwise be an Interested Stockholder either in connection with or because of a transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition of five percent (5%) or more of the outstanding Voting Stock of the Company (in one transaction or a series of transactions) by the AKKR Investors or any of their Affiliates or Associates to such Person; providedhowever, that such Person was not an Interested Stockholder prior to such transfer, sale, assignment, conveyance, hypothecation, encumbrance, or other disposition; or (z) any Person whose ownership of shares in excess of the fifteen percent (15%) limitation set forth herein is the result of action taken solely by the Company; provided that, for purposes of this clause (z) only, such Person shall be an Interested Stockholder if thereafter such Person acquires additional shares of Voting Stock of the Company, except as a result of further action by the Company not caused, directly or indirectly, by such Person; provided that, for the purpose of determining whether a Person is an Interested Stockholder, the Voting Stock of the Company deemed to be outstanding shall include Stock deemed to be owned by the Person through application of this definition of “owned” but shall not include any other unissued Stock of the Company which may be issuable pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights, warrants or options, or otherwise;

(f)Owner,” including the terms “own” and “owned,” when used with respect to any Stock, means a Person that individually or with or through any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially owns such Stock, directly or indirectly; or has (A) the right to acquire such Stock (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or options, or otherwise; providedhowever, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of Stock tendered pursuant to a tender or exchange offer made by such Person or any of such Person’s Affiliates or Associates until such tendered Stock is accepted for purchase or exchange; or (B) the right to vote such Stock pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or understanding; providedhowever, that a Person shall not be deemed the owner of any Stock because of such Person’s right to vote such Stock if the agreement, arrangement or understanding to vote such Stock arises solely from a revocable proxy or consent given in response to a proxy or consent solicitation made to 10 or more Persons; or (C) has any agreement, arrangement or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting (except voting pursuant to a revocable proxy or consent as described in (B) of this ARTICLE XII, Section 4(f)), or disposing of such Stock with any other Person that beneficially owns, or whose Affiliates or Associates beneficially own, directly or indirectly, such Stock;

(g)Person” means any individual, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association or other entity;

(h)Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, any capital stock of such corporation and, with respect to any other entity, any equity interest of such entity; and

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(i)Voting Stock” means, with respect to any corporation, Stock of any class or series entitled to vote generally in the election of directors and, with respect to any entity that is not a corporation, any equity interest entitled to vote generally in the election of the governing body of such entity. Every reference to a percentage of Voting Stock in this ARTICLE XII shall refer to such percentage of the votes of such Voting Stock.

ARTICLE XIII

Section 1.Certain Acknowledgments. In recognition and anticipation that (i) certain of the directors, partners, principals, officers, members, managers and/or employees of the AKKR Investors or their Affiliates may serve as directors or officers of the Company and (ii) the AKKR Investors and their Affiliates engage and may continue to engage in the same or similar activities or related lines of business as those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage and/or other business activities that overlap with or compete with those in which the Company, directly or indirectly, may engage, and (iii)  the Company and its Affiliates may engage in material business transactions with the AKKR Investors and their Affiliates, and that the Company is expected to benefit therefrom, the provisions of this ARTICLE XIII are set forth to regulate and define to the fullest extent permitted by law the conduct of certain affairs of the Company as they may involve the Exempted Persons, and the powers, rights, duties and liabilities of the Company and its officers, directors and stockholders in connection therewith.

Section 2.Competition and Corporate Opportunities. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, none of the Exempted Persons shall have any fiduciary duty to refrain from engaging directly or indirectly in the same or similar business activities or lines of business as the Company or any of its Affiliates. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company, on behalf of itself and its Affiliates, renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company and its Affiliates in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, business opportunities that are from time to time presented to the Exempted Persons, even if the opportunity is one that the Company or its Affiliates might reasonably be deemed to have pursued or had the ability or desire to pursue if granted the opportunity to do so, and each Exempted Person shall have no duty to communicate or offer such business opportunity to the Company or its Affiliates and, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, shall not be liable to the Company, any of its Affiliates or its stockholders for breach of any fiduciary or other duty, as a director, officer or stockholder of the Company, solely by reason of the fact that the AKKR Investors, their Affiliates or any such Exempted Person pursues or acquires such business opportunity, sells, assigns, transfers or directs such business opportunity to another person or fails to present such business opportunity, or information regarding such business opportunity, to the Company or any of its Affiliates. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this ARTICLE XIII, Section 2, the Company does not renounce any interest or expectancy it may have in any business opportunity that is expressly offered to any Exempted Person solely in his or her capacity as a director or officer of the Company, and not in any other capacity.

Section 3.Certain Matters Deemed Not Corporate Opportunities. In addition to and notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this ARTICLE XIII, a corporate opportunity shall not be deemed to belong to the Company if it is a business opportunity the Company is not financially able or contractually permitted or legally able to undertake, or that is, from its nature, not in the line of the Company’s business or is of no practical advantage to it or that is one in which the Company has no interest or reasonable expectancy.

Section 4.Amendment of this Article. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary elsewhere contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock then outstanding, and in addition to any vote required by applicable law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Voting Stock,

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voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or to adopt any provision inconsistent with, this ARTICLE XIIIprovided, however, that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, neither the alteration, amendment or repeal of this ARTICLE XIII nor the adoption of any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation relating to any series of Preferred Stock) inconsistent with this ARTICLE XIII shall apply to or have any effect on the liability or alleged liability of any Exempted Person for or with respect to (or otherwise eliminate or reduce the effect of this Article XIII as now in effect in respect of) any activities or opportunities which such Exempted Person identified or otherwise becomes aware or which arise or accrue prior to such alteration, amendment, repeal, addition or adoption.

Section 5.Deemed Notice. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any shares of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this ARTICLE XIII.

ARTICLE XIV

If any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate becomes or is declared on any ground by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Amended and Restated Certificate, and the court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate with a valid and enforceable provision that most accurately reflects the Company’s intent, in order to achieve, to the maximum extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Amended and Restated Certificate shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

The Company reserves the right to amend or repeal any provision contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation in the manner prescribed by the laws of the State of Delaware and all rights conferred upon stockholders are granted subject to this reservation; provided, however, that notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote, the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board and (i) prior to the Amendment Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, and (ii) from and after the Amendment Trigger Date, the affirmative vote of sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be required for the amendment, alteration, repeal or modification of the provisions of ARTICLE IV, Section 1 (except as provided in ARTICLE IV, Section 3), ARTICLE VI, Section 2, ARTICLE VII, Section 1, ARTICLE VII, Section 2, ARTICLE VIII, Section 5, ARTICLE IX, ARTICLE XII, or this ARTICLE XIV of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; provided further that, notwithstanding any other provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of law that might otherwise permit a lesser vote, the Board of Directors acting pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the Whole Board and the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a class, shall be required for the amendment, repeal, or modification of the provisions of ARTICLE IV, Section 4(a)(2) and ARTICLE IV, Section 4(d).

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Paymentus Holdings, Inc. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company on this day of 2021.

 

By:

 

 

Dushyant Sharma

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

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Exhibit 5.1

 

 

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
Professional Corporation

701 Fifth Avenue
Suite 5100
Seattle, Washington 98104-7036

o: 206.883.2500
f: 206.883.2699

 

May 17, 2021

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-1

Ladies and Gentlemen:

This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-255683), as amended (the “Registration Statement”), filed by Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, of up to 11,500,000 shares (which includes 1,500,000 shares issuable upon exercise of an option to purchase additional shares granted to the underwriters) of the Company’s Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Shares”), to be issued and sold by the Company. We understand that the Shares are to be sold to the underwriters for resale to the public as described in the Registration Statement and pursuant to an underwriting agreement, substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, to be entered into by and among the Company and the underwriters (the “Underwriting Agreement”).

We are acting as counsel for the Company in connection with the sale of the Shares by the Company. In such capacity, we have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion. In our examination, we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity with the originals of all documents submitted to us as copies, the authenticity of the originals of such documents and the legal competence of all signatories to such documents.

We express no opinion herein as to the laws of any state or jurisdiction other than the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (including the statutory provisions and all applicable judicial decisions interpreting those laws) and the federal laws of the United States of America.

On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that, upon the effectiveness of the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, a form of which has been filed as Exhibit 3.1 to the Registration Statement, the Shares to be issued and sold by the Company have been duly authorized and, when such Shares are issued and paid for in accordance with the terms of the Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

austin        beijing        boston        brussels        hong kong        london        los angeles        new york        palo alto
san diego        san francisco        seattle        shanghai        washington, dc        wilmington, de


 

May 17, 2021

Page 2

 

We consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, and we consent to the reference of our name under the caption “Legal Matters” in the prospectus forming part of the Registration Statement.

 

 

Very truly yours,

 

 

 

WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI

 

Professional Corporation

 

 

 

/s/ Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

 

 

Exhibit 10.2

 

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2012 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ARTICLE I
Purpose of Plan

The Board of Directors (the "Board") of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the "Company") adopted the Paymentus Holdings, Inc. 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") on October 11, 2012.  The Plan subsequently was amended on February 21, 2013, April 9, 2019, December 16, 2020, and May 15, 2021.  Officers, directors, employees, consultants and advisors of the Company and its subsidiaries are eligible to participate in the Plan.  The Plan advances the best interests of the Company by providing those persons who have a substantial responsibility for its operation, administration, management and growth with additional incentives by allowing them to acquire an ownership interest in the Company and thereby encouraging them to contribute to the success of the Company and to remain in its employ or other service.  The availability and offering of stock options and restricted stock under the Plan also increases the Company's ability to attract and retain individuals of exceptional managerial talent upon whom, in large measure, the sustained progress, growth and profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries depends.

ARTICLE II
Definitions

For purposes of the Plan, except where the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"AKKR Stockholders" has the meaning set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.

"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

"Cause" shall have the meaning set forth in a Participant's employment agreement, and in the absence of such employment agreement, means the occurrence of any of the following events, as determined in the good faith judgment of the Board: (i) the commission by a Participant of any felony or any act or omission involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude; (ii) any act or omission by a Participant (including, without limitation, violations of applicable laws or regulations, acts of disloyalty to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, or professional misconduct) that results in, or would reasonably be expected to result in, material harm to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' or affiliates' business or reputation; (iii) the failure by a Participant to perform his or her material duties or comply with the material lawful instructions of the Board or the officer to whom such Participant reports, in each case which failure shall continue beyond a period of fifteen (15) days immediately after actual written notice thereof to such Participant by the Board or the officer to whom such Participant reports; (iv) the material breach, non-performance or non-observance of any of the terms of this Plan or any other agreement (including, without limitation, the Option Agreement and/or the Restricted Stock Agreement) (other than a breach, non-performance or non observance described in clause (v)), to which such Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates are parties, by such Participant, if such breach, non-performance or non-observance shall continue beyond a period of ten (10) days immediately after written

 


notice thereof to such Participant by the Board or the officer to whom such Participant reports or (v) any material breach, non-performance or non-observance by a Participant of the terms of this Plan or any other agreement (including, without limitation, the Option Agreement and/or the Restricted Stock Agreement) relating to non-solicitation, confidential information or intellectual property.

"Change of Control" means (i) any transaction or series of transactions pursuant to which any Person or group of related Persons (other than the AKKR Stockholders or their affiliates) in the aggregate acquire(s) (A) capital stock of the Company possessing the voting power (other than voting rights accruing only in the event of a default, breach or event of noncompliance) to elect a majority of the Company's board of directors (whether by merger, consolidation, reorganization, combination, sale or transfer of the Company's capital stock, shareholder or voting agreement, proxy, power of attorney or otherwise) or (B) all or substantially all of the Company's assets determined on a consolidated basis or (ii) a Sale of the Company (as such term is defined in the Stockholders Agreement); provided, that a Public Offering shall not constitute a Change of Control.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, for Options or Restricted Stock that is subject to Section 409A of the Code, a transaction shall not constitute a Change of Control unless it also is a "change in the ownership or effective control of" or a "change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets" of the Company (in each case as determined under Section 409(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and the treasury regulations thereunder, as issued from time to time).

"Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the treasury regulations issued thereunder, from time to time.

"Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board.

"Common Stock" shall mean the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, or in the event that the outstanding Common Stock is hereafter changed into or exchanged for different stock or securities of the Company, such other stock or securities.

"Company" shall mean Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and (except to the extent the context requires otherwise) any subsidiary corporation of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. as such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

"Disability" shall mean the inability, due to documented illness, accident, injury, physical or mental incapacity or other disability, of any Participant to carry out effectively such Participant's duties and obligations to the Company and its Subsidiaries or to participate effectively and actively in the management of the Company and its Subsidiaries for a period of at least 90 consecutive calendar days or for shorter periods aggregating at least 120 calendar days (whether or not consecutive) during any twelve-month period, as determined in the reasonable good faith judgment of the Board (and provided that the Board may select a doctor to verify such documented illness, accident, injury, physical or mental incapacity or other disability), but, solely for purposes of applying Sections 5.4 and 5.6 hereof to Limited Exercisability Options, only to the extent the Participant's condition is also a "Disability" with the meaning of Section 409(a)(2)(C) of the Code and the treasury regulations issued thereunder.

"Fair Market Value" of the Common Stock shall be determined, in good faith, by the Committee or, in the absence of the Committee, by the Board.

"Limited Exercisability Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.4.

"Options" shall have the meaning set forth in ARTICLE IV.

Page 2 of 10


"Participant" shall mean any officer, director, consultant, employee, or advisor of the Company or any of its subsidiary corporations, as such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, who has been selected to participate in the Plan by the Committee or the Board, provided that for purposes of this definition, any consultant or advisor will refer to any natural person engaged by the Company or any of its subsidiary corporations, as such term is defined in Section 424(f) of the Code, to render bona fide services to such entity, provided the services (i) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (ii) do not directly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, in each case, within the meaning of Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act, and provided further, that a consultant or advisor will include only those persons to whom the issuance of shares of Common Stock may be registered under Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act.

"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, investment fund, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

"Public Offering" means the sale in an underwritten public offering registered under the Securities Act of shares of capital stock of the Company.

"Restricted Stock" means the shares of Common Stock granted or issued pursuant to ARTICLE VI of this Plan, which remain subject to any substantial risk of forfeiture or restrictions on transfer set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement among the parties thereto.

"Restricted Stock Agreement" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

"Securities Act" shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and any successor statute.

"Stockholders Agreement" means that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2011, by and among the Company and the other parties signatory thereto, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time.

"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any Person, any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or business entity of which (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity, either (A) a majority of partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by any Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof or (B) such Person is a general partner, managing member of managing director of such partnership, limited liability company, or other business entity.

ARTICLE III
Administration

The Plan shall be administered by the Committee; provided that if for any reason the Committee shall not have been appointed by the Board, all authority and duties of the Committee under the

Page 3 of 10


Plan shall be vested in and exercised by the Board.  Subject to the limitations of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole and complete authority to: (i) select Participants, (ii) grant or issue Options (as defined in ARTICLE IV below) and/or Restricted Stock, as the case may be, to Participants in such forms and amounts as it shall determine, (iii) impose such limitations, restrictions and conditions upon such Options and/or Restricted Stock as it shall deem appropriate, (iv) interpret the Plan and adopt, amend and rescind administrative guidelines and other rules and regulations relating to the Plan, (v) correct any defect or omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Option and/or Restricted Stock granted hereunder, (vi) determine whether the Options and/or Restricted Stock comply with requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and (vii) make all other determinations and take all other actions necessary or advisable for the implementation and administration of the Plan.  The Committee's (and, as applicable, the Board's) determinations on matters within its authority shall be conclusive and binding upon the Participants, the Company and all other Persons.  All expenses associated with the administration of the Plan shall be borne by the Company.  The Committee may, as approved by the Board and to the extent permissible by law, delegate any of its authority hereunder to such Persons as it deems appropriate.

It is the Company's intent that (1) the Options (other than any Limited Exercisability Options) and Restricted stock not be treated as deferred compensation subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and (2) the Limited Exercisability Options not be treated as deferred compensation that fails to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and, in each case, that any ambiguities in construction be interpreted in order to effectuate such intent.  Options (other than Limited Exercisability Options) and Restricted Stock issued under the Plan shall contain such terms as the Committee determines are appropriate to avoid the application of Section 409A of the Code, and Limited Exercisability Options issued under the Plan shall contain such terms as the Committee determines are appropriate to comply with the requirements Section 409A of the Code.  In the event that, after the issuance of an Option or Restricted Stock under the Plan, Section 409A of the Code or regulations thereunder are issued or amended, or the Internal Revenue Service or Treasury Department issues additional guidance interpreting Section 409A of the Code, the Committee may (but shall have no obligation to do so) amend or modify the terms of any such previously issued Option or Restricted Stock to the extent the Committee determines that such amendment or modification is necessary to (A) avoid the application of, in the case of the Options (other than any Limited Exercisability Option) and Restricted Stock and (B) comply with, in the case of the Limited Exercisability Option, Section 409A of the Code.

ARTICLE IV
Limitation on Aggregate Shares

The number of shares of Common Stock (i) with respect to which options may be granted under the Plan (the "Options") and which may be issued upon the exercise thereof and (ii) issued as Restricted Stock shall not exceed, in the aggregate, 2,800,000 shares of Common Stock; provided that the type and the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock which may be subject to Options shall be subject to adjustment in accordance with the provisions of Section 7.4 below, and provided further that to the extent (x) any Options expire unexercised or are canceled, terminated or forfeited in any manner without the issuance of Common Stock thereunder, (y) any shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited, surrendered or relinquished to the Company, or (z) any shares of Restricted Stock or shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of any Options are repurchased by the Company, such shares shall again be available under this Plan.  The shares of Common Stock available under this Plan may be either authorized and unissued shares, treasury shares or a combination thereof, as the Committee shall determine.

Page 4 of 10


ARTICLE V
Options

5.1 Options.  The Committee may grant Options to Participants in accordance with this ARTICLE V.

5.2Form of Option.  Options granted under this Plan shall be nonqualified stock options and are not intended to be "incentive stock options" within the meaning of Section 422(a) of the Code or any successor provision.

5.3Exercise Price.  The option exercise price per share of Common Stock shall be fixed by the Committee on the date of grant.

5.4Exercisability.  Options shall be exercisable at such time or times as the Committee shall determine at or subsequent to grant; provided that, at the discretion of the Committee, the terms of any Option granted hereunder may specify that such Option shall be exercisable only upon the earlier of one or more of the following events (any such Option, a "Limited Exercisability Option"): (i) a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Participant, (ii) death of the Participant, and (iii) Disability of the Participant, (iv) the first day of the calendar year that includes the Expiration Date, or (v) a Change of Control; provided further that, with respect to Limited Exercisability Options that become exercisable pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5.4 granted to a Participant who is a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, then such Limited Exercisability Option shall become exercisable six months after the separation from service.

5.5Payment of Exercise Price.  Options shall be exercised in whole or in part by written notice to the Company (to the attention of the Company's Secretary) accompanied by payment in full of the option exercise price.  Payment of the option exercise price shall be made in cash (including cashier's or certified check, bank draft or money order) or such other manner as determined by the Committee (if in accordance with policies approved by the Board).

5.6Conditions and Limitations on Exercise.  Options (other than the Limited  Exercisability Options) may be made exercisable in one or more installments, upon the happening of certain events, upon the passage of a specified period of time, upon the fulfillment of certain conditions or upon the achievement by the Company of certain performance goals, as the Committee shall decide in each case when the Options are granted, except that: (i) if any Participant dies or becomes subject to any Disability, such Participant's Option shall expire 180 days after the date of his or her death or Disability; (ii) if Participant resigns, his or her Option shall expire 90 days after the date of his or her resignation; (iii) if the Participant's employment (or, in the case of an Option granted to a non‑employee Participant, service) is terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, his or her Option shall expire 90 days after the date of such separation; and (iv) except to the extent required by applicable law, if the separation from service of a Participant is due to Participant being terminated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause, such Participant's Option shall expire immediately.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in no event shall an Option expire after the Expiration Date.

Limited Exercisability Options shall only be exercisable upon the earlier of one or more of the events described in the first proviso of Section 5.4 (each, an "Exercise Event") and then only in accordance with the following terms:

(i)if the first Exercise Event to occur is a Participant's separation from service, the Participant's Limited Exercisability Option may only be exercised (A), in the case of

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any Participant who is not a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, on the date that is the earlier of (I) the date that is 90 days (or such other number of days specified in the grant agreement) after the date of the Participant's separation from service and (II) the date a Change of Control occurs, and (B) in the case of a Participant who is a "specified employee" as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, on the date that is 6 months after the date of the Participant's separation from service;

(ii)if the first Exercise Event to occur is a Participant's death or Disability, the Participant's Limited Exercisability Option may only be exercised on the date that is the earlier of (A) the date that is 180 days (or such other number of days specified in the grant agreement) after the date of the Participant's death or Disability and (B) the date a Change of Control occurs;

(iii)if the first Exercise Event to occur is the date a Change of Control occurs, the Limited Exercisability Option may only be exercised on the date the Change in Control occurs; and

(iv)if the first Exercise Event to occur is the first day of the calendar year that includes the Expiration Date, the Limited Exercisability Option may be exercised at any time during the period beginning on the first day of the calendar year that includes the Expiration Date and ending on the Expiration Date.

Any Limited Exercisability Option that becomes exercisable and is not exercised in accordance with the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.6 shall immediately terminate.

5.7Option Agreement.  Each Option granted hereunder to a Participant shall be embodied in a written agreement (an "Option Agreement"), which shall be signed by the Participant and by an authorized officer of the Company for and in the name and on behalf of the Company and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Option Agreement (including, but not limited to (i) the right of the Company and such other Persons as the Committee shall designate to repurchase from each Participant, and such Participant's transferees, all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable to such Participant on the exercise of an Option in the event of such Participant's termination of employment (or, in the case of an Option granted to a non‑employee Participant, service), (ii) restrictions on transfer, (iii) holdback and other registration right restrictions in the event of a public registration of any equity securities of the Company and (iv) any other terms and conditions which the Committee shall deem necessary and desirable).

5.8Terms of Options.  The Committee shall determine the term of each Option, which term shall in no event exceed ten years from the date of grant.  Unless otherwise expressly set forth in the Option Agreement, or as otherwise determined by the Committee (or, in absence of the Committee, the Board) with approval of the AKKR Stockholders, all Options shall terminate and expire if unexercised on a Change of Control.

5.9Nontransferability.  A Participant's Options are personal to such Participant and are not transferable by such Participant other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  During a Participant's lifetime only Participant (or such Participant's guardian or legal representative) may exercise his or her Options.  In the event of a Participant's death, such Participant's Options may be exercised only (i) by the executor or administrator of such Participant's estate or the person or persons to whom such Participant's rights under the Option shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) to the extent that such Participant was entitled hereunder at the date of such Participant's death.

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5.10Normal Expirations of Options.  In no event shall any part of any Option be exercisable after the date of expiration thereof (the "Expiration Date"), as determined by the Committee pursuant to Section 5.8 above.

ARTICLE VI
Restricted Stock

6.1Restricted Stock.  The Committee may authorize the granting or sale of shares of Restricted Stock to Participants in accordance with this ARTICLE VI.

6.2Sale of Restricted Stock.  Each such grant or sale of shares of Restricted Stock shall constitute an immediate transfer of the ownership of Common Stock to the Participant in consideration of the performance of services, entitling such Participant to distribution and other ownership rights, subject in each case to the substantial risk of forfeiture and restrictions on transfer set forth in the Restricted Stock Agreement.

6.3Consideration.  Each such grant or sale of shares of Restricted Stock may be made without additional consideration or in consideration of a payment by such Participant that is less than, equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value per share at the date of grant or sale, in each case as determined by the Committee.

6.4Restricted Stock Agreement.  All Restricted Stock issued hereunder to a Participant shall be embodied in a written agreement (a "Restricted Stock Agreement"), which shall be signed by the Participant and an authorized officer of the Company for and in the name and on behalf of the Company and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and those prescribed in the Restricted Stock Agreement (including, but not limited to, (i) such Restricted Stock being subject to a "substantial risk of forfeiture" within the meaning of Section 83 of the Code for a period determined by the Committee, (ii) the right of the Company and such other Persons as the Committee shall designate to repurchase from each Participant, and such Participant's transferees, all Restricted Stock issued to such Participant in the event of such Participant's termination of employment or service or such other events as determined by the Committee, (iii) restrictions on transfer, (iv) holdback and other registration right restrictions in the event of a public registration of any equity securities of the Company and (v) any other terms and conditions which the Committee shall deem necessary and desirable).

ARTICLE VII
General Provisions

7.1Change of Control.  In the event of a Change of Control, the Committee may provide, in its sole discretion, that (i) the Options shall become immediately vested and exercisable by any Participants who are employed or engaged as a service provider by the Company at the time of the Change of Control and/or (ii) the Restricted Stock held by any Participants who are employed or engaged as a service provider by the Company at the time of the Change of Control shall become immediately vested.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, immediately prior to the consummation of a Change of Control, the Board may, with respect to any or all of the Options that are outstanding or Restricted Stock that is outstanding and unvested at such time, take any of the following actions in any combination (a) provide for the assumption, substitution or continuation of such Options or unvested Restricted Stock, (b) if the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock as of the consummation of

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the Change of Control is less than the exercise price associated with a vested Option or if any Option or Restricted Stock award is not vested as of the Change of Control, unilaterally terminate all or any portion of such Option or Restricted Stock award for no consideration, and/or (c) as to any vested Options that are not assumed, substituted or continued pursuant to clause (a) or cancelled pursuant to clause (b), cancel such Awards in exchange for a payment of cash equal to the Fair Market Value of the underlying Common Stock as of the consummation of the Change of Control, minus the exercise price associated with respect to such vested Options.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any escrow, holdback, earnout or similar provisions in the definitive documents relating to such Change in Control may apply to any payment to the holders of Options or Restricted Stock to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of Common Stock.  For clarity, all awards that are not exercised, assumed, substituted or continued will be canceled pursuant to clause (b) or clause (c) upon the consummation of a Change of Control.  Any actions taken pursuant to this Section 7.1 will be consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and need not be uniform among Participants or their outstanding awards.

7.2Stockholders Agreement and Other Requirements.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, as a condition to the receipt of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, to the extent required by the Committee, the Participant shall execute and deliver a joinder to the Stockholders Agreement or such other documentation that shall set forth certain restrictions on transferability of the shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise or purchase, and such other terms as the Board or Committee shall from time to time establish.  The Stockholders Agreement or other documentation shall apply to the Common Stock acquired under the Plan and covered by the Stockholders Agreement or other documentation.  The Company may require, as a condition of exercise, the Participant to become a party to any other existing stockholder agreement (or other agreement).

7.3Listing, Registration and Compliance with Laws and Regulations.  Options and Restricted Stock shall be subject to the requirement that if at any time the Committee shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration or qualification of the Restricted Stock or shares subject to the Options, as the case may be, upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal securities or other law or regulation, or the consent or approval of any governmental regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a condition to or in connection with the granting of the Options, the issuance or purchase of shares thereunder or the issuance of Restricted Stock, no Options and/or Restricted Stock may be granted, exercised or issued, in whole or in part, unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Committee.  The holders of such Options and/or Restricted Stock shall supply the Company with such certificates, representations and information as the Company shall request and shall otherwise cooperate with the Company in obtaining such listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval.  In the case of officers and other Persons subject to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Committee may at any time impose any limitations upon the Restricted Stock, or the exercise of an Option that, in the Committee's discretion, are necessary or desirable in order to comply with such Section 16(b) and the rules and regulations thereunder.  If the Company, as part of an offering of securities or otherwise, finds it desirable because of federal or state regulatory requirements to reduce the period during which any Options may be exercised, the Committee, may, in its discretion and without the Participant's consent, so reduce such period on not less than 15 days written notice to the holders thereof.

7.4Withholding of Taxes.  The Company shall be entitled, if necessary or desirable, to withhold from any Participant from any amounts due and payable by the Company to such Participant (or secure payment from such Participant in lieu of withholding) the amount of any withholding or other tax due from the Company with respect to any shares issuable under the Options or as Restricted Stock, and the Company may defer such issuance unless indemnified to its satisfaction.  In the event that the Company or its affiliates does not make such deductions or withholdings, such Participant shall indemnify the Company and its affiliates for any amounts paid or payable by the Company or any of its affiliates with

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respect to any such taxes, together with any interest, penalties and additions to tax and any related expenses thereto. The Committee, 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 liability or withholding obligations, in whole or in part by such methods as the Committee shall determine, including, without limitation, (a) paying cash, check or other cash equivalents, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Committee may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Committee determines in its sole discretion, (c) delivering to the Company already-owned shares of Common Stock having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Committee may determine, in each case, provided the delivery of such shares of Common Stock will not result in any adverse accounting consequences, as the Committee determines in its sole discretion, (d) selling a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Committee may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld or paid, (e) such other consideration and method of payment for the meeting of tax liabilities or withholding obligations as the Committee may determine to the extent permitted by applicable laws, or (f) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.  The amount of the withholding obligation will be deemed to include any amount which the Committee 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 or such greater amount as the Committee may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Committee determines in its sole discretion.  The fair market value of the shares of Common Stock to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

7.5Adjustments.  In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split, or combination or other change in the shares of Common Stock, the Board or the Committee will make such adjustments in the number and type of shares authorized by the Plan and available for issuance hereunder, the number and type of shares covered by outstanding Options and the exercise prices specified therein as may be determined to be appropriate and equitable (and such adjustment shall in no event be considered an amendment or modification of the Plan or any Options hereunder), taking into consideration the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

7.6Rights of Participants.  Nothing in this Plan or in any Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate any Participant's employment or other service at any time (with or without Cause), nor confer upon any Participant any right to continue in the employ or other service of the Company for any period of time or to continue his or her present (or any other) rate of compensation, and except as otherwise provided under this Plan or by the Committee in the Option Agreement or Restricted Stock Agreement, in the event of any Participant's termination of employment or other service (including, but not limited to, the termination by the Company without Cause) any portion of such Participant's Option or Restricted Stock that was not previously vested and exercisable shall expire and be forfeited as of the date of such termination.  No employee or other service provider shall have a right to be selected as a Participant or, having been so selected, to be selected again as a Participant.

7.7Amendment, Suspension and Termination of Plan.  The Board or the Committee may suspend or terminate the Plan or any portion thereof at any time and may amend it from time to time in such respects as the Board or the Committee may deem advisable; provided that no such amendment shall be made without stockholder approval to the extent such approval is required by law, agreement or the rules of any exchange upon which the Common Stock is listed, and provided further, that no such amendment, suspension or termination shall adversely affect the rights of any Participant (i) under

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outstanding Options without the consent of either such Participant or a majority (based on the number of Option Shares (as defined in the Option Agreement) held) of the Participants affected thereby or (ii) under outstanding Restricted Stock without the consent of either such Participant or a majority (based on the number of shares of Restricted Stock held) of the Participants affected thereby.  No Options or Restricted Stock shall be granted or issued hereunder after the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the Plan.

7.8Amendment, Modification and Cancellation.  

(a)Options.  The Committee may amend or modify the terms of any Option or Option Agreement in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority under the Plan initially to grant such Option; provided that no such amendment or modification shall adversely affect the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Option without the consent of either such Participant or a majority (based on the number of Option Shares (as defined in the Option Agreement) held) of the Participants affected thereby.  With the Participant's consent, the Committee may cancel any Option and issue a new Option to such Participant.

(b)Restricted Stock.  The Committee may amend or modify the terms of any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Agreement in any manner to the extent that the Committee would have had the authority under the Plan initially to issue such Restricted Stock; provided that no such amendment or modification shall impair the rights of any Participant under any outstanding Restricted Stock without the consent of either such Participant or a majority (based on the number of shares of Restricted Stock held) of the Participants affected thereby.

7.9Indemnification.  In addition to such other rights of indemnification as they may have as members of the Board or the Committee, the members of the Committee shall be indemnified by the Company against all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with any action, suit or proceeding to which they or any of them may be party by reason of any action taken or failure to act under or in connection with the Plan, any Option granted or shares of Restricted Stock issued hereunder, and against all amounts paid by them in settlement thereof (provided such settlement is approved by independent legal counsel selected by the Company) or paid by them in satisfaction of a judgment in any such action, suit or proceeding; provided that any such Committee member shall be entitled to the indemnification rights set forth in this Section 7.9 only if such member has acted in good faith and in a manner that such member reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that such conduct was unlawful, and further provided that upon the institution of any such action, suit or proceeding a Committee member shall give the Company written notice thereof and an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before such Committee member undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.

****

 

 

 

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PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

18390 NE 68th St.
Redmond, WA 98052

 

[INSERT DATE]

 

«Full_Name»

«Address_Line_1»

«Address_Line_2»

 

Re:

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.  

Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option

Dear «First_Name»:

In accordance with this letter agreement (the "Agreement"), the Company is pleased to advise you that on [INSERT DATE] (the "Grant Date") the Company granted to you a stock option (an "Option"), as provided below, under Paymentus Holdings, Inc.'s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), a copy of which is attached hereto and incorporated herein by reference.  The Option has been granted, and the Option Shares will be issued, pursuant to a "compensatory benefit plan" within the meaning of such term under Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.  

1.Definitions.  Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined in this Agreement shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan. For the purposes of this Agreement, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

"Affiliate" shall have the meaning set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.

"AKKR Stockholders" shall have the meaning set forth in the Stockholders Agreement.

"Company" shall have the meaning set forth in the Plan.

"Base Rate" means, on any date, a variable rate per annum equal to the rate of interest most recently published by The Wall Street Journal as the "prime rate" at large U.S. money center banks.

"Family Group" means a Person's spouse and descendants (whether natural or adopted), and any trust, family limited partnership, limited liability company or other entity wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by such Person or such Person's spouse and/or descendants that is and remains solely for the benefit of such Person and/or such Person's spouse and/or descendants and any retirement plan for such Person.

"Investor" shall mean Accel-KKR Capital Partners III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership, or its designee.

"Option Shares" shall mean (i) all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of the Option and (ii) all shares of Common Stock issued with respect to the Common Stock referred to in clause (i) above by way of stock dividend or stock split or in connection with any conversion, merger, consolidation or recapitalization or other reorganization affecting the Common Stock.  Option

 


Shares shall continue to be Option Shares in the hands of any holder other than you (except for the Company or the Investor and, to the extent that you are permitted to transfer Option Shares pursuant to Section 15 or 17 hereof, purchasers pursuant to a Public Offering under the Securities Act), and each such transferee thereof shall succeed to the rights and obligations of a holder of Option Shares hereunder.

"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a limited liability company, a corporation, an association, a joint stock company, a trust, a joint venture, an unincorporated organization, investment fund, any other business entity and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

"Public Sale" means any sale of Option Shares to the public pursuant to an offering registered under the Securities Act or to the public through a broker, dealer or market maker pursuant to the provisions of Rule 144 adopted under the Securities Act.

"Stockholders Agreement" means that certain Stockholders Agreement, dated as of September 6, 2011, by and among the Company and the other parties signatory thereto, as the same may be amended or modified from time to time.

"Transfer" means to sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of (whether with or without consideration and whether voluntarily or involuntarily or by operation of law).

2.Option.

(a)Terms.  Your Option is for the purchase of up to «Option_Shares» Option Shares at a price per share of $[INSERT EXERCISE PRICE] (the "Exercise Price"), payable upon exercise as set forth in Section 2(b) below.  Your Option shall expire at the close of business on the tenth anniversary of the Grant Date (the "Expiration Date"), subject to earlier expiration as provided herein.  Your Option is not intended to be an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422(a) of the Code.  

(b)Payment of Option Price.  Subject to Section 3 below, your Option may be exercised in whole or in part upon payment of an amount (the "Option Price") equal to the product of (i) the Exercise Price multiplied by (ii) the number of Option Shares to be acquired.  Payment shall be made in cash (including cashier's or certified check, bank draft or money order) or such other manner as determined by the Committee (if in accordance with policies approved by the Board).

3.Exercisability/Vesting. Your Option may be exercised only to the extent it has become vested.  Your Option shall vest and become exercisable (i) with respect to 20% of your Option Shares (rounded to the nearest whole share) on the first anniversary of «Vesting_Start_Date» and (ii) thereafter at the end of each monthly period (the first such period beginning on the first anniversary of «Vesting_Start_Date») with respect to one and 6,667/10,000 percent (1.6667%) of the Option Shares (rounded to the nearest whole share), in each case if and only if, you are, and have been, continuously employed by the Company from the date of this Agreement through such date.  For the avoidance of doubt, the number of Option Shares with respect to which your Option may be exercised shall not increase once you cease to serve as an employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries.  

4.Expiration of Option.

(a)Normal Expiration.  In no event shall any part of your Option be exercisable after the Expiration Date set forth in Section 2(a) above.

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(b)Early Expiration Upon Termination of Employment.  In the event you cease to be employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any reason (a "Separation"), any portion of your Option that was not vested and exercisable on the date of the Separation shall expire and be forfeited without payment of any kind on such date, and any portion of your Option that was vested and exercisable on the date of the Separation shall expire and be forfeited without payment of any kind as follows: (i) if you die or become subject to any Disability, the portion of your Option that is vested and exercisable shall expire 180 days from the date of your death or from the date of Separation by reason of your Disability, but in no event after the Expiration Date, (ii) if you resign, the portion of your Option that is vested and exercisable shall expire 90 days from such date of termination, but in no event after the Expiration Date, (iii) if your employment is terminated by the Company or its Subsidiaries without Cause, the portion of your Option that is vested and exercisable shall expire 90 days from such date of termination and (iv) except to the extent required by applicable law, if your employment is terminated by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for Cause, the portion of the Option that is vested and exercisable shall expire immediately.

(c)Expiration on Change of Control.   In the event of a Change of Control, any portion of your Option which has not been exercised prior to or in connection with the Change of Control shall expire and be forfeited and cancelled, unless otherwise determined mutually by the Board and the Investor in their sole discretion.

5.Procedure for Exercise.  You may exercise all or any portion of your Option, to the extent it has vested and is exercisable pursuant to Section 3 (subject to Section 4) above, by delivering written notice to the Company (to the attention of the Company's Secretary) and your written acknowledgement that you have read and have been afforded an opportunity to ask questions of management of the Company regarding all financial and other information provided to you regarding the Company, together with payment of the Option Price in accordance with the provisions of Section 2(b) above.  As a condition to any exercise of your Option, you shall permit the Company to deliver to you all financial and other information regarding the Company it believes necessary to enable you to make an informed investment decision, and you shall make all customary investment representations which the Company requires.  In addition, if requested mutually by the Board and the Investor (in their sole discretion) as a condition to any exercise of your Option, you may be required to duly execute a joinder to the Stockholders Agreement, in form and substance satisfactory to the Company and the Investor.

6.Code Section 409A Compliance.  

(a)The permitted exercise of your Option specified in Sections 3, 4 and 5 are intended to comply with the provisions of Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.  The Company may reduce or expand the period of time following an event in which the vested portion of your Option may be exercised if Internal Revenue Service guidance specifies that such a reduction is required or that such an expansion is permitted under the provisions of Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.  In addition, the Company may (but shall be under no obligation to) make any other changes to this Agreement it determines are necessary to comply with the provisions of Section 409A(a)(2) of the Code.

(b)You hereby agree and acknowledge that neither the Company nor any of its Affiliates makes any representations with respect to the application of Section 409 of the Code to your Option and, by the acceptance of your Option, you agree to accept the potential application of Section 409A of the Code to your Option and the other tax consequences of the issuance, vesting, ownership, modification, adjustment, exercise and disposition of your Option.  You agree to hold harmless and indemnify the Company from any adverse tax consequences to you with respect to your Option, any withholding or other tax obligations of the Company with respect to your Option, and from any action or inaction or omission of the Company pursuant to the Plan or otherwise that may cause your Option to fail to comply with or become subject to Section 409A of the Code.

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7.Securities Laws Restrictions and Other Restrictions on Transfer of Option Shares.  You represent that when you exercise your Option you shall be purchasing Option Shares for your own account and not on behalf of others.  You understand and acknowledge that federal and state securities laws govern and restrict your right to offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Option Shares unless your offer, sale or other disposition thereof is registered under the Securities Act and state securities laws, or in the opinion of the Company's counsel, such offer, sale or other disposition is exempt from registration or qualification thereunder.  You agree that you shall not offer, sell or otherwise dispose of any Option Shares in any manner which would: (i) require the Company to file any registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (or any similar filing under state law) or to amend or supplement any such filing or (ii) violate or cause the Company to violate the Securities Act, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder or any other state or federal law.  You further understand that the certificates for any Option Shares you purchase shall bear such legends as the Company deems necessary or desirable in connection with the Securities Act or other rules, regulations or laws.  You further understand that, prior to the exercise of your Option, you will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers concerning the terms of the Option Shares, and will have the opportunity to review a copy of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation.

8.Non‑Transferability of Option.  Your Option is personal to you and is not transferable by you other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  During your lifetime only you (or your guardian or legal representative) may exercise your Option.  In the event of your death, your Option may be exercised only (i) by the executor or administrator of your estate or the person or persons to whom your rights under the Option shall pass by will or the laws of descent and distribution and (ii) to the extent that you were entitled hereunder at the date of your death.

9.Conformity with Plan.  Your Option is intended to conform in all respects with, and is subject to all applicable provisions of, the Plan (which is incorporated herein by reference).  Inconsistencies between this Agreement and the Plan shall be resolved in accordance with the terms of the Plan.  By executing and returning the enclosed copy of this Agreement, you acknowledge your receipt of this Agreement and the Plan and agree to be bound by all of the terms of this Agreement and the Plan.

10.Rights of Participants.  Nothing in this Agreement shall interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company to terminate your employment at any time (with or without Cause), nor confer upon you any right to continue in the employ of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries for any period of time or to continue your present (or any other) rate of compensation, and in the event of your separation of service with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries (including, but not limited to, separation of service by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries without Cause) any portion of your Option that was not previously vested and exercisable shall be forfeited.  Nothing in this Agreement shall confer upon you any right to be selected again as a Plan participant, and nothing in the Plan or this Agreement shall provide for any adjustment to the number of Option Shares subject to your Option upon the occurrence of subsequent events except as provided in Section 12 below.

11.Withholding of Taxes.  The Company shall be entitled, if necessary or desirable, to withhold from you from any amounts due and payable by the Company or any of its Affiliates to you (or secure payment from you in lieu of withholding) the amount of any withholding or other tax due from the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to any Option Shares issuable under this Plan, and the Company may defer such issuance unless indemnified by you to its satisfaction.  In the event that the Company or its Affiliates does not make such deductions or withholdings, you shall indemnify the Company and its Affiliates for any amounts paid or payable by the Company or any of its Affiliates with respect to any such taxes, together with any interest, penalties and additions to tax and any related expenses thereto.

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12.Adjustments. In the event of a reorganization, recapitalization, stock dividend or stock split, or combination or other change in the shares of Common Stock or any merger, consolidation or exchange of shares, the Board or the Committee may make such adjustments in the number and type of shares authorized by the Plan, the number and type of shares covered by your Option (including the issuer thereof in the case of a merger, consolidation or exchange in which the surviving entity or a parent thereof assumes or replaces all or a portion of the outstanding Options) and the Exercise Price specified herein as may be determined by the Board or the Committee to be appropriate and equitable, in order to prevent the dilution or enlargement of rights under your Option, taking into account the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.  The issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or options or securities exercisable or convertible into shares of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or services either upon direct sale, or upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefore, or upon exercise or conversion of other securities, shall not affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock then subject to any Options.

13.Right to Purchase Option Shares Upon Your Separation of Service.

(a)Repurchase of Option Shares.  If your Separation shall occur for any reason (the date on which such separation of service occurs being referred to as the "Separation Date"), all or any part of the Option Shares issued or issuable upon exercise of your Option, whether held by you or by one or more of your transferees, will be subject to repurchase, at the price determined in accordance with the provisions of Section 14 hereof, in each case by the Company and the Investor pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 13 (the "Repurchase Option").

(b)Repurchase by Company.  The Company may elect to purchase all or any portion of the Option Shares by delivery of written notice (the "Repurchase Notice") to you or any other holders of the Option Shares within 181 days after the Separation Date.  The Repurchase Notice shall set forth the number of Option Shares to be acquired from you and such other holder(s), the aggregate consideration to be paid for such shares and the time and place for the closing of the transaction.  The number of Option Shares to be repurchased by the Company shall first be satisfied to the extent possible from the Option Shares held by you at the time of delivery of the Repurchase Notice.  If the number of Option Shares then held by you is less than the total number of Option Shares the Company has elected to purchase, then the Company shall purchase the remaining shares elected to be purchased from the other holders thereof, pro rata according to the number of shares held by each such holder at the time of delivery of such Repurchase Notice (determined as close as practical to the nearest whole shares).

(c)Repurchase by the Investor.  If for any reason the Company does not elect to purchase all of the Option Shares pursuant to the Repurchase Option prior to 181 days following the Separation Date, then the Investor shall be entitled to exercise the Repurchase Option in the manner set forth in Section 13(a) for all or any portion of the number of Option Shares the Company has not elected to purchase (the "Available Shares").  As soon as practicable after the Company has determined that there are Available Shares, but in any event within 181 days after the Separation Date, the Company shall deliver written notice (the "Option Notice") to the Investor setting forth the number of Available Shares and the purchase price for each Available Share.  The Investor may elect to purchase any number of Available Shares by delivering written notice to the Company within 30 days after the Option Notice has been given by the Company.  As soon as practicable, and in any event within ten days after the expiration of such 30‑day period set forth above, the Company shall notify you and any other holder(s) of Option Shares as to the number of Option Shares being purchased from you by the Investor (the "Supplemental Repurchase Notice").  At the time the Company delivers the Supplemental Repurchase Notice to you and such other holder(s) of Option Shares, the Company shall also deliver written notice to the Investor setting forth the number of shares the Investor is entitled to purchase, the aggregate purchase price and the time and place of the closing of the transaction.

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(d)Closing of Repurchase of Option Shares.  The closing of the purchase of Option Shares pursuant to this Section 13 shall take place on the date designated by the Company in the Repurchase Notice or Supplemental Repurchase Notice, which date shall not be more than 30 days nor less than 5 days after the delivery of the later or either such notice to be delivered.  At the closing, the purchaser or purchasers shall pay the purchase price in the manner specified in Section 14(b) and you and any other holders of Option Shares being purchased shall deliver the certificate or certificates representing such shares to the purchaser or purchasers or their nominees, accompanied by duly executed stock powers.  Any purchaser of Option Shares under this Section 13 shall be entitled to receive customary representations and warranties from you and any other selling holders of Option Shares regarding the sale of such shares and to require all sellers' signatures to be guaranteed by a national bank or reputable securities broker.

(e)Deemed Repurchase.  Upon delivery of the Repurchase Notice or Supplemental Repurchase Notice, as applicable, then from and after such time, the holder of such Option Shares from whom such securities are to be purchased shall cease to have any rights as a holder of such securities (other than the right to receive payment of such consideration in accordance with Section 14 below), and such securities shall be deemed purchased in accordance with the applicable provisions hereof and the purchaser thereof shall be deemed the owner (of record and beneficially) and holder(s) of such securities, whether or not the certificate representing such Option Shares has been delivered as required by this Agreement.

14.Purchase Price for Option Shares.

(a)Purchase Price.  In the event that your separation of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries is effected by your separation of service due to termination by the Company without Cause, the purchase price for each Option Share shall be the Fair Market Value thereof as of the Separation Date. In the event that your separation of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries is effected by your separation of service due to your death or Disability, the purchase price for each Option Share shall be the greater of (i) the exercise price paid by you for such Option Share and (ii) the Fair Market Value thereof as of the Separation Date.  In the event that your separation of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries is effected by a separation of service for any other reason (including your resignation or termination by the Company for Cause), the purchase price for each Option Share shall be the lesser of (i) the exercise price paid by you for such Option Share and (ii) the Fair Market Value thereof as of the Separation Date.  

(b)Manner of Payment.  If the Company elects to purchase all or any part of the Option Shares, including Option Shares held by one or more transferees, the Company shall pay for such Option Shares by first offsetting amounts outstanding under any bona fide debts owed by you to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, with the balance to be paid by delivery of a check or wire transfer of funds to the extent such payment would not cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to violate the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and would not cause the Company or any of its Subsidiaries to breach any agreement to which it is a party relating to indebtedness for borrowed money or other material agreement (including any restricted payment covenant prohibiting direct or indirect distributions to the Company in order to effectuate such repurchase) (each such restriction, a "Restricted Payment Covenant").  If any such Restricted Payment Covenants prohibit the repurchase of Option Shares hereunder which the Company is otherwise entitled to make, the time periods provided in  Section 13 shall be tolled, and the Company may make such repurchases as soon as it is permitted to do so under such restrictions.  In addition, if any such Restricted Payment Covenant prohibits the repurchase of Option Shares hereunder with a check or wire transfer of funds, or if the Company otherwise does not have sufficient available cash as determined by the Board, then the Company may make such repurchase of Option Shares with a three-year junior subordinated note payable on the earlier to occur of maturity and the consummation of a Sale of the Company, bearing interest (payable at maturity or upon the consummation of a Change of Control, as the case may be) at a simple rate per annum equal to the Base Rate in effect on the Separation Date (a "Junior Subordinated Note").  Any Junior Subordinated Note issued by the Company pursuant to

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this Section 14(b) shall be subject to any Restricted Payment Covenants and any subordination provisions required by the Company's and its Subsidiaries' senior and subordinated lenders and may be prepaid without premium or penalty at the election of the Company to the extent permitted by the Company's and its Subsidiaries' loan agreements and related documents with the Company's and its Subsidiaries' senior and subordinated lenders.  If the Investor elects to purchase all or any portion of the Available Shares, the Investor shall pay for that portion of such Available Shares by check or wire transfer of funds.

15.Restrictions on Transfer.

(a)Transfer of Option Shares.  You shall not Transfer any interest in any Option Shares without the consent of the Board and the Investor, except pursuant to (i) the provisions of Section 13 hereof, (ii) an Approved Sale (as defined below in Section 17), (iii) the provisions of Section 15(b) below or (iv) a Public Sale.

(b)Certain Permitted Transfers.  The restrictions in this Section 15 will not apply with respect to any Transfer of Option Shares made pursuant to applicable laws of descent and distribution or to such Person's legal guardian in the case of any mental incapacity or among such Person's Family Group; provided that the restrictions contained in this Section 15 shall continue to be applicable to the Option Shares after any Transfer and the transferees of such Option Shares have agreed in writing to be bound by the provisions of this Agreement and, if requested by the Investor, the Stockholders Agreement.  Upon the transfer of Option Shares pursuant to this Section 15(b), you shall deliver a written notice (a "Transfer Notice") to the Company, which Transfer Notice shall disclose in reasonable detail the identity of the transferee of Option Shares pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with the provisions of this Section 15(b).

(c)Termination of Restrictions.  The restrictions on the Transfer of Option Shares set forth in this Section 15 shall continue with respect to each Option Share until the earlier of (i) the date on which such Option Share has been transferred in a Public Sale, (ii) the consummation of an Approved Sale or (iii) after the date on which such Option Shares has been transferred to the Company or the Investor pursuant to Section 13 above.

16.Additional Restrictions on Transfer.

(a)Restrictive Legend.  The certificates representing the Option Shares shall bear the following legend:

"THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE WERE ORIGINALLY ISSUED AS OF [________________ __], [____], HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS AND MAY NOT BE SOLD OR TRANSFERRED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION THEREUNDER.  THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE ALSO SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OTHER AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN AN OPTION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND [OPTIONEE NAME] DATED AS OF [________________ __], 20__, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED BY THE HOLDER HEREOF AT THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS WITHOUT CHARGE."

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(b)Opinion of Counsel.  You may not Transfer any Option Shares (except pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act) without first delivering to the Company a written notice describing in reasonable detail the proposed transfer, together with an opinion of counsel (reasonably acceptable in form and substance to the Company) that neither registration nor qualification under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws is required in connection with such transfer.

(c)Change of Control.  If the AKKR Stockholders approve, or notify the Company of the AKKR Stockholders' desire to pursue (or initiate a process that could lead to), a Change of Control (an "Approved Sale"), you shall vote for, consent to and raise no objections against, and shall not make any claim with respect to or take any action which is reasonably likely to hinder or cause an adverse affect on, such Approved Sale, regardless of the consideration being paid in such Approved Sale. If the Approved Sale is structured as a (i) merger or consolidation, you shall waive any dissenters' rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger or consolidation, (ii) sale of stock, you shall agree to sell up to all of your Option Shares on the terms and conditions approved by the AKKR Stockholders or (iii) as a sale of assets, you will vote in favor of any subsequent liquidation or other distribution of the proceeds therefrom in accordance with the Company's Certificate of Incorporation as approved by the AKKR Stockholders. The Company and you, as applicable, shall promptly take all actions necessary, reasonably desirable or otherwise requested by the AKKR Stockholders in connection with the pursuit or consummation of an Approved Sale in order to expeditiously consummate such Approved Sale and any related transactions (including any auction or competitive bid process in connection with or preceding such Transfer), including (A) if requested by the AKKR Stockholders, retaining investment bankers and other advisors selected by the AKKR Stockholders; (B) participating in management meetings and preparing pitchbooks and confidential information memorandums, (C) executing, acknowledging and delivering transfer agreements, sale agreements, escrow agreements, consents, assignments, releases, waivers and other documents or instruments which in each case are no more burdensome than those executed by the AKKR Stockholders (it being acknowledged and agreed that you may be required, in connection with the pursuit or consummation of an Approved Sale, to enter into confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation and non-hire provisions approved by the Board); (D) furnishing information and copies of documents; (E) filing applications, reports, returns, filings and other documents or instruments with governmental authorities; (F) providing assistance with legal, accounting, tax, financial, benefits and other forms of due diligence; and (G) otherwise fully and willingly cooperating with the AKKR Stockholders (who shall control all decisions in connection with such Approved Sale (including the hiring or terminating of any investment bank or other professional advisor(s))), the prospective buyer(s), any investment bankers, consultants or other professional advisors who have been retained in connection with such Approved Sale and their respective representatives. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the foregoing, (a) your obligations with respect to an Approved Sale shall not in any way be limited or otherwise affected by the amount, nature, form or terms of the consideration to be paid in any Approved Sale, even if such Approved Sale results in no consideration being paid or payable to you and (b) in connection with an Approved Sale, you may be required to execute a release of all legal claims (including, without limitation, claims against the Company, its directors, the AKKR Stockholders and the buyer in an Approved Sale) relating to their interest in the Company (whether in connection with, prior to or subsequent to such Approved Sale).  In addition, if you receive securities in lieu of such cash consideration in such Approved Sale (i.e. a rollover transaction), the value of such rollover securities will be determined by the Board and the AKKR Stockholders (it being understood that in order to, among other things, facilitate a "rollover" of equity in connection with an Approved Sale, you may (and may be required to) receive securities in lieu of cash consideration and such determination may be made by the AKKR Stockholders on a Stockholder (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) by Stockholder basis).  You may be obligated to make representations with respect to your shares of capital stock and your authority and ability to enter into the Approved Sale and other customary representations about yourself (as requested by the AKKR Stockholders or the Company) (the "Individual Reps"), and shall be required to provide indemnification in respect of, among other things, any representation made by the Company or its Subsidiaries and/or any

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employee of the Company or its Subsidiaries and/or made by any Stockholder in respect of the Company, its Subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, conditions, prospects or the like to the extent the AKKR Stockholders similarly provide such representations about such AKKR Stockholders and such indemnification. You will be obligated to join on a pro rata basis in any purchase price adjustments, indemnification or other obligations that the sellers of Stockholder Shares (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) are required to provide in connection with an Approved Sale (other than any such obligations that relate solely to a particular Stockholder, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a Stockholder regarding such Stockholder's title to and ownership of Stockholder Shares, in respect of which only such Stockholder will be liable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, in the AKKR Stockholders' sole discretion, the proceeds with respect to an Approved Sale (if any) may be withheld from each seller of such Stockholder Shares on a pro rata basis pending the execution of such documents or posting of security as the AKKR Stockholders deem necessary to cover any purchase price adjustments, indemnification or other obligations of the Company or such seller of Stockholder Shares (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement).

(d)Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if the AKKR Stockholders agree to joint and several indemnification with respect to such Approved Sale, you shall agree to such joint and several indemnification as well, and in such event you shall enter into a contribution or similar agreement acceptable to the AKKR Stockholders pursuant to which you agree to contribute amounts to each other Stockholder such that each Stockholder's liability with respect to such indemnification obligations (other than with respect to any Individual Reps that relate solely to a particular Stockholder, such as in respect of which only such Stockholder will be liable) for breaches of representations and warranties will not exceed the lesser of (i) the aggregate amount of consideration received by such Stockholder in connection with or pursuant to such Approved Sale or (ii) such Stockholder's pro rata share of such obligations.

(e)Purchaser Representative.If either the Company or the holders of the Company's securities enter into a negotiation or transaction for which Rule 506 (or any similar rule then in effect) promulgated by the Securities Exchange Commission may be available with respect to such negotiation or transaction (including a merger, consolidation or other reorganization), you shall, at the request of the Company, appoint a purchaser representative (as such term is defined in Rule 501) reasonably acceptable to the Company.  If you appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Company, the Company shall pay the fees of such purchaser representative, but if you decline to appoint the purchaser representative designated by the Company you shall appoint another purchaser representative (reasonably acceptable to the Company), and you shall be responsible for the fees of the purchaser representative so appointed.

(f)Costs.You will bear your pro rata share of the costs of any sale of such Stockholder Shares pursuant to an Approved Sale to the extent such costs are incurred for the benefit of all holders of Stockholder Shares participating in such Approved Sale and are not otherwise paid by the Company or the acquiring party. Costs incurred by you on your own behalf will not be considered costs of the transaction hereunder; it being understood that the fees and disbursements of one counsel chosen by the AKKR Stockholders will be deemed for the benefit of all holders of Stockholder Shares participating in such Approved Sale.

(g)If you fail to deliver any certificates representing your Option Shares as required by this Section 16, or in lieu thereof, a customary affidavit attesting to the loss or destruction of such certificate(s), you (i) will not be entitled to the consideration that such holder would otherwise receive in the Approved Sale or Recapitalization (as defined in the Stockholders Agreement) until you cure such failure (provided that, after curing such failure, you will be so entitled to such consideration without interest), (ii) will be deemed, for all purposes, no longer to be a Stockholder of the Company and will have no voting rights, (iii) will not be entitled to any dividends or other distributions declared after the Approved

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Sale or Recapitalization with respect to the Stockholder Shares held by you, (iv) will have no other rights or privileges granted to Stockholders under this Agreement or any future agreement and (v) in the event of liquidation of the Company, your rights with respect to any consideration that you would have received if you had complied with this Section 16, if any, will be subordinate to the rights of any equity holder.  

(h)Subject to Section 25, the provisions of this Section 16 will terminate on the first to occur of (i) the consummation of a Public Sale, and (ii) the consummation of an Approved Sale.

17.Power of Attorney.  You (i) hereby irrevocably constitute, appoint and grant the Investor or its designee with full power to act as your true and lawful representative and attorney-in-fact (the "Representative"), in your name place and stead for all purposes in connection with such Approved Sale (including granting to the Representative the full power and authority in connection with such Approved Sale to enforce any benefit or entitlement of yours, resolve any potential indemnification claims or other disputes on behalf of all Stockholders, execute and deliver all amendments, waivers, releases, and other documents, necessary, proper, required, contemplated or deemed advisable by the Representative, receive and distribute funds (including in making payments of expenses) and receiving notices, in each case, for and on behalf of you in connection with any Approved Sale)or any Public Sale, vote of the Stockholders or any other act of the Stockholders required by the Stockholders Agreement and (ii) appoint Investor or its designee as your true and lawful proxy and attorney in fact with full power of substitution, to vote all of your Option Shares in the manner required by the Stockholders Agreement.  The Investor (or its designee) may exercise the irrevocable proxy and its authority as Representative granted to it hereunder at any time regardless of whether you have complied with your obligations under this Agreement, provided that the ability of the Investor (or its designee) to take actions on behalf of you pursuant to its irrevocable proxy and authority as Representative shall not relieve you of your obligation to take such actions directly on your own behalf.   The proxies and powers (including the authority to act as Representative) granted by you pursuant to this Section 17 are coupled with an interest and are given to secure the performance of your obligations under this Agreement.  Such proxies and powers (including the authority to act as Representative) shall be irrevocable for the term set forth in this Section 17, and shall survive your death, incompetency, disability or bankruptcy and your subsequent holders of your Option Shares.  The provisions of this Section 17 will terminate on the first to occur of (i) the consummation of a Public Sale, and (ii) the consummation of an Approved Sale.

18.Holdback Agreement.  You agree not to effect any public sale or distribution of any equity securities of the Company, or any securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, during the seven days prior to and the 180 days after the effectiveness of any underwritten registration, except as part of such underwritten registration if otherwise permitted.

19.Transfers in Violation of Agreement.  Any Transfer or attempted Transfer of any Option Shares in violation of any provision of this Agreement shall be void, and the Company shall not record such Transfer on its books or treat any purported transferee of such Option Shares as the owner of such shares for any purpose.

20.Not an Employment Agreement.  You and the Company acknowledge and agree that this Agreement is not intended and should not be construed to define the terms of your employment with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.

21.Interference with Relationships. You hereby agree that during the term of your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries and for two (2) years after the separation of service with the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason whatsoever, you shall not, directly or indirectly, as employee, agent, consultant, stockholder, director, co-partner or in any other individual or representative capacity, without the prior written consent of the Board: (i) perform services in any capacity (whether with

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or without compensation) in any business that the Company or any of its Subsidiaries conducts or has specific plans to conduct as of the date of your separation of service in any geographic area in which the Company or any its Subsidiaries conducts such business, or is actively planning to conduct such business, as of the Separation Date or that otherwise competes with the Company or its Subsidiaries in any geographical areas in which the Company or its Subsidiaries engage in business; provided, however, that ownership of less than 2% of the outstanding stock of any publicly traded company shall not by itself be deemed to be a violation of this provision, (ii) recruit, hire or solicit for employment or engagement, any person who is (or was within one (1) year of the date such solicitation commences or occurs, as the case may be) employed or engaged by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or otherwise seek to influence or alter any such person's relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, or (iii) solicit, contact, or attempt to solicit or contact, or conduct business with (A) any client or customer doing business with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, as of the Separation Date or within the one (1) year period prior to such Separation Date or (B) any prospective client or customer of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries whom or which is a prospective client of the Company or any such Subsidiary as of the date of your Separation Date.

22.Confidential Information.  During the term of your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries and thereafter, you shall keep secret and retain in strictest confidence, and shall not, without the prior written consent of the Board, furnish, make available or disclose to any third party or use for the benefit of himself or herself or any third party, any Confidential Information.  "Confidential Information" shall mean any trade secret or information relating to the business or affairs of the Company and its Subsidiaries, including, without limitation, information relating to financial statements, customer identities, potential customers, employees, suppliers, potential acquisition targets, servicing methods, equipment, programs, strategies and information, analyses, profit margins or other proprietary information used by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in connection with the Company's and its Subsidiaries' business; provided, however, that Confidential Information shall not include any information that is in the public domain or becomes known in the public domain through no wrongful act on the part of you.  You agree to deliver to the Company at your separation of service, or at any other time the Company may request, all memoranda, notes, plans, records, reports and other documents (and copies thereof) relating to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or other forms of Confidential Information which you may then possess or have under your control, as well as any all property of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries in your possession or control.  

23.Intellectual Property, Inventions and Patents.  You acknowledge that all discoveries, concepts, ideas, inventions, innovations, improvements, developments, methods, designs, analyses, drawings, reports, patent applications, copyrightable work and mask work (whether or not including any Confidential Information) and all registrations or applications related thereto, all other proprietary information and all similar or related information (whether or not patentable) which relate to the Company's or any of its Subsidiaries' actual or anticipated business, research and development or existing or future products or services and which are conceived, developed or made by you (whether alone or jointly with others) while employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries, whether before or after the date of this Agreement ("Work Product"), belong to the Company and its Subsidiaries.  You shall promptly disclose such Work Product to the Company and, at the Company's or its Subsidiaries' expense, perform all actions reasonably requested by the Company (whether during or after the term of your employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries) to establish and confirm such ownership (including, without limitation, assignments, consents, powers of attorney and other instruments).  Any copyrightable work falling within the definition of Work Product shall be deemed a "work made for hire" under the applicable copyright laws to the maximum extent permitted under applicable copyright law, and ownership of all rights therein shall vest in the Company and its Subsidiaries.  To the extent that any Work Product cannot be deemed to be a "work made for hire" under applicable copyright law, you hereby assign and

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agree to assign to the Company or one of its Subsidiaries all right, title and interest, including without limitation, the intellectual property rights that you may have in and to such Work Product.

24.Non‑Exclusive Remedy for Restrictive Covenants.  You acknowledge and agree that the covenants set forth in Sections 21, 22 and 23 of this Agreement (collectively, the "Restrictive Covenants") are reasonable and necessary for the protection of the Company's and its Subsidiaries business interests, that irreparable injury will result to the Company and its Subsidiaries if you breach any of the terms of the Restrictive Covenants, and that in the event of your actual or threatened breach or non‑performance of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company and its Subsidiaries will have no adequate remedy at law.  You accordingly agree that in the event of any actual or threatened breach or non‑performance by you of any of the Restrictive Covenants, the Company and its Subsidiaries shall be entitled to injunctive and other equitable relief from any court of competent jurisdiction, without the necessity of showing actual monetary damages or the posting of a bond or other security.  Nothing contained herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company or any of its Subsidiaries from pursuing any other remedies available to it for such breach or threatened breach, including the recovery of damages.  These provisions and covenants are in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other restrictive provisions and covenants in favor of the Company or its Subsidiaries by which you are otherwise bound.

25.Remedies.  The parties hereto (and the Investor as a third‑party beneficiary) shall be entitled to enforce their rights under this Agreement specifically, to recover damages and costs (including attorney's fees) by reason of any breach of any provision of this Agreement and to exercise all other rights existing in their favor.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that money damages would not be an adequate remedy for any breach of the provisions of this Agreement and that any party hereto may, in its sole discretion, apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction (without posting any bond or deposit) for specific performance and/or injunctive relief in order to enforce or prevent any violation of the provisions of this Agreement. In the event any provision of this Agreement is terminated, such termination shall not relieve any party from liability for its prior breach of this Agreement or for failure by it to perform its obligations hereunder or any obligation required or requested to be performed following the consummation of an Approved Sale arising from such Approved Sale.

26.Amendment and Modification.  The provisions of this Agreement may be amended and modified pursuant to Section 7.8(a) of the Plan.

27.Successors and Assigns.  Except as otherwise provided herein, this Agreement shall bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by you, the Company, the Investor and their respective successors and assigns (including subsequent holders of Option Shares); provided that your rights and obligations under this Agreement shall not be assignable without the prior written consent of the Company and the Investor, except that transferees of any Option Shares shall obtain such Option Shares subject to the limitations and restrictions contained in this Agreement.

28.Severability.  Whenever possible, each provision of this Agreement shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid under applicable law, but if any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect under any applicable law or rule in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability will not affect any other provision or any other jurisdiction, but this Agreement will be reformed, construed and enforced in such jurisdiction as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

29.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in separate counterparts (including by means of facsimile), each of which is deemed to be an original and all of which taken together constitute one and the same agreement.

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30.Descriptive Headings.  The descriptive headings of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.

31.Choice of Law.  All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of Delaware.

32.Adjustments of Numbers.  All numbers set forth herein which refer to share prices or amounts will be appropriately adjusted to reflect stock splits, stock dividends, combinations of shares and other recapitalizations affecting the subject class of stock.

33.Notices.  All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given when delivered personally, electronically mailed or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested and postage prepaid, to the recipient.  Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to you and to the Company and the Investor at the addresses indicated below:

If to the Optionee:

At the most recent home address and email contact information provided to the Company in its Human Resources records

 

 

If to the Company:

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Attention: Dushyant Sharma

Email: dsharma@paymentus.com

 

with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Attention:  

Email:  

If to the Investor:

Accel-KKR Capital Partners III, LP

c/o Accel-KKR Company LLC

2500 Sand Hill Road, Suite 300

Menlo Park, CA 94025

 

Attention:

Email:

 


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with a copy to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

300 North LaSalle Street

Chicago, Illinois 60654

Attention:  

Email:

   

or such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.  Any notice under this Agreement will be deemed to have been given when so delivered or sent or, if mailed, five days after deposit in the U.S. mail.

34.Complete Agreement.  This Agreement, those documents expressly referred to herein and other documents of even date herewith embody the complete agreement and understanding among the parties and supersede and preempt any prior understandings, agreements or representations by or among the parties, written or oral, which may have related to the subject matter hereof in any way.

35.Third-Party Beneficiary.  The Company and you acknowledge that the Investor is third-party beneficiary under this Agreement.

36.No Other Representations.  You have undertaken such investigation and have been provided with and have evaluated such documents and information as you deem necessary to enable you to make an informed and intelligent decision with respect to the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the exercise by you of all or any part of your Option after the date hereof (including, without limitation, opportunity to consult with independent counsel with respect thereto), and you agree, except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, to accept your Option based upon your own determination with respect thereto as to all matters and without reliance upon any express or implied representations or warranties of any nature made by or on behalf of or imputed to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as otherwise set forth herein, you acknowledge that the Company and its Subsidiaries make no representation or warranty with respect to (i) any projections, estimates or budgets delivered to or provided to you of future revenues, future results of operations (or any component thereof), future cash flows or future financial condition (or any component thereof) of the current or future business and operations of the Company and its Subsidiaries or (ii) any other information or documents provided to you or, if applicable, your counsel or any other advisors with respect to the Company and its Subsidiaries.  By accepting your Option and, upon the exercise thereof, any Option Shares, you acknowledge that neither the Company nor any of its affiliates is giving any tax advice to you and you are fully responsible for all tax consequences arising out of the grant and issuance of your Option, the exercise thereof, and the ownership of Option Shares issued thereon.

*     *     *     *     *

 

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Please execute the extra copy of this Agreement in the space below and return it to the Company's Secretary at its executive offices to confirm your understanding and acceptance of the agreements contained in this Agreement.

 

Very truly yours,

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

 

 

By:

 

Name:  

Title:

 

Enclosures:(1)Copy of the Plan

 

The undersigned hereby acknowledges having read this Agreement and the Plan and hereby agrees to be bound by all provisions set forth herein and in the Plan.

 

 

 

Dated as of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Name:«Full_Name»

 

 

Signature page to Option Grant Agreement

Exhibit 10.3

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

1.Purposes of the Plan.  The purposes of this Plan are:

 

to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants, and

 

to promote the success of the Company’s business.

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards.

2.Definitions.  As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

2.1Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

2.2Applicable Laws” means the legal and regulatory requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards, including but not limited to the related issuance of shares of Common Stock, including but not limited to, 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 non-U.S. country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

2.3Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Performance Awards.

2.4Award Agreement” means the written or electronic 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.

2.5Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.6Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:

(a)Change in Ownership of the Company.  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 the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (a), none of the following will be considered a Change in Control: (i) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person, who prior to the acquisition thereof is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; (ii) the acquisition of additional securities or voting power of the Company by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders (as defined below), their

 


 

Permitted Transferees (as defined in the COI), or both; (iii) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a repurchase, redemption, retirement or other similar acquisition of stock of the Company by the Company; (iv) any change in voting power as a result of a transfer by a Specified Stockholder to a Permitted Transferee or from any such Permitted Transferee back to such Specified Stockholder or any other Permitted Transferee, or both as of the time of each such transfer of such Specified Stockholder; and (v) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a conversion of shares of stock of the Company reducing the number of shares or vote per share of stock outstanding.  For the avoidance of doubt, no acquisition or disposition of Class B common stock of the Company by the Specified Stockholders or change in the total voting power of the Company solely as a result of (x) the conversion of any shares of stock of the Company into shares of Class B common stock of the Company, (y) the conversion of any shares of Class B common stock of the Company into shares of any other class of stock of the Company, or (z) any change in the voting power of the Class B common stock of the Company will constitute a Change in Control.  Further, if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event will not be considered a Change in Control under this subsection (a).  For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership will include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; or

(b)Change in Effective Control of the Company.  If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act, a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided that if any Person or any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders exercises more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company, the election of Directors by such party or parties will not be considered a Change in Control.  For purposes of this subsection (b), if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

(c)Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets.  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 or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (c), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (i) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (ii) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (A) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (B) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (C) a Person,

 

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that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (D) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this subsection (c)(ii)(C).  For purposes of this subsection (c), 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 2.6, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (x) its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, or (y) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

2.7Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or other formal guidance of general or direct applicability promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.8COI” means Company’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time.

2.9Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board, or by a duly authorized committee of the Board, in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

2.10Common Stock” means the Class A common stock of the Company.

2.11Company” means Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

2.12Consultant” means any natural person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries to render bona fide services to such entity, provided the services (a) are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction, and (b) do not directly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s securities, in each case, within the meaning of Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act, and provided further, that a Consultant will include only those persons to whom the issuance of Shares may be registered under Form S-8 promulgated under the Securities Act.

2.13Director” means a member of the Board.

 

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2.14Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3), 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.  

2.15Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary 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.

2.16Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.17Exchange Program” means a program under which (a) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for awards of the same type (which may have higher or lower exercise prices and different terms), awards of a different type, and/or cash, (b) Participants would have the opportunity to transfer any outstanding Awards to a financial institution or other person or entity selected by the Administrator, and/or (c) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced or increased.  The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.

2.18Fair Market Value” means, as of any date and unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(a)If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the New York Stock Exchange or the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, or the Nasdaq Capital Market of The Nasdaq Stock Market, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or, if no closing sales price was reported on that date, as applicable, on the last Trading Day such closing sales price was reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the date of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(b)If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the day of determination (or, if no bids and asks were reported on that date, as applicable, on the last Trading Day such bids and asks were reported), as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(c)For purposes of any Awards granted on the Registration Date, the Fair Market Value will be the initial price to the public as set forth in the final prospectus included within the registration statement on Form S-1 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the initial public offering of the Common Stock; or

(d)In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

 

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In addition, for purposes of determining the fair market value of shares for any reason other than the determination of the exercise price of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, fair market value will be determined by the Administrator in a manner compliant with Applicable Laws and applied consistently for such purpose.  The determination of fair market value for purposes of tax withholding may be made in the Administrator’s sole discretion subject to Applicable Laws and is not required to be consistent with the determination of fair market value for other purposes.

2.19Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

2.20Incentive 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 Code Section 422 and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.21Inside Director” means a Director who is an Employee.

2.22Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

2.23Officer” 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.

2.24Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.

2.25Outside Director” means a Director who is not an Employee.

2.26Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).

2.27Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

2.28Performance Awards” 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 cash- or stock-denominated and may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing under Section 10 of the Plan.

2.29Performance Period” means Performance Period as defined in Section 10.1 of the Plan.

2.30Period of Restriction” means the period (if any) during which the transfer 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 as determined by the Administrator.

2.31Plan” means this 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as may be amended from time to time.

 

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2.32Registration Date” means the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

2.33Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

2.34Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 of the Plan.  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

2.35Rule 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.

2.36Section 16b” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

2.37Section 409A” means Code Section 409A and the U.S. Treasury Regulations and guidance thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

2.38Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

2.39Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

2.40Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

2.41Specified Stockholder” means individually or collectively (in any combination thereof), Dushyant Sharma, AKKR (as defined in the COI) or a Permitted Transferee of any such stockholder, provided that if a Specified Stockholder forms a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d-5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act with one or more Persons who are not Specified Stockholders, such group is not a Specified Stockholder.

2.42Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 of the Plan is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

2.43Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f).

2.44Trading Day” means a day that the primary stock exchange, national market system, or other trading platform, as applicable, upon which the Common Stock is listed (or otherwise trades regularly, as determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion) is open for trading.

 

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2.45U.S. Treasury Regulations” means the Treasury Regulations of the Code.  Reference to a specific Treasury Regulation or Section of the Code will include such Treasury Regulation or Section, any valid regulation promulgated under such Section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such Section or regulation.

3.Stock Subject to the Plan.  

3.1Stock Subject to the Plan.  Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 15 of the Plan and the automatic increase set forth in Section 3.2 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be subject to Awards and sold under the Plan will be equal to (a) 10,459,000 Shares, plus (b) a number of Shares equal to any shares of the Company’s common stock subject to awards granted under the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan (“Prior Plan”) that, after the date the Prior Plan is terminated, are cancelled, expire or otherwise terminate without having been exercised in full, are tendered to or withheld by the Company for payment of an exercise price or for tax withholding obligations, or are forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, with the maximum number of Shares to be added to the Plan pursuant to clause (b) equal to 7,563,990 Shares. In addition, Shares may become available for issuance under Sections 3.2 and 3.2 of the Plan.  The Shares may be authorized but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

3.2Automatic Share Reserve Increase.  Subject to adjustment upon changes in capitalization of the Company as provided in Section 15 of the Plan, the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan will be increased on the first day of each Fiscal Year beginning with the 2022 Fiscal Year, in an amount equal to the least of (a) 12,551,000 Shares, (b) a number of Shares equal to four percent (4%) of the total number of shares of all classes of common stock of the Company outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year, or (c) such number of Shares determined by the Administrator no later than the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.

3.3Lapsed Awards.  If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Performance Awards is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to the failure to vest, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options or 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).  With respect to Stock Appreciation Rights, only Shares actually issued (i.e., the net Shares issued) pursuant to a Stock Appreciation Right will cease to be available under the Plan; all remaining Shares under Stock Appreciation Rights will remain available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated).  Shares that actually have 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 Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company due to the failure to vest, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan.  Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy the tax liabilities or withholdings related to 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.  Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment as provided in

 

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Section 15 of the Plan, 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 3.1 of the Plan, plus, to the extent allowable under Code Section 422 and the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of the Plan.  

3.4Share 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.

4.1Procedure.

4.1.1Multiple Administrative Bodies.  Different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers may administer the Plan.  The Compensation Committee of the Board initially will be the Administrator of the Plan.

4.1.2Rule 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.

4.1.3Other 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 comply with Applicable Laws.

4.2Powers 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:

(a)to determine the Fair Market Value;

(b)to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

(c)to determine the number of Shares or dollar amounts to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(d)to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;

 

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(e)to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder.  Such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto (including but not limited to, temporarily suspending the exercisability of an Award if the Administrator deems such suspension to be necessary or appropriate for administrative purposes or to comply with Applicable Laws, provided that such suspension must be lifted prior to the expiration of the maximum term and post-termination exercisability period of an Award), based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine;

(f)to institute and determine the terms and conditions of an Exchange Program;

(g)to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

(h)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 facilitating compliance with applicable non‑U.S. laws, easing the administration of the Plan and/or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable non‑U.S. laws, in each case as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

(i)to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 20.3 of the Plan), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards and to extend the maximum term of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (subject to Sections 6.4 and 7.5 of the Plan);

(j)to allow Participants to satisfy withholding tax obligations in a manner prescribed in Section 16 of the Plan;

(k)to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

(l)to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that otherwise would be due to such Participant under an Award; and

(m)to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

4.3Effect of Administrator’s Decision.  The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards and will be given the maximum deference permitted by Applicable Laws.

5.Eligibility.  Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Performance Awards may be granted to Service Providers.  Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

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6.Stock Options.

6.1Grant of Options.  Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Options to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

6.2Option Agreement.  Each Award of an Option will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Option, the number of Shares subject to the Option, the exercise restrictions, if any, applicable to the Option, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

6.3Limitations.  Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option.  Notwithstanding such designation, however, 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 one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such options will be treated as nonstatutory stock options.  For purposes of this Section 6.3, 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, and calculation will be performed in accordance with Code Section 422 and the U.S. Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder.

6.4Term of Option.  The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof.  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 ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, 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.

6.5Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

6.5.1Exercise Price.  The per Share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than one hundred percent (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 owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6.5.1, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Code Section 424(a).

6.5.2Waiting 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.

 

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6.5.3Form of Consideration.  The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment.  In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant.  Such consideration may consist entirely of: (a) cash (including cash equivalents); (b) check; (c) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (d) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided further that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (e) consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (f) by net exercise; (g) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, or (h) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.  In making its determination as to the type of consideration to accept, the Administrator will consider if acceptance of such consideration may be reasonably expected to benefit the Company.

6.6Exercise of Option.

6.6.1Procedure 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: (a) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (b) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with applicable tax withholdings).  Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan.  Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse.  Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised.  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 15 of the Plan.

Exercising an Option in any manner will decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

6.6.2Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider.  If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon such cessation as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within three (3) months of such cessation, or such shorter or longer period of time, as is specified in the Award Agreement, in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement or Section 6.4 of the Plan.  However, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator or set forth in the Award Agreement

 

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or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, if on such 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 immediately.  If after such cessation the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

6.6.3Disability 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 six (6) months of cessation, or such longer or shorter period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement or Section 6.4 of the Plan, as applicable).  However, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator or set forth in the Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, 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 immediately.  If after such 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.

6.6.4Death of Participant.  If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within six (6) months following the Participant’s death, or within such longer or shorter period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement or Section 6.4 of the Plan, as applicable), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participant’s death in a form (if any) acceptable to the Administrator.  If the Administrator has not permitted the designation of a beneficiary or 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 (each, a “Legal Representative”).  If the Option is exercised pursuant to this Section 6.6.4, Participant’s designated beneficiary or Legal Representative shall be subject to the terms of this Plan and the Award Agreement, including but not limited to the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability applicable to the Service Provider.  However, unless otherwise provided by the Administrator or set forth in the Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, 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 revert to the Plan immediately.  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.

6.6.5Tolling Expiration.  A Participant’s Award Agreement also may provide that:

(a)if the exercise of the Option following the cessation of Participant’s status as a Service Provider (other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would result in liability under Section 16b, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in the Award Agreement, or (ii) the tenth (10th) day after the last date on which such exercise would result in liability under Section 16b; or

 

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(b)if the exercise of the Option following the cessation of the Participant’s status as a Service Provider (other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of Shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option or (ii) the expiration of a period of thirty (30) days after the cessation of the Participant’s status as a Service Provider during which the exercise of the Option would not be in violation of such registration requirements.  

7.Stock Appreciation Rights.  

7.1Grant 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.  

7.2Number of Shares.  The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to any Award of Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.3Exercise Price and Other Terms.  The per Share exercise price for the Shares that will determine the amount of the payment to be received upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right as set forth in Section 7.6 of the Plan will be determined by the Administrator and will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.  Otherwise, 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.

7.4Stock Appreciation Right Agreement.  Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, 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.

7.5Expiration 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.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6.4 of the Plan relating to the maximum term and Section 6.6 of the Plan relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

7.6Payment 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:

(a)The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

(b)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.

 

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8.Restricted Stock.

8.1Grant 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.

8.2Restricted Stock Agreement.  Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction (if any), the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.  Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may determine that an Award of Restricted Stock will not be subject to any Period of Restriction and consideration for such Award is paid for by past services rendered as a Service Provider.

8.3Transferability.  Except as provided in this Section 8 or as the Administrator determines, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

8.4Other Restrictions.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

8.5Removal 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 or at such other time as the Administrator may determine.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.  

8.6Voting 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.

8.7Dividends and Other Distributions.  During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise.  If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

8.8Return 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.

 

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9.Restricted Stock Units.

9.1Grant.  Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator.  After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.

9.2Vesting 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.  The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

9.3Earning Restricted Stock Units.  Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.

9.4Form and Timing of Payment.  Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made at the time(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.

9.5Cancellation.  On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

10.Performance Awards.

10.1Award Agreement. Each Performance Award will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify any time period during which any performance objectives or other vesting provisions will be measured (“Performance Period”), and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator determines.  Each Performance Award will have an initial value that is determined by the Administrator on or before its date of grant.

10.2Objectives or Vesting Provisions and Other Terms. The Administrator will set any objectives or vesting provisions that, depending on the extent to which any such objectives or vesting provisions are met, will determine the value of the payout for the Performance Awards. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, divisional, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment or service), applicable federal or state securities laws, or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion.

10.3Earning Performance Awards. After an applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of a Performance Award will be entitled to receive a payout for the Performance Award earned by the Participant over the Performance Period. The Administrator, in its discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Award.

 

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10.4Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Performance Awards will be made at the time(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may settle earned Performance Awards in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.

10.5Cancellation of Performance Awards. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Awards will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

11.Outside Director Award Limitations.  No Outside Director may be granted, in any Fiscal Year, equity awards (including any Awards granted under this Plan), the value of which will be based on their grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and be provided any other compensation (including without limitation any cash retainers or fees) in amounts that, in the aggregate, exceed $550,000, provided that such amount is increased to $750,000 in the Fiscal Year of his or her initial service as an Outside Director.  Any Awards or other compensation provided to an individual (a) for his or her services as an Employee, or for his or her services as a Consultant other than as an Outside Director, or (b) prior to the Registration Date, will be excluded for purposes of this Section 11.

12.Compliance With Section 409A.  Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator.  The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to be exempt from or meet the requirements of Section 409A and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent (including with respect to any ambiguities or ambiguous terms), except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator.  To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A, such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A. In no event will the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries have any responsibility, liability, or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless a Participant (or any other person) in respect of Awards, for any taxes, penalties or interest that may be imposed on, or other costs incurred by, Participant (or any other person) as a result of Section 409A.  

13.Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations.  Unless the Administrator provides otherwise or as otherwise required by Applicable Laws, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence.  A Participant will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (a) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (b) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any of its Subsidiaries.  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 following the first (1st) day 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.

 

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14.Limited Transferability of Awards.  Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, Awards may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (which, for purposes of clarification, shall be deemed to include through a beneficiary designation if available in accordance with Section 6.6.4 of the Plan), and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant.  If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

15.Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

15.1Adjustments.  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, reclassification, 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 (other than any ordinary dividends or other ordinary distributions), 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 of stock that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of shares of stock covered by each outstanding Award, and numerical Share limits in Section 3 of the Plan.

15.2Dissolution 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.

15.3Merger or Change in Control.  In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation or other entity or a Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines (subject to the provisions of the following paragraph) without a Participant’s consent, including, without limitation, that (a) Awards will be assumed, or substantially equivalent awards will be substituted, by the acquiring or succeeding corporation (or an affiliate thereof) with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices; (b) upon written notice to a Participant, that the Participant’s Awards will terminate upon or immediately prior to the consummation of such merger or Change in Control; (c) outstanding Awards will vest and become exercisable, realizable, or payable, or restrictions applicable to an Award will lapse, in whole or in part prior to or upon consummation of such merger or Change in Control, and, to the extent the Administrator determines, terminate upon or immediately prior to the effectiveness of such merger or Change in Control; (d) (i) the termination of an Award in exchange for an amount of cash and/or property, if any, equal to the amount that would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction (and, for the avoidance of doubt, if as of the date of the occurrence of the transaction the Administrator determines in good faith that no amount would have been attained upon the exercise of such Award or realization of the Participant’s rights, then such Award may be terminated by the Company without payment), or (ii) the replacement of such Award with other rights or property selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion; or (e) any combination of the foregoing.  In taking any of the actions permitted under this Section 15.3 of the Plan, the Administrator will not be obligated to treat all Awards, all Awards held by a Participant, all Awards of the same type, or all portions of Awards, similarly.

 

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In the event that the acquiring or successor corporation (or an affiliate thereof) does not assume the Award (or portion thereof) as described below, or substitute for the Award (or portion thereof) as described above, then the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights (or portions thereof) not assumed or substituted for, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Performance Awards (or portions thereof) not assumed or substituted for will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting (or portions thereof) not assumed or substituted for, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met, in each case, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable.  In addition, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right (or portion thereof) is not assumed or substituted in the event of a merger or Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (or its applicable portion) will be exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right (or its applicable portion) will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

For the purposes of this Section 15.3 and Section 15.4 of the Plan below, an Award will be considered assumed if, following the merger or Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the merger or Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) 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 merger or Change in Control is not solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent, 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 Restricted Stock Unit, or Performance Award, for each Share subject to such Award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or Change in Control.

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15.3 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, in all cases, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable; 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.  

 

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Notwithstanding anything in this Section 15.3 to the contrary, and unless otherwise provided in an Award Agreement, if an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out under an Award Agreement is subject to Section 409A and if the change in control definition contained in the Award Agreement (or other agreement related to the Award, as applicable) does not comply with the definition of “change in control” for purposes of a distribution under Section 409A, then any payment of an amount that is otherwise accelerated under this Section 15.3 will be delayed until the earliest time that such payment would be permissible under Section 409A without triggering any penalties applicable under Section 409A.

15.4 Outside Director Awards.  With respect to Awards granted to an Outside Director while such individual was an Outside Director that are assumed or substituted for (as described in Section 15.3 of the Plan), if on the date of or following such assumption or substitution the Participant’s status as a Director or a director of the successor corporation, as applicable, is terminated other than upon a voluntary resignation by the Participant (unless such resignation is at the request of the acquirer), then the Outside Director will fully vest in and have the right to exercise Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights as to all of the Shares underlying such Award, including those Shares which otherwise would not be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units will lapse, and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at one hundred percent (100%) of target levels and all other terms and conditions met, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between the Participant and the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries, as applicable.

16.Tax Withholding.

16.1Withholding Requirements.  Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or such earlier time as any tax withholdings are due, the Company (or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries, or affiliates employing or retaining the services of a Participant, as applicable) will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company (or any of its Parent, Subsidiaries, or affiliates, as applicable) or a relevant tax authority, an amount sufficient to satisfy U.S. federal, state, local, non‑U.S., and other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA or other social insurance contribution obligation) required to be withheld or paid with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).  

16.2Withholding 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 liability or withholding obligation, in whole or in part by such methods as the Administrator shall determine, including, without limitation, (a) paying cash, check or other cash equivalents, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum statutory amount required to be withheld or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine, in each case, provided the delivery of such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion, (d) 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

 

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otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld or paid, (e) such other consideration and method of payment for the meeting of tax liabilities or withholding obligations as the Administrator may determine to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, or (f) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.  The amount of the withholding obligation 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 or such greater amount as the Administrator may determine if such amount would not have adverse accounting consequences, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion.  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.

17.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 or its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the right of the Company and its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, to terminate such relationship at any time, free from any liability or claim under the Plan.

18.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.

19.Term of Plan.  Subject to Section 23 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective as of one business day prior to the Registration Date (the “Effective Date”).  The Plan will continue in effect until terminated under Section 20 of the Plan, but (a) no Options that qualify as incentive stock options within the meaning of Code Section 422 may be granted after ten (10) years from the earlier of the Board or stockholder approval of the Plan and (b) Section 3.2 of the Plan relating to the automatic share reserve increase will operate only until the ten (10) year anniversary of the earlier of the Board or stockholder approval of the Plan.

20.Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

20.1Amendment and Termination.  The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason.  

20.2Stockholder Approval.  The Company will obtain stockholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

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20.3Effect of Amendment or Termination.  No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan will materially 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.

21.Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

21.1Legal Compliance.  Shares will not be issued pursuant to an Award unless the exercise or vesting 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.

21.2Investment Representations.  As a condition to the exercise or vesting of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or vesting in such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or vesting that the Shares are being acquired 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.

22.Inability to Obtain Authority.  If the Company determines it to be impossible or impractical to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction or to complete or comply with the requirements of any registration or other qualification of the Shares under any U.S. state or federal law or non‑U.S. law or under the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the stock exchange on which Shares of the same class are then listed, or any other governmental or regulatory body, which authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary or advisable for the issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, the Company will be relieved of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority, registration, qualification or rule compliance will not have been obtained.  

23.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.

24.Forfeiture Events.  The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to the reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement, or reacquisition upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of an Award.  Such events may include, without limitation, termination of such Participant’s status as an employee and/or other service provider for cause or any specified action or inaction by a Participant, whether before or after such termination of employment and/or other service, that would constitute cause for termination of such Participant’s status as an employee and/or other service provider.  Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary under this Plan, all Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement, or reacquisition under any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is

 

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otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Laws (the “Clawback Policy”).  The Administrator may require a Participant to forfeit or return to the Company, or reimburse the Company for, all or a portion of the Award and any amounts paid thereunder pursuant to the terms of the Clawback Policy or as necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws, including without limitation any reacquisition right regarding previously acquired Shares or other cash or property.  Unless this Section 24 specifically is mentioned and waived in an Award Agreement or other document, no recovery of compensation under a Clawback Policy or otherwise will constitute an event that triggers or contributes to any right of a Participant to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company.

*          *          *

 

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PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

NOTICE OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Paymentus Holdings, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Stock Option Agreement, which includes the Notice of Stock Option Grant (the “Notice of Grant”), the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all other exhibits, appendices, and addenda attached hereto (including any additional terms and conditions for Participant’s country set forth in Appendix 1 to the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant (the “Country Addendum”)) (together, the “Option Agreement”).

Participant Name:

Address:

The undersigned Participant has been granted an Option to purchase Common Stock of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number:

 

 

 

Date of Grant:

 

 

 

Vesting Commencement Date:

 

 

 

Exercise Price per Share:

$

 

 

 

Total Number of Shares Subject to Option:

 

 

 

Total Exercise Price:

$

 

 

 

Type of Option:

 

Incentive Stock Option

 

 

 

 

Nonstatutory Stock Option

 

 

Term/Expiration Date:

 

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

 

Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan, this Option Agreement or any other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between Participant and the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable) governing the terms of this Option, this Option shall vest and be exercisable, in whole or in part, according to the following vesting schedule:

 


 

[Twenty-five percent (25%) of the Total Number of Shares Subject to Option (as set forth above) shall be scheduled to vest on the one (1) year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date, and one forty-eighth (1/48th) of the Total Number of Shares Subject to Option shall be scheduled to vest each month thereafter on the same day of the month as the Vesting Commencement Date (and if there is no corresponding day in a particular month, on the last day of the month), subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider through each such date.]

Termination Period:

This Option shall be exercisable, to the extent vested, for three (3) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, unless such cessation is due to Participant’s death or Disability, in which case this Option shall be exercisable, to the extent vested, for twelve (12) months after Participant ceases to be a Service Provider.  Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, in no event may this Option be exercised after the Term/Expiration Date as provided above and this Option may be subject to earlier termination as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.

By Participant’s signature or by Participant’s acceptance of the Option Agreement via the Company’s designated electronic acceptance procedures and the signature of the representative of the Company below, Participant and the Company agree that this Option is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Exercise Notice, attached hereto as Exhibit B, and all other exhibits, appendices and addenda attached hereto (including any Country Addendum), all of which are made a part of this document.  Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan.  Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Option Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Option Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and the Option Agreement.  Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan or this Option Agreement.  Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in Participant’s residence address indicated below.

 


 

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PARTICIPANT

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Signature

 

 

 

Print Name

 

Print Name

 

 

 

 

 

Title

Residence Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK OPTION GRANT

1.Grant of Option.  

(a)The Company hereby grants to the individual (“Participant”) named in the Notice of Stock Option Grant of this Option Agreement (the “Notice of Grant”), an option (the “Option”) to purchase the number of Shares set forth in the Notice of Grant, at the exercise price per Share set forth in the Notice of Grant (the “Exercise Price”), subject to all of the terms and conditions in this Option Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to Section 20 of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Option Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

(b)For U.S. taxpayers, if designated in the Notice of Grant as an Incentive Stock Option (“ISO”), this Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option as defined in Section 422 of the Code.  Nevertheless, to the extent that it exceeds the $100,000 rule of Code Section 422(d), this Option shall be treated as a Nonstatutory Stock Option (“NSO”).  Further, if for any reason this Option (or portion thereof) shall not qualify as an ISO, then, to the extent of such nonqualification, such Option (or portion thereof) shall be regarded as a NSO granted under the Plan.  In no event shall the Administrator, the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary or any of their respective employees or directors have any liability to Participant (or any other person) due to the failure of the Option to qualify for any reason as an ISO.  

(c)For non-U.S. taxpayers, the Option will be designated as an NSO.

2.Vesting Schedule.  Except as provided in Section 3, the Option awarded by this Option Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Unless specifically provided otherwise in this Option Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, Shares subject to this Option that are scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain condition will not vest in accordance with any of the provisions of this Option Agreement, unless Participant will have been continuously a Service Provider from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting occurs.

3.Administrator Discretion.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Option at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan.  If so accelerated, such Option will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator.

 


 

4.Exercise of Option.

(a)Right to Exercise.  This Option shall be exercisable during its term in accordance with the Vesting Schedule set out in the Notice of Grant and with the applicable provisions of the Plan and this Option Agreement.

(b)Method of Exercise.  This Option shall be exercisable by delivery of an exercise notice (the “Exercise Notice”) in the form attached as Exhibit B to the Notice of Grant or in a manner and pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine, which shall state the election to exercise the Option, the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised (the “Exercised Shares”), and such other representations and agreements as may be required by the Company.  The Exercise Notice shall be completed by Participant and delivered to the Company, accompanied by payment of the aggregate Exercise Price as to all Exercised Shares, together with any applicable Withholding Obligations (as defined below).  This Option shall be deemed to be exercised upon receipt by the Company of such fully executed Exercise Notice accompanied by the aggregate Exercise Price, together with any applicable Withholding Obligations.

No Shares shall be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option unless such issuance and such exercise comply with Applicable Laws.  Assuming such compliance, for income tax purposes the Shares shall be considered transferred to Participant on the date on which the Option is exercised with respect to such Shares.

5.Method of Payment.  Payment of the aggregate Exercise Price shall be by any of the following, or a combination thereof, at the election of Participant:

(a)cash;

(b)check;

(c)consideration received by the Company under a formal cashless exercise program adopted by the Company in connection with the Plan; or

(d)if Participant is a U.S. employee, surrender of other Shares which (i) shall be valued at its fair market value on the date of surrender, and (ii) must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, if accepting such Shares, in the sole discretion of the Administrator, shall not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company.

A non-U.S. resident’s methods of exercise may be restricted by the terms and conditions of any appendix to this Agreement for Participant’s country (including the Country Addendum, as defined below).

6.Non-Transferability of Option.  This Option may not be transferred in any manner otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of Participant only by Participant.  

7.Term of Option.  This Option may be exercised only within the term set out in the Notice of Grant, and may be exercised during such term only in accordance with the Plan and the terms of this Option Agreement.

 

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8.Tax Obligations.

(a)Responsibility for Taxes.  Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, Participant’s employer or any Parent or Subsidiary to which Participant is providing services (together, the “Service Recipients), the ultimate liability for any tax and/or social insurance liability obligations and requirements in connection with the Option, including, without limitation, (i) all federal, state, and local taxes (including Participant’s Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligations) that are required to be withheld by any Service Recipient or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed legally applicable to Participant, (ii) Participant’s and, to the extent required by any Service Recipient, the Service Recipient’s fringe benefit tax liability, if any, associated with the grant, vesting, or exercise of the Option or sale of Shares, and (iii) any other Service Recipient taxes the responsibility for which Participant has, or has agreed to bear, with respect to the Option (or exercise thereof or issuance of Shares thereunder) (collectively, the “Tax Obligations”), is and remains Participant’s sole responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the applicable Service Recipient(s).  Participant further acknowledges that no Service Recipient (A) makes any representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax Obligations in connection with any aspect of the Option, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or exercise of the Option, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such exercise and the receipt of any dividends or other distributions, and (B) makes any commitment to and is under any obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Option to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax Obligations or achieve any particular tax result.  Further, if Participant is subject to Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction, Participant acknowledges that the applicable Service Recipient(s) (or former service recipient(s), as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Withholding Obligations (as defined below) in more than one jurisdiction. If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any required Tax Obligations hereunder at the time of the applicable taxable event, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may refuse to issue or deliver the Shares.

(b)Tax Withholding.  Pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time, the applicable Service Recipient(s) will withhold the amount required to be withheld for the payment of Tax Obligations (the “Withholding Obligations”).  The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit Participant to satisfy such Withholding Obligations, in whole or in part (without limitation), if permissible by Applicable Laws, by (i) paying cash, (ii) having the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Withholding Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences) (“Net Share Withholding”), (iii) withholding the amount of such Withholding Obligations from Participant’s wages or other cash compensation payable to Participant by the applicable Service Recipient(s), (iv) delivering to the Company Shares that Participant owns and that already have vested with a fair market value equal to the Withholding Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences), or (v) selling a sufficient number of such Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant, through such means as the Company may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Withholding Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not

 

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result in adverse financial accounting consequences) (“Sell to Cover”).  To the extent determined appropriate by the Administrator in its discretion, the Administrator will have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any Withholding Obligations by reducing the Net Share Withholding.  If Net Share Withholding is the method by which such Withholding Obligations are satisfied, the Company will not withhold on a fractional Share basis to satisfy any portion of the Withholding Obligations and, unless the Company determines otherwise, no refund will be made to Participant for the value of the portion of a Share, if any, withheld in excess of the Withholding Obligations.  If a Sell to Cover is the method by which Withholding Obligations are satisfied, Participant agrees that as part of the Sell to Cover, additional Shares may be sold to satisfy any associated broker or other fees.  Only whole Shares will be sold pursuant to a Sell to Cover.  Any proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to a Sell to Cover that are in excess of the Withholding Obligations and any associated broker or other fees will be paid to Participant in accordance with procedures the Company may specify from time to time.

(c)Notice of Disqualifying Disposition of ISO Shares.  If the Option granted to Participant herein is an ISO, and if Participant sells or otherwise disposes of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the ISO on or before the later of (i) the date two (2) years after the Date of Grant, or (ii) the date one (1) year after the date of exercise, Participant shall immediately notify the Company in writing of such disposition.  Participant agrees that Participant may be subject to income tax withholding by the Company on the compensation income recognized by Participant.

(d)Section 409A.  Under Section 409A, a stock right (such as the Option) that vests after December 31, 2004 (or that vested on or prior to such date but which was materially modified after October 3, 2004), that was granted with a per share exercise price that is determined by the Internal Revenue Service (the “IRS) to be less than the fair market value of an underlying share on the date of grant (a “discount option”) may be considered “deferred compensation.”  A stock right that is a “discount option” may result in (i) income recognition by the recipient of the stock right prior to the exercise of the stock right, (ii) an additional twenty percent (20%) federal income tax, and (iii) potential penalty and interest charges.  The “discount option” may also result in additional state income, penalty and interest tax to the recipient of the stock right.  Participant acknowledges that the Company cannot and has not guaranteed that the IRS will agree that the per Share exercise price of this Option equals or exceeds the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant in a later examination.  Participant agrees that if the IRS determines that the Option was granted with a per Share exercise price that was less than the fair market value of a Share on the date of grant, Participant shall be solely responsible for Participant’s costs related to such a determination.  In no event will the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries have any responsibility, liability, or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless Participant (or any other person) in respect of this Option or any other Awards, for any taxes, penalties or interest that may be imposed on, or other costs incurred by, Participant (or any other person) as a result of Section 409A.

9.Rights as Stockholder.  Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form) will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account).  After such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

 

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10.Entire Agreement; Governing Law.  The Plan is incorporated herein by reference.  The Plan and this Option Agreement constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participants interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.  This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws but not the choice of law rules of the State of Delaware.

11.No Guarantee of Continued Service.  PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF SHARES PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, WHICH UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS IS AT THE WILL OF THE APPLICABLE SERVICE RECIPIENT AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS OPTION OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS OPTION AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL NOT BE INTERPRETED AS FORMING OR AMENDING AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT, DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF ANY SERVICE RECIPIENT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, WHICH TERMINATION, UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, MAY BE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

12.Nature of Grant.  In accepting the Option, Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

(a)the grant of the Option is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options, even if options have been granted in the past;

(b)all decisions with respect to future option or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Administrator;

(c)Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

(d)the Option and any Shares acquired under the Plan and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(e)the Option and Shares acquired under the Plan and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

 

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(f)unless otherwise agreed with the Company in writing, the Option and the Shares acquired from the Plan, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service Participant may provide as a director of any Subsidiary or Parent of the Company;

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

(h)if the underlying Shares do not increase in value, the Option will have no value;

(i)if Participant exercises the Option and acquires Shares, the value of such Shares may increase or decrease in value, even below the Exercise Price;

(j)for purposes of the Option, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Option Agreement (including by reference in the Notice of Grant to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Administrator, Participant’s right to vest in the Option under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any, unless Participant is providing bona fide services during such time).  The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of this Option grant (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with Applicable Laws);

(k)unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Administrator in its discretion, the Option and the benefits evidenced by this Option Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Option or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and

(l)the following provisions apply only if Participant is providing services outside the United States:

(i)the Option and the Shares subject to the Option, and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose;

(ii)no Service Recipient shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between Participant’s local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Option or of any amounts due to Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon exercise; and

 

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(iii)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Option resulting from the termination of Participants status as a Service Provider (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participants employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of the Option to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against any Service Recipient, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases each Service Recipient from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

13.No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the Shares underlying the Option.  Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisers regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

14.Data Privacy.  Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Option Agreement and any other Option grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Company and the Service Recipients for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.  

Participant understands that the Company and the Service Recipient may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Options or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.  

Participant understands that Data will be transferred to a third-party stock plan service provider, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country.  Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative.  Participant authorizes the Company, any stock plan service provider selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing his or her participation in the Plan.  Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participant’s participation in the Plan.  Participant understands if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing

 

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of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative.  Further, Participant understands that he or she is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis.  If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke his or her consent, his or her status as a Service Provider and career with the Service Recipient will not be adversely affected.  The only adverse consequence of refusing or withdrawing Participants consent is that the Company would not be able to grant Participant Options or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards.  Therefore, Participant understands that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect Participants ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of Participants refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

15.Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Option Agreement will be addressed to the Company at Paymentus Holdings, Inc., 18390 NE 68th St., Redmond, WA 98052, Attention: General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

16.Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Option Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Option Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restriction on transfer herein set forth, this Option Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.  The rights and obligations of Participant under this Option Agreement may be assigned only with the prior written consent of the Company.

17.Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock.  If at any time the Company will determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, qualification or rule compliance of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or non-U.S. law, the tax code and related regulations or under the rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body or the clearance, consent or approval of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the exercise of the Options or the purchase by, or issuance of Shares, to Participant (or his or her estate) hereunder, such exercise, purchase or issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, rule compliance, clearance, consent or approval will have been completed, effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  Subject to the terms of the Option Agreement and the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any certificate or certificates for (or make any entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company of) the Shares hereunder prior to the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of exercise of the Option as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience.

18.Language. Participant acknowledges that Participant is sufficiently proficient in the
English language, or has consulted with an adviser who is sufficiently proficient in the English language, so as to allow Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Option Agreement. If Participant has received this Option Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than the English language and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English language version will control
.

 

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19.Interpretation.  The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Option Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Shares subject to the Option have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  Neither the Administrator nor any person acting on behalf of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Option Agreement.

20.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Option awarded under the Plan or future options that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or require Participant to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

21.Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Option Agreement.

22.Option Agreement Severable.  In the event that any provision in this Option Agreement will be held invalid or unenforceable, such provision will be severable from, and such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed to have any effect on, the remaining provisions of this Option Agreement.

23.Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this Option, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Option under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Administrator at any time.

24.Country Addendum.  Notwithstanding any provisions in this Option Agreement, this Option shall be subject to any additional terms and conditions set forth in the Country Addendum (if any) for any country whose laws are applicable to Participant and this Option (as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion).  Moreover, if Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Country Addendum, the additional terms and conditions for such country will apply to Participant, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons.  The Country Addendum (if any) constitutes a part of this Option Agreement.

25.Modifications to the Option Agreement.  This Option Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Option Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Option Agreement or the Plan can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Option Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise this Option Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A in connection with the Option.

 

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26.No Waiver.  Either partys failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Option Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Option Agreement.  The rights granted both parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of either partys right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.

27.Insider Trading/Market Abuse Laws. Participant acknowledges that Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws based on the exchange on which the Shares are listed and in applicable jurisdictions including, but not limited to, the United States and Participant’s country of residence, which may affect Participant’s ability to acquire or sell Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., Options) under the Plan during such time as Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders Participant placed before Participant possessed inside information. Furthermore, Participant could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Participant should keep in mind third parties includes fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable insider trading policy of the Company. Participant is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and should consult with his or her personal legal advisor on this matter.

28.Tax Consequences.  Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisers the U.S. and non-U.S., federal, state, local tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Option Agreement.  With respect to such matters, Participant relies solely on such advisers and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral.  Participant understands that Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Option Agreement.

29.Governing Law; Venue; Severability. This Option Agreement is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware. For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Option Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Option Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

 

*          *          *

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT B

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

EXERCISE NOTICE

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

 

Attention: General Counsel / Stock Administration

1.Exercise of Option.  Effective as of today, ________________, ____, the undersigned (“Participant”) hereby elects to exercise Participant’s option (the “Option”) to purchase ________________ shares of the Common Stock (the “Shares”) of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) under and pursuant to the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Stock Option Agreement dated ______________, _____, including the Notice of Stock Option Grant, and the Terms and Conditions of Stock Option Grant attached as Exhibit A thereto, and other exhibits, appendices and addenda attached thereto (including any Country Addendum) (the “Option Agreement”).  Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Exercise Notice will be ascribed the same defined meanings as set forth in the Option Agreement (or the Plan or other written agreement as specified in the Option Agreement).

2.Delivery of Payment.  Participant herewith delivers to the Company the full purchase price of the Shares, as set forth in the Option Agreement, and any Withholding Obligations to be paid in connection with the exercise of the Option.

3.Representations of Participant.  Participant acknowledges that Participant has received, read and understood the Plan and the Option Agreement and agrees to abide by and be bound by their terms and conditions.

4.Rights as Stockholder.  Until the issuance of the Shares (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder shall exist with respect to the Common Stock subject to the Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option.  The Shares so acquired shall be issued to Participant as soon as practicable after the Option is exercised in accordance with the Option Agreement.  No adjustment shall be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.

 


 

5.Tax Consultation.  Participant understands that Participant may suffer adverse tax consequences as a result of Participants purchase or disposition of the Shares.  Participant represents that Participant has consulted with any tax consultants Participant deems advisable in connection with the purchase or disposition of the Shares and that Participant is not relying on the Company for any tax advice.

6.Interpretation.  Any dispute regarding the interpretation of this Exercise Notice shall be submitted by Participant or by the Company forthwith to the Administrator, which shall review such dispute at its next regular meeting.  The resolution of such a dispute by the Administrator shall be final and binding on all parties to the maximum extent permitted by law.

7.Governing Law; Severability.  This Exercise Notice is governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware. For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Exercise Notice, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed.  In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Exercise Notice shall continue in full force and effect.

8.Entire Agreement.  The Plan and Option Agreement are incorporated herein by reference.  The Plan and the Option Agreement (including this Exercise Notice and any exhibits, appendices, and addenda attached to the Notice of Stock Option Grant of the Option Agreement) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.

 

Submitted by:

 

Accepted by:

PARTICIPANT

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

By

 

 

 

Print Name

 

Print Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

 

Address:

 

Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Date Received

 

 

 

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APPENDIX 1

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

COUNTRY ADDENDUM TO STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Country Addendum to Stock Option Agreement (the “Country Addendum”) will be ascribed the same defined meanings as set forth in the Option Agreement of which this Country Addendum forms a part (or the Plan or other written agreement as specified in the Option Agreement).

Terms and Conditions

This Country Addendum includes additional terms and conditions that govern this Option granted to Participant under the Plan to the extent Participant resides and/or works in one of the countries listed below.  If Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the country in which Participant is currently residing and/or working, or if Participant transfers employment and/or residency to another country after the Option is granted, the Company, in its discretion, will determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein will apply to Participant.

Notifications

This Country Addendum also includes information regarding securities laws, exchange controls and certain other issues of which Participant should be aware with respect to Participant’s participation in the Plan.  The information is provided solely for the Participant’s convenience and is based on the securities, exchange control, and other Applicable Laws in effect in the respective countries as of April 2021.  Such Applicable Laws often are complex and change frequently.  As a result, the Company strongly recommends that Participant not rely on the information in this Country Addendum as the only source of information relating to the consequences of Participant’s participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time Participant vests in or exercises the Option or sells Shares acquired under the Plan.

In addition, the information contained in this Country Addendum is general in nature and may not apply to Participant’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure Participant of any particular result.  Participant should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the Applicable Laws in Participant’s country may apply to his or her situation.

Finally, if Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the one in which Participant currently is residing and/or working, or if Participant transfers residence and/or employment to another country after the grant of the Option, the information in this Country Addendum may not apply to Participant in the same manner.  

 


 

CANADA

Terms and Conditions

Form of Payment. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan and the Option Agreement to the contrary, due to regulatory considerations in Canada, Participant is prohibited from surrendering Shares that he or she already owns or attesting to the ownership of shares to pay the Exercise Price or any Tax Obligations in connection with this Option.

Termination.  The following provision replaces Section 12(j) of the Option Agreement in its entirety:

For purposes of the Option, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any) as of the date that is the earliest of: (i) the date of termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider, (ii) the date on which Participant receives notice of termination of his or her status as a Service Provider, and (iii) the date on which Participant ceases to be providing services to the Company, the Service Recipient or any other Subsidiary or Parent of the Company, which date shall not be extended by any notice period or period of pay in lieu of such notice mandated under the employment laws of the jurisdiction in which Participant is providing service or the terms of Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any.  The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant no longer is actively providing services for purposes of the Option (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable employment standards legislation explicitly requires continued vesting during a statutory notice period, Participant’s right to vest in the Option, if any, will terminate effective upon the expiry of the minimum statutory notice period, but Participant will not earn or be entitled to prorated vesting if the vesting date falls after the end of the statutory notice period, nor will Participant be entitled to any compensation in lieu of any such prorated vesting.

 

The following terms and conditions apply to Participants resident in Quebec:

Language.  The parties acknowledge that it is Participant’s express wish that the Option Agreement, as well as all documents, notices and legal proceedings entered into, given or instituted pursuant hereto or relating directly or indirectly hereto, be drawn up in English.

Les parties reconnaissent qu'elles souhaitent expressément que le contrat d'option, ainsi que tous les documents, avis et procédures judiciaires engagés, donnés ou intentés en vertu des présentes ou s'y rapportant directement ou indirectement, soient rédigés en anglais.

Data Privacy.  This provision supplements Section 14 of the Option Agreement:  

 

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The Participant hereby authorizes any Service Recipient, and any agents or representatives to (i) discuss with and obtain all relevant information from all personnel, professional or nonprofessional, involved in the administration and operation of the Plan, and (ii) disclose and discuss any and all information relevant to the Plan with their advisers. Participant further authorizes the Company and any Service Recipient and any agents or representatives to record such information and to keep such information in Participants file.

Notifications

Securities Law Notification.  You are permitted to sell Shares acquired under the Plan through the designated broker appointed under the Plan, if any, provided the resale of Shares acquired under the Plan takes place outside Canada through the facilities of the exchange on which the Shares are then listed.

India

Notifications

Exchange Control Notification. Participant is required to repatriate to India, or cause to be repatriated, any proceeds from the sale of Shares acquired under the Plan and any dividends received in relation to the Shares within such time as prescribed under applicable Indian exchange control laws as may be amended from time to time.  Participant should obtain a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) or other similar form from the bank where Participant deposits the funds and maintain the FIRC or other form as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or Participant’s employer requests proof of repatriation. Participant should consult with his or her personal legal adviser to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.

 

 

 

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PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

Unless otherwise defined herein, the terms defined in the Paymentus Holdings, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) will have the same defined meanings in this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement which includes the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Notice of Grant”), the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all other exhibits, appendices, and addenda attached hereto (including any additional terms and conditions for Participant’s country set forth in Appendix 1 to the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Country Addendum”)) (together, the “Award Agreement”).

 

Participant Name:

Address:

 

The undersigned Participant has been granted an Award of Restricted Stock Units, subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, as follows:

 

Grant Number:

 

 

 

Date of Grant:

 

 

 

Vesting Commencement Date:

 

 

 

Total Number of Restricted Stock Units:

 

 

Vesting Schedule:

For purposes of this Agreement, “Quarterly Vesting Dates with respect to any calendar year means [February 15], [May 15], [August 15], and [November 15].  

Subject to any acceleration provisions contained in the Plan, this Award Agreement or any other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between Participant and the Company (or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable) governing the terms of this Award, the Restricted Stock Units will be scheduled to vest according to the following vesting schedule:

[One‑fourth (1/4th) of the Total Number of Restricted Stock Units (as set forth above) subject to this Award Agreement will be scheduled to vest on the first Quarterly Vesting Date on or immediately following the one (1) year anniversary of the Vesting Commencement Date (such first vesting date, the “First Vesting Date”), and thereafter, one‑sixteenth (1/16th) of the Total Number of Restricted Stock Units subject to this Award Agreement will be scheduled to vest on each of the twelve (12) Quarterly Vesting Dates that occur after the First Vesting Date, subject to Participant continuing to be a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.]

 


 

By Participants signature or by Participant’s acceptance of the Award Agreement via the Company’s designated electronic acceptance procedures and the signature of the representative of the Company below, Participant and the Company agree that this Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, including the Terms and Conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, attached hereto as Exhibit A, and all other exhibits, appendices and addenda attached hereto (including any Country Addendum), all of which are made a part of this document.  Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. Participant has reviewed the Plan and this Award Agreement in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing this Award Agreement and fully understands all provisions of the Plan and this Award Agreement. Participant hereby agrees to accept as binding, conclusive and final all decisions or interpretations of the Administrator upon any questions relating to the Plan or this Award Agreement. Participant further agrees to notify the Company upon any change in Participant’s residence address indicated below.

 

PARTICIPANT

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signature

 

Signature

 

 

 

Print Name

 

Print Name

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Title

 

 

 

Residence Address:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXHIBIT A

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

1.Grant of Restricted Stock Units.  The Company hereby grants to the individual (“Participant”) named in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant of this Award Agreement (the “Notice of Grant”) under the Plan an Award of Restricted Stock Units, and subject to the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement and the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference.  Subject to Section 20 of the Plan, in the event of a conflict between the terms and conditions of the Plan and this Award Agreement, the terms and conditions of the Plan shall prevail.

2.Company’s Obligation to Pay.  Each Restricted Stock Unit represents the right to receive a Share on the date it vests.  Unless and until the Restricted Stock Units will have vested in the manner set forth in Section 3 or 5, Participant will have no right to payment of any such Restricted Stock Units.  Prior to actual payment of any vested Restricted Stock Units, such Restricted Stock Unit will represent an unsecured obligation of the Company, payable (if at all) only from the general assets of the Company.

3.Vesting Schedule.  Except as provided in Section 5, and subject to Section 5, the Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will vest in accordance with the vesting provisions set forth in the Notice of Grant.  Unless specifically provided otherwise in this Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between Participant and the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company, as applicable, governing the terms of this Award, Restricted Stock Units scheduled to vest on a certain date or upon the occurrence of a certain condition will not vest in accordance with any of the provisions of this Award Agreement, unless Participant will have been continuously a Service Provider from the Date of Grant until the date such vesting occurs.

4.Payment after Vesting.

(a)General Rule.  Subject to Section 7, any Restricted Stock Units that vest will be paid to Participant (or in the event of Participant’s death, to his or her properly and validly designated beneficiary or estate) in whole Shares.  Subject to the provisions of Section 5(c), such vested Restricted Stock Units shall be paid in whole Shares as soon as practicable after vesting, but in each such case within sixty (60) days following the vesting date.  In no event will Participant be permitted, directly or indirectly, to specify the taxable year of payment of any Restricted Stock Units payable under this Award Agreement.

(b)Discretionary Acceleration.  The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the unvested Restricted Stock Units at any time, subject to the terms of the Plan.  If so accelerated, such Restricted Stock Units will be considered as having vested as of the date specified by the Administrator.  

 


 

(c)Section 409A.  

(i)If Participant is a U.S. taxpayer, the payment of Shares vesting pursuant to this Award Agreement (including any discretionary acceleration under Section 5(b)) shall in all cases be paid at a time or in a manner that is exempt from, or complies with, Section 409A.  The prior sentence may be superseded in a future agreement or amendment to this Award Agreement only by direct and specific reference to such sentence.

(ii)Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or this Award Agreement or any other agreement (whether entered into before, on or after the Date of Grant), if the vesting of the balance, or some lesser portion of the balance, of the Restricted Stock Units is accelerated in connection with the termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider (provided that such termination is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A, as determined by the Administrator), other than due to Participant’s death, and if (x) Participant is a U.S. taxpayer and a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such termination as a Service Provider and (y) the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will result in the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A if paid to Participant on or within the six (6) month period following the cessation of Participant’s status as a Service Provider, then the payment of such accelerated Restricted Stock Units will not be made until the date six (6) months and one (1) day following the date of cessation of Participant’s status as a Service Provider, unless Participant dies following his or her termination as a Service Provider, in which case, the Restricted Stock Units will be paid in Shares to Participant’s estate as soon as practicable following his or her death.

(iii)It is the intent of this Award Agreement that it and all payments and benefits to U.S. taxpayers hereunder be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the Restricted Stock Units provided under this Award Agreement or Shares issuable thereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or so comply.  Each payment payable under this Award Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).  To the extent necessary to comply with Section 409A, references to termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider, termination of employment, or similar phrases will be references to Participant’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  In no event will the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company have any responsibility, liability, or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless Participant (or any other person) for any taxes, penalties and interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

5.Forfeiture Upon Termination as a Service Provider.  Unless specifically provided otherwise in this Award Agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Administrator between Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Parents, as applicable, governing the terms of this Award, if Participant ceases to be a Service Provider for any or no reason, the then-unvested Restricted Stock Units awarded by this Award Agreement will thereupon be forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further rights thereunder.

 

6.Death of Participant.  Any distribution or delivery to be made to Participant under this Award Agreement, if Participant is then deceased, will be made to Participant’s designated beneficiary: provided, however, that the Administrator has permitted the designation and such

 

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designation is valid under Applicable Laws.  If no beneficiary survives Participant, or if the designation was not permitted by the Administrator or not valid under Applicable Laws, distribution or delivery shall be made to the administrator or executor of Participants estate. Any such transferee must furnish the Company with (a) written notice of his or her status as transferee, and (b) evidence satisfactory to the Company to establish the validity of the transfer and compliance with any laws or regulations pertaining to said transfer.

7.Tax Obligations

(a)Responsibility for Taxes.  Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company or, if different, Participant’s employer or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company to which Participant is providing services (together, the “Service Recipients”), the ultimate liability for any tax and/or social insurance liability obligations and requirements in connection with the Restricted Stock Units, including, without limitation, (i) all federal, state, and local taxes (including Participant’s Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligations) that are required to be withheld by any Service Recipient or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable or deemed legally applicable to Participant, (ii) Participant’s and, to the extent required by any Service Recipient, the Service Recipient’s fringe benefit tax liability, if any, associated with the grant, vesting, or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or sale of Shares, and (iii) any other Service Recipient taxes the responsibility for which Participant has, or has agreed to bear, with respect to the Restricted Stock Units (or settlement thereof or issuance of Shares thereunder) (collectively, the “Tax Obligations”), is and remains Participant’s sole responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the applicable Service Recipient(s).  Participant further acknowledges that no Service Recipient (A) makes any representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax Obligations in connection with any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Restricted Stock Units, the subsequent sale of Shares acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends or other distributions, and (B) makes any commitment to and is under any obligation to structure the terms of the grant or any aspect of the Restricted Stock Units to reduce or eliminate Participant’s liability for Tax Obligations or achieve any particular tax result.  Further, if Participant is subject to Tax Obligations in more than one jurisdiction, Participant acknowledges that the applicable Service Recipient(s) (or former service recipient(s), as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Withholding Obligations (as defined below) in more than one jurisdiction.  

(b)Tax Withholding.  Pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may specify from time to time, the applicable Service Recipient(s) will withhold the amount required to be withheld for the payment of Tax Obligations (the “Withholding Obligations”).  The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit Participant to satisfy such Withholding Obligations, in whole or in part (without limitation), if permissible by Applicable Laws, by:  (i) paying cash in U.S. dollars, (ii) having the Company withhold otherwise deliverable Shares having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Withholding Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences) (“Net Share Withholding”), (iii) withholding the amount of such Withholding Obligations from Participant’s wages or other cash compensation payable to Participant by the applicable Service Recipient(s), (iv) delivering to the Company Shares that Participant owns and that already have vested with a fair market value equal to the Withholding

 

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Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences), (v) selling a sufficient number of such Shares otherwise deliverable to Participant, through such means as the Company may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the minimum amount that is necessary to meet the withholding requirement for such Withholding Obligations (or such greater amount as Participant may elect if permitted by the Administrator, if such greater amount would not result in adverse financial accounting consequences) (“Sell to Cover”), or (vi) such other means as the Administrator deems appropriate.  If the Withholding Obligations are satisfied by Net Share Withholding, for tax purposes, Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of Shares subject to the vested Restricted Stock Units, notwithstanding that a number of the Shares are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Withholding Obligations. To the extent determined appropriate by the Administrator in its discretion, the Administrator will have the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any Withholding Obligations by Net Share Withholding.  If Net Share Withholding is the method by which such Withholding Obligations are satisfied, the Company will not withhold on a fractional Share basis to satisfy any portion of the Withholding Obligations and, unless the Company determines otherwise, no refund will be made to Participant for the value of the portion of a Share, if any, withheld in excess of the Withholding Obligations.  If a Sell to Cover is the method by which Withholding Obligations are satisfied, Participant agrees that as part of the Sell to Cover, additional Shares may be sold to satisfy any associated broker or other fees.  Only whole Shares will be sold pursuant to a Sell to Cover.  Any proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to a Sell to Cover that are in excess of the Withholding Obligations and any associated broker or other fees will be paid to Participant in accordance with procedures the Company may specify from time to time.  

(c)Tax Consequences.  Participant has reviewed with his or her own tax advisers the U.S. federal, state, local and non-U.S. tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement.  With respect to such matters, Participant relies solely on such advisers and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents, written or oral.  Participant understands that Participant (and not the Company) shall be responsible for Participant’s own tax liability that may arise as a result of this investment or the transactions contemplated by this Award Agreement.

(d)Company’s Obligation to Deliver Shares.  For clarification purposes, in no event will the Company issue Participant any Shares unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Administrator have been made for the payment of Participant’s Withholding Obligations.  If Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of such Withholding Obligations hereunder at the time any applicable Restricted Stock Units otherwise are scheduled to vest pursuant to Sections 3 or 5 or Participant’s Withholding Obligations otherwise become due, Participant permanently will forfeit such Restricted Stock Units to which Participant’s Withholding Obligation relates and any right to receive Shares thereunder and such Restricted Stock Units will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company.  Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company may permanently refuse to issue or deliver the Shares if such Withholding Obligations are not satisfied at the time they are due.

 

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8.Rights as Stockholder.  Neither Participant nor any person claiming under or through Participant will have any of the rights or privileges of a stockholder of the Company in respect of any Shares deliverable hereunder unless and until certificates representing such Shares (which may be in book entry form) will have been issued, recorded on the records of the Company or its transfer agents or registrars, and delivered to Participant (including through electronic delivery to a brokerage account).  After such issuance, recordation and delivery, Participant will have all the rights of a stockholder of the Company with respect to voting such Shares and receipt of dividends and distributions on such Shares.

9.No Guarantee of Continued Service.  PARTICIPANT ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THE VESTING OF THE RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS PURSUANT TO THE VESTING SCHEDULE HEREOF IS EARNED ONLY BY CONTINUING AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, WHICH UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAWS IS AT THE WILL OF THE APPLICABLE SERVICE RECIPIENT AND NOT THROUGH THE ACT OF BEING HIRED, BEING GRANTED THIS RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARD OR ACQUIRING SHARES HEREUNDER.  PARTICIPANT FURTHER ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT THIS AWARD AGREEMENT, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREUNDER AND THE VESTING SCHEDULE SET FORTH HEREIN SHALL NOT BE INTERPRETED AS FORMING OR AMENDING AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT, DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESS OR IMPLIED PROMISE OF CONTINUED ENGAGEMENT AS A SERVICE PROVIDER FOR THE VESTING PERIOD, FOR ANY PERIOD, OR AT ALL, AND SHALL NOT INTERFERE IN ANY WAY WITH PARTICIPANT’S RIGHT OR THE RIGHT OF ANY SERVICE RECIPIENT TO TERMINATE PARTICIPANT’S RELATIONSHIP AS A SERVICE PROVIDER, SUBJECT TO APPLICABLE LAW, WHICH TERMINATION, UNLESS PROVIDED OTHERWISE UNDER APPLICABLE LAW, MAY BE AT ANY TIME, WITH OR WITHOUT CAUSE.

10.Grant is Not Transferable.  Except to the limited extent provided in Section 6, this Award and the rights and privileges conferred hereby will not be transferred, assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and will not be subject to sale under execution, attachment or similar process.  Upon any attempt to transfer, assign, pledge, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Award, or any right or privilege conferred hereby, or upon any attempted sale under any execution, attachment or similar process, this Award and the rights and privileges conferred hereby immediately will become null and void.

11.Nature of Grant.  In accepting this Award of Restricted Stock Units, Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

(a)the grant of the Restricted Stock Units is exceptional, voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of Restricted Stock Units, or benefits in lieu of Restricted Stock Units, even if Restricted Stock Units have been granted in the past;

(b)all decisions with respect to future Restricted Stock Units or other grants, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Administrator;

(c)Participant is voluntarily participating in the Plan;

 

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(d)the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income from and value of same, are not intended to replace any pension rights or compensation;

(e)the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of, including, but not limited to, calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments;

(f)unless otherwise agreed with the Company in writing, the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income from and value of same, are not granted as consideration for, or in connection with, the service Participant may provide as a director of any Subsidiary or Parent of the Company;

(g)the future value of the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(h)for purposes of the Restricted Stock Units, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Award Agreement (including by reference in the Notice of Grant to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Administrator, Participant’s right to vest in the Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., Participant’s period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any, unless Participant is providing bona fide services during such time).  The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of this Award of Restricted Stock Units (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with Applicable Laws).

(i)unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Administrator in its discretion, the Restricted Stock Units and the benefits evidenced by this Award Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the Restricted Stock Units or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed out or substituted for, in connection with any corporate transaction affecting the Shares; and

(j)the following provisions apply only if Participant is providing services outside the United States:

(i)the Restricted Stock Units and the Shares subject to the Restricted Stock Units, and the income from and value of same, are not part of normal or expected compensation or salary for any purpose;

 

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(ii)neither the Company nor any Service Recipient shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between Participants local currency and the United States Dollar that may affect the value of the Restricted Stock Units or of any amounts due to Participant pursuant to the settlement of the Restricted Stock Units or the subsequent sale of any Shares acquired upon settlement; and

(iii)no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of the Restricted Stock Units resulting from the termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider (for any reason whatsoever whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of the Restricted Stock Units to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against any Service Recipient, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases each Service Recipient from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

12.No Advice Regarding Grant.  The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the Shares underlying the Restricted Stock Units.  Participant is hereby advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, legal and financial advisers regarding his or her participation in the Plan before taking any action related to the Plan.

13.Data Privacy.  Participant hereby explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of Participant’s personal data as described in this Award Agreement and any other Restricted Stock Unit grant materials by and among, as applicable, the Company and the Service Recipients for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan.

Participant understands that the Company and the Service Recipient may hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, Participant’s name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social insurance number or other identification number, salary, nationality, job title, any Shares or directorships held in the Company, details of all Restricted Stock Units or any other entitlement to Shares awarded, canceled, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor (“Data”), for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing the Plan.  

Participant understands that Data will be transferred to a third-party stock plan service provider, which is assisting the Company with the implementation, administration and management of the Plan.  Participant understands that the recipients of the Data may be located in the United States or elsewhere, and that the recipients’ country of operation (e.g., the United States) may have different data privacy laws and protections than Participant’s country.  Participant understands that if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting his or her local human resources representative.  Participant authorizes the Company, any stock plan service provider selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company (presently or in the

 

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future) with implementing, administering and managing the Plan to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the sole purpose of implementing, administering and managing his or her participation in the Plan.  Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage Participants participation in the Plan.  Participant understands if he or she resides outside the United States, he or she may, at any time, view Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of Data, require any necessary amendments to Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting in writing his or her local human resources representative.  Further, Participant understands that he or she is providing the consents herein on a purely voluntary basis.  If Participant does not consent, or if Participant later seeks to revoke his or her consent, his or her status as a Service Provider and career with the Service Recipient will not be adversely affected.  The only adverse consequence of refusing or withdrawing Participants consent is that the Company would not be able to grant Participant Restricted Stock Units or other equity awards or administer or maintain such awards.  Therefore, Participant understands that refusing or withdrawing his or her consent may affect Participants ability to participate in the Plan.  For more information on the consequences of Participants refusal to consent or withdrawal of consent, Participant understands that he or she may contact his or her local human resources representative.

14.Address for Notices.  Any notice to be given to the Company under the terms of this Award Agreement will be addressed to the Company at Paymentus Holdings, Inc., 18390 NE 68th St., Redmond, WA 98052, Attention: General Counsel, or at such other address as the Company may hereafter designate in writing.

15.Successors and Assigns.  The Company may assign any of its rights under this Award Agreement to single or multiple assignees, and this Award Agreement shall inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of the Company.  Subject to the restrictions on transfer herein set forth, this Award Agreement shall be binding upon Participant and Participant’s heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns.  The rights and obligations of Participant under this Award Agreement may be assigned only with the prior written consent of the Company.

16.Additional Conditions to Issuance of Stock.  If at any time the Company will determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, qualification or rule compliance of the Shares upon any securities exchange or under any state, federal or non-U.S. law, the tax code and related regulations or under the rulings or regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body or the clearance, consent or approval of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory authority is necessary or desirable as a condition to the issuance of Shares to Participant (or his or her estate) hereunder, such issuance will not occur unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, rule compliance, clearance, consent or approval will have been completed, effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.  Subject to the terms of the Award Agreement and the Plan, the Company will not be required to issue any certificate or certificates for (or make any entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company of) the Shares hereunder prior to the lapse of such reasonable period of time following the date of vesting of the Restricted Stock Units as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative convenience.

 

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17.Language.  Participant acknowledges that Participant is sufficiently proficient in the
English language, or has consulted with an
adviser who is sufficiently proficient in the English language, so as to allow Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Award Agreement. If Participant has received this Award Agreement or any other document related to the Plan translated into a language other than the English language and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English language version will control.

18.Interpretation.  The Administrator will have the power to interpret the Plan and this Award Agreement and to adopt such rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith and to interpret or revoke any such rules (including, but not limited to, the determination of whether or not any Restricted Stock Units have vested).  All actions taken and all interpretations and determinations made by the Administrator in good faith will be final and binding upon Participant, the Company and all other interested persons.  Neither the Administrator nor any person acting on behalf of the Administrator will be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation made in good faith with respect to the Plan or this Award Agreement.

19.Electronic Delivery and Acceptance.  The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to the Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan or future Restricted Stock Units that may be awarded under the Plan by electronic means or require Participant to participate in the Plan by electronic means.  Participant hereby consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agrees to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

20.Captions.  Captions provided herein are for convenience only and are not to serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Award Agreement.

21.Amendment, Suspension or Termination of the Plan.  By accepting this Award, Participant expressly warrants that he or she has received an Award of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, and has received, read and understood a description of the Plan.  Participant understands that the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Administrator at any time.

22.Country Addendum.  Notwithstanding any provisions in this Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock Unit grant shall be subject to any additional terms and conditions set forth in the Country Addendum (if any) for any country whose laws are applicable to Participant and this Award of Restricted Stock Units (as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion).  Moreover, if Participant relocates to one of the countries included in the Country Addendum, the additional terms and conditions for such country will apply to Participant, to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons.  The Country Addendum (if any) constitutes a part of this Award Agreement.

23.Modifications to the Award Agreement.  This Award Agreement constitutes the entire understanding of the parties on the subjects covered.  Participant expressly warrants that he or she is not accepting this Award Agreement in reliance on any promises, representations, or inducements other than those contained herein.  Modifications to this Award Agreement can be made only in an express written contract executed by a duly authorized officer of the Company.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Award Agreement, the Company reserves the right to revise

 

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this Award Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Participant, to comply with Section 409A or to otherwise avoid imposition of any additional tax or income recognition under Section 409A in connection with this Award of Restricted Stock Units.

24.No Waiver.  Either party’s failure to enforce any provision or provisions of this Award Agreement shall not in any way be construed as a waiver of any such provision or provisions, nor prevent that party from thereafter enforcing each and every other provision of this Award Agreement.  The rights granted both parties herein are cumulative and shall not constitute a waiver of either party’s right to assert all other legal remedies available to it under the circumstances.

25.Insider Trading/Market Abuse Laws. Participant acknowledges that Participant may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws based on the exchange on which the Shares are listed and in applicable jurisdictions including, but not limited to, the United States and Participant’s country of residence, which may affect Participant’s ability to acquire or sell Shares or rights to Shares (e.g., Restricted Stock Units) under the Plan during such time as Participant is considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders Participant placed before Participant possessed inside information. Furthermore, Participant could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. Participant should keep in mind third parties includes fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable insider trading policy of the Company.  Participant is responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and should consult with his or her personal legal advisor on this matter.

26.Governing Law; Venue; Severability.  This Award Agreement and the Restricted Stock Units are governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law rules, of the State of Delaware.  For purposes of any action, lawsuit or other proceedings brought to enforce this Award Agreement, relating to it, or arising from it, the parties hereby submit to and consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware, and no other courts, where this grant is made and/or to be performed. In the event that any provision hereof becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, this Award Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.

27.Entire Agreement.  The Plan is incorporated herein by reference. The Plan and this Award Agreement (including the exhibits, appendices, and addenda attached to the Notice of Grant) constitute the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede in their entirety all prior undertakings and agreements of the Company and Participant with respect to the subject matter hereof, and may not be modified adversely to Participant’s interest except by means of a writing signed by the Company and Participant.

*          *          *

 

 

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APPENDIX 1

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

COUNTRY ADDENDUM TO RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used in this Country Addendum to Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Country Addendum”) will be ascribed the same defined meanings as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement of which this Country Addendum forms a part (or the Plan or other written agreement as specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement).

Terms and Conditions

This Country Addendum includes additional terms and conditions that govern the Award of Restricted Stock Units granted to Participant under the Plan to the extent Participant resides and/or works in one of the countries listed below.  If Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the country in which Participant is currently residing and/or working, or if Participant transfers employment and/or residency to another country after the Award of Restricted Stock Units is granted, the Company, in its discretion, will determine to what extent the terms and conditions contained herein will apply to Participant.

Notifications

This Country Addendum also includes information regarding securities laws, exchange controls and certain other issues of which Participant should be aware with respect to Participant’s participation in the Plan.  The information is provided solely for Participant’s convenience and is based on the securities, exchange control and other Applicable Laws in effect in the respective countries as of April 2021. Such Applicable Laws often are complex and change frequently.  As a result, the Company strongly recommends that Participant not rely on the information in this Country Addendum as the only source of information relating to the consequences of Participant’s participation in the Plan because the information may be out of date at the time Participant vests in or receives or sells the Shares covered by the Restricted Stock Units.

In addition, the information contained in this Country Addendum is general in nature and may not apply to Participant’s particular situation, and the Company is not in a position to assure Participant of any particular result.  Participant should seek appropriate professional advice as to how the Applicable Laws in Participant’s country may apply to his or her situation.  

Finally, if Participant is a citizen or resident (or is considered as such for local law purposes) of a country other than the one in which Participant currently is residing and/or working, or if Participant transfers residence and/or employment to another country after the grant of the Restricted Stock Units, the information in this Country Addendum may not apply to Participant in the same manner.  

 

 


 

CANADA

Terms and Conditions

Settlement of Restricted Stock Units.  Notwithstanding any discretion in Section 9.4 of the Plan and without prejudice to Section 7(b) of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, Restricted Stock Units will be settled in Shares only, not in cash.

Termination.  The following provision replaces the second paragraph of Sections 5 and 11(h) of the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement in its entirety:

For purposes of the Restricted Stock Units, Participant’s status as a Service Provider will be considered terminated (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is a Service Provider or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any) as of the date that is the earliest of: (i) the date of termination of Participant’s status as a Service Provider, (ii) the date on which Participant receives notice of termination of his or her status as a Service Provider, and (iii) the date on which Participant ceases to be providing services to the Company, the Service Recipient or any other Subsidiary or Parent of the Company, which date shall not be extended by any notice period or period of pay in lieu of such notice mandated under the employment laws of the jurisdiction in which Participant is providing service or the terms of Participant’s employment or other service agreement, if any.  The Administrator shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant no longer is actively providing services for purposes of the Award (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if applicable employment standards legislation explicitly requires continued vesting during a statutory notice period, Participant’s right to vest in the Award, if any, will terminate effective upon the expiry of the minimum statutory notice period, but Participant will not earn or be entitled to prorated vesting if the vesting date falls after the end of the statutory notice period, nor will Participant be entitled to any compensation in lieu of any such prorated vesting.

Language.  The parties acknowledges that it is Participant’s express wish that the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, as well as all documents, notices and legal proceedings entered into, given or instituted pursuant hereto or relating directly or indirectly hereto, be drawn up in English.

Les parties reconnaissent que le participant souhaite expressément que le contrat d'attribution, ainsi que tous les documents, avis et procédures judiciaires conclus, donnés ou intentés en vertu des présentes ou s'y rapportant directement ou indirectement, soient rédigés en anglais.

Data Privacy.  This provision supplements Section 13 of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement:  

Participant hereby authorizes any Service Recipient, and any agents or representatives to (i) discuss with and obtain all relevant information from all personnel, professional or non-professional, involved in the administration and operation of the Plan, and (ii) disclose and discuss any and all information relevant to the Plan with their advisers. Participant further authorizes the Company and any Service Recipient and any agents or representatives to record such information and to keep such information in Participant’s file.

 

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Notifications

Securities Law Notification.  Participant is permitted to sell Shares acquired under the Plan through the designated broker appointed under the Plan, if any, provided the resale of Shares acquired under the Plan takes place outside Canada through the facilities of the exchange on which the Shares are then listed.

India

Notifications

Exchange Control Notification.  Participant is required to repatriate to India, or cause to be repatriated, any proceeds from the sale of Shares acquired under the Plan and any dividends received in relation to the Shares within such time as prescribed under applicable Indian exchange control laws as may be amended from time to time.  Participant should obtain a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) or other similar form from the bank where Participant deposits the funds and maintain the FIRC or other form as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or Participant’s employer requests proof of repatriation. Participant should consult with his or her personal legal adviser to ensure compliance with the applicable requirements.  

 

 

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Exhibit 10.4

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

EXECUTIVE INCENTIVE COMPENSATION PLAN

1.Purposes of the Plan.  The Plan is intended to increase stockholder value and the success of the Company by motivating Employees to (a) perform to the best of their abilities and (b) achieve the Company’s objectives.

2.Definitions.

2.1Actual Award” means as to any Performance Period, the actual award (if any) payable to a Participant for the Performance Period, subject to the authority of the Administrator (as defined in Section 3) under Section 4.4.

2.2Affiliate” means any corporation or other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) that, from time to time and at the time of any determination, directly or indirectly, is in control of or is controlled by the Company.

2.3Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.4Bonus Pool” means the pool of funds available for distribution to Participants.  Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Administrator establishes the Bonus Pool for each Performance Period.

2.5Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation or formal guidance of general or direct applicability promulgated under such section or regulation, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

2.6Committee” means a committee appointed by the Board (pursuant to Section 3) to administer the Plan.

2.7Company” means Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or any successor thereto.

2.8Company Group” means the Company and any Parents, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates.

2.9Disability” means a permanent and total disability determined in accordance with uniform and nondiscriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

2.10Employee” means any executive, officer, or other employee of the Company Group, whether such individual is so employed at the time the Plan is adopted or becomes so employed subsequent to the adoption of the Plan.

2.11Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 


 

2.12Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(e).

2.13Participant” means as to any Performance Period, an Employee who has been selected by the Administrator for participation in the Plan for that Performance Period.

2.14Performance Period” means the period of time for the measurement of the performance criteria that must be met to receive an Actual Award, as determined by the Administrator.  A Performance Period may be divided into one or more shorter periods if, for example, but not by way of limitation, the Administrator desires to measure some performance criteria over twelve (12) months and other criteria over three (3) months.

2.15Plan” means this Executive Incentive Compensation Plan (including any appendix attached hereto), as may be amended from time to time.

2.16Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the U.S. Treasury Regulations and guidance thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

2.17Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Code Section 424(f), in relation to the Company.

2.18Target Award” means the target award, at one hundred percent (100%) of target level performance achievement, payable under the Plan to a Participant for a Performance Period, as determined by the Administrator in accordance with Section 4.2.

2.19Tax Withholdings” means tax, social insurance and social security liability or premium obligations in connection with the awards under the Plan, including without limitation:  (a) all federal, state, and local income, employment and any other taxes (including the Participant’s U.S. Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) obligation) that are required to be withheld by the Company Group, (b) the Participant’s and, to the extent required by the Company Group, the fringe benefit tax liability of the Company Group associated with an award under the Plan, and (c) any other taxes or social insurance or social security liabilities or premium the responsibility for which the Participant has, or has agreed to bear, with respect to such award under the Plan.

2.20Termination of Employment” means a cessation of the employee-employer relationship between an Employee and the Company Group, including without limitation a termination by resignation, discharge, death, Disability, retirement, or the disaffiliation of a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate.  For purposes of the Plan, transfer of employment of a Participant between any members of the Company Group (for example, between the Company and a Subsidiary) will not be deemed a Termination of Employment.

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2.21U.S. Treasury Regulations” means the Treasury Regulations of the Code.  Reference to a specific section of the Code will include the Treasury Regulation section or sections applicable to such section of the Code, any valid regulation promulgated under such section of the Code, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing, or superseding such Treasury Regulation section or section of the Code.

3.Administration of the Plan.

3.1Administrator.  The Plan will be administered by the Board or a Committee (the “Administrator”).  To the extent necessary or desirable to satisfy applicable laws, the Committee acting as the Administrator will consist of not less than two (2) members of the Board.  The members of any Committee will be appointed from time to time by, and serve at the pleasure of, the Board.  The Board may retain the authority to administer the Plan concurrently with a Committee and may revoke the delegation of some or all authority previously delegated.  Different Administrators may administer the Plan with respect to different groups of Employees.  Unless and until the Board otherwise determines, the Board’s Compensation Committee will administer the Plan.

3.2Administrator Authority.  It will be the duty of the Administrator to administer the Plan in accordance with the Plan’s provisions.  The Administrator will have all powers and discretion necessary or appropriate to administer the Plan and to control its operation, including, but not limited to, the power to (a) determine which Employees will be granted awards, (b) prescribe the terms and conditions of awards, (c) interpret the Plan and the awards, (d) adopt such procedures and sub‑plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees who are non‑U.S. nationals or employed outside of the U.S. or to qualify awards for special tax treatment under the laws of jurisdictions other than the U.S., (e) adopt rules for the administration, interpretation and application of the Plan as are consistent therewith, and (f) interpret, amend or revoke any such rules.  Any determinations and decisions made or to be made by the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, unless specified otherwise by the Administrator, will be in the Administrator’s sole discretion.

3.3Decisions Binding.  All determinations and decisions made by the Administrator and/or any delegate of the Administrator pursuant to the provisions of the Plan will be final, conclusive, and binding on all persons, and will be given the maximum deference permitted by law.

3.4Delegation by Administrator.  The Administrator, on such terms and conditions as it may provide, may delegate all or part of its authority and powers under the Plan to one or more directors and/or officers of the Company.  Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

3.5Indemnification.  Each person who is or will have been a member of the Administrator will be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from (a) any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred by him or her in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which he or she may be a party or in which he or she may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan or any award, and (b) from any and all amounts paid by him or her in settlement thereof,

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with the Company’s approval, or paid by him or her in satisfaction of any judgment in any such claim, action, suit, or proceeding against him or her, provided he or she will give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf.  The foregoing right of indemnification will not be exclusive of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise, or under any power that the Company may have to indemnify them or hold them harmless.

4.Selection of Participants and Determination of Awards.

4.1Selection of Participants.  The Administrator will select the Employees who will be Participants for any Performance Period.  Participation in the Plan will be on a Performance Period by Performance Period basis.  Accordingly, an Employee who is a Participant for a given Performance Period in no way is guaranteed or assured of being selected for participation in any subsequent Performance Period or Performance Periods. No Employee will have the right to be selected to receive an award under this Plan or, if so selected, to be selected to receive a future award.

4.2Determination of Target Awards.  The Administrator may establish a Target Award for each Participant (which may be expressed as a percentage of a Participant’s average annual base salary for the Performance Period or a fixed dollar amount or such other amount or based on such other formula or factors as the Administrator determines).

4.3Bonus Pool.  Each Performance Period, the Administrator may establish a Bonus Pool, which pool may be established before, during or after the applicable Performance Period.  Actual Awards will be paid from the Bonus Pool (if a Bonus Pool has been established).

4.4Discretion to Modify Awards.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time prior to payment of an Actual Award, may:  (a) increase, reduce or eliminate a Participant’s Actual Award, and/or (b) increase, reduce or eliminate the amount allocated to the Bonus Pool.  The Actual Award may be below, at or above the Target Award, as determined by the Administrator.  The Administrator may determine the amount of any increase, reduction, or elimination based on such factors as it deems relevant, and will not be required to establish any allocation or weighting with respect to the factors it considers.

4.5Discretion to Determine Criteria.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Plan, the Administrator will determine the performance goals, if any, applicable to any Target Award (or portion thereof) which may include, without limitation, goals related to:  attainment of research and development milestones; sales bookings; business divestitures and acquisitions; capital raising; cash flow; cash position; contract awards or backlog; corporate transactions; customer renewals; customer retention rates from an acquired company, subsidiary, business unit or division; earnings (which may include any calculation of earnings, including but not limited to earnings before interest and taxes, earnings before taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and net taxes); earnings per share; expenses; financial milestones; gross margin; growth in stockholder value relative to the moving average of the S&P 500 Index or another index; internal rate of return; leadership development or succession planning; license or research collaboration arrangements; market share; net income; net profit; net sales; new

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product or business development; new product invention or innovation; number of customers; operating cash flow; operating expenses; operating income; operating margin; overhead or other expense reduction; patents; procurement; product defect measures; product release timelines; productivity; profit; regulatory milestones or regulatory-related goals; retained earnings; return on assets; return on capital; return on equity; return on investment; return on sales; revenue; revenue growth; sales results; sales growth; savings; stock price; time to market; total stockholder return; working capital; unadjusted or adjusted actual contract value; unadjusted or adjusted total contract value; and individual objectives such as peer reviews or other subjective or objective criteria. As determined by the Administrator, the performance goals may be based on U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) or non‑GAAP results and any actual results may be adjusted by the Administrator for one-time items or unbudgeted or unexpected items and/or payments of Actual Awards under the Plan when determining whether the performance goals have been met.  The performance goals may be based on any factors the Administrator determines relevant, including without limitation on an individual, divisional, portfolio, project, business unit, segment or Company-wide basis.  Any criteria used may be measured on such basis as the Administrator determines, including without limitation:  (a) in absolute terms, (b) in combination with another performance goal or goals (for example, but not by way of limitation, as a ratio or matrix), (c) in relative terms (including, but not limited to, results for other periods, passage of time and/or against another company or companies or an index or indices), (d) on a per-share basis, (e) against the performance of the Company as a whole or a segment of the Company and/or (f) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis.  The performance goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from award to award.  Failure to meet the applicable performance goals will result in a failure to earn the Target Award, except as provided in Section 4.4. The Administrator also may determine that a Target Award (or portion thereof) will not have a performance goal associated with it but instead will be granted (if at all) as determined by the Administrator.

5.Payment of Awards.

5.1Right to Receive Payment.  Each Actual Award will be paid solely from the general assets of the Company Group.  Nothing in this Plan will be construed to create a trust or to establish or evidence any Participant’s claim of any right other than as an unsecured general creditor with respect to any payment to which the Participant may be entitled.

5.1Timing of Payment.  Payment of each Actual Award will be made as soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period to which the Actual Award relates and after the Actual Award is approved by the Administrator, but in no event after the later of (a) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month of the Fiscal Year immediately following the Fiscal Year in which the Participant’s Actual Award first becomes no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, and (b) March 15 of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year in which the Participant’s Actual Award first becomes no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture.  Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, to earn an Actual Award a Participant must be employed by the Company Group on the date the Actual Award is paid, and in all cases subject to the Administrator’s discretion pursuant to Section 4.4.

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5.2Form of Payment.  Each Actual Award generally will be paid in cash (or its equivalent) in a single lump sum.  The Administrator reserves the right to settle an Actual Award with a grant of an equity award with such terms and conditions, including any vesting requirements, as determined by the Administrator.

5.3Payment in the Event of Death or Disability.  If a Termination of Employment occurs due to a Participant’s death or Disability prior to payment of an Actual Award that the Administrator has determined will be paid for a prior Performance Period, then the Actual Award will be paid to the Participant or the Participant’s estate, as the case may be, subject to the Administrator’s discretion pursuant to Section 4.4.

6.General Provisions.

6.1Tax Matters.

6.1.1Section 409A.  It is the intent that this Plan be exempt from or comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the payments to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms will be interpreted to be so exempt or so comply.  Each payment under this Plan is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of U.S. Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A‑2(b)(2).  In no event will the Company Group have any liability, obligation, or responsibility to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless any Participant or other Employee for any taxes, penalties or interest imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

6.1.2Tax Withholdings.  The Company Group will have the right and authority to deduct from any Actual Award all applicable Tax Withholdings.  Prior to the payment of an Actual Award or such earlier time as any Tax Withholdings are due, the Company Group is permitted to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company Group, an amount sufficient to satisfy any Tax Withholdings with respect to such Actual Award.

6.2No Effect on Employment or Service.  Neither the Plan nor any award under the Plan will confer upon a Participant any right regarding continuing the Participant’s relationship as an Employee or other service provider to the Company Group, nor will they interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company Group or the Participant to terminate such relationship at any time, free from any liability or claim under the Plan.

6.3Forfeiture Events.

6.3.1Clawback Policy; Applicable Laws.  All awards under the Plan will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement, or reacquisition in accordance with any clawback policy of the Company Group as may be established and/or amended from time to time to comply with applicable laws, including without limitation pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.  In addition, the Administrator may impose such other clawback, reduction, recovery, forfeiture, recoupment, reimbursement or reacquisition provisions with respect to an award under the Plan as the Administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including without limitation a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired cash, stock, or

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other property provided with respect to an award, or upon specified events which may include (without limitation) termination of a Participant’s status as an employee or other service provider for cause or any specified action or inaction by a Participant, whether before or after such termination of employment or other service, that would constitute cause for termination of such Participant’s status as an employee or other service provider.  Unless this Section 6.3.1 is specifically mentioned and waived in a written agreement between a Participant and a member of the Company Group or other document, no recovery of compensation under a clawback policy or otherwise will constitute an event that triggers or contributes to any right of the Participant to resign for “good reason” or “constructive termination” (or similar term) under any agreement with a member of the Company Group.

6.3.2Additional Forfeiture Terms.  The Administrator may specify when providing for an award under the Plan that the Participant’s rights, payments, and benefits with respect to the award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, or recoupment upon the occurrence of specified events, in addition to any otherwise applicable vesting or performance conditions of the award.  Such events may include, without limitation, termination of the Participant’s status as an Employee for “cause” or any act by a Participant, whether before or after the Participant’s status as an Employee terminates, that would constitute “cause.”

6.3.3Accounting Restatements.  If the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company, as a result of misconduct, with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws, then any Participant who knowingly or through gross negligence engaged in the misconduct, or who knowingly or through gross negligence failed to prevent the misconduct, and any Participant who is one of the individuals subject to automatic forfeiture under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, will reimburse the Company Group the amount of any payment with respect to an award earned or accrued during the twelve (12) month period following the first public issuance or filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (whichever first occurred) of the financial document embodying such financial reporting requirement.

6.4Successors.  All obligations of the Company under the Plan, with respect to awards under the Plan, will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company.

6.5Nontransferability of Awards.  No award under the Plan may be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated, other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and except as provided in Section 5.3.  All rights with respect to an award granted to a Participant will be available during his or her lifetime only to the Participant.

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7.Amendment, Termination, and Duration.

7.1Amendment, Suspension, or Termination.  The Administrator may amend or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason.  The amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not, without the consent of the Participant, materially alter or materially impair any rights or obligations under any Actual Award ​earned by such Participant.  No award may be granted during any period of suspension or after termination of the Plan.

7.2Duration of Plan.  The Plan will commence on the date first adopted by the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board, and subject to Section 7.1 (regarding the Administrator’s right to amend or terminate the Plan), will remain in effect thereafter until terminated.

8.Legal Construction.

8.1Gender and Number.  Unless otherwise indicated by the context, any feminine term used herein also will include the masculine and any masculine term used herein also will include the feminine; the plural will include the singular and the singular will include the plural.

8.2Severability.  If any provision of the Plan is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason in any jurisdiction or as to any Participant, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect the remaining parts of the Plan, and the Plan will be construed and enforced as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had not been included.

8.3Governing Law.  The Plan and all awards will be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the State of California, but without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

8.4Bonus Plan.  The Plan is intended to be a “bonus program” as defined under U.S. Department of Labor regulations section 2510.3‑2(c) and will be construed and administered in accordance with such intention.

8.5Headings.  Headings are provided herein for convenience only, and will not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of the Plan.

9.Compliance with Applicable Laws.  Awards under the Plan (including without limitation the granting of such awards) will be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations, and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

*         *         *

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Exhibit 10.5

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

OUTSIDE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

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

1.Effective Date.  This Policy will be effective as of the effective date of the first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(b) of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities (such date, the “Effective Date”).

2.Cash Compensation.

2.1.Board Member Annual Cash Retainer.  Following the Effective Date, each Outside Director will be paid an annual cash retainer of $30,000.  There are no per‑meeting attendance fees for attending Board meetings or meetings of any committee of the Board.  

2.2.Additional Annual Cash Retainers.  Following the Effective Date, each Outside Director who serves as Lead Independent Director or the chairperson or a member of a committee of the Board will be eligible to earn additional annual fees as follows:

Lead Independent Director:

$15,000

Audit Committee Chairperson:

$20,000

Audit Committee Member:

$10,000

Compensation Committee Chairperson:

$12,000

Compensation Committee Member:

$6,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson:

$8,000

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member:

$4,000

For clarity, each Outside Director who serves as the chairperson of a committee will receive only the additional annual fee as the chairperson of the committee and not the additional annual fee as a member of such committee while serving as such chairperson, provided, that the Outside

 


 

Director who serves as the Lead Independent Director will receive the annual fee for services provided in such role as well as the annual fee as an Outside Director.

2.3.Payment Timing and Proration.  Each annual cash retainer under this Policy will be paid quarterly in arrears on a prorated basis to each Outside Director who has served in the relevant capacity at any time during the immediately preceding fiscal quarter of the Company (“Fiscal Quarter”), and such payment will be made no later than the last day of the first month following the end of such immediately preceding Fiscal Quarter.  For clarity, an Outside Director who has served as an Outside Director, as a member of an applicable committee (or chairperson thereof), or as Lead Independent Director during only a portion of the relevant Fiscal Quarter will receive a prorated payment of the quarterly installment of the applicable annual cash retainer(s), calculated based on the number of days during such Fiscal Quarter such Outside Director has served in the relevant capacities.  For clarity, an Outside Director who has served as an Outside Director, as a member of an applicable committee (or chairperson thereof), or Lead Independent Director from the Effective Date through the end of the Fiscal Quarter containing the Effective Date (the “Initial Period”), as applicable, will receive a prorated payment of the quarterly installment of the applicable annual cash retainer(s), calculated based on the number of days during the Initial Period that such Outside Director has served in the relevant capacities.

2.4.No Cash Compensation to Founder Director.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2, no Outside Director who also is a Founder Director (as defined below) will be provided any cash compensation pursuant to this Section 2.

3.Equity Compensation.  Outside Directors will be eligible to receive all types of Awards (except Incentive Stock Options) under the Plan, including discretionary Awards not covered under this Policy.  All grants of Awards to Outside Directors pursuant to Sections 3.2 and 3.3 of this Policy will be automatic and nondiscretionary, except as otherwise provided herein, and will be made in accordance with the following provisions:

3.1.No Discretion.  No person will have any discretion to select which Outside Directors will be granted Awards under this Policy or to determine the number of Shares to be covered by such Awards (except as provided in Sections 3.4.2 and 11 below).

3.2.Initial Awards.  Each individual who first becomes an Outside Director following the Effective Date automatically will be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units covering Shares (an “Initial Award”). The grant date of the Initial Award will be the first Trading Day on or after the date on which such individual first becomes an Outside Director (such first date as an Outside Director, the “Initial Start Date”), whether through election by the stockholders of the Company or appointment by the Board to fill a vacancy. The Initial Award will have a Value (as defined below) of $340,000 (with the number of Shares subject to the Initial Award, if any fractional Share results, rounded down to the nearest whole Share).  If an individual was an Inside Director, becoming an Outside Director due to termination of the individual’s status as an Employee will not entitle the Outside Director to an Initial Award.  Each Initial Award will be scheduled to vest as to one‑third (1/3rd) of the Shares subject to the Initial Award on each of the one (1), two (2), and three (3) year anniversaries of the Initial Award’s grant date, in each case subject to the Outside Director remaining a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.

 

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3.3.Annual Award.  On the first Trading Day immediately following each Annual Meeting of the Company’s stockholders (an “Annual Meeting”) that occurs after the Effective Date, each Outside Director automatically will be granted an award of Restricted Stock Units covering Shares (theAnnual Award”) with a Value of $170,000 (with the number of Shares subject to the Annual Award, if any fractional Share results, rounded down to the nearest whole Share); provided, however, that if an individual commenced service as an Outside Director after the date of the Annual Meeting that occurred immediately prior to such Annual Meeting (or if there is no such prior Annual Meeting, then after the Effective Date), then the Annual Award granted to such Outside Director will be prorated based on the number of whole months that the individual served as an Outside Director prior to the Annual Award’s grant date during the twelve (12) month period immediately preceding such Annual Meeting (with any resulting fractional Share rounded down to the nearest whole Share).  The Annual Award will be scheduled to vest as to all of the Shares subject to the Annual Award on the earlier of (a) the one (1) year anniversary of the Annual Award’s grant date or (b) the date of the next Annual Meeting following the Annual Award’s grant date, subject to the Outside Director remaining a Service Provider through the applicable vesting date.

3.4.Additional Terms of Initial Awards and Annual Awards. The terms and conditions of each Initial Award and Annual Award will be as follows:

3.4.1.Each Award granted under this Policy will be granted under and subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement previously approved by the Board or its Committee (as defined below), as applicable, for use under the Plan.

3.4.2.The Board or its Committee, as applicable and in its discretion, may change and otherwise revise the terms of the Awards that may be granted under this Policy in the future pursuant to this Policy, including without limitation the number of Shares subject thereto and type of Award.

3.4.3.For purposes of this Policy, “Value” means, with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock Units, the Fair Market Value of the total number of Shares subject to the Award as of such Award’s grant date.

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

3.5.No Grants of Awards to Founder Director.  Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3, no Outside Director who also is a Founder Director will be granted any Awards pursuant to this Section 3.

4.Change in Control.  In the event of a Change in Control, each Outside Director will fully vest in his or her outstanding Company equity awards that were granted to him or her while an Outside Director, as of immediately prior to the Change in Control, including any Initial Award and Annual Award, provided that the Outside Director continues to be an Outside Director through the date of such Change in Control.

5.Annual Compensation Limit.  No Outside Director may be granted, in any Fiscal Year, equity awards, the value of which will be based on their grant date fair value determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, and be provided any other

 

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compensation (including without limitation any cash retainers or fees), in amounts that, in the aggregate, exceed $550,000, provided that such amount is increased to $750,000 in the Fiscal Year or his or her initial service as an Outside Director.  Any Awards or other compensation provided to an individual (a) for his or her services as an Employee, or for his or her services as a Consultant other than as an Outside Director, or (b) prior to the Registration Date, will be excluded for purposes of this Section 5.

6.Founder Director.  For purposes of this Policy, “Founder Director” means any individual who has served as a Director at any time prior to December 31, 2020.

7.Travel Expenses.  Each Outside Director’s reasonable, customary and documented travel expenses to meetings of the Board and its committees, as applicable, will be reimbursed by the Company.

8.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, reclassification, 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 (other than any ordinary dividends or other ordinary distributions), the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under this Policy, will adjust the number and class of shares of stock issuable pursuant to Awards granted under this Policy.

9.Section 409A.  In no event will cash compensation or expense reimbursement payments under this Policy be paid after the later of (a) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, or (b) the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the calendar year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, in compliance with the “short-term deferral” exception under Section 409A.  It is the intent of this Policy that this Policy and all payments hereunder be exempt from or otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the compensation provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or comply.  In no event will the Company or any of its Parent or Subsidiaries have any responsibility, liability, or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless an Outside Director (or any other person) for any taxes imposed or other costs incurred as a result of Section 409A.

10.Stockholder Approval.  The initial adoption of this Policy will be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders prior to the Effective Date.  Unless otherwise required by applicable law, following such approval, this Policy will not be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders, including, for clarity, as a result of or in connection with any action taken with respect to this Policy as contemplated in Section 11.

11.Revisions.  The Board or any committee of the Board that has been designated appropriate authority with respect to Outside Director compensation (or with respect to any applicable element or elements thereof, authority with respect to such element or elements) (the “Committee”) may amend, alter, suspend or terminate this Policy at any time and for any reason.  Further, the Board may provide for cash, equity, or other compensation to Outside Directors in addition to the

 

4


 

compensation provided under this Policy.  No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of this Policy will materially impair the rights of an Outside Director with respect to compensation that already has been paid or awarded, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the Outside Director and the Company.  Termination of this Policy will not affect the Board’s or the Committee’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it with respect to Awards granted under the Plan pursuant to this Policy before the date of such termination, including without limitation such applicable powers set forth in the Plan.

*           *          *

 

5

Exhibit 10.6

 

 

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

Dushyant Sharma

Via email

 

Re: Confirmatory Employment Letter

Dear Dushyant:

This confirmatory employment letter agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into between Dushyant Sharma (“you”) and Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”), effective as of the date of this Agreement as first set forth above (the “Effective Date”), to confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company as of the Effective Date.  

1.Title and Position.  You will continue to serve as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  You also will continue to report to the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) and will perform the duties and responsibilities customary for such position and such other related duties as are reasonably assigned by the Board.  

2.Base Salary.  As of the Effective Date, your annual base salary will be $350,000 (“Salary”), which will be payable, less any applicable withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.  Your base salary will be subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), as applicable, in its sole discretion.

3.Annual Bonus.  For the Company’s 2021 fiscal year, you will be eligible for a target annual cash bonus opportunity equal to $675,000.  Any annual bonus will be subject to performance and other criteria established by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion, and your continued employment through the date that bonus is paid to you.  The Board or the Committee, as applicable and in its sole discretion, may approve that the Company grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to you.

4.Equity Awards.  You will be eligible to receive awards of stock options or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time, as determined by the Board or Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion.

5.Employee Benefits.  You will continue to be eligible to participate in the benefit plans and programs established by the Company for its employees from time to time, subject to their applicable terms and conditions, including without limitation any eligibility requirements.  The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend or terminate the benefit plans, programs, and arrangements it offers to its employees at any time.

6.Severance.  You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “CIC Agreement”) established, and as may be in effect from time to time, for senior-level employees that is applicable to you consistent with your position within the Company.

 


 

7.Confidentiality Agreement.  Concurrently with this Agreement, you agree to enter into an Employee Terms and Conditions Agreement with the Company in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A (the “Confidentiality Agreement”).

8.At-Will Employment.  This Agreement does not imply any right to your continued employment for any period with the Company or any of its affiliates.  Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and will continue to constitute at‑will employment.

9.Taxes.  The Company (or its affiliate, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits under this Agreement or require you to remit to the Company (prior to providing any such payments or benefits), all applicable federal, state, and local taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from, or otherwise to comply with, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations and other formal guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) so that none of the payments and benefits under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be exempt or to so comply.  Notwithstanding any contrary Agreement provision, the Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without your consent or the consent of any other person or entity, to comply with Section 409A or to avoid income recognition under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A prior to the actual payment or provision of any payments or benefits under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company, or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse or indemnify you or hold you harmless for any taxes imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

10.Protected Activity Not Prohibited.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, nothing in this Agreement, or the Confidentiality Agreement will prohibit or impede you from engaging in any Protected Activity.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” will mean communicating, cooperating or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (collectively, a “Governmental Entity”) with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation; provided that, in each case, such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement between you and the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company relating to the protection of confidential information) in a manner not protected by applicable law (each, a “Confidential Information Agreement”) to any parties other than the Governmental Entities.  You further understand that Protected Activity does not include disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications or attorney work product.  Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement or any Confidential Information Agreement that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement.  You understand and acknowledge that pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (a) an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official or to

 

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an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and (b) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

11.Miscellaneous.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, your CIC Agreement dated on or about the date hereof, and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements governing the equity awards granted to you by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the material terms and conditions of your employment, and they supersede and replace all prior representations or agreements between you and the Company.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington but without regard to the conflicts of law provision.  This Agreement may be modified only by a written agreement signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than yourself) and you.

[Signature page follows]

 

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To confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company, please sign and date in the spaces indicated and return this Agreement to me.

 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ John Morrow

Name:

 

John Morrow

Title:

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

 

 

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

Dushyant Sharma

 

 

 

Dated:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Confirmatory Employment Letter]


 

- 4 -


 

Exhibit A

Employee Terms and Conditions Agreement

 

 

- 5 -

Exhibit 10.7

 

 

 

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

Matt Parson

Via email

 

Re: Confirmatory Employment Letter

Dear Matt:

This confirmatory employment letter agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into between Matt Parson (“you”) and Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”), effective as of the date of this Agreement as first set forth above (the “Effective Date”), to confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company as of the Effective Date.  

1.Title and Position.  You will continue to serve as the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.  You also will continue to report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and will perform the duties and responsibilities customary for such position and such other related duties as are reasonably assigned by the CEO.  

2.Base Salary.  As of the Effective Date, your annual base salary will be $360,000 (“Salary”), which will be payable, less any applicable withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.    Your base salary will be subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), as applicable, in its sole discretion.

3.Annual Bonus.  For the Company’s 2021 fiscal year, you will be eligible for a target annual cash bonus opportunity equal to $240,000.  Any annual bonus will be subject to performance and other criteria established by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion, and your continued employment through the date that bonus is paid to you.  The Board or the Committee, as applicable and in its sole discretion, may approve that the Company grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to you.

4.Equity Awards.  You will be eligible to receive awards of stock options or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time, as determined by the Board or Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion.

5.Employee Benefits.  You will continue to be eligible to participate in the benefit plans and programs established by the Company for its employees from time to time, subject to their applicable terms and conditions, including without limitation any eligibility requirements.  The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend or terminate the benefit plans, programs, and arrangements it offers to its employees at any time.

 


 

6.Severance.  You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “CIC Agreement”) established, and as may be in effect from time to time, for senior-level employees that is applicable to you consistent with your position within the Company.

7.Confidentiality Agreement.  Your acceptance of this Agreement confirms that the terms of the Employment Terms and Conditions Agreement between you and the Company dated June 29, 2020, as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) still apply.

8.At-Will Employment.  This Agreement does not imply any right to your continued employment for any period with the Company or any of its affiliates.  Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and will continue to constitute at‑will employment.

9.Taxes.  The Company (or its affiliate, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits under this Agreement or require you to remit to the Company (prior to providing any such payments or benefits), all applicable federal, state, and local taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from, or otherwise to comply with, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations and other formal guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) so that none of the payments and benefits under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be exempt or to so comply.  Notwithstanding any contrary Agreement provision, the Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without your consent or the consent of any other person or entity, to comply with Section 409A or to avoid income recognition under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A prior to the actual payment or provision of any payments or benefits under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company, or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse or indemnify you or hold you harmless for any taxes imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

10.Protected Activity Not Prohibited.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, nothing in this Agreement, or the Confidentiality Agreement will prohibit or impede you from engaging in any Protected Activity.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” will mean communicating, cooperating or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (collectively, a “Governmental Entity”) with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation; provided that, in each case, such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement between you and the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the

 

2


 

Company relating to the protection of confidential information) in a manner not protected by applicable law (each, a Confidential Information Agreement”) to any parties other than the Governmental Entities.  You further understand that Protected Activity does not include disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications or attorney work product.  Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement or any Confidential Information Agreement that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement.  You understand and acknowledge that pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (a) an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and (b) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

11.Miscellaneous.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, your CIC Agreement dated on or about the date hereof, and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements governing the equity awards granted to you by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the material terms and conditions of your employment, and they supersede and replace all prior representations or agreements between you and the Company.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington but without regard to the conflicts of law provision.  This Agreement may be modified only by a written agreement signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than yourself) and you.

[Signature page follows]

 

3


 

To confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company, please sign and date in the spaces indicated and return this Agreement to me.

 

Sincerely,

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/ John Morrow

Name:

John Morrow

Title:

General Counsel and Secretary

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

/s/ Matt Parson

Matt Parson

 

Dated:

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Confirmatory Employment Letter]

 

4

Exhibit 10.8

 

 

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

John Morrow

Via email

 

Re: Confirmatory Employment Letter

Dear John:

This confirmatory employment letter agreement (the “Agreement”) is entered into between John Morrow (“you”) and Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company” or “we”), effective as of the date of this Agreement as first set forth above (the “Effective Date”), to confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company as of the Effective Date.  

1.Title and Position.  You will continue to serve as the Company’s General Counsel and Secretary.  You also will continue to report to the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and will perform the duties and responsibilities customary for such position and such other related duties as are reasonably assigned by the CEO.  

2.Base Salary.  As of the Effective Date, your annual base salary will be $300,000 (“Salary”), which will be payable, less any applicable withholdings, in accordance with the Company’s normal payroll practices.  Your base salary will be subject to review and adjustment from time to time by the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) or its Compensation Committee (the “Committee”), as applicable, in its sole discretion.

3.Annual Bonus.  For the Company’s 2021 fiscal year, you will be eligible for a target annual cash bonus opportunity equal to $200,000.  Any annual bonus will be subject to performance and other criteria established by the Board or the Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion, and your continued employment through the date that bonus is paid to you.  The Board or the Committee, as applicable and in its sole discretion, may approve that the Company grant additional discretionary bonus amounts to you.

4.Equity Awards.  You will be eligible to receive awards of stock options or other equity awards pursuant to any plans or arrangements the Company may have in effect from time to time, as determined by the Board or Committee, as applicable, in its sole discretion.

5.Employee Benefits.  You will continue to be eligible to participate in the benefit plans and programs established by the Company for its employees from time to time, subject to their applicable terms and conditions, including without limitation any eligibility requirements.  The Company reserves the right to modify, amend, suspend or terminate the benefit plans, programs, and arrangements it offers to its employees at any time.

 


 

6.Severance.  You will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “CIC Agreement”) established, and as may be in effect from time to time, for senior-level employees that is applicable to you consistent with your position within the Company.

7.Confidentiality Agreement.  Your acceptance of this Agreement confirms that the terms of the Employment Terms and Conditions Agreement between you and the Company dated February 20, 2020, as may be amended or amended and restated from time to time (the “Confidentiality Agreement”) still apply.

8.At-Will Employment.  This Agreement does not imply any right to your continued employment for any period with the Company or any of its affiliates.  Your employment with the Company is for no specified period and will continue to constitute at‑will employment.

9.Taxes.  The Company (or its affiliate, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits under this Agreement or require you to remit to the Company (prior to providing any such payments or benefits), all applicable federal, state, and local taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  The payments and benefits under this Agreement are intended to be exempt from, or otherwise to comply with, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and any regulations and other formal guidance promulgated thereunder (“Section 409A”) so that none of the payments and benefits under this Agreement will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be exempt or to so comply.  Notwithstanding any contrary Agreement provision, the Company reserves the right to amend the Agreement as it deems necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without your consent or the consent of any other person or entity, to comply with Section 409A or to avoid income recognition under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid the imposition of additional tax under Section 409A prior to the actual payment or provision of any payments or benefits under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company, or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse or indemnify you or hold you harmless for any taxes imposed, or other costs incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

10.Protected Activity Not Prohibited.  Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Agreement or the Confidentiality Agreement, nothing in this Agreement, or the Confidentiality Agreement will prohibit or impede you from engaging in any Protected Activity.  For purposes of this Agreement, “Protected Activity” will mean communicating, cooperating or filing a complaint with any U.S. federal, state or local governmental or law enforcement branch, agency or entity, including, but not limited to, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Labor Relations Board (collectively, a “Governmental Entity”) with respect to possible violations of any U.S. federal, state or local law or regulation, or otherwise making disclosures to any Governmental Entity, in each case, that are protected under the whistleblower provisions of any such law or regulation; provided that, in each case, such communications and disclosures are consistent with applicable law.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, you agree to take all reasonable precautions to prevent any unauthorized use or disclosure of any information that may constitute Company confidential information (as defined in the Confidentiality Agreement or any other agreement between you and the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of

 

2


 

the Company relating to the protection of confidential information) in a manner not protected by applicable law (each, a Confidential Information Agreement”) to any parties other than the Governmental Entities.  You further understand that Protected Activity does not include disclosure of any Company attorney-client privileged communications or attorney work product.  Any language in the Confidentiality Agreement or any Confidential Information Agreement that conflicts with, or is contrary to, this paragraph is superseded by this Agreement.  You understand and acknowledge that pursuant to the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016 (a) an individual will not be held criminally or civilly liable under any Federal or State trade secret law for the disclosure of a trade secret that is made (i) in confidence to a Federal, state, or local government official or to an attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or (ii) in a complaint or other document filed in a lawsuit or other proceeding, if such filing is made under seal and (b) an individual who files a lawsuit for retaliation by an employer for reporting a suspected violation of law may disclose the trade secret to the attorney of the individual and use the trade secret information in the court proceeding, if the individual files any document containing the trade secret under seal, and does not disclose the trade secret, except pursuant to court order.

11.Miscellaneous.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, your CIC Agreement dated on or about the date hereof, and 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements governing the equity awards granted to you by the Company, constitute the entire agreement between you and the Company regarding the material terms and conditions of your employment, and they supersede and replace all prior representations or agreements between you and the Company.  This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Washington but without regard to the conflicts of law provision.  This Agreement may be modified only by a written agreement signed by a duly authorized officer of the Company (other than yourself) and you.

[Signature page follows]

 

3


 

To confirm the terms and conditions of your employment with the Company, please sign and date in the spaces indicated and return this Agreement to me.

 

Sincerely,

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

Name: Dushyant Sharma

Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Agreed to and accepted:

 

/s/ John Morrow

John Morrow

 

Dated:

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Signature page to Confirmatory Employment Letter]

 

4

Exhibit 10.9

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and between Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Dushyant Sharma (“Executive”), effective as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 7 below.

 

This Agreement provides certain protections to Executive in connection with an involuntary termination of Executive’s employment with the Company under the circumstances described in this Agreement, including in connection with a change in control of the Company.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 7 below.

 

The Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.Term of Agreement.  This Agreement will continue indefinitely until terminated by written consent of the parties hereto, or if earlier, upon the date that all of the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.

2.At-Will Employment.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law.  No payments, benefits, or provisions under this Agreement will confer upon Executive any right to continue Executive’s employment with the Company, nor will they interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or Executive to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by applicable laws.

3.Severance Benefits.  

3.1.Qualifying Termination Outside of the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs other than during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.1.1.Salary Severance.  Continued payments of Monthly Salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, for a period of twelve (12) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination.

3.1.2.Prorated Bonus Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to Executive’s Target Bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed with the Company in the calendar year that the Qualifying Termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year.

3.1.3.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”)

 


 

and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executives eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) twelve (12) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which Executive and Executives eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executives (and any of Executives eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2. Qualifying Termination During the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.2.1.Salary Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to one hundred percent (100%) of Executive’s Salary.

3.2.2.Prorated Bonus Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to Executive’s Target Bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed with the Employer in the calendar year that the Qualifying Termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year.

3.2.3.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under COBRA and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) twelve (12) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executive’s (and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2.4.Vesting Acceleration of Time-Based Awards.  Vesting acceleration of one hundred percent (100%) of any Time‑Based Awards that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Qualifying Termination.  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of Executive’s Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, any then outstanding and unvested portion of Executive’s Awards will remain outstanding (and unvested) until the earlier of (x) three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, or (y) a Change in Control that occurs within three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, solely so that any benefits due on a Qualifying Termination can be provided if the Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period (provided that in no event will Executive’s stock option Awards or similar Awards remain outstanding beyond the Award’s maximum term to expiration).  If no Change in Control occurs within three (3) months following a Qualifying Termination, any unvested portion of Executive’s Awards automatically and permanently will be forfeited on the date three (3) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination without having vested.

3.3.Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination.  If the termination of Executive’s employment does not constitute a Qualifying Termination, then Executive will not be entitled

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to receive any severance or other benefits in connection with such termination except for those, if any, as may then be established under the Companys then existing severance and benefits plans or programs.

3.4.Non-duplication of Payment or Benefits.  For purposes of clarity, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the period within three (3) months prior to a Change in Control, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to Executive under Section 3.2 will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to Executive under Section 3.1.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is entitled to any cash severance, continued health coverage benefits, vesting acceleration of any Awards, or other severance or separation benefits similar to those provided under this Agreement, by operation of applicable law or under a plan, policy, contract, or arrangement sponsored by the Company or to which the Company is a party other than this Agreement (“Other Benefits”), then the corresponding severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be reduced by the amount of Other Benefits paid or provided to Executive.

3.5.Death of Executive.  In the event of Executive’s death before all payments or benefits Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement have been provided, the unpaid amounts will be provided to Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living (and if properly designated in accordance with such procedures as established by the Company from time to time), or otherwise to Executive’s personal representative in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4.Accrued Compensation.  On any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will be entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, and other benefits due to Executive under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements.

5.Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

5.1.Separation Agreement and Release of Claims.  Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon a Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s then standard separation agreement and release of claims with the Company (the “Release”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Qualifying Termination (the “Release Deadline Date”).  If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline Date, Executive will forfeit any right to the severance payments or benefits under Section 3.

5.2.Payment Timing.  Subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, any lump sum cash severance payments under Section 3 relating to salary severance and any bonus severance will be provided, or in the case of installments of any such severance will commence, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (or with respect to such payments under Section 3.2, if later, on the date of the Change in Control) (the “Payment Date”), and any such severance otherwise payable to Executive during the period immediately following the date of the Qualifying Termination through the Payment Date will be paid in a lump sum to Executive on the Payment Date with any remaining payments to be made as provided in the Agreement.  Any Time‑Based Awards that are restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and/or similar full value awards (“Full Value Awards”) that accelerate vesting under Section 3.2.4 will be settled, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below (or the terms of the Full Value Award agreement or

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other Company plan, policy, or arrangement governing the settlement timing of the Full Value Award to the extent such terms specifically require any such delay in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A (as defined below), as applicable), (a) on a date within ten (10) days following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, or (b) if later, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, on a date on or before the date of completion of the Change in Control.

5.3.COBRA Severance Limitations.  If the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA-related benefits set forth in Section 3.1.3 or 3.2.3, as applicable (the “COBRA Severance”) without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of such COBRA Severance, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, the Company will provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided by the last sentence in this Section 5.3), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that would be required to continue coverage under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, as in effect on the date of the Qualifying Termination, in each case, which amount will be based on the premium rates applicable for the first month of COBRA Severance for Executive and any eligible dependents of Executive (each, a “COBRA Replacement Payment”), and which COBRA Replacement Payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will end on the earlier of (a) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment, or (b) the date the Company has paid an amount totaling the number of COBRA Replacement Payments equal to the number of months in the applicable COBRA Severance period set forth in clause (a) of Section 3.1.3 or Section 3.2.3, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Replacement Payments may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to any applicable withholdings.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if the Company determines in its sole discretion at any time that it cannot provide the COBRA Replacement Payments without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive the COBRA Replacement Payments or any further COBRA Severance.

5.4.Section 409A.  The Company intends that all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or otherwise are exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the payments or benefits will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms in this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with this intent.  No payments or benefits to be provided to Executive, if any, under this Agreement or otherwise, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  To the extent required to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, references to the termination of Executive’s employment or similar phrases used in this Agreement will mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

5.4.1.Any payments or benefits paid or provided under this Agreement that satisfy the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A‑1(b)(4), or that qualify as payments made as a result of an involuntary separation from service under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) that is within the limit set forth thereunder, will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this Section 5.4.

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5.4.2.Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executives separation from service (other than due to death), then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments payable within the first six (6) months after Executives separation from service instead will be payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day after Executives separation from service; provided that in the event of Executives death within such six (6) month period, any payments delayed by this Section 5.4.2 will be paid to Executive in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executives death.  Any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.  To the extent that Executive is not a specified employee but Executives Qualifying Termination occurs at a time during the year whereby the Release Deadline Date will occur in the year immediately following the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments that otherwise would be payable prior to the Release Deadline Date instead will be paid on the Release Deadline Date and any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.

5.4.3.The Company reserves the right to amend this Agreement as it considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Executive or any other individual, to comply with any provision required to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of any benefits or imposition of any additional tax.  Each payment, installment, and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).  In no event will Executive have any discretion to choose Executive’s taxable year in which any payments or benefits are provided under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any taxes, penalties or interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

6.Section 280G; Limitation on Payments.

6.1.Reduction of Severance Benefits.  If any payment or benefit that Executive would receive from the Company or any other party whether in connection with the provisions in this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be either delivered in full, or delivered as to such lesser extent that would result in no portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of Payments, notwithstanding that all or some of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax.  If a reduction in Payments is made in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the reduction will occur, with respect to the Payments considered parachute payments within the meaning of Code Section 280G, in the following order:  (i) reduction of cash payments in reverse chronological order (that is, the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced); (ii) cancellation of equity awards that were granted “contingent on a change in ownership or control” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code in the reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the most recently granted equity awards will

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be cancelled first); (iii) reduction of the accelerated vesting of equity awards in the reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the vesting of the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); and (iv) reduction of employee benefits in reverse chronological order (that is, the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first benefit to be reduced).  In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of Payment reductions.  Executive will be solely responsible for the payment of all personal tax liability that is incurred as a result of the payments and benefits received under this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any of those payments of personal tax liability.

6.2.Determination of Excise Tax Liability.  Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determinations required under this Section 6 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized accounting or valuation firm (the “Firm”) selected by the Company, whose determinations will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes.  For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.  The Company and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm reasonably may request in order to make determinations under this Section 6.  The Company will bear the costs and make all payments required to be made to the Firm for the Firm’s services that are rendered in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.  The Company will have no liability to Executive for the determinations of the Firm.

7.Definitions.

7.1.Award” means stock options and other equity awards covering shares of Company common stock granted to Executive.

7.2.Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

7.3.Cause” means the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) the commission by Executive of a criminal offence (i) involving moral turpitude or (ii) involving dishonesty, theft or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (b) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the Board, (c) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, (d) breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (e) repeated conduct causing the Company or any of its affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm, (f) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its affiliates to the material disadvantage or detriment of the Company and its affiliates, (g) a material failure to observe the Company’s policies or standards regarding employment practices (including, without limitation, nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies)

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as in effect from time to time, and/or (h) a failure by Executive to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company or its directors, officers or employees if the Company or Board has requested Executive’s cooperation, provided that Executive’s failure to waive attorney-client privilege relating to communications with Executive’s own attorney in connection with an Investigation will not constitute “Cause”; provided, however, that the events described in the foregoing clauses (b), (f) and (g) shall not constitute Cause unless the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing, in reasonable detail, the events which constitute Cause and, to the extent practicable, the conduct required to cure such Cause (if such Cause if capable of being cured) and then only if Executive shall have failed to cure such events within 30 days after Executives receipt of such written notice.  

7.4.Change in Control” means the first occurrence of any of the following events on or after the Effective Date:

7.4.1.Change in Ownership of the Company.  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 the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, none of the following will be considered a Change in Control:  (a) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person, who prior to the acquisition thereof is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; (b) the acquisition of additional securities or voting power of the Company by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders (as defined below), their Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time (“COI”)), or both; (c) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a repurchase, redemption, retirement or other similar acquisition of stock of the Company by the Company; (iv) any change in voting power as a result of a transfer by a Specified Stockholder to a Permitted Transferee or from any such Permitted Transferee back to such Specified Stockholder or any other Permitted Transferee, or both as of the time of each such transfer of such Specified Stockholder; and (v) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a conversion of shares of the stock of the Company reducing the number of shares or vote per share of stock outstanding.  For the avoidance of doubt, no acquisition or disposition of Class B common stock of the Company by the Specified Stockholders or change in the total voting power of the Company solely as a result of (x) the conversion of any shares of stock of the Company into shares of Class B common stock of the Company, (y) the conversion of any shares of Class B common stock of the Company into shares of any other class of stock of the Company, or (z) any change in the voting power of the Class B common stock of the Company will constitute a Change in Control.  Further, if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event shall not be considered a Change in Control under this Section 7.4.1.  For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; or

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7.4.2.Change in Effective Control of the Company.  If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided that if any Person or any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders exercises more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company, the election of Directors by such party or parties will not be considered a Change in Control.  For purposes of this Section 7.4.2, if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

7.4.3.Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets.  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 or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 7.4.3, the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (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: (i) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (iii) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (iv) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this Section 7.4.3(b)(iii).  For purposes of this Section 7.4.3, 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 Change in Control definition under Section 7.4, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.  Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (x) its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, or (y) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

7.5.Change in Control Period” means the period beginning on the date three (3) months prior to a Change in Control and ending on (and inclusive of) the date that is the one (1) year anniversary of the Change in Control.

7.6.Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid

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regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

7.7.Confidentiality Agreement” means Executive’s Employment Terms and Conditions Agreement entered into with the Company dated May __, 2021.

7.8.Director” means a member of the Board.

7.9.Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3).

7.10.Effective Date” means the business day immediately prior to the effective date of the Company’s first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

7.11.Good Reason” means Executive’s termination of Executive’s employment with the Company within ninety (90) days following the expiration of the Company’s Cure Period (as defined below) following the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s written consent: (a) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction (in other words, a reduction of at least ten percent (10%)), provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other similarly situated employees by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level reduction will not constitute such a reduction under this clause; (b) a relocation by the Company (or subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor thereto, as applicable) of Executive’s principal work location to a principal work location more than thirty-five (35) miles from Executive’s then present location; (c) the failure of the Company to obtain assumption of this Agreement by any successor of the Company in accordance with Section 8 below; or (d) a material breach by the Company, of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and the Company, relating to any material terms of Executive’s employment with the Company.  In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a cure period of thirty (30) days following the date of such notice (the “Cure Period”).  To the extent Executive’s principal work location is not the Company’s corporate offices or facilities due to a shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement that applies to Executive, Executive’s principal work location, from which a change in location under the foregoing clause (b) will be measured, will be considered the Company’s office or facility location where Executive’s employment with the Company primarily was based immediately prior to the commencement of such shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement.

7.12.Monthly Salary” means Executive’s monthly rate of Salary.

7.13.Qualifying Termination” means a termination of Executive’s employment with the Company either (a) by the Company without Cause and other than due to Executive’s death or Disability, or (b) by Executive for Good Reason.

7.14.Salary” means Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change

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in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executives annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, in each case, if the Qualifying Termination is due to a resignation for Good Reason pursuant to clause (a) of the Good Reason definition, then as determined without giving effect to the material reduction in Executive’s base salary which triggered such Good Reason.

7.15.Section 409A” means Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations and guidance thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

7.16.Specified Stockholder” means individually or collectively (in any combination thereof), Dushyant Sharma, AKKR (as defined in the COI) or a Permitted Transferee of any such stockholder, provided that if a Specified Stockholder forms a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act with one or more Persons who are not Specified Stockholders, such group is not a Specified Stockholder.

7.17.Target Bonus” means Executive’s annual (or annualized, as applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual (or annualized, if applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

7.18.Time-Based Awards” means Awards that, as of the date of the Qualifying Termination, or in the case of a Qualifying Termination during the Change in Control Period, the later of the date of the Qualifying Termination or immediately prior to the Change in Control, are held by Executive and subject to continued service-based vesting criteria, but not subject to the achievement of any performance-based or other similar vesting criteria.

8.Successors.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death, and (b) any successor of the Company.  Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes.  For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.  None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

9.Notice.

9.1.General.  All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and will be effectively given (a) upon actual delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon transmission by email, (c) twenty-four (24) hours after confirmed facsimile transmission, (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a recognized overnight courier, or (e) three (3) business days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service by first class certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to Executive, at the address Executive will have most recently furnished to the Company in writing, (ii) if to the Company, at the following address:

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Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Attention:  General Counsel

9.2.Notice of Termination.  Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause will be communicated by a notice of termination of Executive’s employment to Executive, and any termination by Executive for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the Company, in each case given in accordance with Section 9.1.  The notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the later of (i) the giving of the notice or (ii) the end of any applicable cure period, except as set forth in Section 7.11).

10.Resignation.  The termination of Executive’s employment for any reason also will constitute, without any further required action by Executive, Executive’s voluntary resignation from all officer and/or director positions held at the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and at the Board’s request, Executive will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect the resignations.

11.Miscellaneous Provisions.

11.1.No Duty to Mitigate.  Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source except as specified in Sections 3.4, 5.3, 5.4.3, and 6.

11.2.Waiver; Amendment.  No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive) and by Executive.  No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

11.3.Headings.  Headings are provided herein for convenience only, and will not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

11.4.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, Executive’s confirmatory employment letter with the Company dated May 16, 2021, and the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements thereunder governing Executive’s Awards, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.

11.5.Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware but without regard to the conflict of law provision.  To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted with respect to any provisions under this Agreement, Executive hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware for any lawsuit filed against Executive by the Company.

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11.6.Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had not been included.

11.7.Withholding.  The Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits all applicable federal, state, local, and/or non‑U.S. taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  Prior to the payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits under this Agreement, the Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) is permitted to deduct or withhold, or require Executive to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholdings with respect to such payments and benefits.  Neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company will have any responsibility, liability or obligation to pay Executive’s taxes arising from or relating to any payments or benefits under this Agreement.

11.8.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

By its signature below, each of the parties signifies its acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer.

[Signature page follows]

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COMPANY

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ John Morrow/s/ John Morrow

 

Name:

 

John Morrow

 

Title:

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

EXECUTIVE

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

 

Dushyant Sharma

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

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Exhibit 10.10

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and between Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Matt Parson (“Executive”), effective as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 7 below.

 

This Agreement provides certain protections to Executive in connection with an involuntary termination of Executive’s employment with the Company under the circumstances described in this Agreement, including in connection with a change in control of the Company.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 7 below.

 

The Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.Term of Agreement.  This Agreement will continue indefinitely until terminated by written consent of the parties hereto, or if earlier, upon the date that all of the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.

2.At-Will Employment.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law.  No payments, benefits, or provisions under this Agreement will confer upon Executive any right to continue Executive’s employment with the Company, nor will they interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or Executive to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by applicable laws.

3.Severance Benefits.  

3.1.Qualifying Termination Outside of the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs other than during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.1.1.Salary Severance.  Continued payments of Monthly Salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, for a period of six (6) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination.

3.1.2.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (“COBRA”) and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) six (6) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which

 


 

Executive and Executives eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executives (and any of Executives eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2. Qualifying Termination During the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.2.1.Salary Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to seventy‑five percent (75%) of Executive’s Salary.

3.2.2.Prorated Bonus Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to Executive’s Target Bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed with the Employer in the calendar year that the Qualifying Termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year.

3.2.3.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under COBRA and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) nine (9) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executive’s (and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2.4.Vesting Acceleration of Time-Based Awards.  Vesting acceleration of one hundred percent (100%) of any Time‑Based Awards that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Qualifying Termination.  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of Executive’s Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, any then outstanding and unvested portion of Executive’s Awards will remain outstanding (and unvested) until the earlier of (x) three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, or (y) a Change in Control that occurs within three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, solely so that any benefits due on a Qualifying Termination can be provided if the Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period (provided that in no event will Executive’s stock option Awards or similar Awards remain outstanding beyond the Award’s maximum term to expiration).  If no Change in Control occurs within three (3) months following a Qualifying Termination, any unvested portion of Executive’s Awards automatically and permanently will be forfeited on the date three (3) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination without having vested.

3.3.Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination.  If the termination of Executive’s employment does not constitute a Qualifying Termination, then Executive will not be entitled to receive any severance or other benefits in connection with such termination except for those, if any, as may then be established under the Company’s then existing severance and benefits plans or programs.

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3.4.Non-duplication of Payment or Benefits.  For purposes of clarity, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the period within three (3) months prior to a Change in Control, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to Executive under Section 3.2 will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to Executive under Section 3.1.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is entitled to any cash severance, continued health coverage benefits, vesting acceleration of any Awards, or other severance or separation benefits similar to those provided under this Agreement, by operation of applicable law or under a plan, policy, contract, or arrangement sponsored by the Company or to which the Company is a party other than this Agreement (Other Benefits), then the corresponding severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be reduced by the amount of Other Benefits paid or provided to Executive.

3.5.Death of Executive.  In the event of Executive’s death before all payments or benefits Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement have been provided, the unpaid amounts will be provided to Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living (and if properly designated in accordance with such procedures as established by the Company from time to time), or otherwise to Executive’s personal representative in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4.Accrued Compensation.  On any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will be entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, and other benefits due to Executive under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements.

5.Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

5.1.Separation Agreement and Release of Claims.  Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon a Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s then standard separation agreement and release of claims with the Company (the “Release”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Qualifying Termination (the “Release Deadline Date”).  If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline Date, Executive will forfeit any right to the severance payments or benefits under Section 3.

5.2.Payment Timing.  Subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, any lump sum cash severance payments under Section 3 relating to salary severance and any bonus severance will be provided, or in the case of installments of any such severance will commence, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (or with respect to such payments under Section 3.2, if later, on the date of the Change in Control) (the “Payment Date”), and any such severance otherwise payable to Executive during the period immediately following the date of the Qualifying Termination through the Payment Date will be paid in a lump sum to Executive on the Payment Date with any remaining payments to be made as provided in the Agreement.  Any Time‑Based Awards that are restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and/or similar full value awards (“Full Value Awards”) that accelerate vesting under Section 3.2.4 will be settled, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below (or the terms of the Full Value Award agreement or other Company plan, policy, or arrangement governing the settlement timing of the Full Value Award to the extent such terms specifically require any such delay in order to comply with the requirements of

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Section 409A (as defined below), as applicable), (a) on a date within ten (10) days following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, or (b) if later, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, on a date on or before the date of completion of the Change in Control.

5.3.COBRA Severance Limitations.  If the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA-related benefits set forth in Section 3.1.3 or 3.2.3, as applicable (the “COBRA Severance”) without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of such COBRA Severance, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, the Company will provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided by the last sentence in this Section 5.3), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that would be required to continue coverage under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, as in effect on the date of the Qualifying Termination, in each case, which amount will be based on the premium rates applicable for the first month of COBRA Severance for Executive and any eligible dependents of Executive (each, a “COBRA Replacement Payment”), and which COBRA Replacement Payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will end on the earlier of (a) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment, or (b) the date the Company has paid an amount totaling the number of COBRA Replacement Payments equal to the number of months in the applicable COBRA Severance period set forth in clause (a) of Section 3.1.3 or Section 3.2.3, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Replacement Payments may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to any applicable withholdings.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if the Company determines in its sole discretion at any time that it cannot provide the COBRA Replacement Payments without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive the COBRA Replacement Payments or any further COBRA Severance.

5.4.Section 409A.  The Company intends that all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or otherwise are exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the payments or benefits will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms in this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with this intent.  No payments or benefits to be provided to Executive, if any, under this Agreement or otherwise, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  To the extent required to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, references to the termination of Executive’s employment or similar phrases used in this Agreement will mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

5.4.1.Any payments or benefits paid or provided under this Agreement that satisfy the requirements of the “short-term deferral” rule under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A‑1(b)(4), or that qualify as payments made as a result of an involuntary separation from service under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) that is within the limit set forth thereunder, will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this Section 5.4.

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5.4.2.Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a specified employee within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executives separation from service (other than due to death), then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments payable within the first six (6) months after Executives separation from service instead will be payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day after Executives separation from service; provided that in the event of Executives death within such six (6) month period, any payments delayed by this Section 5.4.2 will be paid to Executive in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executives death.  Any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.  To the extent that Executive is not a specified employee but Executives Qualifying Termination occurs at a time during the year whereby the Release Deadline Date will occur in the year immediately following the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments that otherwise would be payable prior to the Release Deadline Date instead will be paid on the Release Deadline Date and any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.

5.4.3.The Company reserves the right to amend this Agreement as it considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Executive or any other individual, to comply with any provision required to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of any benefits or imposition of any additional tax.  Each payment, installment, and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).  In no event will Executive have any discretion to choose Executive’s taxable year in which any payments or benefits are provided under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any taxes, penalties or interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

6.Section 280G; Limitation on Payments.

6.1.Reduction of Severance Benefits.  If any payment or benefit that Executive would receive from the Company or any other party whether in connection with the provisions in this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be either delivered in full, or delivered as to such lesser extent that would result in no portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of Payments, notwithstanding that all or some of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax.  If a reduction in Payments is made in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the reduction will occur, with respect to the Payments considered parachute payments within the meaning of Code Section 280G, in the following order:  (i) reduction of cash payments in reverse chronological order (that is, the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced); (ii) cancellation of equity awards that were granted “contingent on a change in ownership or control” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code in the

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reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); (iii) reduction of the accelerated vesting of equity awards in the reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the vesting of the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); and (iv) reduction of employee benefits in reverse chronological order (that is, the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first benefit to be reduced).  In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of Payment reductions.  Executive will be solely responsible for the payment of all personal tax liability that is incurred as a result of the payments and benefits received under this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any of those payments of personal tax liability.

6.2.Determination of Excise Tax Liability.  Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determinations required under this Section 6 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized accounting or valuation firm (the “Firm”) selected by the Company, whose determinations will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes.  For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.  The Company and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm reasonably may request in order to make determinations under this Section 6.  The Company will bear the costs and make all payments required to be made to the Firm for the Firm’s services that are rendered in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.  The Company will have no liability to Executive for the determinations of the Firm.

7.Definitions.

7.1.Award” means stock options and other equity awards covering shares of Company common stock granted to Executive.

7.2.Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

7.3.Cause” means the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) the commission by Executive of a criminal offence (i) involving moral turpitude or (ii) involving dishonesty, theft or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (b) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the CEO, (c) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, (d) breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (e) repeated conduct causing the Company or any of its affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm, (f) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its affiliates to the material disadvantage or detriment of the

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Company and its affiliates, (g) a material failure to observe the Company’s policies or standards regarding employment practices (including, without limitation, nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies) as in effect from time to time, and/or (h) a failure by Executive to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company or its directors, officers or employees if the Company or Board has requested Executive’s cooperation, provided that Executive’s failure to waive attorney-client privilege relating to communications with Executive’s own attorney in connection with an Investigation will not constitute “Cause”; provided, however, that the events described in the foregoing clauses (b), (f) and (g) shall not constitute Cause unless the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing, in reasonable detail, the events which constitute Cause and, to the extent practicable, the conduct required to cure such Cause (if such Cause if capable of being cured) and then only if Executive shall have failed to cure such events within 30 days after Executives receipt of such written notice.  

7.4.Change in Control” means the first occurrence of any of the following events on or after the Effective Date:

7.4.1.Change in Ownership of the Company.  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 the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, none of the following will be considered a Change in Control:  (a) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person, who prior to the acquisition thereof is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; (b) the acquisition of additional securities or voting power of the Company by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders (as defined below), their Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time (“COI”)), or both; (c) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a repurchase, redemption, retirement or other similar acquisition of stock of the Company by the Company; (iv) any change in voting power as a result of a transfer by a Specified Stockholder to a Permitted Transferee or from any such Permitted Transferee back to such Specified Stockholder or any other Permitted Transferee, or both as of the time of each such transfer of such Specified Stockholder; and (v) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a conversion of shares of the stock of the Company reducing the number of shares or vote per share of stock outstanding.  For the avoidance of doubt, no acquisition or disposition of Class B common stock of the Company by the Specified Stockholders or change in the total voting power of the Company solely as a result of (x) the conversion of any shares of stock of the Company into shares of Class B common stock of the Company, (y) the conversion of any shares of Class B common stock of the Company into shares of any other class of stock of the Company, or (z) any change in the voting power of the Class B common stock of the Company will constitute a Change in Control.  Further, if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event shall not be considered a Change in Control under this Section 7.4.1.  For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities

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of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; or

7.4.2.Change in Effective Control of the Company.  If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided that if any Person or any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders exercises more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company, the election of Directors by such party or parties will not be considered a Change in Control.  For purposes of this Section 7.4.2, if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

7.4.3.Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets.  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 or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 7.4.3, the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (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: (i) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (iii) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (iv) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this Section 7.4.3(b)(iii).  For purposes of this Section 7.4.3, 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 Change in Control definition under Section 7.4, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.  Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (x) its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, or (y) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

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7.5.Change in Control Period means the period beginning on the date three (3) months prior to a Change in Control and ending on (and inclusive of) the date that is the one (1) year anniversary of the Change in Control.

7.6.Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

7.7.Confidentiality Agreement” means Executive’s Employment Terms and Conditions Agreement entered into with the Company dated June 29, 2020.

7.8.Director” means a member of the Board.

7.9.Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3).

7.10.Effective Date” means the business day immediately prior to the effective date of the Company’s first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

7.11.Good Reason” means Executive’s termination of Executive’s employment with the Company within ninety (90) days following the expiration of the Company’s Cure Period (as defined below) following the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s written consent: (a) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction (in other words, a reduction of at least ten percent (10%)), provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other similarly situated employees by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level reduction will not constitute such a reduction under this clause; (b) a relocation by the Company (or subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor thereto, as applicable) of Executive’s principal work location to a principal work location more than thirty-five (35) miles from Executive’s then present location; (c) the failure of the Company to obtain assumption of this Agreement by any successor of the Company in accordance with Section 8 below; or (d) a material breach by the Company, of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and the Company, relating to any material terms of Executive’s employment with the Company.  In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a cure period of thirty (30) days following the date of such notice (the “Cure Period”).  To the extent Executive’s principal work location is not the Company’s corporate offices or facilities due to a shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement that applies to Executive, Executive’s principal work location, from which a change in location under the foregoing clause (b) will be measured, will be considered the Company’s office or facility location where Executive’s employment with the Company primarily was based immediately prior to the commencement of such shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement.

7.12.Monthly Salary” means Executive’s monthly rate of Salary.

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7.13.Qualifying Termination means a termination of Executives employment with the Company either (a) by the Company without Cause and other than due to Executives death or Disability, or (b) by Executive for Good Reason.

7.14.Salary” means Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, in each case, if the Qualifying Termination is due to a resignation for Good Reason pursuant to clause (a) of the Good Reason definition, then as determined without giving effect to the material reduction in Executive’s base salary which triggered such Good Reason.

7.15.Section 409A” means Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations and guidance thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

7.16.Specified Stockholder” means individually or collectively (in any combination thereof), Dushyant Sharma, AKKR (as defined in the COI) or a Permitted Transferee of any such stockholder, provided that if a Specified Stockholder forms a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act with one or more Persons who are not Specified Stockholders, such group is not a Specified Stockholder.

7.17.Target Bonus” means Executive’s annual (or annualized, as applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual (or annualized, if applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

7.18.Time-Based Awards” means Awards that, as of the date of the Qualifying Termination, or in the case of a Qualifying Termination during the Change in Control Period, the later of the date of the Qualifying Termination or immediately prior to the Change in Control, are held by Executive and subject to continued service-based vesting criteria, but not subject to the achievement of any performance-based or other similar vesting criteria.

8.Successors.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death, and (b) any successor of the Company.  Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes.  For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.  None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

9.Notice.

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9.1.General.  All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and will be effectively given (a) upon actual delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon transmission by email, (c) twenty-four (24) hours after confirmed facsimile transmission, (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a recognized overnight courier, or (e) three (3) business days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service by first class certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to Executive, at the address Executive will have most recently furnished to the Company in writing, (ii) if to the Company, at the following address:

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

9.2.Notice of Termination.  Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause will be communicated by a notice of termination of Executive’s employment to Executive, and any termination by Executive for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the Company, in each case given in accordance with Section 9.1.  The notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the later of (i) the giving of the notice or (ii) the end of any applicable cure period, except as set forth in Section 7.11).

10.Resignation.  The termination of Executive’s employment for any reason also will constitute, without any further required action by Executive, Executive’s voluntary resignation from all officer and/or director positions held at the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and at the Board’s request, Executive will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect the resignations.

11.Miscellaneous Provisions.

11.1.No Duty to Mitigate.  Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source except as specified in Sections 3.4, 5.3, 5.4.3, and 6.

11.2.Waiver; Amendment.  No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive) and by Executive.  No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

11.3.Headings.  Headings are provided herein for convenience only, and will not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

11.4.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, Executive’s confirmatory employment letter with the Company dated May 16, 2021, and the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements thereunder governing Executive’s Awards, constitutes

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the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement. For purposes of clarity, with respect to any outstanding stock option Award granted to Executive prior to the Effective Date, any vesting provision specified in the award agreement governing the terms of such Award relating to acceleration in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the applicable award agreement governing the terms of such Award) will not be superseded by this Agreement, such that Executive will remain eligible for such vesting acceleration in accordance with its terms (in addition to any severance benefits set forth in this Agreement).

11.5.Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware but without regard to the conflict of law provision.  To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted with respect to any provisions under this Agreement, Executive hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware for any lawsuit filed against Executive by the Company.

11.6.Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had not been included.

11.7.Withholding.  The Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits all applicable federal, state, local, and/or non‑U.S. taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  Prior to the payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits under this Agreement, the Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) is permitted to deduct or withhold, or require Executive to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholdings with respect to such payments and benefits.  Neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company will have any responsibility, liability or obligation to pay Executive’s taxes arising from or relating to any payments or benefits under this Agreement.

11.8.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

By its signature below, each of the parties signifies its acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer.

[Signature page follows]

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COMPANY

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ John Morrow

 

Name:

 

John Morrow

 

Title:

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

 

 

 

/s/ Matt Parson

 

Matt Parson

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

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Exhibit 10.11

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

CHANGE IN CONTROL AND SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

 

This Change in Control and Severance Agreement (the “Agreement”) is made by and between Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and John Morrow (“Executive”), effective as of the Effective Date, as defined in Section 7 below.

 

This Agreement provides certain protections to Executive in connection with an involuntary termination of Executive’s employment with the Company under the circumstances described in this Agreement, including in connection with a change in control of the Company.  Certain capitalized terms used in this Agreement are defined in Section 7 below.

 

The Company and Executive agree as follows:

 

1.Term of Agreement.  This Agreement will continue indefinitely until terminated by written consent of the parties hereto, or if earlier, upon the date that all of the obligations of the parties hereto with respect to this Agreement have been satisfied.

2.At-Will Employment.  The Company and Executive acknowledge that Executive’s employment is and will continue to be at-will, as defined under applicable law.  No payments, benefits, or provisions under this Agreement will confer upon Executive any right to continue Executive’s employment with the Company, nor will they interfere with or limit in any way the right of the Company or Executive to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by applicable laws.

3.Severance Benefits.  

3.1.Qualifying Termination Outside of the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs other than during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.1.1.Salary Severance.  Continued payments of Monthly Salary, payable in accordance with the Company’s standard payroll procedures, for a period of six (6) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination.

 


 

3.1.2.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended (COBRA) and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executives eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) six (6) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which Executive and Executives eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executives (and any of Executives eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2.Qualifying Termination During the Change in Control Period.  In the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the Change in Control Period, Executive will receive the following payments and benefits from the Company, subject to the requirements of this Agreement:

3.2.1.Salary Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to seventy‑five percent (75%) of Executive’s Salary.

3.2.2.Prorated Bonus Severance.  A single, lump sum, cash payment equal to Executive’s Target Bonus, prorated by multiplying such amount by a fraction, (x) the numerator of which is the number of days during which Executive was employed with the Employer in the calendar year that the Qualifying Termination occurs, and (y) the denominator of which is the total number of days in such calendar year.

3.2.3.COBRA Severance.  Subject to Executive timely electing continuation coverage under COBRA and further subject to Section 5.3, the Company will pay the premiums required for continued coverage pursuant to COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, following the Qualifying Termination until the earliest of:  (a) nine (9) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination, (b) the date on which Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents (as applicable) become covered under similar plans, or (c) the expiration of Executive’s (and any of Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable) eligibility for continuation coverage under COBRA.

3.2.4.Vesting Acceleration of Time-Based Awards.  Vesting acceleration of one hundred percent (100%) of any Time‑Based Awards that are outstanding and unvested as of the date of the Qualifying Termination.  For the avoidance of doubt, in the event of Executive’s Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, any then outstanding and unvested portion of Executive’s Awards will remain outstanding (and unvested) until the earlier of (x) three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, or (y) a Change in Control that occurs within three (3) months following the Qualifying Termination, solely so that any benefits due on a Qualifying Termination can be provided if the Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period (provided that in no event will Executive’s stock option Awards or similar Awards remain outstanding beyond the Award’s maximum term to expiration).  If no Change in Control occurs within three (3) months following a Qualifying Termination, any unvested portion of Executive’s Awards automatically and permanently will be forfeited on the date three (3) months following the date of the Qualifying Termination without having vested.

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3.3.Termination Other Than a Qualifying Termination.  If the termination of Executives employment does not constitute a Qualifying Termination, then Executive will not be entitled to receive any severance or other benefits in connection with such termination except for those, if any, as may then be established under the Companys then existing severance and benefits plans or programs.

3.4.Non-duplication of Payment or Benefits.  For purposes of clarity, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs during the period within three (3) months prior to a Change in Control, any severance payments and benefits to be provided to Executive under Section 3.2 will be reduced by any amounts that already were provided to Executive under Section 3.1.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the contrary, if Executive is entitled to any cash severance, continued health coverage benefits, vesting acceleration of any Awards, or other severance or separation benefits similar to those provided under this Agreement, by operation of applicable law or under a plan, policy, contract, or arrangement sponsored by the Company or to which the Company is a party other than this Agreement (“Other Benefits”), then the corresponding severance payments and benefits under this Agreement will be reduced by the amount of Other Benefits paid or provided to Executive.

3.5.Death of Executive.  In the event of Executive’s death before all payments or benefits Executive is entitled to receive under this Agreement have been provided, the unpaid amounts will be provided to Executive’s designated beneficiary, if living (and if properly designated in accordance with such procedures as established by the Company from time to time), or otherwise to Executive’s personal representative in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

4.Accrued Compensation.  On any termination of Executive’s employment with the Company, Executive will be entitled to receive all accrued but unpaid vacation, expense reimbursements, wages, and other benefits due to Executive under any Company-provided plans, policies, and arrangements.

5.Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

5.1.Separation Agreement and Release of Claims.  Executive’s receipt of any severance payments or benefits upon a Qualifying Termination under Section 3 is subject to Executive signing and not revoking the Company’s then standard separation agreement and release of claims with the Company (the “Release”), which must become effective and irrevocable no later than the sixtieth (60th) day following the date of the Qualifying Termination (the “Release Deadline Date”).  If the Release does not become effective and irrevocable by the Release Deadline Date, Executive will forfeit any right to the severance payments or benefits under Section 3.

5.2.Payment Timing.  Subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, any lump sum cash severance payments under Section 3 relating to salary severance and any bonus severance will be provided, or in the case of installments of any such severance will commence, on the first regularly scheduled payroll date of the Company following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable (or with respect to such payments under Section 3.2, if later, on the date of the Change in Control) (the “Payment Date”), and any such severance otherwise payable to Executive during the period immediately following the date of the Qualifying Termination through the Payment Date will be paid in a lump sum to Executive on the Payment Date with any remaining payments to be made as provided in the Agreement.  Any Time‑Based Awards that are restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, and/or

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similar full value awards (Full Value Awards) that accelerate vesting under Section 3.2.4 will be settled, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below (or the terms of the Full Value Award agreement or other Company plan, policy, or arrangement governing the settlement timing of the Full Value Award to the extent such terms specifically require any such delay in order to comply with the requirements of Section 409A (as defined below), as applicable), (a) on a date within ten (10) days following the date the Release becomes effective and irrevocable, or (b) if later, in the event of a Qualifying Termination that occurs prior to a Change in Control, on a date on or before the date of completion of the Change in Control.

5.3.COBRA Severance Limitations.  If the Company determines in its sole discretion that it cannot provide the COBRA-related benefits set forth in Section 3.1.3 or 3.2.3, as applicable (the “COBRA Severance”) without potentially violating, or being subject to an excise tax under, applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of such COBRA Severance, subject to any delay required by Section 5.4 below, the Company will provide to Executive a taxable monthly payment payable on the last day of a given month (except as provided by the last sentence in this Section 5.3), in an amount equal to the monthly COBRA premium that would be required to continue coverage under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans for Executive and Executive’s eligible dependents, as applicable, as in effect on the date of the Qualifying Termination, in each case, which amount will be based on the premium rates applicable for the first month of COBRA Severance for Executive and any eligible dependents of Executive (each, a “COBRA Replacement Payment”), and which COBRA Replacement Payments will be made regardless of whether Executive elects COBRA continuation coverage and will end on the earlier of (a) the date upon which Executive obtains other employment, or (b) the date the Company has paid an amount totaling the number of COBRA Replacement Payments equal to the number of months in the applicable COBRA Severance period set forth in clause (a) of Section 3.1.3 or Section 3.2.3, as applicable.  For the avoidance of doubt, the COBRA Replacement Payments may be used for any purpose, including, but not limited to continuation coverage under COBRA, and will be subject to any applicable withholdings.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary under this Agreement, if the Company determines in its sole discretion at any time that it cannot provide the COBRA Replacement Payments without violating applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), Executive will not receive the COBRA Replacement Payments or any further COBRA Severance.

5.4.Section 409A.  The Company intends that all payments and benefits provided under this Agreement or otherwise are exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the payments or benefits will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities and ambiguous terms in this Agreement will be interpreted in accordance with this intent.  No payments or benefits to be provided to Executive, if any, under this Agreement or otherwise, when considered together with any other severance payments or separation benefits that are considered deferred compensation under Section 409A (together, the “Deferred Payments”) will be paid or otherwise provided until Executive has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.  To the extent required to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, references to the termination of Executive’s employment or similar phrases used in this Agreement will mean Executive’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A.

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5.4.1.Any payments or benefits paid or provided under this Agreement that satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A1(b)(4), or that qualify as payments made as a result of an involuntary separation from service under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(9)(iii) that is within the limit set forth thereunder, will not constitute Deferred Payments for purposes of this Section 5.4.

5.4.2.Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary in this Agreement, if Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of Executive’s separation from service (other than due to death), then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments payable within the first six (6) months after Executive’s separation from service instead will be payable on the date six (6) months and one (1) day after Executive’s separation from service; provided that in the event of Executive’s death within such six (6) month period, any payments delayed by this Section 5.4.2 will be paid to Executive in a lump sum as soon as administratively practicable after the date of Executive’s death.  Any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.  To the extent that Executive is not a specified employee but Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs at a time during the year whereby the Release Deadline Date will occur in the year immediately following the year in which the Qualifying Termination occurs, then any payments or benefits under this Agreement that constitute Deferred Payments that otherwise would be payable prior to the Release Deadline Date instead will be paid on the Release Deadline Date and any subsequent Deferred Payment will be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to such payment.

5.4.3.The Company reserves the right to amend this Agreement as it considers necessary or advisable, in its sole discretion and without the consent of Executive or any other individual, to comply with any provision required to avoid the imposition of the additional tax imposed under Section 409A or to otherwise avoid income recognition under Section 409A prior to the actual payment of any benefits or imposition of any additional tax.  Each payment, installment, and benefit payable under this Agreement is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2).  In no event will Executive have any discretion to choose Executive’s taxable year in which any payments or benefits are provided under this Agreement.  In no event will the Company or any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any taxes, penalties or interest that may be imposed, or other costs that may be incurred, as a result of Section 409A.

6.Section 280G; Limitation on Payments.

6.1.Reduction of Severance Benefits.  If any payment or benefit that Executive would receive from the Company or any other party whether in connection with the provisions in this Agreement or otherwise (the “Payments”) would (a) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and (b) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the Payments will be either delivered in full, or delivered as to such lesser extent that would result in no portion of the Payments being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in Executive’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of Payments, notwithstanding that all or some of the Payments may be subject to the Excise Tax.  If a reduction in Payments is made in accordance with the immediately preceding sentence, the reduction

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will occur, with respect to the Payments considered parachute payments within the meaning of Code Section 280G, in the following order:  (i) reduction of cash payments in reverse chronological order (that is, the cash payment owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first cash payment to be reduced); (ii) cancellation of equity awards that were granted contingent on a change in ownership or control within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code in the reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); (iii) reduction of the accelerated vesting of equity awards in the reverse order of date of grant of the equity awards (that is, the vesting of the most recently granted equity awards will be cancelled first); and (iv) reduction of employee benefits in reverse chronological order (that is, the benefit owed on the latest date following the occurrence of the event triggering the Excise Tax will be the first benefit to be reduced).  In no event will Executive have any discretion with respect to the ordering of Payment reductions.  Executive will be solely responsible for the payment of all personal tax liability that is incurred as a result of the payments and benefits received under this Agreement, and neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company have any responsibility, liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify or hold harmless Executive for any of those payments of personal tax liability.

6.2.Determination of Excise Tax Liability.  Unless the Company and Executive otherwise agree in writing, any determinations required under this Section 6 will be made in writing by a nationally recognized accounting or valuation firm (the “Firm”) selected by the Company, whose determinations will be conclusive and binding upon Executive and the Company for all purposes.  For purposes of making the calculations required by this Section 6, the Firm may make reasonable assumptions and approximations concerning applicable taxes and may rely on reasonable, good faith interpretations concerning the application of Sections 280G and 4999 of the Code.  The Company and Executive will furnish to the Firm such information and documents as the Firm reasonably may request in order to make determinations under this Section 6.  The Company will bear the costs and make all payments required to be made to the Firm for the Firm’s services that are rendered in connection with any calculations contemplated by this Section 6.  The Company will have no liability to Executive for the determinations of the Firm.

7.Definitions.

7.1.Award” means stock options and other equity awards covering shares of Company common stock granted to Executive.

7.2.Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors.

7.3.Cause” means the occurrence of one or more of the following: (a) the commission by Executive of a criminal offence (i) involving moral turpitude or (ii) involving dishonesty, theft or fraud with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (b) substantial and repeated failure to perform duties as reasonably directed by the CEO, (c) gross negligence or willful misconduct with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, (d) breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the Company or any of its affiliates or any of their customers, suppliers, licensors, licensees, employees or other business relation, which has

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had or the Board reasonably believes could have a material negative effect upon the Company or any of its affiliates, (e) repeated conduct causing the Company or any of its affiliates substantial public disgrace or disrepute or substantial economic harm, (f) any act or omission aiding or abetting a competitor, supplier or customer of the Company or any of its affiliates to the material disadvantage or detriment of the Company and its affiliates, (g) a material failure to observe the Company’s policies or standards regarding employment practices (including, without limitation, nondiscrimination and sexual harassment policies) as in effect from time to time, and/or (h) a failure by Executive to cooperate in good faith with a governmental or internal investigation of the Company or its directors, officers or employees if the Company or Board has requested Executive’s cooperation, provided that Executive’s failure to waive attorney-client privilege relating to communications with Executive’s own attorney in connection with an Investigation will not constitute “Cause”; provided, however, that the events described in the foregoing clauses (b), (f) and (g) shall not constitute Cause unless the Company shall have notified Executive in writing describing, in reasonable detail, the events which constitute Cause and, to the extent practicable, the conduct required to cure such Cause (if such Cause if capable of being cured) and then only if Executive shall have failed to cure such events within 30 days after Executives receipt of such written notice.  

7.4.Change in Control” means the first occurrence of any of the following events on or after the Effective Date:

7.4.1.Change in Ownership of the Company.  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 the stock of the Company that, together with the stock held by such Person, constitutes more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection, none of the following will be considered a Change in Control:  (a) the acquisition of additional securities by any one Person, who prior to the acquisition thereof is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; (b) the acquisition of additional securities or voting power of the Company by any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders (as defined below), their Permitted Transferees (as defined in the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time (“COI”)), or both; (c) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a repurchase, redemption, retirement or other similar acquisition of stock of the Company by the Company; (iv) any change in voting power as a result of a transfer by a Specified Stockholder to a Permitted Transferee or from any such Permitted Transferee back to such Specified Stockholder or any other Permitted Transferee, or both as of the time of each such transfer of such Specified Stockholder; and (v) any change in the Specified Stockholders’ voting power of the Company resulting from a conversion of shares of the stock of the Company reducing the number of shares or vote per share of stock outstanding.  For the avoidance of doubt, no acquisition or disposition of Class B common stock of the Company by the Specified Stockholders or change in the total voting power of the Company solely as a result of (x) the conversion of any shares of stock of the Company into shares of Class B common stock of the Company, (y) the conversion of any shares of Class B common stock of the Company into shares of any other class of stock of the Company, or (z) any change in the voting power of the Class B common stock of the Company will constitute a Change in Control.  Further, if the stockholders of the Company immediately before such change in ownership continue to retain immediately after the change in ownership, in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of shares of the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the change in ownership, direct or indirect beneficial ownership of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total

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voting power of the stock of the Company or of the ultimate parent entity of the Company, such event shall not be considered a Change in Control under this Section 7.4.1.  For this purpose, indirect beneficial ownership shall include, without limitation, an interest resulting from ownership of the voting securities of one or more corporations or other business entities which own the Company, as the case may be, either directly or through one or more subsidiary corporations or other business entities; or

7.4.2.Change in Effective Control of the Company.  If the Company has a class of securities registered pursuant to Section 12 of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election; provided that if any Person or any or some combination of the Specified Stockholders exercises more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company, the election of Directors by such party or parties will not be considered a Change in Control.  For purposes of this Section 7.4.2, if any Person is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered a Change in Control; or

7.4.3.Change in Ownership of a Substantial Portion of the Company’s Assets.  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 or Persons) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than fifty percent (50%) of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions; provided, however, that for purposes of this Section 7.4.3, the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets: (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: (i) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (ii) an entity, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (iii) a Person, that owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (iv) an entity, at least fifty percent (50%) of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in this Section 7.4.3(b)(iii).  For purposes of this Section 7.4.3, 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 Change in Control definition under Section 7.4, persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, a transaction will not be deemed a Change in Control unless the transaction qualifies as a change in control event within the meaning of Section 409A.  Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change in Control if: (x) its sole purpose is to change the jurisdiction of the Company’s incorporation, or (y) its sole purpose is to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

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7.5.Change in Control Period means the period beginning on the date three (3) months prior to a Change in Control and ending on (and inclusive of) the date that is the one (1) year anniversary of the Change in Control.

7.6.Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder will include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.

7.7.Confidentiality Agreement” means Executive’s Employment Terms and Conditions Agreement entered into with the Company dated February 20, 2020.

7.8.Director” means a member of the Board.

7.9.Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Code Section 22(e)(3).

7.10.Effective Date” means the business day immediately prior to the effective date of the Company’s first registration statement that is filed by the Company and declared effective pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act, with respect to any class of the Company’s securities.

7.11.Good Reason” means Executive’s termination of Executive’s employment with the Company within ninety (90) days following the expiration of the Company’s Cure Period (as defined below) following the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s written consent: (a) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary as in effect immediately prior to such reduction (in other words, a reduction of at least ten percent (10%)), provided that an across-the-board reduction in the salary level of all other similarly situated employees by the same percentage amount as part of a general salary level reduction will not constitute such a reduction under this clause; (b) a relocation by the Company (or subsidiary, parent, affiliate or successor thereto, as applicable) of Executive’s principal work location to a principal work location more than thirty-five (35) miles from Executive’s then present location; (c) the failure of the Company to obtain assumption of this Agreement by any successor of the Company in accordance with Section 8 below; or (d) a material breach by the Company, of this Agreement or any other written agreement between Executive and the Company, relating to any material terms of Executive’s employment with the Company.  In order for an event to qualify as Good Reason, Executive must not terminate employment with the Company without first providing the Company with written notice of the acts or omissions constituting the grounds for “Good Reason” within ninety (90) days following the initial existence of the grounds for “Good Reason” and a cure period of thirty (30) days following the date of such notice (the “Cure Period”).  To the extent Executive’s principal work location is not the Company’s corporate offices or facilities due to a shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement that applies to Executive, Executive’s principal work location, from which a change in location under the foregoing clause (b) will be measured, will be considered the Company’s office or facility location where Executive’s employment with the Company primarily was based immediately prior to the commencement of such shelter-in-place order, quarantine order, or similar work-from-home requirement.

7.12.Monthly Salary” means Executive’s monthly rate of Salary.

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7.13.Qualifying Termination means a termination of Executives employment with the Company either (a) by the Company without Cause and other than due to Executives death or Disability, or (b) by Executive for Good Reason.

7.14.Salary” means Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual base salary in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control, in each case, if the Qualifying Termination is due to a resignation for Good Reason pursuant to clause (a) of the Good Reason definition, then as determined without giving effect to the material reduction in Executive’s base salary which triggered such Good Reason.

7.15.Section 409A” means Code Section 409A and the Treasury Regulations and guidance thereunder, and any applicable state law equivalent, as each may be promulgated, amended or modified from time to time.

7.16.Specified Stockholder” means individually or collectively (in any combination thereof), Dushyant Sharma, AKKR (as defined in the COI) or a Permitted Transferee of any such stockholder, provided that if a Specified Stockholder forms a “group” within the meaning of Rule 13d‑5(b)(1) of the Exchange Act with one or more Persons who are not Specified Stockholders, such group is not a Specified Stockholder.

7.17.Target Bonus” means Executive’s annual (or annualized, as applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to Executive’s Qualifying Termination or, if Executive’s Qualifying Termination occurs during the Change in Control Period and the amount is greater, Executive’s annual (or annualized, if applicable) target bonus in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control.

7.18.Time-Based Awards” means Awards that, as of the date of the Qualifying Termination, or in the case of a Qualifying Termination during the Change in Control Period, the later of the date of the Qualifying Termination or immediately prior to the Change in Control, are held by Executive and subject to continued service-based vesting criteria, but not subject to the achievement of any performance-based or other similar vesting criteria.

8.Successors.  This Agreement will be binding upon and inure to the benefit of (a) the heirs, executors, and legal representatives of Executive upon Executive’s death, and (b) any successor of the Company.  Any such successor of the Company will be deemed substituted for the Company under the terms of this Agreement for all purposes.  For this purpose, “successor” means any person, firm, corporation, or other business entity which at any time, whether by purchase, merger, or otherwise, directly or indirectly acquires all or substantially all of the assets or business of the Company.  None of the rights of Executive to receive any form of compensation payable pursuant to this Agreement may be assigned or transferred except by will or the laws of descent and distribution.  Any other attempted assignment, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition of Executive’s right to compensation or other benefits will be null and void.

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9.Notice.

9.1.General.  All notices and other communications required or permitted under this Agreement will be in writing and will be effectively given (a) upon actual delivery to the party to be notified, (b) upon transmission by email, (c) twenty-four (24) hours after confirmed facsimile transmission, (d) one (1) business day after deposit with a recognized overnight courier, or (e) three (3) business days after deposit with the U.S. Postal Service by first class certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed: (i) if to Executive, at the address Executive will have most recently furnished to the Company in writing, (ii) if to the Company, at the following address:

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Attention:  Chief Executive Officer

 

9.2.Notice of Termination.  Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company for Cause will be communicated by a notice of termination of Executive’s employment to Executive, and any termination by Executive for Good Reason will be communicated by a notice of termination to the Company, in each case given in accordance with Section 9.1.  The notice will indicate the specific termination provision in this Agreement relied upon, will set forth in reasonable detail the facts and circumstances claimed to provide a basis for termination under the provision so indicated, and will specify the termination date (which will be not more than thirty (30) days after the later of (i) the giving of the notice or (ii) the end of any applicable cure period, except as set forth in Section 7.11).

10.Resignation.  The termination of Executive’s employment for any reason also will constitute, without any further required action by Executive, Executive’s voluntary resignation from all officer and/or director positions held at the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates, and at the Board’s request, Executive will execute any documents reasonably necessary to reflect the resignations.

11.Miscellaneous Provisions.

11.1.No Duty to Mitigate.  Executive will not be required to mitigate the amount of any payment contemplated by this Agreement, nor will any payment be reduced by any earnings that Executive may receive from any other source except as specified in Sections 3.4, 5.3, 5.4.3, and 6.

11.2.Waiver; Amendment.  No provision of this Agreement will be modified, waived or discharged unless the modification, waiver or discharge is agreed to in writing and signed by an authorized officer of the Company (other than Executive) and by Executive.  No waiver by either party of any breach of, or of compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement by the other party will be considered a waiver of any other condition or provision or of the same condition or provision at another time.

11.3.Headings.  Headings are provided herein for convenience only, and will not serve as a basis for interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

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11.4.Entire Agreement.  This Agreement, together with the Confidentiality Agreement, Executive’s confirmatory employment letter with the Company dated May 16, 2021, and the Company’s 2012 Equity Incentive Plan and award agreements thereunder governing Executive’s Awards, constitutes the entire agreement of the parties and supersedes in their entirety all prior representations, understandings, undertakings or agreements (whether oral or written and whether expressed or implied) of the parties with respect to the subject matter of this Agreement.  For purposes of clarity, with respect to any outstanding stock option Award granted to Executive prior to the Effective Date, any vesting provision specified in the award agreement governing the terms of such Award relating to acceleration in connection with a Change of Control (as defined in the applicable award agreement governing the terms of such Award) will not be superseded by this Agreement, such that Executive will remain eligible for such vesting acceleration in accordance with its terms (in addition to any severance benefits set forth in this Agreement).

11.5.Governing Law. This Agreement will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware but without regard to the conflict of law provision.  To the extent that any lawsuit is permitted with respect to any provisions under this Agreement, Executive hereby expressly consents to the personal and exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in the State of Delaware for any lawsuit filed against Executive by the Company.

11.6.Severability.  If any provision of this Agreement is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable for any reason, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability will not affect the remaining parts of this Agreement, and this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if the invalid, illegal, or unenforceable provision had not been included.

11.7.Withholding.  The Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) will have the right and authority to deduct from any payments or benefits all applicable federal, state, local, and/or non‑U.S. taxes or other required withholdings and payroll deductions (“Withholdings”).  Prior to the payment of any amounts or provision of any benefits under this Agreement, the Company (and any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company, as applicable) is permitted to deduct or withhold, or require Executive to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any applicable Withholdings with respect to such payments and benefits.  Neither the Company nor any parent, subsidiary or other affiliate of the Company will have any responsibility, liability or obligation to pay Executive’s taxes arising from or relating to any payments or benefits under this Agreement.

11.8.Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.

By its signature below, each of the parties signifies its acceptance of the terms of this Agreement, in the case of the Company by its duly authorized officer.

[Signature page follows]

-12-

 


 

 

COMPANY

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

 

 

Name:

 

Dushyant Sharma

 

 

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE

 

/s/ John Morrow

 

 

John Morrow

 

 

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

-13-

 

Exhibit 10.14

WARRANT AGREEMENT

THIS WARRANT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), is made and entered into as of May 13, 2021 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“Holder”).

Recitals

In connection with entering into that certain Amended and Restated Schedule, entered into on or about the date hereof (the “SOW”), between the Paymentus Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, as "Supplier", and JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, a national banking association and Affiliate of Holder, as "JPMC", the Company has agreed to issue to Holder, as and when, and subject to the terms and conditions, set forth herein, one or more Warrants (as defined below) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock (the “Warrant Shares” and, together with such Warrant(s) and all shares of Common Stock (as defined below) or other securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of such Warrant(s), the “Securities”), and at such exercise price (the “Warrant Price”), as determined pursuant to this Agreement.

Terms

1.Definitions. Terms used in this Agreement and not otherwise defined shall have the meaning given to them in this Section 1:

Acquisition” means a Sale of the Company or a SPAC Transaction.

Affiliate” means with respect to any specified entity, any other entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified entity, where the term “control”, “controlled”, or “controlling” as used in this definition means the possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of an entity, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

"Aggregate Vested Percentage" means, as of any date of determination, the sum of all Vesting Percentages that have been determined (or will be determined as of such date) for each Vesting Period that has elapsed as of such date.  In no event will the Aggregate Vested Percentage exceed one hundred percent (100%).

"Board" means the board of directors of the Company.

"Common Stock" shall mean the Common Stock of the Company; provided that if such class of stock is split, converted or otherwise bifurcated, "Common Stock" shall mean such other class(es) of stock with the same economic rights as to which such Common Stock was split, converted or otherwise bifurcated (provided that the Common Stock issuable hereunder and a Warrant need not be provided with the same voting rights as any other stockholders (and may be provided with fewer votes per share than other classes of stock, including other classes of Common Stock)). For the avoidance of doubt, if the Company has more than one class of Common Stock outstanding (including after giving effect to an Initial Public Offering), any Warrant shall be exercisable for the publicly traded class of Common Stock regardless of what class of Common Stock other securities outstanding prior to an Initial Public Offering are converted into or other stockholders may hold (and Holder acknowledges and agrees that publicly traded classes of Common Stock typically provide for only one vote per share while other classes of Common Stock may provide for more votes per share).

 


 

Equity Financing” means a bona fide equity financing pursuant to which the Company issues and sells shares of its equity securities to investors for the principal purpose of raising capital.

"Initial Public Offering" means the first consummated Public Offering.

"Net Revenue" means, without duplication, the portion of the net revenue share actually paid to Paymentus Corporation pursuant to Section 2 of Exhibit E ("Fee, Revenue Share and Accelerated Growth Exhibit") of the SOW.

"Person" means an individual, a partnership, a corporation, a limited liability company, an association, a joint stock company, a trust (including any beneficiary thereof), a joint venture, an unincorporated organization and a governmental entity or any department, agency or political subdivision thereof.

"Post-Acquisition Vested Warrant Shares" means, with respect to any Vesting Period that would have ended after the consummation of an Acquisition, a hypothetical number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (x) the product of (i) the Vesting Percentage (if any) for each such Vesting Period multiplied by (ii) $8,750,000 by (y) the Warrant Price (determined in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(D), in the case of an Acquisition that is a SPAC Transaction, and in accordance with Section 2(b)(iii)(C), in the case of an Acquisition that is a Sale of the Company).  By way of example only, if an Acquisition occurred on June 30, 2022 and (x) the Vesting Percentage for the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2023 was 25% (and assuming that as of December 31, 2023, the Aggregate Vested Percentage was less than or equal to 75%) and (y) the Warrant Price was $300, the Post-Acquisition Vested Warrant Shares with respect to the twelve-month period ending on December 31, 2023 would be 7,291.6667.

"Public Offering" means any underwritten sale of the Company's capital stock pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Form S-1 (or a successor form adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission); provided that the following will not be considered a Public Offering: (i) any issuance of capital stock as consideration for a merger or acquisition, (ii) any issuance of capital stock or rights to acquire capital stock to existing stockholders or to employees of the Company or its subsidiaries on Form S-4 or S-8 (or a successor form adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission) or otherwise or (iii) a SPAC Transaction.

Sale of the Company” means (i) any sale, transfer or issuance or series of sales, transfers and/or issuances of capital stock of the Company by the Company or any stockholders thereof (including without limitation, any merger, consolidation or other transaction or series of related transactions having the same effect) which results in any Person or group of Persons (as the term "group" is used under the Securities Exchange Act), other than any Affiliate(s) of AKKR Management Company, LLC and/or Dushyant Sharma (or any of his immediate family members or any trust or other Person for their benefit) (and including any "group" under the Securities Exchange Act (including rule 13D promulgated thereunder) that consists of one or more of the foregoing), owning capital stock of the Company possessing the voting power (under ordinary circumstances) to elect a majority of the Board, or (ii) any sale or transfer of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries in any transaction or series of transactions (other than sales in the ordinary course of business) to any Person or group of Persons (as the term "group" is used under the Securities Exchange Act), other than any Affiliate(s) of AKKR Management Company, LLC and/or Dushyant Sharma (or any of his immediate family members or any trust or other Person for their benefit) (and including any "group" under the Securities Exchange Act (including rule 13D promulgated thereunder) that consists of one or more of the foregoing); provided, however, that a “Sale of the Company” shall not include a SPAC Transaction or a Public Offering.

 

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"Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

"Securities Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended from time to time.

"Signing Date Vested Warrant Shares" shall mean a number of Warrant Shares equal to (x) $8,750,000 divided by (y) the applicable Warrant Price (as determined pursuant to Section 2(b) in connection with the event giving rise to the Initial Issuance Event).

SPAC Transaction” means a transaction or series of transactions (whether by merger, consolidation, or transfer or issuance of equity securities or otherwise) whereby a "special purpose acquisition company", "blank check company" or similar entity with publicly traded equity securities (but excluding for clarity an operating company (or Affiliate thereof)) acquires all of the equity securities of the Company or any surviving or resulting company (or similar transaction).

"Vesting Percentage" means, with respect to any applicable Vesting Period, a percentage determined by dividing (x) the amount of Net Revenue recognized by Paymentus Corporation during such Vesting Period (without duplication) by (y) $40,000,000.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Vesting Percentage for any Vesting Period, if such Vesting Percentage were given effect, would cause the Aggregate Vested Percentage to exceed 100%, the Vesting Percentage for such Vesting Period shall be reduced to such percentage required to cause the Aggregate Vested Percentage, if such reduced Vesting Percentage were given effect, to equal 100%.  From and after the Aggregate Vested Percentage equaling 100%, any Vesting Percentage for any subsequent Vesting Period shall automatically be deemed to be 0%.  Each Vesting Percentage shall be determined by the Board in good faith.  For the avoidance of doubt, the Net Revenue above excludes amounts paid, payable, deemed paid or deemed payable to Holder or its Affiliates pursuant to the revenue sharing provisions of the SOW (e.g., the portion of any revenue received by Paymentus from a customer under the SOW that is then paid or payable to Holder or its Affiliates). By way of example only, if the Net Revenue with respect to the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2022 (i.e., the Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2022) was $10,000,000 (and the Net Revenue with respect to any prior Vesting Period was less than or equal to $30,000,000), the Vesting Percentage with respect to such Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2022 would be 25%.  By way of further example only, if the Net Revenue with respect to the twelve-month period ending December 31, 2023 (i.e., the Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2023) was $20,000,000 (and the aggregate Net Revenue with respect to all prior Vesting Periods was $30,000,000), the Vesting Percentage with respect to such Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2023 would be 25%.  

"Vesting Period" means each annual period ending on December 31 of each of the following years: 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025.

Voting Warrant Shares” shall mean Warrant Shares that have voting rights (of the type issuable upon the exercise of any Warrant Shares under any Warrant issued hereunder and in accordance with the terms hereof and thereof) under the certificate of incorporation or any comparable document of the Company.

Warrant” means a warrant to purchase Warrant Shares issued by the Company pursuant to this Agreement and in the form set forth on Exhibit A.

2.Issuance of Warrants

(a)Issuance of Warrants. The Company shall issue a Warrant reflecting the Holder’s right to purchase such number of Warrant Shares, and at such Warrant Price, as determined pursuant to

 

3


 

Section 2(b) of this Agreement on the applicable dates (each such date on which an issuance is required pursuant to this Section 2(a), anIssue Date) pursuant to the applicable Initial Issuance Event provided below in this Section 2(a) (subject to Holder continuing to fulfill its obligations in all material respects under the SOW) following the earliest to occur of the following events (the first event to occur which results in the issuance of any Warrants, the "Initial Issuance Event"):

 

(i)

The consummation of the first Equity Financing after the first anniversary of the date hereof and, in any event, occurring prior to an Initial Public Offering and, to the extent the Vesting Percentage for any Vesting Period ending thereafter is greater than zero percent (0%), no later than 60 days following the end of each applicable Vesting Period thereafter;

 

(ii)

Immediately prior to the consummation of a SPAC Transaction and, to the extent the applicable Vesting Percentage for any Vesting Period ending thereafter is greater than zero percent (0%), no later than 60 days following the end of each applicable Vesting Period thereafter;

 

(iii)

Immediately prior to the consummation of a Sale of the Company;

 

(iv)

Immediately after the consummation of an Initial Public Offering and, to the extent the applicable Vesting Percentage for any Vesting Period ending thereafter is greater than zero percent (0%), no later than 60 days following the end of each applicable Vesting Period thereafter; or

 

(v)

On the date which is thirty (30) days prior to the Expiration Date.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, once an Initial Issuance Event has occurred, any Warrants to be issued hereunder shall only be issued pursuant to the corresponding subsection of Section 2(b) with respect to such Initial Issuance Event and no other event contemplated in this Section 2(a) shall separately give rise to an obligation to issue any Warrants hereunder.  By way of example, in the event that the first event to occur that is the "Initial Issuance Event" is an Initial Public Offering, all Warrants will be issued only pursuant to Section 2(a)(iv) regardless of any latter occurrence of an event described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) (e.g., in the event a Sale of the Company occurs after such Initial Public Offering, no Warrants would be issuable pursuant to Section 2(a)(iii) above).  For purposes of this Warrant Agreement, “consummation” of an Initial Public Offering shall be defined as the earlier of the date of (i) the consummation of the exercise in full of any greenshoe option in connection with an Initial Public Offering and (ii) the expiration of the underwriters’ option to exercise such a greenshoe option (it being understood that, notwithstanding the foregoing, once an Initial Public Offering has occurred, Warrant Shares will not be issuable pursuant to Sections 2(a)(i), (ii), (iii) or (v) even if such an event were to occur prior to consummation or expiration of any such greenshoe option).

(b)Class; Shares; Exercise Price

(i)Equity Financing. If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(i), then:

(A)The Class of the Warrant Shares shall be Common Stock;

(B)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the consummation of such Equity Financing shall be the sum of (x) the Signing Date Vested Warrant Shares plus (y) a number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (1) the product of (i)

 

4


 

$8,750,000 multiplied by (ii) the Aggregate Vested Percentage (if any) as of the initial Issue Date, by (2) the Warrant Price;

(C)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the end of each Vesting Period ending after the initial Issue Date shall be calculated by dividing (x) the product of (i) the Vesting Percentage (if any) for each such Vesting Period multiplied by (ii) $8,750,000 by (y) the Warrant Price; and

(D)The Warrant Price shall be equal to (x) eighty seven and one-half percent (87.5%) multiplied by (y) the fair market value of the Common Stock (determined by the price per share paid with respect to any shares of Common Stock issued in connection with such Equity Financing, and if no shares of Common Stock are issued in connection with such Equity Financing, as determined by the Board in good faith).

By way of example only, if an Equity Financing was consummated on November 30, 2022 (and no other event contemplated by any other sub-section of this Section 2(b) had been consummated prior to such date) pursuant to which Common Stock was issued at per share price of $100 (such that the Warrant Price was $87.50) and Net Revenue of $10,000,000 was realized with respect to the Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2021, 125,000 Warrant Shares would be issued in connection with such Equity Financing.

 

(ii)

SPAC Transaction. If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(ii), then:

(A)The Class of the Warrant Shares shall be Common Stock;

(B)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the consummation of such SPAC Transaction shall be the sum of (x) the Signing Date Vested Warrant Shares plus (y) a number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (1) the product of (i) $8,750,000 multiplied by (ii) the Aggregate Vested Percentage (if any) as of the initial Issue Date, by (2) the Warrant Price;

(C)Unless otherwise elected pursuant to Section 2(d), the number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the end of each Vesting Period ending after the initial Issue Date shall be calculated by dividing (x) the product of (i) the Vesting Percentage (if any) for each such Vesting Period multiplied by (ii) $8,750,000 by (y) the Warrant Price; and

(D)The Warrant Price shall be equal to (x) eighty seven and one-half percent (87.5%) multiplied by (y) the fair market value of the Common Stock implied by such SPAC Transaction as determined by the Board in good faith.

By way of example only (and subject to Section 2(d)), if a SPAC Transaction was consummated on November 30, 2022 (and no other event contemplated by any other sub-section of this Section 2(b) had been consummated prior to such date) pursuant to which shares Common Stock had a fair market value of $100 (as implied by such SPAC Transaction and as determined by the Board in good faith, such that the Warrant Price was $87.50) and Net Revenue of $10,000,000 was realized with respect to the Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2021, 125,000 Warrant Shares would be issued in connection with such SPAC Transaction.

(iii)Sale of the Company. If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(iii), then:

 

 

5


 

(A)The Class of the Warrant Shares shall be Common Stock;

(B)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the consummation of such Sale of the Company shall be the sum of (x) the Signing Date Vested Warrant Shares plus (y) a number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (1) the product of (i) $8,750,000 multiplied by (ii) the Aggregate Vested Percentage (if any) as of the initial Issue Date, by (2) the Warrant Price;

(C)The Warrant Price shall be equal to (x) eighty seven and one-half percent (87.5%) multiplied by (y) the fair market value of the Common Stock implied by such Sale of the Company as determined by the Board in good faith.

By way of example only (and subject to Section 2(d)), if Sale of the Company was consummated on November 30, 2022 (and no other event contemplated by any other sub-section of this Section 2(b) had been consummated prior to such date) pursuant to which shares of Common Stock had a fair market value of $100 (implied by such Sale of the Company as determined by the Board in good faith, such that the Warrant Price was $87.50) and Net Revenue of $10,000,000 was realized with respect to the Vesting Period ending on December 31, 2021, 125,000 Warrant Shares would be issued in connection with such Sale of the Company.

(iv)Initial Public Offering. If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(iv), then:

 

(A)The Class of the Warrant Shares shall be Common Stock;

(B)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the consummation of such Initial Public Offering shall be the sum of (x) the Signing Date Vested Warrants plus (y) a number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (1) the product of (i) $8,750,000 multiplied by (ii) the Aggregate Vested Percentage (if any) as of the initial Issue Date, by (2) the Warrant Price;

(C)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant in connection with the end of each Vesting Period ending after the initial Issue Date shall be calculated by dividing (x) the product of (i) the Vesting Percentage (if any) for each such Vesting Period multiplied by (ii) $8,750,000 by (y) the Warrant Price; and

(D)The Warrant Price shall be equal to (x) eighty seven and one-half percent (87.5%) multiplied by (y) the fair market value of the Common Stock (determined by the final initial offering price (i.e., prior to underwriting discounts and commissions) at which Common Stock is sold to the public and as reflected in the Company's final prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 424 of the Securities Act).

By way of example only, if an Initial Public Offering was consummated on June 30, 2021 (and no other event contemplated by any other sub-section of this Section 2(b) (other than an Equity Financing) had been consummated prior to such date) pursuant to which shares of Common Stock had an offering price of

 

6


 

$100 in connection with such Initial Public Offering (such that the Warrant Price was $87.50), 100,000 Warrant Shares would be issued in connection with such Initial Public Offering.

(v)Expiration. If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(v), then:

(A)The Class of the Warrant Shares shall be Common Stock;

(B)The number of Warrant Shares issuable pursuant to such Warrant on the day which is thirty (30) days prior to the Expiration Date shall be the sum of (x) the Signing Date Vested Warrants plus (y) a number of Warrant Shares calculated by dividing (1) the product of (i) the Aggregate Vested Percentage (if any) as of the Expiration Date, multiplied by (ii) $8,750,000 by (2) the Warrant Price; and

(C)The Warrant Price shall be equal to (x) eighty seven and one-half percent (87.5%) multiplied by (y) fair market value of the Common Stock (as determined by the Board in good faith).

By way of example only, if, as of the day which is thirty (30) days prior to the Expiration Date (if no other event contemplated by any other sub-section of this Section 2(b) had been consummated as of such date), and shares of Common Stock had a fair market value of $100 (as determined by the Board in good faith, such that the Warrant Price was $87.50) and aggregate Net Revenue of $30,000,000 was realized with respect to all Vesting Periods (such that the Aggregate Vested Percentage was seventy-five percent (75%)), 175,000 Warrant Shares would be issued in connection with such exercise.

(vi)Cap on Warrant Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, to the extent that the value of the Warrant Shares issuable under this Agreement, as calculated under FINRA Rule 5110(c)(3), plus the value of all other items of compensation that are received in connection with the Company’s initial public offering, as defined in Rule 5110, exceeds the limitation on underwriting compensation under such rule, the Holder shall promptly notify the Company in writing and the maximum number of Warrant Shares that may be earned and subject to Warrants contemplated by this Agreement shall be set at one (1) Warrant Share less than the number of such Warrant Shares that would be required to result in such total underwriting compensation equaling or exceeding such FINRA limit underwriting compensation and the Holder shall provide such maximum number of Warrant Shares to the Company in writing.  If the Issue Date is determined pursuant to Section 2(a)(iv), then the foregoing limitation is applicable with respect to any Warrant Shares issuable under this Agreement, whether issued in connection with the consummation of the Company’s initial public offering or thereafter. In no event will this Section 2(b)(vi) result in the issuance of more Warrant Shares than would otherwise be issuable hereunder.

(c)Warrant Closing; Deliveries. The issuance of any Warrant pursuant hereto (a “Warrant Closing”) shall take place remotely via exchange of documents. At each Warrant Closing, the Company shall deliver the applicable Warrant dated as of the date of such Warrant Closing, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Company.

(d)Acquisition Payment.  In the event of an Acquisition, if the Aggregate Vested Percentage is less than one hundred percent (100%) as of the consummation of such Acquisition then, at the Company's election, the Company (or its successor or any successor to substantially all of the Company's assets) may (but shall not be required to), in lieu of any applicable obligations hereunder (x) in the event of a SPAC Transaction, issue Warrant Shares (to the extent issuable) pursuant to and in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(C), (y) pay the Holder the amount that would have been payable (at the implied value

 

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based on the Acquisition) with respect to the Warrant Shares that had not been issued in connection with such Acquisition (or, if an Equity Financing or Initial Public Offering occurred prior to such Acquisition, the Warrant Shares that had not been issued as of the consummation of such Acquisition) within 60 days following the end of each Vesting Period with respect to the Post-Acquisition Vested Warrant Shares for such Vesting Period (provided that the Holder continues to fulfill its obligations under the SOW) from time to time following the Acquisition or (z) make a cash payment to the Holder calculated by multiplying (1) the proceeds payable with respect to each Warrant Share in connection with the consummation of such Acquisition by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is calculated by multiplying (i) $8,750,000 by (ii) the excess of one hundred percent (100%) over the Aggregate Vested Percentage as of the consummation (and after giving effect to) such Acquisition and the denominator of which is the Warrant Price (determined in accordance with Section 2(b)(ii)(D), in the case of an Acquisition that is a SPAC Transaction, and in accordance with Section 2(b)(iii)(C), in the case of an Acquisition that is a Sale of the Company).

(e)Drag-Along. If requested by the Company in connection with an Acquisition (an "Approved Acquisition"), Holder shall vote for, consent to and raise no objections against, and shall not make any claim with respect to or take any action which is reasonably likely to hinder or cause an adverse effect on, such Approved Acquisition, regardless of the consideration being paid in such Approved Acquisition. If the Approved Acquisition is structured as a (i) merger or consolidation, you shall waive any dissenters' rights, appraisal rights or similar rights in connection with such merger or consolidation, (ii) sale of stock, you shall agree to sell up to all of your Warrant Shares (and, to the extent any Warrants have been exercised, shares of Common Stock) on the terms and conditions approved by the Company or (iii) as a sale of assets, you will vote in favor of any subsequent liquidation or other distribution of the proceeds therefrom in accordance with the Company's organizational documents as approved by the Board. Holder shall promptly take all actions necessary, reasonably desirable or otherwise requested by the Company in connection with the pursuit or consummation of an Approved Acquisition in order to expeditiously consummate such Approved Acquisition and any related transactions. For the avoidance of doubt and without limiting the foregoing, (a) Holder's obligations with respect to an Approved Acquisition shall not in any way be limited by the amount, nature, form or terms of the consideration to be paid in any Approved Acquisition, except as specifically provided herein, and (b) in connection with an Approved Acquisition, Holder may be required to execute a release of legal claims relating to Holder's interest in the Company.  Holder may be obligated to make representations with respect to Holder's Warrants and/or shares of Common Stock and Holder's authority and ability to enter into the Approved Acquisition and other customary representations about Holder (as reasonably requested by the Company), and may be required to provide indemnification in respect of, among other things, any representation made by the Company or its subsidiaries and/or made by any stockholder in respect of the Company, its subsidiaries or their respective businesses, operations, conditions, prospects or the like to the extent the Company's stockholders similarly provide such representations and such indemnification. Holder will be obligated to join on a pro rata basis in any purchase price adjustments, indemnification or other obligations that the sellers of equity securities (including warrants) are required to provide in connection with an Approved Acquisition (other than any such obligations that relate solely to a particular stockholder or warrantholder, such as indemnification with respect to representations and warranties given by a stockholder or warrantholder regarding such stockholder's or warrantholder's title to and ownership of equity securities (including warrants), in respect of which only such stockholder or such warrantholder, as applicable, will be liable). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein and unless otherwise consented to by Holder in writing, Holder shall not be required to comply with any Approved Acquisition unless:

 

(i)

any representations and warranties to be made by Holder in connection with the Approved Acquisition are limited to representations and warranties related to authority, ownership, brokerage, and the ability to convey title to such Warrant Shares, including, but not limited to, representations and warranties that (i) Holder holds all right, title and

 

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interest in and to the Warrant Shares such Holder purports to hold, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances, (ii) the obligations of the Holder in connection with the transaction have been duly authorized, if applicable, (iii) the documents to be entered into by the Holder have been duly executed by the Holder and delivered to the acquirer and are enforceable (subject to customary limitations) against the Holder in accordance with their respective terms; and (iv) neither the execution and delivery of documents to be entered into by the Holder in connection with the transaction, nor the performance of the Holder’s obligations thereunder, will cause a breach or violation of the terms of any agreement to which the Holder is a party, or any law or judgment, order or decree of any court or governmental agency that applies to the Holder;

 

(ii)

such Holder is not required to agree (unless such Holder is a Company officer or employee) to any restrictive covenant (other than with respect to customary confidentiality obligations) in connection with the Approved Acquisition (including, without limitation, any covenant not to compete or covenant not to solicit customers, employees or suppliers of any party to the Approved Acquisition) or any release of claims other than a release in customary form of claims arising solely in such Holder’s capacity as a stockholder or warrantholder of the Company;

 

(iii)

such Holder and its Affiliates are not required to amend, extend or terminate any contractual or other relationship with the Company, the acquirer or their respective affiliates, except that the Holder may be required to agree to terminate this Warrant Agreement, any Warrants issued hereunder or any other investment-related documents between or among such Holder, the Company and/or other stockholders of the Company;

 

(iv)

the Stockholder is not liable for the breach of any representation, warranty or covenant made by any other Person in connection with the Approved Acquisition, other than the Company;

 

(v)

liability with respect to any indemnification obligations shall be limited to such Holder’s applicable share thereof (determined based on the respective proceeds payable to Holder in connection with such Approved Acquisition in accordance with the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation) but that in no event exceeds the amount of consideration otherwise payable to Holder in connection with such Approved Acquisition, except with respect to claims related to fraud, the liability for which need not be limited as to Holder; provided that the Holder shall be liable (subject to the foregoing aggregate limitation) for all indemnification obligations (and not a share or portion thereof) with respect to any breach of any representation, warranty, covenant or agreement by Holder;

 

(vi)

upon the consummation of the Approved Acquisition (i) each holder of a series or class of preferred stock will receive the same amount of consideration per share of such series or class of preferred stock (other than with respect to any differences in accrued dividends) as is received

 

9


 

 

by other holders in respect of their shares of such same series, (ii) each holder of any series or class of common stock will receive the same amount of consideration per share of such series or class of common stock as is received by other holders in respect of their shares of such series or class of common stock, and (iii) unless waived pursuant to the terms of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or any other applicable governing document of the Company and as may be required by law, the aggregate consideration receivable by all holders of the preferred stock and common stock shall be allocated among the holders of preferred stock and common stock on the basis of the relative liquidation preferences to which the holders of each respective series of preferred stock and the holders of common stock are entitled in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation or any other applicable governing document of the Company in effect immediately prior to the Approved Acquisition; provided, however, that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 2(e)(vi), if the consideration to be paid in exchange for the Warrant Shares held by the Holder, as applicable, pursuant to this Section 2(e)(vi) includes any securities and due receipt thereof by any stockholder would require under applicable law (x) the registration or qualification of such securities or of any person as a broker or dealer or agent with respect to such securities; or (y) the provision to any stockholder of any information other than such information as a prudent issuer would generally furnish in an offering made solely to “accredited investors” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act, the Company may cause to be paid to Holder in lieu thereof, against surrender of the Shares held by Holder, which would have otherwise been sold by Holder, an amount in cash equal to the fair value (as determined in good faith by the Board of the Company) of the securities which Holder would otherwise receive as of the date of the issuance of such securities in exchange for the Warrant Shares held by the Holder;

 

(vii)

nothing in this Section 2(e)(vii) shall entitle Holder to receive any form of consideration that Holder would be ineligible to receive as a result of such holder’s failure to satisfy any condition, requirement or limitation that is generally applicable to the Company’s stockholders.

(f)Registration Rights.

(i)In the event the Company decides to register any Common Stock under the Securities Act in connection with which notice and an opportunity to register shares is given to any Affiliate of AKKR Management Company, LLC or Dushyant Sharma (or any of his immediate family members or any trust or other Person for their benefit) in their respective capacities as holders of Common Stock and at least one of them requests inclusion in such registration of its, his or her Common Stock, the Company shall deliver prompt written notice of the Company’s intent to register such Common Stock to the Holder, and the Holder shall have the opportunity to register (or cause to be registered) the number of Warrant Shares as the Holder may request, in accordance with the procedures applicable to the holders of such Common Stock who are eligible to register such Common Stock; provided, however, any such registration right given to the Holder shall be on terms that are pari passu with (or more favorable to) those granted to any other holder of Common Stock (other than any priority, withdrawal and other rights of any Affiliate of AKKR Management Company, LLC or Dushyant Sharma (or any of his immediate family members or any trust or other Person for their benefit)), except that the Holder’s right to withdraw from

 

10


 

such registration shall be governed by the following sentence. The Holder shall be permitted to withdraw all or part of the Warrant Shares at any time at least five (5) business days prior to the effective date of such registration.

(ii)If at any time the Company’s Common Stock shall be listed on any national securities exchange or automated quotation system, the Company will use its commercially reasonable efforts to apply to list, and keep listed, so long as the Common Stock shall be so listed on such exchange or automated quotation system, any Warrant Shares issuable upon exercise of any Warrants.

3.Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:

(a)The Warrant Shares and all shares of Common Stock or other securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Warrant Shares shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall, if applicable, at all times following the applicable initial Issue Date described in Section 2(a) of this Agreement, cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of the Securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of the Warrant(s) and the issuance of the Securities.

(b)Any corporate action required to be taken by the Board and/or stockholders of the Company in order to authorize the Company to enter into this Agreement and the Warrant(s), and to issue the applicable Securities has been taken or, with respect to the Securities, will be taken prior to the date of issuance of such Securities. All action on the part of the officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Warrant(s) and the performance of all respective obligations of the Company thereunder has been taken or, in the case of the Warrant(s), will be taken prior to date of issuance of the Warrant. This Agreement constitutes, and the Warrant(s) will constitute, valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their respective terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

(c)Assuming the accuracy of the Holder’s representations and warranties in Section 4 of this Agreement, the execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement will not result in any violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, (i) a default under any law applicable to the Company or any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which its assets are bound except such defaults as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Company; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.

4.Representations and Warranties of Holder. Holder represents and warrants to the Company as of the date hereof, and as of the date of issuance of each Warrant, as follows:

(a)Purchase for Own Account. The applicable Securities are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Securities Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring any of the Securities.

 

11


 

(b)Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of the applicable Securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the applicable Securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

(c)Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of the Securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in the Securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in the applicable Securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

(d)Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

(e)The Securities Act. Holder understands that the applicable Securities will not be registered under the Securities Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands any Securities issued must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Securities Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available.

(f)SOW.  JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association is and has been in compliance with the SOW in all material respects or has cured such non-compliance in a manner reasonably satisfactory to the Company within thirty (30) days of receipt of written notice from the Company of such non-compliance.

5.Restrictive Legends.

(a)Legend. Holder understands that any certificates representing the Securities shall be stamped or imprinted with a legend substantially similar to the following (in addition to any other legend required by applicable law):

[THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER AND ANY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF][THESE SECURITIES] HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “SECURITIES ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND[, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 5.2 BELOW,] MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

 

12


 

(b)Instructions Regarding Transfer Restrictions. Holder consents to the Company making a notation on its records and giving instructions to any transfer agent, if applicable, in order to implement the restrictions on transfer established in Section 5(a) of this Agreement.

(c)Removal of Legend. The legend identified in Section 5(a) of this Agreement stamped or imprinted on any certificate evidencing any Securities and any stock transfer instructions and record notations with respect to such Securities, if applicable, shall be removed and the Company shall issue a certificate without such legend to the holder of such Securities if (i) such Securities are registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) such holder provides the Company with an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Company to the effect that a sale or transfer of such Securities may be made without registration or qualification. The Company agrees that it shall not require an opinion of counsel if (x) there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act or (y) the transfer is to an Affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Securities Act.

6.Transfer of the Securities.

(a)Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. The Securities may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee.

(b)Transfer Procedure. The Warrant(s) (and any Warrant Shares (other than Warrant Shares issued following an Initial Public Offering, but subject to compliance with any applicable lock-up agreement and securities laws)) shall not be transferable without the prior written consent of the Company, except that Holder may transfer the Warrant(s) and any Warrant Shares to any Affiliate of Holder without the Company’s prior written consent.

7.General Provisions.

(a)Entire Agreement. This Agreement (including the Exhibit) constitutes the entire agreement among the parties and supersedes and cancels any prior agreements, representations, warranties, or communications, whether oral or written, among the parties relating to the subject matter of, or the transactions contemplated by, this Agreement. Neither this Agreement nor any of its provisions may be modified, changed, waived, discharged, or terminated orally. This Agreement may be modified, changed, waived, discharged, or terminated only by an agreement in writing signed by the party against whom or which the enforcement of such modification, change, waiver, discharge, or termination is sought.

(b)Assignment, Successors and Assigns. The rights and obligations under this Agreement may be assigned by Holder only with the prior written consent of the Company, exercisable in its sole and absolute discretion, except that Holder may assign its rights and obligations under this Agreement to any Affiliate of Holder without the Company’s prior written consent. The terms and conditions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the respective successors and assigns of the parties. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer upon any party other than the parties or their respective successors and assigns any rights, remedies, obligations, or liabilities under or by reason of this Agreement, except as expressly provided in this Agreement.

(c)Notices. All notifications, requests, demands, and other communications required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed given when mailed (with return receipt requested), emailed, faxed (which is confirmed), or sent via a recognized overnight courier service such as Federal Express, to the parties at the addresses set forth on the signature page, or pursuant to such other instructions as may be designated in writing by the party to receive such notice.

 

13


 

(d)Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

(e)Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including PDF) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

(f)Certain Remedies. Each party acknowledges and agrees that the other party would be damaged irreparably if this Agreement is not performed in accordance with its terms or otherwise is breached and that a party will be entitled to seek an injunction and other equitable relief (without posting any bond or other security) to prevent breaches hereof and to enforce specifically this Agreement and its terms in addition to any other remedy to which such party may be entitled hereunder.

(g)Termination.  The Company's obligations hereunder (including to issue any Warrant Shares or make any cash payments) hereunder shall expire and terminate on May 12, 2028 (the "Expiration Date").

(h)Product Advisory Board.  For so long as (i) any Warrant is outstanding, or (ii) the Holder owns any Warrant Shares, the Company shall maintain a Product Advisory Board and the Holder shall have the right to designate one (1) member of the Product Advisory Board.

(i)Use of Names/Marks.  Except as required by applicable law or regulation (including requests of any court or regulator) or as otherwise permitted by any separate agreement between the Company or any of its Affiliates and the Holder or any of its Affiliates, no party shall, and each party shall ensure that its Affiliates do not, use any names, trademarks, service marks or trade names of the other party or any of such other party’s Affiliates in any form of advertising and publicity or public statements, including press releases, without the prior written consent of the applicable other party, which consent such other party may give or withhold in its sole discretion; provided, however, that this Section 7(i) shall not prohibit the Company from disclosing Holder’s status as an equityholder of the Company or as an investor in the Company or its subsidiaries.  Subject to the foregoing, neither any party nor any of its Affiliates will have rights in or to any names, trademarks, service marks or trade names of the other party or any of such other party’s Affiliates as a result of this Agreement, except as expressly permitted by a separate written agreement between the applicable parties.

[REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the duly authorized representatives of the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

JPMC STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS I CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Nathaniel Abrams

Name:

 

Nathaniel Abrams

Title:

 

Managing Director

Address per Section 7(c):

JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation

277 Park Avenue, Fl. 12

New York, NY 10172

Attn:

 

 

JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

Name:

 

Dushyant Sharma

Title:

 

Chief Executive Officer

Address per Section 7(c):

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Attn: John Morrow

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Email: jmorrow@paymentus.com

 

 

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

 

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Attention:

Shelly M. Hirschtritt, P.C.

 

 

 

Kevin W. Mausert, P.C.

 

 

 

Tushin Shah

 


 

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Email:

shirschtritt@kirkland.com

 

 

 

kevin.mausert@kirkland.com

 

 

 

tushin.shah@kirkland.com

 

 


 

EXHIBIT A

Form of Warrant

(see attached)

 

 


 

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER AND ANY SHARES ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION THEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 5.2 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

FORM OF WARRANT

Company: Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation

Number of Shares: [      ]1, subject to adjustment as provided in this Warrant

Type/Series of Stock: []2, subject to adjustment as provided in this Warrant

Warrant Price: []3, subject to adjustment as provided in this Warrant

Issue Date: [      ]

Expiration Date: Seven years following the Issue Date. See also Sections 1.7(a) and 5.1.

Background: This Warrant (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Warrant Agreement, dated as of May 7, 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), between the Company and Holder (as defined below)

THIS WARRANT CERTIFIES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation, a Delaware corporation (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”), is entitled to purchase up to the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares (the “Shares”) of the Type/Series of Stock (the “Class”) provided for above of Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), at the Warrant Price provided for above, all as set forth in, as adjusted pursuant to, and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant.

SECTION 1 EXERCISE.

1.1Exercise.  The Shares will only be exercisable by Holder (i) in connection with or following an Initial Public Offering (subject to complying with Section 1.8), (ii) immediately prior to, but contingent upon, a Sale of the Company, (iii) immediately prior to, but contingent upon, or after, a SPAC Transaction, or (iv) from the date which is thirty (30) days prior to the Expiration Date until the Expiration Date.

1.2Method of Exercise. Holder may, from time to time, during the Exercise Period (as defined below), exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company the original of this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 (the "Notice of Exercise") and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.3, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased.

 

1

To be determined pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Warrant Agreement.

2

To be determined pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Warrant Agreement.

3

To be determined pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Warrant Agreement.

 


 

1.3Cashless Exercise. On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.2 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.2, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:

X = Y(A-B)/A

where:

X =the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder;

 

Y =

the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price);

 

A =

the Fair Market Value (as determined pursuant to Section 1.4 below) of one Share; and

B =the Warrant Price.

1.4Fair Market Value. If the Common Stock is then traded on a nationally recognized securities exchange (a “Trading Market”) and the Class is Common Stock, then the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of the Common Stock reported for the trading day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Common Stock is then traded on a Trading Market and the Class is convertible into Common Stock, then the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of the Common Stock reported for the trading day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company multiplied by the number of shares of Common Stock into which a Share is then convertible. If the Common Stock is not traded in a Trading Market, then the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) shall determine the fair market value of a Share in good faith.

1.5Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.2 or 1.3 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.

1.6Replacement of Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.

1.7Acquisitions.

(a)Acquisition Transactions. Upon the consummation of an Acquisition and absent the Holder's election to exercise this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.2 or 1.3, the Company may terminate this Warrant for a payment (in the form of consideration received by the holders of the Company's Common

 

2


 

Stock in such Acquisition and such payment shall be paid substantially as and when the holders of the Company's Common Stock receive consideration payable to them in respect of their Common Stock in connection with the Acquisition) per share of Common Stock issuable hereunder at the time of the closing of the Acquisition equal to the excess of the price per share of Common Stock paid to the holders of the Company's Common Stock at the closing of the Acquisition over the Warrant Price. In order to receive any such payment pursuant to the foregoing sentence, the Holder shall, at the request of the Company, execute any documents that all holders of Common Stock are required to execute in connection with such Acquisition or as required by the Warrant Agreement. In the event of an Acquisition where the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.4 above would be less than the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such Acquisition, then this Warrant will expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Acquisition.

(b)Treatment on SPAC Transaction. Upon the closing of a SPAC Transaction, if the Holder does not exercise this Warrant in full pursuant to Section 1.2 or 1.3 or the Company does not elect to terminate this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.7 the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such SPAC Transaction, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

1.8Lock-Up Agreements. As a condition precedent to any exercise of this Warrant into or for the Shares in connection with or following an Initial Public Offering, Holder (or such other person or persons in whose name(s) any certificate(s) representing the Shares shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant) shall be required to execute and become a party to any lock-up, holdback or similar agreements requested by the underwriter(s) managing such Initial Public Offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Company.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, Holder (or such other person or persons in whose name(s) any certificate(s) representing the Shares shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant) agrees that in connection with the Initial Public Offering not to (i) offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge or otherwise dispose of (including sales pursuant to Rule 144 promulgated under the Act), directly or indirectly, any equity securities of the Company (including equity securities of the Company that may be deemed to be beneficially owned by Holder (or such other person or persons in whose name(s) any certificate(s) representing the Shares shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant) in accordance with the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission) (collectively, “Securities”), or any securities, options or rights convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for Securities (collectively, “Other Securities”), (ii) enter into a transaction which would have the same effect as described in clause (i) above, (iii) enter into any swap, hedge or other arrangement that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences or ownership of any Securities or Other Securities, whether such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such Securities or Other Securities, in cash or otherwise (each of (i), (ii) and (iii) above, a “Sale Transaction”), or (iv) publicly disclose the intention to enter into any Sale Transaction, commencing on the date on which the Company gives notice to the Holders that a preliminary prospectus has been circulated for such underwritten Public Offering or the “pricing” of such offering and continuing to the date that is 180 days following the date of the final prospectus for the Initial Public Offering, in each case with such modifications and exceptions as may be approved by the Company (each such period, or such shorter period as agreed to by the managing underwriters, a “Holdback Period”).  The Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to any Securities or Other Securities subject to the restrictions set forth in this Section 1.8 until the end of such Holdback Period.

 

3


 

SECTION 2 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.

2.1Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If, on or after the Issue Date, the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Class payable in common stock or other securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If, on or after the Issue Date, the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Class by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If, on or after the Issue Date, the outstanding shares of the Class are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

2.2Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Class are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations, substitutions, replacements or other similar events.

2.3No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of this Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.4 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.

2.4Notice/Certificate as to Determinations and Adjustments. Upon each determination or adjustment of the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within seven (7) business days setting forth the determinations or adjustments to the Warrant Price, Class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such determination or adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such determination or adjustment and the Warrant Price, Class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such determination or adjustment.

2.5Cap on Shares. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Warrant, this Warrant may not be exercised, in whole or in part, to the extent that such exercise would result in the Holder receiving Voting Warrant Shares in an amount which, when combined with any other shares of the Company held by the Holder, would provide the Holder with the right to cast the vote of five percent (5%) or more of the shares, or votes arising out of such shares, entitled to vote on any given matter on which shares may vote.

 

4


 

SECTION 3 REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

3.1Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:

(a)All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, and all securities, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Shares, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of shares of the Class, Common Stock and other securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant and the conversion of the Shares into Common Stock or such other securities.

(b)All corporate action required to be taken by the Board and stockholders in order to authorize the Company to enter into this Warrant, and to issue this Warrant and Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, has been taken or will be taken prior to the Issue Date. All action on the part of the officers of the Company necessary for the execution and delivery of this Warrant and the performance of all obligations of the Company hereunder has been taken. This Warrant constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, or other laws of general application relating to or affecting the enforcement of creditors’ rights generally and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

(c)Assuming the accuracy of the Holder’s representations and warranties in Section 4, the execution, delivery and performance of this Warrant will not result in any violation or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, (i) a default under any law applicable to the Company or any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree, contract or agreement to which the Company is a party or by which its assets are bound except such defaults as would not reasonably be expected to materially and adversely affect the Company; or (ii) an event which results in the creation of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit or license applicable to the Company.

3.2Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time to effect an Acquisition or an Initial Public Offering then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder at least ten (10) business days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event and such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such event giving rise to the notice). The Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements.

SECTION 4 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.

The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

4.1Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the securities to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant and any securities to be acquired upon conversion thereof by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public

 

5


 

resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

4.2Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

4.3Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

4.4Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

4.5The Act. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof and any securities exercisable upon conversion thereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof and any securities exercisable upon conversion thereof must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available.

4.6No Stockholder Rights. Without limiting any term or provision of this Warrant, Holder agrees that, as a Holder of this Warrant, it will not have any rights as a stockholder in respect of the Shares issuable on exercise hereof until the exercise of this Warrant.

SECTION 5 MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.7(a) above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or after Issue Date and on or before 5:00 PM, Central time, on the Expiration Date (such period being the “Exercise Period”) and shall be void after the end of the Exercise Period.

5.2Transfer Procedure. Sections 5 and 6 of the Warrant Agreement shall govern the transfer of all or part of this Warrant by the Holder. In connection with any proposed transfer permitted pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, the Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant proposed to be transferred (which shall be in the form attached hereto as Appendix 2 and shall be accompanied by surrender of this Warrant for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable)).

 

6


 

5.3Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) business day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first business day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.3. All notices to the Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change in address:

 

JPMC Strategic Investments I Corporation

Attn: Nathaniel Abrams

277 Park Avenue, 12th Floor

New York, NY  10172

Email: nathaniel.b.abrams@jpmorgan.com

 

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:

 

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

Attn: John Morrow

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Email: jmorrow@paymentus.com

 

with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

Attention:

Shelly M. Hirschtritt, P.C.

 

Kevin W. Mausert, P.C.

 

Tushin Shah

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Email:

shelly.hirschtritt@kirkland.com

 

kevin.mausert@kirkland.com

 

tushin.shah@kirkland.com

 

5.4Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

5.5Counterparts; Facsimile/Electronic Signatures. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Any signature page delivered electronically or by facsimile shall be binding to the same extent as an original signature page with regards to any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment thereto.

5.6Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

5.7Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.

 

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5.8Definitions; Interpretation. Capitalized terms used and not defined herein have the respective meanings given to such terms in the Warrant Agreement. In the event that the last day for performance of an act or the exercise of a right hereunder falls on a day other than a business day, then the last day for such performance shall be the first business day immediately following the otherwise last day for such performance or such exercise.

5.9Termination by Holder; Put Right.  This Warrant may be terminated anytime and without any liability to the Company (subject to any applicable payment pursuant to this Section 5.9) by the Holder at its election effective immediately upon written notice to the Company.  The Holder may, in its sole discretion (such right, the “Holder Put Right”), provide written notice (the “Holder Put Notice”) to the Company to have the Company purchase all (but not less than all) of the Warrant Shares (the “Put Securities”) held by the Holder (“Holder Put”) for an aggregate purchase price of $1.00.  Following receipt of the Holder Put Notice, the Company shall, subject to compliance with law, available cash and any contractual restrictions applicable to the Company and its Subsidiaries, purchase all the Put Securities as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company’s receipt of the Holder Put Notice, and in any event within ten (10) business days (the “Holder Put Closing”).  In the event the Company is unable to consummate the Holder Put promptly after receipt of the Holder Put Notice, the Holder may rescind the Holder Put and instead notify the Company of cancellation of this Warrant pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 5.9.

[Remainder of page left blank intentionally; signature page follows]

 

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.

 

“COMPANY”

 

 

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

(Print)

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

“HOLDER”

JPMC STRATEGIC INVESTMENTS I CORPORATION

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

 

 

(Print)

Title:

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

APPENDIX 1

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

1.The undersigned Holder hereby exercises its right to purchase _______ shares of the ____________ [insert Type/Class] of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) in accordance with the attached Warrant, and tenders payment of the aggregate Warrant Price for such shares as follows:

 

[  ]

Wire transfer of immediately available funds to the Company’s account

 

[  ]

Cashless Exercise pursuant to Section 1.3 of the Warrant

 

[  ]

Other [Describe]

2.Please issue a certificate or certificates representing the Shares in the name specified below:

 

 

Holder’s Name

 

 

 

(Address)

 

3.By its execution below and for the benefit of the Company, Holder hereby restates each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as of the date hereof.

 

 

HOLDER:

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

Name:

 

 

Title:

 

 

(Date):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix 1


 

APPENDIX 2

FORM OF TRANSFER

(To be signed only upon transfer of Warrant)

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto _______________________________ the right represented by the attached Warrant to purchase ______ shares of the _________ [insert Type/Class] of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) to which the attached Warrant relates, and appoints _______ attorney to transfer such right on the books of the Company, with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:

 

 

 

 

(Signature must conform in all respects to name of Holder as specified on the face of the Warrant)

Address:

Signed in the presence of:

 

Appendix 2

Exhibit 10.15

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

CLASS A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

THIS CLASS A COMMON STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made as of May 16, 2021, by and among Paymentus Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP, Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners III, LP, Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II, LP and Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II Strategic Fund, LP (each an “Investor” and collectively, the “Investors”).

THE PARTIES HEREBY AGREE AS FOLLOWS:

1.Purchase and Sale of Stock.

1.1Sale and Issuance of Class A Common Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, each Investor agrees to purchase from the Company, and the Company agrees to sell and issue to each Investor, that number of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), equal to the investment amount set forth opposite such Investor’s name on Exhibit A divided by the per share initial public offering price (before underwriting discounts and expenses) in the Qualified IPO (as defined below), rounded down to the nearest whole share. “Shares” shall mean the shares of Class A Common Stock issued to the Investors pursuant to this Agreement. “Qualified IPO” shall mean the issuance and sale of shares of Class A Common Stock by the Company, pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company and certain representatives of the underwriters (the “Underwriters”), in connection with the Company’s initial public offering pursuant to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-255683) (the “Registration Statement”) and/or any related registration statements (the “Underwriting Agreement”).

1.2Closing. The purchase and sale of the Shares shall take place at the location and at the time immediately following the closing of the Qualified IPO (which time and place are designated as the “Closing”). At the Closing, each Investor shall make payment of the purchase price of the Shares being purchased by such Investor by wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account specified by the Company against delivery to such Investor of such Shares registered in the name of such Investor, which Shares shall be uncertificated shares; provided, however, that each Investor may satisfy its obligation to pay to the Company the purchase price of the Shares to be purchased by such Investor in whole or in part by agreeing in writing to cancel the Company’s obligation to pay to such Investor an equivalent amount of the “Redemption Amount” as defined in the Redemption Agreement by and between such Investor and the Company pursuant to which the Company has agreed to redeem such Investor’s shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock.

2.Representations and Warranties of the Company. The Company hereby represents and warrants to each Investor that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:

2.1Organization, Good Standing and Qualification.

(a)The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and has all requisite corporate power and authority to carry on its business as now conducted.

(b)The Company is duly qualified to transact business and is in good standing in each jurisdiction in which it is required to be so qualified or in good standing, except where the failure to so qualify or be in good standing would not be material and adverse to the Company.

 


 

2.2Authorization. All corporate action on the part of the Company, its officers, directors and stockholders necessary for the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement, the performance of all obligations of the Company under this Agreement, and the authorization, issuance, sale and delivery of the Shares being sold hereunder has been taken, and this Agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Company, enforceable in accordance with its terms, except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

2.3Valid Issuance of Class A Common Stock. As of the date of the Closing, the Shares will be duly authorized and, when issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the terms of this Agreement for the consideration expressed herein, will be duly and validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable, will not have been issued in violation of or subject to any preemptive or similar rights created under the Certificate of Incorporation (as in effect at the Closing) and will be free of restrictions on transfer and any other liens, restrictions or encumbrances, other than restrictions on transfer under applicable state and federal securities laws or as contemplated hereby.

2.4Compliance with Other Instruments; Compliance with NYSE.

(a)The Company is not in violation or default of any provision of its Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, or Bylaws, as amended.

(b)The Company is not in violation or default in any material respect of any instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract to which it is a party or by which it is bound, or, to its knowledge, of any provision of any federal or state statute, rule or regulation applicable to the Company. The execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will not result in any material violation or default or be in conflict with or constitute, with or without the passage of time and giving of notice, either a material default under any such provision, instrument, judgment, order, writ, decree or contract or an event that results in the creation of any material lien, charge or encumbrance upon any assets of the Company or the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture, or nonrenewal of any material permit, license, authorization, or approval applicable to the Company, its business or operations or any of its assets or properties.

(c)The issuance and sale of the Shares will comply with all of the provisions of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will be done in accordance with the applicable rules of The New York Stock Exchange.

2.5Description of Capital Stock. As of the date of the Closing, the statements set forth in the Pricing Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) and Prospectus (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) under the caption “Description of Capital Stock,” insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Company’s capital stock, are accurate, complete and fair in all material respects.

2.6Registration Statement. The Registration Statement, and any amendment thereto, including any information deemed to be included therein pursuant to the rules and regulations of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), complied (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date of this Agreement, will comply) as of its filing date in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and did not (or, in the case of amendments filed after the date hereof, will not) contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to

 

2


 

state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. As of the date it is declared effective by the SEC, the Registration Statement, as so amended, and any related registration statements, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary in order to make the statements therein not misleading. Any preliminary prospectus included in the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto, any free writing prospectus related to the Registration Statement and any final prospectus related to the Registration Statement filed pursuant to Rule 424 promulgated under the Securities Act, in each case as of its date, will comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Securities Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and will not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

2.7Brokers or Finders. The Company has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents such that the Investors will incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Company, any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

2.8Private Placement. Assuming the accuracy of the representations, warranties and covenants of the Investors set forth in Section 3 of this Agreement, no registration under the Securities Act is required for the offer and sale of the Shares by the Company to the Investors under this Agreement.

3.Representations, Warranties and Covenants of Each Investor. Each Investor hereby represents and warrants, severally and not jointly, that as of the date hereof and as of the date of the Closing:

3.1Organization, Good Standing and Qualification. The Investor is a limited liability company or limited partnership, as applicable, duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

3.2Authorization. The Investor has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement, and each such agreement constitutes a valid and legally binding obligation of the Investor, enforceable in accordance with its terms except (i) as limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium and other laws of general application affecting enforcement of creditors’ rights generally, and (ii) as limited by laws relating to the availability of specific performance, injunctive relief, or other equitable remedies.

3.3Purchase Entirely for Own Account. By the Investor’s execution of this Agreement, the Investor hereby confirms, that the Shares to be received by the Investor will be acquired for investment for the Investor’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the distribution of any part thereof, and that the Investor has no present intention of selling, granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, except as permitted by applicable federal or state securities laws. By executing this Agreement, the Investor further represents that the Investor does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Shares.

3.4Disclosure of Information. The Investor believes it has received all the information it considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to purchase the Shares. The Investor further represents that it has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Shares and the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of the Company. The foregoing, however, does not limit or modify the representations and warranties of the Company in Section 2 of this Agreement or the right of the Investor to rely thereon.

 

3


 

3.5Investment Experience. The Investor is an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that it is able to fend for itself, can bear the economic risk of its investment, and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that it is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of the investment in the Shares. Investor also represents it has not been organized for the purpose of acquiring the Shares.

3.6Accredited Investor. The Investor is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D, Rule 501(a), promulgated by the SEC under the Securities Act, as presently in effect.

3.7Brokers or Finders. The Investor has not engaged any brokers, finders or agents such that the Company will incur, directly or indirectly, as a result of any action taken by the Investor, any liability for brokerage or finders’ fees or agents’ commissions or any similar charges in connection with this Agreement.

3.8Restricted Securities. The Investor understands that the Shares will be characterized as “restricted securities” under the federal securities laws inasmuch as they are being acquired from the Company in a transaction not involving a public offering and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without registration under the Securities Act, only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, the Investor represents that it is familiar with Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities Act.

3.9Legends. The Investor understands that the Shares may bear one or all of the following legends:

(a)“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY OTHER JURISDICTIONS. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS (PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM). INVESTORS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THEY MAY BE REQUIRED TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL RISKS OF THIS INVESTMENT FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME. THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.”

(b)“THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A LOCK-UP PERIOD AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THE ISSUER’S REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED UNDER THE ACT, AS AMENDED, AS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND THE ORIGINAL HOLDER OF THESE SECURITIES, A COPY OF WHICH MAY BE OBTAINED AT THE ISSUER’S PRINCIPAL OFFICE. SUCH LOCK-UP PERIOD IS BINDING ON TRANSFEREES OF THESE SHARES.”

(c)Any legend required by applicable state “blue sky” securities laws, rules and regulations.

3.10Lock-Up Agreement. The Investor hereby confirms that it has executed and delivered to the Underwriters the lock-up agreement provided by the Company (the “Lock-Up

 

4


 

Agreement”). The Lock-Up Agreement is in full force and effect, and following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, including with respect to the Shares.

 

3.11No General Solicitation. Neither the Investor nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders, partners or affiliates has been directly or indirectly solicited through any public advertising or general solicitation (including by means of the Registration Statement or prospectus contained therein) and did not learn of and become interested in the transaction contemplated in this Agreement by means of the Registration Statement or prospectus contained therein. The Investor hereby further confirms that it or an affiliate of the Investor had a substantive pre-existing relationship with the Company prior to the commencement of any discussion in connection with the transaction contemplated in this Agreement. Neither the Investor, nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, stockholders or partners has either directly or indirectly, including, through a broker or finder (i) engaged in any general solicitation, or (ii) published any advertisement in connection with the offer and sale of the Shares.

4.Conditions of Each Investor’s Obligations at Closing. The obligations of each Investor under Section 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.

4.1Representations and Warranties. The representations and warranties of the Company contained in Section 2 shall be true on and as of the Closing.

4.2Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased, immediately prior to the purchase of the Shares by the Investors hereunder, the Firm Shares (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement.

4.3Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During the period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.

5.Conditions of the Company’s Obligations at Closing. The obligations of the Company under Section 1.1 of this Agreement are subject to the fulfillment on or before the Closing of each of the following conditions.

5.1Representations, Warranties and Covenants. The representations, warranties and covenants of each Investor contained in Section 3 shall be true on and as of the Closing.

5.2Public Offering Shares. The Underwriters shall have purchased, immediately prior to the purchase of the Shares by the Investors hereunder, the Firm Shares (as defined in the Underwriting Agreement) pursuant to the Registration Statement and the Underwriting Agreement.

5.3Absence of Injunctions, Decrees, Etc. During the period from the date of this Agreement to immediately prior to the Closing, no governmental authority of competent jurisdiction shall have enacted, issued, promulgated, enforced or entered any decision, injunction, decree, ruling, law or order permanently enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of the transactions contemplated at the Closing.

 

5


 

6.Termination. This Agreement shall terminate (i) at any time upon the written consent of the Company and Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP, (ii) upon the withdrawal by the Company of the Registration Statement, or (iii) on June 30, 2021 if the Closing has not occurred.

7.Miscellaneous.

7.1Acknowledgment of Registration Rights. The parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledge that upon the Closing the Shares will constitute “Sponsor Investor Registrable Securities” as defined in and pursuant to that certain Registration Rights Agreement to be entered into by and among the Company, the Investors and certain other stockholders to be party thereto in connection with the Qualified IPO.

 

7.2Survival of Warranties. The warranties, representations and covenants of the Company and the Investors contained in or made pursuant to this Agreement shall survive the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the Closing and shall in no way be affected by any investigation of the subject matter thereof made by or on behalf of the Investors or the Company.

7.3Successors and Assigns. This Agreement, and any and all rights, duties and obligations hereunder, shall not be assigned, transferred, delegated or sublicensed by the Investors without the prior written consent of the Company; provided, however, that after the Closing, the Shares shall be transferable by the Investors (subject to the Lock-Up Agreement and applicable state and federal securities laws) without the consent of the Company and the rights, duties and obligations of each Investor hereunder may be assigned to an affiliate of such Investor without the prior written consent of the Company. Any attempt by an Investor without such permission to assign, transfer, delegate or sublicense any rights, duties or obligations that arise under this Agreement in a manner that is not permitted by the foregoing sentence to be made without such permission shall be void. Subject to the foregoing and except as otherwise provided herein, the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the successors, assigns, heirs, executors and administrators of the parties hereto.

7.4Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. This Agreement shall be governed in all respects by the internal laws of the State of Delaware as applied to agreements entered into among Delaware residents to be performed entirely within Delaware, without regard to principles of conflicts of law. Each party hereto hereby irrevocably agrees that any action, suit or proceeding between or among the parties hereto, whether arising in contract, tort or otherwise, arising in connection with any disagreement, dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement or any related document or any of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (“Legal Dispute”) shall be brought only to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Delaware or the federal courts located in the State of Delaware, and each party hereto hereby consents to the jurisdiction of such courts (and of the appropriate appellate courts therefrom) in any such suit, action or proceeding and irrevocably waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection that it may now or hereafter have to the laying of the venue of any such suit, action or proceeding in any such court or that any such suit, action or proceeding that is brought in any such court has been brought in an inconvenient forum. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY ON ANY CLAIMS OR COUNTERCLAIMS ASSERTED IN ANY LEGAL DISPUTE RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY AND FOR ANY COUNTERCLAIM RELATING THERETO. IF THE SUBJECT MATTER OF ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE IS ONE IN WHICH THE WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL IS PROHIBITED, NO PARTY HERETO SHALL ASSERT IN SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE A NONCOMPULSORY COUNTERCLAIM ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. FURTHERMORE, NO PARTY HERETO SHALL SEEK TO

 

6


 

CONSOLIDATE ANY SUCH LEGAL DISPUTE WITH A SEPARATE ACTION OR OTHER LEGAL PROCEEDING IN WHICH A JURY TRIAL CANNOT BE WAIVED.

7.5Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be enforceable against the parties actually executing such counterparts, and all of which together shall constitute one instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

7.6Notices. All notices, demands or other communications to be given or delivered under or by reason of the provisions of this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been given or made (a) when delivered personally to the recipient, (b) one (1) business day after being sent to the recipient by reputable overnight courier service (charges prepaid) or (c) when transmitted, if sent by email transmission before 5:00 p.m. Seattle time on a business day, and otherwise on the next business day. Such notices, demands and other communications shall be sent to the Company or the Investors at the addresses indicated below or, in each case, to any such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party has specified by prior written notice to the sending party.

If to the Company, to:

Paymentus Holdings, Inc.

18390 NE 68th St.

Redmond, WA 98052

Attn: Chief Executive Officer and General Counsel

Email: dsharma@paymentus.com; jmorrow@paymentus.com

 

with a copy (which copy shall not constitute notice) to:

 

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, P.C.

701 Fifth Avenue, Suite 5100

Seattle, WA 98104

Attn: Michael Nordtvedt; Victor Nilsson

E-mail: mnordtvedt@wsgr.com; vnilsson@wsgr.com

 

If to any Investor, to:

 

c/o Accel-KKR Capital Management, L.P.

2180 Sand Hill Road

Suite 300

Menlo Park, CA 94025

Attention: Rob Polumbo; Jason Klein

Email: rob@accel-kkr.com; jason@accel-kkr.com

with copies (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

601 Lexington Avenue

New York, NY 10022

Attn: Joshua N. Korff, P.C.

E-mail: jkorff@kirkland.com

 

and

 

Kirkland & Ellis LLP

 

7


 

300 N. LaSalle

Chicago, IL 60654

Attn: Jeffrey Seifman, P.C.; Shelly M. Hirschtritt, P.C.; Kevin W. Mausert, P.C.

E-mail: jseifman@kirkland.com; shelly.hirschtritt@kirkland.com; kevin.mausert@kirkland.com

 

7.7Brokers or Finders. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless each Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finder’s fee or agent’s commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which such Investor or any of its constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 2.7, and each Investor agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Company and each other Investor from any liability for any commission or compensation in the nature of a brokerage or finder’s fee or agent’s commission (and the costs and expenses of defending against such liability or asserted liability) for which the Company, such other Investor or any of their constituent partners, members, officers, directors, employees or representatives is responsible to the extent such liability is attributable to any inaccuracy or breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 3.7.

7.8Amendments and Waivers. Any term of this Agreement may be amended and the observance of any term of this Agreement may be waived (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively), only with the written consent of the Company and the Investors.

7.9Severability. If any provision of this Agreement becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, unenforceable or void, portions of such provision, or such provision in its entirety, to the extent necessary, shall be severed from this Agreement, and such court will replace such illegal, void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the same economic, business and other purposes of the illegal, void or unenforceable provision. The balance of this Agreement shall be enforceable in accordance with its terms.

7.10Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the documents referred to herein constitute the entire agreement among the parties. No party shall be liable or bound to any other party in any manner with regard to the subjects hereof or thereof by any warranties, representations or covenants except as specifically set forth herein or therein.

7.11Specific Performance. The parties to this Agreement hereby acknowledge and agree that the Company would be irreparably injured by a breach of this Agreement by an Investor, and each Investor would be irreparably injured by a breach of this Agreement by the Company, and that money damages are an inadequate remedy for an actual or threatened breach of this Agreement because of the difficulty of ascertaining the amount of damage that will be suffered by the aggrieved party in the event that this agreement is breached. Therefore, each of the parties to this Agreement agree to the granting of specific performance of this Agreement and injunctive or other equitable relief in favor of the aggrieved party as a remedy for any such breach, without proof of actual damages, and the parties to this Agreement further waive any requirement for the securing or posting of any bond in connection with any such remedy. Such remedy shall not be deemed to be the exclusive remedy for breach of this Agreement, but shall be in addition to all other remedies available at law or in equity to the aggrieved party. If any term, provision, covenant or restriction of this Agreement is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, void or unenforceable, the remainder of the terms, provisions, covenants and restrictions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect and shall in no way be affected, impaired or invalidated.

[Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

 

 

8


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

PAYMENTUS HOLDINGS, INC.

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Dushyant Sharma

Name:

 

Dushyant Sharma

Title:

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

Signature Page to Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

INVESTORS:

 

 

 

Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP, a Delaware limited partnership

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Fund III Management Company CV, LP

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Management Company, LLC

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

Accel-KKR Holdings GP, LLC

Its:

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas C. Barnds

Name:

 

Thomas C. Barnds

Title:

 

Manager

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

Signature Page to Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

INVESTORS:

 

 

 

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners III, LP

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Growth Capital Management Company III, LP

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Management Company, LLC

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

Accel-KKR Holdings GP, LLC

Its:

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas C. Barnds

Name:

 

Thomas C. Barnds

Title:

 

Manager

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

Signature Page to Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

INVESTORS:

 

 

 

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II, LP

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Growth Capital Management Company II, LP

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Management Company, LLC

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

Accel-KKR Holdings GP, LLC

Its:

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas C. Barnds

Name:

 

Thomas C. Barnds

Title:

 

Manager

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

Signature Page to Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement


 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement as of the date first above written.

 

INVESTORS:

 

 

 

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II Strategic Fund, LP

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Growth Capital Management Company II, LP

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

AKKR Management Company, LLC

Its:

 

General Partner

 

 

 

By:

 

Accel-KKR Holdings GP, LLC

Its:

 

Managing Member

 

 

 

By:

 

/s/ Thomas C. Barnds

Name:

 

Thomas C. Barnds

Title:

 

Manager

 

 

 

Date:

 

May 16, 2021

 

 

 

Signature Page to Class A Common Stock Purchase Agreement


 

EXHIBIT A

 

Investor

 

Investment Amount

Accel-KKR Capital Partners CV III, LP

 

$47,163,614.50

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners III, LP

 

$1,985,469.52

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II, LP

 

$784,370.95

Accel-KKR Growth Capital Partners II Strategic Fund, LP

 

$66,545.03

 

 

Exhibit 23.1

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

We hereby consent to the use in this Registration Statement on Form S-1 of Paymentus Holdings, Inc. of our report dated March 22, 2021, except for the effects of the stock split discussed in Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements, as to which the date is May 13, 2021 relating to the financial statements of Paymentus Holdings, Inc., which appears in this Registration Statement.  We also consent to the reference to us under the heading “Experts” in such Registration Statement.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Charlotte, North Carolina

May 17, 2021