As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 6, 2021
Registration No. 333-
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
UNDER
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
The Original BARK Company
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware
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83-4109918
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(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
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(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
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221 Canal Street
New York, NY
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10013
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(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
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(Zip Code)
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BARKBOX, INC. 2011 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
THE ORIGINAL BARK COMPANY 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
THE ORIGINAL BARK COMPANY 2021 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
(Full title of the plan)
John Toth
Chief Financial Officer
221 Canal Street
New York, NY
Tel: (855) 501-2275
(Name and address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)
Copies to:
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Melissa B. Marks, Esq.
Jeffrey R. Vetter, Esq.
Keith J. Scherer, Esq.
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
1250 Broadway, 23rd Floor
New York, New York 10001
Telephone: (212) 730-8133
Fax: (877) 881-3007
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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.
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Large accelerated filer
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☐
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Accelerated filer
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☐
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Non-accelerated filer
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☒
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Smaller reporting company
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☒
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Emerging growth company
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☒
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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 the Securities Act. ☐
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
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Title of securities
to be registered
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Amount to be
registered(1)
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Proposed
maximum
offering price
per share
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Proposed
maximum
aggregate
offering price
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Amount of
registration fee
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Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, reserved for issuance under The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
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16,765,582(2)
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$8.00(3)
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$134,124,656
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$14,633.00
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Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options under The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan
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163,923
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$10.30(4)
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$1,688,407
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$184.21
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Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, reserved for issuance under The Original BARK Company 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
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3,385,901(5)
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$6.80(6)
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$23,024,127
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$2,511.93
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Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options under the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan
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28,826,658(7)
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$2.15(8)
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$61,977,315
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$6,761.73
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Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issued under the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan
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307,585(9)
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$8.00(10)
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$2,460,680
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$268.46
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TOTAL
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49,449,649
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$223,275,184
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$24,359.33
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(1) Pursuant to Rule 416(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement also covers such additional and indeterminate number of securities as may become issuable pursuant to the provisions of The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”), The Original BARK Company 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) and the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”) by reason of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization or any other similar transaction effected without the Registrant’s receipt of consideration which results in an increase in the number of outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”).
(2) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan. To the extent that shares previously issued pursuant to awards granted under the 2011 Plan are forfeited on or after June 1, 2021, such shares will become available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan, subject to the maximum limit set forth in such plan. In general, to the extent that any awards under the Equity Incentive Plan are forfeited, cancelled or expire for any reason before being exercised or settled in full, if any awards are settled in cash or if shares issued under the Equity Incentive Plan are reacquired by the Registrant pursuant to a forfeiture provision, repurchase right or for any other reason, those shares will again become available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan, as will shares applied to pay the exercise or purchase price of an award or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to any award.
(3) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price of $8.00 per share represents the average high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as quoted on the NYSE on August 2, 2021.
(4) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price of $10.30 per share represents the weighted average exercise price per share of outstanding awards under the Equity Incentive Plan.
(5) Represents shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the ESPP.
(6) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act and based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s Common Stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on August 2, 2021, multiplied by 85%.
(7) Represents shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of outstanding stock options under the 2011 Plan.
(8) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price of $2.15 per share represents the weighted average exercise price per share of outstanding awards under the 2011 Plan.
(9) Represents shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to restricted stock awards outstanding under the 2011 Plan as of the date of this Registration Statement. To the extent any such awards are forfeited subsequent to the date of this Registration Statement, such shares will become available for issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan. See footnote 2 above.
(10) Estimated pursuant to Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. The price of $8.00 per share represents the average high and low sales prices of the Common Stock as quoted on the NYSE on August 2, 2021.
The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462 under the Securities Act.
EXPLANATORY NOTE
This Registration Statement on Form S-8 (this “Registration Statement”) is being filed by The Original BARK Company, a Delaware corporation (the “Registrant”), relating to (i) 16,765,582 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), issuable under The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”); (ii) 163,923 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Equity Incentive Plan, (iii) 3,385,901 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the under The Original BARK Company 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”); (iv) 28,826,658 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options granted under the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”); and (v) 307,585 shares of Common Stock issued under the 2011 Plan.
This Registration Statement also includes a prospectus (the “Reoffer Prospectus”) prepared in accordance with General Instruction C of Form S-8 and in accordance with the requirements of Part I of Form S-3. This Reoffer Prospectus may be used for the reoffer and resale of shares of Common Stock on a continuous or delayed basis that may be deemed to be “control securities” within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, that are issuable to certain of our executive officers and directors identified in the Reoffer Prospectus. The number of shares of Common Stock included in the Reoffer Prospectus represents shares of Common Stock issuable to the selling stockholders pursuant to equity awards, including stock options and restricted stock units, granted to the selling stockholders and does not necessarily represent a present intention to sell any or all such shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock to be offered or resold by means of the Reoffer Prospectus by the selling stockholders, and any other person with whom any of them is acting in concert for the purpose of selling Common Stock, may not exceed, during any three month period, the amount specified in Rule 144(e) under the Securities Act.
PART I
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(a) PROSPECTUS
The information specified in Item 1 and Item 2 of Part I of this Registration Statement is omitted from this filing in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act and the introductory note to Part I of Form S-8. The documents containing the information specified in Part I will be delivered to plan participants as required by Rule 428(b)(1).
The Original BARK Company
16,472,843 Shares of Common Stock
Offered by Selling Stockholders
This reoffer prospectus (“Reoffer Prospectus”) relates to the offer and sale from time to time by the selling stockholders named in this Reoffer Prospectus (the “Selling Stockholders”), or their permitted transferees, of up to 16,472,843 shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of The Original BARK Company, a Delaware corporation (“Common Stock”). This Reoffer Prospectus covers 163,923 shares of Common Stock issuable to Selling Stockholders pursuant to awards granted or assumed by The Original BARK Company to the Selling Stockholder under The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) and the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2011 Plan”), including restricted stock units and stock options. We are not offering any shares of Common Stock and will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders pursuant to this Reoffer Prospectus. The Selling Stockholders are certain of our directors and executive officers, each of whom is an “affiliate” of our company (as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”)).
Subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to vesting of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby pursuant to the terms of the relevant award agreements, and subject to the expiration of any lock-up agreements, the Selling Stockholders may from time to time sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Reoffer Prospectus through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers (or a single purchaser) or through broker-dealers or agents. If underwriters or dealers are used to sell the shares of Common Stock, we will name them and describe their compensation in a prospectus supplement. The shares of Common Stock may be sold in one or more transactions at fixed prices, prevailing market prices at the time of sale, prices related to the prevailing market prices, varying prices determined at the time of sale or negotiated prices. We do not know when or in what amount the Selling Stockholders may offer the shares of Common Stock for sale. The Selling Stockholders may sell any, all or none of the shares of Common Stock offered by this Reoffer Prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page 10 for more information about how the Selling Stockholders may sell or dispose of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Reoffer Prospectus. The Selling Stockholders will bear all sales commissions and similar expenses. We will bear all expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering, including any other expenses incurred by us in connection with the registration and offering that are not borne by the Selling Stockholders.
Shares of Common Stock that will be issued pursuant to restricted stock units and stock options granted to Selling Stockholders will be “control securities” under the Securities Act before their sale under this Reoffer Prospectus. This Reoffer Prospectus has been prepared for the purposes of registering the shares of Common Stock under the Securities Act to allow for future sales by Selling Stockholders on a continuous or delayed basis to the public without restriction, provided that the amount of shares of Common Stock to be offered or resold under this Reoffer Prospectus by each Selling Stockholder or other person with whom he or she is acting in concert for the purpose of selling shares of Common Stock, may not exceed, during any three-month period, the amount specified in Rule 144(e) under the Securities Act.
Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “BARK.”
We are an “emerging growth company” under federal securities laws and are subject to reduced public company reporting requirements. Investing in our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. You should review carefully the risks and uncertainties described under the heading “Risk Factors” on page 6 of this Reoffer Prospectus and under similar headings in the documents that are incorporated by reference into this Reoffer Prospectus, as well as “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” on page 3 of this Reoffer Prospectus.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is August 6, 2021.
Table of Contents
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Page
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1
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1
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1
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3
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5
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6
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Determination of Offering Price
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6
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6
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6
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Selling Stockholders
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6
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10
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11
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11
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You should rely only on the information contained or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. Neither we nor the Selling Stockholders are making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date hereof. Additionally, any information we have incorporated by reference in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of the document incorporated by reference, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or any sale of securities. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since that date.
When used in this prospectus, the terms “BARK” the “Company,” “we,” “our” and “us” refer to The Original BARK Company, a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, unless otherwise specified.
ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This Reoffer Prospectus contains important information you should know before investing, including important information about the Company and the securities being offered. You should carefully read this Reoffer Prospectus, as well as the additional information contained in the documents described under “Where You Can Find More Information” and “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” in this Reoffer Prospectus, and in particular the periodic and current reporting documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different information. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This Reoffer Prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities, and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.
You should not assume that the information in this Reoffer Prospectus or any documents we incorporate by reference herein or therein is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of those documents. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since those dates.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other documents with the Commission under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Commission maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding issuers, including the Company, that file electronically with the Commission. You may obtain copies of the registration statement and its exhibits and the other documents that we file with the Commission at www.sec.gov.
We also make these documents available on the investor relations portion of our website at https://investors.bark.co/financials/sec-filings/default.aspx. Our website and the information contained or connected to our website is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus, and you should not consider it part of this Reoffer Prospectus. Our principal executive office is located at 221 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013, and can be reached by telephone at (855) 501-2275.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE
The Commission rules permit us to incorporate by reference information in this Reoffer Prospectus. This means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the Commission. The information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Reoffer Prospectus, except for information superseded by information contained in this Reoffer Prospectus itself or in any subsequently filed incorporated document. This Reoffer Prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that we have previously filed with the Commission, other than information in such documents that is deemed to be furnished and not filed. These documents contain important information about the Company and its business and financial condition.
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(1)
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The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on June 7, 2021, as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on June 7, 2021;
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(2)
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The Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 3, 2021, May 12, 2021, May 18, 2021, May 28, 2021, June 7, 2021 and June 21, 2021; and
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(3)
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The description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form S-1 , filed with the Commission on June 23, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
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All documents subsequently filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement of
which this Reoffer Prospectus forms a part which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Reoffer Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents, except that information furnished to the Commission under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in Current Reports on Form 8-K and any exhibit relating to such information, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Reoffer Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this Reoffer Prospectus, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Reoffer Prospectus.
The Company undertakes to provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this Reoffer Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any and all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus but not delivered with this Reoffer Prospectus other than the exhibits to those documents, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into the information that this Reoffer Prospectus incorporates. Documents incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus may be obtained by requesting them in writing or by telephone from us at:
The Original BARK Company
221 Canal Street,
New York, NY 10013
Tel.: (855) 501-2275
CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Company makes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Exchange Act in this Reoffer Prospectus and in documents incorporated by reference herein. All statements, other than statements of present or historical fact included in or incorporated by reference in this Reoffer Prospectus, regarding the Company’s future financial performance, as well as the Company’s strategy, future operations, future operating results, financial position, estimated revenues, and losses, projected costs, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “should,” “could,” “would,” “expect,” “plan,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “believe,” “estimate,” “continue,” “project” or the negative of such terms and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These statements are based on various assumptions, whether or not identified herein, and on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of, fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and may differ from assumptions, and such differences may be material. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about the Company that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. If any of these risks materialize or the Company’s assumptions prove incorrect, actual results could differ materially from the results implied by these forward-looking statements. There may be additional risks that the Company does not presently know or that the Company currently believes are immaterial that could also cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s expectations, plans or forecasts of future events and views as of the date hereof. The Company anticipates that subsequent events and developments will cause the Company’s assessments to change. However, while the Company may elect to update these forward-looking statements at some point in the future, except as otherwise required by applicable law, the Company specifically disclaims any duty to update any forward-looking statements, all of which are expressly qualified by the statements in this section, to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this Reoffer Prospectus. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s assessments as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed upon the forward-looking statements. The Company cautions you that these forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risk and uncertainties, most of which are all difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the control of the Company.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements:
• the benefits of the Business Combination (as defined herein);
• BARK’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, its officers, key employees or directors following the Business Combination;
• changes in BARK’s strategy, future operations, expansion plans and opportunities, financial position, estimated revenues and losses, projected costs, prospects and plans, capital requirements and sources and uses of cash;
• the implementation, market acceptance and success of BARK’s business model and its ability to scale in a cost-effective manner;
• BARK’s significant reliance on revenue from customers purchasing subscription-based products, such as BarkBox and Super Chewer, and its ability to successfully expand its offerings;
• BARK’s short history operating at its current scale in a rapidly evolving industry;
• the effectiveness and efficiency of BARK’s marketing and cross-selling efforts;
• BARK’s ability to compete in the highly competitive dog products and services retail industry
• BARK’s ability to maintain and grow its strong brand and reputation;
• adverse changes in BARK’s shipping arrangements or any interruptions in shipping;
• the ability to maintain effective controls over disclosure and financial reporting that enable BARK to comply with regulations and produce accurate financial statements;
• the effects of economic downturns and other macroeconomic conditions or trends on BARK’s business and consumer spending;
• the future financial performance of the combined company following the Business Combination;
• failure to maintain the listing on, or the delisting of our securities from, NYSE;
• potential liquidity and trading of our securities;
• lack of a market for our securities;
• use of our cash and cash equivalents; and
• our financial performance.
The foregoing review of important factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other risk factors included herein. Forward-looking statements reflect current views about BARK’s plans, strategies and prospects, which are based on information available as of the date of this prospectus. Except to the extent required by applicable law, BARK undertakes no obligation (and expressly disclaims any such obligation) to update or revise the forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside our control, which could cause actual results to differ materially from these statements. Therefore, you should not place undue reliance on those statements.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
This Reoffer Prospectus is part of a registration statement that we filed with the Commission. We have provided to you in this Reoffer Prospectus a general description of the Selling Stockholders and the distribution of the shares. To the extent there is a conflict between the information contained in this Reoffer Prospectus and any of our subsequent filings with the Commission, the information in the document having the later date shall modify or supersede the earlier statement.
As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, the registration statement of which this Reoffer Prospectus forms part includes additional information not contained in this prospectus. You may read the registration statement and the other reports we file with the Commission at the Commission’s website or at the Commission’s offices described above under the heading “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference” if necessary.
As used in this Reoffer Prospectus, unless the context otherwise requires or indicates, references to “BARK,” the “Company,” “we,” “our,” and “us,” refer to The Original BARK Company and its subsidiaries.
Overview
BARK is a company of dog-obsessed people dedicated to making dogs happy. BARK is a vertically integrated, data driven, omnichannel brand serving dogs across the four key categories of Play, Food, Health, and Home. BARK’s dog-obsessed team applies its unique, data-driven understanding of what makes each dog special to design playstyle-specific toys, delicious and satisfying treats, food, and wellness supplements, and best in class offerings that foster the health and happiness of dogs. Founded in 2012, BARK loyally serves dogs nationwide with monthly subscription offerings, BarkBox and Super Chewer; a personalized meal delivery service for dogs, BARK Eats; custom collections through online marketplaces and via brick and mortar retail partners, including Target and Amazon; wellness products that meet dogs’ needs with BARK Bright through monthly subscriptions; BARK’S ATB platform; and individually on its website BarkShop.com. The information contained on BARK’s website, BarkShop.com, is not part this prospectus.
The mailing address of BARK’s principal executive office is 221 Canal Street, Floor 6, New York, New York 10013, and its telephone number is 1-855-501-BARK (1-855-501-2275).
The Offering
This Reoffer Prospectus relates to the public offering, which is not being underwritten, by the Selling Stockholders listed in this Reoffer Prospectus, of up to 28,990,581 shares of Common Stock issuable to Selling Stockholders pursuant to awards granted or assumed by the Company to the Selling Stockholder under the Equity Incentive Plan and the 2011 Plan, including restricted stock units and stock options. Subject to the satisfaction of any conditions to vesting of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby pursuant to the terms of the relevant award agreements, and subject to the expiration of any lock-up agreements described herein, the Selling Stockholders may from time to time sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any or all of the shares of Common Stock covered by this Reoffer Prospectus through underwriters or dealers, directly to purchasers (or a single purchaser) or through broker-dealers or agents. We will receive none of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders. The Selling Stockholders will bear all sales commissions and similar expenses in connection with this offering. We will bear all expenses of registration incurred in connection with this offering, as well as any other expenses incurred by us in connection with the registration and offering that are not borne by the Selling Stockholders.
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RISK FACTORS
Investing in shares of our Common Stock involves a high degree of risk. Investors should carefully consider the risks we have described under Item 1A “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Commission on June 7, 2021, together with all the other information appearing in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus, before deciding to invest in our Common Stock. If any of the events or developments we have described occur, our business, financial condition, or results of operations could be materially or adversely affected. As a result, the market price of our Common Stock could decline, and investors could lose all or part of their investment. The risks and uncertainties we have described are not the only risks and uncertainties that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. The risks we have described also include forward-looking statements, and our actual results may differ substantially from those discussed in these forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
DETERMINATION OF OFFERING PRICE
The Selling Stockholders will determine at what price they may sell the offered shares of Common Stock, and such sales may be made at prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices. See “Plan of Distribution” below for more information.
USE OF PROCEEDS
We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders.
DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES
The information set forth in “Description of Securities” of Prospectus Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3) on July 6, 2021 is incorporated herein by reference.
SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
The table below sets forth information concerning the resale of the shares by the Selling Stockholders. We will not receive any proceeds from the resale of the shares by the Selling Stockholders.
The table below sets forth, as of July 31, 2021 (the “Determination Date”), (i) the name of each person who is offering the resale of shares by this Reoffer Prospectus; (ii) the number of shares (and the percentage, if 1% or more) of Common Stock beneficially owned (determined in the manner described in footnote (1) to the table below) by each person; (iii) the number of shares that each Selling Stockholder may offer for sale from time to time pursuant to this Reoffer Prospectus, whether or not such Selling Stockholder has a present intention to do so; and (iv) the number of shares (and the percentage, if 1% or more) of Common Stock each person will own after the offering, assuming they sell all of the shares offered. Unless otherwise indicated, beneficial ownership is direct and the person indicated has sole voting and investment power. The address for each Selling Stockholder listed in the table below is c/o The Original BARK Company, 221 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013.
The Selling Stockholders identified below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of some or all of their shares since the date on which the information in the following table is presented in transactions exempt from or not subject to the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Information concerning the Selling Stockholders may change from time to time and, if necessary, we will amend or supplement this prospectus accordingly. We cannot give an estimate as to the number of shares of Common Stock that will actually be held by the Selling Stockholders upon termination of this offering because the Selling Stockholders may offer some or all of their Common Stock under the offering contemplated by this prospectus or acquire additional shares of Common Stock.
The total number of shares that may be sold hereunder will not exceed the number of shares offered hereby. Please read the section entitled “Plan of Distribution” in this Reoffer Prospectus.
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Selling Stockholder
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Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned Prior to this Offering (1)
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Percentage
of Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
Before
Resale
(1)(3)
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Shares of
Common
Stock
Offered for
Resale in this
Offering(1)
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Shares of
Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned After
this Offering
(2)
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Percentage
of Common
Stock
Beneficially
Owned
After
Resale
(1)(3)
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Matt Meeker (4)
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11,086,982
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6.5%
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1,311,385
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9,775,597
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5.8%
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Manish Joneja
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6,496,732
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3.7%
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6,496,732
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—
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*
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Joanna Coles (5)
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6,145,113
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3.7%
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36,363
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6,108,750
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3.6%
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Jonathan Ledecky (5)
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6,145,113
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3.7%
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36,363
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6,108,750
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3.6%
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Henrik Werdelin (6)
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12,725,653
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7.5%
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1,666,594
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11,059,059
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6.6%
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Elizabeth McLaughlin (7)
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693,865
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*
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693,865
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—
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*
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Jim McGinty (8)
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36,363
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*
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36,363
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—
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*
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John Toth (9)
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2,566,536
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1.5%
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2,338,635
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227,901
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*
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Carly Strife (10)
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12,919,300
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7.6%
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874,256
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12,045,044
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7.2%
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Michael Novotny
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1,923,030
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1.1%
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1,923,030
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—
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*
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Peter Kamali (11)
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1,617,369
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1.0%
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1,059,257
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558,112
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*
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*Less than 1%
(1) The numbers of shares of Common Stock reflect all shares of Common Stock acquired or issuable to a person pursuant to applicable grants previously made or that the Company’s Board has previously resolved to make irrespective of whether such grants are exercisable, vested or convertible as of the Determination Date or will become exercisable, vested or convertible within 60 days after the Determination Date.
(2) Assumes all of the shares of Common Stock being offered are sold in the offering, that shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by such Selling Stockholder on the Determination Date but not being offered pursuant to this prospectus (if any) are not sold, and that no additional shares are purchased or otherwise acquired other than pursuant to the restricted stock awards and restricted stock units relating to the shares being offered.
(3) Percentages are based on the 168,315,015 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Determination Date.
(4) Represents (i) 9,775,597 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Meeker, and (ii) options to purchase 1,311,385 shares of common stock held by Mr. Meeker.
(5) Excludes 4,558,000 shares of BARK common stock issuable upon exercise of the private warrants, which will not become exercisable within 60 days. Represents (i) 36,363 shares shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the settlement of RSUs to be granted each of Ms. Coles and Mr. Ledecky, and (ii) 6,145,113 shares held by Northern Star Sponsor LLC, of which each of Ms. Coles and Mr. Ledecky is a managing member. Notwithstanding their dispositive and voting control over such shares, each of Ms. Coles and Mr. Ledecky disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of BARK common stock held by Northern Star Sponsor LLC, except to the extent of his or her proportionate pecuniary interest therein.
(6) Represents (i) 18,674 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Werdelin, (ii) options to purchase 1,666,594 shares of common stock held by Mr. Werdelin that may be exercised within 60 days of June 2, 2021 and (iii) 11,040,385 shares of common stock held by Prehype Ventures LLC. Mr. Werdelin is the managing member of Prehype Ventures LLC and has sole voting and investment power with regard to the shares held by Prehype Ventures LLC. The business address for Prehype Ventures LLC is 221 Canal Street, New York, NY 10013.
(7) Includes 36,363 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the settlement of RSUs to be granted and 6,145,113 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the exercise of options held by Ms. McLaughlin.
(8) Includes 36,363 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the settlement of RSUs to be granted.
(9) Represents (i) 227,901 shares of common stock held directly by Mr. Toth, (ii) options to purchase 2,251,210 shares of common stock held by Mr. Toth, and (iii) 87,425 shares of common stock subject to vesting based on Mr. Toth’s continuous service with BARK.
(10) Represents (i) 11,389,352 shares of common stock held by Ms. Strife, (ii) 655,692 shares of common stock held by a trust of which Ms. Strife is a beneficiary and (iii) options to purchase 874,256 shares of common stock held by Ms. Strife.
(11) Represents (i) 558,112 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kamali, and (ii) options to purchase 1,059,257 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kamali.
Other Material Relationships with the Selling Stockholders
Employment Relationships
The Company has entered into employment agreements with Matt Meeker, Manish Joneja, John Toth, Carly Strife and Michel Novotny.
Indemnification Agreement
Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide the board of directors with discretion to indemnify officers and employees when determined appropriate by our board of directors.
We (and/or our subsidiaries) have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. The indemnification agreements provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and executive officers against any and all expenses incurred by that director or executive officer because of his or her status as one of our directors, or executive officers, or other key employees, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws. In addition, the indemnification agreements provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, we will advance all expenses incurred by its directors or executive officers in connection with a legal proceeding involving his or her status as a director or executive officer.
Lock-Up Agreements
Certain of the Selling Stockholders have agreed, subject to certain customary exceptions, during the period commencing on the Closing Date not to (i) offer, sell, transfer, assign, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or similarly dispose of, either voluntarily or involuntarily, or to enter into any contract, option or other arrangement or understanding with respect to the sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, hypothecation or similar disposition of, any interest owned by a person or any interest (including a beneficial interest) in, or the ownership, control or possession of, any interest owned by a person, (ii) enter into any swap, hedging, short sale, or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of Common Stock or securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise or (iii) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (i) or (ii), in each case, for 12 months after the Closing Date, which period may be earlier terminated if the reported closing sale price of BARK’s Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 per share (subject to adjustment for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations or other similar transactions) for a period of 20 trading days during any 30-trading-day period commencing at least 150 days following the Closing Date. As of July 31, 2021, an aggregate of 49,022,161 shares offered for resale by this Reoffer Prospectus are subject to these lock-up restrictions.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The shares of Common Stock covered by this Reoffer Prospectus are being registered by the Company for the account of the Selling Stockholders. The shares of Common Stock offered may be sold from time to time directly by or on behalf of each Selling Stockholder in one or more transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or any other stock exchange on which the Common Stock may be listed at the time of sale, in privately negotiated transactions, or through a combination of such methods, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, at fixed prices (which may be changed) or at negotiated prices. The Selling Stockholders may sell shares through one or more agents, brokers or dealers or directly to purchasers. Such brokers or dealers may receive compensation in the form of commissions, discounts or concessions from the Selling Stockholders and/or purchasers of the shares or both. Such compensation as to a particular broker or dealer may be in excess of customary commissions. The amount of shares of Common Stock to be reoffered or resold under the Reoffer Prospectus by each Selling Stockholder and any other person with whom he or she is acting in concert for the purpose of selling shares of Common Stock, may not exceed, during any three-month period, the amount specified in Rule 144(e) under the Securities Act.
A Selling Securityholder may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by any Selling Securityholder or borrowed from any Selling Securityholder or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from any Selling Securityholder in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third party in such sale transactions will be an underwriter and will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment). In addition, any Selling Securityholder may otherwise loan or pledge securities to a financial institution or other third party that in turn may sell the securities short using this prospectus. Such financial institution or other third party may transfer its economic short position to investors in our securities or in connection with a concurrent offering of other securities.
In connection with their sales, a Selling Stockholder and any participating broker or dealer may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and any commissions they receive and the proceeds of any sale of shares may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. We are bearing all costs relating to the registration of the shares of Common Stock. Any commissions or other fees payable to brokers or dealers in connection with any sale of the shares will be borne by the Selling Stockholders or other party selling such shares. Sales of the shares must be made by the Selling Stockholders in compliance with all applicable state and federal securities laws and regulations, including the Securities Act. In addition to any shares sold hereunder, Selling Stockholders may sell shares of Common Stock in compliance with Rule 144. There is no assurance that the Selling Stockholders will sell all or a portion of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby. The Selling Stockholders may agree to indemnify any broker, dealer or agent that participates in transactions involving sales of the shares against certain liabilities in connection with the offering of the shares arising under the Securities Act. We have notified the Selling Stockholders of the need to deliver a copy of this Reoffer Prospectus in connection with any sale of the shares of Common Stock.
The anti-manipulation rules of Regulation M under the Exchange Act may apply to sales of shares of Common Stock and activities of the Selling Stockholders, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the shares of Common Stock by the Selling Stockholders and any other participating person. Regulation M may also restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the shares of Common Stock to engage in passive market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock. Passive market making involves transactions in which a market maker acts as both our underwriter and as a purchaser of shares of Common Stock in the secondary market. All of the foregoing may affect the marketability of the shares of Common Stock and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the shares of Common Stock.
Once sold under the registration statement of which this Reoffer Prospectus forms a part, the shares of Common Stock will be freely tradable in the hands of persons other than our affiliates.
LEGAL MATTERS
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP has issued an opinion regarding the legality of certain of the offered securities.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of The Original BARK Company (f/k/a Northern Star Acquisition Corp.) for the year ended March 31, 2021, and the related statements of operations, changes in stockholders’ equity and cash flows for the period from July 8, 2020 (inception) through March 31, 2021, incorporated herein by reference, have been audited by Marcum LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report thereon, which is incorporated by reference herein. Such financial statements have been included herein in reliance on the report of such firm, given on their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
The consolidated financial statements of Barkbox, Inc. as of March 31, 2021 and 2020, and for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2021, incorporated by reference in this prospectus by reference to The Original BARK Company Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 7, 2021 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Item 3. Incorporation of Documents by Reference.
The following documents previously filed by the Registrant with the Commission are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement:
(1) The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Commission on June 7, 2021, as amended by the Form 10-K/A filed with the Commission on June 7, 2021;
(2) The Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the Commission on May 3, 2021, May 12, 2021, May 18, 2021, May 28, 2021, June 7, 2021 and June 21, 2021; and
(3) The description of the Company’s Common Stock contained in its Registration Statement on Form S-1, filed with the Commission on June 23, 2021, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
All documents subsequently filed by the Registrant with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall be deemed incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of the filing of such documents, except that information furnished to the Commission under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 in Current Reports on Form 8-K and any exhibit relating to such information, shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.
Any statement contained herein or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in this Registration Statement, or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement, modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Registration Statement.
Item 4. Description of Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 5. Interests of Named Experts and Counsel.
Not applicable.
Item 6. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations. The terms of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or Securities Act.
Our Certificate of Incorporation contains provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify each of our directors to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws also provide us with discretion to indemnify officers and employees when determined appropriate by the Board of Directors.
We entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers and certain other key employees. The indemnification agreements provide that we indemnify each of our directors, executive officers and such other key employees against any and all expenses incurred by that director, executive officer or other key employee because of his or her status as one of our directors, executive officers or other key employees, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws. In addition, the indemnification agreements provide that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, we will advance all expenses incurred by our directors, executive officers, and other key employees in connection with a legal proceeding involving his or her status as a director, executive officer or key employee.
Item 7. Exemption from Registration Claimed.
Not applicable.
Item 8. Exhibits.
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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3.1
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3.2
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*5.1
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*23.1
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*23.2
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*23.3
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*99.1
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*99.2
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99.3
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* Filed herewith.
Item 9. Undertakings.
(a) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the Registration Statement; and
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the Registration Statement or any material change to such information in the Registration Statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment 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.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement 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.
(c) 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 Commission 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.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on August 6, 2021.
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THE ORIGINAL BARK COMPANY
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By
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/s/ John Toth
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Name
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John Toth
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Title
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Chief Financial Officer
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POWER OF ATTORNEY
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.
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Signature
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Title
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Date
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/s/ Manish Joneja
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Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
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August 6, 2021
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Manish Joneja
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/s/ John Toth
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Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
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August 6, 2021
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John Toth
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/s/ Matt Meeker
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Executive Chairman
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Matt Meeker
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August 6, 2021
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/s/ Jonathan J. Ledecky
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Director
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Jonathan J. Ledecky
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August 6, 2021
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/s/ Joanna Coles
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Director
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Joanna Coles
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August 6, 2021
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/s/ Jim McGinty
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Director
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Jim McGinty
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August 6, 2021
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/s/ Elizabeth McLaughlin
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Director
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Elizabeth McLaughlin
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August 6, 2021
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The Original BARK Company
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
(As Adopted on May 28, 2021)
The Original BARK Company
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION.
The Board adopted the Plan to become effective immediately prior to the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by (a) encouraging Service Providers to focus on critical long-range corporate objectives, (b) encouraging the attraction and retention of Service Providers with exceptional qualifications and (c) linking Service Providers directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options (which may be ISOs or NSOs), SARs, Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units. Capitalized terms used in this Plan are defined in Article 14.
ARTICLE 2. ADMINISTRATION.
2.1General. The Plan may be administered by the Board or one or more Committees to which the Board (or an authorized Board committee) has delegated authority. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee shall have the powers theretofore possessed by the Board, including, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to either the Board or the Administrator shall hereafter also encompass the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). The Board may abolish the Committee’s delegation at any time and the Board shall at all times also retain the authority it has delegated to the Committee. The Administrator shall comply with rules and regulations applicable to it, including under the rules of any exchange on which the Common Shares are traded, and shall have the authority and be responsible for such functions as have been assigned to it.
2.2Section 16. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be approved by the entire Board or a Committee of two or more “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Exchange Act Rule 16b-3.
2.3Powers of Administrator. Subject to the terms of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated to the Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority to (a) select the Service Providers who are to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) determine the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, (d) make, amend and rescind rules relating to the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, including rules relating to sub-plans established for the purposes of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, (e) impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant of any Common Shares issued pursuant to an Award, including restrictions under an insider trading policy and restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales,
and (f) make all other decisions relating to the operation of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan. In addition, with regard to the terms and conditions of Awards granted to Service Providers outside of the United States or not subject to taxation under the laws of the United States, the Administrator may vary from the provisions of the Plan to the extent it determines it necessary and appropriate to do so, including, where applicable, varying from the requirements set forth in Articles 5.3 and 6.3.
2.4Effect of Administrator’s Decisions. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
2.5Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (except its choice-of-law provisions).
ARTICLE 3. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS.
3.1Basic Limitation. Common Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The aggregate number of Common Shares issued under the Plan shall not exceed the sum of (a) 16,929,505 Common Shares, plus (b) up to 3,335,511 Common Shares subject to awards granted under the Predecessor Plan (and assumed by the Company pursuant to the Merger Agreement) that are outstanding on the Business Combination Date and that subsequently are forfeited, expire or lapse unexercised or unsettled and Common Shares issued pursuant to awards assumed in connection with the Business Combination Date and that are subsequently forfeited to or reacquired by the Company, and (c) the additional Common Shares described in Articles 3.2 and 3.3. The number of Common Shares that are subject to Awards outstanding at any time under the Plan may not exceed the number of Common Shares that then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The numerical limitations in this Article 3.1 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
3.2Annual Increase in Shares. On the first day of each fiscal year of the Company during the term of the Plan, commencing on April 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) March 31, 2031, the aggregate number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan shall increase by a number, determined by the Board on or before May 1st of such fiscal year, not to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Class A Common Stock actually issued and outstanding on the last day of the preceding fiscal year. If the Board does not determine to increase the aggregate number of Common Shares in the Plan by May 1st of such fiscal year, such increase shall be zero.
3.3Shares Returned to Reserve. To the extent that Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards are forfeited, cancelled or expire for any reason before being exercised or settled in full, the Common Shares subject to such Awards shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If SARs are exercised or Restricted Stock Units are settled, then only the number of Common Shares (if any) actually issued to the Participant upon exercise of such SARs or settlement of such Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, shall reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.1 and the balance shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If Restricted Shares or Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are reacquired by the Company pursuant to a forfeiture provision, repurchase right or for any other reason, then such Common Shares shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Common Shares applied to pay the Exercise Price of Options or to
satisfy tax withholding obligations related to any Award shall again become available for issuance under the Plan (but such shares shall not again become available for issuance as ISOs). To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than Common Shares, the cash settlement shall not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
3.4Awards Not Reducing Share Reserve. To the extent permitted under applicable exchange listing standards, any dividend equivalents paid or credited under the Plan with respect to Restricted Stock Units shall not be applied against the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan, whether or not such dividend equivalents are converted into Restricted Stock Units. In addition, Common Shares subject to Substitute Awards granted by the Company shall not reduce the number of Common Shares that may be issued under Article 3.1, nor shall shares subject to Substitute Awards again be available for Awards under the Plan in the event of any forfeiture, expiration or cash settlement of such Substitute Awards.
3.5Code Section 422 and Other Limits. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Article 9:
(a)The grant date fair value of Awards granted to an Outside Director during any one fiscal year of the Company may not exceed $750,000 (on a per-Director basis); provided however that the limitation that will apply in the fiscal year in which the Outside Director is initially appointed or elected to the Board shall instead be $1,500,000. For purposes of this limitation, grant date fair value of an Award shall be determined in accordance with the assumptions that the Company uses to estimate the value of share-based payments for financial reporting purposes. For the sake of clarity, neither (i) Awards granted to an individual while they were an Employee or Consultant, but not an Outside Director, nor (ii) Awards granted pursuant to an Outside Director’s election to receive Awards in lieu of cash retainers or other fees shall count towards this limitation.
(b)No more than 45,000,000 Common Shares (subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9) may be issued under the Plan upon the exercise of ISOs.
ARTICLE 4. ELIGIBILITY.
4.1Incentive Stock Options. Only Employees who are commonlaw employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of ISOs. In addition, an Employee who owns more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of outstanding stock of the Company or any of its Parents or Subsidiaries shall not be eligible for the grant of an ISO unless the additional requirements set forth in Code Section 422(c)(5) are satisfied.
4.2Other Awards. Awards other than ISOs may be granted to both Employees and other Service Providers.
ARTICLE 5. OPTIONS.
5.1Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are
not inconsistent with the Plan. The Stock Option Agreement shall specify whether the Option is intended to be an ISO or an NSO. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
5.2Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares subject to the Option, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
5.3Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant. The preceding sentence shall not apply to an Option that is a Substitute Award granted in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A and, if applicable, Code Section 424(a).
5.4Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date or event when all or any installment of the Option is to become vested and/or exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the Option may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination of such conditions. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option; provided that, except to the extent necessary to comply with applicable foreign law, the term of an Option shall in no event exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and/or exercisability upon certain specified events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s service.
5.5Death of Optionee. After an Optionee’s death, any vested and exercisable Options held by such Optionee may be exercised by his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionee’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable Options held by the Optionee may be exercised by his or her estate.
5.6Modification or Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify, reprice, extend or assume outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Option.
5.7Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (b) authorize an Optionee to elect to cash out an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Administrator shall establish.
5.8Payment for Option Shares. The entire Exercise Price of Common Shares issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Common Shares are purchased. In addition, the Administrator may, in its sole discretion
and to the extent permitted by applicable law, accept payment of all or a portion of the Exercise Price through any one or a combination of the following forms or methods:
(a)Subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Administrator, by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Common Shares that are already owned by the Optionee with a value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Common Shares as to which such Option will be exercised;
(b)By delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or part of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company;
(c)Subject to such conditions and requirements as the Administrator may impose from time to time, through a net exercise procedure; or
(d)Through any other form or method consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.
ARTICLE 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
6.1SAR Agreement. Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
6.2Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares to which the SAR pertains, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
6.3Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall in no event be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant. The preceding sentence shall not apply to a SAR that is a Substitute Award granted in a manner that would satisfy the requirements of Code Section 409A.
6.4Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become vested and exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the SAR may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination thereof. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR; provided that except to the extent necessary to comply with applicable foreign law, the term of a SAR shall not exceed 10 years from the date of grant. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and exercisability upon certain specified events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s service.
6.5Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Optionee (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after his or her death) shall receive from the Company (a) Common Shares, (b) cash or (c) a combination of Common Shares and cash, as the Administrator shall
determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Common Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, not exceed the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Common Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price. If, on the date when a SAR expires, the Exercise Price is less than the Fair Market Value on such date but any portion of such SAR has not been exercised or surrendered, then such SAR shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion. A SAR Agreement may also provide for an automatic exercise of the SAR on an earlier date.
6.6Death of Optionee. After an Optionee’s death, any vested and exercisable SARs held by such Optionee may be exercised by his or her beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionee’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable SARs held by the Optionee at the time of his or her death may be exercised by his or her estate.
6.7Modification or Assumption of SARs. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify, reprice, extend or assume outstanding stock appreciation rights or may accept the cancellation of outstanding stock appreciation rights (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such SAR.
ARTICLE 7. RESTRICTED SHARES.
7.1Restricted Stock Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
7.2Payment for Awards. Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Administrator may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, property, cancellation of other equity awards, promissory notes, past services and future services, and such other methods of payment as are permitted by applicable law.
7.3Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting and/or other conditions as the Administrator may determine. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Agreement. Vesting conditions may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination thereof. A Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
7.4Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other
stockholders, unless the Administrator otherwise provides. A Restricted Stock Agreement, however, may require that any cash dividends paid on Restricted Shares (a) be accumulated and paid when such Restricted Shares vest, or (b) be invested in additional Restricted Shares. Such additional Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the shares subject to the Award with respect to which the dividends were paid. In addition, unless the Administrator provides otherwise, if any dividends or other distributions are paid in Common Shares, such Common Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they were paid.
7.5Modification or Assumption of Restricted Shares. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify or assume outstanding Restricted Shares or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted shares (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Shares for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of Restricted Shares shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Restricted Shares.
ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
8.1Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the recipient and the Company. Such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
8.2Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Restricted Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Award recipients.
8.3Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting, as determined by the Administrator. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Vesting conditions may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Administrator may determine, or any combination thereof. A Restricted Stock Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
8.4Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan may, at the Administrator’s discretion, provide for a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one Common Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Common Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Units to which they attach.
8.5Form and Time of Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) Common Shares or (c) any
combination of both, as determined by the Administrator. The actual number of Restricted Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors. Methods of converting Restricted Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average value of Common Shares over a series of trading days. Vested Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in such manner and at such time(s) as specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Until an Award of Restricted Stock Units is settled, the number of such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
8.6Death of Recipient. Any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the recipient’s death shall be distributed to the recipient’s beneficiary or beneficiaries. Each recipient of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Award recipient’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or if no designated beneficiary survives the Award recipient, then any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the recipient’s death shall be distributed to the recipient’s estate.
8.7Modification or Assumption of Restricted Stock Units. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Administrator may modify or assume outstanding restricted stock units or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted stock units (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Stock Units for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a Restricted Stock Unit shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair his or her rights or obligations under such Restricted Stock Unit.
8.8Creditors’ Rights. A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
ARTICLE 9. ADJUSTMENTS; DISSOLUTIONS AND LIQUIDATIONS; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
9.1Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in Common Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Common Shares or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Common Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, proportionate adjustments shall be made to the following:
(a)The number and kind of shares available for issuance under Article 3, including the numerical share limits in Articles 3.1, 3.2 and 3.5;
(b)The number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding Option, SAR and Restricted Stock Unit; and/or
(c)The Exercise Price applicable to each outstanding Option and SAR, and the repurchase price, if any, applicable to Restricted Shares.
In the event of a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Common Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Common Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Administrator may make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to the foregoing. Any adjustment in the number of shares subject to an Award under this Article 9.1 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, although the Administrator in its sole discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of a fractional share. Except as provided in this Article 9, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issuance by the Company of stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.
9.2Dissolution or Liquidation. To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
9.3Corporate Transactions. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, or a Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.6(d)), all Common Shares acquired under the Plan and all Awards outstanding on the effective date of the transaction shall be treated in the manner described in the definitive transaction agreement (or, in the event the transaction does not entail a definitive agreement to which the Company is party, in the manner determined by the Administrator, with such determination having final and binding effect on all parties), which agreement or determination need not treat all Awards (or portions thereof) in an identical manner. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, the treatment specified in the transaction agreement or by the Administrator may include (without limitation) one or more of the following with respect to each outstanding Award:
(a)The continuation of such outstanding Award by the Company (if the Company is the surviving entity);
(b)The assumption of such outstanding Award by the surviving entity or its parent, provided that the assumption of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax requirements;
(c)The substitution by the surviving entity or its parent of an equivalent award for such outstanding Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the holders of Common Shares in the transaction), provided that the substitution of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax requirements;
(d)In the case of an Option or SAR, the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration. An Optionee shall be able to exercise his or her outstanding Option or SAR, to the extent such Option or SAR is then vested or becomes vested as of the effective time of the transaction, during a period of not less than five full business days preceding the closing date of the transaction, unless (i) a shorter period is required to permit a timely closing of the
transaction and (ii) such shorter period still offers the Optionee a reasonable opportunity to exercise such Option or SAR. Any exercise of such Option or SAR during such period may be contingent on the closing of the transaction;
(e)The cancellation of such Award and a payment to the Participant with respect to each share subject to the portion of the Award that is vested or becomes vested as of the effective time of the transaction equal to the excess of (A) the value, as determined by the Administrator in its absolute discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a Common Share as a result of the transaction, over (if applicable) (B) the per-share Exercise Price of such Award (such excess, if any, the “Spread”). Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the surviving entity or its parent having a value equal to the Spread. In addition, any escrow, holdback, earn-out or similar provisions in the transaction agreement may apply to such payment to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of Common Shares. If the Spread applicable to an Award (whether or not vested) is zero or a negative number, then the Award may be cancelled without making a payment to the Participant. In the event that an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, the payment described in this clause (e) shall be made on the settlement date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, provided that settlement may be accelerated in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4); or
(f)The assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of an Award of Restricted Shares to the surviving entity or its parent, with corresponding proportionate adjustments made to the price per share to be paid upon exercise of any such reacquisition or repurchase rights.
Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, each outstanding Award held by a Participant who remains a Service Provider as of the effective time of a merger, consolidation or Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.7(d)) (a “Current Participant”) shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction and, in the case of an Award subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such performance-based vesting conditions shall be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels. However, the prior sentence shall not apply, and an outstanding Award shall not become vested and, if applicable, exercisable, if and to the extent the Award is continued, assumed or substituted as provided for in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above. In addition, the prior two sentences shall not apply to an Award held by a Participant who is not a Current Participant, unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise or unless the Company and the acquirer agree otherwise.
For avoidance of doubt, the Administrator shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time an Award is granted or at any time while the Award remains outstanding, to provide for the acceleration of vesting upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, whether or not the Award is to be assumed or replaced in the transaction, or in connection with a termination of the Participant’s service following a transaction.
Any action taken under this Article 9.3 shall either preserve an Award’s status as exempt from Code Section 409A or comply with Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE 10. OTHER AWARDS.
Subject in all events to the limitations under Article 3 above as to the number of Common Shares available for issuance under this Plan, the Company may grant other forms of Awards not specifically described herein and may grant awards under other plans or programs, where such awards are settled in the form of Common Shares issued under this Plan. Such Common Shares shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like Common Shares issued in settlement of Restricted Stock Units and shall, when issued, reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.
ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS.
11.1Retention Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain a Service Provider. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the service of any Service Provider at any time, with or without cause, subject to applicable laws, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and a written employment agreement (if any).
11.2Stockholders’ Rights. Except as set forth in Article 7.4 or 8.4 above, a Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Shares covered by his or her Award prior to the time when a stock certificate for such Common Shares is issued or, if applicable, the time when they become entitled to receive such Common Shares by filing any required notice of exercise and paying any required Exercise Price. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such time, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
11.3Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Common Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of Common Shares pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Common Shares, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an exemption from registration, qualification or listing. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed necessary by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Common Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
11.4Transferability of Awards. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of an Award in a manner consistent with applicable law (including, other than an ISO, to a “family member” as such term is defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (whether by gift or a domestic relations order)). Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, Awards shall be transferable by a Participant only by (a) beneficiary designation, (b) a will or (c) the laws of descent and distribution; provided that, in any event, an ISO may only be transferred by will or by the laws of descent and distribution and may be exercised during the lifetime of the Optionee only by the Optionee or by the Optionee’s guardian or legal representative. Any transferee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the
Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations.
11.5Recoupment Policy. All Awards granted under the Plan, all amounts paid under the Plan and all Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to recoupment, clawback or recovery by the Company in accordance with applicable law and with Company policy (whenever adopted) regarding same, whether or not such policy is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or other applicable law, as well as any implementing regulations and/or listing standards thereunder.
11.6Other Conditions and Restrictions on Common Shares. Any Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal, other transfer restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine. Such conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Common Shares generally. In addition, Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions imposed either by applicable law or by Company policy, as adopted from time to time, designed to ensure compliance with applicable law or laws with which the Company determines in its sole discretion to comply including in order to maintain any statutory, regulatory or tax advantage.
ARTICLE 12. TAXES.
12.1General. It is a condition to each Award under the Plan that a Participant or his or her successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with any Award granted under the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Common Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan unless such obligations are satisfied.
12.2Share Withholding. To the extent that applicable law subjects a Participant to tax withholding obligations, the Administrator may permit such Participant to satisfy all or part of such obligations by having the Company withhold all or a portion of any Common Shares that otherwise would be issued to him or her or by surrendering all or a portion of any Common Shares that they previously acquired. Such Common Shares shall be valued on the date when they are withheld or surrendered. Any payment of taxes by assigning Common Shares to the Company may be subject to restrictions including any restrictions required by the SEC, accounting or other rules.
12.3Section 409A Matters. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in an Award Agreement, it is intended that Awards granted under the Plan either be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A. To the extent an Award is subject to Code Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the terms of the Plan, the Award and any written agreement governing the Award shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A so that the Award is not subject to additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise. A 409A Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Administrator from time to time in order for it to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A
Award is payable upon a “separation from service” to an individual who is considered a “specified employee” (as each term is defined under Code Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary for such payment to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A(a)(1).
12.4Limitation on Liability. Neither the Company nor any person serving as Administrator shall have any liability to a Participant in the event an Award held by the Participant fails to achieve its intended characterization under applicable tax law.
ARTICLE 13. FUTURE OF THE PLAN.
13.1Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective on the date of its adoption by the Board, subject to approval of the Company’s stockholders under Article 13.3 below. The Plan shall terminate automatically 10 years after the date when the Board adopted the Plan.
13.2Amendment or Termination. The Board may, at any time and for any reason, amend or terminate the Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Award previously granted under the Plan.
13.3Stockholder Approval. To the extent required by applicable law, the Plan will be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders within 12 months of its adoption date. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations or rules.
ARTICLE 14. DEFINITIONS.
1.1“Administrator” means the Board or any Committee administering the Plan in accordance with Article 2.
1.2“Affiliate” means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.
1.3“Award” means any award granted under the Plan, including as an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share award, a Restricted Stock Unit award or another form of equity-based compensation award.
1.4“Award Agreement” means a Stock Option Agreement, a SAR Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or such other agreement evidencing an Award granted under the Plan.
1.5“Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time and, where the context so requires, reference to the “Board” may refer to a Committee to whom the Board has delegated authority to administer any aspect of this Plan.
1.6“Business Combination Date” means the date of the closing of the merger contemplated by the Merger Agreement.
1.7“Change in Control” means:
(a)Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities;
(b)The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(c)The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which 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 or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or
(d)Individuals who are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board over a period of 12 months; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. In addition, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for a deferral of compensation and is subject to Code Section 409A, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or applicable Award Agreement the transaction with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Code Section 409A.
14.8“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
14.9“Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board, or of other individuals satisfying applicable laws, appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
14.10“Common Share” means one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.
14.11“Company” means The Original BARK Company, a Delaware corporation.
14.12“Consultant” means a consultant or adviser who provides bona fide services to the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate as an independent contractor and who qualifies as a consultant or advisor under Instruction A.1.(a)(1) of Form S-8 under the Securities Act.
14.13“Employee” means a commonlaw employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
14.14“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
14.15“Exercise Price,” in the case of an Option, means the amount for which one Common Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Common Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
14.16“Fair Market Value” means the closing price of a Common Share on any established stock exchange or a national market system on the applicable date or, if the applicable date is not a trading day, on the last trading day prior to the applicable date, as reported in a source that the Administrator deems reliable. If Common Shares are not traded on an established stock exchange or a national market system, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. The Administrator’s determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the determination of Fair Market Value in all cases shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary for an Award to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.
14.17“ISO” means an incentive stock option described in Code Section 422(b).
14.18“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated as of December 16, 2020, by and among the Company, NSAC Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Barkbox, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
14.19“NSO” means a stock option not described in Code Sections 422 or 423.
14.20“Option” means an ISO or NSO granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Common Shares.
14.21“Optionee” means an individual or estate holding an Option or SAR.
14.22“Outside Director” means a member of the Board who is not an Employee.
14.23“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a
Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
14.24“Participant” means an individual or estate holding an Award.
14.25“Plan” means this The Original BARK Company 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
14.26“Predecessor Plan” means the Barkbox, Inc. 2011 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.
14.27“Restricted Share” means a Common Share awarded under the Plan.
14.28“Restricted Stock Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Share.
14.29“Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Common Share, as awarded under the Plan.
14.30“Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Stock Unit that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Stock Unit.
14.31“SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.
14.32“SAR Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her SAR.
14.33“Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
14.34“Service Provider” means any individual who is an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant, including any prospective Employee, Outside Director or Consultant who has accepted an offer of employment or service and will be an Employee, Outside Director or Consultant after the commencement of their service.
14.35“Stock Option Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to his or her Option.
14.36“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
14.37“Substitute Awards” means Awards or Common Shares issued by the Company in assumption of, or substitution or exchange for, awards previously granted, or the right or obligation to make future awards, in each case by a corporation acquired by the Company or any Affiliate or with which the Company or any Affiliate combines to the extent permitted by the applicable exchange listing requirements.
The Original BARK Company
2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
(As Adopted Effective on May 28, 2021)
The Original BARK Company
2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
SECTION 1. PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.
The Board adopted the Plan to become effective immediately prior to the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement). The purpose of the Plan is to provide Eligible Employees with an opportunity to increase their proprietary interest in the success of the Company by purchasing Stock from the Company on favorable terms and to pay for such purchases through payroll deductions or other approved contributions.
SECTION 2. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
(a)General. The Plan may be administered by the Board or one or more Committees. Each Committee shall comply with rules and regulations applicable to it, including under the rules of any exchange on which the Stock is traded, and shall have the authority and be responsible for such functions as have been assigned to it.
(b)Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the terms of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated to the Committee, the Administrator shall interpret the Plan and make all other policy decisions relating to the operation of the Plan. The Administrator may adopt such rules, guidelines and forms as it deems appropriate to implement the Plan.
(c)Effects of Administrator’s Decisions. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
(d)Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (except its choice of law provisions).
SECTION 3. STOCK OFFERED UNDER THE PLAN.
(a)Authorized Shares. The number of shares of Stock available for purchase under the Plan shall be 3,385,901 shares of the Company’s Stock (subject to adjustment pursuant to
Subsection (c) below), plus the additional shares described in Subsection (b) below. Shares of Stock issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares.
(b)Annual Increase in Shares. On the first day of each fiscal year of the Company during the term of the Plan, commencing on April 1, 2022 and ending on (and including) March 31, 2041, the aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall increase by a number, determined by the Board on or before May 1st of such fiscal year, not to exceed the lesser of (i) one percent (1%) of the total number of shares of Stock issued and outstanding on the last day of the preceding fiscal year or (ii) 1,500,000 shares of Stock. If the Board does not determine to increase the aggregate number of shares of Stock in the Plan by May 1st of such fiscal year, such increase shall be zero.
(c)Anti-Dilution Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, stock or other securities or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, reclassification, repurchase, or exchange of Stock or other securities of the Company, or other similar change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Stock and effected without receipt or payment of consideration by the Company occurs, then in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, there will be a proportionate adjustment of the number and class of Stock that may be delivered under the Plan, the Purchase Price per share and the number and class of Stock covered by each option under the Plan which has not yet been exercised, and the numerical limits of Sections 3(a), 3(b)(ii) and 9(c).
(d)Reorganizations. In the event of a Corporate Reorganization, the outstanding rights to purchase Stock under any Offering Period then in progress may be continued, assumed or substituted by the surviving entity or its parent. If such acquirer refuses to continue, assume or substitute for any such rights, then a new Purchase Date for such Offering Period(s) will be set prior to the effective time of the Corporate Reorganization, the Participants’ accumulated contributions will be applied to purchase Stock on such date, and any such Offering Periods shall terminate immediately after such purchase. In the event a new Purchase Date is set under this Section 3(d), Participants will be given notice of the new Purchase Date. The Plan shall in no event be construed to restrict in any way the Company’s right to undertake a dissolution, liquidation, merger, consolidation or other reorganization.
SECTION 4. ENROLLMENT AND PARTICIPATION.
(a)Offering Periods and Purchase Periods.
(i)Base Offering Periods. The Administrator may from time to time establish Offering Periods (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) of such frequency and duration as it may deem appropriate (the “Base Offering Periods”); provided that a Base Offering Period shall in no event be longer than 27 months (or such other period as may be imposed under applicable tax law). Each Base Offering Period shall contain such terms and conditions (consistent with the Plan) as the Administrator deems
appropriate. Within the limits of the Plan, the Administrator may change the frequency, duration and other terms and conditions of the Base Offering Periods as it deems appropriate from time to time. The Base Offering Periods are intended to qualify under Code Section 423.
(ii)Additional Offering Periods. At the discretion of the Administrator, additional Offering Periods (the “Additional Offering Periods”) may be conducted under the Plan including, if necessary or advisable in the sole discretion of the Administrator, under a separate sub-plan or sub-plans, permitting grants to Eligible Employees of certain Participating Companies (each, a “Sub-Plan”). Such Additional Offering Periods may be designed to achieve desired tax objectives in particular locations outside the United States or to comply with local laws applicable to offerings in such foreign jurisdictions and will not be intended to qualify under Code Section 423. The Administrator shall determine the commencement and duration of each Additional Offering Period, which may be consecutive or overlapping. The other terms and conditions of each Additional Offering Period shall be those set forth in this Plan document or in terms and conditions approved by the Administrator with respect to such Additional Offering Period (whether or not set forth in a written Sub-Plan), with such changes or additional features as the Administrator determines necessary to comply with local law. Each Additional Offering Period (whether or not set forth in a written Sub-Plan) shall be considered a separate plan from the Plan (the “Statutory Plan”). The total number of shares authorized to be issued under the Plan as provided in Section 3 above applies in the aggregate to the Statutory Plan and any Additional Offering Period. Unless otherwise superseded by the terms and conditions approved by the Administrator with respect to an Additional Offering Period, the provisions of this Plan document shall govern the operation of any offering conducted hereunder.
(iii)Separate Offerings. Each Base Offering Period and each Additional Offering Period conducted under the Plan is intended to constitute a separate “offering” for purposes of Code Section 423.
(iv)Equal Rights and Privileges. To the extent an Offering Period is intended to qualify under Code Section 423, all participants in such Offering Period shall have the same rights and privileges with respect to their participation in such Offering Period in accordance with Code Section 423 and the regulations thereunder except for differences that may be mandated by local law and are consistent with the requirements of Code Section 423(b)(5).
(b)Enrollment. In the case of any individual who qualifies as an Eligible Employee on the first day of any Offering Period, he or she may elect to become a Participant on such day
by filing the prescribed enrollment form with the Company. The enrollment form shall be filed in the prescribed manner during the applicable Enrollment Period for such Offering Period. The Administrator may establish other procedures for enrollment by Eligible Employees.
(c)Duration of Participation. Once enrolled in the Plan, a Participant shall continue to participate in the Plan until he or she:
(i)Reaches the end of the Offering Period or Purchase Period, as applicable, in which his or her employee contributions were discontinued under Section 5(c) or 9(b);
(ii)Withdraws from the Plan under Section 6(a); or
(iii)Ceases to be an Eligible Employee.
A Participant whose employee contributions were discontinued automatically under Section 9(b) shall automatically resume participation as described therein. In all other cases, a former Participant may again become a Participant, if he or she then is an Eligible Employee, by following the procedure described in Subsection (b) above.
(d)Applicable Offering Period. For purposes of calculating the Purchase Price under Section 8(b), the applicable Offering Period shall be determined as follows:
(i)Once a Participant is enrolled in the Plan for an Offering Period, such Offering Period shall continue to apply to him or her until the earliest of (A) the end of such Offering Period, (B) the end of his or her participation under Subsection (c) above, or (C) re-enrollment for a subsequent Offering Period under Paragraph (ii) or (iii) below.
(ii)Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the Administrator (at its sole discretion) may determine prior to the commencement of any new Offering Period that all Participants shall be re-enrolled for such new Offering Period. In addition, the Administrator may structure an Offering Period that in the event that the Fair Market Value of a Share on the first day of the Offering Period for which the Participant is enrolled is higher than on the first day of any subsequent Offering Period, the Participant shall automatically be re-enrolled for such subsequent Offering Period.
(iii)When a Participant reaches the end of an Offering Period but his or her participation is to continue, then such Participant shall automatically be re-enrolled for the Offering Period that commences immediately after the end of the prior Offering Period.
SECTION 5. EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS.
(a)Commencement of Payroll Deductions. A Participant may purchase shares of Stock under the Plan by means of payroll deductions or (if so approved by the Administrator
with respect to all Participants in a Base Offering Period) other approved contributions in form and substance satisfactory to the Administrator. Payroll deductions or other approved contributions shall commence as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received the prescribed enrollment form. In jurisdictions where payroll deductions are not permitted under local law, Participants may purchase shares of Stock by making contributions in the form that is acceptable and approved by the Administrator.
(b)Amount of Payroll Deductions. An Eligible Employee shall designate on the prescribed enrollment form the portion of his or her Compensation that he or she elects to have withheld for the purchase of Stock. Such portion shall be a whole percentage of the Eligible Employee’s Compensation, established by the Administrator for an Offering Period but not more than 15%.
(c)Reducing Withholding Rate or Discontinuing Payroll Deductions. If a Participant wishes to reduce his or her rate of payroll withholding, such Participant may do so by filing a new enrollment form with the Company in the manner prescribed by the Administrator. The new withholding rate shall be effective as soon as reasonably practicable after the Company has received such form. The new withholding rate may be 0% or any whole percentage of the Participant’s Compensation, but not more than his or her old withholding rate. The Administrator may limit the number of times a Participant may elect to reduce his or her rate of withholding during any Offering Period and/or Purchase Period. Unless a different rule is established for an Offering Period, no Participant shall make more than one election under this Subsection (c) during any Purchase Period. (In addition, employee contributions may be discontinued automatically pursuant to Section 9(b).)
(d)Increasing Withholding Rate. Unless the Administrator establishes a different rule for an Offering Period, a Participant may not increase his or her rate of payroll withholding during a Purchase Period. If a Participant wishes to increase his or her rate of payroll withholding, such Participant may do so by filing a new enrollment form with the Company at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to commencement of a Purchase Period (or such other period as is specified by the Administrator). The new withholding rate shall be effective on the first day of the next-upcoming Purchase Period in which the Participant participates. The new withholding rate may be any whole percentage of the Participant’s Compensation, but not less than 1% nor more than the maximum amount established for the Offering Period.
SECTION 6. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PLAN.
(a)Withdrawal. A Participant may elect to withdraw from the Plan (and the Offering Period in which he or she is participating) by filing the prescribed form with the Company in the prescribed manner at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to a Purchase Date (or such other period as is specified by the Administrator). As soon as reasonably practicable thereafter, payroll deductions or other approved contributions shall cease and the entire amount credited to the Participant’s Plan Account with respect to such Offering Period shall be refunded to him or her in cash, without interest (except as otherwise required by the laws of the local jurisdiction). No partial withdrawals from an Offering Period shall be permitted.
(b)Re-Enrollment After Withdrawal. A former Participant who has withdrawn from the Plan shall not be a Participant until he or she re-enrolls in the Plan under Section 4(b) during an Enrollment Period. Re-enrollment may be effective only at the commencement of an Offering Period.
SECTION 7. CHANGE IN EMPLOYMENT STATUS.
(a)Termination of Employment. Termination of employment as an Eligible Employee for any reason, including death, shall be treated as an automatic withdrawal from the Plan under Section 6(a).
(b)Transfers of Employment. If a Participant transfers employment from a Participating Company that is participating in a Base Offering Period to a Participating Company that is participating in an Additional Offering Period, he or she will immediately cease to participate in the Base Offering Period, as applicable; however, such Participant’s Plan Account will be transferred to the Additional Offering Period, and such Participant will immediately join such Additional Offering Period on the terms and conditions applicable to such Additional Offering Period, except for any modifications required by applicable law. If a Participant transfers employment from a Participating Company that is participating in an Additional Offering Period to a Participating Company that is participating in the Base Offering Period, he or she will continue to participate in the Additional Offering Period until the earlier of (i) the end of such Additional Offering Period, or (ii) the commencement of the first Base Offering Period in which he or she is eligible. If a Participant transfers employment from a Participating Company to a Related Corporation that is not a Participating Company, he or she shall be deemed to have withdrawn from the Plan pursuant to Section 6(a).
(c)Leave of Absence. For purposes of the Plan, employment shall not be deemed to terminate when the Participant goes on a military leave, a sick leave or another bona fide leave of absence, if the leave was approved by the Company in writing. Employment, however, shall be deemed to terminate on the first day following three months after the Participant goes on a leave, unless a contract or statute guarantees his or her right to return to work. Employment shall be deemed to terminate in any event when the approved leave ends, unless the Participant immediately returns to work.
(d)Death. In the event of the Participant’s death, the amount credited to his or her Plan Account shall be paid in cash, without interest (unless otherwise required by the laws of the local jurisdiction), to a beneficiary designated by him or her for this purpose on the prescribed form or, if none, to the Participant’s estate. Such form shall be valid only if it was filed with the Company in the prescribed manner before the Participant’s death.
SECTION 8. PLAN ACCOUNTS AND PURCHASE OF SHARES.
(a)Plan Accounts. The Company shall maintain a Plan Account on its books in the name of each Participant. Whenever an amount is deducted from the Participant’s Compensation under the Plan, such amount shall be credited to the Participant’s Plan Account. Unless otherwise required by the laws of the local jurisdiction, (i) amounts credited to Plan Accounts
shall not be trust funds and may be commingled with the Company’s general assets and applied to general corporate purposes, and (ii) no interest shall be credited to Plan Accounts.
(b)Purchase Price. The Administrator shall establish the Purchase Price for each Offering Period; provided, however, that the Purchase Price for each share of Stock purchased on a Purchase Date shall not be less than the lower of:
(i)85% of the Fair Market Value of such share on the first trading day of such Offering Period; or
(ii)85% of the Fair Market Value of such share on the Purchase Date.
(c)Number of Shares Purchased. On each Purchase Date, each Participant shall be deemed to have elected to purchase the number of shares of Stock calculated in accordance with this Subsection (c), unless the Participant has previously elected to withdraw from the Offering Period in accordance with Section 6(a). The amount then in the Participant’s Plan Account shall be divided by the Purchase Price, and the number of shares that results shall be purchased from the Company with the funds in the Participant’s Plan Account. The foregoing number of shares of Stock that may be purchased by a Participant are subject to the limitations set forth in Subsection (d) below and in Section 9. The Administrator may determine with respect to all Participants that any fractional share, as calculated under this Subsection (c), shall be (i) rounded down to the next lower whole share or (ii) credited as a fractional share.
(d)Available Shares Insufficient. In the event that the aggregate number of shares that all Participants elect to purchase with respect to a particular Purchase Period exceeds (i) the number of shares of Stock that were available under Section 3 above for sale under the Plan on the first day of the applicable Offering Period, or (ii) the number of shares that were available under Section 3 above for sale under the Plan on the applicable Purchase Date, then the number of shares to which each Participant is entitled shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares available for issuance by a fraction. The numerator of such fraction is the number of shares that such Participant has elected to purchase, and the denominator of such fraction is the number of shares that all Participants have elected to purchase. The Company may make a pro rata allocation of the shares available on the first day of an applicable Offering Period pursuant to the preceding sentence, notwithstanding any authorization of additional shares for issuance under the Plan by the Company’s stockholders subsequent to such date. In the event of a pro-rata allocation under this Section (d), the Administrator may determine in its discretion to continue all Offering Periods then in effect or terminate all Offering Periods then in effect pursuant to Section 14.
(e)Issuance of Stock. The shares of Stock purchased by a Participant under the Plan will be registered in the name of such Participant. The Company may permit or require that shares be deposited directly with a broker designated by the Company or to a designated agent of the Company, and the Company may utilize electronic or automated methods of share transfer. The Company may require that shares be retained with such broker or agent for a designated period of time and/or may establish other procedures to permit tracking of disqualifying
dispositions of such shares. (The two preceding sentences shall apply whether or not the Participant is required to pay income tax in the United States.)
(f)Tax Withholding. To the extent required by applicable U.S. federal, state, local or foreign law, a Participant shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Stock under the Plan until such obligations, if any, are satisfied.
(g)Unused Cash Balances. Subject to the final sentence of Section 8(c), an amount remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account that represents the Purchase Price for any fractional share shall be carried over in the Participant’s Plan Account to the next Offering Period or Purchase Period, as applicable. Any amount remaining in the Participant’s Plan Account that represents the Purchase Price for whole shares that could not be purchased by reason of Subsections (c) or (d) above or Section 9(b) shall be refunded to the Participant in cash, without interest (except as otherwise required by the laws of the local jurisdiction).
(h)Stockholder Approval. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no shares of Stock shall be purchased under the Plan unless and until the Company’s stockholders have approved the adoption of the Plan.
SECTION 9. PLAN LIMITATIONS.
(a)Five Percent Limit. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no Participant shall be granted a right to purchase Stock under the Plan if, immediately after such right is granted, such Participant would own stock possessing 5% or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or any Related Corporation, applying the stock attribution rules of Code Section 424(d), and including any stock in which the Participant may purchase under outstanding options as stock owned by such Participant.
(b)Dollar Limit. As specified by Code Section 423(b)(8), no Participant shall be entitled to accrue rights to purchase Stock pursuant to any such rights outstanding under the Plan if and to the extent such accrual, when aggregated with (i) rights to purchase Stock accrued under any other right to purchase Stock under the Plan, and (ii) similar rights accrued under other employee stock purchase plans (within the meaning of Code Section 423) of the Company or any Related Corporation, would otherwise permit such Participant to purchase more than $25,000 worth of Stock of the Company or any Related Corporation (determined on the basis of the Fair Market Value per share on the date such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of the beginning of the respective Offering Period) for each calendar year such rights are at any time outstanding.
If a Participant is precluded by this Subsection (b) from purchasing additional Stock under the Plan, then his or her employee contributions shall automatically be discontinued and shall automatically resume at the beginning of the next Purchase Period with a scheduled Purchase Date in the next calendar year, provided that he or she is an Eligible Employee at the beginning of such Purchase Period.
(c)Purchase Period Share Purchase Limit. The Administrator may establish one or more limits on the number of shares of Stock that may be purchased during any Purchase Period, including individual limits and/or aggregate limits. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise with respect to an Offering Period, any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, no Participant shall purchase more than 2,500 shares of Stock with respect to any Purchase Period.
SECTION 10. RIGHTS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
The rights of any Participant under the Plan, or any Participant’s interest in any Stock or moneys to which he or she may be entitled under the Plan, shall not be transferable by voluntary or involuntary assignment or by operation of law, or in any other manner other than by beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution. If a Participant in any manner attempts to transfer, assign or otherwise encumber his or her rights or interest under the Plan, other than by beneficiary designation or the laws of descent and distribution, then such act shall be treated as an election by the Participant to withdraw from the Plan under Section 6(a).
SECTION 11. NO RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE.
Nothing in the Plan or in any right granted under the Plan shall confer upon the Participant any right to continue in the employ of a Participating Company for any period of specific duration or interfere with or otherwise restrict in any way the rights of the Participating Companies or of the Participant, which rights are hereby expressly reserved by each, to terminate his or her employment at any time and for any reason, with or without cause.
SECTION 12. NO RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.
A Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares of Stock that he or she may have a right to purchase under the Plan until such shares have been purchased on the applicable Purchase Date.
SECTION 13. SECURITIES LAW REQUIREMENTS.
Shares of Stock shall not be issued, and the Company shall have no liability for failure to issue shares of Stock, under the Plan unless the issuance and delivery of such shares comply with (or are exempt from) all applicable requirements of law, including (without limitation) the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, state securities laws and regulations, and the regulations of any stock exchange or other securities market on which the Company’s securities may then be traded.
SECTION 14. AMENDMENT OR DISCONTINUANCE.
(a)General Rule. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan, or any part thereof, at any time and for any reason. If the Plan is terminated, the Administrator, in its discretion, may elect to terminate all outstanding Offering Periods either immediately or upon completion of the purchase of shares of Stock on the next Purchase Date, or may elect to permit Offering Periods to expire in accordance with their terms (and subject to any
adjustment pursuant to Section 3(c) or (d)). If the Offering Periods are terminated prior to expiration, all amounts then credited to Participants’ accounts which have not been used to purchase shares of Stock will be returned to the Participants (without interest thereon, except as otherwise required by the laws of the local jurisdiction) as soon as administratively practicable.
(b)Administrator’s Discretion. Without stockholder consent and without limiting Subsection (a) above, the Administrator will be entitled to change the Offering Periods, limit the frequency and/or number of changes in the amount withheld during an Offering Period, establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars, permit payroll withholding in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for delays or mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed withholding elections (after consideration of accounting treatment of such excess withholding), establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Compensation, amend any outstanding purchase rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering Period to enable the purchase rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code, and establish such other limitations or procedures as it determines in its sole discretion advisable which are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair the purchase rights granted under an Offering Period as they are to be deemed part of the initial terms of such Offering Period and purchase rights.
(c)Accounting Considerations. In the event the Administrator determines that the ongoing operation of the Plan may result in unfavorable financial accounting consequences, the Administrator may, in its discretion and, to the extent necessary or desirable, modify, amend or terminate the Plan to reduce or eliminate such accounting consequence including, but not limited to:
(i)Amending the Plan to conform with the safe harbor definition under Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or successor provision), including with respect to an Offering Period underway at the time;
(ii)Reducing the Purchase Price for any Offering Period including an Offering Period underway at the time of the change in Purchase Price;
(iii)Shortening any Offering Period (and any Purchase Periods encompassed by such Offering Period) by setting a new Purchase Date, including with respect to an Offering Period underway at the time of the Administrator’s action;
(iv)Reducing the maximum percentage of Compensation a Participant may elect to set aside as payroll deductions; and
(v)Reducing the maximum number of shares of Stock a Participant may purchase during any Purchase Period.
Such modifications or amendments will not require stockholder approval or the consent of any Plan Participants. The actions of the Administrator pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair the purchase rights granted under an Offering Period as they are to be deemed part of the initial terms of such Offering Period and purchase rights.
(d)Stockholder Approval. Except as provided in Section 3, any increase in the aggregate number of shares of Stock that may be issued under the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders. In addition, any other amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders to the extent required under Section 14(e) or by any applicable law or regulation.
(e)Plan Termination. The Plan shall terminate automatically 20 years after its adoption by the Board, unless (i) the Plan is extended by the Board and (ii) the extension is approved within 12 months by a vote of the stockholders of the Company.
SECTION 15. DEFINITIONS.
(a)“Administrator” means the Board or any Committee administering the Plan in accordance with Section 2.
(b)“Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.
(c)“Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(d)“Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board, or of other individuals satisfying applicable laws, appointed by the Board to administer the Plan.
(e)“Company” means The Original BARK Company, a Delaware corporation.
(f)“Compensation” means, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator with respect to an Offering Period, those components of an Eligible Employee’s cash compensation (prior to reductions pursuant to Code Sections 125, 132(f) or 401(k)) that are regular and recurring, including cash base salary or base hourly pay but excluding any overtime pay or shift differentials, commissions, annual cash incentive compensation, and annual cash bonuses, and further excluding extraordinary cash items (such as one-time bonuses), as well as all non-cash items, moving or relocation allowances, cost-of-living or tax equalization payments, car allowances, tuition reimbursements, imputed income attributable to cars or life insurance, severance pay, fringe benefits, contributions or benefits received under employee benefit plans, payments for or related to equity compensation, and any similar items. The Administrator shall determine whether a particular item is included in Compensation.
(g)“Corporate Reorganization” means:
(i)The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into another entity or any other corporate reorganization; or
(ii)The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the complete liquidation or dissolution of the Company.
(h)“Eligible Employee” means a common law employee of a Participating Company, provided, however, that the Administrator may exclude one or more of the following categories of employees (where exclusion of such employees is permitted by applicable law) from any Offering Period: (i) employees who have been employed less than two years (or any shorter period of time established for an Offering Period), (ii) employees who are customarily employed twenty (20) or less hours per week (or any lesser number of hours per week established for an Offering Period), (iii) employees who are customarily employed for five (5) months or less in a calendar year (or any lesser number of months in a calendar year established for an Offering Period), (iv) “highly compensated employees” (within the meaning of Code Section 414(q)) or (v) “highly compensated employees” (within the meaning of Code Section 414(q)) with compensation above a certain level and/or who are subject to the disclosure requirements of Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act. In addition, an individual shall not be considered an Eligible Employee if his or her participation in the Plan is prohibited by the law of any country that has jurisdiction over him or her or if complying with the laws of the applicable foreign jurisdiction would cause the Plan or an Offering Period to violate the requirements of Code Section 423. With respect to a Base Offering Period, any criteria used to determine Eligible Employees shall be determined in a manner consistent with Code Section 423. In the case of an Offering Period that is not intended to qualify under Code Section 423, the Administrator may exclude any individual(s) from participation if the Administrator determines the participation of such individual(s) is not advisable or practicable.
(i) “Enrollment Period” means a period prior to the start of an Offering Period during which Eligible Employees must submit the required enrollment forms to participate in such Offering Period, which period shall end at least five (5) business days (or such other date as may be specified in advance by the Administrator) prior to the start of the Offering Period.
(j)“Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
(k)“Fair Market Value” means the price at which Stock was last sold in the principal U.S. market for the Stock on the applicable date or, if the applicable date was not a trading day, on the last trading day prior to the applicable date. If Stock is no longer traded on a public U.S. securities market, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Administrator in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. The Administrator’s determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons.
(l)“Merger Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Reorganization made and entered into as of December 16, 2020, by and among the Company, NSAC Merger Sub Corp., a Delaware corporation and wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and Barkbox, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
(m) “Offering Period” means any period, including as the context requires Base Offering Periods and Additional Offering Periods, with respect to which the right to purchase Stock may be granted under the Plan, as determined pursuant to Section 4(a).
(n)“Participant” means an Eligible Employee who participates in the Plan or any Sub-Plan, as provided in Section 4.
(o)“Participating Company” means (i) the Company and (ii) each present or future Subsidiary designated by the Administrator as a Participating Company.
(p)“Plan” means this The Original BARK Company 2021 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as it may be amended from time to time.
(q)“Plan Account” means the account established for each Participant pursuant to Section 8(a).
(r)“Purchase Date” means the last trading day of a Purchase Period.
(s)“Purchase Period” means a period within an Offering Period (which for an Offering Period with only a single Purchase Period would be coterminous with the Offering Period) during which contributions may be made toward the purchase of Stock under the Plan, as determined pursuant to Section 4(a).
(t)“Purchase Price” means the price at which Participants may purchase Stock under the Plan, as determined pursuant to Section 8(b).
(u)“Related Corporation” means any “parent corporation” of the Company as defined in Code Section 424(e) or any Subsidiary.
(v)“Stock” means the Class A Common Stock of the Company.
(w)“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain.
