GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc DEF 14A, filed Aug 3, 2026
GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc. (GCTS)
About this DEF 14A
GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc filed this DEF 14A on August 3, 2026.
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Definitive Proxy Statement |
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Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
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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 |
GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201
San Jose, California 95131
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held on September 17, 2026
You are cordially invited to attend the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc. (“GCT,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) to be held on September 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. The Annual Meeting will be held via live audiocast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026 for the following purposes:
You can find more information about each of these items, including the nominees for directors, in the proxy statement accompanying this notice. The record date for the Annual Meeting is July 24, 2026. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on that date may vote at the meeting or any postponement or adjournment of the meeting. These materials are first being delivered to stockholders on or about August 3, 2026.
The Board of Directors recommends that you vote in favor of each of the nominees for director (Proposal 1) and in favor of Proposal 2, each as described in the accompanying proxy statement.
Under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the internet. On or about August 3, 2026, we will release a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials to our stockholders informing them that our proxy statement, our annual report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and voting instructions for the Annual Meeting are available online on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com and at www.proxyvote.com.
The Annual Meeting will be held via live audiocast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026. There will not be a physical location for our Annual Meeting, and you will not be able to attend the meeting in person.
You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting via live audiocast. Whether or not you expect to virtually attend the Annual Meeting, please vote on the matters to be considered as promptly as possible to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. You may vote via the internet, by telephone, or by returning the enclosed proxy card. Even if you have voted by proxy, you may still vote held via live audiocast if you virtually attend the Annual Meeting by going to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026 and logging in using the 16-digit control number found on your proxy card or voting instruction form. Once you are admitted as a stockholder to the Annual Meeting, you may vote and ask questions by following the instructions available on the meeting website. Your proxy is revocable in accordance with the procedures set forth in the proxy statement.
You are encouraged to log in to this website before the Annual Meeting begins. Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the meeting starts. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or participating in the meeting through the meeting website, please contact the technical support team listed on the website login screen.
By order of the Board of Directors
/s/ John Schlaefer
President and Chief Executive Officer
San Jose, California
August 3, 2026
* Your vote is important, so please act today! *
Important Notice regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials
for the 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
to be held on September 17, 2026
On or about August 3, 2026, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 may be accessed over the internet free of charge at www.proxyvote.com.
Whether or not you plan to attend the annual meeting, we encourage you to vote and submit your proxy via the internet, telephone, or mail. For additional instructions on voting by the internet or telephone, please refer to your proxy card. To vote and submit your proxy by mail, please complete, sign, and date the enclosed proxy card and return it in the enclosed envelope. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may revoke your proxy and vote virtually. If you hold your shares through an account with a brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee, please follow the instructions you receive from your account manager to vote your shares.
Forward-Looking Statements
The Company cautions that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this Proxy Statement involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various important factors, many of which may be beyond the Company’s control. Words such as “approximate,” “outlook,” “estimate,” “project,” “plan,” “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “goal,” “should,” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. The following factors, in addition to those disclosed in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our other filings made with the SEC could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any of the forward-looking statements included in this Proxy Statement: the ability of the Company to successfully commercialize, scale, and achieve market adoption of its 5th generation (“5G”) products, including through collaboration agreements with its major partners; the ability to enter into and meet the obligations under partnership and collaboration agreements; the ability of the Company to grow and manage growth profitability and retain its key employees; the Company's inability to anticipate the future market demands and future needs of its customers; the impact of component shortages, suppliers' lack of production capacity, natural disasters or pandemics on the Company's sourcing operations and supply chain; macroeconomic conditions, including inflationary pressures, capital markets volatility, trade policies and tariffs, and disruptions to global supply chains; the Company's future capital requirements and sources and uses of cash; the Company's ability to obtain funding and access the capital and credit markets; technology, cybersecurity and data privacy risks; geopolitical conditions, including political instability, sanctions and armed conflicts; and the ability to implement business plans, forecasts, and other expectations, including the growth of the 5G market. There can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included in this Proxy Statement will prove to be accurate, and new risks may emerge from time to time. Except as may be required by applicable law, the Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any projected results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.
Incorporation by Reference
The Report of the Audit Committee included herein shall be deemed soliciting material or filed with the SEC and neither of them shall be deemed incorporated by reference into any prior or future filings made by us under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), except to the extent that we specifically incorporate such information by reference.
Table of Contents
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Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management |
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Proposal 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm |
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GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201 San Jose, California 95131
Proxy Statement for
2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The Board of Directors (the “Board”) of GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“GCT,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), is soliciting your proxy to vote at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of GCT to be held via live audiocast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026 on September 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time, including at any adjournments or postponements of the Annual Meeting. The Annual Meeting will be held in a virtual-only format. You are invited to attend and vote your shares electronically at the Annual Meeting and submit questions by following the instructions available on the meeting website.
You are encouraged to log in to the website above before the Annual Meeting begins. Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the meeting starts. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting through the meeting website, please contact the technical support team listed on the website login screen.
On or about August 3, 2026, the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 may be accessed over the internet free of charge at www.proxyvote.com. You do not need to attend the Annual Meeting via live audiocast to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote your shares by proxy via the internet or telephone or by completing, signing, and returning the enclosed proxy card.
Questions and Answers
Why have I received these materials? The Board is soliciting proxies to vote at the Annual Meeting to be held on September 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time. You are receiving this proxy statement and proxy card from us because you owned shares of our common stock on July 24, 2026, which we refer to as the record date. As a stockholder of record as of the record date, you are invited to attend the Annual Meeting via live audiocast, and we request that you vote on the proposals described in this proxy statement. However, you do not need to attend the Annual Meeting to vote your shares. Instead, you may vote your shares by proxy via the internet or telephone or by completing, signing, and returning the enclosed proxy card.
How do I attend the Annual Meeting? The Annual Meeting will be held on September 17, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time via live audiocast at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026. You may log in using the 16-digit control number found on your proxy card or voting instruction form. Once you are admitted as a stockholder to the Annual Meeting, you may vote and ask questions by following the instructions available on the meeting website. You are encouraged to log in to this website before the Annual Meeting begins. Online check-in will be available approximately 15 minutes before the meeting starts. If you encounter any difficulties accessing or participating in the Annual Meeting through the meeting website, please contact the technical support team listed on the website login screen.
Who may vote? You are entitled to vote if our records show that you held one or more shares of our common stock at the close of business on July 24, 2026, the record date. On the record date, there were 91,965,788 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote, and 76 holders of record. Each share entitles you to one vote at the Annual Meeting.
What is the difference between holding shares as a stockholder of record and as a beneficial owner? If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, you are considered a “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares.
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You are a beneficial owner if, at the close of business on the record date, your shares were held by a broker, bank, trustee, or nominee and not in your name. Being a beneficial owner means that your shares are held in “street name.” As the beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee how to vote your shares by following the voting instructions your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee provides. If you do not provide your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee with instructions on how to vote your shares, your broker, bank, trustee, or nominee will not be able to vote your shares with respect to any of the proposals except for routine proposals as described below.
What am I voting on? There are two matters scheduled for a vote and for which we are soliciting your proxy:
You may vote “FOR” all the nominees to the Board, or you may “WITHHOLD” your vote for any nominees you specify. You may vote “FOR” or “AGAINST” Proposal 2 or abstain from voting.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee for director (Proposal 1) and “FOR” Proposal 2.
We do not know of any business to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the two proposals discussed above. If other business comes before the meeting and is proper under Delaware law, the proxy holders will use their discretion in casting all of the votes that they are entitled to cast.
How do I vote if I am a stockholder of record? If you were a holder of record of our common stock on July 24, 2026, the record date for the Annual Meeting, you may use the following methods to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting:
How do I vote if I hold my shares in street name? If, on the record date of July 24, 2026, your shares were held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other stockholder of record, you may use the following methods to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting:
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If you do not provide instructions with your proxy, your bank, broker, or other nominee (collectively referred to as a “broker”) will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter.
Under applicable rules, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters but do not have the discretion to vote on non-routine matters. For example, if you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, the broker could vote your shares for the ratification of the appointment of BPM LLP (Proposal 2) because it is deemed to be a routine matter, but the broker could not vote your shares for Proposal 1, the election of Class II directors, because it is deemed to be a non-routine matter.
If you do not provide voting instructions to your broker and the broker has delivered a proxy card indicating that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal, your shares will be considered as “broker non-votes” with regard to that proposal. Broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining the existence of a quorum but generally will not be considered as entitled to vote with respect to that proposal. Broker non-votes are not counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast with respect to a particular proposal. Thus, a broker non-vote will make a quorum more readily obtainable, but the broker non-vote will not otherwise affect the outcome of the vote on a proposal that requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present and entitled to vote.
How are votes counted? Votes will be counted by the inspector of election appointed by the Board for the meeting, who will separately count “FOR” and “WITHHOLD” votes and any broker non-votes for the election of directors. Broker non-votes will not count for or against any nominees.
With respect to Proposal 2, the inspector of election will separately count “FOR,” “AGAINST,” or “ABSTAIN” votes. Abstentions and broker non-votes will not have an effect on Proposal 2.
How many votes are needed to approve each of the proposals? Provided that a quorum is present, approval of the proposals described in this proxy statement will require the following affirmative votes (among votes properly cast virtually or by proxy):
What is the effect of abstentions? Abstentions are counted as shares that are present and entitled to vote for the purposes of determining the presence of a quorum and will have no impact for purposes of determining the approval of Proposal 1 and will have the effect of a negative vote for Proposal 2.
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A summary of the voting provisions for the matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting, provided a valid quorum is present or represented at the Annual Meeting, is as follows:
Proposal |
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Vote |
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Board |
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Routine or |
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Discretionary |
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Vote |
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Impact of |
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Impact of |
1 |
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Election of director nominees |
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FOR each nominee |
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Non-routine, thus if you hold your shares in street name, your broker may not vote your shares for you if you do not provide instructions to your broker. |
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No |
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Plurality |
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No impact |
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No impact |
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Ratification of independent registered public accounting firm |
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FOR |
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Routine, thus if you hold your shares in street name, your broker may vote your shares for you absent any other instructions from you. |
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Yes |
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Majority of affirmative votes represented by proxy and entitled to vote |
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Negative Vote |
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Broker has the discretion to vote |
How will GCT’s representative proxy holders vote for me? John Schlaefer, our President and Chief Executive Officer, and Edmond Cheng, our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, or anyone else that they choose as their substitutes, have been appointed by the Board as proxy holders to vote in your place as your proxies at the Annual Meeting. The proxy holders will vote your shares as you instruct them. If you sign, date, and return the enclosed proxy card and do not indicate how you want your shares voted, the proxy holders will vote as our Board recommends. If there is an interruption or adjournment of the Annual Meeting before the agenda is completed, the proxy holders may still vote your shares when the meeting resumes. If a broker holds your common stock, they will ask you for instructions and instruct the proxy holders to vote the shares held by them in accordance with your instructions.
Can I change my vote after I have returned my proxy card? Yes. After you have submitted a proxy, you may change your vote at any time before the proxy is exercised by submitting a notice of revocation or a proxy bearing a later date. Accordingly, you may change your vote either by submitting a new proxy prior to or at the Annual Meeting or by voting virtually at the Annual Meeting. The later submitted vote will be recorded, and the earlier vote will be revoked. You also may revoke your proxy by sending a notice of revocation to our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, which must be received prior to the Annual Meeting. If your shares are held by your broker, you should follow the instructions provided by your broker.
What constitutes a quorum for purposes of the Annual Meeting? To carry on business at the Annual Meeting, we must have a quorum. A quorum is present when a majority of the shares entitled to vote, as of the record date, are represented virtually or by proxy. Your shares will be counted towards determining the quorum only if you submit a valid proxy (or one is submitted on your behalf by your broker) or if you vote virtually at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted towards the quorum requirement. If there is not a quorum at the Annual Meeting, our stockholders may adjourn the meeting.
Who pays for this solicitation? We will pay the cost of preparing, assembling, printing, mailing, and distributing these proxy materials and soliciting votes. We may, on request, reimburse brokerage firms and other nominees for their expenses in forwarding proxy materials to beneficial owners. In addition to soliciting proxies by mail, we expect that our directors, officers, and employees may solicit proxies by internet, telephone, email or other electronic means. None of these individuals will receive any additional or special compensation for doing this, although we may reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
What does it mean if I receive multiple proxy cards? If you receive more than one proxy card, it means that your shares are registered in more than one name or are registered in different accounts. Please sign and return all proxy cards to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
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What happens when two stockholders share the same address? We may satisfy the SEC rules regarding delivery of proxy statements by delivering a single proxy statement to an address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is known as “householding” and can result in meaningful cost savings for us. To take advantage of this opportunity, we may deliver only one proxy statement to multiple stockholders who share an address unless contrary instructions are received prior to the mailing date. Similarly, if you share an address with another stockholder and have received multiple copies of our proxy materials, you may write us at the address above or call us at (408) 434-8035 to request delivery of a single copy of these materials in the future. We undertake to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the proxy statement to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of these documents was delivered. If you hold stock as a record stockholder and prefer to receive separate copies of the proxy materials either now or in the future, please contact us.
What happens if other business not discussed in this proxy statement comes before the meeting? We do not know of any business to be presented at the Annual Meeting other than the proposals discussed in this proxy statement. If other business comes before the meeting and is proper under Delaware law, the proxy holders will use their discretion in casting all of the votes that they are entitled to cast.
How can I find out the results of the voting at the Annual Meeting? We will announce preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting. We will also disclose the voting results on a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC within four business days after the Annual Meeting.
When are stockholder proposals due for next year’s annual meeting of the stockholders? Our stockholders are entitled to present proposals for action at a forthcoming meeting if they comply with the requirements of our bylaws and the rules established by the SEC.
Under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), if you want us to include a proposal in the proxy materials for our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders, we must receive the proposal at our executive offices at 2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201 San Jose, California 95131 by April 5, 2027.
Under our bylaws, a stockholder who wishes to present a proposal, including director nominations, before an annual meeting of stockholders but does not intend for the proposal to be included in our proxy statement must provide notice of its proposal not earlier than May 20, 2027, and not later than June 19, 2027. If we hold our 2027 annual meeting of stockholders more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the one-year anniversary of the Annual Meeting, the deadline will instead be the close of business on the 10th day following the first public disclosure of the 2027 annual meeting date. The notice and proposal should be addressed to the attention of our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at our executive offices at the address listed on the cover of this proxy statement, and we suggest that it be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
In addition to satisfying the requirements under our bylaws, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than GCT’s nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act (including a statement that the stockholder intends to solicit the holders of shares representing at least 67% of the voting power of GCT’s shares entitled to vote on the election of directors in support of director nominees other than GCT’s nominees) to comply with the universal proxy rules, which notice must be postmarked or transmitted electronically to GCT at our principal executive offices no later than 60 calendar days prior to the anniversary date of the previous year’s annual meeting (for the 2027 annual meeting, no later than July 19, 2027). However, if the date of the 2027 annual meeting date changes by more than 30 calendar days from the anniversary date, then notice must be provided by the later of 60 calendar days prior to the date of the 2027 annual meeting or the 10th calendar day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2027 annual meeting is first made.
Any proposal that you submit must comply with our bylaws and SEC rules.
Whom can I contact for further information? If you would like additional copies of this proxy statement, free of charge, or if you have questions about the Annual Meeting, the proposals, or the procedures for voting your shares, you should contact our Chief Financial Officer at (408) 434-8035.
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Proposal 1 - Election of Directors
Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our Board is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. The total number of authorized directors on our Board is currently fixed at seven.
Our Board consists of two Class I directors — Nelson C. Chan and Dr. Kukjin Chun; two Class II directors — Robert J. Barker and Hyunsoo Shin; and three Class III directors — Dr. Kyeongho Lee, John Schlaefer, and Jeff Tuder. The Class II, Class III and Class I directors will serve until our annual meetings of stockholders to be held in 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively, or until the director’s successor is duly elected and qualified or until the director’s earlier death, resignation, disqualification, or removal. Upon the recommendation of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, our Board has nominated Robert J. Barker and Hyunsoo Shin as Class II directors at the Annual Meeting. Robert J. Barker and Hyunsoo Shin are current Class II directors and standing for re-election at the Annual Meeting. Stockholders cannot submit proxies voting for a greater number of persons than the two nominees named in this Proposal 1. Each director to be elected will hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2029 and until their successor is elected and qualified or until the director’s death, retirement, resignation, or removal. Each nominee is currently a director of GCT and has agreed to serve if elected, and we have no reason to believe that any nominee will be unable to serve.
There are no family relationships between any of our directors, nominees, or executive officers. There are also no arrangements or understandings between any director, nominee, or executive officer and any other person pursuant to which the person has been or will be selected as a director or executive officer.
Nominees for Class II Directors
Name |
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Age |
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Class |
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Position |
Robert J. Barker |
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80 |
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II |
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Audit Committee Chair, Compensation Committee Member, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair |
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Hyunsoo Shin |
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71 |
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II |
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Audit Committee Member |
Robert J. Barker has been a member of our Board since March 2024 and, prior to the business combination on March 26, 2024 (the “Business Combination”) had served as a member of GCT’s board of directors since April 2011, and served as Chairman of the Audit Committee since 2013. From August 2018 to present, Mr. Barker has served as Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer at AIStorm, Inc., a semiconductor company focused on Artificial Intelligence solutions. He has also served as the Corporate Secretary of Linear Dimensions Semiconductor, Inc. from 2016 to current. Both companies are privately held. From October 1999 to January 2010, Mr. Barker was Vice President of Corporate Business Development at Micrel, Incorporated (“Micrel”), a semiconductor company focused on developing analog power integrated circuits. Mr. Barker was Vice President of Human Resources at Micrel from February 2008 to January 2010. From October 2008 to January 2009, Mr. Barker served as Interim Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Micrel. Mr. Barker also served as Micrel’s Secretary from May 2000 to May 2001 and was reappointed as Secretary in February of 2009. From April 1994 to September 1999, Mr. Barker was Vice President of Finance and Chief Financial Officer of Micrel. Prior to that, Mr. Barker was Vice President of Finance and Secretary of Waferscale Integration, Inc., a fabless semiconductor manufacturer focused on non-volatile memory products. Mr. Barker also held various accounting and financial positions at Monolithic Memories and Lockheed Missiles and Space Co. Mr. Barker holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering and an M.B.A. from the University of California at Los Angeles.
We believe that Mr. Barker is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience and skills in corporate finance, public company accounting, and SEC reporting and financial management matters.
Hyunsoo “Hans” Shin has been a member of our Board since March 2024 and, prior to the Business Combination had served as a member of GCT’s board since 2022. He offers extensive expertise in business development and management, having served as Advisor to CJ Corporation from Oct 2022 to Oct 2024. Prior, Mr. Shin was the CEO of CJ America, supporting and guiding all the CJ affiliates in North and South America since 2020. From 2016 to 2019, Mr. Shin was the Executive Vice President, Head of Global Food Business at CJ Cheil-Jedang, where he was responsible for all profits and losses of the processed food business outside Korea. From 2013 to 2015, he served as CEO for CJ Foods in Los Angeles. Mr. Shin served as President of Kellogg Asia from 2002 to 2009 after
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having served as President of Nhong Shim Kellogg from 1999 to 2002. From 1991 to 1998, he worked for Pepsi-Cola International as President (1995-1998) and Marketing Director (1992-1995) of Pepsi-Cola Korea. From 1984 to 1989, he held various positions at Hyundai Electronics America such as National Sales Manager, Marketing Director and Semiconductor Foundry & Assembly Sales Manager. Mr. Shin holds a M.S. in Management from Sloan School of Management of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and a B.S. in Economics from Seoul National University.
We believe Mr. Shin is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive international business development and management experience.
Continuing Directors
Name |
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Age |
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Class |
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Term Expires at Annual Meeting in this Year |
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Position |
Dr. Kyeongho Lee |
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56 |
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III |
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2027 |
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Chairman of the Board, Compensation Committee Chair, and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member |
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John Schlaefer |
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62 |
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III |
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2027 |
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President and Chief Executive Officer |
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Jeff Tuder |
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53 |
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III |
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2027 |
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Compensation Committee Member |
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Nelson C. Chan |
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65 |
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I |
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2028 |
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Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member |
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Dr. Kukjin Chun |
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71 |
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I |
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2028 |
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Audit Committee Member |
Kyeongho Lee, Ph.D. is the Chairman of our Board and is a co-founder of the Company and, prior to the Business Combination had served as a Chairman of GCT’s board of directors since 2000. Since 2002, Dr. Lee has served as a member of the board of directors of Anapass, Inc., a Korean Stock Exchange (“KOSDAQ”) listed fabless semiconductor company that supplies advanced panel controller solutions. From 1995 to 1998, Dr. Lee served as a member of the technical staff at Silicon Image Inc., a provider of advanced, interoperable connectivity solutions for high-definition displays. As a member of Silicon Image’s engineering division, Dr. Lee created and patented the technology for the PanelLink flat panel display, which was adopted as the worldwide standards known as DVI and HDMI. Dr. Lee holds 17 U.S. patents on RF direct conversion and other RF design techniques, which laid the foundation for the development of GCT’s proprietary CMOS RF and single-chip technology. Dr. Lee holds a B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University, where he was granted the Distinguished Dissertation award for his Ph.D. thesis on CMOS RF technology.
We believe that Dr. Lee is qualified to serve on our Board based on his substantial business, leadership, and management experience in the semiconductor sector and his knowledge and experience with the Company’s business operations.
John Schlaefer is our Chief Executive Officer and President and a member of our Board and, prior to the Business Combination served as Chief Executive Officer of GCT since December 2012, as Chief Operating Officer from 2006 to 2012 and as a member of the board of directors. Mr. Schlaefer also previously served as a Product Line Director at National Semiconductor Corporation from 2001 to 2006. From 1994 to 2000, Mr. Schlaefer held a variety of marketing and business development positions at National Semiconductor Corporation. Prior to joining National Semiconductor Corporation, Mr. Schlaefer was a Program Manager at Watkins Johnson Company from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Schlaefer holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, and an MBA with an Emphasis in Finance and General Management from the University of California at Berkeley.
We believe that Mr. Schlaefer is qualified to serve on our Board based on his substantial business, leadership, and management experience in the semiconductor sector.
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Jeff Tuder has been a member of our Board since March 2024. Mr. Tuder is the Founder and Managing Member of Tremson Capital Management, LLC (“Tremson”) since April 2015, is an Operating Partner of Atlas Merchant Capital and is also Chief Executive Officer of Concord Acquisition Corp II and Chief Financial Officer of Digital and Space Asset Acquisition Corp (NASDAQ: DAAQ and SAAQ, respectively). Prior to founding Tremson, he held investment roles at Fortress Investment Group, JHL Capital Group, KSA Capital Management and CapitalSource Finance. Mr. Tuder began his career at Nassau Capital and ABS Capital Partners. Mr. Tuder currently serves on the boards of directors of Inseego Corp (NASDAQ: INSG) where he is Chairman of the Board and Audit Committee, Hyperliquid Securities, Inc. (NASDAQ: PURR), IQM Quantum Computers (NASDAQ: IQMX) where he is Chairman of the Audit Committee, as well as DAAQ. Mr. Tuder previously served on the board of directors of a number of other public and private companies. Mr. Tuder received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Yale College.
We believe Mr. Tuder is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience in corporate governance, financing and management of public companies, as well as his skills and expertise in strategic and investment transactions.
Nelson C. Chan has been a member of our Board since March 2024. Mr. Chan has been the Chair of the Synaptics Incorporated (“Synaptics”) board since October 2018 and a director of the Synaptics since February 2007. From December 2006 until August 2008, Mr. Chan served as the Chief Executive Officer of Magellan Corporation, a leader in the consumer, survey, GIS, and OEM GPS navigation and positioning markets. From 1992 through 2006, Mr. Chan served in various senior management positions with SanDisk Corporation, a global leader in flash memory cards, including as Executive Vice President and General Manager, Consumer Business. From 1983 to 1992, Mr. Chan held marketing and engineering positions at Chips and Technologies, Signetics, and Delco Electronics. Mr. Chan is a member of the board of directors, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee of Deckers Outdoor Corporation, a NYSE-listed company, which is a footwear, apparel and accessories designer and distributor, and a member of the board of directors, the Audit Committee, and the Nominating and Governance Committee of Twist Bioscience, a Nasdaq-listed company, which manufactures synthetic DNA. Mr. Chan also currently serves on the boards of directors of several private companies. Previously, Mr. Chan was Chair of the board of directors, Chair of the Compensation Committee, member of the Audit Committee and member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of Adesto Technologies, a Nasdaq-listed company, from 2010 to June 2020, prior to its acquisition by Dialog Semiconductor plc, a member of the board of directors, Chair of the Compensation Committee and member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance committee of Socket Mobile, a Nasdaq-listed company, from 2016 to 2019, a member of the board of directors of Silicon Laboratories, Inc., a Nasdaq-listed company, from 2007 to 2010, a member of the board of directors, Chair of the Audit Committee and member of the Compensation Committee of Affymetrix, from 2010 to 2016, prior to its acquisition by Thermo Fisher, and a member of the board of directors and Chair of the board of directors from June 2013 to September 2016 of Outerwall, a Nasdaq-listed company, prior to its acquisition by Apollo Global Management, a private equity firm. Mr. Chan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of California at Santa Barbara and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Santa Clara University.
We believe that Mr. Chan is qualified to serve on our Board based on his corporate finance experience and his previous experience on boards of directors of public traded companies in the technology industry, as well as his knowledge and skills in corporate governance and strategic transactions.
Kukjin Chun, Ph.D. has been a member of our Board since March 2024 and, prior to the Business Combination had served as a member of GCT’s board since 2022. Dr. Chun offers extensive expertise in electrical and electronics engineering, serving as Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Seoul National University from 1989 to 2020, and Assistant Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department as WSU from 1986 to 1989. Since 1989, he held several positions at Seoul National University such as Head of the department of EECS and Director of the Microsystem Technology Center. Dr. Chun is a member of the National Academy of Engineering of Korea and a Fellow at the Institute of Physics in the United Kingdom as well as a Fellow at the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). He has served in various positions with IEEE such as Vice-President, Member of Geographical Activity; Member of the board of directors; and Member on several committees such as Audit, Sections Congress Organizing and MGA Award. Among numerous awards, Dr. Chun has earned the Order of Science and Technology Merit of Korea. Dr. Chun holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University, as well as a M.S. and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Michigan.
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We believe Dr. Chun is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive electrical and electronics engineering experience and his scientific knowledge of semiconductor design and manufacturing.
Required Vote
The two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as Class II directors. Shares represented by executed proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for the election of the two nominees named above. If any nominee becomes unavailable for election due to an unexpected occurrence, shares that would have been voted for the nominee will instead be voted for the election of a substitute nominee proposed by our Board and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Under applicable rules, brokers are prohibited from giving proxies to vote on elections of directors unless the beneficial owner of the shares has given voting instructions on the matter. This means that if your broker is the record holder of your shares, you must give voting instructions to your broker with respect to the two nominees in this Proposal 1 if you want your broker to vote your shares on the matter. Otherwise, your shares will be treated as broker non-votes. Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” each nominee named in Proposal 1.
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Director Compensation
Nonemployee Director Compensation Policy
The following table sets forth the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to Messrs. Robert J. Barker, Dr. Kukjin Chun, Hyunsoo Shin, Dr. Kyeongho Lee, Jeff Tuder and Nelson C. Chan for services as our non-employee directors during 2025.
Name |
|
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) |
|
|
|
Stock Awards ($)(1) |
|
|
|
Total ($) |
|
Robert J. Barker |
|
$ |
70,000 |
(2) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
180,000 |
|
Dr. Kukjin Chun |
|
$ |
52,500 |
(3) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,500 |
|
Hyunsoo Shin |
|
$ |
52,500 |
(4) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,500 |
|
Dr. Kyeongho Lee |
|
$ |
55,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
165,000 |
|
Jeff Tuder |
|
$ |
52,500 |
(6) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,500 |
|
Nelson C. Chan |
|
$ |
52,500 |
(7) |
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
|
$ |
162,500 |
|
Cash Retainer and Fees:
Each non-employee director receives an annual retainer in the following amounts:
Name |
|
|
Fees ($) |
|
Robert J. Barker |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Dr. Kukjin Chun |
|
$ |
45,000 |
|
Hyunsoo Shin |
|
$ |
45,000 |
|
Dr. Kyeongho Lee |
|
$ |
40,000 |
|
Jeff Tuder |
|
$ |
47,500 |
|
Nelson C. Chan |
|
$ |
47,500 |
|
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In addition to an annual cash retainer, our non-employee directors receive the additional compensation described below, as applicable. All cash retainers are paid in quarterly installments based on each director’s service on the board or a committee during such quarter.
Audit Committee Chairperson |
|
$ |
15,000 |
|
Compensation Committee Chairperson |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chairperson |
|
$ |
10,000 |
|
Audit Committee Member |
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
Compensation Committee Member |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Member |
|
$ |
5,000 |
|
Equity Awards
RSU Awards
On June 27, 2024, each non-employee director was granted an award of restricted stock units under the 2024 Plan covering $110,000 worth of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to the following terms:
Each non-employee director was allowed to make a deferral election, until the earliest to occur of a Distribution Event or a calendar year specified by the director (but no earlier than 2026), with respect to the number of restricted stock units determined on any of the quarterly determination dates ending on or after September 30, 2024 (i.e., the non-employee directors were not permitted to make a deferral election for the restricted stock units determined for the quarter ending June 30, 2024). A Distribution Event means a separation from service from the Company, a change in control event involving the Company, death or becoming disabled. Messrs. Robert J. Barker and Jeff Tuder elected to defer the issuance of shares until the earliest Distribution Event; Dr. Kyeongho Lee elected to defer the issuance of shares until the earliest to occur of (i) a Distribution Event or (ii) 2027.
On May 7, 2025, each non-employee director was granted an award of restricted stock units under the 2024 Plan covering $110,000 worth of shares of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to the following terms:
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Each non-employee director was allowed to make a deferral election, until the earliest to occur of a Distribution Event or a calendar year specified by the director (but no earlier than 2027), with respect to the number of restricted stock units determined on any of the quarterly determination dates ending on or after June 30, 2025. A Distribution Event means a separation from service from the Company, a change in control event involving the Company, death or becoming disabled. Messrs. Robert J. Barker and Jeff Tuder elected to defer the issuance of shares until the earliest Distribution Event; Messrs. Dr. Kyeongho Lee and Dr. Kukjin Chun elected to defer the issuance of shares until the earliest to occur of (i) a Distribution Event or (ii) 2027.
Maximum Director Compensation
Under the terms of the 2024 Plan, the maximum aggregate value of awards granted to any non-employee director under the plan in any calendar year, taken together with any cash retainer paid to such non-employee director in respect of such calendar year, may not exceed $500,000 in total value.
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Corporate Governance
Board Composition
Our Board is comprised of seven directors. Six of our current directors — Dr. Kyeongho Lee, Robert J. Barker, Dr. Kukjin Chun, Hyunsoo Shin, Jeff Tuder, and Nelson C. Chan — qualify as independent under the NYSE listing standards. Our Board has appointed Dr. Kyeongho Lee to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Our Board is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. Only one class of directors will be elected at each annual stockholders’ meeting, with the other classes continuing for the remainder of their respective three-year terms. Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, a director in that class will be eligible to be elected for a new three-year term at the annual stockholders’ meeting in the year in which their term expires.
Our directors are divided among the three classes as follows:
Director |
|
Class |
|
Term Expires at the Annual Stockholders’ Meeting in This Year |
Robert J. Barker |
|
II |
|
2026 |
Hyunsoo Shin |
|
II |
|
2026 |
John Schlaefer |
|
III |
|
2027 |
Jeff Tuder |
|
III |
|
2027 |
Dr. Kyeongho Lee |
|
III |
|
2027 |
Dr. Kukjin Chun |
|
I |
|
2028 |
Nelson C. Chan |
|
I |
|
2028 |
Board Meetings
Our Board held 9 meetings during 2025.
Board and Committee Meeting Attendance
During 2025, each director attended at least 75% of the meetings of the Board and the committees on which the director served. Under our Corporate Governance Guidelines, directors are expected to regularly attend meetings of the Board and committees on which the director sits and to review prior to meetings material distributed in advance for the meetings. All directors are encouraged to attend our annual meeting of stockholders.
Communication with Directors
Stockholders and other interested parties who wish to communicate with our Board as a whole, Chairman of the Board, or independent directors as a group may do so by submitting the communication in writing to our Board, c/o our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary.
All communications are opened and reviewed, and communications that relate to matters that are within the scope of the responsibilities of the Board will be forwarded to the Chairman of the Board, or independent directors as a group, as applicable. If the correspondence is addressed to the Board, the Chairman of the Board will share it with the other Board members as the Chairman determines is appropriate for the Board to review the correspondence. Unsolicited items, junk mail, and frivolous or inappropriate communications and items unrelated to the duties and responsibilities of our Board will not be provided to directors.
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The address for these communications is:
GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201
San Jose, California
Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (408) 434-8035
Director Independence
As required under the NYSE listing standards, a majority of the members of a listed company’s Board must qualify as “independent,” as affirmatively determined by the Board. The Board consults with the Company’s counsel to ensure that the Board’s determinations are consistent with relevant securities and other laws and regulations regarding the definition of “independence,” including those set forth in pertinent listing standards of Nasdaq, as in effect from time to time.
Consistent with these considerations, after review of all relevant identified transactions or relationships between each director, or any of his or her family members, and the Company, its senior management and its independent auditors, the Board has affirmatively determined that the following directors, representing a majority of the members of the Board, are independent directors within the meaning of the applicable NYSE listing standards: Dr. Kyeongho Lee, Robert J. Barker, Dr. Kukjin Chun, Hyunsoo Shin, Jeff Tuder, and Nelson C. Chan. In making this determination, the Board found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying relationship with the Company. In the determination of Dr. Lee’s independence, the Board considered his relationship with a major stockholder of the Company and certain loan transactions between Dr. Lee and one of our subsidiaries. As Mr. Schlaefer serves as our Chief Executive Officer, he is not independent. Additionally, the Board determined that all members of the audit, compensation, and nominating and corporate governance committees of the Board are independent.
Board Leadership Structure
We believe that separating the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board provides the optimal level of oversight by the Board of our business operations. Our Board does not anticipate implementing a policy requiring the positions of the Chair of the Board and Chief Executive Officer to be separate or held by the same individual. Any further determination to create such a policy is expected to be based on circumstances existing from time to time, based on criteria that are in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, including the composition, skills and experience of our Board and our members, specific challenges faced by us or the industry in which we operate, and governance efficiency. We elected Dr. Kyeongho Lee as Chairman of the Board because Dr. Lee’s strategic vision for the business and his in-depth knowledge of our operations as the founder of the Company makes him well qualified to serve as Chairman of the Board.
Risk Management
Our Board will administer the risk oversight function directly through our Board as a whole, as well as through our committees, where applicable, monitoring and assessing strategic risk exposure, enterprise risk, and governance risks. The audit committee will be responsible for considering and discussing our major financial risk exposures and the steps our management has taken to monitor and control these exposures. Our compensation committee will be responsible for reviewing and assessing the risks associated with the compensation arrangements of executive management, including the lack of alignment between the incentives of management and the interests of stockholders. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for reviewing and assessing the risks associated with corporate governance and Board management. The allocation of risk oversight responsibility may change, from time to time, based on the evolving needs of the Company.
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Code of Ethics and Business Conduct
We have adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (“Code of Ethics”) applicable to our directors, officers and employees in accordance with applicable federal securities laws.
Our Board has also adopted Corporate Governance Guidelines in accordance with the corporate governance rules of the NYSE that serve as a flexible framework within which our Board and our committees operate. Copies of our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct, our Audit Committee Charter, our Compensation Committee Charter and our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter are available on our corporate website at https://investors.gctsemi.com/documents-and-charters. The information contained on or accessible through our corporate website or any other website that we may maintain is not incorporated by reference into this proxy statement.
Insider Trading Policy
We are committed to promoting high standards of ethical business conduct and compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations. As part of this commitment, our Board has
Policy Against Hedging and Pledging
Our Insider Trading Policy prohibits directors, officers, and employees from taking any of the following actions:
Compensation Recovery Policy (Clawback Policy)
Our Board adopted a clawback policy (the “Clawback Policy”), providing for the recovery of certain incentive-based compensation from current and former executive officers of the Company in the event the Company is required to restate any of its financial statements filed with the SEC under the Exchange Act in order to correct an error that is material to the previously-issued financial statements, or that would result in a material misstatement if the error were corrected in the current period or left uncorrected in the current period. A copy of the Clawback Policy has been filed as Exhibit 97.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information
We do not grant stock options or similar awards as part of our equity compensation programs. If stock options or similar awards were granted,
15
(each, a “Filing Window”). If stock options or similar awards were granted, our executive officers would not be permitted to choose the grant date for their individual stock option grants. These restrictions do not apply to RSUs or other types of equity awards that do not include an exercise price related to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. During the period covered by this report,
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors, executive officers, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of our common stock to file with the SEC reports of ownership regarding the common stock and other GCT equity securities.
Based solely on our review of the copies of such forms filed with the SEC, or written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company believes that during fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 the filing requirements applicable to its officers, directors and greater than 10% percent beneficial owners were complied with, except for the following: (i) John Schlaefer filed one late Form 4 to report one transaction; and (ii) Jeff Tuder filed two late Form 4, each reporting one transaction.
Committees of the Board
Our Board has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board may establish other committees from time to time. Current copies of our committee charters are available on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com/documents-and-charters as required by applicable SEC and NYSE rules.
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee is comprised of Robert J. Barker (Chair), Hyunsoo Shin, and Dr. Kukjin Chun. Each of Robert J. Barker, Hyunsoo Shin, and Dr. Kukjin Chun meets the requirements for independence and financial literacy under SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards. In addition, Robert J. Barker qualifies as an audit committee financial expert as defined under SEC rules. Our Audit Committee held 8 meetings in 2025.
The Audit Committee’s responsibilities include, among other things, the following:
16
Our Audit Committee operates under a written charter, which satisfies SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards and is available on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com/documents-and-charters.
The Audit Committee approves in advance all audit services and permissible non-audit services, other than de minimis non-audit services, to be provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm.
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee is currently comprised of Dr. Kyeongho Lee (Chair), Robert J. Barker and Jeff Tuder. The composition of the Compensation Committee meets the requirements for independence under SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards. Each member of the Compensation Committee is a non-employee director, as defined in Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act. Our Compensation Committee held 2 meetings in 2025.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for, among other things, the following:
Our Compensation Committee operates under a written charter, which satisfies the NYSE listing standards and is available on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com/documents-and-charters. The charter provides that the Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, retain or obtain the advice of a compensation consultant, legal counsel, or other adviser and is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the adviser. However, before engaging or receiving advice from a compensation consultant, external legal counsel, or any other adviser, the Compensation Committee will consider the independence of the adviser, including the factors required by SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards.
Our Compensation Committee has retained Meridian Compensation Partners (“Meridian”) as its independent compensation consultant. Meridian periodically collects and analyzes market data to provide a competitive reference on pay levels, structure, and performance alignment for executives and directors. Meridian may also advise the Compensation Committee on other executive and director compensation matters and general compensation trends. Outside of its role as independent compensation consultant, Meridian does not provide any other services to us or our management and does not have any other direct or indirect business relationships with us or our management. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Meridian and concluded that its engagement does not raise any conflicts of interest.
17
While market data provided by an independent compensation consultant can be a useful guide in setting executive compensation, the Compensation Committee believes that a successful compensation program also requires that the Compensation Committee apply its own judgment and subjective determination to reconcile the program’s objectives with the realities of rewarding and retaining our executives and to measure the individual performance of our executives. The Board or Compensation Committee makes all compensation decisions with regard to our Chief Executive Officer without the participation of our Chief Executive Officer. While the Compensation Committee is solely responsible for the appointment of the independent compensation consultant and for approving executive compensation, management supports the work of the Compensation Committee and the independent compensation consultant.
The Compensation Committee has authority to form, and delegate authority to, one or more subcommittees, comprised of one or more committee members. Any subcommittee will have the responsibilities and authority delegated to it, including, if so designated, the full responsibility and authority of the committee with respect to delegated matters, unless otherwise prohibited by applicable laws or listing standards.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is comprised of Robert J. Barker (Chair), Dr. Kyeongho Lee and Nelson C. Chan. The composition of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the requirements for independence under SEC rules and the NYSE listing standards. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held one meeting in 2025.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for, among other things, the following:
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee operates under a written charter, which satisfies the NYSE listing standards, and which is available on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com/documents-and-charters.
Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible for reviewing with the Board, on an annual basis, the appropriate characteristics, skills, and experience required for the Board as a whole and its individual members. Although the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee does not have a specific policy on diversity, in evaluating the suitability of individual candidates (both new candidates and current members), the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, in recommending candidates for election, and the Board, in approving (and, in the case of vacancies, appointing) the candidates, may take into account many factors, including diversity of personal and professional background, perspective, and experience; personal and professional integrity, ethics, and values; experience in corporate management, operations, or finance; experience relevant to our industry and with relevant social policy concerns; experience as a Board member or executive officer of another public company; relevant academic expertise or other proficiency in an area of our operations; practical and mature business judgment; and any other relevant qualifications, attributes, or skills. While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not established specific minimum qualifications for individual candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that candidates and director nominees must result in a Board comprised of directors who are predominantly independent, possess high personal and professional ethics and integrity, have qualifications that will increase overall Board effectiveness, meet requirements of applicable rules and regulations, such as financial literacy or financial expertise with respect to Audit Committee members, and are willing and able to
18
represent the best interests of all stockholders of GCT. Currently, our Board evaluates each individual in the context of the Board as a whole with the objective of assembling a group that can best maximize the success of the business and represent stockholder interests through the exercise of sound judgment using its diversity of experience in these various areas.
In recommending candidates for nomination, our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers candidates recommended by directors, officers, employees, stockholders, and others. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has authority under its charter to retain a search firm for identifying potential director candidates. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will consider suggestions by stockholders of potential director candidates and does not intend to alter its criteria for evaluating potential director candidates, including the criteria described above, in the case of director candidates recommended by stockholders. Stockholders may recommend individuals to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee for consideration as potential director candidates by submitting the names of the individuals, together with appropriate biographical information and background materials to our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, c/o Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary, 2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201 San Jose, California 95131.
19
Related Party Transactions Policy
We have adopted a related party transactions policy (included in our Audit Committee Charter) that sets forth our procedures for the identification, review, consideration, and approval or ratification of related party transactions, which complies with NYSE rules on the review and approval of related party transactions.
Related-Person Transactions
Below is a description of transactions since January 1, 2024, to which the Company was a party and in which (i) the amount involved exceeded or is expected to exceed $120,000, and (ii) any of our directors, executive officers, holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or any member of their immediate family or household, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Concord III Transactions and Agreements
Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this section to “we,” “us,” or “our” refer to Concord III.
On March 1, 2021, the Sponsor, a Delaware limited liability company, purchased an aggregate of 7,187,500 shares of Concord III Class B common stock (the “Founder Shares”) for a capital contribution of $25,000. The number of Founder Shares issued was determined based on the expectation that the Founder Shares would represent 20% of the outstanding shares of Concord III upon completion of the IPO. On March 25, 2021, the Sponsor sold 1,437,500 Founder Shares to CA2 and 25,000 to each of our independent directors, in each case at the original price per share. On May 6, 2021, CA2 sold 956,439 shares back to the Sponsor at the original purchase price, resulting in the Sponsor holding 6,631,439 Founder Shares and CA2 holding 481,061 Founder Shares. In November 2021, we effected a stock dividend of 1,437,500 shares with respect to the Concord III Class B, resulting in the Sponsors and our three independent directors holding an aggregate of 8,625,000 Founder Shares (8,624,999 of which were converted to shares of Concord III Class A in connection with the Second Extension). The Sponsor currently holds 7,957,727 Founder Shares, CA2 currently holds 577,273 Founder Shares and each of our three independent directors currently holds 30,000 Founder Shares. The Sponsors purchased an aggregate of 9,400,000 Private Placement Warrants at a price of $1.00 per Warrant, for an aggregate purchase price of $9,400,000. There will be no redemption rights or liquidating distributions from a trust account (the “Trust Account”) with respect to the Founder Shares or Private Placement Warrants, which will expire worthless if we do not consummate a business combination before November 8, 2024. As such, the Sponsors’ interest in this transaction is valued at $9,400,000. Among the Private Placement Warrants, 8,260,606 Warrants were purchased by the Sponsor and/or its designees and 1,139,394 Warrants were purchased by CA2 and/or its designees. In addition, the Sponsors lent to us an aggregate of $6,900,000 of loans to our Sponsors (the “Sponsor Loans”) as of the closing date of the IPO at no interest. The proceeds of the Sponsor Loans were added to the Trust Account and will be used to fund the redemption of the Public Shares (subject to the requirements of applicable law). Of the total amount of the Sponsor Loans, $6,063,636 was provided by the Sponsor, and $836,364 was provided by CA2. The Sponsor Loans shall be repaid or converted into Sponsor Loan Warrants at a conversion price of $1.00 per Warrant, at the Sponsors’ discretion. The Sponsor Loan Warrants are identical to the Private Placement Warrants sold to the Sponsors concurrently with the closing of the IPO. The Sponsor Loans were extended in order to ensure that the amount in the Trust Account is $10.20 per public share. In connection with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the Sponsors entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement, pursuant to which each of the Sponsor and CA2 each agreed to forgive all amounts outstanding under the Sponsor Loans. Therefore, no Sponsor Loan Warrants were issued in connection with the Closing.
Concord III entered into an Administrative Services Agreement pursuant to which it paid an affiliate of the Sponsor a total of $20,000 per month for office space, administrative and support services. In connection with the Closing, Concord III ceased paying these monthly fees. Accordingly, an affiliate of the Sponsor was paid a total of 578,000 for office space, administrative and support services and will be entitled to be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses. As of March 31, 2024, GCT had no outstanding balance due to the affiliate of the Sponsor related to the administrative service fee.
20
The Sponsor and Concord III’s officers and directors or any of their respective affiliates were reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with activities on our behalf such as identifying potential target businesses and performing due diligence on suitable business combinations. Concord III’s audit committee will review on a quarterly basis all material payments that were made by us to the Sponsor, officers, directors or our or any of their respective affiliates and will determine which expenses and the amount of expenses that will be reimbursed. There is no cap or ceiling on the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred by such persons in connection with activities on our behalf. As of December 31, 2023 and March 31, 2024, the Company had an outstanding balance due to the affiliate of the Sponsor of $100,920 and $0, respectively, and no balance outstanding as of the Closing Date.
Prior to the commencement of the offering, the Sponsor agreed to loan Concord III’s up to $200,000 to be used for a portion of the expenses of the IPO. At the time of the IPO, Concord III’s had borrowed $175,000 under such promissory note. The loan is non-interest bearing, unsecured and became due at the closing of the IPO. The loan has been repaid upon completion of the IPO out of the $600,000 of offering proceeds that has been allocated for the payment of offering expenses (other than underwriting commissions) not held in the Trust Account.
On May 3, 2022, the Sponsor agreed to loan Concord III up to $350,000 to be used to pay operating expenses. This loan was non-interest bearing, unsecured, was not convertible into Warrants or any other securities, and was due at the Closing. At December 31, 2023, there was $35,000 related to the loan outstanding which was fully paid back on the Closing Date.
Following the Closing, members of Concord III’s management team who remained with us, if any, were paid consulting, management or other fees from the combined company with any and all amounts being fully disclosed to Concord III’s stockholders, to the extent then known, in the tender offer or proxy solicitation materials, as applicable, furnished to our stockholders. It is unlikely the amount of such compensation will be known following the Closing, as applicable, as it will be up to the directors of the Company to determine executive officer and director compensation.
In connection with the IPO, we entered into a letter agreement with the Sponsor, CA2, and our officers and directors pursuant to which (x) they have agreed to waive: (1) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares, the private placement shares and public shares, and shares underlying the Sponsor Loan Warrants held by them, as applicable, in connection with the Closing; (2) their redemption rights with respect to any Founder Shares, the private placement shares and public shares, and shares underlying the Sponsor Loan Warrants held by them in connection with Concord III’s amended and restated certificate of incorporation (A) to modify the substance or timing of our obligation to allow redemptions in connection with the Closing or (B) with respect to any other provision relating to stockholders’ rights or pre-initial business combination activity; and (3) their rights to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any Founder Shares and private placement shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination by August 8, 2024 (although they will be entitled to liquidating distributions from the Trust Account with respect to any public shares they hold if we fail to complete our initial business combination within the prescribed time frame), and (y) the Founder Shares are subject to certain transfer restrictions.
In connection with the IPO, we have entered into a registration rights agreement with respect to the Founder Shares, Private Placement Warrants, Sponsor Loan Warrants and Concord III Warrants that may be issued upon conversion of working capital loans and Sponsor Loans and the shares (and any shares of issuable upon the exercise of the Private Placement Warrants or Warrants issued upon conversion of working capital loans or Sponsor Loans).
In April 2023, the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain holders of Concord III Class A common stock in exchange for them agreeing not to redeem their shares of Concord III Class A common stock in connection with the First Extension. The non-redemption agreements provide for the transfer and assignment of economic interest of an aggregate of 999,665 Founder Shares held by the Sponsor. Pursuant to the non-redemption agreements, the Sponsor has agreed to transfer such Founder Shares to the investors upon closing of an initial business combination.
21
In November 2023, Concord III and the Sponsor entered into non-redemption agreements with certain holders of Concord III Class A common stock in exchange for them agreeing not to redeem their shares of Concord III Class A common stock in connection with the Second Extension. In exchange for the foregoing commitments not to redeem such shares, Concord III agreed to allocate to such investors an aggregate of 781,961 shares of Concord III Class A common stock, and the Sponsor agreed to surrender and forfeit to Concord III for no consideration an equal number of Founder Shares, upon closing of an initial business combination.
Other than the foregoing, no compensation or fees of any kind will be paid to the Sponsor, members of Concord III’s management team or their respective affiliates, for services rendered prior to or in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination. Additionally, Mr. Tuder joined the Company’s Board upon consummation of the Business Combination and will be compensated in line with Board’s compensation policies.
Sponsor Support Agreement
Concurrently with the execution and delivery of the Business Combination Agreement, Concord III entered into the Sponsor Support Agreement with GCT, the Sponsor and CA2. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and CA2 have, among other things, agreed to vote all of their shares of Concord III’s common stock in favor of the approval of the Business Combination, including the merger thereto, not to redeem any of their shares of Concord III’s common stock and to waive their anti-dilution protections with respect to their Founder Shares.
Lock-up Agreements
On March 26, 2024, and in connection with the Closing, the Company and certain stockholders of GCT, including its directors, officers, affiliates and holders of more than 5% of outstanding shares of GCT common stock as of the Closing, entered into the Lock-Up Agreement, pursuant to which such stockholders agreed to not effect any sale or other transfer of Common Stock, subject to certain customary exceptions set forth in the Lock-Up Agreement, during the period commencing at the Closing and ending on the earlier of (i) one year following the Closing, (ii) such date as the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property or (iii) the date on which the last sale price of Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share splits, share consolidations, share capitalizations, rights issuances, subdivisions, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30 trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Closing. The Lock-Up Agreement expired on its terms on March 26, 2025.
Subscription Agreements
Concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, the PIPE Investors entered into subscription agreements (the “PIPE Subscription Agreements”) pursuant to which the PIPE Investors had committed to purchase in a private placement an aggregate of 4,529,967 shares of the PIPE Shares at a purchase price of $6.67 per share and the PIPE Financing of an aggregate purchase price of approximately $30.2 million. The purchase of the PIPE Shares was conditioned upon, among other things, the consummation of the Business Combination and was consummated immediately prior to the Closing. At the Closing, the PIPE Shares issued pursuant to the PIPE Subscription Agreements were not registered under the Securities Act, and were issued in reliance on the availability of an exemption from such registration.
Side Letter to Sponsor Support Agreement
Concurrently with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, the Sponsors, Concord III, and GCT entered into a letter agreement pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement (the “Side Letter to Sponsor Support Agreement”). Pursuant to the Side Letter to Sponsor Support Agreement, the parties thereto, among other things, confirmed their understand of the calculations and timing for determination of the Sponsor Earnout Ratio (as defined in the Sponsor Support Agreement), the number of Sponsor Earnout Shares (as defined in the Sponsor Support Agreement), and the number of Sponsor Unretained Earnout Shares (as defined in the Sponsor Support Agreement).
22
Sponsor Incentive Allocation
On the Closing Date, and pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsors assigned 2,087,350 Private Placement Warrants and 1,399,107 shares of Common Stock to the Affiliated Stockholders.
GCT Semiconductor, Inc. Transactions and Agreements
Term Loan and Security Agreement
The amounts in South Korean won (“KRW”) presented below were converted into U.S. dollars based on the currency exchange rate on December 31, 2025.
In July 2016, Anapass, Inc. (“Anapass”) loaned to GCT Research, Inc., a subsidiary of GCT (“GCT Research”), 6.0 billion South Korean won (“₩”), or $4.2 million based on the currency exchange rate on December 31, 2025, pursuant to a secured term note bearing 5.5% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of July 2024. In July 2024, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from July 2024 to July 2025. In July 2025, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from July 2025 to July 2026. In July 2026, GCT paid back ₩ 2.0 billion ($1.4 million) and entered into an amendment to extend the maturity date of remaining principal of ₩ 4.0 billion ($2.8 million) from July 2026 to July 2027. Dr. Lee serves as the chairman of the board of Anapass, which is currently a beneficial owner of approximately 9.8% of the issued and outstanding shares of GCT common stock. In addition, Anapass and GCT executed that certain Intellectual Property and Asset Security Agreement (the “Security Agreement”), dated as of July 18, 2016, pursuant to which GCT granted a security interest in substantially all of GCT’s assets to secure the loan. The Security Agreement was amended in January 2017 to secure a loan in the principal amount of ₩9.2 billion ($6.4 million) by the Industrial Bank of Korea (“IBK”) to GCT Research.
In addition, in May 2022, GCT executed Amendment No. 2 to the Security Agreement to secure an additional loan in the amount of ₩3.0 billion ($2.1 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 5.5% and with an original maturity of May 2024. In May 2024, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from May 2024 to May 2025. In May 2025, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from May 2025 to November 2025. In November 2025, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from November 2025 to November 2026 and change the annual interest rate from 5.5% to 7.0%. In September 2022, GCT executed Amendment No. 3 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩4.0 billion ($2.8 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 5.5% and with an original maturity of September 2024. In September 2024, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from September 2024 to September 2025. In September 2025, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from September 2025 to September 2026 and change the annual interest rate from 5.5% to 7.0%.
In December 2024, GCT executed Amendment No. 4 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩5.0 million ($3.5 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 6.5% and with an original maturity of December 2025. In December 2025, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from December 2025 to December 2026 and change the annual interest rate from 6.5% to 7.0%.
In March 2025, GCT executed Amendment No. 5 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩4.5 billion ($3.1 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 6.5% and maturing in March 2026. In March 2026, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from March 2026 to March 2027 and change the annual interest rate from 6.5% to 7.0%.
In July 2025, GCT executed Amendment No. 6 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩3.0 billion ($2.1 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 6.5% and maturing in July 2026. In July 2026, GCT executed an amendment with Anapass to extend the maturity date from July 2026 to July 2027 and change the annual interest rate from 6.5% to 7.0%.
23
In August 2025, GCT executed Amendment No. 7 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩2.0 billion ($1.4 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 6.5% and maturing in August 2026.
In September 2025, GCT executed Amendment No. 8 to the Security Agreement to secure a loan in the amount of ₩15.0 billion ($10.5 million) from Anapass to GCT Research, bearing an annual interest rate of 7.0% and maturing in September 2026.
In July of 2016, KEB Hana Bank loaned ₩9.0 billion ($6.3 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing a variable interest rate (2.6% initial annual interest rate and annual interest rates ranging between 3.1% to 4.0% as of December 31, 2025), paid monthly, with an original maturity of July 2017. The terms of such unsecured term loan agreement have been extended annually for additional one-year terms since 2017, and the maturity date was July 2024. In April 2024, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to April 2025 for the principal amount of ₩1.0 billion ($0.7 million) with an annual interest rate of 3.5%. In July 2024, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to July 2025 for the principal amount of ₩8.0 billion ($6.0 million) with an annual interest rate of 4.9%. Anapass provided certificates of deposit as collateral to KEB Hana Bank to secure GCT Research’s obligations under this loan. In April 2025, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to April 2026 for the principal amount of ₩1.0 billion ($0.7 million) with an annual interest rate of 3.1%. In July 2025, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to July 2026 for the principal amount of ₩8.0 billion ($5.9 million) with an annual interest rate of 4.0%. In April 2026, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to April 2027 for the principal amount of ₩1.0 billion ($0.7 million) with an annual interest rate of 2.9%. In July 2026, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to July 2027 for the principal amount of ₩8.0 billion ($5.6 million) with an annual interest rate of 5.3%.
In January of 2017, IBK loaned ₩9.2 billion ($6.4 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing an annual interest rate of 4.1% and with an original maturity of November 2025. In June 2025, GCT Research executed an amendment to change the annual interest rate from 4.1% to 4.0%, effective June 12, 2025. In November 2025, GCT Research executed an amendment to extend the maturity date to November 2026 and change the annual interest rate from 4.0% to 3.6%.
On May 19, 2017, Dr. Lee loaned ₩500.0 million ($0.3 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term note bearing an 8.5% annual interest rate, paid monthly, with an original maturity of November 19, 2017. The terms of the unsecured term note have been extended annually for additional one-year terms since 2017, and the current maturity date is November 19, 2026 with an annual interest rate of 9.0%.
On May 30, 2017, Dr. Lee loaned ₩500.0 million ($0.3 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term note bearing 8.5% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of November 30, 2017. The terms of the unsecured term note have been extended annually for additional one-year terms since 2017, and the current maturity date is November 30, 2026 with an annual interest rate of 7.5%.
On May 27, 2020, Dr. Lee loaned ₩400.0 million ($0.3 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured and non-interest bearing term loan agreement with an original maturity of November 27, 2020. GCT Research redeemed ₩200.0 million ($0.14 million) under such term loan in July 2020. The terms of the unsecured term loan agreement were extended for six months in November 2020, and further extended annually for additional one-year terms since May 2021 pursuant to that certain Amendment No. 2, dated as of May 27, 2021; Amendment No. 4, dated as of May 27, 2022, and Amendment No. 5, dated as of May 27, 2023. Pursuant to that certain Amendment No. 3, dated as of November 30, 2021, ₩90.0 million ($0.06 million) were forgiven by Dr. Lee. The outstanding balance under the loan of ₩110.0 million ($0.07 million translated using the exchange rate as of December 31, 2024) was paid off in full on October 2, 2025.
On December 2, 2021, Dr. Lee loaned ₩1,000.0 million ($0.7 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing 7.5% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of December 2, 2022. The loan agreement was subsequently extended to a maturity date of December 2, 2024. The loan was fully paid off on March 15, 2024.
24
On November 11, 2024, Dr. Lee loaned ₩4,000.0 million ($2.8 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing 12.0% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of December 31, 2024. As of the date of this Annual Report, ₩141.5 million ($0.1 million) of interest has been paid cumulatively pursuant to the loan agreement. The loan was fully paid off on June 19, 2026.
On December 11, 2024, Dr. Lee loaned ₩1,000.0 million ($0.7 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing 12.0% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of January 11, 2025. As of the date of this Annual Report, ₩12.3 million ($0.01 million) of interest has been paid cumulatively pursuant to the loan agreement. The current outstanding balance under the loan is ₩1,000.0 million ($0.7 million).
On December 17, 2024, Dr. Lee loaned ₩2,000.0 million ($1.4 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing 12.0% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of January 17, 2025. The unsecured term loan and accrued interest were paid off in full on October 2, 2025.
On January 24, 2025, Dr. Lee loaned ₩6,500.0 million ($4.5 million) to GCT Research pursuant to an unsecured term loan agreement bearing 12.0% annual interest, paid monthly, with an original maturity of February 24, 2025. As of the date of this Annual Report, ₩8.8 million ($0.006 million) of interest has been paid cumulatively pursuant to the loan agreement. The current outstanding balance under the loan is ₩6,500.0 million ($4.5 million).
Registration Rights Agreement
In connection with the Closing, the Company, certain stockholders of GCT, the Sponsor and certain stockholders of Concord III entered into the Registration Rights Agreement, pursuant to which we agreed to register for resale certain shares of our Common Stock and other equity securities that are held by the parties thereto from time to time.
Indemnification Agreements
In connection with the Business Combination, on the Closing Date, we entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers. Each indemnification agreement provides for indemnification and advancement by us of certain expenses and costs relating to claims, suits, or proceedings arising from service to us or, at our request, service to other entities to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law.
25
Executive Officers
Set forth below is biographical information regarding our executive officers as of July 24, 2026:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Current Position |
John Schlaefer |
|
62 |
|
President, Chief Executive Officer and Class III Director |
Edmond Cheng |
|
65 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
Dr. Jeongmin Kim |
|
55 |
|
Vice President of Engineering and Chief Technology Officer |
Alex Sum |
|
78 |
|
Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing |
John Schlaefer John Schlaefer’s biographical information is set forth above under the heading “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors - Continuing Directors.”
Edmond Cheng is our Chief Financial Officer. Prior to joining us as our Chief Financial Officer in March 2024, Mr. Cheng was the CFO for Cenntro Inc., a leading commercial EV company that focuses on offering zero-emission electric vehicles. He joined the company in 2021 and was instrumental in leading the company’s IPO process. Before joining Cenntro, he was the CFO at Mithera Capital, a PE/VC firm based in the Pacific Northwest, where he brought extensive financial management experience with expertise in corporate development, cross-border mergers & acquisitions, corporate controllerships, internal controls, treasury and corporate governance. Prior, Mr. Cheng served as CFO of other publicly listed companies including TCL Electronics Holdings, UTStarcom Inc., and Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. Ltd., as well as private equity-owned portfolio companies from Temasek Holdings, Hony Capital/Goldman Sachs, and Blackstone Group/HNA Group. Mr. Cheng holds an EMBA from Columbia University, London School of Business, and Hong Kong University. He also received a Master of Accounting and Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
Jeongmin Kim, Ph.D. is our Chief Technology Officer and Vice President of Engineering and, prior to the Business Combination had served as GCT’s Chief Technology Officer since 2013, and Vice President of Engineering since July 2003. Prior to 2003, Dr. Kim served as GCT’s Director of Engineering. Prior to joining GCT, Dr. Kim was involved in many industrial research projects relating to telecommunications technologies, including working as an independent design engineer in the development of an MPEG2 video decoder for HDTV with Daewoo Electronics, a home electronics company, from 1997 to 1998; a high performance H.263 video codec application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) with Korea Telecom, an integrated wired/wireless telecommunication service provider, from 1995 to 1997; and a high performance microcontroller for Samsung Electronics from 1993 to 1995. Dr. Kim holds a B.S. and M.S. in Electrical Engineering from Seoul National University and a Ph.D. in the high performance CPU architecture, also from Seoul National University.
Alex Sum is our Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing and, prior to the Business Combination had served as Sr. Vice President of Sales and Marketing at GCT since 2013. From 2002 to 2013, Mr. Sum served as GCT’s Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. From March 1992 to May 2002, Mr. Sum was Product Marketing Manager at Philips Semiconductor, the predecessor company of NXP Semiconductors, N.V., a semiconductor manufacturing company. From March 1983 to January 1992, Mr. Sum was Product/Test Engineering Supervisor at Supertex Inc., a technology company producing high voltage analog and mixed signal semiconductor components. From September 1977 to March 1983, Mr. Sum was Product / Test Engineering Supervisor at Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., a mixed signal, memory and discrete semiconductor company. From April 1975 to September 1977, components. From September 1977 to March 1983, Mr. Sum was Product / Test Engineering Supervisor at Fairchild Semiconductor International, Inc., a mixed signal, memory and discrete semiconductor company. From April 1975 to September 1977, Mr. Sum was Test/Wafer fab processing Engineering at Siliconix, the predecessor company of Vishay Intertechnology, Inc., a mixed signal, analog semiconductor company. Mr. Sum holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from San Jose State University.
26
Executive Compensation
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of our named executive officers or “NEOs”, as defined under SEC rules, during the years ended December 31, 2025, and 2024.
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary |
|
Bonus |
|
Stock |
|
Option |
|
Non-Equity |
|
Nonqualified |
|
All Other |
|
Total |
|||||||||||||
John Schlaefer |
|
2025 |
|
$ |
380,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
122,250 |
(1) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
12,611 |
(2) |
|
$ |
515,361 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
380,500 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
12,683 |
(3) |
|
$ |
393,183 |
|
Edmond Cheng(4) |
|
2025 |
|
$ |
285,831 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
122,250 |
(5) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
10,174 |
(6) |
|
$ |
418,255 |
|
Chief Financial Officer |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
224,712 |
(7) |
|
$ |
25,000 |
(8) |
|
$ |
262,960 |
(9) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
8,063 |
(10) |
|
$ |
520,735 |
|
Alex Sum |
|
2025 |
|
$ |
303,100 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
122,250 |
(11) |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
8,961 |
(12) |
|
$ |
434,311 |
|
Sr. VP of Sales and Marketing |
|
2024 |
|
$ |
303,100 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
$ |
9,043 |
(13) |
|
$ |
312,143 |
|
27
Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table
Our compensation program for our NEOs is comprised of base salary, annual cash bonuses and periodic equity awards, however, we did not award annual bonuses to our NEOs in 2024 or 2025. Historically, the equity awards granted to the NEOs have consisted of stock options, however, Mr. Cheng (who joined the company in March 2024) was granted a restricted stock unit award on August 21, 2024 and on September 19, 2025, the NEOs were each granted a restricted stock unit award. For a description of the outstanding stock options and restricted stock unit awards granted to the NEOs, please see the “Outstanding Equity Awards at 2025 Fiscal Year-End” table below.
The NEOs are eligible to participate in our perquisites and benefits on the same basis as our employees, including health and welfare benefits and a 401(k) program.
Employment Agreement
Edmond Cheng Employment Agreement
In connection with Mr. Cheng’s appointment as Chief Financial Officer, the Company and Mr. Cheng entered into an employment agreement effective as of March 18, 2024 (the “Cheng Employment Agreement”). The Cheng Employment Agreement has no fixed term and is terminable at will. Mr. Cheng is entitled under the Cheng Employment Agreement to an annual base salary of $285,000 and will be eligible to earn a bonus annually with a targeted incentive rate of 25% of base salary (however, he did not receive an annual bonus in 2024 or 2025). Mr. Cheng is also entitled to participate in the benefit plans generally available to our employees, such as group health care coverage and 401(k) plan participation. As provided under the Cheng Employment Agreement, Mr. Cheng received a one-time sign-on bonus of $25,000 in May 2024, and on August 21, 2024, Mr. Cheng received an initial grant of 76,000 restricted stock units that vest in equal annual installments over a (4) four-year period of service measured from the March 18, 2024 vesting commencement date. In connection with Mr. Cheng’s employment, Mr. Cheng entered into a Proprietary Information & Invention Assignment Agreement with the Company.
Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan
The GCT Amended and Restated 2011 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2011 Plan”) was adopted by GCT’s board of directors and approved by its stockholders on May 5, 2011. The 2011 Plan was terminated following the Closing, and we will not grant any further awards under such plan. However, 668,348 outstanding stock options and 392,135 outstanding restricted stock units granted under the 2011 Plan were assumed and continued in connection with the Business Combination.
The maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that were authorized for issuance under the 2011 Plan was 16,747,041 shares, subject to adjustment as provided therein.
Our compensation committee of the Board administers the 2011 Plan and has the authority, among other matters, to construe and interpret the terms of the 2011 Plan and awards granted thereunder.
2024 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan
In December 2023, our Board adopted the 2024 Plan, which was subsequently approved by our stockholders in February 2024 under which we may grant cash and equity incentive awards to eligible service providers in order to attract, motivate and retain the talent for which we compete, which is essential to our long-term success. The maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that are authorized for issuance under the 2024 Plan is 3,983,334 shares, subject to adjustment as provided therein. The 2024 Plan became effective on March 26, 2024, the Closing.
28
2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
In December 2023, our Board adopted the 2024 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, which was subsequently approved by our stockholders in February 2024 (the “2024 ESPP”), under which eligible employees will be provided with the opportunity to periodically purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock at a discount through their accumulated periodic payroll deductions. The maximum aggregate number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that are authorized for issuance under the 2024 ESPP is 600,000 shares, subject to adjustment as provided therein. As of the date of this Annual Report, the 2024 ESPP has not been implemented.
The 2024 ESPP is intended to qualify as an employee stock purchase plan under Section 423 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“Section 423”) for one or more specified offerings under the 2024 ESPP. The 2024 ESPP also authorizes us to establish offerings under the 2024 ESPP that are not designed to comply with the requirements of Section 423 but that are intended to comply with local law.
Outstanding Equity Awards at 2025 Fiscal Year-End
The following table sets forth information concerning outstanding equity awards for each of the NEOs as of the end of the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025.
|
|
Option Awards |
|
Stock Awards |
|||||||||||||||
Name |
|
Number of |
|
Number of |
|
Stock option |
|
Stock option |
|
Number of |
|
Market value |
|||||||
John Schlaefer |
|
28,191 |
(2) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
03/14/2028 |
|
6,402 |
(3) |
|
$ |
7,682 |
|
Chief Executive |
|
21,533 |
(4) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
04/19/2029 |
|
75,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
Officer |
|
50,425 |
(6) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
06/08/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Edmond Cheng |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
57,000 |
(7) |
|
$ |
68,400 |
|
Chief Financial |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
75,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
Officer |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Alex Sum |
|
13,820 |
(2) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
03/14/2028 |
|
2,670 |
(3) |
|
$ |
3,204 |
|
Sr. VP of Sales |
|
13,540 |
(4) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
04/19/2029 |
|
75,000 |
(5) |
|
$ |
90,000 |
|
and Marketing |
|
9,338 |
(6) |
|
— |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
06/08/2030 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
29
Termination or Change in Control Agreements
Below is a description of the potential payments and benefits that would be provided to the NEOs upon termination of their employment or a change of control under the 2011 and 2024 Plans and the retention plan.
2011 and 2024 Plans
The awards granted under the 2011 and 2024 Plans may be assumed, substituted or continued in connection with a change of control. If not assumed, substituted or continued, then the awards will vest in full and become payable at the time of the change of control. Additionally, the NEOs are eligible to participate in the Retention Plan, which provides accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards upon certain terminations of employment (see “Retention Plan” below).
Retention Plan
We have adopted an executive retention plan, pursuant to which each of our NEOs is entitled to receive severance payments and benefits upon an involuntary termination of the NEO’s employment. Should the NEO’s employment be involuntarily terminated by the Company without cause or by the NEO for good reason other than during the 12-month period following a change in control, of the Company, the NEO will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 6 months, (ii) continued health care coverage for the NEO and the NEO’s eligible dependents for a period of 6 months, and (iii) accelerated vesting of 50% of the unvested shares subject to any outstanding equity awards. In the event that such involuntary termination occurs within 12 months following a change in control of the Company, then the NEO will be entitled to receive (i) continued base salary for a period of 12 months, (ii) continued health care coverage for the NEO and the NEO’s eligible dependents for a period of 12 months, and (iii) full accelerated vesting of outstanding equity awards.
If any payment or benefit in connection with a change in control would be subject to the excise tax imposed under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code, then such payments or benefits will be reduced to the extent necessary to maximize the NEO’s after-tax benefits.
As a condition to the severance payments and benefits, each NEO must deliver a general release of all claims against us and our affiliates.
30
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The following table sets forth certain information regarding beneficial ownership of shares of our common stock as of July 24, 2026 by (i) each person known to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding common stock, (ii) each of our directors, (iii) each of our NEOs and (iv) all of our directors and NEOs as a group. Except as otherwise indicated, the persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned, subject to community property laws, where applicable.
Subject to the paragraph above, the percentage ownership is based on 91,965,788 shares of Common Stock outstanding as of July 24, 2026.
Unless otherwise noted, the business address of each of the following entities or individuals is 2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201 San Jose, CA 95131.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
|
Shares of |
|
|
% of Total |
|
||
Directors and Named Executive Officers: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
John Schlaefer(1) |
|
|
240,225 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Edmond Cheng(2) |
|
|
45,483 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Dr. Jeongmin Kim(3) |
|
|
322,603 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Alex Sum(4) |
|
|
161,521 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Dr. Kyeongho Lee(5) |
|
|
1,723,959 |
|
|
|
1.9 |
% |
Robert J. Barker(6) |
|
|
23,020 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Dr. Kukjin Chun(7) |
|
|
10,460 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Hyunsoo Shin(8) |
|
|
809,478 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Jeff Tuder(9) |
|
|
42,301 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
Nelson C. Chan |
|
|
125,642 |
|
|
|
* |
% |
All Directors and Officers as a group (10 persons) |
|
|
3,504,692 |
|
|
|
3.8 |
% |
Greater than Five Percent Holders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Anapass, Inc.(10) |
|
|
9,103,136 |
|
|
|
9.8 |
% |
* Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%
31
Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans
The following table summarizes information about our equity compensation plans as of December 31, 2025.
Plan Category |
|
Number of |
|
|
Weighted |
|
|
Number of securities |
|
|||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holder(1) |
|
|
1,792,308 |
(2) |
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
|
2,854,218 |
(3) |
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holder |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total |
|
|
1,792,308 |
|
|
$ |
0.11/share |
|
|
|
2,854,218 |
|
32
Proposal 2 - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Audit Committee has recommended, and the Board has approved, the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026. BPM LLP has served as our independent registered public accounting firm since 2024. We are soliciting stockholder ratification of the appointment of BPM LLP, although stockholder ratification is not required by law. If the appointment of BPM LLP is not ratified at the Annual Meeting, the Audit Committee will consider whether to appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm.
A representative of BPM LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting. This representative will have an opportunity to make a statement and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
Below are the aggregate fees billed by BPM LLP for professional services provided in 2025 and 2024:
|
|
2025 |
|
|
2024 |
|
||
Audit fees* |
|
$ |
578,720 |
|
|
$ |
574,129 |
|
Audit-related fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Tax fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
All other fees |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total |
|
$ |
578,720 |
|
|
$ |
574,129 |
|
* Audit fees presented in the table above are for the year ended December 2025 and for the period from April through December 2024. BPM LLP became the Company’s Independent registered public accounting firm on April 4, 2024, after the closing of the Business Combination on March 26, 2024.
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee Charter requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve any retainer of the auditor of the Company to perform any non-audit services to the Company that it deems advisable in accordance with applicable legal and regulatory requirements and policies and procedures of the Board. The Audit Committee is permitted to delegate pre-approval authority to one of its members; however, the decision of any member of the Audit Committee to whom such authority has been delegated must be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
Required Vote
Ratification of the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026, requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast affirmatively. If you “ABSTAIN” from voting on Proposal 2, the abstention will have no effect on the outcome of the vote to ratify the appointment of BPM LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2026.
The Board recommends a vote “FOR” Proposal 2.
33
Report of the Audit Committee
The material in this Report of the Audit Committee is not “soliciting material,” is not deemed “filed” with the SEC, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general incorporation language contained in the filing.
The Audit Committee has reviewed GCT’s audited consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and discussed these financial statements with GCT’s management and with BPM LLP, GCT’s independent registered public accounting firm.
GCT’s management is responsible for the preparation of GCT’s financial statements and for maintaining an adequate system of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control for that purpose. GCT’s independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for conducting an independent audit of GCT’s annual financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and issuing a report on the results of their audit. The Audit Committee is responsible for providing independent, objective oversight of these processes.
The Audit Committee has also discussed with BPM LLP the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 1301 (previously Auditing Standard No. 16) (Communications with Audit Committees), as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and the SEC.
The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from BPM LLP required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with BPM LLP its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that GCT’s audited consolidated financial statements be included in GCT’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, for filing with the SEC.
By the Audit Committee
Robert J. Barker (Chair)
Hyunsoo Shin
Dr. Kukjin Chun
34
Where You Can Find More Information
We file electronically with the SEC annual, quarterly, and current reports, proxy statements, and other information. We make available on our website at investors.gctsemi.com, free of charge, copies of these reports, as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file the material with, or furnish it to, the SEC. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that website is www.sec.gov. The information in or accessible through the websites referred to above are not incorporated into, and are not considered part of, this proxy statement. Further, our references to the URLs for these websites are intended to be inactive textual references only.
You should rely on the information contained in this proxy statement to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with information that is different from what is contained in this proxy statement. This proxy statement is dated August 3, 2026. You should not assume that the information in this proxy statement is accurate as of any date other than that date, and the mailing of this proxy statement to stockholders at any time after that date does not create an implication to the contrary. This proxy statement does not constitute a solicitation of a proxy in any jurisdiction where, or to or from any person to whom, it is unlawful to make such proxy solicitations in such jurisdiction.
Form 10-K
The proxy materials, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, are available at www.proxyvote.com, on our website at https://investors.gctsemi.com and on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
We will also provide, free of charge, to each person to any stockholder of record or beneficial owner of our common stock as of the record date, upon their written or oral request, a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, as filed with the SEC. Requests for copies should be addressed to our Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary at the address below:
GCT Semiconductor Holding, Inc.
2290 North 1st Street, Suite 201
San Jose, California
Attention: Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary
Telephone: (408) 434-8035
Please include your contact information with the request. The exhibits set forth on the exhibit index of the Form 10-K may be made available at a reasonable charge.
Other Matters
As of the date of this proxy statement, we have no knowledge of any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting and do not intend to present any other matters. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment, our representatives will have the discretion to vote as they see fit unless directed otherwise.
35
Logo GCT SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDING, INC. 2290 NORTH 1ST STREET, SUITE 201 SAN JOSE, CA 95131 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 the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. 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/GCTS2026 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 the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL 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: T02416-P55862 KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY GCT SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDING, INC. For All Withhold All For All Except To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of the Company’s two nominees for Class II directors. Nominees: 01) Robert J. Barker 02) Hyunsoo Shin The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following proposal: For Against Abstain 2. Ratification of the selection of BPM LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof. 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
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Form 10-K are available at www.proxyvote.com. T02417-P55862 GCT SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDING, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS SEPTEMBER 17, 2026 4:00 PM PACIFIC TIME THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The stockholder(s) hereby appoint(s) John Schlaefer and Edmond Cheng or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his 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 Stocks of GCT SEMICONDUCTOR HOLDING, INC. that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held at September 17, 2026, on 4:00 pm Pacific Time, at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/GCTS2026, 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