UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

PURSUANT TO SECTION 14(C)

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED

 

SCHEDULE 14C

(RULE 14C-101)

 

Information Statement Pursuant to Section 14(c) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Filed by the Registrant ☒

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐

 

Check the appropriate box:

 

☐	Preliminary Information Statement
☒	Definitive Information Statement
☐	Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14c-5(d)(2))

 

IPOWER INC.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the Appropriate Box):
☒	No fee required.
☐	Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐	Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101) per Item 1 of this Schedule and Exchange Act Rules 14c-5(g) and 0-11.

 

 

 

 

 

iPower Inc.

8798 9^th Street

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

 

May 9, 2024

 

NOTICE OF STOCKHOLDER ACTION BY WRITTEN CONSENT

 

Dear Shareholders,

 

We are furnishing the attached Information Statement to the holders of shares of common stock of iPower Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”). The purpose of the Information Statement is to notify stockholders in accordance with Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (the “NRS”) that the Board of Directors and certain stockholders who hold a majority of the aggregate issued and outstanding shares of our voting stock (the “Majority Stockholders”) have approved by written consent, in lieu of a meeting of stockholders of the Company, an amendment to the amended and restated iPower Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

On May 6, 2024, the Majority Stockholders, along with the Board, took action by joint written consent to amend and restate the Company’s amended and restated 2020 iPower Equity Incentive Plan (the “iPower Equity Incentive Plan”). The sole purpose of the amendment is to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan from five million (5,000,000) shares of common stock to ten million (10,000,000) shares of common stock.

 

This notice and accompanying Information Statement shall constitute notice to you of the Majority Stockholders taking the aforementioned stockholder actions by written consent, without a meeting, pursuant to the requirements of the NRS.

 

The accompanying Information Statement is being provided to you for your information to comply with the requirements of Regulation 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (“Exchange Act”). This Information Statement constitutes notice to you of the aforementioned corporate action to be taken without a meeting, pursuant to the requirements of the NRS. You are urged to read this Information Statement carefully in its entirety. However, no action is required on your part in connection with this document, including with respect to the approval of the Plan Amendments. No meeting of our stockholders will be held or proxies requested because we have received written consent to these matters from the Majority Stockholders.

 

Under Rule 14c-2(b) of the Exchange Act, none of the actions described in the Information Statement may be taken earlier than 20 calendar days after we have sent or given the Information Statement to our stockholders. We intend to distribute this Notice and Information Statement to our stockholders commencing on or about May 9, 2024. The record date established for purposes of determining the number of issued and outstanding shares of voting stock, and thus voting power, was April 5, 2024.

 

THIS IS FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY. YOU DO NOT NEED TO DO ANYTHING IN RESPONSE TO THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT. THIS IS NOT A NOTICE OF MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS AND NO STOCKHOLDER MEETING WILL BE HELD TO CONSIDER ANY MATTER DESCRIBED HEREIN.

 

Sincerely,

 

/s/ Lawrence Tan

 

Lawrence Tan

Chairman & CEO

 

 

 

IPOWER INC.

8798 9th Street

Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730

 

 

INFORMATION STATEMENT

 

We Are Not Asking You for a Proxy and

You Are Requested Not To Send Us a Proxy

 

INTRODUCTION

 

This Information Statement, dated May 9, 2024, is being furnished to the stockholders of iPower Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) in connection with the actions to be taken by us as a result of a written consent in lieu of a meeting of stockholders pursuant to the NRS.

 

This Information Statement and Notice of Stockholder Action by Written Consent is being furnished by us to our stockholders of record as of April 5, 2024 (the “Record Date”), to inform our stockholders that the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) and the holders of approximately 63% of our outstanding voting securities as of such date, consisting of our executive officers and directors, Allan Huang, a co-founder of the Company, and White Cherry Limited (together, the “Majority Stockholders”), have taken and approved the following action (the “Corporate Action”): amend and restate the Company’s exiting amended and restated 2020 equity incentive plan (the “iPower Equity Incentive Plan”) to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan from five million (5,000,000) shares of common stock to ten million (10,000,000) shares of common stock.

 

This Information Statement is being sent to you to notify you of the Corporate Action being taken by written consent in lieu of a meeting of our stockholders. By resolutions dated May 6, 2024, our Board adopted and approved the Corporate Action.

 

On the Record Date, the Majority Stockholders, representing approximately 63% of the voting power of our Company as of the Record Date, adopted and approved by written consent the Corporate Action.

 

Section 78.320 of Chapter 78 of the NRS provides that the written consent of the holders of outstanding shares of voting capital stock having not less than the minimum number of votes which would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted can approve an action in lieu of conducting a special stockholders’ meeting convened for the specific purpose of such action. The NRS, however, require that in the event an action is approved by written consent, a company must provide notice of the taking of any corporate action without a meeting to all stockholders who were entitled to vote upon the action but who have not consented to the action.

 

We are distributing this Information Statement to our Stockholders in full satisfaction of any notice requirements we may have under the NRS and of Regulation 14C of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

 

This Information Statement is dated as of May 9, 2024 and is first being sent or given to our stockholders of record on or about May 9, 2024.

 

On the Record Date, there were 29,818,232 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to notice of and to vote on all matters presented to stockholders. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share

 

Pursuant to the NRS, at least a majority of the voting power of the Company, or at least 14,909,117 votes, were required to approve the Corporate Action by written consent. On the Record Date, the Majority Stockholders, as the holders of 18,894,324 votes representing approximately 63% of the outstanding shares of our voting securities, executed written consents adopting, approving and ratifying the Corporate Action, thereby satisfying the requirement under the NRS that at least a majority of the voting power vote in favor of the Corporate Action by written consent.

 

This Information Statement and the accompanying notice constitute notice to you of action by written consent as required under the NRS. Because we have obtained sufficient stockholder approval of the Corporate Action, no other consents or votes will be solicited in connection with this Information Statement.

 

 

 

WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

 

Under federal securities laws, the Corporate Action may not be completed until 20 calendar days after the date of distribution of this Information Statement to our stockholders. Therefore, notwithstanding the execution and delivery of the written consent, the Corporate Action will not occur until that time has elapsed. Therefore, the following Corporate Action will become effective 20 days after the mailing of this Information Statement: amend and restate the iPower Equity Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan from five million (5,000,000) shares of common stock to ten million (10,000,000) shares of common stock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF STOCKHOLDER ACTION

 

ADOPTION OF THE SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED IPOWER EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

General

 

By joint resolutions dated May 6, 2024, the Board and Majority Stockholders approved an amendment and restatement (the “Amendment”) of the existing iPower Equity Incentive Plan for the sole purpose of effecting an increase in the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan by an additional five million (5,000,000) shares of common stock, thus increasing the total number of shares available for issuance to ten million (10,000,000) shares of common stock.

 

We believe that our continued ability to offer equity incentive awards under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan is critical to our ability to continue to attract, motivate and retain highly qualified executives and employees. We believe that the iPower Equity Incentive Plan has been an effective component of our compensation program and has heightened our ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified executives and employees. We further believe that the awards granted under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan have provided an effective inducement to incentivize plan participants to pursue our goals and objectives, including the creation of long-term value for our stockholders. The Board has determined that the iPower Equity Incentive Plan as amended by the Amendment is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.

 

The following description of the iPower Equity Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment, is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the iPower Equity Incentive Plan document itself, a copy of which is attached to this Information Statement as Annex A.

 

References to the iPower Equity Incentive Plan, also referred to as the Plan, in the remainder of this discussion refer to the iPower Equity Incentive Plan, as amended by the Amendment, unless otherwise specified or the context otherwise references the iPower Equity Incentive Plan prior to it being amended by the Amendment.

 

Why We Approved the Amendment

 

The Board and Majority Stockholders have determined that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to approve the Amendment to increase the number of shares available for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan by an additional 5,000,000 shares, thus making available for issuance under the Plan up to an aggregate of 10,000,000 shares. We believe the Amendment will allow us to continue to utilize a broad array of equity incentives in order to attract and retain talent, and to continue to provide incentives that align the interests of our employees and directors with the interests of our stockholders.

 

Before the Amendment, the number of shares remaining available for issuance under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan was too limited to effectively operate as an incentive and retention tool for employees, officers, directors, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates (as defined in the iPower Equity Incentive Plan). The iPower Equity Incentive Plan and the approved increase in the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan will enable us to continue our policy of equity ownership by employees, officers, directors, non-employee directors and consultants of the Company and its affiliates, thus allowing us to use the Plan as an incentive to contribute to the creation of long-term value for our stockholders. Absent sufficient equity incentives, we would need to consider additional cash-based incentives to provide a market-competitive total compensation package to attract, retain and motivate the talent that is critical to driving our success. Replacing equity incentives with payment of cash incentives would then reduce the cash available for our product development, marketing, operations and other corporate purposes.

 

The Plan

 

On May 5, 2021, the Board adopted, and our stockholders approved and ratified, the iPower Equity Incentive Plan. Under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan, equity-based awards may be made in the form of options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights, performance units, performance shares and other stock or cash awards. The general purpose of the iPower Equity Incentive Plan is to provide an incentive to the Company’s directors, officers, employees, consultants and advisors by enabling them to share in the future growth of the Company’s business. On November 16, 2021, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 registering all shares issuable under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan, and the Form S-8 was subsequently amended by post-effective amendment on December 7, 2022, September 15, 2023 and November 22, 2023.

 

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth the number of shares of common stock beneficially owned as of the Record Date by:

 

	·	each of our shareholders who is known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock;
	·	each of our executive officers;
	·	each of our directors; and
	·	all of our directors and current executive officers as a group.

 

Beneficial ownership is determined based on the rules and regulations of the SEC. A person has beneficial ownership of shares if such individual has the power to vote and/or dispose of shares. This power may be sole or shared and direct or indirect. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on the total of 29,818,232 shares of common stock outstanding as of the Record Date. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock that are subject to options or warrants held by that person and exercisable as of, or within sixty (60) days of, the date of this Information Statement. These shares, however, are not counted as outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person(s). Except as may be indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable community property laws, each person named in the table has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to the shares of common stock set forth opposite that person’s name. Unless indicated below, the address of each individual listed below is c/o iPower Inc., 8798 9th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner		No. of Shares Common Stock Beneficially Owned				Total Percentage of Common Stock Owned
Chenlong Tan (1)			8,043,334			26.97%
Kevin Vassily (2)			22,000			Less than 1%
Bennet Tchaikovsky (3)			55,600			Less than 1%
Kevin Liles (4)			55,600			Less than 1%
Hanxi Li (5)			64,941			Less than 1%
All Officers and Directors (5 Persons)			8,241,475			27.63%
Beneficial Owners of more than 5%
Allan Huang (6)			8,023,334			26.90%
White Cherry Limited (7)			2,629,515			8.81%

_______________________

(1)	Chenlong Tan is our co-Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. Mr. Tan’s holding consists of (i) 4,043,334 shares directly held by Mr. Tan and (ii) 4,000,000 shares held by a trust for the benefit of Mr. Tan and certain of his family members. The aforementioned holdings do not include options to purchase 3,000,000 shares of common stock which remain subject to certain vesting conditions.
(2)	Kevin Vassily is our Chief Financial Officer. The aforementioned holdings do not include options to purchase 330,000 shares of common stock which remain subject to certain vesting conditions.
(3)	Mr. Tchaikovsky is a member of our board of directors. His holdings consist of (i) 49,400 shares of common stock and (ii) 6,200 RSUs which remain subject to vesting.
(4)	Mr. Liles is a member of our board of directors. His holdings consist of (i) 49,400 shares of common stock and (ii) 6,200 RSUs which remain subject to vesting.
(5)	Ms. Li is a member of our board of directors. Her reported holdings consist of (i) 52,010 shares of common stock and (ii) 12,931 RSUs which remain subject to vesting.
(6)	Allan Huang is our co-Founder and a consultant and was previously our Chief Executive Officer, President and a director.
(7)	White Cherry Limited was the former owner of our subsidiary in Hong Kong.

 

 

 

 

INTEREST OF CERTAIN PERSONS IN OR OPPOSITION TO MATTERS TO BE ACTED UPON

 

Our executive officers and directors, together with our co-founder, Allan Huang, and shareholder White Cherry Limited, make up the Majority Shareholders who approved the amendment to the iPower Equity Incentive Plan. Our executive officers and directors, along with certain employees and consultants of iPower, are the primary recipients of shares issuable under the iPower Equity Incentive Plan. None of our directors or executive officers opposed the actions to be taken by the Company.

 

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SECURITY HOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

 

We will send only one Information Statement and other corporate mailings to shareholders who share a single address unless we receive contrary instructions from any shareholder at that address. This practice, known as “householding,” is designed to reduce our printing and postage costs. However, the Company will deliver promptly upon written or oral request a separate copy of the Information Statement to a shareholder at a shared address to which a single copy of the Information Statement was delivered. You may make such a written or oral request by (a) sending a written notification stating (i) your name, (ii) your shared address and (iii) the address to which the Company should direct the additional copy of the Information Statement, to the Company at 8798 9th Street, Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91730.

 

If multiple shareholders sharing an address have received one copy of this Information Statement or any other corporate mailing and would prefer the Company to mail each shareholder a separate copy of future mailings, you may mail notification to, or call the Company at, its principal executive offices. Additionally, if current shareholders with a shared address received multiple copies of this Information Statement or other corporate mailings and would prefer the Company to mail one copy of future mailings to shareholders at the shared address, notification of such request may also be made by mail or telephone to the Company’s principal executive offices.

 

This Information Statement is provided to the shareholders of the Company only for information purposes in connection with the Majority Shareholder’s approval of the Reverse Stock Split, pursuant to and in accordance with Rule 14c-2 of the Exchange Act. Please carefully read this Information Statement.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT US

 

We file annual and quarterly reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Shareholders may read and copy any reports, statements or other information that we file at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (the “SEC”) public reference rooms in Washington, D.C., New York, New York, and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information about the public reference rooms. Our public filings are also available from commercial document retrieval services and at the Internet Web site maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports that we file with the SEC are available on our website at ir.meetipower.com.

 

	By Order of the Board of Directors,
	/s/ Chenlong Tan
	Name:	Chenlong Tan
	Title:	Chief Executive Officer

 

May 9, 2024

 

 

 

ANNEX A

 

 

iPOWER INC.

 

SECOND AMENDED AND RESTATED 2020 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are:

 

· to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility,

 

· to provide incentives to individuals who perform services for the Company, and

 

· to promote the success of the Company’s business.

 

The Plan permits the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

The Plan amends and restates in its entirety the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:

 

(a) “Administrator” means the Board or any of its Committees as will be administering the Plan, in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(b) “Affiliate” means any corporation or any other entity (including, but not limited to, partnerships and joint ventures) controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the Company.

 

(c) “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U.S. federal and state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plans.

 

(d) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Units, Performance Shares and other stock or cash awards as the Administrator may determine.

 

(e) “Award Agreement” means the written agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

(f) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(g) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events after the Effective Date:

 

(i) A change in the ownership of the Company which occurs on the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (“Person”), acquires ownership of stock in the Company that, together with the stock already held by such Person, constitutes more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company; provided, however, that for purposes of this subsection (i), the acquisition of additional stock by any Person who is considered to own more than 50% of the total voting power of the stock of the Company before the acquisition will not be considered a Change in Control; or

 

(ii) The individuals who constitute the members of the Board cease, by reason of a financing, merger, combination, acquisition, takeover or other non-ordinary course transaction affecting the Company, to constitute at least fifty-one percent (51%) of the members of the Board; or

 

 

 

(iii) The consummation of any of the following events: (A) a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, which occurs on the date that any Person acquires (or has acquired during the twelve (12) month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such Person) assets from the Company that have a total gross fair market value equal to or more than 50% of the total gross fair market value of all of the assets of the Company immediately prior to such acquisition or acquisitions, or (B) a merger, consolidation or reorganization involving the Company, where either or both of the events described in clauses (i) or (ii) above would be the result. For purposes of this subsection (iii), the following will not constitute a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets or a Change in Control: (A) a transfer to an entity that is controlled by the Company’s stockholders immediately after the transfer, or (B) a transfer of assets by the Company to: (1) a stockholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to the Company’s stock, (2) an entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, (3) a Person that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company, or (4) an entity, at least 50% of the total equity or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a Person described in subsection (iii)(B)(3) above. For purposes of this subsection (iii), gross fair market value means the value of the assets of the Company, or the value of the assets being disposed of, determined without regard to any liabilities associated with such assets.

 

For purposes of this Section 2(g), persons will be considered to be acting as a group if they are owners of a corporation or other entity that enters into a merger, consolidation, purchase or acquisition of stock, or similar business transaction with the Company.

 

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein will be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

 

(i) “Committee” means a committee of Directors or of other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 hereof.

 

(j) “Common Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.

 

(k) “Company” means iPower Inc., a Nevada corporation, or any successor thereto.

 

(l) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, other than an Employee engaged by the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to render services to such entity.

 

(m) “Director” means a member of the Board.

 

(n) “Disability” means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time.

 

(o) “Effective Date” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 17 hereof.

 

(p) “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, other than a Consultant employed by the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

 

(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

 

(r) “Exchange Program” means a program under which (i) outstanding Awards are surrendered or cancelled in exchange for Awards of the same type (which may have lower exercise prices and different terms), Awards of a different type, and/or cash, and/or (ii) the exercise price of an outstanding Award is reduced. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of any Exchange Program in its sole discretion.

 

 

 

(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock as the Administrator may determine in good faith, by reference to the closing price of such stock on any established stock exchange or on a national market system on the day of determination, if the Common Stock is so listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system. If the Common Stock is not listed on any established stock exchange or on a national market system, the value of the Common Stock will be determined as the Administrator may determine in good faith using (i) a valuation methodology set forth in Treasury Regulation 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iv)(B) or (ii) with respect to valuations applicable to Awards that are not subject to Code Section 409A, such other valuation methods as the Administrator may select.

 

(t) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.

 

(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(v) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or expressly provides that it is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

 

(w) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

 

(x) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

 

(y) “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

 

(z) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.

 

(aa) “Performance Goals” will have the meaning set forth in Section 11 hereof.

 

(bb) “Performance Period” means any Fiscal Year of the Company or such other period as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

 

(cc) “Performance Share” means an Award denominated in Shares which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(dd) “Performance Unit” means an Award which may be earned in whole or in part upon attainment of Performance Goals or other vesting criteria as the Administrator may determine and which may be settled for cash, Shares or other securities or a combination of the foregoing pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

 

(ee) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which transfers of Shares of Restricted Stock are subject to restrictions and, therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events specified in the applicable Award, as interpreted and construed by the Administrator.

 

(ff) “Plan” means this Second Amended and Restated iPower Inc. 2020 Equity Incentive Plan.

 

(gg) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 8 hereof, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

 

(hh) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 9 hereof. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

 

(ii) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

 

 

 

(jj) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

 

(kk) “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director, or Consultant.

 

(ll) “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 14 hereof.

 

(mm) “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 7 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.

 

(nn) “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

 

3. Stock Subject to the Plan.

 

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 14 hereof, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be awarded and sold under the Plan is TEN MILLION (10,000,000) Shares. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock.

 

(b) Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, the unpurchased Shares (or for Awards other than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so settled will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan under any Award will not be returned to the Plan and will not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares or Performance Units are repurchased by the Company or are forfeited to the Company, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares subject to an Award that are transferred to or retained by the Company to pay the tax and/or exercise price of an Award will become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan and, for the elimination of doubt, the number of Shares of equal value to such cash payment shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 3(b), subject to adjustment provided in Section 14 hereof, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in Section 3(a) above, plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan under this Section 3(b).

 

(c) Share Reserve. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as will be sufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

 

4. Administration of the Plan.

 

(a) Procedure.

 

(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. Different Committees may be established with respect to different groups of Service Providers; in that event, the Committee established with respect to a group of Service Providers shall administer the Plan with respect to Awards granted to members of such group.

 

(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

 

(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan will be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

 

(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, and in the case of a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator will have the authority, in its discretion:

 

(i) to determine Fair Market Value;

 

 

 

(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

 

(iii) to determine the terms and condition, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder;

 

(iv) to institute an Exchange Program and to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, for (1) the surrender or cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for Awards of the same type, Awards of a different type, and/or cash, or (2) the reduction of the exercise price of outstanding Awards;

 

(v) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

 

(vi) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of satisfying applicable foreign laws;

 

(vii) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 19(c) hereof);

 

(viii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to reflect or implement the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;

 

(ix) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award pursuant to such procedures as the Administrator may determine consistent with the requirements for compliance with or exemption from the provisions of Code Section 409A; and

 

(x) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

 

(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations, and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.

 

5. Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Units, Performance Shares, and such other cash or stock awards as the Administrator determines may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

 

6. Stock Options.

 

(a) Limitations.

 

(i) Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000 (U.S.), such Options will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

 

(ii) Subject to the limits set forth in Section 3, the Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Shares subject to an Option granted to any Participant.

 

(b) Term of Option. The Administrator will determine the term of each Option in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof in the case of Incentive Stock Options Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.

 

 

 

(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

 

(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, but will be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. In addition, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than 10% of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6(c), Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to the issuance or assumption of an Option in a transaction to which Section 424(a) of the Code applies in a manner consistent with said Section 424(a).

 

(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

 

(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form(s) of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws including but not limited to tendering capital stock of the Company owned by a Participant, duly endorsed for transfer to the Company.

 

(d) Exercise of Option.

 

(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

 

An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator specifies from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with any applicable withholding taxes). No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 14 hereof.

 

(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death or Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by Award Agreement or by operation of this Section 6(d)(3), the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of cessation (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following the date the Participant ceases to be a Service Provider. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of cessation the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after cessation the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

 

 

 

(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for six (6) months following Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if at the time of death Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will continue to vest in accordance with the Award Agreement. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.

 

7. Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.

 

(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Participant.

 

(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan; provided, however, that the exercise price will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(d) Stock Appreciation Rights Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the number of Shares with respect to which the Award is granted, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(d) above also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.

 

(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:

 

(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the “stock appreciation right exercise price,” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(i)(B)(2), i.e., the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right; times

 

(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.

 

At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.

 

8. Restricted Stock.

 

(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(b) Restricted Stock Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

 

 

(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until such Shares become non-forfeitable at the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.

 

(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.

 

(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 8, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.

 

(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise in a manner not prohibited by the Award Agreement.

 

(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and provisions for forfeiture as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid.

 

(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will revert to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.

 

9. Restricted Stock Units.

 

(a) Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Each Restricted Stock Unit grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan, including all terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, the number of Restricted Stock Units and the form of payout, which, subject to Section 9(d) hereof, may be left to the discretion of the Administrator.

 

(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. After the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any restrictions for such Restricted Stock Units. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the vesting criteria, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion will determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed, subject to the prohibition on acceleration of the timing of distribution of deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to the Award.

 

(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as specified in the Award Agreement.

 

(d) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Restricted Stock Units will be made as soon as practicable after the date(s) set forth in the Award Agreement, which shall satisfy the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, to the extent applicable to such Award. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Shares represented by Restricted Stock Units that are fully paid in cash again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

(e) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company.

 

 

 

10. Performance Units and Performance Shares.

 

(a) Grant of Performance Units/Shares. Performance Units and Performance Shares may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time, as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator will have complete discretion in determining the number of Performance Units/Shares granted to each Participant.

 

(b) Value of Performance Units/Shares. Each Performance Unit will have an initial value that is established by the Administrator on or before the date of grant. Each Performance Share will have an initial value equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant.

 

(c) Performance Objectives and Other Terms. The Administrator will set performance objectives or other vesting provisions. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. Each Award of Performance Units/Shares will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Performance Period, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

 

(d) Earning of Performance Units/Shares. After the applicable Performance Period has ended, the holder of Performance Units/Shares will be entitled to receive a payout of the number of Performance Units/Shares earned by the Participant over the Performance Period, to be determined as a function of the extent to which the corresponding performance objectives or other vesting provisions have been achieved. After the grant of a Performance Unit/Share, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any performance objectives or other vesting provisions for such Performance Unit/Share.

 

(e) Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Units/Shares. Payment of earned Performance Units/Shares will be made as soon as practicable after the expiration of the applicable Performance Period or, if earlier, after the date on which a Participant’s interest in such Performance Units/Shares is no longer subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, provided however, that in no event shall such payment be made after the later to occur of (i) December 31 of the year in which such risk of forfeiture lapses or (ii) two and one-half months after such risk of forfeiture lapses. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned Performance Units/Shares in the form of cash, in Shares (which have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the value of the earned Performance Units/Shares at the close of the applicable Performance Period) or in a combination thereof.

 

(f) Cancellation of Performance Units/Shares. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all unearned or unvested Performance Units/Shares will be forfeited to the Company, and again will be available for grant under the Plan.

 

11. Leaves of Absence. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, vesting of Awards granted hereunder will be suspended during any unpaid leave of absence. A Service Provider will not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company, or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, or any Subsidiary. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months and one day following the commencement of such leave any Incentive Stock Option held by the Participant will cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option.

 

12. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award may only be transferred (i) by will, (ii) by the laws of descent and distribution, (iii) to a revocable trust, or (iv) as permitted by Rule 701 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

 

13. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.

 

(a) Adjustments. In the event that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, or other change in the corporate structure of the Company affecting the Shares occurs, the Administrator, in order to prevent diminution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, will adjust the number and class of Shares that may be delivered under the Plan and/or the number, class, and price of Shares covered by each outstanding Award, and the numerical Share limits set forth in Sections 3, 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10 hereof.

 

 

 

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any corporate separation or division, including, but not limited to, a split-up, a split-off or a spin-off; a reverse merger in which the Company is the surviving entity, but the shares of Company stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise; or the transfer of more than fifty percent (50%) of the then outstanding voting stock of the Company to another person or entity. the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law but otherwise in its sole discretion may provide for: (i) the continuation Awards by the Company (if the Company is surviving entity or its parent; (ii) the assumption of the Plan and such outstanding Awards by the surviving entity or its parent; (iii) the substitution by the surviving entity or its parent of rights with substantially the same terms for such outstanding Awards; or (iv) the cancellation of such outstanding Rights without payment of any consideration provided that in the case of this clause (iv), the Administrator will provide notice of its intention to cancel Award and offer a reasonable opportunity to exercise vested Awards.

 

(c) Change in Control. In the event of a merger or Change in Control, each outstanding Award will be treated as the Administrator determines, including, without limitation, that each Award will be assumed or an equivalent option or right substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation (the “Successor Corporation”). The Administrator will not be required to treat all Awards similarly in the transaction.

 

In the event that the Successor Corporation does not assume or substitute for the Award, the Participant will fully vest in and have the right to exercise all of his or her outstanding Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, including Shares as to which such Awards would not otherwise be vested or exercisable, all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse, and, with respect to Restricted Stock Units, Performance Shares and Performance Units, all Performance Goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at target levels and all other terms and conditions met. In addition, if an Option or Stock Appreciation Right is not assumed or substituted for in the event of a Change in Control, the Administrator will notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will be fully vested and exercisable for a period of time determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion, and the Option or Stock Appreciation Right will terminate upon the expiration of such period.

 

For the purposes of this subsection (c), an Award will be considered assumed if, following the Change in Control, the Award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) or, in the case of a Stock Appreciation Right upon the exercise of which the Administrator determines to settle in cash or a Performance Share or Performance Unit which the Administrator can determine to settle in cash, the fair market value of the consideration received in the merger or Change in Control by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the Change in Control is not solely common stock of the Successor Corporation, the Administrator may, with the consent of the Successor Corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or upon the payout of a Performance Share or Performance Unit, for each Share subject to such Award (or in the case of Performance Units, the number of implied shares determined by dividing the value of the Performance Units by the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control), to be solely common stock of the Successor Corporation equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the Change in Control.

 

Notwithstanding anything in this Section 13(c) to the contrary, an Award that vests, is earned or paid-out upon the satisfaction of one or more Performance Goals will not be considered assumed if the Company or its successor modifies any of such Performance Goals without the Participant’s consent; provided, however, a modification to such Performance Goals only to reflect the Successor Corporation’s post-Change in Control corporate structure will not be deemed to invalidate an otherwise valid Award assumption.

 

14. Tax Withholding

 

(a) Withholding Requirements. At any time prior to or following the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof), the Company will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy federal, state, local, foreign or other taxes (including the Participant’s FICA obligation) required to be withheld with respect to such Award (or exercise thereof).

 

 

 

(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such tax withholding obligation, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (i) paying cash, (ii) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount required to be withheld, (iii) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld, or (iv) selling a sufficient number of Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant through such means as the Administrator may determine in its sole discretion (whether through a broker or otherwise) equal to the amount required to be withheld. The amount of the withholding requirement will be deemed to include any amount which the Administrator agrees may be withheld at the time the election is made, not to exceed the amount determined by using the maximum federal, state or local marginal income tax rates applicable to the Participant with respect to the Award on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined as of the date that the taxes are required to be withheld.

 

15. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

 

16. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.

 

17. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 21 hereof, the Plan will become effective upon its adoption by the Board (the “Effective Date”). It will continue in effect for a term of ten (10) years unless terminated earlier under Section 18 hereof; provided, however, that such expiration shall not affect Awards then outstanding, and the terms and conditions of this Plan shall continue to apply to such Awards.

 

18. Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

 

(a) Amendment and Termination. The Administrator may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

 

(b) Stockholder Approval. Subject to Section 21, the Company will obtain stockholder approval of the Plan and any Plan amendment to the extent necessary or desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

 

(c) Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension, or termination of the Plan will impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.

 

19. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

 

(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Award unless the exercise of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

 

(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

 

(c) Restrictive Legends. All Award Agreements and all securities of the Company issued pursuant thereto shall bear such legends regarding restrictions on transfer and such other legends as the appropriate officer of the Company shall determine to be necessary or advisable to comply with applicable securities and other laws.

 

20. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.

 

 

 

21. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws, including without limitation Section 422 of the Code. In the event that stockholder approval is not obtained within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, all Incentive Stock Options granted hereunder shall be void ab initio and of no effect. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan, no Awards shall be exercisable until the date of such stockholder approval.

 

22. Notification of Election Under Section 83 of the Code. If any Service Provider shall, in connection with the acquisition of Shares under the Plan, make an election permitted under either Section 83(b) or Section 83(i) of the Code, such Service Provider shall notify the Company of such election within ten (10) days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service and provide the Company with a copy thereof, in addition to any filing and a notification required pursuant to regulations issued under the authority of Sections 83(b) or 83(i) of the Code, as applicable. A Service Provider shall not be permitted to make a Section 83(b) election with respect to an Award of a Restricted Stock Unit.

 

23. Notification Upon Disqualifying Disposition Under Section 421(b) of the Code. Each Service Provider shall notify the Company of any disposition of Shares issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances described in Section 421(b) of the Code (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), within ten (10) days of such disposition.

 

24. 409A Timing Rule for Specified Employees. If at the time of a Service Provider’s separation from service, such individual is considered a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, and if any payment that such Service Provider becomes entitled to under the Plan or any Award is deemed payable on account of such individual’s separation from service, then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the individual’s separation from service, or (ii) the individual’s death.

 

25. Governing Law. The law of the State of Nevada shall govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to such state’s conflict of laws rules, subject to the Company’s intention that the Plan satisfy the requirements of jurisdictions outside of the United States of America with respect to Awards subject to such jurisdictions.

 

26. General Provisions.

 

(a) No Rights as Stockholder. Except as specifically provided in this plan, a Participant or a transferee of an Award shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to any shares covered by the Award until the date of the issuance of such shares to the Participant, and no adjustment shall be made for dividends (ordinary or extraordinary, whether in cash, securities or other property) or distributions of other rights for which the record date is prior to the date such Stock is issued.

 

(b) Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

 

(c) Disqualifying Dispositions. Any participant who shall make a “disposition” (as defined in Section 424 of the Code) of all or any portion of an Incentive Stock Option within two (2) years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or within (1) year after the issuance of the shares of Stock acquired upon exercise of such Incentive Stock Option shall be required to immediately advise the Company in writing as to the occurrence of the sale and the price realized upon the sale of such shares of Stock.

 

(d) Regulatory Matters Each Stock Option Agreement and Stock Purchase Agreement shall provide that no shares shall be purchased or sold thereunder unless and until (i) any then applicable requirements of state or federal laws and regulatory agencies shall have been fully compiled with to the satisfaction of the Company and its counsel and (ii) if required to do so by the Company, the Optionee or Offeree shall have executed and delivered to the Company a letter of investment intent in such form and containing such provisions as the Board or Committee may require.

 

(e) Delivery. Upon exercise of an Award granted under this Plan, the Company shall issue Stock or pay any amounts due within a reasonable period of time thereafter. Subject to any statutory obligations the Company may otherwise have, for purposes of this Plan, thirty days shall be considered a reasonable period of time.

 

 

 

(f) Other Provisions. The Stock Option Agreements and Stock Purchase Agreements authorized under the Plan may contain such other provisions not inconsistent with this Plan, including, without limitation, restrictions upon the exercise of the Rights, as the Administrator may deem advisable.

 

(g) Section 409A. Awards under the Plan are intended either to be exempt from the rules of Section 409A of the Code or to satisfy those rules, and the Plan and such awards shall be construed accordingly. Granted rights may be modified at any time, in the Administrator’s direction, so as to increase the likelihood of exemption from or compliance with the rules of Section 409A of the Code.