Fly-E Group, Inc PRE 14A, filed Feb 11, 2025
Fly-E Group, Inc. (FLYE)
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)
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INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Filed by the Registrant |
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Filed by a Party other than the Registrant |
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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 |
Fly-E Group, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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(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. |
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
136-40 39th Avenue
Flushing, New York 11354
NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held on March 10, 2025
TO THE STOCKHOLDERS OF FLY-E GROUP, INC.:
Dear Stockholders:
You are invited to attend a special meeting of stockholders (the “Special Meeting”) of Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), which will be held on March 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, for the following purposes:
(1) To approve the Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended;
(2) To approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock by a ratio in a range of 1-for2 to 1-for-15, with such ratio to be determined in the discretion of the board of directors of the Company and with such action to be effected at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the Company within one year after the conclusion of the Special Meeting;
(3) To approve an amendment to the Charter to increase the authorized shares of common stock of the Company from 100,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares;
(4) To approve an amendment to the Charter to classify the board of directors of the Company into three classes with staggered three-year terms; and
(5) To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve other proposal(s).
Stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock at the close of business on February 11, 2025 are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
Your attention is directed to the proxy statement accompanying this notice for a more complete statement of matters to be considered at the Special Meeting.
The Special Meeting will be held as a virtual meeting via live webcast on the Internet on March 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Because the meeting is completely virtual and being conducted via the Internet, stockholders will not be able to attend the meeting in person. You will be able to attend the Special Meeting, vote, and submit your questions on the day of the meeting via the Internet by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLYE2025SM and entering the control number included on your proxy card. The unique Control Number allows us to identify you as a stockholder and will enable you to securely log on, vote and submit questions during the Special Meeting on the meeting website.
It is anticipated that the accompanying proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card will first be mailed on or about February 21, 2025 to stockholders entitled to vote as of the close of business on February 11, 2025. These proxy materials contain instructions on how to access this proxy statement online at: www.proxyvote.com, and how to submit your proxy to vote via the internet, telephone and/or mail.
Whether or not you plan to participate in this Special Meeting, virtually, your vote is very important and we encourage you to vote promptly. After reading the accompanying proxy statement, please promptly mark, sign and date the enclosed proxy card and return it by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card or vote by telephone or by Internet. If you attend the Special Meeting, virtually, you will have the right to revoke the proxy and vote your shares. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee to vote your shares.
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By Order of the Board of Directors, |
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Zhou Ou |
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Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
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Dated: [ ], 2025 |
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
136-40 39th Avenue
Flushing, New York 11354
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To Be Held March 10, 2025
Fly-E Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is soliciting proxies on behalf of the board of directors (the “Board”) in connection with a special meeting of the stockholders (the “Special Meeting”), which will be held on March 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, as a virtual meeting, for the following purposes:
(1) To approve the Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Incentive Plan Proposal”);
(2) To approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to effect a reverse stock split (the “Reverse Split”) of the Company’s common stock by a ratio in a range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-15, with such ratio to be determined in the discretion of the board of directors of the Company and with such action to be effected at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the Company within one year after the conclusion of the Special Meeting (the “Reverse Split Amendment,” and such proposal, the “Reverse Split Proposal”);
(3) To approve an amendment to the Charter to increase in the authorized shares of common stock of the Company from 100,000,000 shares to 300,000,000 shares (the “Authorized Shares Amendment,” and such proposal, the “Authorized Shares Proposal”);
(4) To approve an amendment to the Charter to classify the board of directors of the Company into three classes with staggered three-year terms (the “Classified Board Amendment”, and such proposal, the “Classified Board Proposal”); and
(5) To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve other proposal(s) (the “Adjournment Proposal”).
The Board set February 11, 2025 as the record date (the “Record Date”) to determine those holders of the common stock who are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Special Meeting. A list of the stockholders entitled to vote at the meeting may be examined at the Company’s office during the 10-day period preceding the Special Meeting.
It is anticipated that on or about February 21, 2025, the Company will commence mailing to all stockholders as of the Record Date, this proxy statement and the enclosed proxy card. These proxy materials contain instructions on how to access this proxy statement online at: www.proxyvote.com, and how to submit your proxy to vote via the internet, telephone and/or mail.
IMPORTANT: Please mark, date, and sign the enclosed proxy card and promptly return it in the accompanying postage-paid envelope or vote by telephone or by Internet to assure that your shares are represented at the Special Meeting.
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GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT VOTING
Proxy Materials
Why am I receiving these materials?
The Company will commence mailing of the printed versions of the proxy materials to you on or around February 21, 2025, in connection with the solicitation of proxies for use at the Company’s Special Meeting, which will take place on March 10, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time, as a virtual meeting.
As a stockholder, you are invited to participate in the Special Meeting, virtually, and are requested to vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. This proxy statement includes information that we are required to provide to you under Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) rules and is designed to assist you in voting your shares.
What is included in these proxy materials?
The proxy materials include:
• this proxy statement for the Special Meeting; and
• the proxy card or a voting instruction card for the Special Meeting.
What shares are included on the proxy card?
If you are a stockholder of record in the Record Date, you will receive only one proxy card for all the shares you hold of record in certificate form and in book-entry form.
If you are a beneficial owner, you will receive voting instructions from your broker, bank or other holder of record.
What is “householding” and how does it affect me?
The Company has adopted a procedure called “householding,” which the SEC has approved. Under this procedure, if requested to deliver proxy materials, we deliver a single copy of the proxy materials to multiple stockholders who share the same address unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. This procedure reduces our printing and mailing costs, and the environmental impact of our annual meetings. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to be able to access and receive separate proxy cards. Upon written or oral request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of the proxy materials to any stockholder at a shared address to which we delivered a single copy of any of these documents.
To receive a separate copy of the proxy statement and proxy card, you may contact us at the following address and phone number:
Fly-E Group, Inc.
Corporate Secretary
136-40 39th Avenue
Flushing, New York 11354
Telephone: (929) 261-9979
Stockholders who hold shares in “street name” (as described below) may contact their brokerage firm, bank, broker-dealer or other similar organization to request information about householding.
Voting Information
What items of business will be voted on at the Special Meeting?
The items of business to be voted on by stockholders at the Special Meeting are:
(1) the Incentive Plan Proposal;
(2) the Reverse Split Proposal;
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(3) the Authorized Shares Proposal;
(4) the Classified Board Proposal and
(5) the Adjournment Proposal.
How does the Board recommend that I vote?
The Board unanimously recommends that you vote your shares FOR the approval of each of the Incentive Plan Proposal, the Reverse Split Proposal, the Authorized Shares Proposal, the Classified Board Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal.
Who is entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 11, 2025, the Record Date, will be entitled to vote at the Special Meeting. As of the Record Date, 24,587,500 shares of the common stock were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each share of common stock outstanding on the Record Date is entitled to one vote on each proposal.
Is there a list of stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting?
The names of stockholders of record entitled to vote at the Special Meeting will be available for ten days prior to the Special Meeting at our principal executive offices at 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11354.
If you would like to examine the list for any purpose germane to the Special Meeting prior to the meeting date, please contact our Corporate Secretary.
How can I attend the Special Meeting?
Stockholders as of the Record Date and/or their authorized representatives are permitted to attend our Special Meeting. The meeting will be conducted entirely over an internet website, at the following address: www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLYE2025SM. Hosting a virtual meeting enables increased stockholder attendance and participation because stockholders can participate from any location. You may attend the Special Meeting, vote and submit a question during the meeting by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLYE2025SM and using your control number, located on the proxy card, to enter the meeting.
How can I vote if I own shares directly?
Most stockholders do not own shares registered directly in their name, but rather are “beneficial holders” of shares held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee (that is, shares held “in street name”). Those stockholders should refer to “How can I vote if my shares are held in a stock brokerage account, or by a bank or other nominee?” below for instructions regarding how to vote their shares.
If, however, your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, VStock Transfer, LLC (“VStock”), you are considered, with respect to those shares, the stockholder of record, and these proxy materials are being sent directly to you. You may vote in the following ways:
• By Mail: Votes may be cast by mail, as long as the proxy card or voting instruction card is delivered in accordance with its instructions prior to 4:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on March 9, 2025. Stockholder may submit proxies by completing, signing, and dating their proxy card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.
• By Attending the Meeting Virtually: Please follow the instructions in the “How can I participate and vote in the Special Meeting” section of this proxy statement.
• By Phone or Internet: Stockholders may vote by phone or Internet by following the instructions included in the proxy card they received. Your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time on March 9, 2025 to be counted. Have your proxy card available when you access the website or when you call. We provide Internet and telephone proxy voting to allow you to vote your shares on-line or by phone, with procedures designed to ensure the authenticity and correctness of your proxy vote instructions. However, please be aware that you must bear any costs or usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies.
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If you vote by proxy, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 9, 2025, to be counted.
Whichever method you select to transmit your instructions, the proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with those instructions. If no specific instructions are given, the shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendation of our Board and as the proxy holders may determine in their discretion with respect to any other matters that properly come before the meeting.
How can I vote if my shares are held in a stock brokerage account, or by a bank or other nominee?
If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other nominee, you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares held in “street name,” and your broker or nominee is considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares. Your broker or nominee should be forwarding these proxy materials to you. As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, or other nominee how to vote, and you are also invited to participate in the Special Meeting, virtually. However, since you are not the stockholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person, virtually, unless you obtain a legal proxy from your brokerage firm or bank. If a broker, bank, or other nominee holds your shares, you will receive instructions from them that you must follow in order to have your shares voted.
What is a quorum for the Special Meeting?
The presence of the holders of stock representing a majority of the voting power of all shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, represented in person or by proxy, is necessary to constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Special Meeting. Your shares will be counted towards the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker) or if you participate in, and vote electronically at, the Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Based on there being 24,587,500 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote on the Record Date, the presence, in person or by proxy, of stockholders holding an aggregate of 12,293,751 shares of common stock will be required to constitute a quorum for purposes of taking action at the Special Meeting.
What is the voting requirement to approve each of the proposals?
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Vote Required |
Broker |
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The Incentive Plan Proposal |
Affirmative vote of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote |
No |
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The Reverse Split Proposal |
Affirmative vote of a majority of shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote |
Yes |
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The Authorized Shares Proposal |
Affirmative vote of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote |
Yes |
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The Classified Board Proposal |
Affirmative vote of a majority of the shares issued and outstanding and entitled to vote |
No |
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The Adjournment Proposal |
Affirmative vote of a majority of shares present and entitled to vote |
No |
What is the effect of abstentions and broker non-votes?
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in a brokerage account and you do not instruct your broker, bank or other agent how to vote your shares, your broker, bank or other agent may still be able to vote your shares in its discretion. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, which are also applicable to Nasdaq-listed companies, brokers, banks and other securities intermediaries that are subject to New York Stock Exchange rules may use their discretion to vote your “uninstructed” shares on matters considered to be “routine” under New York Stock Exchange rules but not with respect to “non-routine” matters. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank or other agent has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares and the broker, bank or other agent cannot vote the shares because the matter is considered “non-routine” under NYSE rules. The Incentive Plan Proposal, the Classified Board Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal are considered to be “non-routine” under New York Stock
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Exchange rules such that your broker, bank or other agent may not vote your shares on those proposals in the absence of your voting instructions. Conversely, the Reverse Split Proposal and the Authorized Shares Proposal are considered to be “routine” under New York Stock Exchange rules and thus if you do not return voting instructions to your broker, your shares may be voted by your broker in its discretion.
Accordingly, we encourage you to vote promptly, even if you plan to participate in the Special Meeting. In tabulating the voting results for any particular proposal, shares that constitute broker non-votes are not considered entitled to vote on that proposal.
Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement for the Special Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of voting “AGAINST” the Reverse Split Proposal, the Authorized Shares Proposal and the Classified Board Proposal while broker non-votes will have no effect on these proposals. Abstentions will have the effect of voting “AGAINST” the Incentive Plan Proposal and the Adjournment Proposal while broker non-votes will have no effect on such proposals.
Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?
Subject to any rules and deadlines your broker, trustee or nominee may have, you may change your proxy instructions at any time before your proxy is voted at the Special Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record, you may change your vote by (1) delivering to the Company’s Corporate Secretary, prior to your shares being voted at the Special Meeting, a written notice of revocation dated later than the prior proxy card relating to the same shares, (2) delivering a valid, later-dated proxy in a timely manner, (3) attending the Special Meeting, virtually, and voting electronically (although attendance at the Special Meeting will not, by itself, revoke a proxy), or (4) voting again via phone or Internet at a later date.
If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, you may change your vote (1) by submitting new voting instructions to your broker, trustee or other nominee, or (2) if you have obtained a legal proxy from the broker, trustee or other nominee that holds your shares giving you the right to vote the shares and provided a copy to our transfer agent and registrar, VStock, together with your email address as described below, by attending the Special Meeting, virtually, and voting electronically.
Any written notice of revocation or subsequent proxy card must be received by the Company’s Corporate Secretary prior to the taking of the vote at the Special Meeting.
Who will bear the cost of soliciting votes for the Special Meeting?
The Company will bear the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. If you access the proxy materials over the Internet, you are responsible for Internet access charges you may incur. In addition, we will request banks, brokers and other intermediaries holding shares of our common stock beneficially owned by others to obtain proxies from the beneficial owners and will reimburse them for their reasonable expenses in so doing. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, by electronic communications and personal solicitation by our executive officers, directors, and employees. No additional compensation will be paid to our executive officers, directors or employees for such solicitation.
Proxies with respect to the Special Meeting may be solicited by telephone, by mail on the Internet or in person.
How can I find the voting results of the Special Meeting?
Voting results will be tabulated and certified by the inspector of elections appointed for the Special Meeting. The preliminary voting results will be announced at the Special Meeting. The final results will be tallied by the inspector of elections and filed with the SEC in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days of the Special Meeting.
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THE INCENTIVE PLAN PROPOSAL
On May 3, 2024, our Board approved the Fly-E Group Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, subject to stockholder approval. On February 10, 2025, our Board approved Amendment No. 1 of the plan (“Amendment No. 1”) to increase the number of shares available for grant under the plan and add a provision providing for an automatic increase to the plan’s share reserve every year, commencing on April 1, 2026, and continuing on the first day of each of the Company’s fiscal years through the tenth anniversary of the plan’s effective date (the 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended by Amendment No. 1, the “2024 Plan”). A summary of the material provisions of the 2024 Plan is set forth below. A copy of the 2024 Plan is attached hereto as Appendix A.
Purpose
The 2024 Plan was established by the Board to promote the long-term financial success of the Company, attract, retain and reward persons who can and do contribute to such success, and further align the participants’ interests with those of our stockholders. The 2024 Plan will be effective upon our stockholders’ approval (the “Plan Effective Date”).
We are submitting the 2024 Plan to our stockholders at this time to comply with Nasdaq listing requirements, which require stockholder approval on equity incentive plans.
Summary of the 2024 Plan
Plan Administration
The 2024 Plan will be administered by our Compensation Committee. Our board of directors will retain the authority under the 2024 Plan to exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the 2024 Plan.
Award Eligibility
Awards under the 2024 Plan may be made to our or any of our affiliates’ employees, officers and directors, as well as to consultants and advisors currently providing services to us or any of our affiliates at the time of such award. As of the date of this proxy statement, the Company engages approximately 110 employees, four (4) officers, five (5) directors, and five (5) consultants and advisers.
Shares Subject to the 2024 Plan
Subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms of the 2024 Plan, the number of shares of our common stock available for issuance under the 2024 Plan is the sum of (A) 3,700,000, plus (B) an increase commencing on April 1, 2026, and continuing annually on each anniversary thereof until the tenth anniversary of the Plan Effective Date, equal to the lesser of (i) 8% of the total number of all classes of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of shares as determined by the Board or the Committee (the “Share Limit”).
Reversion of Shares
If any shares covered by an award are not purchased or are forfeited or expire, or if any award otherwise terminates without delivery of any shares subject to the award or is settled in cash in lieu of shares, then the number of shares counted against the Share Limit with respect to such award will, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, expiration or settlement, again be available for issuance under the 2024 Plan.
Awards
The 2024 Plan provides for the grant of awards of stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, unrestricted stock, dividend equivalent rights, and other equity-based awards.
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Stock Options
Stock options granted under the 2024 Plan may be nonqualified stock options or incentive stock options within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Each option will become vested and exercisable at such times and under such conditions as our Compensation Committee may approve consistent with the terms of the 2024 Plan. No option may be exercisable more than ten years after the option grant date. Our Compensation Committee may include in the option agreement provisions specifying the period during which an option may be exercised following termination of the grantee’s service.
The exercise price per share of our common stock for each option granted under the 2024 Plan may not be less than 100%, or 110% in the case of an incentive stock option granted to a stockholder who owns more than ten percent of our voting stock, of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the option grant date, except in the case of an option granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan by a business entity acquired or to be acquired by us or an affiliate of ours or with which we or an affiliate has combined or will combine. Payment of the exercise price for shares purchased pursuant to the exercise of an option may be made in such forms as are approved by our Compensation Committee. These forms may include, in our Compensation Committee’s discretion, cash, cash equivalents, shares of our common stock and net issuance.
Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units
Restricted stock is an award of our common stock on which vesting restrictions are imposed that subject such shares of our common stock to a substantial risk of forfeiture, as defined in Section 83 of the Code. A restricted stock unit is an award that represents a conditional right to receive shares of our common stock in the future and that may be made subject to the same types of restrictions and risk of forfeiture as restricted stock. A deferred stock unit is a restricted stock unit that may be settled at some point in the future at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Stock Appreciation Rights
A SAR is a right to receive upon exercise, in the form of common stock, cash or a combination of common stock and cash, the excess of the fair market value of one share of common stock on the exercise date over the grant price of the SAR. SARs may be granted in conjunction with all or a part of any option or other award granted under the 2024 Plan, or without regard to any option or other award. Upon exercise of a SAR, the holder will be entitled to receive, in the specified form of consideration, the excess of the fair market value of one share of our common stock on the exercise date over the exercise price of the SAR, as determined by our Compensation Committee. The exercise price of a SAR may not be less than the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the grant date.
Dividend Equivalent Rights
Dividend equivalent rights entitle the grantee to receive cash, shares of our common stock, or a combination of both equal to the amount of that the grantee would have received had the grantee held a specified number of shares of our common stock during the period. Dividend equivalent rights may be granted independently or in connection with the grant of any equity-based award, except that no dividend equivalent right may be granted in connection with, or related to an option or SAR.
Other Equity-Based Awards
Our Compensation Committee may grant other types of equity-based or equity-related awards in such amounts and subject to such terms and conditions as our Compensation Committee may determine, including unrestricted stock and dividend equivalent rights which are described in more detail in the 2024 Plan.
Changes to Capital Structure
In the event of a merger, reorganization, recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without the receipt of consideration by us, then the number and kind of shares for which grants of options and other awards may be made under the 2024 Plan may be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by our Compensation Committee.
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Change of Control
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, upon the occurrence of a change of control of our Company in which outstanding awards are not being assumed or continued, all outstanding shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights and performance-based awards will be deemed to have vested and any underlying shares of our common stock will be deemed delivered immediately before the change of control; and either or both of the following actions shall be taken: (i) at our Compensation Committee’s discretion, all options and SARs will become exercisable fifteen days before the change of control (with any exercise of an option or SAR during such fifteen day period to be contingent upon the consummation of the change of control) and terminate upon the change of control to the extent not exercised; and/or (ii) at our Compensation Committee’s discretion, all options, SARs, shares of restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights and/or performance-based awards will be canceled and cashed out in connection with the change of control. Other equity-based awards will be governed by the terms of the applicable award agreement.
If we experience a change of control in which outstanding awards that are not exercised prior to the change of control will be assumed or continued by the surviving entity, then, except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, in another agreement with the grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of the change of control, the 2024 Plan and the awards granted under the 2024 Plan will continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of the change of control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such change of control for the assumption or continuation of such awards, or for the substitution for such awards with new awards, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and exercise prices of options and SARs.
Plan Amendment and Termination
The Compensation Committee may adopt, amend and rescind rules relating to the administration of the 2024 Plan, and our board of directors may amend, suspend, or terminate the 2024 Plan at any time; provided, that, no such amendment or termination will be made that materially and adversely impairs the rights of any participant with respect to any award granted under the 2024 Plan without the participant’s consent, other than amendments that are necessary to permit the granting of awards in compliance with applicable laws. The 2024 Plan will automatically terminate the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Plan Effective Date, unless earlier terminated by our board of directors or in accordance with the terms of the 2024 Plan.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary of the federal income tax consequences of awards under the 2024 Plan is based upon federal income tax laws in effect on the date of this proxy statement. This summary does not purport to be complete, and does not discuss state, local or non-U.S. tax consequences. The tax consequences of individual awards may vary depending upon the particular circumstances applicable to any individual participant.
Nonqualified Stock Options
The grant of a nonqualified stock option under the 2024 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. Upon exercise of a nonqualified stock option, the participant will recognize ordinary compensation income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares of common stock at the time of exercise over the option exercise price. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss, depending on the sales proceeds received and whether the shares are held for more than one year following exercise. The Company does not receive a tax deduction for any subsequent capital gain.
Incentive Stock Options
The grant of an incentive stock option (or “ISO”) under the 2024 Plan will not result in any federal income tax consequences to the participant or to the Company. A participant recognizes no federal taxable income upon exercising an ISO (subject to the alternative minimum tax rules discussed below), and the Company receives no deduction at the
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time of exercise. In the event of a disposition of stock acquired upon exercise of an ISO, the tax consequences depend upon how long the participant has held the shares. If the participant does not dispose of the shares within two years after the ISO was granted, nor within one year after the ISO was exercised, the participant will recognize a long-term capital gain (or loss) equal to the difference between the sale price of the shares and the exercise price. The Company is not entitled to any deduction under these circumstances.
If the participant fails to satisfy either of the foregoing holding periods (referred to as a “disqualifying disposition”), he or she will recognize ordinary compensation income in the year of the disposition. The amount of ordinary compensation income generally is the lesser of (i) the difference between the amount realized on the disposition and the exercise price or (ii) the difference between the fair market value of the stock at the time of exercise and the exercise price. Such amount is not subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes, even if the participant is an employee of the Company. Any gain in excess of the amount taxed as ordinary income will generally be treated as a short-term capital gain. The Company, in the year of the disqualifying disposition, is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of ordinary compensation income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.
The “spread” under an ISO (i.e., the difference between the fair market value of the shares at exercise and the exercise price) is classified as an item of adjustment in the year of exercise for purposes of the alternative minimum tax. If a participant’s alternative minimum tax liability exceeds such participant’s regular income tax liability, the participant will owe the alternative minimum tax liability.
Restricted Stock
Restricted stock is generally taxable to the participant as ordinary compensation income on the date that the restrictions lapse (i.e., the date that the stock vests), in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares on such date over the amount paid for such stock, if any. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. The Company is entitled to an income tax deduction in the amount of the ordinary income recognized by the participant, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof. Any gain or loss on the participant’s subsequent disposition of the shares will be treated as long-term or short-term capital gain or loss depending on the sales price and how long the stock has been held since the restrictions lapsed. The Company does not receive a tax deduction for any subsequent gain.
Participants receiving restricted stock awards may make an election under Section 83(b) of the Code (a “Section 83(b) Election”) to recognize as ordinary compensation income in the year that such restricted stock is granted in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value on the date of the issuance of the stock over the amount paid for such stock. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for federal income and employment tax purposes. If such an election is made, the recipient recognizes no further amounts of compensation income upon the lapse of any restrictions and any gain or loss on subsequent disposition will be long-term or short-term capital gain or loss to the recipient. However, if the stock is later forfeited, the participant will not be able to recover the tax previously paid pursuant to the Section 83(b) Election. The Section 83(b) Election must be made within 30 days from the time the restricted stock is issued. The Company is entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of income taken into account as a result of the Section 83(b) Election, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.
To the extent dividends are paid while the restrictions on the stock are in effect, any such dividends will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income (and will be treated as additional wages for federal income and employment tax withholding purposes, if the recipient is an employee) and will be deductible by the Company (subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof), unless the participant has made a Section 83(b) Election, in which case the dividends will generally be taxed at dividend rates and will not be deductible by the Company.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The grant of a SAR generally will not result in taxable income to the participant. Upon exercise of a SAR, the fair market value of shares received generally will be taxable to the participant as ordinary income and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding deduction. Gains and losses realized by the participant upon disposition of any such shares generally will be treated as capital gains and losses, with the basis in such shares equal to the fair market value of the shares at the time of exercise.
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Other Awards
Other awards (such as RSUs) are generally treated as ordinary compensation income as and when common stock or cash are paid to the participant upon vesting or settlement of such awards. If the participant is an employee, this income is subject to withholding for income and employment tax purposes. The Company is generally entitled to an income tax deduction equal to the amount of ordinary income recognized by the recipient, subject to possible limitations imposed by the Code, including Section 162(m) thereof.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code
Under Code Section 162(m), no deduction is generally allowed in any taxable year of the Company for compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the Company’s “covered employees.” A “covered employee” is any individual who has served at any time after December 31, 2016 as the Company’s chief executive officer, chief financial officer, or other executive officer whose compensation has been reported in a Company proxy statement, regardless of whether any such individual is still employed by the Company. We may be prohibited under Code Section 162(m) from deducting compensation paid pursuant to the 2024 Plan to our “covered employees.”
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code
Section 409A of the Code provides certain requirements for the deferral and payment of deferred compensation arrangements. In the event that any award under the 2014 Plan is deemed to be a deferred compensation arrangement, and if such arrangement does not comply with Section 409A of the Code, the recipient of such award will recognize ordinary income once such award is vested, as opposed to at the time or times set forth above. In addition, the amount taxable will be subject to an additional 20% federal income tax along with other potential taxes and penalties. It is intended, although not guaranteed, that all awards issued under the 2024 Plan will either be exempt from or compliant with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code.
Change in Control. Any acceleration of the vesting or payment of awards under the 2024 Plan in the event of a change in control in the Company may cause part or all of the consideration involved to be treated as an “excess parachute payment” under the Code, which may subject the participant to a 20% excise tax and preclude deduction by the Company.
The foregoing description of the 2024 Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the 2024 Plan, a copy of which is attached to this proxy statement as Appendix A.
No Tax Advice
The preceding discussion is based on U.S. federal tax laws and regulations presently in effect, which are subject to change, and the discussion does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax aspects of the 2024 Plan. A participant may also be subject to state and local taxes in connection with the grant of awards under the 2024 Plan. The Company strongly encourages participants to consult with their individual tax advisors to determine the applicability of the tax rules to the awards granted to them in their personal circumstances.
New Plan Benefits
All awards to be made under the 2024 Plan are discretionary, subject to the terms of the 2024 Plan. The benefits and amounts that will be received or allocated under the 2024 Plan are generally not determinable at this time.
Votes Required
The approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of our common stock entitled to vote and present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. A failure to submit a proxy card or vote at the Special Meeting or an abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the Incentive Plan Proposal and broker “non-votes” will have no effect with respect to the approval of this proposal.
Recommendation of The Board
The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Incentive Plan Proposal.
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THE REVERSE SPLIT PROPOSAL
Overview
Our Board has approved and adopted, and is hereby soliciting stockholder approval of, the Reverse Split Amendment, in the form attached to this proxy statement as Appendix B.
Our Board may determine, in its sole discretion, whether to implement the Reverse Split, as well as its specific timing, provided that any amendment is implemented within one year after the conclusion of the Special Meeting. If the stockholders approve the Reverse Split Proposal, the Board, in its discretion, may elect to effect the Reverse Split, or the Board may determine in its discretion not to proceed with the Reverse Split Proposal. The Reverse Split will only be effected after the Board (or a duly authorized committee of the Board) authorizes the filing of the Reverse Split Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware to effectuate the Reverse Split and upon the filing and effectiveness of the Reverse Split Amendment (the “Reverse Split Effective Time”).
The form of the Reverse Split Amendment is subject to amendment to include such changes as may be required by the office of the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware or as the Board deems necessary and advisable to effect the Reverse Split, if any. The Board reserves the right to abandon the Reverse Split Proposal without further action by our stockholders at any time before the Reverse Split becomes effective, even if stockholders approve such amendment at the Special Meeting.
Reasons for the Reverse Split Proposal
The purpose of the Reverse Split is to increase the market price of our common stock in order to mitigate the risk of our common stock being delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market. Nasdaq has several continued listing criteria that companies must satisfy in order to remain listed on the exchange. Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2) requires that companies maintain a closing bid price that is greater than or equal to $1.00 per share.
On October 2, 2024, we received written notice from Nasdaq indicating that the bid price for our common stock for the last 31 consecutive business days, had closed below the minimum $1.00 per share and, as a result, the Company is not in compliance with the $1.00 minimum bid price requirement for the continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market, as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5550(a)(2). The notice has no effect at this time on our common stock, which continues to trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “FLYE”.
In accordance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A), the Company has a period of 180 calendar days, or until March 31, 2025, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirement. To regain compliance, the closing bid price of our common stock must meet or exceed $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days during this 180 day period. If the Company is not in compliance by March 31, 2025, the Company may qualify for a second 180 calendar day compliance period if the Company meets the continued listing requirement for market value of publicly held shares and all other initial listing standards for the Nasdaq Capital Market, with the exception of the bid price requirement.
Our Board believes that effecting the Reverse Split would, among other things, help the Company to (1) increase the per share price of our common stock, (2) maintain the listing of our common stock on Nasdaq, and (3) potentially improve the marketability and liquidity of our common stock.
Increase the Per-Share Price of our Common Stock. The primary purpose for effecting the Reverse Split, should the Board choose to effect it, would be to increase the per share price of our common stock. In determining to seek authorization for the Reverse Split Proposal, the Board considered that, by combining a number of pre-split shares into one share of common stock, the market price of a post-split share is generally greater than the market price of a pre-split share. However, we cannot assure you that the Reverse Split will increase the per share price of our common stock or that any such increase will be proportional to the Reverse Split ratio (see “— Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Split”).
Maintain Listing on Nasdaq. Our Board has considered the potential harm to the Company and its stockholders should Nasdaq delist our common stock from The Nasdaq Capital Market. Delisting our common stock could adversely affect the liquidity of our common stock because alternatives, such as the OTC Markets, are generally considered to be less efficient markets. An investor likely would find it less convenient to sell, or to obtain accurate quotations in seeking to buy, our common stock on an over-the-counter market. Many investors likely would not buy
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or sell our common stock due to difficulty in accessing over-the-counter markets, policies preventing them from trading in securities not listed on a national exchange or other reasons. Our Board believes that the Reverse Split is an effective means for the Company to maintain compliance with the rules of Nasdaq and to avoid, or at least mitigate, the likely adverse consequences of our common stock being delisted from The Nasdaq Capital Market by producing the immediate effect of increasing the bid price of our common stock.
Potentially Improve the Marketability and Liquidity of our common stock. Our Board believes that continued listing on Nasdaq provides overall credibility to an investment in our common stock, given the stringent listing and disclosure requirements of Nasdaq. In addition, our Board believes that the increased market price of our common stock expected as a result of implementing a reverse stock split could improve the marketability and liquidity of our common stock and encourage interest and trading in our common stock by mitigating the negative effects of certain practices and policies:
• Stock Price Requirements: Many brokerage firms have internal policies and practices that have the effect of discouraging individual brokers from recommending lower-priced securities to their clients. Many institutional investors have policies prohibiting them from holding lower-priced stocks in their portfolios, which reduces the number of potential purchasers of our common stock. Investment funds may also be reluctant to invest in lower-priced stocks.
• Stock Price Volatility: A higher stock price may increase the acceptability of our common stock to a number of long-term investors who may not find our common stock attractive at its current prices due to the trading volatility often associated with stocks below certain prices. Moreover, the analysts at many brokerage firms do not monitor the trading activity or otherwise provide coverage of lower-priced stocks.
• Transaction Costs: Investors may be dissuaded from purchasing stocks below certain prices because brokers’ commissions, as a percentage of the total transaction value, can be higher for lower-priced stocks.
• Access to Capital Markets: If our common stock is delisted from Nasdaq, investor demand for additional shares of our common stock could be limited, thereby preventing us from accessing the public equity markets.
We believe that the Reverse Split, if effected, could increase analyst and broker interest in our common stock by avoiding these policies and practices. Increasing visibility of our common stock among a larger pool of potential investors could result in higher trading volumes. We also believe that the Reverse Split may make our common stock a more attractive and cost-effective investment for many investors, which could enhance the liquidity of our common stock for our stockholders. These increases in visibility and liquidity could also help facilitate future financings and give management more flexibility to focus on executing our business strategy, which includes the strategic management of authorized capital for business purposes.
Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed herein, we believe that being able to effect the Reverse Split is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
Certain Risks Associated with the Reverse Split
There can be no assurance that the Reverse Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, including:
The Reverse Split may not increase the price of common stock. We cannot assure you that the proposed Reverse Split will increase the price of our common stock. We expect that the Reverse Split will increase the market price of our common stock. However, the effect of the Reverse Split on the market price of our common stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of reverse stock splits for other companies is varied, particularly since some investors may view a reverse stock split negatively. It is possible that the per-share price of our common stock after the Reverse Split will not increase in the same proportion as the reduction in the number of outstanding shares of common stock following the Reverse Split, and the Reverse Split may not result in a per-share price that would attract investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks. In addition, although we believe that the Reverse Split may enhance the marketability of our common stock to certain potential investors, we cannot assure you that, if implemented, our common stock will be more attractive to investors. Even if we implement the Reverse Split, the market price of our common stock may decrease due to factors unrelated to the Reverse Split, including our future performance.
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If the Reverse Split is consummated and the trading price of our common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Split.
We may not satisfy Nasdaq continued listing requirements following the Reverse Split. While we intend to monitor the average closing price of our common stock and consider available options if it does not continue to trade at a level likely to result in us maintaining compliance, no assurances can be made that we will in fact be able to comply and that our common stock will remain listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market. In addition, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5810(c)(3)(A)(iv) states that if a listed company that fails to meet the minimum bid price requirement after effecting a reverse stock split over the prior one-year period or effecting one or more reverse stock splits over the prior two-year period with a cumulative ratio of 250 shares or more to one, then the company is not eligible for an additional 180 day compliance period. If our common stock ultimately were to be delisted from the Nasdaq Capital Market for any reason, in addition to the effects noted above under “— Reasons for the Reverse Split Proposal — Maintain Listing on Nasdaq,” it could negatively impact us as it would likely reduce the liquidity and market price of our common stock; reduce the number of investors willing to hold or acquire our common stock; negatively impact our ability to access equity markets, issue additional securities and obtain additional financing in the future; affect our ability to provide equity incentives to our employees; and might negatively impact our reputation and, as a consequence, our business.
The proposed Reverse Split may decrease the liquidity of our common stock and result in higher transaction costs. The liquidity of our common stock may be negatively impacted by the Reverse Split, given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Split, particularly if the stock price does not increase as a result of the Reverse Split. In addition, if the Reverse Split is implemented, it may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of common stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. Accordingly, the Reverse Split may not achieve the desired results of increasing marketability of our common stock as described above.
You should also keep in mind that the implementation of the Reverse Split does not have an effect on the actual or intrinsic value of our business or a stockholder’s proportional ownership in the Company (subject to the treatment of fractional shares). However, should the overall value of common stock decline after the proposed Reverse Split, then the actual or intrinsic value of the shares of common stock held by you will also proportionately decrease as a result of the overall decline in value.
The Board considered all of the foregoing factors and determined that seeking stockholder approval for the Reverse Split Proposal is in the best interests of the Company and the stockholders.
If the Reverse Split Proposal Is Not Approved
If the Reverse Split Proposal is not approved at the Special Meeting, the Charter will not be amended to effect the Reverse Split. The failure to obtain approval of the Reverse Split Proposal would likely result in our common stock becoming delisted by Nasdaq. Delisting of our common stock by Nasdaq may hinder our ability to raise financing and may materially adversely affect our business operations and results of operations.
If the Reverse Split Proposal Is Approved
If this Reverse Split Proposal is approved and the Board elects to implement the Reverse Split, the number of outstanding shares of common stock will be reduced in proportion to the ratio of the Reverse Split chosen by the Board.
Effects on Our Common Stock
Depending on the ratio for a Reverse Split determined by the Board, a minimum of two (2) and a maximum of fifteen (15) shares of existing common stock would be combined into one new share of common stock. Based on 24,587,500 shares of common stock issued and outstanding as of the Record Date, immediately following a reverse stock split the Company would have approximately 12,293,750 shares of common stock issued and outstanding (without giving effect to rounding for fractional shares) if the ratio for a reverse stock split is 1-for-2, and 1,639,167 shares of common issued and outstanding (without giving effect to rounding for fractional shares) if the ratio for a reverse stock split is 1-for-15.
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For the purposes of providing examples of the effect of the Reverse Split on our common stock, the following table contains approximate information (without accounting for the settlement of fractional shares), based on share information as of the Record Date, of the effect of a Reverse Split at certain ratios within the range of the proposed Reverse Split ratios on the number of shares of our common stock authorized, outstanding, and not outstanding.
|
Name and Position |
Number of |
|
|
Pre-Reverse Split |
24,587,500 |
|
|
Post-Reverse Split 1:2 |
12,293,750 |
|
|
Post-Reverse Split 1:5 |
4,917,500 |
|
|
Post-Reverse Split 1:10 |
2,458,750 |
|
|
Post-Reverse Split 1:15 |
1,639,167 |
The Reverse Split would be effected simultaneously for all of our issued and outstanding shares of common stock, and the exchange ratio would be the same for all issued and outstanding shares of common stock. The Reverse Split would affect all holders of the issued and outstanding shares of common stock uniformly and would not affect any stockholder’s percentage ownership interest in the Company. Common stock issued pursuant to the Reverse Split would remain fully paid and non-assessable. We will not issue any fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Split and in lieu thereof, any stockholders that would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share will be entitled to have their post-Reverse Split share amount rounded up to the nearest whole share (which we describe below). Each stockholder will hold the same percentage of common stock immediately following the Reverse Split as such stockholders held immediately prior to the Reverse Split other than the nominal effect of the treatment of fractional shares.
Effect on the Preferred Stock
The Reverse Split, if implemented, would not affect the total authorized number of shares of the preferred stock or the par value of shares of the preferred stock.
Effect on Equity Compensation Arrangements
If the Reverse Split Proposal is approved by our stockholders and the Board decides to implement the Reverse Split, as of the Reverse Split Effective Time, the per share exercise price of any outstanding stock options and any applicable repurchase price of any restricted shares would be increased proportionately, and the number of shares issuable under outstanding stock options, restricted stock units, performance share units and all other outstanding equity-based awards would be reduced proportionately. The number of shares of common stock authorized for future issuance under our equity plan would be proportionately reduced and other similar adjustments would be made under the equity plans to reflect the Reverse Split. In addition, the performance targets to which our performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) are subject, including certain stock price targets, would be proportionally adjusted based on the Reverse Split ratio selected by the Board. In addition, the number of shares of common stock available for issuance under our equity incentive plans will be proportionately adjusted for the Reverse Split ratio, such that fewer shares will be subject to the equity incentive plans.
Effect on Warrants and Convertible Notes
If the Reverse Split Proposal is approved by our stockholders and the Board decides to implement the Reverse Split, as of the Reverse Split Effective Time:
• all outstanding warrants will be adjusted in accordance with their terms, which will result in the number of shares issuable upon exercise of any such warrant being rounded up to the nearest whole share and proportionate adjustments will be made to the exercise price; and
• all outstanding convertible notes will have adjustments to the conversion rate and the conversion price made proportionate with the Reverse Split ratio.
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This will result in approximately the same aggregate price being required to be paid under such securities upon exercise or conversion, and approximately the same value of shares of common stock being delivered upon such exercise or conversion, immediately following the Reverse Split as was the case immediately preceding the Reverse Split. The number of shares reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be proportionately adjusted based on the Reverse Split ratio.
Effect on Market Capitalization
In addition, the Reverse Split will not itself immediately affect our overall market capitalization, i.e., our market capitalization immediately before the Reverse Split will be the same as immediately after the Reverse Split, except as a result of any rounding up of fractional shares as described below. However, if our trading price increases or declines over time following the Reverse Split, we will have a higher or lower market capitalization depending on that trading price.
Effect on Exchange Act Reporting and CUSIP
After the Reverse Split Effective Time, we would continue to be subject to periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act, and our common stock would continue to be listed on Nasdaq under the symbol “FLYE.”
After the Reverse Split Effective Time, the post-Reverse Split shares of common stock would have a new CUSIP number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities.
Effective Time of Reverse Split
The Reverse Split Proposal, if approved by stockholders, would become effective upon the date determined by the Board and, if required by law or otherwise deemed advisable by the Board, upon the filing of the Reverse Split Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. However, the exact timing of the filing of the Reverse Split Amendment will be determined by the Board based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders. In addition, the Board reserves the right to elect not to effect the Reverse Split, if, at any time before the Reverse Split Effective Time, the Board determines, in its sole discretion, that implementing the Reverse Split is not in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders. If the Board does not implement a Reverse Split on or prior to the one-year anniversary of the conclusion of the Special Meeting, stockholder approval would again be required prior to implementing any future reverse stock split and/or share reduction.
Except as to fractional shares, at the Reverse Split Effective Time, the Reverse Split will combine, automatically and without any action on the part of us or our stockholders, in the range of two (2) to fifteen (15) shares of common stock issued (including shares of common stock held by the Company in treasury) immediately prior thereto into one (1) share of common stock.
Treatment of Fractional Shares
To avoid having any fractional shares of common stock (i.e., less than one full share of common stock) outstanding as a result of the Reverse Split, no fractional shares will be issued in connection with the Reverse Split. Instead, we will issue one full share of the post-Reverse Split common stock to any stockholder who would have been entitled to receive a fractional share as a result of the process. Each holder of shares of common stock will hold the same percentage of the outstanding common stock immediately following the Reverse Split as that stockholder did immediately prior to the Reverse Split, except for minor adjustments due to the additional net share fraction that will need to be issued as a result of the treatment of fractional shares.
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The discussion below is only a summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Split generally applicable to beneficial holders of shares of our common stock and does not purport to be a complete discussion of all possible tax consequences. This summary addresses only those stockholders who held their pre-Reverse Split shares as “capital assets” as defined in the Code and continue to hold the post-Reverse Split shares as capital assets. This discussion does not address all U.S. federal income tax considerations that may be relevant to particular stockholders in light of their individual circumstances or to stockholders that are subject to special
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rules, such as financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies, dealers in securities, and foreign stockholders. The following summary is based upon the provisions of the Code, applicable Treasury Regulations thereunder, judicial decisions and current administrative rulings, as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis. Tax consequences under state, local, foreign, and other laws are not addressed herein. Each stockholder should consult his, her or its own tax advisor as to the particular facts and circumstances that may be unique to such stockholder and also as to any estate, gift, state, local, or foreign tax considerations arising out of the Reverse Split.
We believe the Reverse Split qualifies as a recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result,
• Stockholders should not recognize any gain or loss as a result of the Reverse Split.
• The aggregate basis of a stockholder’s pre-Reverse Split shares has become the aggregate basis of the shares held by such stockholder immediately after the Reverse Split.
• The holding period of the shares owned immediately after the Reverse Split includes the stockholder’s holding period before the Reverse Split.
The above discussion is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used by any person, for the purpose of avoiding U.S. Federal tax penalties. It was written solely in connection with the solicitation of stockholder votes with regard to the proposed Reverse Split.
Reservation of Right to Abandon the Reverse Split
The Board believes that stockholder adoption and approval of the Reverse Split at a ratio of between 1-for-2 to 1-for-15 is in the best interests of our stockholders. If our stockholders approve this Reverse Split Proposal, the Board will implement the Reverse Split only upon a determination that the Reverse Split is in the best interests of the stockholders at that time. The Board reserves the right to abandon the Reverse Split Proposal without further action by our stockholders at any time before the Reverse Split Effective Time, even if stockholders approve the Reverse Split Amendment at the Special Meeting. By voting in favor of the Reverse Split Proposal, stockholders are also expressly authorizing the Board to determine not to proceed with, and abandon, the Reverse Split Proposal if it should so decide.
Interests of Directors and Executive Officers
Certain of our officers and directors have an interest in the Reverse Split Proposal as a result of their ownership of shares of common stock. However, we do not believe that our officers or directors have interests in the Reverse Split Proposal that are different than or greater than those of any of our other stockholders.
Required Vote
Approval of the Reverse Split Proposal requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock. A failure to submit a proxy card or vote at the Special Meeting or an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
Recommendation of the Board
The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Reverse Split Proposal.
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THE AUTHORIZED SHARES PROPOSAL
Background
Our Board has approved and adopted, and is hereby soliciting stockholder approval of, the Authorized Shares Amendment, in the form attached to this proxy statement as Appendix C. Our Board has determined that the Authorized Shares Amendment is advisable and in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders. The Authorized Shares Amendment does not contemplate any change to the number of authorized shares of our preferred stock.
Reasons for the Authorized Shares Amendment
Our Board believes that it is important to have available a sufficient number of authorized shares of our common stock to provide us with flexibility to support corporate purposes as needs arise. For example, as we evaluate the future financing needs of our business, we may use a portion of the additional authorized shares to raise capital by issuing shares of our common stock, issuing shares of our preferred stock that are convertible into shares of our common stock and/or issuing warrants that are exercisable for shares of our common stock. Additional authorized shares may, from time to time, be used for the issuances of shares under the Company’s equity incentive plans, settling outstanding obligations or acquiring companies or assets.
Our Board will determine whether, when and on what terms the issuance of shares of our common stock may be warranted in connection with any future actions. No further action or authorization by our stockholders will be necessary before issuance of additional shares of common stock authorized under our Charter, as further amended by the Authorized Shares Amendment, except as may be required for a particular transaction by applicable law or regulatory agencies or by the Nasdaq Rules or the rules of any other stock market or exchange on which our common stock may then be listed.
The additional shares of our common stock, if issued, would have the same rights and privileges as the existing shares of our common stock. Any issuance of additional shares of our common stock would increase the number of outstanding shares of our common stock, and (unless such issuance was pro rata among existing stockholders) our existing stockholders’ percentage ownership of our common stock would be diluted accordingly.
Although an increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock could, under certain circumstances, also be construed as having an anti-takeover effect (for example, by permitting easier dilution of the stock ownership of a person seeking to effect a change in the composition of our Board or contemplating a tender offer or other transaction resulting in our acquisition by another company), the proposed increase in shares authorized is not in response to any effort by any person or group to obtain control of us by any means. In addition, the proposal is not part of any plan by our Board to recommend or implement a series of anti-takeover measures.
The proposed increase in the number of authorized shares of our common stock would become effective immediately upon the filing of the Authorized Shares Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. We expect to file the Authorized Shares Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware promptly upon approval by our stockholders.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the Record Date is required for approval of the Classified Board Amendment. A failure to submit a proxy card or vote at the Special Meeting or an abstention will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
Recommendation of The Board
The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Authorized Shares Proposal.
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THE CLASSIFIED BOARD PROPOSAL
Our Board has approved and recommends that our stockholders approve the Classified Board Amendment, in the form attached to this proxy statement as Appendix D, which provides for the establishment of a classified board structure consisting of three classes of directors. Our Board currently consists of five members, each of whom, if elected, is eligible to serve to one-year terms at each annual meeting of stockholders. However, if this proposal is approved, the Classified Board Amendment would classify our Board into three classes, with each class having a three-year term expiring in a different year, as further described below.
Classified Board
Delaware law provides that, unless otherwise provided in a company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, directors are elected for a one-year term at each annual meeting of stockholders. If this proposal is approved, the Classified Board Amendment would classify our Board into three classes with staggered three-year terms (with the exception of the expiration of the initial Class I and Class II directors).
The members of our Board as of the date of this proxy statement would continue to serve their current terms until the Classified Board Amendment goes into effect or until their respective successors are elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal. The Classified Board Amendment will authorize our Board of Directors to assign directors then in office to Class I, Class II and Class III upon the effectiveness of the classified board structure. The Classified Board Amendment will provide that any such director elected in accordance with our Bylaws to fill a vacancy on our Board of Directors will serve in accordance with our Bylaws until the next election of the class for which such director shall have been chosen and until his or her successor is elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, disability, retirement, resignation or removal.
If the Classified Board Amendment is approved, the Company will implement the classified Board by filing the Classified Board Amendment with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. At each annual meeting of stockholders following the initial classification and election, the successors to the class of directors whose terms expire at each future meeting would be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting after their election and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified. Any vacancies on the Board which occur during the year may be filled by the Board for the remainder of the full term of the affected Class.
Purpose and Effect of a Classified Board
Our Board believes that a classified board structure will help to assure the continuity and stability of our long-term policies in the future and to reduce our vulnerability to hostile and potentially abusive takeover tactics that could be adverse to the best interests of the Company’s stockholders. Our Board believes that, by encouraging potential acquirers to negotiate directly with our Board, thereby giving our Board added leverage in such negotiations, a classified board structure will increase the likelihood of bona fide offers for the Company by serious acquirers. A classified board would not preclude unsolicited acquisition proposals but, by eliminating the threat of imminent removal, would put our Board in a position to act to maximize value for all stockholders. A longer term in office also would allow our directors to stay focused on long-term value creation, without undue pressure that may come from special interest groups intent on pursuing their own agenda at the expense of the interests of the Company and its other stockholders. Further, it would enable us to benefit more effectively from directors’ (particularly non-management directors’) experience, knowledge of the Company and wisdom, while helping us attract and retain highly qualified individuals willing to commit the time and dedication necessary to understand the Company, its operations and its competitive environment. The continuity and quality of leadership that results from a staggered Board should, in the opinion of the Board, promote the long-term value of the Company. Staggered terms for directors may also moderate the pace of change in the Board by extending the time required to elect a majority of directors from one to two annual meetings of stockholders.
While a classified board of directors may have the beneficial effects discussed immediately above, it may also discourage some takeover bids, including some that would otherwise allow stockholders the opportunity to realize a premium over the market price of their stock or that a majority of our stockholders otherwise believes may be in their best interests to accept or where the reason for the desired change is inadequate performance of our directors or management. Because of the additional time required to change control of our Board, a classified board may also make it more difficult and more expensive for a potential acquirer to gain control of our Board and the Company. Currently, a change in control of our Board can be made by stockholders holding a plurality of the votes cast at a single annual
18
meeting where there is a contested director election. If we establish a classified board of directors, it will take at least two annual meetings following the annual meeting at which the classified board structure becomes effective for a potential acquirer to effect a change in control of our Board, even if the potential acquirer were to acquire a majority of our outstanding common stock.
A classified board of directors may increase the amount of time required for a takeover bidder to obtain control of the Company without the cooperation of our Board, even if the takeover bidder were to acquire a majority of the voting power of our outstanding common stock. Without the ability to obtain immediate control of our Board, a takeover bidder will not be able to take action to remove other impediments to its acquisition of our Company. Thus, a classified board of directors could discourage certain takeover attempts, perhaps including some takeovers that stockholders may feel would be in their best interests. Further, a classified board of directors will make it more difficult for stockholders to change the majority composition of our Board, even if our stockholders believe such a change would be beneficial. Because a classified board of directors will make the removal or replacement of directors more difficult, it will increase the directors’ security in their positions, and could be viewed as tending to perpetuate incumbent management.
Required Vote
The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote as of the Record Date is required for approval of the Classified Board Amendment. A failure to submit a proxy card or vote at the Special Meeting, an abstention or a “broker non-vote” will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal.
Recommendation of The Board
The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” approval of the Classified Board Proposal.
19
THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL
Overview
The Adjournment Proposal, if adopted, will allow the Board to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates to permit further solicitation of proxies. The Adjournment Proposal will only be presented to the Company’s stockholders, in the event that, notwithstanding management’s having used commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the approval of the stockholders to the other proposal(s), based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other proposal(s).
Consequences if the Adjournment Proposal is Not Approved
If the Adjournment Proposal is not approved by the stockholders, the Board may not be able to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date in the event that there are insufficient votes for, or otherwise in connection with, the approval of the other proposal(s).
Votes Required
The approval of this proposal requires the affirmative vote of holders of a majority of the shares of common stock present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting. A failure to submit a proxy card or vote at the Special Meeting or an abstention will have the effect of a vote “AGAINST” the Adjournment Proposal and broker “non-votes” will have no effect with respect to the approval of this proposal.
Recommendation of The Board
The Board recommends that stockholders vote “FOR” the approval of the Adjournment Proposal.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owner and Management
The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of the Record Date by:
• each person known to us to beneficially own 5% or more of our common stock;
• each director;
• each of our executive officers; and
• all officers and directors as a group.
All information with respect to beneficial ownership has been furnished by the respective 5% or more stockholders, directors or executive officers, as the case may be. Each person is deemed to own beneficially shares of common stock that are issuable upon exercise of options, warrants or upon conversion of convertible securities if they are exercisable or convertible within 60 days of the Record Date. Except as otherwise indicated each person has the sole power to vote and dispose of all shares of common stock listed opposite his or her name. Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each listed beneficial owner is c/o Fly-E Group, Inc., 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, NY 11354.
|
Name and address of beneficial owner |
Shares |
Percentage |
|||
|
Executive Officers and Directors |
|
||||
|
Zhou Ou |
7,700,000 |
31.32 |
% |
||
|
Shiwen Feng |
— |
— |
% |
||
|
Rui Feng |
1,760,000 |
7.16 |
% |
||
|
Ke Zhang |
7,370,000 |
29.97 |
% |
||
|
Bin Wang |
— |
— |
% |
||
|
Lun Feng |
— |
— |
% |
||
|
Zanfeng Zhang |
— |
— |
% |
||
|
Directors and Officers as a group (seven persons) |
16,830,000 |
68.45 |
% |
||
20
Executive Compensation
The following table shows the compensation awarded to or earned during the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 by our chief executive officer. Other than as listed below, we did not have any officers that received more than $100,000 in compensation during the years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023.
Summary Compensation Table
|
Name and principal position |
Year |
Salary |
Bonus |
Stock |
Option |
All Other |
Total |
|||||||||
|
Zhou Ou |
2024 |
$ |
100,000 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
$ |
100,000 |
|||||||
|
Chief Executive Officer |
2023 |
$ |
100,000 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
$ |
100,000 |
|||||||
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End
None.
Employment Agreements
Zhou Ou, Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Ou has entered into an employment agreement with one of our subsidiaries, FLYEBIKE Inc, dated April 1, 2023. The employment agreement provides that Mr. Zhou Ou will serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and will receive a monthly base salary of $8,333. He will also be entitled to reimbursement for authorized and reasonable expenses. The agreement allows for at-will termination by either party. If Mr. Ou’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, he or his estate will receive salary and benefits through the termination date. The Company may terminate the agreement for cause, releasing it from all further obligations except for accrued salary and benefits through the termination date. “Cause” includes failure or neglect by Mr. Ou to perform duties, disobedience to orders, misconduct such as misappropriation of funds, personal profit from Company transactions, misrepresentation, legal violations, acts involving moral turpitude or unethical conduct, disloyalty including aiding a competitor, failure to devote full-time efforts to the Company, not working exclusively for the Company, non-cooperation in investigations, breaches of the employment agreement or the Company rules, and any other act of misconduct or omission. The agreement includes covenants for non-disclosure, non-solicitation, and non-competition. For two years post-termination, Mr. Ou agrees not to solicit the Company’s customers or engage in competing business activities within New York State.
Director Compensation
The following table sets forth information as to the compensation paid to our directors in the year ended March 31, 2024:
|
Name |
Cash |
Stock |
Total |
|||||
|
Bin Wang(1) |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
|||
|
Lun Feng(1) |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
|||
|
Alan Jacobs(1)(4) |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
|||
|
Zhou Ou(2) |
|
— |
— |
|
— |
|||
|
Ruifeng (Steven) Guo(5) |
$ |
60,000 |
$ |
60,000 |
||||
____________
(1) The appointment of our independent directors took effect upon the effectiveness of the registration statement as of May 14, 2024 and therefore they did not receive any compensation for the year ended March 31, 2024.
(2) Mr. Ou does not receive any additional compensation as a director in addition to his compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.
(3) Mr. Guo receives $5,000 per month for serving as Chief Financial Officer of the Company. Mr. Guo does not receive any additional compensation as a director in addition to his compensation disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table.
(4) On August 15, 2024, Mr. Jacobs resigned as a director of the Board.
(5) On November 6, 2024, Mr. Guo resigned as the Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Board.
21
Director Agreements
Each of the Company’s independent directors, Bin Wang, Lun Feng and Zanfeng Zhang, has entered into an Independent Director Agreement (each, an “Independent Director Agreement”). Under the Independent Director Agreement between us and the independent directors, Mr. Zhang is entitled to an annual cash fee of $30,000, Mr. Wang and Mr. Feng are entitled to an annual cash fee of $50,000, respectively.
We will also reimburse each independent director for pre-approved reasonable business-related expenses incurred in good faith in connection with the performance of the director’s duties for us. As also required under each Independent Director Agreement, we have separately entered into a standard indemnification agreement with each of our directors, the term of which began on the date of the director’s appointment.
22
OTHER INFORMATION
Important Notice Regarding Delivery of Stockholder Documents
If your shares are held in street name, your broker, bank, custodian, or other nominee holder may, upon request, deliver only one copy of this proxy statement to stockholders to multiple stockholders sharing an address, absent contrary instructions from one or more of the stockholders. The Company will, upon request, 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 Corporate Secretary, Fly-E Group, Inc., 136-40 39th Avenue, Flushing, New York 11354. 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.
|
By Order of the Board of Directors, |
||
|
|
||
|
Zhou Ou |
||
|
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman |
||
|
[___], 2025 |
23
Appendix A
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
FORM OF 2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
TABLE OF CONTENTS
|
Page |
||||||||
|
1. |
PURPOSE |
A-1 |
||||||
|
2. |
DEFINITIONS |
A-1 |
||||||
|
3. |
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN |
A-6 |
||||||
|
3.1 |
Committee. |
A-6 |
||||||
|
3.1.1 |
Powers and Authorities. |
A-6 |
||||||
|
3.1.2 |
Composition of the Committee. |
A-6 |
||||||
|
3.1.3 |
Other Committees. |
A-7 |
||||||
|
3.1.4 |
Delegation by the Committee. |
A-7 |
||||||
|
3.2 |
Board. |
A-7 |
||||||
|
3.3 |
Terms of Awards. |
A-7 |
||||||
|
3.3.1 |
Committee Authority. |
A-7 |
||||||
|
3.3.2 |
Forfeiture; Recoupment. |
A-8 |
||||||
|
3.4 |
No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. |
A-8 |
||||||
|
3.5 |
Deferral Arrangement. |
A-8 |
||||||
|
3.6 |
Registration; Share Certificates. |
A-9 |
||||||
|
4. |
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN |
A-9 |
||||||
|
4.1 |
Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards. |
A-9 |
||||||
|
4.2 |
Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock. |
A-9 |
||||||
|
4.3 |
Share Usage. |
A-9 |
||||||
|
5. |
TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION |
A-10 |
||||||
|
5.1 |
Term. |
A-10 |
||||||
|
5.2 |
Amendment, Suspension, and Termination. |
A-10 |
||||||
|
6. |
AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS |
A-10 |
||||||
|
6.1 |
Eligible Grantees. |
A-10 |
||||||
|
6.2 |
Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards. |
A-10 |
||||||
|
7. |
AWARD AGREEMENT |
A-10 |
||||||
|
8. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.1 |
Option Price. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.2 |
Vesting and Exercisability. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.3 |
Term. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.4 |
Termination of Service. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.5 |
Limitations on Exercise of Option. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.6 |
Method of Exercise. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.7 |
Rights of Holders of Options. |
A-11 |
||||||
|
8.8 |
Delivery of Stock. |
A-12 |
||||||
|
8.9 |
Transferability of Options. |
A-12 |
||||||
|
8.10 |
Family Transfers. |
A-12 |
||||||
|
8.11 |
Limitations on Incentive Stock Options. |
A-12 |
||||||
|
8.12 |
Notice of Disqualifying Disposition. |
A-12 |
||||||
A-i
|
Page |
||||||||
|
9. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS |
A-12 |
||||||
|
9.1 |
Right to Payment and SAR Price. |
A-12 |
||||||
|
9.2 |
Other Terms. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
9.3 |
Term. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
9.4 |
Rights of Holders of SARs. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
9.5 |
Transferability of SARs. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
9.6 |
Family Transfers. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
10. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS |
A-13 |
||||||
|
10.1 |
Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units. |
A-13 |
||||||
|
10.2 |
Restrictions. |
A-14 |
||||||
|
10.3 |
Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates. |
A-14 |
||||||
|
10.4 |
Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock. |
A-14 |
||||||
|
10.5 |
Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. |
A-14 |
||||||
|
10.5.1 |
Voting and Dividend Rights. |
A-14 |
||||||
|
10.5.2 |
Creditor’s Rights. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
10.6 |
Termination of Service. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
10.7 |
Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
10.8 |
Delivery of Shares of Stock. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
11. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS |
A-15 |
||||||
|
11.1 |
Unrestricted Stock Awards. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
11.2 |
Other Equity-Based Awards. |
A-15 |
||||||
|
12. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS |
A-16 |
||||||
|
12.1 |
Dividend Equivalent Rights. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
12.2 |
Termination of Service. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13.1 |
Grant of Performance Awards. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13.2 |
Value of Performance Awards. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13.3 |
Earning of Performance Awards. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13.4 |
Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards. |
A-16 |
||||||
|
13.5 |
Performance Conditions. |
A-17 |
||||||
|
13.6 |
Performance Measures. |
A-17 |
||||||
|
14. |
FORMS OF PAYMENT |
A-17 |
||||||
|
14.1 |
General Rule. |
A-17 |
||||||
|
14.2 |
Surrender of Shares of Stock. |
A-17 |
||||||
|
14.3 |
Cashless Exercise. |
A-17 |
||||||
|
14.4 |
Other Forms of Payment. |
A-18 |
||||||
|
15. |
REQUIREMENTS OF LAW |
A-18 |
||||||
|
15.1 |
General. |
A-18 |
||||||
|
15.2 |
Rule 16b-3. |
A-18 |
||||||
|
16. |
EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION |
A-19 |
||||||
|
16.1 |
Changes in Stock. |
A-19 |
||||||
|
16.2 |
Transaction in Which the Company is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control. |
A-19 |
||||||
|
16.3 |
Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed. |
A-19 |
||||||
A-ii
|
Page |
||||||||
|
16.4 |
Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed. |
A-20 |
||||||
|
16.5 |
Adjustments. |
A-20 |
||||||
|
16.6 |
No Limitations on Company. |
A-21 |
||||||
|
17. |
PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS |
A-21 |
||||||
|
18. |
GENERAL PROVISIONS |
A-21 |
||||||
|
18.1 |
Disclaimer of Rights. |
A-21 |
||||||
|
18.2 |
Nonexclusivity of the Plan. |
A-21 |
||||||
|
18.3 |
Withholding Taxes. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.4 |
Captions. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.5 |
Construction. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.6 |
Other Provisions. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.7 |
Number and Gender. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.8 |
Severability. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.9 |
Governing Law. |
A-22 |
||||||
|
18.10 |
Foreign Jurisdictions. |
A-23 |
||||||
|
18.11 |
Section 409A of the Code. |
A-23 |
||||||
|
18.12 |
Limitation on Liability. |
A-23 |
||||||
A-iii
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
1. PURPOSE
The Plan is intended to (a) provide eligible individuals with an incentive to contribute to the success of the Company and to operate and manage the Company’s business in a manner that will provide for the Company’s long-term growth and profitability and that will benefit its stockholders and other important stakeholders, including its employees and customers, and (b) provide a means of recruiting, rewarding, and retaining key personnel. To this end, the Plan provides for the grant of Awards of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Unrestricted Stock, Dividend Equivalent Rights, Other Equity-Based Awards, and cash bonus awards. Any of these Awards may, but need not, be made as performance incentives to reward the holders of such Awards for the achievement of performance goals in accordance with the terms of the Plan. Options granted under the Plan may be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options.
2. DEFINITIONS
For purposes of interpreting the Plan documents, including the Plan and Award Agreements, the following capitalized terms shall have the meanings specified below, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
2.1 “Affiliate” shall mean any Person that controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 of Regulation C under the Securities Act, including any Subsidiary. For purposes of making a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, an entity shall not be considered an Affiliate unless the Company holds a Controlling Interest in such entity. The preceding sentence does not, however, apply for purposes of determining whether Service is uninterrupted for purposes of vesting, exercisability, or expiration of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
2.2 “Applicable Laws” shall mean the legal requirements relating to the Plan and the Awards under (a) applicable provisions of the Code, the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any rules or regulations thereunder, and any other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to the Company or its Affiliates, (b) applicable provisions of the corporate, securities, tax, and other laws, rules, regulations, and government orders of any jurisdiction applicable to Awards granted to residents thereof, and (c) the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.
2.3 “Award” shall mean a grant under the Plan of an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, a Performance Share or other Performance Award, an Other Equity-Based Award, or cash.
2.4 “Award Agreement” shall mean the written agreement, in such written, electronic, or other form as determined by the Committee, between the Company and a Grantee that evidences and sets forth the terms and conditions of an Award.
2.5 “Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act.
2.6 “Benefit Arrangement” shall mean any formal or informal plan or other arrangement for the direct or indirect provision of compensation to a Grantee (including groups or classes of Grantees or beneficiaries of which the Grantee is a member), whether or not such compensation is deferred, is in cash, or is in the form of a benefit to or for the Grantee.
2.7 “Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.8 “Capital Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any and all shares, interests, participations, or other equivalents (however designated, whether voting or non-voting) in equity of such Person, whether outstanding on the Effective Date or issued thereafter, including, without limitation, all shares of Stock.
2.9 “Cause” shall have the meaning set forth in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, and in the absence of any such agreement, shall mean, with respect to any Grantee and as determined by the Committee, (a) gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with the performance of duties; (b) conviction of, or pleading guilty or nolo contendere to, a criminal offense (other than minor traffic offenses); (c) engagement in
A-1
material dishonesty which is injurious to the Company or an Affiliate; (d) engagement in misconduct or gross neglect that causes material harm to the Company or an Affiliate; (e) material violation of the Company’s or an Affiliate’s written policies relating to sexual harassment; or (f) material breach of any term of any employment, consulting or other services, confidentiality, intellectual property, or non-competition agreements, if any, between such Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate. Any determination by the Committee regarding whether an event constituting Cause shall have occurred shall be final, binding, and conclusive.
2.10 “Change in Control” shall mean, subject to Section 18.11, the occurrence of any of the following:
(a) A transaction or a series of related transactions whereby any Person or Group (other than the Company or any Affiliate) becomes the Beneficial Owner of fifty percent (50%) or more of the total voting power of the Voting Stock of the Company, on a Fully Diluted Basis;
(b) Individuals who, as of the Effective Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) (together with any new directors whose election by such Incumbent Board or whose nomination by such Incumbent Board for election by the stockholders of the Company was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the members of such Incumbent Board then in office who either were members of such Incumbent Board or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the members of such Board then in office;
(c) The Company consolidates with, or merges with or into, any Person, or any Person consolidates with, or merges with or into, the Company (regardless of whether the Company is the surviving Person), other than any such transaction in which the Prior Stockholders own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of the surviving Person in such merger or consolidation immediately after such transaction;
(d) The consummation of any direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance, or other disposition (other than by way of reorganization, merger, or consolidation), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, to any Person or Group (other than the Company or any Affiliate), except any such transaction or series of transactions in which the Prior Stockholders own directly or indirectly at least a majority of the voting power of the Voting Stock of such Person or Group immediately after such transaction or series of transactions; or
(e) The consummation of a plan or proposal for the liquidation, winding up, or dissolution of the Company.
The Board shall have full and final authority, in its sole discretion, to determine conclusively whether a Change in Control has occurred pursuant to the above definition, the date of the occurrence of such Change in Control, and any incidental matters relating thereto.
2.11 “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto. References in the Plan to any Code Section shall be deemed to include, as applicable, regulations and guidance promulgated under such Code Section.
2.12 “Committee” shall mean a committee of, and designated from time to time by resolution of, the Board, which shall be constituted as provided in Section 3.1.2 and Section 3.1.3 (or, if no Committee has been so designated, the Board).
2.13 “Company” shall mean Fly-E Group, Inc., a New York corporation, and any successor thereto.
2.14 “Controlling Interest” shall have the meaning set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i); provided that (a) except as specified in clause (b) below, an interest of “at least 50 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i), and (b) where a grant of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights is based upon a legitimate business criterion, an interest of “at least 20 percent” shall be used instead of an interest of “at least 80 percent” in each case where “at least 80 percent” appears in Treasury Regulation Section 1.414(c)-2(b)(2)(i).
2.15 “Deferred Stock Unit” shall mean a Restricted Stock Unit, the terms of which provide for delivery of the underlying shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof subsequent to the date of vesting, at a time or times consistent with the requirements of Code Section 409A.
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2.16 “Disability” shall mean the inability of a Grantee to perform each of the essential duties of such Grantee’s position by reason of a medically determinable physical or mental impairment which is potentially permanent in character or which can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months; provided that, with respect to rules regarding the expiration of an Incentive Stock Option following termination of a Grantee’s Service, Disability shall mean the inability of such Grantee to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of a 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.
2.17 “Disqualified Individual” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 280G(c).
2.18 “Dividend Equivalent Right” shall mean a right, granted to a Grantee pursuant to Article 12, entitling the Grantee thereof to receive, or to receive credits for the future payment of, cash, Stock, other Awards, or other property equal in value to dividend payments or distributions, or other periodic payments, declared or paid with respect to a number of shares of Stock specified in such Dividend Equivalent Right (or other Award to which such Dividend Equivalent Right relates) as if such shares of Stock had been issued to and held by the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Right as of the record date of the declaration thereof.
2.19 “Effective Date” shall mean the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders in accordance with Section 5.1.
2.20 “Employee” shall mean, as of any date of determination, an employee (including an officer) of the Company or an Affiliate.
2.21 “Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.
2.22 “Fair Market Value” shall mean the fair market value of a share of Stock for purposes of the Plan, which shall be, as of any date of determination:
(a) If on such date the shares of Stock are listed on a Stock Exchange, or are publicly traded on another Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock as reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market (provided that, if there is more than one such Stock Exchange or Securities Market, the Committee shall designate the appropriate Stock Exchange or Securities Market for purposes of the Fair Market Value determination). If there is no such reported closing price on such date, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the closing price of the Stock on the next preceding day on which any sale of Stock shall have been reported on such Stock Exchange or such Securities Market.
(b) If on such date the shares of Stock are not listed on a Stock Exchange or publicly traded on a Securities Market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock shall be the value of the Stock as determined by the Committee by the reasonable application of a reasonable valuation method, in a manner consistent with Code Section 409A.
Notwithstanding this Section 2.22 or Section 18.3, for purposes of determining taxable income and the amount of the related tax withholding obligation pursuant to Section 18.3, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith using any reasonable method it deems appropriate, to be applied consistently with respect to Grantees; provided that the Committee shall determine the Fair Market Value of shares of Stock for tax withholding obligations due in connection with sales, by or on behalf of a Grantee, of such shares of Stock subject to an Award to pay the Option Price, SAR Price, and/or any tax withholding obligation on the same date on which such shares may first be sold pursuant to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement (including broker-assisted cashless exercises of Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, as described in Section 14.3, and sell-to-cover transactions) in any manner consistent with applicable provisions of the Code, including, without limitation, by using the sale price of such shares on such date (or if sales of such shares are effectuated at more than one sale price, the weighted average sale price of such shares on such date) as the Fair Market Value of such shares, so long as such Grantee has provided the Company, or its designee or agent, with advance written notice of such sale.
2.23 “Family Member” shall mean, with respect to any Grantee as of any date of determination, (a) a Person who is a spouse, former spouse, child, stepchild, grandchild, parent, stepparent, grandparent, niece, nephew, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother, sister, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law, including adoptive relationships, of such Grantee, (b) any Person sharing such Grantee’s household (other than a tenant or employee), (c)
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a trust in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the beneficial interest, (d) a foundation in which any one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) control the management of assets, and (e) any other entity in which one or more of the Persons specified in clauses (a) and (b) above (and such Grantee) own more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests.
2.24 “Fully Diluted Basis” shall mean, as of any date of determination, the sum of (x) the number of shares of Voting Stock outstanding as of such date of determination plus (y) the number of shares of Voting Stock issuable upon the exercise, conversion, or exchange of all then-outstanding warrants, options, convertible Capital Stock or indebtedness, exchangeable Capital Stock or indebtedness, or other rights exercisable for or convertible or exchangeable into, directly or indirectly, shares of Voting Stock, whether at the time of issue or upon the passage of time or upon the occurrence of some future event, and whether or not in-the-money as of such date of determination.
2.25 “Grant Date” shall mean, as determined by the Committee, the latest to occur of (a) the date as of which the Committee approves the Award, (b) the date on which the recipient of an Award first becomes eligible to receive an Award under Article 6 hereof, or (c) such date later than the dates specified in clauses (a) and (b) specified by the Committee in the corporate action approving the Award.
2.26 “Grantee” shall mean a Person who receives or holds an Award under the Plan.
2.27 “Group” shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.
2.28 “Incentive Stock Option” shall mean an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Code Section 422.
2.29 “Non-Employee Director” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.
2.30 “Nonqualified Stock Option” shall mean an Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.
2.31 “Officer” shall have the meaning set forth in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act.
2.32 “Option” shall mean an option to purchase one or more shares of Stock at a specified Option Price awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 8.
2.33 “Option Price” shall mean the per share exercise price for shares of Stock subject to an Option.
2.34 “Other Agreement” shall mean any agreement, contract, or understanding heretofore or hereafter entered into by a Grantee with the Company or an Affiliate, except an agreement, contract, or understanding that expressly addresses Code Section 280G and/or Code Section 4999.
2.35 “Other Equity-Based Award” shall mean an Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Stock, other than an Option, a Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, a Restricted Stock Unit, a Deferred Stock Unit, Unrestricted Stock, a Dividend Equivalent Right, or a Performance Share or other Performance Award.
2.36 “Parachute Payment” shall mean a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Code Section 280G(b)(2), or the corresponding provision of any subsequently enacted tax statute, as amended from time to time.
2.37 “Performance Award” shall mean an Award of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Performance Shares, Other Equity-Based Awards, or cash made subject to the achievement of Performance Measures (as provided in Article 13) over a Performance Period specified by the Committee.
2.38 “Performance Measures” shall mean performance criteria on which performance goals under Performance Awards are based.
2.39 “Performance Period” shall mean the period of time, up to ten (10) years, during or over which the Performance Measures under Performance Awards must be met in order to determine the degree of payout and/or vesting with respect to any such Performance Awards.
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2.40 “Performance Shares” shall mean a Performance Award representing a right or other interest that may be denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to Stock, made subject to the achievement of Performance Measures (as provided in Article 13) over a Performance Period of up to ten (10) years.
2.41 “Person” shall mean an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a limited liability company, an association, a trust, or any other entity or organization, including a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof; provided that, for purposes of Section 2.10(a) and Section 2.10(d), Person shall have the meaning set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act.
2.42 “Plan” shall mean this Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended and/or restated from time to time.
2.43 “Prior Stockholders” shall mean the holders of equity securities that represented one hundred percent (100%) of the Voting Stock of the Company immediately prior to a reorganization, merger, or consolidation involving the Company or any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole (or other equity securities into which the Stock or such other equity securities are converted as part of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation transaction).
2.44 “Restricted Period” shall mean a period of time established by the Committee during which an Award of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is subject to restrictions.
2.45 “Restricted Stock” shall mean shares of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 10.
2.46 “Restricted Stock Unit” shall mean a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one (1) share of Stock awarded to a Grantee pursuant to Article 10 that may be settled, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement, in shares of Stock, cash, or a combination thereof.
2.47 “SAR Price” shall mean the per share exercise price of a SAR.
2.48 “Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as now in effect or as hereafter amended, and any successor thereto.
2.49 “Securities Market” shall mean an established securities market.
2.50 “Separation from Service” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.
2.51 “Service” shall mean service qualifying a Grantee as a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee’s change in position or duties shall not result in interrupted or terminated Service, so long as such Grantee continues to be a Service Provider to the Company or an Affiliate. Subject to the preceding sentence, any determination by the Committee whether a termination of Service shall have occurred for purposes of the Plan shall be final, binding, and conclusive. If a Service Provider’s employment or other Service relationship is with an Affiliate and the applicable entity ceases to be an Affiliate, a termination of Service shall be deemed to have occurred when such entity ceases to be an Affiliate unless the Service Provider transfers his or her employment or other Service relationship to the Company or any other Affiliate.
2.52 “Service Provider” shall mean (a) an Employee or director of the Company or an Affiliate, or (b) a consultant or adviser to the Company or an Affiliate (i) who is a natural person, (ii) who is currently providing bona fide services to the Company or an Affiliate, and (iii) whose services are not in connection with the Company’s sale of securities in a capital-raising transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s Capital Stock.
2.53 “Service Recipient Stock” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.
2.54 “Share Limit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1.
2.55 “Short-Term Deferral Period” shall have the meaning set forth in Code Section 409A.
2.56 “Stock” shall mean the common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the Company, or any security into which shares of Stock may be changed or for which shares of Stock may be exchanged as provided in Section 16.1.
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2.57 “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” shall mean a right granted to a Grantee pursuant to Article 9.
2.58 “Stock Exchange” shall mean the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or another established national or regional stock exchange.
2.59 “Subsidiary” shall mean any corporation (other than the Company) or non-corporate entity with respect to which the Company owns, directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of Voting Stock. In addition, any other entity may be designated by the Committee as a Subsidiary, provided that (a) such entity could be considered as a subsidiary according to generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America and (b) in the case of an Award of Options or Stock Appreciation Rights, such Award would be considered to be granted in respect of Service Recipient Stock under Code Section 409A.
2.60 “Substitute Award” shall mean an Award granted upon assumption of, or in substitution for, outstanding awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or a business entity acquired or to be acquired by the Company or an Affiliate or with which the Company or an Affiliate has combined or will combine.
2.61 “Ten Percent Stockholder” shall mean a natural Person who owns more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of Voting Stock of the Company, the Company’s parent (if any), or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries. In determining stock ownership, the attribution rules of Code Section 424(d) shall be applied.
2.62 “Unrestricted Stock” shall mean Stock that is free of any restrictions.
2.63 “Voting Stock” shall mean, with respect to any Person, Capital Stock of any class or kind ordinarily having the power to vote for the election of directors, managers, or other voting members of the governing body of such Person. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Stock shall be Voting Stock of the Company.
3. ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN
3.1 Committee.
3.1.1 Powers and Authorities.
The Committee shall administer the Plan and shall have such powers and authorities related to the administration of the Plan as are consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall have full power and authority to take all actions and to make all determinations required or provided for under the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement and shall have full power and authority to take all such other actions and to make all such other determinations not inconsistent with the specific terms and provisions of the Plan which the Committee deems to be necessary or appropriate to the administration of the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. All such actions and determinations shall be made by (a) the affirmative vote of a majority of the members of the Committee present at a meeting at which a quorum is present, or (b) the unanimous consent of the members of the Committee executed in writing or evidenced by electronic transmission in accordance with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws. Unless otherwise expressly determined by the Board, the Committee shall have the authority to interpret and construe all provisions of the Plan, any Award, and any Award Agreement, and any such interpretation or construction, and any other determination contemplated to be made under the Plan or any Award Agreement, by the Committee shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all Persons, whether or not expressly provided for in any provision of the Plan, such Award, or such Award Agreement.
In the event that the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement provides for any action to be taken by the Board or any determination to be made by the Board, such action may be taken or such determination may be made by the Committee constituted in accordance with this Section 3.1 if the Board has delegated the power and authority to do so to such Committee.
3.1.2 Composition of the Committee.
The Committee shall be a committee composed of not fewer than two (2) directors of the Company designated by the Board to administer the Plan.
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Each member of the Committee shall (a) be a Non-Employee Director and (b) satisfy the composition requirements of any Stock Exchange on which the Stock is listed. Any action taken by the Committee shall be valid and effective whether or not members of the Committee at the time of such action are later determined not to have satisfied the requirements for membership set forth in this Section 3.1.2 or otherwise provided in any charter of the Committee. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee may be the Compensation Committee of the Board or a subcommittee thereof.
3.1.3 Other Committees.
The Board also may appoint one or more committees of the Board, each composed of one or more directors of the Company, which (a) may administer the Plan with respect to Grantees who are not Officers or directors of the Company, (b) may grant Awards under the Plan to such Grantees, and (c) may determine all terms of such Awards subject, if applicable, to the requirements of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.
3.1.4 Delegation by the Committee.
If and to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, the Committee, by resolution, may delegate some or all of its authority with respect to the Plan and Awards to the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and/or any other officer of the Company designated by the Committee, provided that the Committee may not delegate its authority hereunder (a) to make Awards to directors of the Company, (b) to make Awards to Employees who are (i) Officers or (ii) officers of the Company who are delegated authority by the Committee pursuant to this Section 3.1.4, or (c) to interpret the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Any delegation hereunder will be subject to the restrictions and limits that the Committee specifies at the time of such delegation or thereafter. Nothing in the Plan will be construed as obligating the Committee to delegate authority to any officer of the Company, and the Committee may at any time rescind the authority delegated to an officer of the Company appointed hereunder and delegate authority to one or more other officers of the Company. At all times, an officer of the Company delegated authority pursuant to this Section 3.1.4 will serve in such capacity at the pleasure of the Committee. Any action undertaken by any such officer of the Company in accordance with the Committee’s delegation of authority will have the same force and effect as if undertaken directly by the Committee, and any reference in the Plan to the “Committee” will, to the extent consistent with the terms and limitations of such delegation, be deemed to include a reference to each such officer.
3.2 Board.
The Board, from time to time, may exercise any or all of the powers and authorities related to the administration and implementation of the Plan, as set forth in Section 3.1 and other applicable provisions of the Plan, as the Board shall determine, consistent with the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Applicable Laws.
3.3 Terms of Awards.
3.3.1 Committee Authority.
Subject to the other terms and conditions of the Plan, the Committee shall have full and final authority to:
(a) designate Grantees;
(b) determine the type or types of Awards to be made to a Grantee;
(c) determine the number of shares of Stock to be subject to an Award or to which an Award relates;
(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award (including the Option Price of any Option, the SAR Price for any Stock Appreciation Right, and the purchase price for applicable Awards, the nature and duration of any restriction or condition (or provision for lapse thereof) relating to the vesting, exercise, transfer, or forfeiture of an Award or the shares of Stock subject thereto, the treatment of an Award in the event of a Change in Control (subject to applicable agreements), and any terms or conditions that may be necessary to qualify Options as Incentive Stock Options);
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(e) prescribe the form of each Award Agreement evidencing an Award;
(f) subject to the limitation on repricing in Section 3.4, amend, modify, or supplement the terms of any outstanding Award, which authority shall include the authority, in order to effectuate the purposes of the Plan but without amending the Plan, to make Awards or to modify outstanding Awards made to eligible natural Persons who are foreign nationals or are natural Persons who are employed outside the United States to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom; provided that, notwithstanding the foregoing, no amendment, modification, or supplement of the terms of any outstanding Award shall, without the consent of the Grantee thereof, impair such Grantee’s rights under such Award; and
(g) make Substitute Awards.
3.3.2 Forfeiture; Recoupment.
The Committee may reserve the right in an Award Agreement to cause a forfeiture of the gain realized by a Grantee with respect to an Award thereunder on account of actions taken by, or failed to be taken by, such Grantee in violation or breach of, or in conflict with, any (a) employment agreement, (b) non-competition agreement, (c) agreement prohibiting solicitation of Employees or clients of the Company or an Affiliate, (d) confidentiality obligation with respect to the Company or an Affiliate, (e) policy or procedure of the Company or an Affiliate, (f) other agreement, or (g) other obligation of such Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate, as and to the extent specified in such Award Agreement. If the Grantee of an outstanding Award is an Employee of the Company or an Affiliate and such Grantee’s Service is terminated for Cause, the Committee may annul such Grantee’s outstanding Award as of the date of the Grantee’s termination of Service for Cause.
Any Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to mandatory repayment by the Grantee to the Company (x) to the extent set forth in the Plan or an Award Agreement or (y) to the extent the Grantee is, or in the future becomes, subject to (1) any Company or Affiliate “clawback” or recoupment policy that is adopted to comply with the requirements of any Applicable Laws, or (2) any Applicable Laws which impose mandatory recoupment, under circumstances set forth in such Applicable Laws.
3.4 No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval.
Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (including, without limitation, any stock dividend, distribution (whether in the form of cash, shares of Stock, other securities, or other property), stock split, extraordinary dividend, recapitalization, Change in Control, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of shares of Stock, or other securities or similar transaction), the Company may not: (a) amend the terms of outstanding Options or SARs to reduce the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of such outstanding Options or SARs; (b) cancel outstanding Options or SARs in exchange for, or in substitution of, Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, that is less than the Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, of the original Options or SARs; or (c) cancel outstanding Options or SARs with an Option Price or SAR Price, as applicable, above the current Fair Market Value in exchange for cash or other securities, in each case, unless such action (i) is subject to and approved by the Company’s stockholders or (ii) would not be deemed to be a repricing under the rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.
3.5 Deferral Arrangement.
The Committee may permit or require the deferral of any payment pursuant to any Award into a deferred compensation arrangement, subject to such rules and procedures as it may establish, which may include provisions for the payment or crediting of interest or Dividend Equivalent Rights and, in connection therewith, provisions for converting such credits into Deferred Stock Units and for restricting deferrals to comply with hardship distribution rules affecting tax-qualified retirement plans subject to Code Section 401(k)(2)(B)(IV), provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. Any such deferrals shall be made in a manner that complies with Code Section 409A, including, if applicable, with respect to when a Separation from Service occurs.
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3.6 Registration; Share Certificates.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, the ownership of the shares of Stock issued under the Plan may be evidenced in such a manner as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate, including by book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or the issuance of one or more share certificates.
4. STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN
4.1 Number of Shares of Stock Available for Awards.
Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2 and Section 4.3(c), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 16, the maximum number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be equal to 2,500,000 shares of Stock (the “Share Limit”). Such shares of Stock may be authorized and unissued shares of Stock, treasury shares of Stock, or any combination of the foregoing, as may be determined from time to time by the Board or by the Committee. Any of the shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and any or all of the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.
4.2 Adjustments in Authorized Shares of Stock.
In connection with mergers, reorganizations, separations, or other transactions to which Code Section 424(a) applies, the Committee shall have the right to cause the Company to assume awards previously granted under a compensatory plan of another business entity that is a party to such transaction and to grant Substitute Awards under the Plan for such awards. The Share Limit pursuant to Section 4.1 shall be increased by the number of shares of Stock subject to any such assumed awards and Substitute Awards. Shares available for issuance under a stockholder-approved plan of a business entity that is a party to such transaction (as appropriately adjusted, if necessary, to reflect such transaction) may be used for Awards under the Plan and shall not reduce the number of shares of Stock otherwise available for issuance under the Plan, subject to applicable rules of any Stock Exchange or Securities Market on which the Stock is listed or publicly traded.
4.3 Share Usage.
(a) Shares of Stock covered by an Award shall be counted as used as of the Grant Date for purposes of calculating the number of shares of Stock available for issuance under Section 4.1.
(b) Any shares of Stock that are subject to Awards, including shares of Stock acquired through dividend reinvestment pursuant to Article 10, will be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to an Award. The number of shares of Stock subject to an Award of SARs will be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as one (1) share of Stock for every one (1) share of Stock subject to such Award regardless of the number of shares of Stock actually issued to settle such SARs upon the exercise of the SARs. At least the target number of shares of Stock issuable under a Performance Award grant shall be counted against the Share Limit set forth in Section 4.1 as of the Grant Date, but such number shall be adjusted to equal the actual number of shares of Stock issued upon settlement of the Performance Award to the extent different from such target number of shares of Stock.
(c) If any shares of Stock covered by an Award granted under the Plan are not purchased or are forfeited or expire or if an Award otherwise terminates without delivery of any Stock subject thereto or is settled in cash in lieu of shares, then the number of shares of Stock counted against the Share Limit with respect to such Award shall, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination, expiration, or settlement, again be available for making Awards under the Plan.
(d) The number of shares of Stock available for issuance under the Plan will not be increased by the number of shares of Stock (i) tendered, withheld, or subject to an Award granted under the Plan surrendered in connection with the purchase of shares of Stock upon exercise of an Option, (ii) that were not issued upon the net settlement or net exercise of a Stock-settled SAR granted under the Plan, (iii) deducted or delivered from payment of an Award granted under the Plan in connection with the Company’s tax withholding obligations as provided in Section 18.3, or (iv) purchased by the Company with proceeds from Option exercises.
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5. TERM; AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION
5.1 Term.
The Plan shall become effective as of the Effective Date, subject to approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date. Upon approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders, all Awards made under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall be fully effective as if the stockholders of the Company had approved the Plan on the Effective Date. If the Stockholders do not approve the Plan within twelve (12) months of the Effective Date, any Awards made under the Plan on or after the Effective Date shall not be exercisable, settleable, or deliverable, except to the extent such Awards could have otherwise been made under the Plan. The Plan shall terminate on the first to occur of (a) 11:59PM ET on the day before the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date, (b) the date determined in accordance with Section 5.2, and (c) the date determined in accordance with Section 16.3. Upon such termination of the Plan, all outstanding Awards shall continue to have full force and effect in accordance with the provisions of the terminated Plan and the applicable Award Agreement (or other documents evidencing such Awards).
5.2 Amendment, Suspension, and Termination.
The Board may, at any time and from time to time, amend, suspend, or terminate the Plan; provided that, with respect to Awards theretofore granted under the Plan, no amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan shall, without the consent of any Grantee affected thereby, impair the rights or obligations under any such Award. The effectiveness of any amendment to the Plan shall be conditioned upon approval of such amendment by the Company’s stockholders to the extent provided by the Board or required by Applicable Laws; provided that no amendment shall be made to the no-repricing provisions of Section 3.4, the Option pricing provisions of Section 8.1, or the SAR pricing provisions of Section 9.1 without the approval of the Company’s stockholders.
6. AWARD ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS
6.1 Eligible Grantees.
Subject to this Article 6, Awards may be made under the Plan to (a) any Service Provider, as the Committee shall determine and designate from time to time, and (b) any other individual whose participation in the Plan is determined to be in the best interests of the Company by the Committee.
6.2 Stand-Alone, Additional, Tandem, and Substitute Awards.
Subject to Section 3.4, Awards granted under the Plan may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with, or in substitution or exchange for, (a) any other Award, (b) any award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, or (c) any other right of a Grantee to receive payment from the Company or an Affiliate. Such additional, tandem, exchange, or Substitute Awards may be granted at any time. If an Award is granted in substitution or exchange for another Award, or for an award granted under another plan of the Company, an Affiliate, or any business entity that has been a party to a transaction with the Company or an Affiliate, the Committee shall require the surrender of such other Award or award under such other plan in consideration for the grant of such exchange or Substitute Award. In addition, Awards may be granted in lieu of cash compensation, including in lieu of cash payments under other plans of the Company or an Affiliate. Notwithstanding Section 8.1 and Section 9.1, but subject to Section 3.4, the Option Price of an Option or the SAR Price of a SAR that is a Substitute Award may be less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the original Grant Date; provided that such Option Price or SAR Price is determined in accordance with the principles of Code Section 424 for any Incentive Stock Option and consistent with Code Section 409A for any other Option or SAR.
7. AWARD AGREEMENT
Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement, which shall be in such form or forms as the Committee shall from time to time determine. Award Agreements utilized under the Plan from time to time or at the same time need not contain similar provisions but shall be consistent with the terms of the Plan. Each Award Agreement evidencing an Award of Options shall specify whether such Options are intended to be Nonqualified Stock Options or Incentive Stock Options, and, in the absence of such specification, such Options shall be deemed to constitute Nonqualified Stock Options. In the event of any inconsistency between the Plan and an Award Agreement, the provisions of the Plan shall control.
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8. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS
8.1 Option Price.
The Option Price of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement evidencing such Option. Except in the case of Substitute Awards, the Option Price of each Option shall be at least the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date; provided that, in the event that a Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, the Option Price of an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be not less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date. In no case shall the Option Price of any Option be less than the par value of one (1) share of Stock.
8.2 Vesting and Exercisability.
Subject to Sections 8.3 and 16.3, each Option granted under the Plan shall become vested and/or exercisable at such times and under such conditions as shall be determined by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing; provided that no Option shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.
8.3 Term.
Each Option granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder shall cease, on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option, or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such Option; provided that, in the event that the Grantee is a Ten Percent Stockholder, an Option granted to such Grantee that is intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall not be exercisable after the fifth (5th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such Option; and provided, further, that, to the extent deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee to reflect differences in local law, tax policy, or custom with respect to any Option granted to a Grantee who is a foreign national or is a natural Person who is employed outside the United States, such Option may terminate, and all rights to purchase shares of Stock thereunder may cease, upon the expiration of a period longer than ten (10) years from the Grant Date of such Option as the Committee shall determine.
8.4 Termination of Service.
Each Award Agreement with respect to the grant of an Option shall set forth the extent to which the Grantee thereof, if at all, shall have the right to exercise such Option following termination of such Grantee’s Service. Such provisions shall be determined in the sole discretion of the Committee, need not be uniform among all Options issued pursuant to the Plan, and may reflect distinctions based on the reasons for termination of Service.
8.5 Limitations on Exercise of Option.
Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, in no event may any Option be exercised, in whole or in part, after the occurrence of an event referred to in Article 16 which results in the termination of such Option.
8.6 Method of Exercise.
Subject to the terms of Article 14 and Section 18.3, an Option that is exercisable may be exercised by the Grantee’s delivery to the Company or its designee or agent of notice of exercise on any business day, at the Company’s principal office or the office of such designee or agent, on the form specified by the Company and in accordance with any additional procedures specified by the Committee. Such notice shall specify the number of shares of Stock with respect to which such Option is being exercised and shall be accompanied by payment in full of the Option Price of the shares of Stock for which such Option is being exercised, plus the amount (if any) of federal and/or other taxes which the Company may, in its judgment, be required to withhold with respect to the exercise of such Option.
8.7 Rights of Holders of Options.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising an Option shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock subject to such Option, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock subject to such Option, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares
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of Stock subject thereto are fully paid and issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Article 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock subject to an Option for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock.
8.8 Delivery of Stock.
Promptly after the exercise of an Option by a Grantee and the payment in full of the Option Price with respect thereto, such Grantee shall be entitled to receive such evidence of such Grantee’s ownership of the shares of Stock subject to such Option as shall be consistent with Section 3.6.
8.9 Transferability of Options.
Except as provided in Section 8.10, during the lifetime of a Grantee of an Option, only such Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such Option. Except as provided in Section 8.10, no Option shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
8.10 Family Transfers.
If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement and by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of an Option which is not an Incentive Stock Option to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 8.10, a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 8.10, any such Option shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable thereto immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred Options shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 8.10 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution. The provisions of Section 8.4 relating to termination of Service shall continue to be applied with respect to the original Grantee of the Option, following which such Option shall be exercisable by the transferee only to the extent, and for the periods specified, in Section 8.4.
8.11 Limitations on Incentive Stock Options.
An Option shall constitute an Incentive Stock Option only (a) if the Grantee of such Option is an Employee of the Company or any corporate Subsidiary, (b) to the extent specifically provided in the related Award Agreement, and (c) to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time such Option is granted) of the shares of Stock with respect to which all Incentive Stock Options held by such Grantee become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year (under the Plan and all other plans of the Company and its Affiliates) does not exceed one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000). Except to the extent provided in the regulations under Code Section 422, this limitation shall be applied by taking Options into account in the order in which they were granted.
8.12 Notice of Disqualifying Disposition.
If any Grantee shall make any disposition of shares of Stock issued pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option under the circumstances provided in Code Section 421(b) (relating to certain disqualifying dispositions), such Grantee shall notify the Company of such disposition immediately but in no event later than ten (10) days thereafter.
9. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS
9.1 Right to Payment and SAR Price.
A SAR shall confer on the Grantee to whom it is granted a right to receive, upon exercise thereof, the excess of (a) the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the date of exercise, over (b) the SAR Price as determined by the Committee. The Award Agreement for a SAR shall specify the SAR Price, which shall be no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR. SARs may be granted in tandem with all or part of an Option granted under the Plan or at any subsequent time during the term of such Option, in combination with all or any part of any other Award, or without regard to any Option or other Award; provided that a SAR that is granted
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in tandem with all or part of an Option will have the same term, and expire at the same time, as the related Option; provided, further, that a SAR that is granted subsequent to the Grant Date of a related Option must have a SAR Price that is no less than the Fair Market Value of one (1) share of Stock on the Grant Date of such SAR.
9.2 Other Terms.
The Committee shall determine, on the Grant Date or thereafter, the time or times at which, and the circumstances under which, a SAR may be exercised in whole or in part (including based on achievement of performance goals and/or future Service requirements); the time or times at which SARs shall cease to be or become exercisable following termination of Service or upon other conditions; the method of exercise, method of settlement, form of consideration payable in settlement, method by or forms in which shares of Stock shall be delivered or deemed to be delivered to Grantees, whether or not a SAR shall be granted in tandem or in combination with any other Award; and any and all other terms and conditions of any SAR; provided that no SARs shall be granted to Grantees who are entitled to overtime under Applicable Laws that will vest or be exercisable within a six (6)-month period starting on the Grant Date.
9.3 Term.
Each SAR granted under the Plan shall terminate, and all rights thereunder shall cease, on the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date of such SAR or under such circumstances and on such date prior thereto as is set forth in the Plan or as may be fixed by the Committee and stated in the Award Agreement relating to such SAR.
9.4 Rights of Holders of SARs.
Unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, a Grantee or other Person holding or exercising a SAR shall have none of the rights of a stockholder of the Company (for example, the right to receive cash or dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders) until the shares of Stock underlying such SAR, if any, are issued to such Grantee or other Person. Except as provided in Article 16, no adjustment shall be made for dividends, distributions, or other rights with respect to any shares of Stock underlying a SAR for which the record date is prior to the date of issuance of such shares of Stock, if any.
9.5 Transferability of SARs.
Except as provided in Section 9.6, during the lifetime of a Grantee of a SAR, only the Grantee (or, in the event of such Grantee’s legal incapacity or incompetency, such Grantee’s guardian or legal representative) may exercise such SAR. Except as provided in Section 9.6, no SAR shall be assignable or transferable by the Grantee to whom it is granted, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
9.6 Family Transfers.
If authorized in the applicable Award Agreement and by the Committee, in its sole discretion, a Grantee may transfer, not for value, all or part of a SAR to any Family Member. For the purpose of this Section 9.6, a transfer “not for value” is a transfer which is (a) a gift, (b) a transfer under a domestic relations order in settlement of marital property rights, or (c) unless Applicable Laws do not permit such transfer, a transfer to an entity in which more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting interests are owned by Family Members (and/or the Grantee) in exchange for an interest in such entity. Following a transfer under this Section 9.6, any such SAR shall continue to be subject to the same terms and conditions as were in effect immediately prior to such transfer. Subsequent transfers of transferred SARs shall be prohibited except to Family Members of the original Grantee in accordance with this Section 9.6 or by will or the laws of descent and distribution.
10. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF RESTRICTED STOCK, RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS, AND DEFERRED STOCK UNITS
10.1 Grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units.
Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may be made for consideration or for no consideration, other than the par value of the shares of Stock, which shall be deemed paid by past Service or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, the promise by the Grantee to perform future Service to the Company or an Affiliate.
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10.2 Restrictions.
At the time a grant of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units is made, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (a) establish a Restricted Period applicable to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units and (b) prescribe restrictions in addition to or other than the expiration of the Restricted Period, including the achievement of corporate or individual performance goals, which may be applicable to all or any portion of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units as provided in Article 13. Awards of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, and Deferred Stock Units may not be sold, transferred, assigned, pledged, or otherwise encumbered or disposed of during the Restricted Period or prior to the satisfaction of any other restrictions prescribed by the Committee with respect to such Awards.
10.3 Registration; Restricted Stock Certificates.
Pursuant to Section 3.6, to the extent that ownership of Restricted Stock is evidenced by a book-entry registration or direct registration (including transaction advices), such registration shall be notated to evidence the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to Section 3.6 and the immediately following sentence, the Company may issue, in the name of each Grantee to whom Restricted Stock has been granted, certificates representing the total number of shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Grantee, as soon as reasonably practicable after the Grant Date of such Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement with respect to an Award of Restricted Stock that either (a) the Secretary of the Company shall hold such certificates for such Grantee’s benefit until such time as such shares of Restricted Stock are forfeited to the Company or the restrictions applicable thereto lapse and such Grantee shall deliver a stock power to the Company with respect to each certificate, or (b) such certificates shall be delivered to such Grantee, provided that such certificates shall bear legends that comply with Applicable Laws and make appropriate reference to the restrictions imposed on such Award of Restricted Stock under the Plan and such Award Agreement.
10.4 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock.
Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Plan, any applicable Company program, and the applicable Award Agreement, holders of Restricted Stock shall have the right to vote such shares of Restricted Stock and the right to receive any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid with respect to such shares of Restricted Stock. The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock that (a) any cash dividend payments or distributions paid on Restricted Stock shall be reinvested in shares of Stock, which may or may not be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock or (b) any dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock shall only be made or paid upon satisfaction of the vesting conditions and restrictions applicable to such shares of Restricted Stock. Dividend payments or distributions declared or paid on shares of Restricted Stock which vest or are earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such shares of Restricted Stock are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such shares of Restricted Stock shall promptly forfeit and, to the extent already paid or distributed, repay to the Company such dividend payments or distributions. All stock dividend payments or distributions, if any, received by a Grantee with respect to shares of Restricted Stock as a result of any stock split, stock dividend, combination of stock, or other similar transaction shall be subject to the same vesting conditions and restrictions as applicable to such underlying shares of Restricted Stock.
10.5 Rights of Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.
10.5.1 Voting and Dividend Rights.
Holders of Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights as stockholders of the Company (for example, the right to receive dividend payments or distributions attributable to the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, to direct the voting of the shares of Stock underlying such Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units, or to receive notice of any meeting of the Company’s stockholders). The Committee may provide in an Award Agreement evidencing a grant of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units that the holder of such Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units, as applicable, shall be entitled to receive Dividend Equivalent Rights, in accordance with Article 12.
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10.5.2 Creditor’s Rights.
A holder of Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general unsecured creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units represent unfunded and unsecured obligations of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Award Agreement.
10.6 Termination of Service.
Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of such Grantee’s Service, any Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect thereto, including any right to vote such Restricted Stock or any right to receive dividends or Dividend Equivalent Rights, as applicable, with respect to such Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units.
10.7 Purchase of Restricted Stock and Shares of Stock Subject to Restricted Stock Units and Deferred Stock Units.
The Grantee of an Award of Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be required, to the extent required by Applicable Laws, to purchase such Restricted Stock or the shares of Stock subject to such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units from the Company at a purchase price equal to the greater of (x) the aggregate par value of the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock or such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units or (y) the purchase price, if any, specified in the Award Agreement relating to such Restricted Stock or such vested Restricted Stock Units or Deferred Stock Units. Such purchase price shall be payable in a form provided in Article 14 or, in the sole discretion of the Committee, in consideration for Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate.
10.8 Delivery of Shares of Stock.
Upon the expiration or termination of any Restricted Period and the satisfaction of any other conditions prescribed by the Committee, including, without limitation, any performance goals or delayed delivery period, the restrictions applicable to Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units settled in shares of Stock shall lapse, and, unless otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, a book-entry or direct registration (including transaction advices) or a certificate evidencing ownership of such shares of Stock shall, consistent with Section 3.6, be issued, free of all such restrictions, to the Grantee thereof or such Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, as the case may be. Neither the Grantee, nor the Grantee’s beneficiary or estate, shall have any further rights with regard to a Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit once the shares of Stock represented by such Restricted Stock Unit or Deferred Stock Unit have been delivered in accordance with this Section 10.8.
11. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF UNRESTRICTED STOCK AWARDS AND OTHER EQUITY-BASED AWARDS
11.1 Unrestricted Stock Awards.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant (or sell at the par value of a share of Stock or at such other higher purchase price as shall be determined by the Committee) an Award to any Grantee pursuant to which such Grantee may receive shares of Unrestricted Stock under the Plan. Awards of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold to any Grantee as provided in the immediately preceding sentence in respect of Service rendered or, if so provided in the related Award Agreement or a separate agreement, to be rendered by the Grantee to the Company or an Affiliate or other valid consideration, in lieu of or in addition to any cash compensation due to such Grantee.
11.2 Other Equity-Based Awards.
The Committee may, in its sole discretion, grant Awards in the form of Other Equity-Based Awards, as deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purposes of the Plan. Awards granted pursuant to this Section 11.2 may be granted with vesting, value, and/or payment contingent upon the achievement of one or more performance goals. The Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of Other Equity-Based Awards on the Grant Date or thereafter. Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise
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in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, but prior to termination of Grantee’s Service, upon the termination of a Grantee’s Service, any Other Equity-Based Awards held by such Grantee that have not vested, or with respect to which all applicable restrictions and conditions have not lapsed, shall immediately be deemed forfeited. Upon forfeiture of any Other Equity-Based Award, the Grantee thereof shall have no further rights with respect to such Other Equity-Based Award.
12. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF DIVIDEND EQUIVALENT RIGHTS
12.1 Dividend Equivalent Rights.
A Dividend Equivalent Right may be granted hereunder, provided that no Dividend Equivalent Rights may be granted in connection with, or related to, an Award of Options or SARs. The terms and conditions of Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be specified in the Award Agreement therefor. Dividend equivalents credited to the holder of a Dividend Equivalent Right may be paid currently (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation) or may be deemed to be reinvested in additional shares of Stock or Awards, which may thereafter accrue additional Dividend Equivalent Rights (with or without being subject to forfeiture or a repayment obligation). Any such reinvestment shall be at the Fair Market Value thereof on the date of such reinvestment. Dividend Equivalent Rights may be settled in cash, shares of Stock, or a combination thereof, in a single installment or in multiple installments, all as determined in the sole discretion of the Committee. A Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award may (a) provide that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall be settled upon exercise, settlement, or payment of, or lapse of restrictions on, such other Award and that such Dividend Equivalent Right shall expire or be forfeited or annulled under the same conditions as such other Award or (b) contain terms and conditions which are different from the terms and conditions of such other Award, provided that Dividend Equivalent Rights credited pursuant to a Dividend Equivalent Right granted as a component of another Award which vests or is earned based upon the achievement of performance goals shall not vest unless such performance goals for such underlying Award are achieved, and if such performance goals are not achieved, the Grantee of such Dividend Equivalent Rights shall promptly forfeit and, to the extent already paid or distributed, repay to the Company payments or distributions made in connection with such Dividend Equivalent Rights.
12.2 Termination of Service.
Unless the Committee provides otherwise in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing after such Award Agreement is issued, a Grantee’s rights in all Dividend Equivalent Rights shall automatically terminate upon such Grantee’s termination of Service for any reason.
13. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS
13.1 Grant of Performance Awards.
Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Committee, at any time and from time to time, may grant Performance Awards in such amounts and upon such terms as the Committee shall determine.
13.2 Value of Performance Awards.
Each grant of a Performance Award shall have an initial cash value or an actual or target number of shares of Stock that is established by the Committee as of the Grant Date. The Committee shall set performance goals in its discretion which, depending on the extent to which they are achieved, shall determine the amount of cash or value and/or number of shares of Stock that will be paid out to the Grantee thereof.
13.3 Earning of Performance Awards.
Subject to the terms of the Plan, after the applicable Performance Period has ended, the Grantee of a Performance Award shall be entitled to receive a payout of the value earned under such Performance Award by such Grantee over such Performance Period, to be determined based on the extent to which the corresponding performance goals have been achieved.
13.4 Form and Timing of Payment of Performance Awards.
Payment of the value earned under a Performance Award shall be made, as determined by the Committee, in the form, at the time, and in the manner described in the applicable Award Agreement. Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee, in its sole discretion, (a) may pay the value earned under Performance Awards in the form of cash, shares
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of Stock, other Awards, or a combination thereof, including shares of Stock and/or Awards that are subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee, and (b) shall pay the value earned under Performance Awards at the close of the applicable Performance Period, or as soon as reasonably practicable after the Committee has determined that the performance goal or goals relating thereto have been achieved; provided that, unless specifically provided in the Award Agreement for such Performance Awards, such payment shall occur no later than the fifteenth (15th) day of the third (3rd) month following the end of the calendar year in which such Performance Period ends. Any shares of Stock paid out under a Performance Award may be granted subject to any restrictions deemed appropriate by the Committee. The determination of the Committee with respect to the form of payout of such Awards shall be set forth in the Award Agreement for the Performance Award.
13.5 Performance Conditions.
The right of a Grantee to exercise or receive a grant or settlement of any Performance Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to the achievement of such Performance Measures as may be specified by the Committee. The Committee may use such business criteria and other measures of performance as it may deem appropriate in establishing any performance conditions.
13.6 Performance Measures.
Performance under any Performance Measures (a) may be used to measure the performance of (i) the Company, its Subsidiaries, and other Affiliates as a whole, (ii) the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate or any combination thereof, or (iii) any one or more business units or operating segments of the Company, any Subsidiary, and/or any other Affiliate, in each case as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate and (b) may be compared to the performance of one or more other companies or one or more published or special indices designated or approved by the Committee for such comparison, as the Committee, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate. In addition, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may select a Performance Measure for comparison to performance under one or more stock market indices designated or approved by the Committee. The Committee shall also have the authority to provide for accelerated vesting of any Performance Award based on the achievement of performance goals pursuant to any Performance Measures. For the avoidance of doubt, nothing herein is intended to prevent the Committee from granting Awards subject to subjective performance conditions (including individual performance conditions).
14. FORMS OF PAYMENT
14.1 General Rule.
Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units shall be made in cash or in cash equivalents acceptable to the Company.
14.2 Surrender of Shares of Stock.
To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made all or in part through the tender or attestation to the Company of shares of Stock, which shall be valued, for purposes of determining the extent to which such Option Price or purchase price has been paid thereby, at their Fair Market Value on the date of such tender or attestation.
14.3 Cashless Exercise.
To the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and to the extent the Award Agreement so provides, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be made all or in part by delivery (on a form acceptable to the Committee) of an irrevocable direction to a licensed securities broker acceptable to the Company to sell shares of Stock and to deliver all or part of the proceeds of such sale to the Company in payment of such Option Price and/or any withholding taxes described in Section 18.3.
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14.4 Other Forms of Payment.
To the extent that the applicable Award Agreement so provides and/or unless otherwise specified in an Award Agreement, payment of the Option Price for shares of Stock purchased pursuant to exercise of an Option or the purchase price, if any, for Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units may be made in any other form that is consistent with Applicable Laws, including (a) with respect to Restricted Stock, vested Restricted Stock Units, and/or vested Deferred Stock Units only, Service rendered or to be rendered by the Grantee thereof to the Company or an Affiliate and (b) with the consent of the Company, by withholding the number of shares of Stock that would otherwise vest or be issuable in an amount equal in value to the Option Price or purchase price and/or the required tax withholding amount.
15. REQUIREMENTS OF LAW
15.1 General.
The Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue any shares of Stock under any Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, if the offer, sale, or issuance of such shares of Stock would constitute a violation by the Grantee, the Company, an Affiliate, or any other Person of any provision of the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or of Applicable Laws, including any federal or state securities laws or regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that the listing, registration, or qualification of any shares of Stock subject to an Award upon any Stock Exchange or Securities Market or under any governmental regulatory body is necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection with, the offering, sale, issuance, or purchase of shares of Stock in connection with any Award, no shares of Stock may be offered, sold, or issued to the Grantee or any other Person under such Award, whether pursuant to the exercise of an Option, a SAR, or otherwise, unless such listing, registration, or qualification shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of such Award. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, upon the exercise of any Option or any SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock or the delivery of any shares of Stock underlying an Award, unless a registration statement under the Securities Act is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock subject to such Award, the Company shall not be required to offer, sell, or issue such shares of Stock unless the Committee shall have received evidence satisfactory to it that the Grantee or any other Person exercising such Option or SAR or accepting delivery of such shares may acquire such shares of Stock pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act. Any determination by the Committee in connection with the foregoing shall be final, binding, and conclusive. The Company may register, but shall in no event be obligated to register, any shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan pursuant to the Securities Act. The Company shall not be obligated to take any affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of an Option or a SAR or the issuance of shares of Stock or other securities issuable pursuant to the Plan or any Award to comply with any Applicable Laws. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the requirement that an Option or SAR that may be settled in shares of Stock shall not be exercisable until the shares of Stock subject to such Option or SAR are registered under the securities laws thereof or are exempt from such registration, the exercise of such Option or SAR under circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply shall be deemed to be conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of such an exemption.
15.2 Rule 16b-3.
During any time when the Company has any class of common equity securities registered under Section 12 of the Exchange Act, it is the intention of the Company that Awards pursuant to the Plan and the exercise of Options and SARs granted hereunder that would otherwise be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act shall qualify for the exemption provided by Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act. To the extent that any provision of the Plan or action by the Committee does not comply with the requirements of such Rule 16b-3, such provision or action shall be deemed inoperative with respect to such Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws and deemed advisable by the Committee and shall not affect the validity of the Plan. In the event that such Rule 16b-3 is revised or replaced, the Committee may exercise its discretion to modify the Plan in any respect necessary or advisable in its judgment to satisfy the requirements of, or to permit the Company to avail itself of the benefits of, the revised exemption or its replacement.
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16. EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION
16.1 Changes in Stock.
If the number of outstanding shares of Stock is increased or decreased or the shares of Stock are changed into or exchanged for a different number of shares or kind of Capital Stock or other securities of the Company on account of any recapitalization, reclassification, stock split, reverse stock split, spin-off, combination of stock, exchange of stock, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital stock, or other increase or decrease in shares of Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Company occurring after the Effective Date, the number and kinds of shares of Capital Stock for which grants of Options and other Awards may be made under the Plan, including the Share Limit each as set forth in Section 4.1, which includes the number and kinds of issued shares of Capital Stock by which the Plan reserve may be increased annually, shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee. In addition, the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock for which Awards are outstanding shall be adjusted proportionately and accordingly by the Committee so that the proportionate interest of the Grantee therein immediately following such event shall, to the extent practicable, be the same as immediately before such event. Any such adjustment in outstanding Options or SARs shall not change the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price payable with respect to shares that are subject to the unexercised portion of such outstanding Options or SARs, as applicable, but shall include a corresponding proportionate adjustment in the per share Option Price or SAR Price, as the case may be. The conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be treated as an increase in shares effected without receipt of consideration. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of any distribution to the Company’s stockholders of securities of any other entity or other assets (including an extraordinary dividend, but excluding a non-extraordinary dividend, declared and paid by the Company) without receipt of consideration by the Company, the Board or the Committee constituted pursuant to Section 3.1.2 shall, in such manner as the Board or the Committee deems appropriate, adjust (a) the number and kind of shares of Capital Stock subject to outstanding Awards and/or (b) the aggregate and per share Option Price of outstanding Options and the aggregate and per share SAR Price of outstanding SARs as required to reflect such distribution.
16.2 Transaction in Which the Company is the Surviving Entity Which Does not Constitute a Change in Control.
Subject to Section 16.3, if the Company shall be the surviving entity in any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company with one or more other entities which does not constitute a Change in Control, any Award theretofore granted pursuant to the Plan shall pertain to and apply to the Capital Stock to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Award would have been entitled immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate adjustment of the per share Option Price or SAR Price of any outstanding Option or SAR so that the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price thereafter shall be the same as the aggregate Option Price or SAR Price of the shares of Stock remaining subject to the Option or SAR as in effect immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. Subject to any contrary language in an Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, any restrictions applicable to such Award shall apply as well to any replacement shares of Capital Stock subject to such Award received by the Grantee as a result of such reorganization, merger, or consolidation. In the event of any reorganization, merger, or consolidation of the Company referred to in this Section 16.2, Performance Awards shall be adjusted (including any adjustment to the Performance Measures or other performance goals applicable to such Awards deemed appropriate by the Committee) so as to apply to the Capital Stock that a holder of the number of shares of Stock subject to the Performance Awards would have been entitled to receive immediately following such reorganization, merger, or consolidation.
16.3 Change in Control in which Awards are not Assumed.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are not being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Awards, to the extent not assumed or continued:
(a) Immediately prior to the occurrence of such Change in Control, in each case with the exception of Performance Awards, all outstanding shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights shall be deemed to have vested, and all shares of Stock and/or cash subject to such Awards shall be delivered; and either or both of the following two (2) actions shall be taken:
(i) At least fifteen (15) days prior to the scheduled consummation of such Change in Control, all Options and SARs outstanding hereunder shall become immediately exercisable and shall remain exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days. Any exercise of an Option or SAR during this fifteen (15)-day period shall be conditioned upon the
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consummation of the applicable Change in Control and shall be effective only immediately before the consummation thereof, and upon consummation of such Change in Control, the Plan and all outstanding but unexercised Options and SARs shall terminate, with or without consideration (including, without limitation, consideration in accordance with clause (ii) below) as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. The Committee shall send notice of an event that shall result in such a termination to all Persons who hold Options and SARs not later than the time at which the Company gives notice thereof to its stockholders; and/or
(ii) The Committee may elect, in its sole discretion, to cancel any outstanding Awards of Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and/or Dividend Equivalent Rights and pay or deliver, or cause to be paid or delivered, to the holder thereof an amount in cash or Capital Stock having a value (as determined by the Committee acting in good faith), in the case of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, and Dividend Equivalent Rights (for shares of Stock subject thereto), equal to the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such Change in Control and, in the case of Options or SARs, equal to the product of the number of shares of Stock subject to such Options or SARs multiplied by the amount, if any, by which (x) the formula or fixed price per share paid to holders of shares of Stock pursuant to such transaction exceeds (y) the Option Price or SAR Price applicable to such Options or SARs.
(b) For Performance Awards, if less than half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Awards shall be treated as though the target performance thereunder has been achieved. If at least half of the Performance Period has lapsed, such Performance Awards shall be earned, as of immediately prior to but contingent on the occurrence of such Change in Control, based on the greater of (i) deemed achievement of target performance or (ii) determination of actual performance as of a date reasonably proximate to the date of consummation of the Change in Control as determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion. After application of this Section 16.3(b), if any Awards arise from application of this Article 16, such Awards shall be settled under the applicable provision of Section 16.3(a).
(c) Other Equity-Based Awards shall be governed by the terms of the applicable Award Agreement.
16.4 Change in Control in which Awards are Assumed.
Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or as otherwise set forth in writing, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control in which outstanding Awards are being assumed or continued, the following provisions shall apply to such Award, to the extent assumed or continued:
The Plan and the Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards granted under the Plan shall continue in the manner and under the terms so provided in the event of any Change in Control to the extent that provision is made in writing in connection with such Change in Control for the assumption or continuation of such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards, or for the substitution for such Options, SARs, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, Deferred Stock Units, Dividend Equivalent Rights, and Other Equity-Based Awards of new stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units, dividend equivalent rights, and other equity-based awards relating to the Capital Stock of a successor entity, or a parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number of shares (disregarding any consideration that is not common stock) and exercise prices of options and stock appreciation rights.
16.5 Adjustments.
Adjustments under this Article 16 related to shares of Stock or other Capital Stock of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding, and conclusive. No fractional shares or other securities shall be issued pursuant to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share. The Committee may provide in the applicable Award Agreement as of the Grant Date, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing at any time thereafter with the consent of the Grantee, for different provisions to apply to an Award in place of those provided in Sections 16.1, 16.2, 16.3, and 16.4. This Article 16 shall not limit the Committee’s ability to provide for alternative treatment of Awards outstanding under the Plan in the event of a change in control event involving the Company that is not a Change in Control.
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16.6 No Limitations on Company.
The making of Awards pursuant to the Plan shall not affect or limit in any way the right or power of the Company to make adjustments, reclassifications, reorganizations, or changes of its capital or business structure or to merge, consolidate, dissolve, or liquidate, or to sell or transfer all or any part of its business or assets (including all or any part of the business or assets of any Subsidiary or other Affiliate) or to engage in any other transaction or activity.
17. PARACHUTE LIMITATIONS
If any Grantee is a Disqualified Individual, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or of any Other Agreement to the contrary and notwithstanding any Benefit Arrangement, any right of such Grantee to any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit under the Plan shall be reduced or eliminated:
(a) to the extent that such right to exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit, taking into account all other rights, payments, or benefits to or for the Grantee under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements, would cause any exercise, vesting, payment, or benefit to such Grantee under the Plan to be considered a Parachute Payment; and
(b) if, as a result of receiving such Parachute Payment, the aggregate after-tax amounts received by the Grantee from the Company under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements would be less than the maximum after-tax amount that could be received by the Grantee without causing any such payment or benefit to be considered a Parachute Payment.
Except as required by Code Section 409A or to the extent that Code Section 409A permits discretion, the Committee shall have the right, in the Committee’s sole discretion, to designate those rights, payments, or benefits under the Plan, all Other Agreements, and all Benefit Arrangements that should be reduced or eliminated so as to avoid having such rights, payments, or benefits be considered a Parachute Payment; provided, that, to the extent any payment or benefit constitutes deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, in order to comply with Code Section 409A, except as otherwise provided in an applicable agreement between a Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate, the Company shall instead accomplish such reduction by first reducing or eliminating any cash payments (with the payments to be made furthest in the future being reduced first), then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Performance Awards, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Options or SARs, then by reducing or eliminating any accelerated vesting of Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units, or Deferred Stock Units, then by reducing or eliminating any other remaining Parachute Payments.
18. GENERAL PROVISIONS
18.1 Disclaimer of Rights.
No provision in the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement shall be construed (a) to confer upon any individual the right to remain in the Service of the Company or an Affiliate, (b) to interfere in any way with any contractual or other right or authority of the Company or an Affiliate either to increase or decrease the compensation or other payments to any Person at any time, or (c) to terminate any Service or other relationship between any Person and the Company or an Affiliate. In addition, notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, unless otherwise stated in the applicable Award Agreement, in another agreement with the Grantee, or otherwise in writing, no Award granted under the Plan shall be affected by any change of duties or position of the Grantee thereof, so long as such Grantee continues to provide Service. The obligation of the Company to pay any benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be interpreted as a contractual obligation to pay only those amounts provided herein, in the manner and under the conditions prescribed herein. The Plan and Awards shall in no way be interpreted to require the Company to transfer any amounts to a third-party trustee or otherwise to hold any amounts in trust or escrow for payment to any Grantee or beneficiary under the terms of the Plan.
18.2 Nonexclusivity of the Plan.
Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the submission of the Plan to the stockholders of the Company for approval shall be construed as creating any limitations upon the right and authority of the Board or the Committee to adopt such other incentive compensation arrangements (which arrangements may be applicable either generally to a class or classes of individuals or specifically to a particular individual or particular individuals) as the Board or the Committee in their discretion determine desirable.
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18.3 Withholding Taxes.
The Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, shall have the right to deduct from payments of any kind otherwise due to a Grantee any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by Applicable Laws to be withheld with respect to the vesting of or other lapse of restrictions applicable to an Award or upon the issuance of any shares of Stock upon the exercise of an Option or pursuant to any other Award. At the time of such vesting, lapse of restrictions, or exercise, the Grantee shall pay in cash to the Company or an Affiliate, as the case may be, any amount that the Company or such Affiliate may reasonably determine to be necessary to satisfy such withholding obligation; provided that if there is a same-day sale of shares of Stock subject to an Award, the Grantee shall pay such withholding obligation on the day on which such same-day sale is completed. Subject to the prior approval of the Company or an Affiliate, which may be withheld by the Company or such Affiliate, as the case may be, in its sole discretion, the Grantee may elect to satisfy such withholding obligation, in whole or in part, (a) by causing the Company or such Affiliate to withhold shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Grantee or (b) by delivering to the Company or such Affiliate shares of Stock already owned by the Grantee. The shares of Stock so withheld or delivered shall have an aggregate Fair Market Value equal to such withholding obligation. The Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock used to satisfy such withholding obligation shall be determined by the Company or such Affiliate as of the date on which the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. A Grantee who has made an election pursuant to this Section 18.3 may satisfy such Grantee’s withholding obligation only with shares of Stock that are not subject to any repurchase, forfeiture, unfulfilled vesting, or other similar requirements. The maximum number of shares of Stock that may be withheld from any Award to satisfy any federal, state, or local tax withholding requirements upon the exercise, vesting, or lapse of restrictions applicable to any Award or payment of shares of Stock pursuant to such Award, as applicable, may not exceed such number of shares of Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum statutory amount required by the Company or the applicable Affiliate to be withheld and paid to any such federal, state, or local taxing authority with respect to such exercise, vesting, lapse of restrictions, or payment of shares of Stock; provided, however, that for so long as Accounting Standards Update 2016-09 or a similar rule remains in effect, the Board or the Committee has full discretion to choose, or to allow a Grantee to elect, to withhold a number of Shares having an aggregate Fair Market Value that is greater than the applicable minimum statutory required withholding obligation (but such withholding may in no event be in excess of the maximum required statutory withholding amount(s) in such Grantee’s relevant tax jurisdiction).
18.4 Captions.
The use of captions in the Plan or any Award Agreement is for convenience of reference only and shall not affect the meaning of any provision of the Plan or such Award Agreement.
18.5 Construction.
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in the Plan to “including” shall mean “including without limitation.”
18.6 Other Provisions.
Each Award granted under the Plan may contain such other terms and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Committee, in its sole discretion.
18.7 Number and Gender.
With respect to words used in the Plan, the singular form shall include the plural form, and the masculine gender shall include the feminine gender, as the context requires.
18.8 Severability.
If any provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement shall be determined to be illegal or unenforceable by any court of law in any jurisdiction, the remaining provisions hereof and thereof shall be severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms, and all provisions shall remain enforceable in any other jurisdiction.
18.9 Governing Law.
The Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards hereunder shall be governed by, and construed and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, other than any conflicts or choice of law rule or principle that might otherwise refer construction or interpretation of the Plan and the instruments evidencing the Awards granted hereunder to the substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.
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18.10 Foreign Jurisdictions.
To the extent the Committee determines that the material terms set by the Committee imposed by the Plan preclude the achievement of the material purposes of the Plan in jurisdictions outside the United States, the Committee will have the authority and discretion to modify those terms and provide for such additional terms and conditions as the Committee determines to be necessary, appropriate, or desirable to accommodate differences in local law, policy, or custom or to facilitate administration of the Plan. The Committee may adopt or approve sub-plans, appendices, or supplements to, or amendments, restatements, or alternative versions of the Plan as in effect for any other purposes. The special terms and any sub-plans, appendices, supplements, amendments, restatements, or alternative versions, however, shall not include any provisions that are inconsistent with the terms of the Plan as in effect, unless the Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency without further approval by the Company’s stockholders.
18.11 Section 409A of the Code.
The Plan is intended to comply with Code Section 409A to the extent subject thereto, and, accordingly, to the maximum extent permitted, the Plan will be interpreted and administered to be in compliance with Code Section 409A. Any payments described in the Plan that are due within the Short-Term Deferral Period will not be treated as deferred compensation unless Applicable Laws require otherwise. Any grant of an Option or SAR pursuant to the Plan is intended to comply with the “stock rights” exemption from Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, to the extent required to avoid accelerated taxation and tax penalties under Code Section 409A, amounts that would otherwise be payable and benefits that would otherwise be provided pursuant to the Plan during the six (6)-month period immediately following the Grantee’s Separation from Service will instead be paid on the first payroll date after the six (6)-month anniversary of the Grantee’s Separation from Service (or the Grantee’s death, if earlier).
Furthermore, notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, in the case of an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A, and pursuant to which settlement and delivery of the cash or shares of Stock subject to the Award is triggered based on a Change in Control, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred for purposes of such settlement and delivery of cash or shares of Stock if the transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder). If an Award characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A is not settled and delivered on account of the provision of the preceding sentence, the settlement and delivery shall occur on the next succeeding settlement and delivery triggering event that is a permissible triggering event under Code Section 409A. No provision of this paragraph shall in any way affect the determination of a Change in Control for purposes of vesting in an Award that is characterized as deferred compensation under Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Committee will have any obligation to take any action to prevent the assessment of any excise tax or penalty on any Grantee under Code Section 409A, and neither the Company or an Affiliate nor the Board or the Committee will have any liability to any Grantee for such tax or penalty.
18.12 Limitation on Liability.
No member of the Board or the Committee shall be liable for any action or determination made in good faith with respect to the Plan, any Award, or any Award Agreement. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, neither the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, the Committee, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, an Affiliate, the Board, or the Committee will be liable to any Grantee or to the estate or beneficiary of any Grantee or to any other holder of an Award under the Plan by reason of any acceleration of income, or any additional tax (including any interest and penalties), asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Code Section 422 or Code Section 409A or by reason of Code Section 4999, or otherwise asserted with respect to the Award; provided, that this Section 18.12 shall not affect any of the rights or obligations set forth in an applicable agreement between the Grantee and the Company or an Affiliate.
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FORM OF AMENDMENT NO. 1
TO THE
FLY-E GROUP INC.
2024 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN
This Amendment No. 1 (this “Amendment”) to the FLY-E Group Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), is adopted by the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of FLY-E Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), effective as of [_________], 2025 (the “Amendment Effective Date”). Capitalized terms used in this Amendment and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
RECITALS
A. The Company currently maintains the Plan.
B. Pursuant to Section 5.2 of the Plan, the Board may amend the Plan at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment may be made without the approval of the Company’s stockholders to the extent such approval is required by Applicable Laws.
C. Subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders, the Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders to amend the Plan to (i) increase the shares subject to the Plan and (ii) add an “evergreen” to the Plan’s share reserve.
AMENDMENT
1. Subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders, effective as of the Amendment Effective Date, Section 4.1 of the Plan is hereby amended in its entirety to read as follows:
“Subject to such additional shares of Stock as shall be available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to Section 4.2 and Section 4.3(c), and subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 16, the maximum aggregate number of shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be the sum of (A) 3,700,000, plus (B) an increase commencing on April 1, 2026, and continuing annually on each anniversary thereof until the tenth anniversary of the Effective Date, equal to the lesser of (i) 8% of the total number of all classes of the Company’s common stock outstanding on the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (ii) such smaller number of shares of Stock as determined by the Board or the Committee (the “Share Limit”). Such shares of Stock may be authorized and unissued shares of Stock, treasury shares of Stock, or any combination of the foregoing, as may be determined from time to time by the Board or by the Committee. Any of the shares of Stock reserved and available for issuance under the Plan may be used for any type of Award under the Plan, and a maximum of 3,700,000 the shares of Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan shall be available for issuance pursuant to Incentive Stock Options.”
This Amendment shall be and, as of the Amendment Effective Date, is hereby incorporated in and forms a part of the Plan, subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders. Unless and until the Company’s stockholders approve this Amendment, this Amendment shall be of no force or effect.
Except as specifically set forth in this Amendment, there are no other amendments to the Plan, and the Plan shall remain in full force and effect.
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Appendix B
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Fly-E Group, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify that:
First: That the name of this Corporation is Fly-E Group, Inc.
Second: That, the certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 1, 2022. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 7, 2024.
Third: That, upon the Effective Time (as hereinafter defined) of this Certificate of Amendment (the “Certificate of Amendment”), each [ ] shares of the common stock of the Corporation, par value $0.01 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the date and time of the Effective Time shall be automatically combined into one share of common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”), without any further action by the holder thereof, subject to the treatment of fractional shares as described below. Fractional shares will not be issued; any such fractional shares that will result from the Reverse Stock Split will be rounded up to the nearest whole number following the Effective Time. No stockholders will receive cash in lieu of fractional shares.
Fourth: That, this Certificate of Amendment was duly approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on February 10, 2025 and the stockholders at a meeting of stockholders on , 2025, at which the necessary number of shares were voted in favor of the proposed amendment, in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Fifth: This Certificate of Amendment shall become effective as of , 2025 at Eastern Time (the “Effective Time”).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this day of , 2025.
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Appendix C
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify that:
First: The name of this Corporation is Fly-E Group, Inc.
Second: The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 1, 2022. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 7, 2024 (the “A&R Certificate of Incorporation”).
Third: Section 1 of Article IV of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and replaced with the following:
“1. Total Authorized. The total number of shares of all classes of stock that the Corporation has authority to issue is 310,000,000 shares, consisting of two classes: 300,000,000 shares of common stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $0.01 par value per share (the “Preferred Stock”).”
Fourth: This Certificate of Amendment was duly approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on February 10, 2025 and the stockholders at a meeting of stockholders on , 2025, at which the necessary number of shares were voted in favor of the proposed amendment, in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Fifth: This Certificate of Amendment to the A&R Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall become effective as of , 2025 at Eastern Time (the “Effective Time”).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this day of , 2025.
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Appendix D
FORM OF CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
OF
AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
OF
FLY-E GROUP, INC.
Fly-E Group, Inc. (the “Corporation”), a corporation duly organized and existing under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, does hereby certify that:
First: The name of this Corporation is Fly-E Group, Inc.
Second: The certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was originally filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on November 1, 2022. The amended and restated certificate of incorporation of the Corporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on June 7, 2024 (the “A&R Certificate of Incorporation”).
Third: Section 3 of Article VI of the A&R Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended and replaced with the following:
“3. Classification and Term. Subject to the terms of any one or more series of Preferred Stock, and effective upon the Effective Time, the Board of Directors shall be divided into three classes: Class I, Class II and Class III. The number of directors in each class shall be as nearly equal as possible. The Board of Directors may assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to such classes as of the Effective Time. The directors in Class I shall be elected for a term expiring at the first annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time, the directors in Class II shall be elected for a term expiring at the second annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time, and the directors in Class III shall be elected for a term expiring at the third annual meeting of stockholders after the Effective Time. At each annual meeting of stockholders following such initial classification and election, directors elected to succeed those directors whose terms expire shall be elected for a term of office to expire at the third succeeding annual meeting of stockholders after their election.”
Fourth: This Certificate of Amendment was duly approved by the Corporation’s Board of Directors on February 10, 2025 and the stockholders at a meeting of stockholders on , 2025, at which the necessary number of shares were voted in favor of the proposed amendment, in accordance with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.
Fifth: This Certificate of Amendment to the A&R Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation shall become effective as of , 2025 at Eastern Time (the “Effective Time”).
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Certificate of Amendment to be executed by its duly authorized officer on this day of , 2025.
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Name: |
Zhou Ou |
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Title: |
Chief Executive Officer |
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D-2
FLY-E GROUP, INC. 136-40 37TH STREET FLUSHING, NY 11354 SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTE VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 9, 2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the website and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLYE2025SM You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on March 9, 2025. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL V62534-S09935 Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposals: 1. To approve the Fly-E Group, Inc. 2024 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as amended. 2. To approve an amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Charter”) to effect a reverse stock split of the Company’s common stock by a ratio in a range of 1-for-2 to 1-for-15, with such ratio to be determined in the discretion of the board of directors of the Company and with such action to be effected at such time and date, if at all, as determined by the board of directors of the Company within one year after the conclusion of the Special Meeting. 3. To approve an amendment to the Charter to increase in the authorized shares of common stock of the Company from 100,000,000 shares to 300,000,000. 4. To approve an amendment to the Charter to classify the board of directors of the Company into three classes with staggered three-year terms. 5. To consider and vote upon a proposal to adjourn the Special Meeting to a later date or dates, if necessary, to permit further solicitation and vote of proxies if, based upon the tabulated vote at the time of the Special Meeting, there are not sufficient votes to approve other proposal(s). Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date For Against Abstain
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement is available at www.proxyvote.com. V62535-S09935 FLY-E GROUP, INC. SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS March 10, 2025 at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) Zhou Ou and Shiwen Feng, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint (his/her) substitute, and hereby authorize(s) them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of Common Stock of FLY-E GROUP, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., Eastern Time on March 10, 2025, virtually at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/FLYE2025SM and any adjournment or postponement thereof. This proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein. If no such direction is made, this proxy will be voted in accordance with the Board of Directors’ recommendations. Continued and to be signed on reverse side