ZW Data Action Technologies Inc DEF 14A, filed Jun 23, 2026
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (CNET)
About this DEF 14A
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc filed this DEF 14A on June 23, 2026.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE14A
(Rule 14a-101)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement |
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Definitive Additional Materials |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
(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):
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No fee required. |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials |
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11 |
ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
8/F, 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central,
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
to be held on July 22, 2026
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TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.:
The Annual Meeting of the stockholders of ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), will be held on July 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. local time, at 8/F, 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China (“Hong Kong”), for the following purposes:
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To elect five (5) directors (Proposal 1); |
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To ratify the appointment of ARK Pro CPA & Co., as the Company’s independent accountants, for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026 (Proposal 2); |
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To ratify the Company’s 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal 3); |
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To amend the Company’s articles of incorporation, as amended, to increase the number of the Company’s authorized shares of common stock from 12,500,000 to 200,000,000 (Proposal 4); and |
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To transact any other business as may properly be presented at the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. |
A proxy statement, providing information, and a form of proxy to vote, with respect to the foregoing matters accompany this notice.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Handong Cheng |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and President |
Dated: June 23, 2026
Important Notice Regarding Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholders Meeting
To Be Held on July 22, 2026.
The Proxy Statement and the Company’s annual report to Stockholders are available at the Company’s website, https://investor.chinanet-online.com.
IMPORTANT
Whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, date, and sign the accompanying proxy, and return it promptly in the enclosed return envelope. If you grant a proxy, you may revoke it at any time prior to the Annual Meeting, vote a subsequent proxy, or vote in person at the Annual Meeting.
PLEASE NOTE: If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder cannot vote your shares in the election of directors (Proposal 1), or with respect to Proposal 3 or 4, unless you direct the nominee holder how to vote, by marking your proxy card.
ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
8/F, 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central,
Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
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PROXY STATEMENT
for
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
to be held on July 22, 2026
PROXY SOLICITATION
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) is soliciting proxies on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”) in connection with the annual meeting of stockholders on July 22, 2026 and at any adjournment thereof. The Company will bear the entire cost of preparing, assembling, printing and mailing this Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy, and any additional material that may be furnished to stockholders. Proxies also may be solicited through the mails or direct communication with certain stockholders or their representatives by the Company’s officers, directors, or employees, who will receive no additional compensation therefor.
June 23, 2026 is the approximate date on which this Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to stockholders.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Record Date, Outstanding Shares, and Voting Rights
As of June 18, 2026, the record date for the meeting, the Company had outstanding 3,668,429 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) being the class of stock entitled to vote at the meeting. Each share of Common Stock entitles its holder to one vote.
Procedures for Voting or Revoking Proxies
You may vote your proxy by completing, dating, signing, and mailing the accompanying form of proxy in the return envelope provided. The persons authorized by any of those means to vote your shares will vote them as you specify or, in absence of your specification, as stated on the form of proxy. Abstentions and broker non-votes represented by submitted proxies will be included in the calculation of the number of the shares present at the Annual Meeting for the purposes of determining a quorum. “Broker non-votes” means shares held of record by a broker that are not voted because the broker has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and either lacks or declines to exercise the authority to vote the shares in its discretion. You may revoke any proxy by notifying the Company in writing at the above address, ATTN: Secretary, or by voting a subsequent proxy or in person at the meeting.
Proposal One. Directors are elected by a plurality, and the nominees who receive the most votes will be elected. Proposal One is considered a “non-routine” matter under NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) rules, and, accordingly, brokerage firms and nominees do not have the authority to vote their clients’ unvoted shares on Proposal One or to vote their clients’ shares if the clients have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period of time prior to the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposal One.
Proposal Two. To be approved, the ratification of ARK Pro CPA & Co. as the Company’s independent accountants must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy and cast at the Annual Meeting. Proposal Two is considered a “routine” matter under NASDAQ rules, and, accordingly, brokerage firms and nominees have the authority to vote their clients’ unvoted shares on Proposal Two as well as to vote their clients’ shares where the clients have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period of time prior to the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposal Two.
Proposal Three. To be approved, the proposal to ratify the Company’s 2026 Equity Incentive Plan must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of the shares of Common Stock present in person or by proxy at the Annual Meeting and cast at the Annual Meeting. Proposal Three is considered a "non-routine" matter and, accordingly, brokerage firms and nominees do not have the authority to vote their clients' unvoted shares on Proposal Three or to vote the clients' shares if the clients have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period of time prior to the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposal Three.
Proposal Four. To be approved, the proposal regarding the Company's proposed increase in number of the Company’s authorized shares of Common Stock must receive the affirmative vote of the majority of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. Proposal Four is considered a "non-routine" matter under NASDAQ rules, and, accordingly, brokerage firms and nominees do not have the authority to vote their clients' unvoted shares on Proposal Four or to vote their clients' shares if the clients have not furnished voting instructions within a specified period of time prior to the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not be counted as votes cast and will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on Proposal Four.
Attending the Meeting
You may obtain directions to the meeting at www.zdat.com or by writing to the Company at the above address, ATTN: Secretary. If you attend the meeting, you may vote there in person, regardless of whether you have voted by any of the other means mentioned in the preceding paragraph.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of Common Stock, as of the record date of the meeting, by each of the Company’s directors and executive officers; all executive officers and directors as a group, and each person known to the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of Company’s Common Stock. Except as otherwise noted, the persons identified have sole voting and investment powers with respect to their shares.
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Common Stock |
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Name of Beneficial Owner (1) |
Number of Shares |
Percent of Class (2) |
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Handong Cheng (3)(5) |
276,774 | 7.54 | % | |||||
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George Kai Chu (6) |
260,833 | 7.11 | % | |||||
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Zhiqing Chen (7) |
18,500 |
* |
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Chang Qiu (8) |
37,500 | 1.02 | % | |||||
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Chung Wang Yiu (Ron) (9) |
15,000 |
* |
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Fernando Chen I-Ting (10) |
15,000 |
* |
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Justin Tam (11) |
15,000 |
* |
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All Directors and Executive Officers as a Group (7 persons) |
638,607 | 17.41 | % | |||||
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Rise King Investments Limited (3)(4) |
147,099 | 4.01 | % | |||||
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Zhige Zhang (3)(12) |
148,264 | 4.04 | % | |||||
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Xuanfu Liu (3)(13) |
149,599 | 4.08 | % | |||||
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* Less than one percent.
(1) The address of each director and executive officer is c/o ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., 8/F, 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
(2) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes voting or investment power with respect to securities. Shares of Common Stock subject to securities anticipated to be exercisable or convertible at or within 60 days of June 18, 2026, are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such option or warrant but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of any other person. The indication herein that shares are anticipated to be beneficially owned is not an admission on the part of the listed stockholder that he, she or it is or will be a direct or indirect beneficial owner of those shares.
(3) Rise King Investments Limited (“Rise King”) is collectively owned by Handong Cheng, Xuanfu Liu and Zhige Zhang. As a result, Mr. Cheng, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhang may be deemed to be beneficial owners of the shares of our common stock held by Rise King. Each of Mr. Cheng, Mr. Liu and Mr. Zhang disclaim such beneficial ownership, and nothing herein shall be deemed to be an admission that Mr. Cheng, Mr. Liu or Mr. Zhang is the beneficial owner of any such shares for any purpose. Information regarding this beneficial owner is furnished in reliance upon the Form 4, dated August 18, 2015.
(4) The business address of Rise King Investments Limited is P.O. Box 957, Offshore Incorporations Center, Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands. Information regarding this beneficial owner is furnished in reliance upon the Schedule 13D, dated July 6, 2009.
(5) Consists of (i) 147,099 shares of Common Stock owned by Rise King and which are deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Cheng; and (ii) 129,675 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Cheng.
(6) Consists of (1) 89,606 shares of Common Stock owned by Marvel Investment Limited, which is owned and controlled by Mr. Chu; and (ii) 171,227 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Chu. Information regarding this beneficial owner is furnished in reliance upon the Schedule 13D, dated April 22, 2026.
(7) Consists of 18,500 shares of Common Stock.
(8) Consists of 37,500 shares of Common Stock.
(9) Consists of 15,000 shares of Common Stock.
(10) Consists of 15,000 shares of Common Stock.
(11) Consists of 15,000 shares of Common Stock.
(12) Consists of (i) 147,099 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Rise King and which are deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Zhang; and (ii) 1,165 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Zhang. The address of Mr. Zhang is 27th Floor, Yingdu Plaza, No. Jia 48, Zhichunlu, Haidian District, Beijing, PRC 100086.
(13) Consists of (i) 147,099 shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Rise King and which are deemed to be beneficially owned by Mr. Liu; and (ii) 2,500 shares of Common Stock owned directly by Mr. Liu. The address of Mr. Liu is Building 6, Block 3, Hanwei Guoji Guangchang Zhongguancun Kejiyuan Fengtaiyuan, Fengtai District, Beijing, PRC 100070.
Description of Securities
As of the record date of this meeting, our authorized capital stock consists of 32,500,000 shares, consisting of 12,500,000 shares of common stock par value $.001 per share, and 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $.001 per share. Pursuant to our articles of incorporation, our board of directors has the authority to provide for the issuance, in one or more series, of our authorized preferred stock and to fix or alter the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions granted to or imposed upon any series of our preferred stock. None of our preferred stock is currently outstanding. As of the record date of this meeting, we had 3,668,429 shares of common stock issued and outstanding.
Securities Authorized for Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans
As of December 31, 2025, our 2025 Equity Incentive Plan and 2024 Equity Incentive Plan were in effect.
The following table provides information as of December 31, 2025 about our equity compensation plan and arrangements:
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Plan category |
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options and restricted stock units |
Weighted- average exercise price of outstanding options, and restricted stock units |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans |
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Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
- | $ | - | 900,000 | ||||||||
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Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
- | - | ||||||||||
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Total |
- | $ | - | 900,000 | ||||||||
PROPOSAL 1
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees of the Board of Directors
The Board, upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, has nominated the persons identified below for election as directors, to serve until the next annual meeting and until their successors have been elected and qualified, unless such directors resign or are terminated prior thereto. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election, which is not expected, the persons named in the accompanying proxy intend to vote for any substitute whom the Board nominates.
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Name |
Age |
Other positions with Company; other directorships held in last five years |
Has served as Company director since |
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Handong Cheng |
55 |
Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Acting Chief Financial Officer |
September 2007 |
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George Kai Chu |
50 |
Director |
June 2015 |
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Zhiqing Chen |
53 |
Independent Non-Executive Director |
November 2009 |
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Fernando Chen I-Ting |
43 |
Independent Non-Executive Director |
October 2024 |
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Chang Qiu |
62 |
Independent Non-Executive Director |
December 2014 |
The business experience during the last five years of each of these individuals is as follows:
Handong Cheng, Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, President and Acting Chief Financial Officer. Mr. Cheng has served as Chief Executive Officer of our company since September 2007, and as Acting Chief Financial Officer since May 2023. Prior to that role, from October 2003 to September 2007, Mr. Cheng acted as President of ChinaNet Online Advertising Limited. Mr. Cheng holds an EMBA degree from Guanghua School of Management at the Peking University, and a degree in economic law from the College of Law of Wuhan University.
George Kai Chu, Director. Mr. Chu had been our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary from May 2010 to August 2020. From December 2007 to May 2010, Mr. Chu served as the Special Executive to the Chairman of Dachan Food (Asia) Ltd. in Beijing and also served at Dachan Food as the Head of the Beijing and Hebei Operations. From June 2007 to December 2007, Mr. Chu acted as Senior Business Advisor to the Chinese Aviation and Space Industry Development Association (CASIDA) in Taipei. From January 2005 to June 2007, Mr. Chu served as a Senior Vice President at the Royal Bank of Canada Financial Group, Asset Management in Vancouver, Toronto and New York. Mr. Chu has a joint major bachelor’s degree in accounting and management information systems from Simon Fraser University, an MBA degree from Harvard University and an EMBA degree from Guanghua School of Management at Peking University.
Zhiqing Chen, Director. Mr. Chen has been a partner at Chen & Partners Law Firm since July 2010. From January 2002 to June 2010, Mr. Chen was a partner at Jin Mao P.R.C. Lawyers in Shanghai, a law firm specializing in corporate law, including foreign investments and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Chen’s clients include local PRC enterprises as well as international corporations. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Chen served as a non-management director for Shanghai Fumai Investment Management Co., Ltd., Shanghai Zhijinwu Investment Management Co., Ltd, and Shanghai Merciful Groups Co., Ltd. Mr. Chen received a bachelor’s degree in international law from East China University and an EMBA degree from Guanghua School of Management at the Peking University.
Fernando Chen I-Ting. Mr. Chen brings over 15 years of specialized experience in commercial sales within the public authority, law enforcement, and defense industry sectors in South-East Asia. He has developed a deep understanding of the industry’s unique requirements and challenges, demonstrating a consistent ability to manage extensive sales operations, cultivate robust client relationships, and deliver high-value solutions. Since 2019, Mr. Chen has served as Partner and Asia Commercial Sales Program Manager of Marck & Balsan Group, responsible for Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Japan markets. Between 2014 and 2019, Mr. Chen worked as partner and Asia sales at GK Pro Group, a company focusing on law enforcement personal protection gear. Prior to that, Mr. Chen worked at Seggan International Limited, apprenticed in trading materials and equipment across multiple international markets including the United States, Europe, New Zealand, Japan, and Taiwan. Mr. Chen holds a Bachelor's degree in Marketing from the University of Auckland and has continually refined his skills through various certifications.
Chang Qiu, Director. Mr. Qiu has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Forun Technologies Inc. since July 2018. From April 2007 to June 2018, he served as a Principal of Sansar Capital Management. From 2001 through March 2007, Mr. Qiu served as the Founder, Managing Director and Senior Equity Analyst of Forun Technologies Inc. Prior to that, Mr. Qiu worked at IBM and other organizations in business and research functions. Mr. Qiu received an MBA degree from Columbia Business School, a Ph.D. degree from Colorado School of Mines, and a bachelor’s degree from Wuhan University, China.
Board Operations
Board Leadership Structure
Mr. Handong Cheng holds the positions of chief executive officer and chairman of the Board of the Company. The Board believes that Mr. Cheng’s services as both chief executive officer and chairman of the Board is in the best interest of the Company and its shareholders. Mr. Cheng possesses detailed and in-depth knowledge of the issues, opportunities and challenges facing the Company in its industries and businesses and is thus best positioned to develop agendas that ensure the Board’s time and attention are focused on the most critical matters relating to the business of the Company. His combined role enables decisive leadership, ensures clear accountability, and enhances the Company’s ability to communicate its message and strategy clearly and consistently to the Company’s shareholders, employees and customers.
The Board has not designated a lead director. Given the limited number of directors comprising the Board, the independent directors call and plan their executive sessions collaboratively and, between meetings of the Board, communicate with management and one another directly. Under these circumstances, the directors believe designating a lead director to take on responsibility for functions in which they all currently participate might detract from rather than enhance performance of their responsibilities as directors.
Director Qualifications
The Company seeks directors with established strong professional reputations and experience in areas relevant to the strategy and operations of its businesses. The Company also seeks directors who possess the qualities of integrity and candor, who have strong analytical skills and who are willing to engage management and each other in a constructive and collaborative fashion, in addition to the ability and commitment to devote time and energy to service on the Board and its committees. We believe that all of our directors meet the foregoing qualifications.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board believe that the leadership skills and other experience of the Board members, as described below, provide the Company with a range of perspectives and judgment necessary to guide our strategies and monitor their execution.
Director Independence
The Board has determined that Zhiqing Chen, Chang Qiu and Fernando Chen I-Ting are “independent” under the current independence standards of Rule 5605(a)(2) of the Marketplace Rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market, LLC and meet the criteria set forth in Rule 10A(m)(3) under the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).
Handong Cheng. Mr. Cheng is the founder of the Company and has been serving the franchise and advertising media industries for more than fifteen years. In 2003, he participated in the establishment of Beijing CNET Online Advertising Co., Ltd. and Business Opportunity Online (Beijing) Networking Technology Ltd. (www.28.com), and engaged in operational, administration and management activities. Mr. Cheng has contributed to the Board’s strong leadership and vision for the development of the Company.
George Kai Chu. Mr. Chu had been our Chief Operating Officer and Secretary from May 2010 to August 2020. Mr. Chu has years of experience in capital markets, financial and business management.
Zhiqing Chen. Mr. Chen contributes to the Board extensive legal knowledge with respect to foreign investments and mergers and acquisitions. Mr. Chen also has experience working with PRC enterprises and international corporations.
Chang Qiu. Mr. Qiu has extensive experience working with PRC enterprises and international corporations. Mr. Qiu contributes to the Board his knowledge with respect to foreign investments, business strategy and corporate finance.
Fernando Chen I-Ting. Mr. Chen brings in extensive background and strategic insight into the Asia region.
Meetings of the Board of Directors
The Board held eight meetings during 2025. During 2025, no director attended fewer than 75% of the meetings of the Board and Board committees of which the director was a member.
The Company’s directors are expected to attend board meetings as frequently as necessary to properly discharge their responsibilities and to spend the time needed to prepare for each such meeting. The Company’s directors are expected to attend annual meetings of stockholders, but we do not have a formal policy requiring them to do so. All directors of ours attended the 2025 annual meeting of stockholders held on December 1, 2025, except that Mr. Chang Qiu was unable to attend.
Code of Ethics
The Company adopted a Code of Ethics applicable to its directors, officers and employees on December 21, 2009. The Code of Ethics is designed to deter wrongdoing and to promote ethical conduct and full, fair, accurate, timely and understandable reports that the Company files or submits to the Securities and Exchange Commission and others. A printed copy of the Code of Ethics may be obtained free of charge by writing to us at our headquarters located at 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong or on our website, https://investor.chinanet-online.com.
Insider Trading Policy
We have
Board Committees
The Board has a standing audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committee, comprised solely of independent directors. Each committee has a charter, which is available at the Company’s website, www.zdat.com.
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which is established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act, engages Company’s independent accountants, reviewing their independence and performance; reviews the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the integrity of its financial statements; the audits of the Company’s financial statements and the appointment, compensation, qualifications, independence and performance of the Company’s independent auditors; the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee held four meetings during 2025.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the members of the current Audit Committee are Chang Qiu, Zhiqing Chen and Chung Wang Yiu (Ron). The Board has determined that Mr. Qiu is an audit committee financial expert, as defined in the Exchange Act. Mr. Yiu has not been nominated for re-election as an independent director at this annual meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Yiu’s service as a director, including as a member of the Audit Committee, will cease upon the expiration of his current term at this annual meeting.
Audit Committee Report
With respect to the audit of the Company’s financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, the Audit Committee:
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reviewed and discussed the audited financial statements with management; |
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discussed with the Company’s independent accountants the matters required to be discussed by the statement on Auditing Standards No. 61, as amended (AICPA, Professional Standards, Vol. 1, AU section 380), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board in Rule 3200T; and |
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received the written disclosures and the letter from the independent accountant required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with the independent accountant the independent accountant’s independence. |
Based upon the foregoing review and discussion, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, which was filed on March 31, 2026.
Chang Qiu, Chair
Zhiqing Chen
Chung Wang Yiu (Ron)
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee reviews annually the Company’s corporate goals and objectives relevant to the officers’ compensation, evaluates the officers’ performance in light of such goals and objectives, determines and approves the officers’ compensation level based on this evaluation; makes recommendations to the Board regarding approval, disapproval, modification, or termination of existing or proposed employee benefit plans, makes recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO and non-CFO compensation and administers the Company’s incentive- compensation plans and equity-based plans. The Compensation Committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities to subcommittees as it may deem appropriate in its sole discretion. The chief executive officer of the Company may not be present during voting or deliberations of the Compensation Committee with respect to his compensation. The Company’s executive officers do not play a role in suggesting their own salaries. Neither the Company nor the Compensation Committee has engaged any compensation consultant who has a role in determining or recommending the amount or form of executive or director compensation. The Compensation Committee held no meeting during 2025.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the members of the Compensation Committee are Zhiqing Chen, Chang Qiu and Chung Wang Yiu (Ron). Mr. Yiu has not been nominated for re-election as an independent director at this annual meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Yiu’s service as a director, including as a member of the Compensation Committee, will cease upon the expiration of his current term at this annual meeting.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee assists the Board in identifying qualified individuals to the Board as its nominees for election as directors, in determining the composition of the Board, and in assessing the Board’s effectiveness. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held no meetings during 2025.
As of the date of this proxy statement, the members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Zhiqing Chen, Chang Qiu and Chung Wang Yiu (Ron). Mr. Yiu has not been nominated for re-election as an independent director at this annual meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Yiu’s service as a director, including as a member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, will cease upon the expiration of his current term at this annual meeting.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider director candidates recommended by security holders. Potential nominees to the Board are required to have such experience in business or financial matters as would make such nominee an asset to the Board and may, under certain circumstances, be required to be “independent”, as such term is defined under Rule 5605 of the listing standards of NASDAQ and applicable SEC regulations. Security holders wishing to submit the name of a person as a potential nominee to the Board must send the name, address, and a brief (no more than 500 words) biographical description of such potential nominee to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee at the following address: Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, c/o ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong. Potential director nominees will be evaluated by personal interview, such interview to be conducted by one or more members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and/or any other method the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee deems appropriate, which may, but need not, include a questionnaire. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may solicit or receive information concerning potential nominees from any source it deems appropriate. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee need not engage in an evaluation process unless (i) there is a vacancy on the Board, (ii) a director is not standing for re-election, or (iii) the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not intend to recommend the nomination of a sitting director for re-election. A potential director nominee recommended by a security holder will not be evaluated differently from any other potential nominee. Although it has not done so in the past, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee may retain search firms to assist in identifying suitable director candidates.
The Board does not have a formal policy on Board candidate qualifications. The Board may consider those factors it deems appropriate in evaluating director nominees made either by the Board or stockholders, including judgment, skill, strength of character, experience with businesses and organizations comparable in size or scope to the Company, experience and skill relative to other Board members, and specialized knowledge or experience. Depending upon the current needs of the Board, certain factors may be weighed more or less heavily. In considering candidates for the Board, the directors evaluate the entirety of each candidate’s credentials and do not have any specific minimum qualifications that must be met. “Diversity,” as such, is not a criterion that the Committee considers. The directors will consider candidates from any reasonable source, including current Board members, stockholders, professional search firms or other persons. The directors will not evaluate candidates differently based on who has made the recommendation.
Directors or Executive Officers involved in Bankruptcy or Criminal Proceedings
To our knowledge, during the last ten years, none of our directors and executive officers (including those of our subsidiaries) has:
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had a bankruptcy petition filed by or against any business of which such person was a general partner or executive officer either at the time of the bankruptcy or within two years prior to that time; |
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been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been subject to a pending criminal proceeding, excluding traffic violations and other minor offenses; |
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been subject to any order, judgment or decree, not subsequently reversed, suspended or vacated, of any court of competent jurisdiction, permanently or temporarily enjoining, barring, suspending or otherwise limiting his involvement in any type of business, securities or banking activities; |
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been found by a court of competent jurisdiction (in a civil action), the SEC, or the Commodities Futures Trading Commission to have violated a federal or state securities or commodities law, and the judgment has not been reversed, suspended or vacated; or |
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been the subject to, or a party to, any sanction or order, not subsequently reverse, suspended or vacated, of any self-regulatory organization, any registered entity, or any equivalent exchange, association, entity or organization that has disciplinary authority over its members or persons associated with a member. |
Stockholder Communications
Stockholders can mail communications to the Board, c/o Secretary, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, who will forward the correspondence to each addressee.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires Company’s directors and executive officers and any beneficial owner of more than 10% of any class of Company equity security to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and furnish copies of the reports to Company. Based solely on the Company’s review of copies of such forms and written representations by Company’s executive officers and directors received by it, Company believes that during 2025, all such reports were filed timely, except for the following:
|
Name |
Late Reports |
Transactions Covered |
Number of Shares |
|||
|
George Kai Chu |
Form 4 |
Common Stock |
89,606 (1) |
(1) On September 25, 2024, we entered into a securities purchase agreement with Marvel Investment Limited, a British Virgin Islands company owned and controlled by George Kai Chu, a director of the Company, pursuant to which Marvel Investment Limited agreed to purchase 89,606 shares of the Company’s common stock for an aggregate purchase price of US$268,818. On June 10, 2025, the transaction with Marvel Investment Limited was completed.
Executive Compensation
Our Board of Directors has not adopted or established a formal policy or procedure for determining the amount of compensation paid to our executive officers. No pre-established, objective performance goals or metrics have been used by the Board of Directors in determining the compensation of our executive officers.
Elements of Compensation
Our executive officers receive a base salary to compensate them for services rendered during the year. In addition to their base salary, we also provide equity incentives to attract and retain executive talent for the Company’s continued success.
Base Salary and Bonus. The value of base salary and bonus for each our executive reflects his skill set and the market value of that skill set in the sole discretion of the Board of Director.
Equity Incentives. The ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”) provides for the granting of distribution equivalent rights, incentive stock options, non-qualified stock options, performance share awards, performance unit awards, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock appreciation rights, tandem stock appreciation rights, unrestricted stock awards or any combination of the foregoing, as may be best suited to the circumstances of the particular employee, director or consultant as provided therein (the “Awards”). Certain Awards are intended to qualify as “incentive stock options” within the meaning of the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”). The 2025 Plan was approved by our stockholders on December 1, 2025.
Retirement Benefits. Our executive officers are not presently entitled to company-sponsored retirement benefits.
Perquisites. We have not provided our executive officers with any material perquisites and other personal benefits and, therefore, we do not view perquisites as a significant or necessary element of our executive’s compensation.
Deferred Compensation. We do not provide our executives with the opportunity to defer receipt of annual compensation.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of the named executive officers for each of the two fiscal years in the period ended December 31, 2025.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION OF NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
|
Name and Principal Position |
Year |
Salary |
Stock |
Option |
Total |
||||||||||||
|
Handong Cheng (Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) (1) |
2025 |
24,504 | - | - | 24,504 | ||||||||||||
|
2024 |
21,062 | - | - | 21,062 | |||||||||||||
|
(1) |
The aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded to each named executive officer is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. |
Our executive officers are reimbursed by us for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities conducted on our behalf. There is no limit on the amount of these out-of-pocket expenses and there will be no review of the reasonableness of such expenses by anyone other than our Board, which includes persons who may seek reimbursement, or a court of competent jurisdiction if such reimbursement is challenged.
Employment Agreements
We enter into a standard employment contract with our executive officers for a set period of years. According to the contracts, these executive officers will devote substantially all of his/her time to the service of our company and may not compete directly or indirectly with us. These executive officers also agreed that in the event that his/her employment with us is terminated, for a period of two year following the date of his/her termination of employment, he/she will not contact, for any commercial purpose, or provide to a third party, information about clients or entities with which we were acquainted during the term of his employment with us. Subject to certain exceptions, either party may terminate the employment agreement upon 30 days prior written notice.
We do not have change-in-control agreements with any of our directors or executive officers, and we are not obligated to pay severance or other enhanced benefits to executive officers upon termination of their employment.
Outstanding Equity Awards
There were no outstanding equity incentive awards held by the named executive officers as of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
Potential payments upon termination or change-in-control
As discussed above, we do not have change-in-control agreements with any of our directors or executive officers, and we are not obligated to pay severance or other enhanced benefits to executive officers upon termination of their employment.
Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
None.
Policies and Practices for Granting Certain Equity Awards
Our policies and practices regarding the granting of equity awards are carefully designed to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws and to maintain the integrity of our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee is responsible for the timing and terms of equity awards for executives and other eligible employees.
The Company is committed to maintaining transparency in its executive compensation practices and to making equity awards in a manner that is not influenced by the timing of the disclosure of material nonpublic information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation. The Company regularly reviews its policies and practices related to equity awards to ensure they meet the evolving standards of corporate governance and continue to serve the best interests of the Company and its shareholders.
Pay Versus Performance
The following pay versus performance disclosure is required by rules adopted by the SEC in the fall of 2022. The disclosure required for smaller reporting companies consists of a Pay Versus Performance table and reconciliation of the information reported in the table. The SEC believes this disclosure will help shareholders better evaluate the link between executive pay and performance, both for the Company on a stand-alone basis and as compared to other publicly traded companies.
The Pay Versus Performance table is highly regulated and requires pay disclosure that is intended to supplement what we customarily provide in the Summary Compensation Table and the other executive compensation tables. The table currently provides SEC mandated compensation data for fiscal years 2024 and 2025 for our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”), including our principal Executive Officer (“PEO”), along with certain financial performance measures. In reviewing the table, our shareholders should note the following:
|
● |
The amounts in columns (b) and (d) of the table are taken from or derived directly from the total compensation paid to the relevant NEOs as reported in the current year or prior year Summary Compensation Tables; |
|
● |
The “compensation actually paid” in columns (c) and (e) represents an additional type of compensation disclosure mandated by the SEC, the intent of which is to try and isolate the amount of compensation earned by the relevant NEO(s) in each year. To calculate “compensation actually paid,” we are required to start with the totals for that year as reported in the Summary Compensation Table, deduct the Summary Compensation Table values for stock and option awards, and then add back amounts for new and previously outstanding stock and option awards in a manner mandated by the SEC. The disclosure and calculations are complex and can be confusing, and the amounts determined in accordance with the rules often bear no relation to the money or the economic value received or monetized by a particular NEO in the given year. We therefore caution that the term “compensation actually paid” should not be read literally and does not actually reflect the “take home” amounts received by our NEOs in a given year; and |
|
● |
The SEC rules require that we include in the Pay Versus Performance table information regarding our U.S. GAAP net income results. U.S. GAAP net income was not a performance metric in any of our compensation programs and did not affect the compensation awarded to our NEOs for the years covered by the Pay Versus Performance Table. We are nonetheless required to include such information in the table, and we urge our investors to keep in mind that U.S. GAAP net income did not drive the amount of pay awarded to or realized by our NEOs. |
Pay Versus Performance Table
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name |
Fiscal Year |
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO |
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO (1) |
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non -PEO NEOs |
Average Compensation Actually paid to Non-PEO NEOs (1) |
Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based on Total Shareholder Return (2) |
Net Income available to CNET Common Shareholder (in thousands) |
|||||||||||||||||||
|
|
2024 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | |||||||||||||||||
|
(Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
2025 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | ( |
) | |||||||||||||||||
|
(1) |
To calculate compensation actually paid, adjustments were made to the amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable year. |
|
(2) |
Pursuant to rules of the SEC, the illustration assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2023 in our Common Stock. Historic common share price performance is not necessarily indicative of future common share price performance. |
To calculate the amounts reported in the “Compensation Actually Paid” columns in the table above, the following amounts were deducted from and added to (as applicable) our NEOs total compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table (“SCT”) for our named executive officers as of December 31, 2025:
|
Less: |
Plus: |
Plus (less): |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
(d) |
(e) |
(f) |
(g) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name |
Fiscal Year |
SCT Total |
SCT Share Awards |
Fair Value of Restricted Shares Units ("RSU") Granted in the Covered Year |
Change in Fair Value of Unvested RSUs from Covered Years |
Fair Value of RSU Granted and Vested in the Covered Year |
Change in Fair Value of RSUs from Prior Years that Vested in the Covered Year |
Change in Fair Value of Unvested RSUs from the Prior Years |
Compensation Actually Paid |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Handong Cheng |
2024 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Principal Executive Officer and Principal Financial Officer) |
2025 |
$ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | $ | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
(a) |
Represents Total Compensation as reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the indicated fiscal year. |
|
(b) |
Represents the grant date fair value of the share awards during the indicated fiscal year, computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. No restricted shares were issued to the named PEO or NEOs in fiscal 2024 or 2025. No stock options were granted to the named PEO or NEOs in fiscal 2024 or 2025. |
|
(c) |
Represents the fair value as of the indicated fiscal year-end of the outstanding and unvested RSUs granted during such fiscal year, computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. |
|
(d) |
Represents the change in fair value during the indicated fiscal year of each RSU that was granted in a prior fiscal year and that remained outstanding and unvested as of the last day of the indicated fiscal year, computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. |
|
(e) |
No RSUs were granted and vested to the PEO or NEOs during fiscal 2024 or 2025. |
|
(f) |
Represents the change in fair value, measured from the prior fiscal year-end to the vesting date, of each RSU that was granted in a prior fiscal year and which vested during the indicated fiscal year, computed in accordance with the methodology used for financial reporting purposes. |
|
(g) |
Represents the average amount of change in fair value as of the end of the applicable year (from the end of the prior fiscal year) of equity awards granted in prior years that were unvested as of year-end of the applicable year. |
Compensation of Directors
The following table sets forth information regarding compensation of each director, other than named executive officers, for fiscal 2025.
FISCAL 2025 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
|
Name |
Fees in Cash |
Stock |
Option |
Non-Equity |
Nonqualified Earnings |
All Other |
Total |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chang Qiu |
3,000 | - | - | - | - | - | 3,000 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Zhiqing Chen |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
George Kai Chu |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Chung Wang Yiu (Ron) (2) |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Fernando Chen I-Ting |
2,570 | - | - | - | - | - | 2,570 | |||||||||||||||||||||
|
Justin Tam (3) |
- | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
(1) The aggregate grant date fair value of the restricted stock awarded to each director is computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(2) Mr. Yiu has not been nominated for re-election as an independent director at this annual meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Yiu’s service as a director will cease upon the expiration of his current term at this annual meeting.
(3) Mr. Tam has not been nominated for re-election as an independent director at this annual meeting. Accordingly, Mr. Tam’s service as a director will cease upon the expiration of his current term at this annual meeting.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
It is our policy to not enter any transaction (other than compensation arrangements in the ordinary course) with any director, executive officer, employee, or principal stockholder or party related to them, unless authorized by a majority of the directors having no interest in the transaction, upon a favorable recommendation by the Audit Committee (or a majority of its disinterested members).
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ NOMINEES.
PLEASE NOTE: If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder cannot vote your shares in the election of directors, unless you direct the holder how to vote, by marking your proxy card.
PROPOSAL 2
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
The Audit Committee has appointed ARK Pro CPA & Co. (“ARK”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. Representatives of ARK are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to appropriate questions and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire.
In the event the stockholders fail to ratify the selection of ARK, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether to retain the firm. Even if the selection is ratified, the Audit Committee and the Board, in their discretion, may direct the appointment of a different independent accounting firm at any time during the year if they determine that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Services and Fees of Independent Accountants
The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to us by categories specified below in connection with certain professional services rendered by ARK, our independent registered public accounting firm and by Centurion, our former independent registered public accounting firm.
|
Fees |
2025 |
2024 |
||||||
|
Audit Fees |
$ | 303,958 | $ | 296,073 | ||||
|
Audit Related Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
Tax Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
All Other Fees |
- | - | ||||||
|
Total |
$ | 303,958 | $ | 296,073 | ||||
Audit Fees
This category includes aggregate fees billed by our independent auditors for the audit of our annual financial statements, review of financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and services that are normally provided by the auditor in connection with statutory and regulatory filings for those fiscal years.
Audit-Related Fees
This category consists of services by our independent auditors that, including accounting consultations on transaction related matters, are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of our financial statements and are not reported above under Audit Fees.
Tax Fees
This category consists of professional services rendered for tax compliance and preparation of our corporate tax returns and other tax advice.
All Other Fees
This category consists of professional services rendered for products and services provided, other than the services reported above under Audit Fees, Audit- Related Fees and Tax Fees.
Pre-Approval of Services
The Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit, review, attest and permissible non-audit services (including any permissible internal control-related services) to be provided to the company or its subsidiaries by the independent auditors. The Audit Committee may establish pre-approval policies and procedures in compliance with applicable SEC rules. All services described under the caption Services and Fees of Independent Accountants were pre-approved.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS.
PROPOSAL 3
RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S 2026 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
The Company is seeking ratification of the stockholders to adopt the Company’s 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “2026 Plan”). The purpose of the 2026 Plan is to assist the Company to attract, retain and provide incentives to employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, the Company and its subsidiaries. If the 2026 Plan is approved, awards under the 2026 Plan will be limited in the aggregate to Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) shares of our common stock.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
As of the date of this proxy statement, 500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock are available for issuance under the Company’s 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2025 Plan”).
The total number shares of common stock under the 2025 Plan, including shares originally authorized by equity holders and shares remaining for future issuance as of December 31, 2025, was as follows:
|
Plan category |
Number of |
Weighted-average |
Number of |
|||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders |
- | - | 500,000 | |||||||||
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
- | - | ||||||||||
|
Total |
- | - | 500,000 | |||||||||
General
The following summary of the 2026 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the 2026 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this section discussing the adoption of the 2026 Plan shall have the meanings given to them in the 2026 Plan.
Our Board of Directors has adopted and approved the 2026 Plan, subject to the effectiveness of stockholder approval. Upon shareholders’ approval, the 2026 Plan will become effective on January 1, 2027 and is a comprehensive incentive compensation plan under which we can grant equity-based and other incentive awards to officers, employees and directors of, and consultants and advisers to, the Company. The purpose of the 2026 Plan is to help us attract, motivate and retain such persons and thereby enhance shareholder value.
Administration.
Upon effectiveness, the 2026 Plan will be administered by a Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Plan Committee”) consisting of two or more persons who will each be (i) “non- employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, and (ii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements. If a member of the Plan Committee is eligible to receive an award under the 2026 Plan, such Plan Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own award. Among other things, the Plan Committee has complete discretion, subject to the terms of the 2026 Plan, to determine the employees, directors and consultants to be granted awards under the 2026 Plan, the type of awards to be granted, the number of shares subject to each award, the exercise price under each option and the base price for each stock appreciation right (“SAR”), the term of each award, the vesting schedule for an award, whether to accelerate vesting, the value of the shares underlying the award, and the required withholdings, if any. The Plan Committee is also authorized to construe the award agreements, and may prescribe rules relating to the 2026 Plan. Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in the 2026 Plan, the Plan Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price under any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted.
Grant of Awards; Shares Available for Awards.
The 2026 Plan provides for the grant of awards which are incentive stock options (“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units, SARs, tandem stock appreciation rights or any combination of the foregoing, to key management employees, directors, and consultants of the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each a “participant”). We have reserved a total of 500,000 shares for issuance as or under awards to be made under the 2026 Plan. To the extent that an award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its holder terminate, any shares subject to such award shall again be available for the grant of a new award. The 2026 Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board of Directors (except as to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors in its discretion may terminate the 2026 Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the 2026 Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder, without the consent of the holder, with respect to any award previously granted.
Options.
The term of each stock option shall be as specified in the option agreement; provided, however, that except for stock options which are ISOs, granted to an employee who owns or is deemed to own (by reason of the attribution rules applicable under Code Section 424(d)) more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code (a “ten percent shareholder”), no option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant (five (5) years for an employee who is a ten percent shareholder). The price at which a share may be purchased upon exercise of a stock option shall be determined by the Plan Committee; provided, however, that such option price (i) shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date such stock option is granted, and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in the 2026 Plan. The Plan Committee or the Board of Directors shall determine the time or times at which, or the circumstances under which, a stock option may be exercised in whole or in part, the time or times at which options shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of the stock option holder’s employment or upon other conditions, the methods by which such exercise price may be paid or deemed to be paid, the form of such payment, and the methods by or forms in which shares will be delivered or deemed to be delivered to participants who exercise stock options.
Options which are ISOs shall comply in all respects with Section 422 of the Code. In the case of an ISO granted to a ten percent shareholder, the per share exercise price under such ISO (to the extent required by the Code at the time of grant) shall be no less than 110% of the fair market value of a share on the date such ISO is granted. ISOs may only be granted to employees of the Company. In addition, the aggregate fair market value of the shares subject to an ISO (determined at the time of grant) which are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year under all plans of the Company which provide for the grant of ISOs may not exceed $100,000. Any Option which specifies that it is not intended to qualify as an ISO or any Option that fails to meet the ISO requirements at any point in time will automatically be treated as a NQSO under the terms of the 2026 Plan.
Unrestricted Stock Awards.
Pursuant to the terms of the applicable unrestricted stock award agreement, an unrestricted stock award is the award or sale of shares to employees, directors or consultants, which are not subject to transfer restrictions in consideration for past services rendered to the Company or for other valid consideration.
Restricted Stock Awards.
A restricted stock award is a grant or sale of shares of Common Stock to the holder, subject to such restrictions on transferability, risk of forfeiture and other restrictions, if any, as the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors may impose, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times, under such circumstances (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future service requirements), in such installments or otherwise, as the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors may determine at the date of grant or purchase or thereafter. If provided for under the restricted stock award agreement, a participant who is granted or has purchased restricted stock shall have all of the rights of a shareholder, including the right to vote the restricted stock and the right to receive dividends thereon (subject to any mandatory reinvestment or other requirement imposed by the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors or in the award agreement). During the restricted period applicable to the restricted stock, subject to certain exceptions, the restricted stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, exchanged, hypothecated, or otherwise disposed of by the participant.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards.
A restricted stock unit award provides for a grant of shares of Common Stock or a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable restricted stock unit award agreement the individual service-based vesting requirements which the holder would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment and the number of units awarded to the holder. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a restricted stock unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the fair market value of a share, as determined in the sole discretion of the 2026 Plan Committee and as set forth in the restricted stock unit award agreement, for each restricted stock unit subject to such restricted stock unit award, if and to the extent the holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirements. Such payment or distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the restricted stock unit first becomes vested, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A.
Performance Stock Awards.
A performance stock award provides for the distribution of shares (or cash equal to the fair market value of shares) to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company goals or objectives. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable performance stock award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or Company would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to the receipt of shares (or cash equal to the fair market value of shares) pursuant to such holder’s performance stock award and the number of shares of shares subject to such performance stock award. The vesting restrictions under any performance stock award shall constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such goals and objectives are achieved, the distribution of such shares shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of our fiscal year to which such goals and objectives relate, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a performance stock award shall have no rights as a shareholder until such time, if any, as the holder actually receives shares pursuant to the performance stock award.
Performance Unit Awards.
A performance unit award provides for a cash payment to be made to the holder upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (or affiliate) performance goals or objectives based on selected performance criteria, based on the number of units awarded to the holder. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable performance unit award agreement the performance goals and objectives (and the period of time to which such goals and objectives shall apply) which the holder and/or Company would be required to satisfy before the holder would become entitled to payment, the number of units awarded to the holder and the dollar value assigned to each such unit. At the time of such award, the Plan Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions. The holder of a performance unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such unit under the applicable performance unit award agreement if the holder and/or the Company satisfies (or partially satisfies, if applicable under the applicable performance unit award agreement) the performance goals and objectives set forth in such performance unit award agreement. If achieved, such payment shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate, unless otherwise structured to comply with Code Section 409A.
Stock Appreciation Rights.
A SAR provides the participant to whom it is granted the right to receive, upon its exercise, cash or shares of Common Stock equal to the excess of (A) the fair market value of the number of shares subject to the SAR on the date of exercise, over (B) the product of the number of shares subject to the SAR multiplied by the base value for the SAR, as determined by the Plan Committee or the Board of Directors. The Plan Committee shall set forth in the applicable SAR award agreement the terms and conditions of the SAR, including the base value for the SAR (which shall not be less than the fair market value of a share on the date of grant), the number of shares subject to the SAR and the period during which the SAR may be exercised and any other special rules and/or requirements which the Plan Committee imposes on the SAR. No SAR shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of grant. A tandem SAR is a SAR granted in connection with a related option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the shares under the related option. If the Plan Committee grants a SAR which is intended to be a tandem SAR, the tandem SAR shall be granted at the same time as the related option and additional restrictions apply.
Recapitalization or Reorganization.
Subject to certain restrictions, the 2026 Plan provides for the adjustment of shares underlying awards previously granted if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the holder of shares underlying an award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of our Common Stock or the payment of a stock dividend on Common Stock without receipt of consideration by the Company. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted award, the holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such award, in lieu of the number of shares then covered by such award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the holder had been the holder of record of the number of shares then covered by such award. The 2026 Plan also provides for the adjustment of shares underlying awards previously granted in the event of changes to the outstanding shares by reason of an extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, split-up, spin-off, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any award, subject to certain restrictions.
Clawback Policy.
All Awards (including on a retroactive basis) granted under the Plan are subject to the terms of any Company forfeiture, incentive compensation recoupment, clawback or similar policy as it may be in effect from time to time, as well as any similar provisions of applicable laws, as well as any other policy of the Company that may apply to the Awards, such as anti-hedging or pledging policies, as they may be in effect from time to time. In particular, these policies and/or provisions shall include, without limitation, (i) any Company policy established to comply with applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), and/or (ii) the rules and regulations of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Stock or other securities are listed or quoted, and these requirements shall be deemed incorporated by reference into all outstanding Award Agreements.
Amendment and Termination.
The 2026 Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to its terms, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it became effective (except as to awards outstanding on that date). The Board of Directors may terminate the 2026 Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the 2026 Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to any award theretofore granted without the consent of the holder. The Board of Directors shall have the right to alter or amend the 2026 Plan or any part thereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of our shareholders at which a quorum representing a majority of our shares entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy, no amendment or modification of the 2026 Plan may (i) except as otherwise expressly provided in law, materially increase the number of shares subject to the 2026 Plan or the individual award agreements, (ii) materially modify the requirements for participation, or (iii) amend, modify or suspend certain re-pricing prohibitions or amendment and termination provisions as specified therein. In addition, no change in any award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a holder with respect to such award without the consent of the holder (unless such change is required to cause the 2026 Plan and/or award to be exempt from or comply with Section 409A of the Code).
As of the date hereof, no awards will have been granted under the 2026 Plan.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the 2026 Plan
The following is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences under current tax law to the Company (to the extent it is subject to U.S. federal income taxation on its net income) and to participants in the 2026 Plan who are individual citizens or residents of the United States for federal income tax purposes (“U.S. Participants”) of stock options which are ISOs, or stock options which are NQSOs, unrestricted stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance stock, performance units and SARs. This summary does not purport to cover all of the special rules that may apply, including special rules relating to limitations on our ability to deduct certain compensation, special rules relating to deferred compensation, golden parachutes, U.S. Participants subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or the exercise of a stock option with previously-acquired Common Stock. This summary assumes that U.S. Participants will hold their Common Stock as capital assets within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code. In addition, this summary does not address the foreign, state or local or other tax consequences, or any U.S. federal non-income tax consequences, inherent in the acquisition, ownership, vesting, exercise, termination or disposition of an award under the 2026 Plan, or shares issued pursuant thereto. Participants are urged to consult with their own tax advisors concerning the tax consequences to them of an award under the 2026 Plan or shares issued thereunder pursuant to the 2026 Plan.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant of a NQSO if structured to be exempt from or comply with Code Section 409A. Upon the exercise of a NQSO, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes ordinary compensation income in an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares acquired on the date of exercise over the exercise price thereof, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for such amount at that time. If the U.S. Participant later sells shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a NQSO, the U.S. Participant recognizes a long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the period for which the shares were held. A long-term capital gain is generally subject to more favorable tax treatment than ordinary income or a short-term capital gain. The deductibility of capital losses is subject to certain limitations.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize taxable income upon the grant or, except for purposes of the U.S. alternative minimum tax (“AMT”) the exercise, of an ISO. For purposes of the AMT, which is payable to the extent it exceeds the U.S. Participant’s regular income tax, upon the exercise of an ISO, the excess of the fair market value of the shares subject to the ISO over the exercise price is a preference item for AMT purposes. If the U.S. Participant disposes of the shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an ISO more than two years after the date of grant and more than one year after the transfer of the shares to the U.S. Participant, the U.S. Participant generally recognizes a long-term capital gain or loss, and the Company will not be entitled to a deduction. However, if the U.S. Participant disposes of such shares prior to the end of either of the required holding periods, the U.S. Participant will have ordinary compensation income equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of such shares on the date of exercise (or, if less, the amount realized on the disposition of such shares) over the exercise price paid for such shares, and the Company generally will be entitled to deduct such amount.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income upon the grant of a SAR. The U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income upon exercise of the SAR equal to the increase in the value of the underlying shares, and the Company generally will be entitled to a deduction for such amount.
A U.S. Participant generally does not recognize income on the receipt of a performance stock award, performance unit award, restricted stock unit award or unrestricted stock award until a cash payment or a distribution of shares is received thereunder. At such time, the U.S. Participant recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares or the amount of cash received over any amount paid therefor, and the Company generally will be entitled to deduct such amount at such time.
A U.S. Participant who receives a restricted stock award generally recognizes ordinary compensation income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of such shares at the time the restriction lapses over any amount paid for the shares. Alternatively, the U.S. Participant may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code to be taxed on the fair market value of such shares at the time of grant. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction at the same time and in the same amount as the income that is required to be included by the U.S. Participant.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC. 2026 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
PLEASE NOTE: If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder cannot vote your shares on this proposal, unless you direct the holder how to vote, by marking your proxy card or by following the instructions on the proxy card to vote.
PROPOSAL 4
APPROVAL OF THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF
AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
General
The Board has approved an amendment, or the Authorized Shares Amendment, to the Company’s Articles of Incorporation, as amended, or the Articles of Incorporation, to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, from 12,500,000 to 200,000,000. The Authorized Shares Amendment will not change the number of authorized shares of preferred stock, which currently consists of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share.
The additional shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance by the Authorized Shares Amendment would be a part of the existing class of Common Stock and, if and when issued, would have the same rights and privileges as the Common Stock presently issued and outstanding. The full text of the proposed Authorized Shares Amendment is attached to this Proxy Statement as Appendix B. However, the text of the Authorized Shares Amendment is subject to revision to include such changes as may be required by the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada and as deemed necessary and advisable to effect the Authorized Shares Amendment.
Provided the stockholders approve the Authorized Shares Amendment, the increased number of shares would be authorized for issuance, but would remain unissued until a Board-approved issuance of such shares.
Adoption of the Authorized Shares Amendment would not affect the rights of the holders of currently outstanding Common Stock, except for effects incidental to increasing the number of shares of our Common Stock outstanding, such as dilution of the earnings per share and voting rights of current holders of Common Stock, to the extent that any additional shares of Common Stock are ultimately issued out of the increase in authorized shares proposed in the Authorized Shares Amendment.
If the proposed Authorized Shares Amendment is approved by the requisite vote of the stockholders, it will become effective upon the filing of a Certificate of Amendment to our Articles of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Nevada. The Board reserves its right to elect not to proceed with and abandon the Authorized Shares Amendment if it determines, in its sole discretion at any time, that this proposal is no longer in the best interests of our stockholders.
If we fail to obtain stockholder approval of this proposal at the Special Meeting, we intend to continue to seek to obtain stockholder approval at each subsequent annual meeting of stockholders and/or special meetings of stockholders until such approval has been obtained and we will incur the costs associated therewith.
Background; Purposes and Effects of the Authorized Shares Amendment
The Board believes it is in the best interest of the Company and our stockholders to increase the number of authorized shares of our capital stock in order to give the Company greater flexibility in considering and planning for future general corporate needs, including, but not limited to, stock dividends, grants under equity compensation plans, stock splits, financings, potential strategic transactions, as well as other general corporate transactions. The Board believes that additional authorized shares of capital stock will enable the Company to take timely advantage of market conditions and favorable financing and acquisition opportunities that become available to the Company.
The Company has no current plan, commitment, arrangement, understanding or agreement regarding the issuance of additional shares of capital stock from the additional shares to be authorized herein. The authorized but unissued shares will only be issued at the direction of the Board, and upon separate shareholder approval if and as required by applicable law.
There are currently 12,500,000 authorized shares of Common Stock. As of the Record Date, there were, (i) 3,668,429 shares of our Common Stock issued and outstanding; (ii) 500,000 shares of our Common Stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, leaving a balance of 8,331,571 shares of our Common Stock available for issuance. In addition, no shares of our preferred stock are issued and outstanding leaving a balance of 20,000,000 shares that are authorized but unissued. There are currently no shares of our preferred stock reserved for issuance.
If our stockholders do not approve the Authorized Shares Amendment in this Proposal 4, we may not have enough authorized shares to meet our needs in connection with future financings or strategic transactions and properly incentivizing our key personnel. The Board is recommending the proposed increase in the authorized number of shares of Common Stock to provide the Company with appropriate flexibility to issue additional shares in the future on a timely basis if such need arises in connection with potential financings, business combinations or other corporate purposes. Approval of the Authorized Shares Amendment could enable the Company to take advantage of market conditions, the availability of more favorable financing, and opportunities for business combinations and other strategic transactions, without the potential delay and expense associated with convening a special stockholders’ meeting.
Our success also depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain and motivate highly qualified management and key personnel. If this proposal is not approved by our stockholders, the lack of unissued and unreserved authorized shares of Common Stock to provide future equity incentive opportunities could adversely impact our ability to achieve these goals. In short, if our stockholders do not approve this proposal, we may not be able to access the capital markets, complete corporate collaborations or partnerships, attract, retain and motivate employees, and pursue other business opportunities integral to our growth and success.
The proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of Common Stock will not, by itself, have an immediate dilutive effect on our current stockholders. However, if this proposal is approved, unless otherwise required by applicable law or stock exchange rules, the Board will be able to issue the additional shares of Common Stock from time to time in its discretion without further action or authorization by the stockholders. The newly authorized shares of Common Stock would be issuable for any proper corporate purpose, including capital raising transactions of equity or convertible debt securities, the establishment of collaborations or other strategic agreements, stock splits, stock dividends, issuance under current or future equity incentive plans, future acquisitions, investment opportunities, or for other corporate purposes. The future issuance of additional shares of Common Stock or securities convertible into our Common Stock may occur at times or under circumstances that could result in a dilutive effect on the earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and percentage interest of the present holders of our Common Stock, some of whom have preemptive rights to subscribe for additional shares that we may issue.
Potential Anti-Takeover Effect
An increase in the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock relative to the number of outstanding shares of Common Stock may also, under certain circumstances, be construed as having an anti-takeover effect. Although not designed or intended for such purposes, the effect of the Authorized Shares Amendment might be to render more difficult or to discourage a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or change in control of us and the removal of management, which stockholders might otherwise deem favorable. For example, the authority of the Board to issue Common Stock might be used to create voting impediments or to frustrate an attempt by another person or entity to effect a takeover or otherwise gain control of us because the issuance of additional Common Stock would dilute the voting power of the Common Stock then outstanding. Our Common Stock could also be issued to purchasers who would support the Board in opposing a takeover bid which our board determines not to be in our best interests and those of our stockholders. In addition to the Authorized Shares Amendment, the Company’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws also include other provisions that may have an anti-takeover effect. These provisions, among other things, permit the Board to issue preferred stock with rights senior to those of the Common Stock without any further vote or action by the stockholders, provide that special meetings of stockholders may only be called by the Board and some of our officers, and do not provide for cumulative voting rights, which could make it more difficult for stockholders to effect certain corporation actions and may delay or discourage a change in control. The Board is not presently aware of any attempt, or contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company and the Authorized Shares Amendment is not part of any plan by the Board to recommend or implement a series of anti-takeover measures.
Appraisal Rights
Pursuant to the Nevada Revised Statutes, shareholders are not entitled to appraisal rights with respect to the Authorized Shares Amendment.
Vote Required
Approval of Proposal 4 requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of our Common Stock on the Record Date. If you hold your shares in your own name and abstain from voting on this matter, your abstention will have the same effect as a negative vote. If you hold your shares through a broker and you do not instruct the broker on how to vote on this proposal, your broker will not have authority to vote your shares. Broker non-votes will have the same effect as a negative vote. Abstentions and broker non-votes will each be counted as present for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK PROPOSAL.
PLEASE NOTE: If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder cannot vote your shares on this proposal, unless you direct the holder how to vote, by marking your proxy card or by following the instructions on the proxy card to vote.
OTHER INFORMATION
The Company’s 2025 annual report on Form 10-K, excluding exhibits, will be mailed without charge to any stockholder entitled to vote at the meeting, upon written request to Mr. Handong Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, telephone number +852 2669-8078.
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Stockholder Documents
If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder may deliver only one copy of this proxy statement and the annual report to stockholders to multiple stockholders sharing an address, absent contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. The Company will deliver a separate copy of the proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy was delivered, upon written or oral request, to Mr. Handong Cheng, Chief Executive Officer, ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, telephone number +852 2669-8078. Stockholders sharing an address and receiving multiple copies of the proxy materials who wish to receive a single copy should contact their broker, bank, custodian or other nominee holder.
Other Matters to Be Presented at the Annual Meeting
The Company is not aware of any matter to be presented for action at the Annual Meeting, except as discussed in this proxy statement. The persons authorized by the accompanying form of proxy will vote in their discretion as to any other matter that comes before the Annual Meeting.
Stockholder Proposals for Next Annual Meeting
Stockholder proposals intended to be included in the proxy statement for the 2026 annual meeting must be received by the Company within a reasonable time before the Company prints and mails its proxy statement for the 2026 annual meeting, which is anticipated to occur on or about June 30, 2027.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/Handong Cheng |
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Handong Cheng |
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Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer, Acting Chief Financial Officer and President |
Appendix A
ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
2026 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
ARTICLE I
PURPOSE
The purpose of this ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) is to benefit ZW Data Action Technologies Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”) and its stockholders, by assisting the Company and its subsidiaries to attract, retain and provide incentives to key management employees, directors, and consultants of the Company and its Affiliates, and to align the interests of such service providers with those of the Company’s stockholders. Accordingly, the Plan provides for the granting of Non-qualified Stock Options, Incentive Stock Options, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Unit Awards, Stock Appreciation Rights, Performance Stock Awards, Performance Unit Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Distribution Equivalent Rights or any combination of the foregoing.
ARTICLE II
DEFINITIONS
The following definitions shall be applicable throughout the Plan unless the context otherwise requires:
2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean any corporation which, with respect to the Company, is a “subsidiary corporation” within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or other entity in which the Company has a controlling interest in such entity or another entity which is part of a chain of entities in which the Company or each entity has a controlling interest in another entity in the unbroken chain of entities ending with the applicable entity.
2.2 “Award” shall mean, individually or collectively, any Option, Restricted Stock Award, Restricted Stock Unit Award, Performance Stock Award, Performance Unit Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Distribution Equivalent Right or Unrestricted Stock Award.
2.3 “Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and the Holder with respect to an Award, setting forth the terms and conditions of the Award, as amended.
2.4 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.5 “Base Value” shall have the meaning given to such term in Section 14.2.
2.6 “Cause” shall mean (i) if the Holder is a party to an employment or service agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Cause” (or a similar term), “Cause” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Cause” shall mean termination by the Company or an Affiliate of the employment (or other service relationship) of the Holder by reason of the Holder’s (A) intentional failure to perform reasonably assigned duties, (B) dishonesty or willful misconduct in the performance of the Holder’s duties, (C) involvement in a transaction which is materially adverse to the Company or an Affiliate, (D) breach of fiduciary duty involving personal profit, (E) willful violation of any law, rule, regulation or court order (other than misdemeanor traffic violations and misdemeanors not involving misuse or misappropriation of money or property), (F) commission of an act of fraud or intentional misappropriation or conversion of any asset or opportunity of the Company or an Affiliate, or (G) material breach of any provision of the Plan or the Holder’s Award Agreement or any other written agreement between the Holder and the Company or an Affiliate, in each case as determined in good faith by the Board, the determination of which shall be final, conclusive and binding on all parties.
2.7 “Change of Control” shall mean: (i) for a Holder who is a party to an employment or consulting agreement with the Company or an Affiliate which agreement defines “Change of Control” (or a similar term), “Change of Control” shall have the same meaning as provided for in such agreement, or (ii) for a Holder who is not a party to such an agreement, “Change of Control” shall mean the satisfaction of any one or more of the following conditions (and the “Change of Control” shall be deemed to have occurred as of the first day that any one or more of the following conditions shall have been satisfied):
(a) Any person (as such term is used in paragraphs 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, hereinafter in this definition, “Person”), other than the Company or an Affiliate or an employee benefit plan of the Company or an Affiliate, becomes the beneficial owner (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;
(b) The closing of a merger, consolidation or other business combination (a “Business Combination”) other than a Business Combination in which holders of the Shares immediately prior to the Business Combination have substantially the same proportionate ownership of the common stock or ordinary shares, as applicable, of the surviving corporation immediately after the Business Combination as immediately before;
(c) The closing of an agreement for the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets to any entity that is not an Affiliate;
(d) The approval by the holders of shares of Shares of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company, other than a merger of the Company into any subsidiary or a liquidation as a result of which persons who were stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such liquidation have substantially the same proportionate ownership of shares of common stock or ordinary shares, as applicable, of the surviving corporation immediately after such liquidation as immediately before; or
(e) Within any twenty four (24) month period, the Incumbent Directors shall cease to constitute at least a majority of the Board or the board of directors of any successor to the Company; provided, however, that any director elected to the Board, or nominated for election, by a majority of the Incumbent Directors then still in office, shall be deemed to be an Incumbent Director for purposes of this paragraph (e), but excluding, for this purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office occurs as a result of either an actual or threatened election contest with respect to the election or removal of directors or other actual or threatened solicitation of proxies or consents by or on behalf of an individual, entity or “group” other than the Board (including, but not limited to, any such assumption that results from paragraphs (a), (b), (c), or (d) of this definition).
2.8 “Code” shall mean the United States of America Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference in the Plan to any section of the Code shall be deemed to include any amendments or successor provisions to any section and any regulation under such section.
2.9 “Committee” shall mean a committee comprised of two (2) or more members of the Board who are selected by the Board as provided in Section 4.1.
2.10 “Company” shall have the meaning given to such term in the introductory paragraph, including any successor thereto.
2.11 “Consultant” shall mean any non-Employee (individual or entity) advisor to the Company or an Affiliate who or which has contracted directly with the Company or an Affiliate to render bona fide consulting or advisory services thereto.
2.12 “Director” shall mean a member of the Board or a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate, in either case, who is not an Employee.
2.13 “Distribution Equivalent Right” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIII of the Plan which entitles the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the period the Holder held the Distribution Equivalent Right.
2.14 “Distribution Equivalent Right Award Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Distribution Equivalent Right Award.
2.15 “Effective Date” shall mean January 1, 2027.
2.16 “Employee” shall mean any employee, including any officer, of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.17 “Exchange Act” shall mean the United States of America Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
2.18 “Fair Market Value” shall mean, as of any specified date, the closing sales price of the Shares for such date (or, in the event that the Shares are not traded on such date, on the immediately preceding trading date) on the NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”), as reported by NASDAQ, or such other domestic or foreign national securities exchange on which the Shares may be listed. If the Shares are not listed on NASDAQ or on a national securities exchange, but are quoted on the OTC Bulletin Board or by the National Quotation Bureau, the Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be the mean of the highest bid and lowest asked prices per Share for such date. If the Shares are not quoted or listed as set forth above, Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means (which means may be set forth with greater specificity in the applicable Award Agreement). The Fair Market Value of property other than Shares shall be determined by the Board in good faith by any fair and reasonable means consistent with the requirements of applicable law.
2.19 “Family Member” of an individual shall mean any child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, former spouse, sibling, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, any person sharing the Holder’s household (other than a tenant or employee of the Holder), a trust in which such persons have more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, a foundation in which such persons (or the Holder) control the management of assets, and any other entity in which such persons (or the Holder) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.
2.20 “Holder” shall mean an Employee, Director or Consultant who has been granted an Award or any such individual’s beneficiary, estate or representative, who has acquired such Award in accordance with the terms of the Plan, as applicable.
2.21 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is intended by the Committee to constitute an “incentive stock option” and conforms to the applicable provisions of Section 422 of the Code.
2.22 “Incumbent Director” shall mean, with respect to any period of time specified under the Plan for purposes of determining whether or not a Change of Control has occurred, the individuals who were members of the Board at the beginning of such period.
2.23 “Non-qualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option or which is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but does not meet the applicable requirements of Section 422 of the Code.
2.24 “Option” shall mean an Award granted under Article VII of the Plan of an option to purchase Shares and shall include both Incentive Stock Options and Non-qualified Stock Options.
2.25 “Option Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Option.
2.26 “Performance Criteria” shall mean the criteria selected by the Committee for purposes of establishing the Performance Goal(s) for a Holder for a Performance Period.
2.27 “Performance Goals” shall mean, for a Performance Period, the written goal or goals established by the Committee for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria, which may be related to the performance of the Holder, the Company or an Affiliate.
2.28 “Performance Period” shall mean one or more periods of time, which may be of varying and overlapping durations, selected by the Committee, over which the attainment of the Performance Goals shall be measured for purposes of determining a Holder’s right to, and the payment of, a Performance Stock Award or a Performance Unit Award.
2.29 “Performance Stock Award” or “Performance Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article XII of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, Shares are paid to the Holder.
2.30 “Performance Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Stock Award.
2.31 “Performance Unit” shall mean a Unit awarded to a Holder pursuant to a Performance Unit Award.
2.32 “Performance Unit Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article XI of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined Performance Goals, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.33 “Performance Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Performance Unit Award.
2.34 “Plan” shall mean this ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, together with each of the Award Agreements utilized hereunder.
2.35 “Restricted Stock Award” and “Restricted Stock” shall mean an Award granted under Article VIII of the Plan of Shares, the transferability of which by the Holder is subject to Restrictions.
2.36 “Restricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.37 “Restricted Stock Unit Award” and “RSUs” shall refer to an Award granted under Article X of the Plan under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual service-related vesting requirements, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder.
2.38 “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Restricted Stock Award.
2.39 “Restriction Period” shall mean the period of time for which Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award shall be subject to Restrictions, as set forth in the applicable Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.40 “Restrictions” shall mean the forfeiture, transfer and/or other restrictions applicable to Shares awarded to an Employee, Director or Consultant under the Plan pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award and set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement.
2.41 “Rule 16b-3” shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, as such may be amended from time to time, and any successor rule, regulation or statute fulfilling the same or a substantially similar function.
2.42 “Shares” or “Stock” shall mean the common stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per share.
2.43 “Share Reserve” has the meaning set forth in Section 5.1.
2.44 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean an Award granted under Article XIV of the Plan of a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
2.45 “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to a Stock Appreciation Right.
2.46 “Tandem Stock Appreciation Right” shall mean a Stock Appreciation Right granted in connection with a related Option, the exercise of some or all of which results in termination of the entitlement to purchase some or all of the Shares under the related Option, all as set forth in Article XIV.
2.47 “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean an Employee who, at the time an Option is granted to him or her, owns shares possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company or of any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code), within the meaning of Section 422(b)(6) of the Code.
2.48 “Termination of Service” shall mean a termination of a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director or Consultant of, the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable, for any reason, including, without limitation, Total and Permanent Disability or death, except as provided in Section 6.4. In the event Termination of Service shall constitute a payment event with respect to any Award subject to Code Section 409A, Termination of Service shall only be deemed to occur upon a “separation from service” as such term is defined under Code Section 409A and applicable authorities.
2.49 “Total and Permanent Disability” of an individual shall mean the inability of such individual to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months, within the meaning of Section 22I(3) of the Code.
2.50 “Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping unit, which represents such monetary amount as shall be designated by the Committee in each Performance Unit Agreement, or represents one Share for purposes of each Restricted Stock Unit Award.
2.51 “Unrestricted Stock Award” shall mean an Award granted under Article IX of the Plan of Shares which are not subject to Restrictions.
2.52 “Unrestricted Stock Agreement” shall mean a written agreement between the Company and a Holder with respect to an Unrestricted Stock Award.
ARTICLE III
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN
The Plan shall be effective as of the Effective Date, provided that the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months of such date.
ARTICLE IV
ADMINISTRATION
4.1 Composition of Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee, which shall be appointed by the Board. If necessary, in the Board’s discretion, to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act or relevant securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation service, the Committee shall consist solely of two (2) or more Directors who are each (i) “non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and (ii) “independent” for purposes of any applicable listing requirements. If a member of the Committee shall be eligible to receive an Award under the Plan, such Committee member shall have no authority hereunder with respect to his or her own Award.
4.2 Powers. Subject to the other provisions of the Plan, the Committee shall have the sole authority, in its discretion, to make all determinations under the Plan, including but not limited to (i) determining which Employees, Directors or Consultants shall receive an Award, (ii) the time or times when an Award shall be made (the date of grant of an Award shall be the date on which the Award is awarded by the Committee), (iii) what type of Award shall be granted, (iv) the term of an Award, (v) the date or dates on which an Award vests, (vi) the form of any payment to be made pursuant to an Award, (vii) the terms and conditions of an Award (including the forfeiture of the Award, and/or any financial gain, if the Holder of the Award violates any applicable restrictive covenant thereof), (viii) the Restrictions under a Restricted Stock Award, (ix) the number of Shares which may be issued under an Award, (x) Performance Goals applicable to any Award and certification of the achievement of such goals, and (xi) the waiver of any Restrictions or Performance Goals, subject in all cases to compliance with applicable laws. In making such determinations the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Employees, Directors and Consultants, their present and potential contribution to the Company’s (or the Affiliate’s) success and such other factors as the Committee in its discretion may deem relevant.
4.3 Additional Powers. The Committee shall have such additional powers as are delegated to it under the other provisions of the Plan. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan, the Committee is authorized to construe the Plan and the respective Award Agreements executed hereunder, to prescribe such rules and regulations relating to the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the intent of the Plan, to determine the terms, restrictions and provisions of each Award and to make all other determinations necessary or advisable for administering the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect or supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent the Committee shall deem necessary, appropriate or expedient to carry it into effect. The determinations of the Committee on the matters referred to in this Article IV shall be conclusive and binding on the Company and all Holders.
4.4 Committee Action. Subject to compliance with all applicable laws, action by the Committee shall require the consent of a majority of the members of the Committee, expressed either orally at a meeting of the Committee or in writing in the absence of a meeting. No member of the Committee shall have any liability for any good faith action, inaction or determination in connection with the Plan.
ARTICLE V
SHARES SUBJECT TO PLAN AND LIMITATIONS THEREON
5.1 Authorized Shares and Award Limits. The Committee may from time to time grant Awards to one or more Employees, Directors and/or Consultants determined by it to be eligible for participation in the Plan in accordance with the provisions of Article VI. Subject to adjustment provided under Article XV, the maximum number of Shares that are available for Award under this Plan shall be equal to Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) as of the Effective Date (the “Share Reserve”). Shares shall be deemed to have been issued under the Plan solely to the extent actually issued and delivered pursuant to an Award. To the extent that an Award lapses, expires, is canceled, is terminated unexercised or ceases to be exercisable for any reason, or the rights of its Holder terminate, any Shares subject to such Award shall again be available for the grant of a new Award.
5.2 Types of Shares. The Shares to be issued pursuant to the grant or exercise of an Award may consist of authorized but unissued Shares, Shares purchased on the open market or Shares previously issued and outstanding and reacquired by the Company.
ARTICLE VI
ELIGIBILITY AND TERMINATION OF SERVICE
6.1 Eligibility. Awards made under the Plan may be granted solely to individuals or entities who, at the time of grant, are Employees, Directors or Consultants. An Award may be granted on more than one occasion to the same Employee, Director or Consultant, and, subject to the limitations set forth in the Plan, such Award may include, a Non-qualified Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, an Unrestricted Stock Award, a Distribution Equivalent Right Award, a Performance Stock Award, a Performance Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right, a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, or any combination thereof, and solely for Employees, an Incentive Stock Option.
6.2 Termination of Service. Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and/or the provisions of Section 6.3 or 6.4, the following terms and conditions shall apply with respect to a Holder’s Termination of Service with the Company or an Affiliate, as applicable:
|
(a) |
The Holder’s rights, if any, to exercise any then exercisable Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate: |
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(i) |
If such termination is for a reason other than the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability or death, ninety (90) days after the date of such Termination of Service; |
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(ii) |
If such termination is on account of the Holder’s Total and Permanent Disability, one (1) year after the date of such Termination of Service; or |
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(iii) |
If such termination is on account of the Holder’s death, one (1) year after the date of the Holder’s death. |
Upon such applicable date the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in or with respect to any such Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may provide for a different time period in the Award Agreement, or may extend the time period, following a Termination of Service, during which the Holder has the right to exercise any vested Non-qualified Stock Option or Stock Appreciation Right, which time period may not extend beyond the expiration date of the Award term.
(b) In the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for any reason prior to the actual or deemed satisfaction and/or lapse of the Restrictions, vesting requirements, terms and conditions applicable to a Restricted Stock Award and/or Restricted Stock Unit Award, such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall immediately be canceled, and the Holder (and such Holder’s estate, designated beneficiary or other legal representative) shall forfeit any rights or interests in and with respect to any such Restricted Stock and/or RSUs. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may determine, prior to or within thirty (30) days after the date of such Termination of Service that all or a portion of any such Holder’s Restricted Stock and/or RSUs shall not be so canceled and forfeited.
6.3 Special Termination Rule Except to the extent inconsistent with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, and notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article VI, if a Holder’s employment with, or status as a Director of, the Company or an Affiliate shall terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become a Consultant, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been a Consultant for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding. Should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her employment or Director status had terminated until such time as his or her Consultant status shall terminate, in which case his or her Award, as it may have been reduced in connection with the Holder’s becoming a Consultant, shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2, provided, however, that any such Award which is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall, upon the Holder’s no longer being an Employee, automatically convert to a Non-qualified Stock Option. Should a Holder’s status as a Consultant terminate, and if, within ninety (90) days of such termination, such Holder shall become an Employee or a Director, such Holder’s rights with respect to any Award or portion thereof granted thereto prior to the date of such termination may be preserved, if and to the extent determined by the Committee in its sole discretion, as if such Holder had been an Employee or a Director, as applicable, for the entire period during which such Award or portion thereof had been outstanding, and, should the Committee effect such determination with respect to such Holder, for all purposes of the Plan, such Holder shall not be treated as if his or her Consultant status had terminated until such time as his or her employment with the Company or an Affiliate, or his or her Director status, as applicable, shall terminate, in which case his or her Award shall be treated pursuant to the provisions of Section 6.2.
6.4 Termination of Service for Cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Article VI or elsewhere in the Plan to the contrary, and unless a Holder’s Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise, in the event of a Holder’s Termination of Service for Cause, all of such Holder’s then outstanding Awards shall expire immediately and be forfeited in their entirety upon such Termination of Service.
ARTICLE VII
OPTIONS
7.1 Option Period. The term of each Option shall be as specified in the Option Agreement; provided, however, that except as set forth in Section 7.3, no Option shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant.
7.2 Limitations on Exercise of Option. An Option shall be exercisable in whole or in such installments and at such times as specified in the Option Agreement.
7.3 Special Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time the respective Incentive Stock Option is granted) of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an individual during any calendar year under all plans of the Company and any parent corporation or subsidiary corporation thereof (both as defined in Section 424 of the Code) which provide for the grant of Incentive Stock Options exceeds One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) (or such other individual limit as may be in effect under the Code on the date of grant), the portion of such Incentive Stock Options that exceeds such threshold shall be treated as Non-qualified Stock Options. The Committee shall determine, in accordance with applicable provisions of the Code, Treasury Regulations and other administrative pronouncements, which of a Holder’s Options, which were intended by the Committee to be Incentive Stock Options when granted to the Holder, will not constitute Incentive Stock Options because of such limitation, and shall notify the Holder of such determination as soon as practicable after such determination. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to an Employee if, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, such Employee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, unless (i) at the time such Incentive Stock Option is granted the Option price is at least one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Incentive Stock Option, and (ii) such Incentive Stock Option by its terms is not exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the date of grant. No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted more than ten (10) years from the earlier of the Effective Date or date on which the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. The designation by the Committee of an Option as an Incentive Stock Option shall not guarantee the Holder that the Option will satisfy the applicable requirements for “incentive stock option” status under Section 422 of the Code.
7.4 Option Agreement. Each Option shall be evidenced by an Option Agreement in such form and containing such provisions not inconsistent with the other provisions of the Plan as the Committee from time to time shall approve, including, but not limited to, provisions intended to qualify an Option as an Incentive Stock Option. An Option Agreement may provide for the payment of the Option price, in whole or in part, by the delivery of a number of Shares (plus cash if necessary) that have been owned by the Holder for at least six (6) months and having a Fair Market Value equal to such Option price, or such other forms or methods as the Committee may determine from time to time, in each case, subject to such rules and regulations as may be adopted by the Committee. Each Option Agreement shall, solely to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4, as applicable, specify the effect of Termination of Service on the exercisability of the Option. Moreover, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, a Non-qualified Stock Option Agreement may provide for a “cashless exercise” of the Option, in whole or in part, by (a) establishing procedures whereby the Holder, by a properly-executed written notice, directs (i) an immediate market sale or margin loan as to all or a part of Shares to which he is entitled to receive upon exercise of the Option, pursuant to an extension of credit by the Company to the Holder of the Option price, (ii) the delivery of the Shares from the Company directly to a brokerage firm and (iii) the delivery of the Option price from sale or margin loan proceeds from the brokerage firm directly to the Company, or (b) reducing the number of Shares to be issued upon exercise of the Option by the number of such Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to the Option price (or portion thereof to be so paid) as of the date of the Option’s exercise. An Option Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Options, including but not limited to, upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made upon a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Option Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Option Agreements need not be identical.
7.5 Option Price and Payment. The price at which an Share may be purchased upon exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such Option price (i) shall not be less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date such Option is granted (or 110% of Fair Market Value for an Incentive Stock Option held by Ten Percent Stockholder, as provided in Section 7.3), and (ii) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Article XV. The Option or portion thereof may be exercised by delivery of an irrevocable notice of exercise to the Company. The Option price for the Option or portion thereof shall be paid in full in the manner prescribed by the Committee as set forth in the Plan and the applicable Option Agreement, which manner, with the consent of the Committee, may include the withholding of Shares otherwise issuable in connection with the exercise of the Option. Separate share certificates shall be issued by the Company for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option and for those Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of a Non-qualified Stock Option.
7.6 Stockholder Rights and Privileges. The Holder of an Option shall be entitled to all the privileges and rights of a stockholder of the Company solely with respect to such Shares as have been purchased under the Option and for which share certificates have been registered in the Holder’s name.
7.7 Options and Rights in Substitution for Stock or Options Granted by Other Corporations. Options may be granted under the Plan from time to time in substitution for stock options held by individuals employed by entities who become Employees, Directors or Consultants as a result of a merger or consolidation of the employing entity with the Company or any Affiliate, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of the assets of the employing entity, or the acquisition by the Company or an Affiliate of stock or shares of the employing entity with the result that such employing entity becomes an Affiliate.
7.8 Prohibition Against Re-Pricing. Except to the extent (i) approved in advance by holders of a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, or (ii) as a result of any Change of Control or any adjustment as provided in Article XV, the Committee shall not have the power or authority to reduce, whether through amendment or otherwise, the exercise price under any outstanding Option or Stock Appreciation Right, or to grant any new Award or make any payment of cash in substitution for or upon the cancellation of Options and/or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted.
ARTICLE VIII
RESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
8.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Award shall constitute an Award of Shares to the Holder as of the date of the Award which are subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as defined under Section 83 of the Code during the specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. The Restriction Period applicable to a particular Restricted Stock Award shall not be changed except as permitted by Section 8.2.
8.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article VIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Company shall cause the Shares to be issued in the name of Holder, either by book-entry registration or issuance of one or more stock certificates evidencing the Shares, which Shares or certificates shall be held by the Company or the stock transfer agent or brokerage service selected by the Company to provide services for the Plan. The Shares shall be restricted from transfer and shall be subject to an appropriate stop-transfer order, and if any certificate is issued, such certificate shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the restrictions applicable to the Shares. After any Shares vest, the Company shall deliver the vested Shares, in book-entry or certificated form in the Company’s sole discretion, registered in the name of Holder or his or her legal representatives, beneficiaries or heirs, as the case may be, less any Shares withheld to pay withholding taxes. If provided for under the Restricted Stock Agreement, the Holder shall have the right to vote Shares subject thereto and to enjoy all other stockholder rights, including the entitlement to receive dividends on the Shares during the Restriction Period. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the Restriction Period. Such additional terms, conditions or restrictions shall, to the extent inconsistent with the provisions of Sections 6.2, 6.3 and 6.4, as applicable, be set forth in a Restricted Stock Agreement made in conjunction with the Award. Such Restricted Stock Agreement may also include provisions relating to: (i) subject to the provisions hereof, accelerated vesting of Awards, including but not limited to accelerated vesting upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, (ii) tax matters (including provisions covering any applicable Employee wage withholding requirements and requiring additional “gross-up” payments to Holders to meet any excise taxes or other additional income tax liability imposed as a result of a payment made in connection with a Change of Control resulting from the operation of the Plan or of such Restricted Stock Agreement) and (iii) any other matters not inconsistent with the terms and provisions of the Plan that the Committee shall in its sole discretion determine. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Agreements need not be identical. All Shares delivered to a Holder as part of a Restricted Stock Award shall be delivered and reported by the Company or the Affiliate, as applicable, to the Holder at the time of vesting.
8.3 Payment for Restricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE IX
UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS
9.1 Award. Shares may be awarded (or sold) to Employees, Directors or Consultants under the Plan which are not subject to Restrictions of any kind, in consideration for past services rendered thereby to the Company or an Affiliate or for other valid consideration.
9.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article IX, the Company and the Holder shall enter into an Unrestricted Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated hereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate.
9.3 Payment for Unrestricted Stock. The Committee shall determine the amount and form of any payment from a Holder for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, if any, provided that in the absence of such a determination, a Holder shall not be required to make any payment for Shares received pursuant to an Unrestricted Stock Award, except to the extent otherwise required by law.
ARTICLE X
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AWARDS
10.1 Award. A Restricted Stock Unit Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Restriction Period. At the time a Restricted Stock Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Restriction Period applicable to such Award. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award may have a different Restriction Period, in the discretion of the Committee. A Restricted Stock Unit shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares prior to the time the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 10.3.
10.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article X, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement shall set forth the individual service-based vesting requirement which the Holder would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to distribution pursuant to Section 10.3 and the number of Units awarded to the Holder. Such conditions shall be sufficient to constitute a “substantial risk of forfeiture” as such term is defined under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Restricted Stock Unit Awards in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable vesting period. The terms and conditions of the respective Restricted Stock Unit Agreements need not be identical.
10.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Restricted Stock Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of an Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee and as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, for each Restricted Stock Unit subject to such Restricted Stock Unit Award, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Unit first becomes vested (i.e., no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture”).
ARTICLE XI
PERFORMANCE UNIT AWARDS
11.1 Award. A Performance Unit Award shall constitute an Award under which, upon the satisfaction of predetermined individual and/or Company (and/or Affiliate) Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria, a cash payment shall be made to the Holder, based on the number of Units awarded to the Holder. At the time a Performance Unit Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals. Each Performance Unit Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Unit Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares.
11.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XI, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Unit Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Unit Agreement the Performance Period, Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to payment pursuant to Section 11.3, the number of Units awarded to the Holder and the dollar value or formula assigned to each such Unit. Such payment shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Unit Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of Termination of Service prior to expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Unit Agreements need not be identical.
11.3 Payments. The Holder of a Performance Unit shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the dollar value assigned to such Unit under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement if the Holder and/or the Company satisfy (or partially satisfy, if applicable under the applicable Performance Unit Agreement) the Performance Goals set forth in such Performance Unit Agreement. All payments shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE XII
PERFORMANCE STOCK AWARDS
12.1 Award. A Performance Stock Award shall constitute a promise to grant Shares (or cash equal to the Fair Market Value of Shares) to the Holder at the end of a specified Performance Period subject to achievement of specified Performance Goals. At the time a Performance Stock Award is made, the Committee shall establish the Performance Period and applicable Performance Goals based on selected Performance Criteria. Each Performance Stock Award may have different Performance Goals, in the discretion of the Committee. A Performance Stock Award shall not constitute an equity interest in the Company and shall not entitle the Holder to voting rights, dividends or any other rights associated with ownership of Shares unless and until the Holder shall receive a distribution of Shares pursuant to Section 11.3.
12.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Performance Stock Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Performance Stock Agreement the Performance Period, selected Performance Criteria and Performance Goals which the Holder and/or the Company would be required to satisfy before the Holder would become entitled to the receipt of Shares pursuant to such Holder’s Performance Stock Award and the number of Shares subject to such Performance Stock Award. Such distribution shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code. If such Performance Goals are achieved, the distribution of Shares (or the payment of cash, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee), shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such goals and objectives relate. At the time of such Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, prescribe additional terms and conditions or restrictions relating to Performance Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, rules pertaining to the effect of the Holder’s Termination of Service prior to the expiration of the applicable performance period. The terms and conditions of the respective Performance Stock Agreements need not be identical.
12.3 Distributions of Shares. The Holder of a Performance Stock Award shall be entitled to receive a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share, or one Share, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, for each Performance Stock Award subject to such Performance Stock Agreement, if the Holder satisfies the applicable vesting requirement. Such distribution shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year to which such performance goals and objectives relate.
ARTICLE XIII
DISTRIBUTION EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
13.1 Award. A Distribution Equivalent Right shall entitle the Holder to receive bookkeeping credits, cash payments and/or Share distributions equal in amount to the distributions that would have been made to the Holder had the Holder held a specified number of Shares during the specified period of the Award.
13.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIII, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement the terms and conditions, if any, including whether the Holder is to receive credits currently in cash, is to have such credits reinvested (at Fair Market Value determined as of the date of reinvestment) in additional Shares or is to be entitled to choose among such alternatives. Such receipt shall be subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” under Section 409A of the Code and, if such Award becomes vested, the distribution of such cash or Shares shall be made no later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Holder’s interest in the Award vests. Distribution Equivalent Rights Awards may be settled in cash or in Shares, as set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement. A Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may, but need not be, awarded in tandem with another Award (other than an Option or a SAR), whereby, if so awarded, such Distribution Equivalent Rights Award shall expire, terminate or be forfeited by the Holder, as applicable, under the same conditions as under such other Award.
13.3 Interest Equivalents. The Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement for a Distribution Equivalent Rights Award may provide for the crediting of interest on a Distribution Rights Award to be settled in cash at a future date (but in no event later than by the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) calendar month next following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which such interest is credited and vested), at a rate set forth in the applicable Distribution Equivalent Rights Award Agreement, on the amount of cash payable thereunder.
ARTICLE XIV
STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
14.1 Award. A Stock Appreciation Right shall constitute a right, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, to receive a payment equal to the increase in value of a specified number of Shares between the date of Award and the date of exercise.
14.2 Terms and Conditions. At the time any Award is made under this Article XIV, the Company and the Holder shall enter into a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement setting forth each of the matters contemplated thereby and such other matters as the Committee may determine to be appropriate. The Committee shall set forth in the applicable Stock Appreciation Right Agreement the terms and conditions of the Stock Appreciation Right, including (i) the base value (the “Base Value”) for the Stock Appreciation Right, which shall be not less than the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right, (ii) the number of Shares subject to the Stock Appreciation Right, (iii) the period during which the Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised; provided, however, that no Stock Appreciation Right shall be exercisable after the expiration of ten (10) years from the date of its grant, and (iv) any other special rules and/or requirements which the Committee imposes upon the Stock Appreciation Right. Upon the exercise of some or all of the portion of a Stock Appreciation Right, the Holder shall receive a payment from the Company, in cash or in the form of Shares having an equivalent Fair Market Value or in a combination of both, as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, equal to the product of:
(a) The excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of an Share on the date of exercise, over (ii) the Base Value, multiplied by,
(b) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
14.3 Tandem Stock Appreciation Rights. If the Committee grants a Stock Appreciation Right which is intended to be a Tandem Stock Appreciation Right, the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be granted at the same time as the related Option, and the following special rules shall apply:
(a) The Base Value shall be equal to or greater than the per Share exercise price under the related Option;
(b) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised for all or part of the Shares which are subject to the related Option, but solely upon the surrender by the Holder of the Holder’s right to exercise the equivalent portion of the related Option (and when a Share is purchased under the related Option, an equivalent portion of the related Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall be canceled);
(c) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right shall expire no later than the date of the expiration of the related Option;
(d) The value of the payment with respect to the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be no more than one hundred percent (100%) of the difference between the per Share exercise price under the related Option and the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option at the time the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised, multiplied by the number of the Shares with respect to which the Tandem Stock Appreciation Right is exercised; and
(e) The Tandem Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised solely when the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the related Option exceeds the per Share exercise price under the related Option.
ARTICLE XV
RECAPITALIZATION OR REORGANIZATION
15.1 Adjustments to Shares. The shares with respect to which Awards may be granted under the Plan are Shares as presently constituted; provided, however, that if, and whenever, prior to the expiration or distribution to the Holder of Shares underlying an Award theretofore granted, the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of the Shares or the payment of an Share dividend on Shares without receipt of consideration by the Company, the number of Shares with respect to which such Award may thereafter be exercised or satisfied, as applicable, (i) in the event of an increase in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately increased, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately reduced, and (ii) in the event of a reduction in the number of outstanding Shares, shall be proportionately reduced, and the purchase price per Share shall be proportionately increased. Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Article XV, any adjustment made with respect to an Award (x) which is an Incentive Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 424(a) of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Incentive Stock Option granted under the Plan to be other than an “incentive stock option” for purposes of Section 422 of the Code, and (y) which is a Non-qualified Stock Option, shall comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and in no event shall any adjustment be made which would render any Non-qualified Stock Option granted under the Plan to become subject to Section 409A of the Code.
15.2 Recapitalization. If the Company recapitalizes or otherwise changes its capital structure, thereafter upon any exercise or satisfaction, as applicable, of a previously granted Award, the Holder shall be entitled to receive (or entitled to purchase, if applicable) under such Award, in lieu of the number of Shares then covered by such Award, the number and class of shares and securities to which the Holder would have been entitled pursuant to the terms of the recapitalization if, immediately prior to such recapitalization, the Holder had been the holder of record of the number of Shares then covered by such Award.
15.3 Other Events. In the event of changes to the outstanding Shares by reason of an extraordinary cash dividend, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, split up, spin off, exchange or other relevant change in capitalization occurring after the date of the grant of any Award and not otherwise provided for under this Article XV, any outstanding Awards and any Award Agreements evidencing such Awards shall be adjusted by the Board in its discretion in such manner as the Board shall deem equitable or appropriate taking into consideration the applicable accounting and tax consequences, as to the number and price of Shares or other consideration subject to such Awards. In the event of any adjustment pursuant to Sections 15.1, 15.2 or this Section 15.3, the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan pursuant to Section 5.1 may be appropriately adjusted by the Board, the determination of which shall be conclusive. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award. In addition, the Committee may make provision for a cash payment to a Holder or a person who has an outstanding Award.
15.4 Change of Control. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, at the time an Award is made or at any time prior to, coincident with or after the time of a Change of Control, cause any Award either (i) to be canceled in consideration of a payment in cash or other consideration in amount per share equal to the excess, if any, of the price or implied price per Share in the Change of Control over the per Share exercise, base or purchase price of such Award, which may be paid immediately or over the vesting schedule of the Award; (ii) to be assumed, or new rights substituted therefore, by the surviving corporation or a parent or subsidiary of such surviving corporation following such Change of Control; (iii) accelerate any time periods, or waive any other conditions, relating to the vesting, exercise, payment or distribution of an Award so that any Award to a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control may be vested, exercised, paid or distributed in full on or before a date fixed by the Committee; (iv) to be purchased from a Holder whose employment has been terminated as a result of a Change of Control, upon the Holder’s request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the exercise, payment or distribution of such rights had such Award been currently exercisable or payable; or (v) terminate any then outstanding Award or make any other adjustment to the Awards then outstanding as the Committee deems necessary or appropriate to reflect such transaction or change. The number of Shares subject to any Award shall be rounded to the nearest whole number.
15.5 Powers Not Affected. The existence of the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Board or of the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change of the Company’s capital structure or business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of debt or equity securities ahead of or affecting Shares or the rights thereof, the dissolution or liquidation of the Company or any sale, lease, exchange or other disposition of all or any part of its assets or business or any other corporate act or proceeding.
15.6 No Adjustment for Certain Awards. Except as hereinabove expressly provided, the issuance by the Company of shares of any class or securities convertible into shares of any class, for cash, property, labor or services, upon direct sale, upon the exercise of rights or warrants to subscribe therefor or upon conversion of shares or obligations of the Company convertible into such shares or other securities, and in any case whether or not for fair value, shall not affect previously granted Awards, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to the number of Shares subject to Awards theretofore granted or the purchase price per Share, if applicable.
ARTICLE XVI
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF PLAN
The Plan shall continue in effect, unless sooner terminated pursuant to this Article XVI, until the tenth (10th) anniversary of the date on which it is adopted by the Board (except as to Awards outstanding on that date). The Board in its discretion may terminate the Plan at any time with respect to any shares for which Awards have not theretofore been granted; provided, however, that the Plan’s termination shall not materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to any Award theretofore granted without the consent of the Holder. The Board shall have the right to alter or amend the Plan or any part hereof from time to time; provided, however, that without the approval by a majority of the votes cast at a meeting of stockholders at which a quorum representing a majority of the shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors is present in person or by proxy, no amendment or modification of the Plan may (i) materially except as otherwise expressly provided in law, materially increase the number of Shares subject to the Plan or the individual Award Agreements specified in Article V, (ii) materially modify the requirements for participation in the Plan, or (iii) amend, modify or suspend Section 7.7 (re-pricing prohibitions) or this Article XVI. In addition, no change in any Award theretofore granted may be made which would materially and adversely impair the rights of a Holder with respect to such Award without the consent of the Holder (unless such change is required in order to exempt the Plan or any Award from Section 409A of the Code).
ARTICLE XVII MISCELLANEOUS
17.1 No Right to Award. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Company nor any action of the Board or the Committee shall be deemed to give an Employee, Director or Consultant any right to an Award except as may be evidenced by an Award Agreement duly executed on behalf of the Company, and then solely to the extent and on the terms and conditions expressly set forth therein.
17.2 No Rights Conferred. Nothing contained in the Plan shall (i) confer upon any Employee any right with respect to continuation of employment with the Company or any Affiliate, (ii) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or any Affiliate to terminate the employment of an Employee at any time, (iii) confer upon any Director any right with respect to continuation of such Director’s membership on the Board, (iv) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Director’s membership on the Board at any time, (v) confer upon any Consultant any right with respect to continuation of his or her consulting engagement with the Company or any Affiliate, or (vi) interfere in any way with any right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate a Consultant’s consulting engagement with the Company or an Affiliate at any time.
17.3 Other Laws; No Fractional Shares; Withholding. The Company shall not be obligated by virtue of any provision of the Plan to recognize the exercise of any Award or to otherwise sell or issue Shares in violation of any laws, rules or regulations, and any postponement of the exercise or settlement of any Award under this provision shall not extend the term of such Award. Neither the Company nor its directors or officers shall have any obligation or liability to a Holder with respect to any Award (or Shares issuable thereunder) (i) that shall lapse because of such postponement, or (ii) for any failure to comply with the requirements of any applicable law, rules or regulations, including but not limited to any failure to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of this Code. No fractional Shares shall be delivered, nor shall any cash in lieu of fractional Shares be paid. The Company shall have the right to deduct in cash (whether under this Plan or otherwise) in connection with all Awards any taxes required by law to be withheld and to require any payments required to enable it to satisfy its withholding obligations. In the case of any Award satisfied in the form of Shares, no Shares shall be issued unless and until arrangements satisfactory to the Company shall have been made to satisfy any tax withholding obligations applicable with respect to such Award. Subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee may impose, the Company shall have the right to retain, or the Committee may, subject to such terms and conditions as it may establish from time to time, permit Holders to elect to tender, Shares (including Shares issuable in respect of an Award) to satisfy, in whole or in part, the amount required to be withheld.
17.4 No Restriction on Corporate Action. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or any Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Employee, Director, Consultant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or any Affiliate as a result of any such action.
17.5Restrictions on Transfer. No Award under the Plan or any Award Agreement and no rights or interests herein or therein, shall or may be assigned, transferred, sold, exchanged, encumbered, pledged or otherwise hypothecated or disposed of by a Holder except (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) where permitted under applicable tax rules, by gift to any Family Member of the Holder, subject to compliance with applicable laws. An Award may be exercisable during the lifetime of the Holder only by such Holder or by the Holder’s guardian or legal representative unless it has been transferred by gift to a Family Member of the Holder, in which case it shall be exercisable solely by such transferee. Notwithstanding any such transfer, the Holder shall continue to be subject to the withholding requirements provided for under Section 17.3 hereof.
17.6 Beneficiary Designations. Each Holder may, from time to time, name a beneficiary or beneficiaries (who may be contingent or successive beneficiaries) for purposes of receiving any amount which is payable in connection with an Award under the Plan upon or subsequent to the Holder’s death. Each such beneficiary designation shall serve to revoke all prior beneficiary designations, be in a form prescribed by the Company and be effective solely when filed by the Holder in writing with the Company during the Holder’s lifetime. In the absence of any such written beneficiary designation, for purposes of the Plan, a Holder’s beneficiary shall be the Holder’s estate.
17.7 Rule 16b-3. It is intended that the Plan and any Award made to a person subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act shall meet all of the requirements of Rule 16b-3. If any provision of the Plan or of any such Award would disqualify the Plan or such Award under, or would otherwise not comply with the requirements of, Rule 16b-3, such provision or Award shall be construed or deemed to have been amended as necessary to conform to the requirements of Rule 16b-3.
17.8 Clawback Policy. All Awards (including on a retroactive basis) granted under the Plan are subject to the terms of any Company forfeiture, incentive compensation recoupment, clawback or similar policy as it may be in effect from time to time, as well as any similar provisions of applicable laws, as well as any other policy of the Company that may apply to the Awards, such as anti- hedging or pledging policies, as they may be in effect from time to time. In particular, these policies and/or provisions shall include, without limitation, (i) any Company policy established to comply with applicable laws (including, without limitation, Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act), and/or (ii) the rules and regulations of the applicable securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation system on which the shares of Stock or other securities are listed or quoted, and these requirements shall be deemed incorporated by reference into all outstanding Award Agreements.
17.9 Section 409A of the Code
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan to the contrary, all Awards made under this Plan are intended to be exempt from or, in the alternative, comply with Section 409A of the Code and the authoritative guidance thereunder, including the exceptions for stock rights and short-term deferrals. The Plan shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Each payment under an Award shall be treated as a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(b) If a Holder is a “specified employee” (as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code) at the time of his termination of service, no amount that is nonqualified deferred compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code and that becomes payable by reason of such termination of service shall be paid to the Holder (or in the event of the Holder’s death, the Holder’s representative or estate) before the earlier of (x) the first business day after the date that is six months following the date of the Holder’s termination of service, and (y) within 30 days following the date of the Holder’s death. For purposes of Section 409A of the Code, a termination of service shall be deemed to occur only if it is a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, and references in the Plan and any Award Agreement to “termination of service” or similar terms shall mean a “separation from service.” If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code, unless the applicable Award Agreement provides otherwise, such Award shall be payable upon the Holder’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code. If any Award is or becomes subject to Section 409A of the Code and if payment of such Award would be accelerated or otherwise triggered under a Change of Control, then the definition of Change of Control shall be deemed modified, only to the extent necessary to avoid the imposition of any additional tax under Section 409A of the Code, to mean a “change in control event” as such term is defined for purposes of Section 409A of the Code.
(c) Any adjustments made pursuant to Article XV to Awards that are subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, and any adjustments made pursuant to Article XV to Awards that are not subject to Section 409A of the Code shall be made in such a manner as to ensure that after such adjustment, the Awards either (x) continue not to be subject to Section 409A of the Code or (y) comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
17.10 Indemnification. Each person who is or shall have been a member of the Committee or of the Board shall be indemnified and held harmless by the Company against and from any loss, cost, liability, or expense that may be imposed upon or reasonably incurred thereby in connection with or resulting from any claim, action, suit, or proceeding to which such person may be made a party or may be involved by reason of any action taken or failure to act under the Plan and against and from any and all amounts paid thereby in settlement thereof, with the Company’s approval, or paid thereby in satisfaction of any judgment in any such action, suit, or proceeding against such person; provided, however, that such person shall give the Company an opportunity, at its own expense, to handle and defend the same before he or she undertakes to handle and defend it on his or her own behalf. The foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive and shall be independent of any other rights of indemnification to which such persons may be entitled under the Company’s Articles of Incorporation or By-laws, by contract, as a matter of law, or otherwise.
17.11 Other Benefit Plans. No Award, payment or amount received hereunder shall be taken into account in computing an Employee’s salary or compensation for the purposes of determining any benefits under any pension, retirement, life insurance or other benefit plan of the Company or any Affiliate, unless such other plan specifically provides for the inclusion of such Award, payment or amount received. Nothing in the Plan shall be construed to limit the right of the Company to establish other plans or to pay compensation to its employees, in cash or property, in a manner which is not expressly authorized under the Plan.
17.12 Limits of Liability. Any liability of the Company with respect to an Award shall be based solely upon the contractual obligations created under the Plan and the Award Agreement. None of the Company, any member of the Board nor any member of the Committee shall have any liability to any party for any action taken or not taken, in good faith, in connection with or under the Plan.
17.13 Governing Law. Except as otherwise provided herein, the Plan shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.
17.14 Subplans. The Board may from time to time establish one or more sub-plans under the Plan for purposes of satisfying applicable blue sky, securities or tax laws of various jurisdictions. The Board shall establish such sub-plans by adopting supplements to the Plan setting forth (i) such limitations on the Committee’s discretion under the Plan as the Board deems necessary or desirable and (ii) such additional terms and conditions not otherwise inconsistent with the Plan as the Board shall deem necessary or desirable. All supplements adopted by the Board shall be deemed to be part of the Plan, but each supplement shall apply only to Holders within the affected jurisdiction and the Company shall not be required to provide copies of any supplement to Holders in any jurisdiction that is not affected.
17.15 Notification of Election Under Section 83(b) of the Code. If any Holder, in connection with the acquisition of Stock under an Award, makes the election permitted under Section 83(b) of the Code, if applicable, the Holder shall notify the Company of the election within ten days of filing notice of the election with the Internal Revenue Service.
17.16 Paperless Administration. If the Company establishes, for itself or using the services of a third party, an automated system for the documentation, granting or exercise of Awards, such as a system using an internet website or interactive voice response, then the paperless documentation, granting or exercise of Awards by a Holder may be permitted through the use of such an automated system.
17.17 Broker-Assisted Sales. In the event of a broker-assisted sale of Stock in connection with the payment of amounts owed by a Holder under or with respect to the Plan or Awards: (a) any Stock to be sold through the broker-assisted sale will be sold on the day the payment first becomes due, or as soon thereafter as practicable; (b) the Stock may be sold as part of a block trade with other Holders in the Plan in which all participants receive an average price; (c) the applicable Holder will be responsible for all broker’s fees and other costs of sale, and by accepting an Award, each Holder agrees to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any losses, costs, damages, or expenses relating to any such sale; (d) to the extent the Company or its designee receives proceeds of the sale that exceed the amount owed, the Company will pay the excess in cash to the applicable Holder as soon as reasonably practicable; (e) the Company and its designees are under no obligation to arrange for the sale at any particular price; and (f) if the proceeds of the sale are insufficient to satisfy the Holder’s applicable obligation, the Holder may be required to pay immediately upon demand to the Company or its designee an amount in cash sufficient to satisfy any remaining portion of the Holder’s obligation.
17.18 Data Privacy. As a condition for receiving any Award, each Holder explicitly and unambiguously consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of personal data as described in this Section 17.19 by and among the Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliates exclusively for implementing, administering and managing the Holder’s participation in the Plan. The Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliates may hold certain personal information about a Holder, including the Holder’s name, address and telephone number; birthdate; social security, insurance number or other identification number; salary; nationality; job title(s); any Stock held in the Company or its subsidiaries and Affiliates; and Award details, to implement, manage and administer the Plan and Awards (the “Data”). The Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data amongst themselves as necessary to implement, administer and manage a Holder’s participation in the Plan, and the Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliates may transfer the Data to third parties assisting the Company with Plan implementation, administration and management. These recipients may be located in the Holder’s country, or elsewhere, and the Holder’s country may have different data privacy laws and protections than the recipients’ country. By accepting an Award, each Holder authorizes the recipients to receive, possess, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, to implement, administer and manage the Holder’s participation in the Plan, including any required Data transfer to a broker or other third party with whom the Company or the Holder may elect to deposit any Stock. The Data related to a Holder will be held only as long as necessary to implement, administer, and manage the Holder’s participation in the Plan. A Holder may, at any time, view the Data that the Company holds regarding the Holder, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data regarding the Holder, recommend any necessary corrections to the Data regarding the Holder or refuse or withdraw the consents in this Section 17.19 in writing, without cost, by contacting the local human resources representative. The Company may cancel Holder’s ability to participate in the Plan and, in the Committee’s discretion, the Holder may forfeit any outstanding Awards if the Holder refuses or withdraws the consents in this Section 17.19.
17.19 Severability of Provisions. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such invalid or unenforceable provision had not been included in the Plan.
17.20 No Funding. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Company shall not be required to establish any special or separate fund or to make any other segregation of funds or assets to ensure the payment of any Award. Prior to receipt of Shares or a cash distribution pursuant to the terms of an Award, such Award shall represent an unfunded unsecured contractual obligation of the Company and the Holder shall have no greater claim to the Shares underlying such Award or any other assets of the Company or Affiliate than any other unsecured general creditor.
17.21 Headings. Headings used throughout the Plan are for convenience only and shall not be given legal significance.
Appendix B
Form of the Authorized Shares Amendment
The proposed amendment (the “Authorized Shares Amendment”) would amend and restate Article Three of our Articles of Incorporation, as amended, to read in its entirety as follows:
ARTICLE 3 Authorized Capital Stock. The total number of shares of stock that the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 220,000,000, consisting of (i) 200,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”) and (ii) 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred Stock”).
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PROXY
FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF
ZW DATA ACTION TECHNOLOGIES INC.
TO BE HELD ON JULY 22, 2026
Unless otherwise specified, this proxy will be voted FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4. The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR Proposals 1, 2, 3 and 4.
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1. |
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS |
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☐ |
FOR all nominees listed below (except as marked to the contrary below) |
☐ |
WITHHOLD AUTHORITY to vote for all nominees listed below |
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1) Handong Cheng |
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2) George Kai Chu |
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3) Zhiqing Chen |
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4) Chang Qiu |
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5) Fernando Chen I-Ting
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INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any nominee, write the nominee’s name in the space provided below.
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2. |
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS |
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
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3. |
RATIFICATION OF THE COMPANY’S 2026 OMNIBUS EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN |
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
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4. |
APPROVAL OF THE INCREASE IN NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK |
| ☐ | FOR | ☐ | AGAINST | ☐ | ABSTAIN |
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Please sign exactly as your name appears below. When shares are held by joint tenants, each should sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee, guardian, corporate officer, or partner, please give full title as such. |
Date: , 2026
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Signature |
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Signature if held jointly |
PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
ZW Data Action Technologies Inc.
Annual Meeting of Stockholders
July 22, 2026
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on July 22, 2026
The undersigned, hereby appoints George Kai Chu, Director, with full power of substitution, as proxy to represent and vote all shares of Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share, of ZW Data Action Technologies Inc. (the “Company”), which the undersigned will be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of the Stockholders of the Company to be held on July 22, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. Hong Kong time, at the offices of 8/F. 29 Des Voeux Road Central, Central, Hong Kong, upon matters set forth in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement, a copy of which has been received by the undersigned. Materials are also available on https://investor.chinanet-online.com. Each share of Common Stock is entitled to one vote. The proxies are further authorized to vote, in their discretion, upon such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted as directed. If no direction is made, the proxy shall be voted FOR the election of the listed nominees as directors, FOR the ratification of ARK Pro CPA & Co. as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, FOR the ratification of the Company’s 2026 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan, and FOR the approval of the increase in number of authorized shares of common stock, in the case of other matters that legally come before the meeting, as said proxy(s) may deem advisable.
Please check here if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders on July 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. (Local Time). ☐
(Continued and to be signed on Reverse Side)