Vicarious Surgical Inc 8-K, filed Jun 30, 2025
Vicarious Surgical Inc. (RBOT)
About this 8-K
Vicarious Surgical Inc filed this 8-K on June 30, 2025, reporting on events of June 27, 2025.
Items reported
- Item 5.02: Director or officer change, or executive pay
- Item 5.07: Shareholder vote results
- Item 7.01: Regulation FD disclosure
- Item 9.01: Financial statements and exhibits
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
CURRENT REPORT
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Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.
Equity Plan Amendment
On June 27, 2025, Vicarious Surgical Inc. (the “Company”) held its 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”). At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders approved an amendment (the “Plan Amendment”) to the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) that includes the following material changes:
| ● | The aggregate number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued under the 2021 Plan was increased by 311,046 shares, subject to adjustment for certain changes in the Company’s capitalization. |
| ● | The aggregate maximum number of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options under the 2021 Plan was increased by 311,046 shares, subject to adjustment for certain changes in the Company’s capitalization. |
A detailed summary of the material features of the 2021 Plan, as amended by the Plan Amendment, is set forth in the Company’s definitive proxy statement for the Annual Meeting filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2025 (the “Proxy Statement”). That summary and the foregoing description of the Plan Amendment are qualified in their entirety by reference to the full text of the 2021 Plan, as amended by the Plan Amendment, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
On April 21, 2025, the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) formed a Technology and Product Committee (the “Product Committee”) and appointed Dr. Victoria Carr-Brendel, Beverly Huss and Randy Clark as members, with Dr. Carr-Brendel serving as chairperson. Effective June 27, 2025, the Board approved an amendment and restatement of the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy (as amended and restated, the “Policy”) to (i) provide for annual cash retainers payable to members of and the chairperson of the Product Committee and (ii) provide that the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, grant initial and subsequent annual equity awards to members of the Board with values less than the amounts specifically set forth in the Policy. Pursuant to the Policy, as amended and restated, non-employee directors receive annual retainers as follows:
| Position | Retainer | |||
| Chairperson of the Board (Additional Retainer) | $ | 35,000 | ||
| Member of the Board | $ | 40,000 | ||
| Chairperson of the Audit Committee | $ | 18,000 | ||
| Member of the Audit Committee | $ | 6,300 | ||
| Chairperson of the Compensation Committee | $ | 14,250 | ||
| Member of the Compensation Committee | $ | 5,500 | ||
| Chairperson of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | $ | 10,000 | ||
| Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee | $ | 4,650 | ||
| Chairperson of the Product and Technology Committee | $ | 14,250 | ||
| Member of the Product and Technology Committee | $ | 5,500 | ||
These fees are payable in arrears in quarterly installments no later than the fifteenth day following the end of each calendar quarter, provided that the amount of such payment will be prorated for any portion of such quarter that a director is not serving on the Board, on such committee or in such position. Non-employee directors may elect to receive an equity award with a grant date fair value of the retainer amounts in lieu of receiving cash in such amounts. Non-employee directors are also reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses incurred in connection with attending meetings of the Board and any committee of the Board on which they serve and in connection with other business related to the Board. Directors may also be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket business expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and other expense policies, as may be in effect from time to time.
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In addition, the Company will grant to new non-employee directors upon their initial election to the Board, on the date that the non-employee director is first appointed or elected to the Board, either:
| ● | A number of restricted stock units having an aggregate value equal to $301,800 or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee, determined by dividing (A) $301,800 or such lesser amount by (B) the closing price of the Class A common stock on the NYSE on the date of the grant; or | |
| ● | If specified by the Compensation Committee, a number of stock options to purchase Class A common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value equal to $301,800 or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee, based on the Black Scholes value of such options on the date of the grant. |
Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, each of the initial grants will vest in equal monthly installments over 36 months from the date of the grant, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service as a director through each applicable vesting date.
Furthermore, each non-employee director who has been serving on the Board for at least six months as of the date of any annual meeting of stockholders will receive, on the date of such annual meeting, either:
| ● | A number of restricted stock units having an aggregate value equal to $145,000 or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee, determined by dividing (A) $145,000 or such lesser amount by (B) the average price of the Class A common stock on the NYSE for the 60 days prior to the applicable grant date; or | |
| ● | If specified by the Compensation Committee, a number of stock options to purchase Class A common stock having an aggregate grant date fair value equal to $145,000 or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee, based on the Black Scholes value of such options on the date of the grant. |
Each non-employee director who has been serving on the Board for less than six months as of the date of any annual meetings of stockholders, will, unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, receive a restricted stock unit award prorated for the portion of the year served on the Board. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, each of these subsequent grants will vest on the earlier to occur of (i) one day prior to the next annual meeting of stockholders held after the date of grant, or (ii) the one year anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service as a director through the applicable vesting date.
The foregoing description of the Policy does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Policy, as amended and restated, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.2 hereto and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 5.07 Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
On June 27, 2025, the Company held the Annual Meeting. At the Annual Meeting, the Company’s stockholders voted on three proposals, each of which is described in more detail in the Proxy Statement. At the Annual Meeting, there were an aggregate of 4,095,496 shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock present or represented by proxy, which represented approximately 90.0% of the outstanding total voting power of the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting (voting together as a single class), which constituted a quorum for the transaction of business. Holders of the Company’s Class A common stock were entitled to one vote for each share held as of close of business on April 28, 2025 (the “Record Date”), and holders of the Company’s Class B common stock were entitled to 20 votes for each share held as of the Record Date.
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The following actions were taken at the Annual Meeting:
1. The following nominees were elected to serve on the Board until the Company’s 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, based on the following votes:
| Nominee | Votes For | Votes Withheld | Broker Non-Votes | |||||||||
| Adam Sachs | 14,725,845 | 7,119 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Sammy Khalifa | 14,718,479 | 14,485 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Victoria Carr-Brendel, Ph.D. | 14,301,946 | 431,018 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Randy Clark | 14,719,241 | 13,723 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| David Ho, M.D. | 14,441,722 | 291,242 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Beverly Huss | 14,302,055 | 430,909 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Donald Tang | 14,726,431 | 6,533 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Fuad Ahmad | 14,726,300 | 6,664 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
| Joseph Doherty | 14,726,764 | 6,200 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||
2. The amendment to the 2021 Plan pursuant to the Plan Amendment was approved, based on the following results:
| Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | Broker Non-Votes | |||||||||||
| 14,678,240 | 50,817 | 3,907 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||||
3. The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025 was ratified, based on the following results:
| Votes For | Votes Against | Abstentions | Broker Non-Votes | |||||||||||
| 16,492,037 | 18,687 | 10,582 | 1,788,342 | |||||||||||
Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On June 30, 2025, the Company issued a press release announcing the election of Fuad Ahmad and Joseph Doherty to the Board. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 hereto.
The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, is being furnished and shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
| Exhibit No. | Description | |
| 10.1 | Vicarious Surgical Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended, and forms of agreement thereunder | |
| 10.2 | Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy | |
| 99.1 | Press Release dated June 30, 2025 | |
| 104 | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document) |
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC. | ||
| By: | /s/ Adam Sachs | |
| Name: | Adam Sachs | |
| Title: | Chief Executive Officer | |
Date: June 30, 2025
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Exhibit 10.1
VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN, AS AMENDED
(As approved by the stockholders on June 27, 2025)
| 1. | DEFINITIONS. |
Unless otherwise specified or unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms, as used in this Vicarious Surgical Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan, have the following meanings:
Administrator means the Board of Directors, unless it has delegated power to act on its behalf to the Committee, in which case the term “Administrator” means the Committee.
Affiliate means a corporation or other entity, which, for purposes of Section 424 of the Code, is a parent or subsidiary of the Company, direct or indirect.
Agreement means a written or electronic document setting forth the terms of a Stock Right delivered pursuant to the Plan, in such form as the Administrator shall approve.
Agreement and Plan of Merger means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of April 15, 2021 by and among D8 Holdings Corp., Snowball Merger Sub, Inc., Vicarious Surgical Inc. and Adam Sachs, in his capacity as the Stockholder Representative.
Board of Directors means the Board of Directors of the Company.
Cause means, with respect to a Participant (a) dishonesty with respect to the Company or any Affiliate, (b) the Administrator’s determination that the Participant failed to carry out, or comply with any lawful and reasonable directive of the Board of Directors or the Participant’s immediate supervisor or the Participant’s insubordination, substantial malfeasance or non-feasance of duty, (c) unauthorized disclosure of confidential information or trade secrets of the Company or any Affiliate, (d) breach by a Participant of any provision of any employment, severance, consulting, advisory, nondisclosure, non-competition or similar agreement between the Participant and the Company or any Affiliate or any material written policy of the Company or any Affiliate, including, without limitation, any award agreement entered into pursuant to this Plan, (e) the occurrence of any act or omission by the Participant that could reasonably be expected to result in (or has resulted in) the Participant’s conviction, plea of no contest, plea of nolo contendere, or imposition of unadjudicated probation for any felony or indictable offense or crime involving moral turpitude, (f) the Participant’s commission of an act of fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation, misconduct, or breach of fiduciary duty against the Company or any Affiliate, and (g) conduct substantially prejudicial to the business of the Company or any Affiliate; provided, however, that any provision in an agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, which contains a conflicting definition of Cause for termination and which is in effect at the time of such termination, shall supersede this definition with respect to that Participant. The determination of the Administrator as to the existence of Cause will be conclusive on the Participant and the Company.
Class A Common Stock means shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Class B Common Stock means shares of the Company’s Class B common stock, $0.0001 par value per share.
Closing means the date on which the transactions contemplated by the Agreement and Plan of Merger are consummated.
Code means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended including any successor statute, regulation and guidance thereto.
Committee means the committee of the Board of Directors, if any, to which the Board of Directors has delegated power to act under or pursuant to the provisions of the Plan.
Common Stock means the Class A Common Stock and the Class B Common Stock, individually or collectively, as the context requires.
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Company means Vicarious Surgical Inc., a Delaware corporation.
Consultant means any natural person who is an advisor or consultant who provides bona fide services to the Company or its Affiliates, provided that such services are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction, and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company’s or its Affiliates’ securities.
Corporate Transaction means a merger, consolidation, or sale of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets or the acquisition of all of the outstanding voting stock of the Company (or similar transaction) in a single transaction or a series of related transactions by a single entity, other than a transaction to merely change the state of incorporation or in which the Company is the surviving corporation. Where a Corporate Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger (as determined by the Administrator), the Corporate Transaction will be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.
Disability or Disabled means permanent and total disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.
Employee means any employee of the Company or of an Affiliate (including, without limitation, an employee who is also serving as an officer or director of the Company or of an Affiliate), designated by the Administrator to be eligible to be granted one or more Stock Rights under the Plan.
Exchange Act means the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Fair Market Value of a Share of Class A Common Stock means:
If the Class A Common Stock is listed on a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter market and sales prices are regularly reported for the Class A Common Stock, the closing or, if not applicable, the last price of the Class A Common Stock on the composite tape or other comparable reporting system for the trading day on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date;
If the Class A Common Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange but is traded on the over-the-counter market, if sales prices are not regularly reported for the Class A Common Stock for the trading day referred to in clause (1), and if bid and asked prices for the Class A Common Stock are regularly reported, the mean between the bid and the asked price for the Class A Common Stock at the close of trading in the over-the-counter market for the most recent trading day on which Class A Common Stock was traded on the applicable date and if such applicable date is not a trading day, the last market trading day prior to such date; and
If the Class A Common Stock is neither listed on a national securities exchange nor traded in the over-the-counter market, such value as the Administrator, in good faith, shall determine in compliance with applicable laws.
ISO means a stock option intended to qualify as an incentive stock option under Section 422.
Non-Qualified Option means a stock option which is not intended to qualify as an ISO.
Option means an ISO or Non-Qualified Option granted under the Plan.
Participant means an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate to whom one or more Stock Rights are granted under the Plan. As used herein, “Participant” shall include “Participant’s Survivors” where the context requires.
Performance-Based Award means a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award which vests based on the attainment of written Performance Goals as set forth in Paragraph 9 hereof.
Performance Goals means performance goals determined by the Committee in its sole discretion and set forth in an Agreement. The satisfaction of Performance Goals shall be subject to certification by the Committee. The Committee has the authority to take appropriate action with respect to the Performance Goals (including, without limitation, making adjustments to the Performance Goals or determining the satisfaction of the Performance Goals in connection with a Corporate Transaction) provided that any such action does not otherwise violate the terms of the Plan.
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Plan means this Vicarious Surgical Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan.
Prior Plan means the Vicarious Surgical Inc. 2014 Stock Incentive Plan.
SAR means a stock appreciation right.
Section 409A means Section 409A of the Code.
Section 422 means Section 422 of the Code.
Securities Act means the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Shares means shares of the Class A Common Stock as to which Stock Rights have been or may be granted under the Plan or any shares of capital stock into which the Shares are changed or for which they are exchanged within the provisions of Paragraph 3 of the Plan. The Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized and unissued shares or shares held by the Company in its treasury, or both.
Stock-Based Award means a grant by the Company under the Plan of an equity award or an equity based award, which is not an Option, or a Stock Grant.
Stock Grant means a grant by the Company of Shares under the Plan.
Stock Right means an ISO, a Non-Qualified Option, a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award or a right to Shares or the value of Shares of the Company granted pursuant to the Plan.
Substitute Award means an award issued under the Plan in substitution for one or more equity awards of an acquired company that are converted, replaced or adjusted in connection with the acquisition.
Survivor means a deceased Participant’s legal representatives and/or any person or persons who acquired the Participant’s rights to a Stock Right by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
| 2. | PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. |
The Plan is intended to encourage ownership of Shares by Employees and directors of and certain Consultants to the Company and its Affiliates in order to attract and retain such people, to induce them to work for the benefit of the Company or of an Affiliate and to provide additional incentive for them to promote the success of the Company or of an Affiliate. The Plan provides for the granting of ISOs, Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards.
| 3. | SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. |
| (a) | Commencing on June 27, 2025, the number of Shares that may be issued from time to time pursuant to this Plan shall be the sum of: (i) 1,217,337 shares of Class A Common Stock for new awards plus the number of additional shares underlying awards already outstanding under the Plan or the equivalent of such number of Shares after the Administrator, in its sole discretion, has interpreted the effect of any stock split, stock dividend, combination, recapitalization or similar transaction in accordance with Paragraph 24 of this Plan. |
| (b) | If an Option ceases to be “outstanding”, in whole or in part (other than by exercise), or if the Company shall reacquire (at not more than its original issuance price) any Shares issued pursuant to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, or if any Stock Right expires or is forfeited, cancelled, or otherwise terminated or results in any Shares not being issued, the unissued or reacquired Shares which were subject to such Stock Right shall again be available for issuance from time to time pursuant to this Plan; provided, however, that the number of Shares underlying any awards under the Plan that are retained or repurchased on the exercise of an Option or the vesting or issuance of any Stock Right to cover the exercise price and/or tax withholding required by the Company in connection with vesting shall not be added back to the Shares available for issuance under the Plan; and provided, further that, in the case of ISOs, the foregoing provisions shall be subject to any limitations under the Code. In addition, any Shares repurchased using exercise price proceeds will not be available for issuance under the Plan. |
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| (c) | The maximum number of Shares available for grant under the Plan as ISOs will be equal to 1,542,544 The limits set forth in this Paragraph 3 will be construed to comply with the applicable requirements of Section 422. |
| (d) | The Administrator may grant Substitute Awards under the Plan. To the extent consistent with the requirements of Section 422 and the regulations thereunder and other applicable legal requirements (including applicable stock exchange requirements), Shares issued in respect of Substitute Awards will be in addition to and will not reduce the shares available under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any Substitute Award is settled in cash or expires, becomes unexercisable, terminates or is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company without the issuance or retention of Shares, the Shares previously subject to such Award will not be available for future issuance under the Plan. The Administrator will determine the extent to which the terms and conditions of the Plan apply to Substitute Awards, if at all; provided, however, that Substitute Awards will not be subject to the limits described in Paragraph 4(c) below. |
| 4. | ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN. |
The Administrator of the Plan will be the Board of Directors, except to the extent the Board of Directors delegates its authority to the Committee, in which case the Committee shall be the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is authorized to:
| (a) | Interpret the provisions of the Plan and all Stock Rights and to make all rules and determinations which it deems necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan; |
| (b) | Determine which Employees, directors and Consultants shall be granted Stock Rights; |
| (c) | Determine the number of Shares for which a Stock Right or Stock Rights shall be granted; provided, however, that in no event shall the aggregate grant date fair value (determined in accordance with ASC 718) of Stock Rights to be granted and any other cash compensation paid to any non-employee director in any calendar year, exceed $750,000, increased to $1,000,000 in the year in which such non-employee director initially joins the Board of Directors. |
| (d) | Specify the terms and conditions upon which a Stock Right or Stock Rights may be granted provided that no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be paid on any Stock Right prior to the vesting of the underlying Shares. |
| (e) | Amend any term or condition of any outstanding Stock Right, provided that (i) such term or condition as amended is not prohibited by the Plan and (ii) any such amendment shall not impair the rights of a Participant under any Stock Right previously granted without such Participant’s consent or in the event of death of the Participant the Participant’s Survivors. |
| (f) | Determine and make any adjustments in the Performance Goals included in any Performance-Based Awards; and |
| (g) | Adopt any sub-plans applicable to residents of any specified jurisdiction as it deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with or take advantage of any tax or other laws applicable to the Company, any Affiliate or to Participants or to otherwise facilitate the administration of the Plan, which sub-plans may include additional restrictions or conditions applicable to Stock Rights or Shares issuable pursuant to a Stock Right; |
Subject to the foregoing, the interpretation and construction by the Administrator of any provisions of the Plan or of any Stock Right granted under it shall be final, unless otherwise determined by the Board of Directors, if the Administrator is the Committee. In addition, if the Administrator is the Committee, the Board of Directors may take any action under the Plan that would otherwise be the responsibility of the Committee.
To the extent permitted under applicable law, the Board of Directors or the Committee may allocate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any one or more of its members and may delegate all or any portion of its responsibilities and powers to any other person selected by it. The Board of Directors or the Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only the Board of Directors or the Committee shall be authorized to grant a Stock Right to any director of the Company or to any “officer” of the Company as defined by Rule 16a-1 under the Exchange Act.
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| 5. | ELIGIBILITY FOR PARTICIPATION. |
The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, name the Participants in the Plan; provided, however, that each Participant must be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate at the time a Stock Right is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator may authorize the grant of a Stock Right to a person in anticipation of such person becoming an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, provided, that the actual grant of such Stock Right shall be conditioned upon such person becoming eligible to become a Participant at or prior to the time of the execution of the Agreement evidencing such Stock Right. ISOs may be granted only to Employees. Non-Qualified Options, Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards may be granted to any Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. The granting of any Stock Right to any individual shall neither entitle that individual to, nor disqualify that individual from, participation in any other grant of Stock Rights or any grant under any other benefit plan established by the Company or any Affiliate for Employees, directors or Consultants.
| 6. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS. |
Each Option shall be set forth in an Option Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Administrator may provide that Options be granted subject to such terms and conditions, consistent with the terms and conditions specifically required under this Plan, as the Administrator may deem appropriate including, without limitation, subsequent approval by the shareholders of the Company of this Plan or any amendments thereto. The Option Agreements shall be subject to at least the following terms and conditions:
| (a) | Non-Qualified Options: Each Option intended to be a Non-Qualified Option shall be subject to the terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards for any such Non-Qualified Option: |
| (i) | Exercise Price: Each Option Agreement shall state the exercise price (per share) of the Shares covered by each Option which exercise price shall be determined by the Administrator and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per share of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option. |
| (ii) | Number of Shares: Each Option Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which it pertains. |
| (iii) | Vesting: Each Option Agreement shall state the date or dates on which it first is exercisable and the date after which it may no longer be exercised, and may provide that the Option rights accrue or become exercisable in installments over a period of months or years, or upon the occurrence of certain performance conditions or the attainment of stated goals or events. |
| (iv) | Term of Option: Each Option shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide. |
| (b) | ISOs: Each Option intended to be an ISO shall be issued only to an Employee who is deemed to be a resident of the United States for tax purposes, and shall be subject to the following terms and conditions, with such additional restrictions or changes as the Administrator determines are appropriate but not in conflict with Section 422 and relevant regulations and rulings of the Internal Revenue Service: |
| (i) | Minimum Standards: The ISO shall meet the minimum standards required of Non-Qualified Options, as described in Paragraph 6(a) above, except clause (i) and (iv) thereunder. |
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| (ii) | Exercise Price: Immediately before the ISO is granted, if the Participant owns, directly or by reason of the applicable attribution rules in Section 424(d) of the Code: |
| A. | 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option; or |
| B. | More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by each ISO shall not be less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per share of the Class A Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option. |
| (iii) | Term of Option: For Participants who own: |
| A. | 10% or less of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than ten years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide; or |
| B. | More than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or an Affiliate, each ISO shall terminate not more than five years from the date of the grant or at such earlier time as the Option Agreement may provide. |
| (iv) | Limitation on Yearly Exercise: To the extent that aggregate Fair Market Value (determined on the date each ISO is granted) of the Shares with respect to which ISOs are exercisable for the first time by the Participant in any calendar year exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Options even if denominated ISOs at grant. |
| (c) | Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (which term includes, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares) or as otherwise contemplated by Paragraph 24 below, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Options to reduce the exercise price of such Options, (ii) cancel outstanding Options in exchange for Options that have an exercise price that is less than the exercise price value of the original Options, or (iii) cancel outstanding Options that have an exercise price greater than the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of such cancellation in exchange for cash or other consideration. |
| 7. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK GRANTS. |
Each Stock Grant to a Participant shall state the principal terms in an Agreement duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company, subject to the following minimum standards:
| (a) | Each Agreement shall state the purchase price per Share, if any, of the Shares covered by each Stock Grant, which purchase price shall be determined by the Administrator on the date of the grant of the Stock Grant; |
| (b) | Each Agreement shall state the number of Shares to which the Stock Grant pertains; |
| (c) | Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company to restrict or reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant, including the time period or attainment of Performance Goals or such other performance criteria upon which such rights shall accrue and the purchase price therefor, if any; and |
| (d) | Dividends (other than stock dividends to be issued pursuant to Paragraph 24 of the Plan) may accrue but shall not be paid prior to the time, and may be paid only to the extent that, the restrictions or rights to reacquire the Shares subject to the Stock Grant lapse. Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements will be established and administered either consistent with an exemption from, or in compliance with the applicable requirements of Section 409A. |
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| 8. | TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS. |
The Administrator shall have the right to grant other Stock-Based Awards based upon the Class A Common Stock having such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine, including, without limitation, the grant of Shares based upon certain conditions, the grant of securities convertible into Shares and the grant of SARs, phantom stock awards or stock units. The principal terms of each Stock-Based Award shall be set forth in an Agreement, duly executed by the Company and, to the extent required by law or requested by the Company, by the Participant. The Agreement shall be in a form approved by the Administrator and shall contain terms and conditions which the Administrator determines to be appropriate and in the best interest of the Company. Each Agreement shall include the terms of any right of the Company including the right to terminate the Stock-Based Award without the issuance of Shares, the terms of any vesting conditions, Performance Goals or events upon which Shares shall be issued, provided that dividends (other than stock dividends to be issued pursuant to Paragraph 24 of the Plan) or dividend equivalents may accrue but shall not be paid prior to and may be paid only to the extent that the Shares subject to the Stock-Based Award vest. Under no circumstances may the Agreement covering SARs (a) have an exercise or base price (per share) that is less than the Fair Market Value per share of Class A Common Stock on the date of grant or (b) expire more than ten years following the date of grant.
| 9. | PERFORMANCE-BASED AWARDS. |
The Committee shall determine whether, with respect to a performance period, the applicable Performance Goals have been met with respect to a given Participant and, if they have, to so certify and ascertain the amount of the applicable Performance-Based Award. No Performance-Based Awards will be issued for such performance period until such certification is made by the Committee. The number of Shares issued in respect of a Performance-Based Award determined by the Committee for a performance period shall be paid to the Participant at such time as determined by the Committee in its sole discretion after the end of such performance period, and any dividends (other than stock dividends to be issued pursuant to Paragraph 24 of the Plan) or dividend equivalents that accrue shall only be paid in respect of the number of Shares earned in respect of such Performance-Based Award.
| 10. | EXERCISE OF OPTIONS AND ISSUE OF SHARES. |
An Option (or any part or installment thereof) shall be exercised by giving written notice to the Company or its designee (in a form acceptable to the Administrator, which may include electronic notice), together with provision for payment of the aggregate exercise price in accordance with this Paragraph for the Shares as to which the Option is being exercised, and upon compliance with any other condition(s) set forth in the Option Agreement. Such notice shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Administrator), shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall contain any representation required by the Plan or the Option Agreement. Payment of the exercise price for the Shares as to which such Option is being exercised shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check; or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of the exercise to the aggregate cash exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or (c) at the discretion of the Administrator, by having the Company retain from the Shares otherwise issuable upon exercise of the Option, a number of Shares having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of exercise to the aggregate exercise price for the number of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised; or (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, in accordance with a cashless exercise program established with a securities brokerage firm, and approved by the Administrator; or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a), (b), (c) and (d) above or (f) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Administrator shall accept only such payment on exercise of an ISO as is permitted by Section 422.
The Company shall then reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Option was exercised to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be). In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company if the Administrator determines it is necessary to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, federal securities laws) that requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance. The Shares shall, upon delivery, be fully paid, non-assessable Shares.
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| 11. | PAYMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE ISSUANCE OF STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS AND ISSUE OF SHARES. |
Any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award requiring payment of a purchase price for the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is being granted shall be made (a) in United States dollars in cash or by check; or (b) at the discretion of the Administrator, through delivery of shares of Class A Common Stock held for at least six months (if required to avoid negative accounting treatment) and having a Fair Market Value equal as of the date of payment to the purchase price of the Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award; or (c) by delivery of a promissory note, if the Board of Directors has expressly authorized the loan of funds to the Participant for the purpose of enabling or assisting the Participant to effect such purchase; (d) at the discretion of the Administrator, by any combination of (a) through (c) above; or (e) at the discretion of the Administrator, by payment of such other lawful consideration as the Administrator may determine.
The Company shall when required by the applicable Agreement, reasonably promptly deliver the Shares as to which such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award was made to the Participant (or to the Participant’s Survivors, as the case may be), subject to any escrow provision set forth in the applicable Agreement. In determining what constitutes “reasonably promptly,” it is expressly understood that the issuance and delivery of the Shares may be delayed by the Company if the Administrator determines it is necessary to comply with any law or regulation (including, without limitation, federal securities laws) which requires the Company to take any action with respect to the Shares prior to their issuance.
| 12. | RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. |
No Participant to whom a Stock Right has been granted shall have rights as a shareholder with respect to any Shares covered by such Stock Right except after due exercise of an Option or issuance of Shares as set forth in any Agreement, tender of the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, for the Shares being purchased and registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant.
| 13. | ASSIGNABILITY AND TRANSFERABILITY OF STOCK RIGHTS. |
By its terms, a Stock Right granted to a Participant shall not be transferable by the Participant other than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) as approved by the Administrator in its discretion and set forth in the applicable Agreement provided that no Stock Right may be transferred by a Participant for value. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an ISO transferred except in compliance with clause (i) above shall no longer qualify as an ISO. The designation of a beneficiary of a Stock Right by a Participant, with the prior approval of the Administrator and in such form as the Administrator shall prescribe, shall not be deemed a transfer prohibited by this Paragraph. Except as provided above during the Participant’s lifetime a Stock Right shall only be exercisable by or issued to such Participant (or his or her legal representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of any Stock Right or of any rights granted thereunder contrary to the provisions of this Plan, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon a Stock Right, shall be null and void.
| 14. | EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, OR DEATH OR DISABILITY. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement in the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate before the Participant has exercised an Option, the following rules apply:
| (a) | A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate (for any reason other than termination for Cause, Disability, or death for which events there are special rules in Paragraphs 15, 16, and 17, respectively), may exercise any Option granted to such Participant to the extent that the Option is exercisable on the date of such termination of service, but only within such term as the Administrator has designated in a Participant’s Option Agreement. |
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| (b) | Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) below, or Paragraph 16 or 17, in no event may an Option intended to be an ISO, be exercised later than three months after the Participant’s termination of employment. |
| (c) | The provisions of this Paragraph, and not the provisions of Paragraph 16 or 17, shall apply to a Participant who subsequently becomes Disabled or dies after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy; provided, however, in the case of a Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the termination of employment, director status or consultancy, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service, but in no event after the date of expiration of the term of the Option. |
| (d) | Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to a Participant’s termination of employment, termination of director status or termination of consultancy, but prior to the exercise of an Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then such Participant shall forthwith cease to have any right to exercise any Option. |
| (e) | A Participant to whom an Option has been granted under the Plan who is absent from the Company or an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide; provided, however, that, for ISOs, any leave of absence granted by the Administrator of greater than three months, unless pursuant to a contract or statute that guarantees the right to reemployment, shall cause such ISO to become a Non-Qualified Option on the date that is six months following the commencement of such leave of absence. |
| (f) | Except as required by law or as set forth in a Participant’s Option Agreement, Options granted under the Plan shall not be affected by any change of a Participant’s status within or among the Company and any Affiliates, so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate. |
| 15. | EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause prior to the time that all his or her outstanding Options have been exercised:
| (a) | All outstanding and unexercised Options as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause will immediately be forfeited. |
| (b) | Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service but prior to the exercise of an Option, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the right to exercise any Option is forfeited. |
| 16. | EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:
| (a) | A Participant who ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability may exercise any Option granted to such Participant to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and in the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability. |
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| (b) | A Disabled Participant may exercise the Option only within the period ending one year after the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability, notwithstanding that the Participant might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if the Participant had not been terminated due to Disability and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option. |
| (c) | The Administrator shall make the determination both of whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company. |
| 17. | EFFECT ON OPTIONS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Option Agreement:
| (a) | In the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, such Option may be exercised by the Participant’s Survivors to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised on the date of death; and in the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death. |
| (b) | If the Participant’s Survivors wish to exercise the Option, they must take all necessary steps to exercise the Option within one year after the date of death of such Participant, notwithstanding that the decedent might have been able to exercise the Option as to some or all of the Shares on a later date if he or she had not died and had continued to be an Employee, director or Consultant or, if earlier, within the originally prescribed term of the Option. |
| 18. | EFFECT OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE ON UNACCEPTED STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS. |
In the event of a termination of service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate for any reason before the Participant has accepted a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award and paid the purchase price, if required, such grant shall terminate.
For purposes of this Paragraph 18 and Paragraph 19 below, a Participant to whom a Stock Grant or a Stock-Based Award has been issued under the Plan who is absent from work with the Company or with an Affiliate because of temporary disability (any disability other than a Disability as defined in Paragraph 1 hereof), or who is on leave of absence for any purpose, shall not, during the period of any such absence, be deemed, by virtue of such absence alone, to have terminated such Participant’s employment, director status or consultancy with the Company or with an Affiliate, except as the Administrator may otherwise expressly provide.
In addition, for purposes of this Paragraph 18 and Paragraph 19 below, any change of employment or other service within or among the Company and any Affiliates shall not be treated as a termination of employment, director status or consultancy so long as the Participant continues to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.
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| 19. | EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE OTHER THAN FOR CAUSE, DEATH OR DISABILITY. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, in the event of a termination of service for any reason (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant), other than termination for Cause, death or Disability for which there are special rules in Paragraphs 20, 21, and 22 below, before all forfeiture provisions or Company rights of repurchase shall have lapsed, then the Company shall have the right to cancel or repurchase that number of Shares subject to a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award as to which the Company’s forfeiture or repurchase rights have not lapsed.
| 20. | EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR CAUSE. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply if the Participant’s service (whether as an Employee, director or Consultant) with the Company or an Affiliate is terminated for Cause:
| (a) | All Shares subject to any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award that remain subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company shall have a repurchase right shall be immediately forfeited to the Company as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause. |
| (b) | Cause is not limited to events which have occurred prior to a Participant’s termination of service, nor is it necessary that the Administrator’s finding of Cause occur prior to termination. If the Administrator determines, subsequent to a Participant’s termination of service, that either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then all Shares subject to any Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award that remained subject to forfeiture provisions or as to which the Company had a repurchase right on the date of termination shall be immediately forfeited to the Company. |
| 21. | EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF TERMINATION OF SERVICE FOR DISABILITY. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply if a Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate by reason of Disability: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of Disability, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award through the date of Disability as would have lapsed had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the date of Disability.
The Administrator shall make the determination both as to whether Disability has occurred and the date of its occurrence (unless a procedure for such determination is set forth in another agreement between the Company and such Participant, in which case such procedure shall be used for such determination). If requested, the Participant shall be examined by a physician selected or approved by the Administrator, the cost of which examination shall be paid for by the Company.
| 22. | EFFECT ON STOCK GRANTS AND STOCK-BASED AWARDS OF DEATH WHILE AN EMPLOYEE, DIRECTOR OR CONSULTANT. |
Except as otherwise provided in a Participant’s Agreement, the following rules apply in the event of the death of a Participant while the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate: to the extent the forfeiture provisions or the Company’s rights of repurchase have not lapsed on the date of death, they shall be exercisable; provided, however, that in the event such forfeiture provisions or rights of repurchase lapse periodically, such provisions or rights shall lapse to the extent of a pro rata portion of the Shares subject to such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award through the date of death as would have lapsed had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued prior to the Participant’s date of death.
| (b) | At the discretion of the Administrator, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder. |
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| 23. | DISSOLUTION OR LIQUIDATION OF THE COMPANY. |
Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all Options granted under this Plan which as of such date shall not have been exercised and all Stock Grants and Stock-Based Awards which have not been accepted, to the extent required under the applicable Agreement, will terminate and become null and void; provided, however, that if the rights of a Participant or a Participant’s Survivors have not otherwise terminated and expired, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors will have the right immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation to exercise or accept any Stock Right to the extent that the Stock Right is exercisable or subject to acceptance as of the date immediately prior to such dissolution or liquidation. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, any outstanding Stock-Based Awards shall immediately terminate unless otherwise determined by the Administrator or specifically provided in the applicable Agreement.
| 24. | ADJUSTMENTS. |
Upon the occurrence of any of the following events, a Participant’s rights with respect to any Stock Right granted to such Participant hereunder shall be adjusted as hereinafter provided, unless otherwise specifically provided in a Participant’s Agreement.
| (a) | Changes with respect to Shares of Common Stock. |
| (i) | If (1) the shares of Common Stock shall be subdivided or combined into a greater or smaller number of shares or if the Company shall issue any shares of Common Stock as a stock dividend on its outstanding Common Stock, or (2) additional shares or new or different shares or other securities of the Company or other non-cash assets are distributed with respect to such shares of Common Stock, each Stock Right and the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable thereunder shall be appropriately increased or decreased proportionately, and appropriate adjustments shall be made including, in the exercise, base or purchase price per share and in the Performance Goals applicable to outstanding Performance-Based Awards to reflect such events. The number of Shares subject to the limitations in Paragraphs 3(a), 3(b), 3(d) and 4(c) shall also be proportionately adjusted upon the occurrence of such events. |
| (ii) | The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Paragraph 24(a) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Paragraphs 24(b) below, or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan or any Award, having due regard for the qualification of ISOs under Section 422, the requirements of Section 409A, to the extent applicable. |
| (iii) | References in the Plan to Shares will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Paragraph 24(a). |
| (b) | Corporate Transactions. If the Company is to be consolidated with or acquired by another entity in a Corporate Transaction, the Administrator or the board of directors of any entity assuming the obligations of the Company hereunder (the “Successor Board”), may, as to outstanding Options, take any of the following actions: (i) make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Options by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Options either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity; or (ii) upon written notice to the Participants, provide that such Options must be exercised (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph), within a specified number of days of the date of such notice, at the end of which period such Options which have not been exercised shall terminate; or (iii) terminate such Options in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock into which such Option would have been exercisable (either (A) to the extent then exercisable or, (B) at the discretion of the Administrator, any such Options being made partially or fully exercisable for purposes of this Subparagraph) less the aggregate exercise price thereof. For purposes of determining the payments to be made pursuant to Subclause (iii) above, in the case of a Corporate Transaction the consideration for which, in whole or in part, is other than cash, the consideration other than cash shall be valued at the fair value thereof as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. For the avoidance of doubt, if the per share exercise price of an Option or portion thereof is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of one Share of Common Stock, such Option may be cancelled with no payment due hereunder or otherwise in respect thereof. |
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With respect to outstanding Stock Grants or Stock-Based Awards, the Administrator or the Successor Board, shall make appropriate provision for the continuation of such Stock Grants or Stock-Based Awards on the same terms and conditions by substituting on an equitable basis for the Shares then subject to such Stock Grants or Stock-Based Awards either the consideration payable with respect to the outstanding Shares of Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction or securities of any successor or acquiring entity. In lieu of the foregoing, in connection with any Corporate Transaction, the Administrator may provide that each outstanding Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award shall be terminated in exchange for payment of an amount equal to the consideration payable upon consummation of such Corporate Transaction to a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock comprising such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award (to the extent such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award is no longer subject to any forfeiture or repurchase rights then in effect or, at the discretion of the Administrator, all forfeiture and repurchase rights being waived). For the avoidance of doubt, if the purchase or base price of a Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award or portion thereof is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of one Share of Common Stock, such Stock Grant or Stock-Based Award, as applicable, may be cancelled with no payment due hereunder or otherwise in respect thereof.
In taking any of the actions permitted under this Paragraph 24(b), the Administrator shall not be obligated by the Plan to treat all Stock Rights, all Stock Rights held by a Participant, or all Stock Rights of the same type, identically.
| (c) | Recapitalization or Reorganization. In the event of a recapitalization or reorganization of the Company other than a Corporate Transaction pursuant to which securities of the Company or of another corporation are issued with respect to the outstanding shares of Common Stock, a Participant upon exercising an Option or accepting a Stock Grant after the recapitalization or reorganization shall be entitled to receive for the price paid upon such exercise or acceptance if any, the number of replacement securities which would have been received if such Option had been exercised or Stock Grant accepted prior to such recapitalization or reorganization. |
| (d) | Adjustments to Stock-Based Awards. Upon the happening of any of the events described in Subparagraphs (a), (b) or (c) above, any outstanding Stock-Based Award shall be appropriately adjusted to reflect the events described in such Subparagraphs. The Administrator or the Successor Board shall determine the specific adjustments to be made under this Paragraph 24, including, but not limited to the effect of any, Corporate Transaction and, subject to Paragraph 4, its determination shall be conclusive. |
| (e) | Termination of Awards upon Consummation of a Corporate Transaction. Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine, each Stock Right will automatically terminate (and in the case of outstanding Shares of restricted Common Stock, will automatically be forfeited) immediately upon the consummation of a Corporate Transaction, other than (i) any award that is assumed, continued or substituted pursuant to Paragraph 24(b) above, and (ii) any cash award that by its terms, or as a result of action taken by the Administrator, continues following the consummation of the Corporate Transaction. |
| 25. | ISSUANCES OF SECURITIES. |
| (a) | Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares subject to Stock Rights. Except as expressly provided herein, no adjustments shall be made for dividends paid in cash or in property (including without limitation, securities) of the Company prior to any issuance of Shares pursuant to a Stock Right. |
| (b) | The Company will not be obligated to issue any Shares pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from Shares previously issued under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance of such Shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Shares is at the time of issuance listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the Shares to be issued have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the award have been satisfied or waived. The Company may require, as a condition to the exercise of an award or the issuance of Shares under an award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable state or non-U.S. securities law. Any Shares issued under the Plan will be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator determines appropriate, including book-entry registration or delivery of stock certificates. In the event that the Administrator determines that stock certificates will be issued in connection with Shares issued under the Plan, the Administrator may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending the lapse of the applicable restrictions. |
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| 26. | FRACTIONAL SHARES. |
No fractional shares shall be issued under the Plan and the person exercising a Stock Right shall receive from the Company cash in lieu of such fractional shares equal to the Fair Market Value thereof.
| 27. | WITHHOLDING. |
In the event that any federal, state, or local income taxes, employment taxes, Federal Insurance Contributions Act withholdings or other amounts are required by applicable law or governmental regulation to be withheld from the Participant’s salary, wages or other remuneration in connection with the issuance of a Stock Right or Shares under the Plan or for any other reason required by law, the Company may withhold from the Participant’s compensation, if any, or may require that the Participant advance in cash to the Company, or to any Affiliate of the Company which employs or employed the Participant, the statutory minimum amount of such withholdings unless a different withholding arrangement, including the use of shares of the Company’s Common Stock or a promissory note, is authorized by the Administrator (and permitted by law). For purposes hereof, the fair market value of the shares withheld for purposes of payroll withholding shall be determined in the manner set forth under the definition of Fair Market Value provided in Paragraph 1 above, as of the most recent practicable date. If the Fair Market Value of the shares withheld is less than the amount of payroll withholdings required, the Participant may be required to advance the difference in cash to the Company or the Affiliate employer.
| 28. | TERMINATION OF THE PLAN. |
The Plan will terminate on April 13, 2031, the date which is ten years from the earlier of the date of its adoption by the Board of Directors and the date of its approval by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may be terminated at an earlier date by vote of the shareholders or the Board of Directors of the Company; provided, however, that any such earlier termination shall not affect any Agreements executed prior to the effective date of such termination. Termination of the Plan shall not affect any Stock Rights theretofore granted.
| 29. | AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN AND AGREEMENTS. |
The Plan may be amended by the shareholders of the Company. The Plan may also be amended by the Administrator; provided that any amendment approved by the Administrator which the Administrator determines is of a scope that requires shareholder approval shall be subject to obtaining such shareholder approval including, without limitation, to the extent necessary to qualify any or all outstanding Stock Rights granted under the Plan or Stock Rights to be granted under the Plan for favorable federal income tax treatment as may be afforded ISOs under Section 422 and to the extent necessary to qualify the Shares issuable under the Plan for listing on any national securities exchange or quotation in any national automated quotation system of securities dealers. Any modification or amendment of the Plan shall not, without the consent of a Participant, adversely affect his or her rights under a Stock Right previously granted to such Participant, unless such amendment is required by applicable law or necessary to preserve the economic value of such Stock Right. With the consent of the Participant affected, the Administrator may amend outstanding Agreements in a manner which may be adverse to the Participant but which is not inconsistent with the Plan. In the discretion of the Administrator, outstanding Agreements may be amended by the Administrator in a manner which is not adverse to the Participant. Nothing in this Paragraph 30 shall limit the Administrator’s authority to take any action permitted pursuant to Paragraph 24.
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| 30. | EMPLOYMENT OR OTHER RELATIONSHIP. |
Nothing in this Plan or any Agreement shall be deemed to prevent the Company or an Affiliate from terminating the employment, consultancy or director status of a Participant, nor to prevent a Participant from terminating his or her own employment, consultancy or director status or to give any Participant a right to be retained in employment or other service by the Company or any Affiliate for any period of time.
| 31. | SECTION 409A AND SECTION 422. |
The Company intends that the Plan and any Awards granted hereunder be exempt from or comply with Section 409A, to the extent applicable. The Company intends that ISOs comply with Section 422, to the extent applicable. Any ambiguities in the Plan or any Award shall be construed to effect the intent as described in this Paragraph 31.
If a Participant is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A (and as applied according to procedures of the Company and its Affiliates) as of his or her separation from service, to the extent any payment under this Plan or pursuant to an Award constitutes non-exempt deferred compensation under Section 409A that is being paid by reason of separation from service, no payments due under this Plan or pursuant to an Award may be made until the earlier of: (i) the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service, or (ii) the Participant’s date of death; provided, however, that any payments delayed during this six-month period shall be paid in the aggregate in a lump sum, without interest, on the first day of the seventh month following the Participant’s separation from service.
The Administrator shall administer the Plan with a view toward ensuring that Awards under the Plan that are subject to Section 409A or Section 422, as applicable, comply with the requirements thereof and that Options under the Plan be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A or compliant with Section 422, as applicable, but neither the Administrator nor any member of the Board of Directors, nor the Company nor any of its Affiliates, nor any other person acting hereunder on behalf of the Company, the Administrator or the Board of Directors shall be liable to a Participant or any Survivor by reason of the acceleration of any income, or the imposition of any additional tax or penalty, with respect to any Award, whether by reason of a failure to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or Section 422 or otherwise.
| 32. | INDEMNITY. |
Neither the Board of Directors nor the Administrator, nor any members of either, nor any employees of the Company or any parent, subsidiary, or other Affiliate, shall be liable for any act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination made in good faith in connection with their responsibilities with respect to this Plan, and the Company hereby agrees to indemnify the members of the Board of Directors, the members of the Committee, and the employees of the Company and its parent or subsidiaries in respect of any claim, loss, damage, or expense (including reasonable counsel fees) arising from any such act, omission, interpretation, construction or determination to the full extent permitted by law.
| 33. | CLAWBACK. |
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Plan, the Company may recover from a Participant any compensation received from any Stock Right (whether or not settled) or cause a Participant to forfeit any Stock Right (whether or not vested) in the event that the Company’s Clawback Policy as then in effect is triggered.
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| 34. | WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. |
By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an award under the Plan, each Participant waives (or will be deemed to have waived), to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan or any award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim will be tried before a court and not before a jury. By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, nothing herein is to be construed as limiting the ability of the Company and a Participant to agree to submit any dispute arising under the terms of the Plan or any ward to binding arbitration or as limiting the ability of the Company to require any individual to agree to submit such disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of receiving an award hereunder.
| 35. | UNFUNDED OBLIGATIONS. |
The Company’s obligations under the Plan are unfunded, and no Participant will have any right to specific assets of the Company in respect of any award under the Plan. Participants will be general unsecured creditors of the Company with respect to any amounts due or payable under the Plan.
| 36. | GOVERNING LAW. |
This Plan shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the law of the State of Delaware.
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VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC.
Stock Option Grant Notice
Stock Option Grant under the Company’s
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
| 1. | Name of Participant: |
| 2. | Date of Option Grant: |
| 3. | Type of Grant: |
| 4. | Maximum Number of Shares for which this Option is exercisable: |
| 5. | Exercise (purchase) price per share: |
| 6. | Option Expiration Date: |
| 7. | Vesting Schedule: This Option shall become exercisable (and the Shares issued upon exercise shall be vested) as follows provided the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate on the applicable vesting date: |
[INSERT VESTING PROVISIONS]
The foregoing rights are cumulative and are subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan.
The Company and the Participant acknowledge receipt of this Stock Option Grant Notice and agree to the terms of the Stock Option Agreement attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein, the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and the terms of this Option Grant as set forth above.
| VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | |||
| Title: | |||
| Participant | |||
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VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC.
STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT - INCORPORATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) made as of the date of grant set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice by and between Vicarious Surgical Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and the individual whose name appears on the Stock Option Grant Notice (the “Participant”).
WHEREAS, the Company desires to grant to the Participant an Option to purchase shares of its Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Shares”), under and for the purposes set forth in the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”);
WHEREAS, the Company and the Participant understand and agree that any terms used and not defined herein have the same meanings as in the Plan; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Participant each intend that the Option granted herein shall be of the type set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants hereinafter set forth and for other good and valuable consideration, the parties hereto agree as follows:
| 1. | GRANT OF OPTION. The Company hereby grants to the Participant the right and option to purchase all or any part of an aggregate of the number of Shares set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice, on the terms and conditions and subject to all the limitations set forth herein, under United States securities and tax laws, and in the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. |
| 2. | EXERCISE PRICE. The exercise price of the Shares covered by the Option shall be the amount per Share set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice, subject to adjustment, as provided in the Plan, in the event of a stock split, reverse stock split or other events affecting the holders of Shares after the date hereof (the “Exercise Price”). Payment shall be made in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the Plan. |
| 3. | EXERCISABILITY OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Option granted hereby shall become vested and exercisable as set forth in the Stock Option Grant Notice and is subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan. |
| 4. | TERM OF OPTION. This Option shall terminate on the Option Expiration Date as specified in the Stock Option Grant Notice and, if this Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as an ISO and the Participant owns as of the date hereof more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of capital stock of the Company or an Affiliate, such date may not be more than five years from the date of this Agreement, but shall be subject to earlier termination as provided herein or in the Plan. |
If the Participant ceases to be an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate for any reason other than the death or Disability of the Participant, or termination of the Participant for Cause (the “Termination Date”), the Option to the extent then vested and exercisable pursuant to Section 3 hereof as of the Termination Date, and not previously terminated in accordance with this Agreement, may be exercised within three months after the Termination Date, or on or prior to the Option Expiration Date as specified in the Stock Option Grant Notice, whichever is earlier, but may not be exercised thereafter except as set forth below. In such event, the unvested portion of the Option shall not be exercisable and shall expire and be cancelled on the Termination Date.
If this Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as an ISO and the Participant ceases to be an Employee of the Company or of an Affiliate but continues after termination of employment to provide service to the Company or an Affiliate as a director or Consultant, this Option shall continue to vest in accordance with Section 3 above as if this Option had not terminated until the Participant is no longer providing services to the Company. In such case, this Option shall automatically convert and be deemed a Non-Qualified Option as of the date that is three months from termination of the Participant’s employment and this Option shall continue on the same terms and conditions set forth herein until such Participant is no longer providing service to the Company or an Affiliate.
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Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of the Participant’s Disability or death within three months after the Termination Date, the Participant or the Participant’s Survivors may exercise the Option within one year after the Termination Date, but in no event after the Option Expiration Date as specified in the Stock Option Grant Notice.
In the event the Participant’s service is terminated by the Company or an Affiliate for Cause, the Participant’s right to exercise any unexercised portion of this Option even if vested shall cease immediately as of the time the Participant is notified his or her service is terminated for Cause, and this Option shall thereupon terminate. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if subsequent to the Participant’s termination, but prior to the exercise of the Option, the Administrator determines that, either prior or subsequent to the Participant’s termination, the Participant engaged in conduct which would constitute Cause, then the Participant shall immediately cease to have any right to exercise the Option and this Option shall thereupon terminate.
In the event of the Disability of the Participant, as determined in accordance with the Plan, the Option shall be exercisable within one year after the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability or, if earlier, on or prior to the Option Expiration Date as specified in the Stock Option Grant Notice. In such event, the Option shall be exercisable:
| (a) | to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised as of the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability; and | |
| (b) | in the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not become Disabled. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the date of the Participant’s termination of service due to Disability. |
In the event of the death of the Participant while an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate, the Option shall be exercisable by the Participant’s Survivors within one year after the date of death of the Participant or, if earlier, on or prior to the Option Expiration Date as specified in the Stock Option Grant Notice. In such event, the Option shall be exercisable:
| (x) | to the extent that the Option has become exercisable but has not been exercised as of the date of death; and | |
| (y) | in the event rights to exercise the Option accrue periodically, to the extent of a pro rata portion through the date of death of any additional vesting rights that would have accrued on the next vesting date had the Participant not died. The proration shall be based upon the number of days accrued in the current vesting period prior to the Participant’s date of death. |
| 5. | METHOD OF EXERCISING OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, the Option may be exercised by written notice to the Company or its designee, in substantially the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (or in such other form acceptable to the Company, which may include electronic notice). Such notice shall state the number of Shares with respect to which the Option is being exercised and shall be signed by the person exercising the Option (which signature may be provided electronically in a form acceptable to the Company). Payment of the Exercise Price for such Shares shall be made in accordance with Paragraph 10 of the Plan. The Company shall deliver such Shares as soon as practicable after the notice shall be received, provided, however, that the Company may delay issuance of such Shares until completion of any action or obtaining of any consent, which the Company deems necessary under any applicable law (including, without limitation, state securities or “blue sky” laws). The Shares as to which the Option shall have been so exercised shall be registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the person so exercising the Option (or, if the Option shall be exercised by the Participant and if the Participant shall so request in the notice exercising the Option, shall be registered in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant and another person jointly, with right of survivorship) and shall be delivered as provided above to or upon the written order of the person exercising the Option. In the event the Option shall be exercised, pursuant to Section 4 hereof, by any person other than the Participant, such notice shall be accompanied by appropriate proof of the right of such person to exercise the Option. All Shares that shall be purchased upon the exercise of the Option as provided herein shall be fully paid and nonassessable. |
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| 6. | PARTIAL EXERCISE. Exercise of this Option to the extent above stated may be made in part at any time and from time to time within the above limits, except that no fractional share shall be issued pursuant to this Option. |
| 7. | NON-ASSIGNABILITY. The Option shall not be transferable by the Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. If this Option is a Non-Qualified Option then it may also be transferred pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the rules thereunder. Except as provided above in this paragraph, the Option shall be exercisable, during the Participant’s lifetime, only by the Participant (or, in the event of legal incapacity or incompetency, by the Participant’s guardian or representative) and shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of the Option or of any rights granted hereunder contrary to the provisions of this Section 7, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon the Option shall be null and void. |
| 8. | NO RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER UNTIL EXERCISE. The Participant shall have no rights as a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to this Agreement until registration of the Shares in the Company’s share register in the name of the Participant. Except as is expressly provided in the Plan with respect to certain changes in the capitalization of the Company, no adjustment shall be made for dividends or similar rights for which the record date is prior to the date of such registration. |
| 9. | ADJUSTMENTS. The Plan contains provisions covering the treatment of Options in a number of contingencies such as stock splits and mergers. Provisions in the Plan for adjustment with respect to stock subject to Options and the related provisions with respect to successors to the business of the Company are hereby made applicable hereunder and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| 10. | TAXES. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that (i) any income or other taxes due from the Participant with respect to this Option or the Shares issuable pursuant to this Option shall be the Participant’s responsibility; (ii) the Participant was free to use professional advisors of his or her choice in connection with this Agreement, has received advice from his or her professional advisors in connection with this Agreement, understands its meaning and import, and is entering into this Agreement freely and without coercion or duress; (iii) the Participant has not received and is not relying upon any advice, representations or assurances made by or on behalf of the Company or any Affiliate or any employee of or counsel to the Company or any Affiliate regarding any tax or other effects or implications of the Option, the Shares or other matters contemplated by this Agreement; and (iv) neither the Administrator, the Company, its Affiliates, nor any of its officers or directors, shall be held liable for any applicable costs, taxes, or penalties associated with the Option if, in fact, the Internal Revenue Service were to determine that the Option constitutes deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code. |
If this Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as a Non-Qualified Option or if the Option is an ISO and is converted into a Non-Qualified Option and such Non-Qualified Option is exercised, the Participant agrees that the Company may withhold from the Participant’s remuneration, if any, the minimum statutory amount of federal, state and local withholding taxes attributable to such amount that is considered compensation includable in such person’s gross income. At the Company’s discretion, the amount required to be withheld may be withheld in cash from such remuneration, or in kind from the Shares otherwise deliverable to the Participant on exercise of the Option. The Participant further agrees that, if the Company does not withhold an amount from the Participant’s remuneration sufficient to satisfy the Company’s income tax withholding obligation, the Participant will reimburse the Company on demand, in cash, for the amount under-withheld.
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| 11. | PURCHASE FOR INVESTMENT. Unless the offering and sale of the Shares to be issued upon the particular exercise of the Option shall have been effectively registered under the Securities Act, the Company shall be under no obligation to issue the Shares covered by such exercise unless the Company has determined that such exercise and issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and until the following conditions have been fulfilled: |
| (a) | The person(s) who exercise the Option shall warrant to the Company, at the time of such exercise, that such person(s) are acquiring such Shares for their own respective accounts, for investment, and not with a view to, or for sale in connection with, the distribution of any such Shares, in which event the person(s) acquiring such Shares shall be bound by the provisions of the following legend which shall be endorsed upon any certificate(s) evidencing the Shares issued pursuant to such exercise: |
“The shares represented by this certificate have been taken for investment and they may not be sold or otherwise transferred by any person, including a pledgee, unless (1) either (a) a Registration Statement with respect to such shares shall be effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or (b) the Company shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to it that an exemption from registration under such Act is then available, and (2) there shall have been compliance with all applicable state securities laws;” and
| (b) | If the Company so requires, the Company shall have received an opinion of its counsel that the Shares may be issued upon such particular exercise in compliance with the Securities Act without registration thereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Company may delay issuance of the Shares until completion of any action or obtaining of any consent, which the Company deems necessary under any applicable law (including without limitation state securities or “blue sky” laws). |
| 12. | RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF SHARES. |
| (a) | The Participant agrees that in the event the Company proposes to offer for sale to the public any of its equity securities and such Participant is requested by the Company and any underwriter engaged by the Company in connection with such offering to sign an agreement restricting the sale or other transfer of Shares, then it will promptly sign such agreement and will not transfer, whether in privately negotiated transactions or to the public in open market transactions or otherwise, any Shares or other securities of the Company held by him or her during such period as is determined by the Company and the underwriters, not to exceed 180 days following the closing of the offering, plus such additional period of time as may be required to comply with FINRA rules or similar rules thereto promulgated by another regulatory authority (such period, the “Lock-Up Period”). Such agreement shall be in writing and in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company and such underwriter and pursuant to customary and prevailing terms and conditions. Notwithstanding whether the Participant has signed such an agreement, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to the Shares or other securities of the Company subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of the Lock-Up Period. |
| (b) | The Participant acknowledges and agrees that neither the Company, its stockholders nor its directors and officers, has any duty or obligation to disclose to the Participant any material information regarding the business of the Company or affecting the value of the Shares before, at the time of, or following a termination of the service of the Participant by the Company, including, without limitation, any information concerning plans for the Company to make a public offering of its securities or to be acquired by or merged with or into another firm or entity. |
| 13. | NO OBLIGATION TO MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIP. The Participant acknowledges that: (i) the Company is not by the Plan or this Option obligated to continue the Participant as an employee, director or Consultant of the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) the Plan is discretionary in nature and may be suspended or terminated by the Company at any time; (iii) the grant of the Option is a one-time benefit which does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of options, or benefits in lieu of options; (iv) all determinations with respect to any such future grants, including, but not limited to, the times when options shall be granted, the number of shares subject to each option, the option price, and the time or times when each option shall be exercisable, will be at the sole discretion of the Company; (v) the Participant’s participation in the Plan is voluntary; (vi) the value of the Option is an extraordinary item of compensation which is outside the scope of the Participant’s employment or consulting contract, if any; and (vii) the Option is not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments. |
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| 14. | IF OPTION IS INTENDED TO BE AN ISO. If this Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as an ISO so that the Participant (or the Participant’s Survivors) may qualify for the favorable tax treatment provided to holders of Options that meet the standards of Section 422 of the Code then any provision of this Agreement or the Plan which conflicts with the Code so that this Option would not be deemed an ISO is null and void and any ambiguities shall be resolved so that the Option qualifies as an ISO. The Participant should consult with the Participant’s own tax advisors regarding the tax effects of the Option and the requirements necessary to obtain favorable tax treatment under Section 422 of the Code, including, but not limited to, holding period requirements. |
Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that the Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as an ISO and is not deemed to be an ISO pursuant to Section 422(d) of the Code because the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the Date of Option Grant) of any of the Shares with respect to which this ISO is granted becomes exercisable for the first time during any calendar year in excess of $100,000, the portion of the Option representing such excess value shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Option and the Participant shall be deemed to have taxable income measured by the difference between the then Fair Market Value of the Shares received upon exercise and the price paid for such Shares pursuant to this Agreement.
Neither the Company nor any Affiliate shall have any liability to the Participant, or any other party, if the Option (or any part thereof) that is intended to be an ISO is not an ISO or for any action taken by the Administrator, including without limitation the conversion of an ISO to a Non-Qualified Option.
| 15. | NOTICE TO COMPANY OF DISQUALIFYING DISPOSITION OF AN ISO. If this Option is designated in the Stock Option Grant Notice as an ISO then the Participant agrees to notify the Company in writing immediately after the Participant makes a Disqualifying Disposition of any of the Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of the ISO. A Disqualifying Disposition is defined in Section 424(c) of the Code and includes any disposition (including any sale) of such Shares before the later of (a) two years after the date the Participant was granted the ISO or (b) one year after the date the Participant acquired Shares by exercising the ISO, except as otherwise provided in Section 424(c) of the Code. If the Participant has died before the Shares are sold, these holding period requirements do not apply and no Disqualifying Disposition can occur thereafter. |
| 16. | NOTICES. Any notices required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or the Plan shall be given by recognized courier service, facsimile, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows: |
If to the Company:
Vicarious Surgical Inc.
78 Fourth Avenue
Waltham, MA 0245
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Participant at the Participant’s most recent address as shown in the employment or stock records of the Company. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given upon the earlier of receipt, one business day following delivery to a recognized courier service or three business days following mailing by registered or certified mail.
| 17. | GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction in Massachusetts and agree that such litigation shall be conducted in the state courts of Massachusetts or the federal courts of the United States for the District of Massachusetts. |
| 18. | BENEFIT OF AGREEMENT. Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the other provisions hereof, this Agreement shall be for the benefit of and shall be binding upon the heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns of the parties hereto. |
| 19. | ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement, together with the Plan, embodies the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof (with the exception of acceleration of vesting provisions contained in any other agreement with the Company). No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect or be used to interpret, change or restrict, the express terms and provisions of this Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing in all events, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the Plan. |
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| 20. | MODIFICATIONS AND AMENDMENTS. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended as provided in the Plan. |
| 21 | WAIVERS AND CONSENTS. Except as provided in the Plan, the terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions. No such waiver or consent shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent. |
| 22. | DATA PRIVACY. By entering into this Agreement, the Participant: (i) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate, and any agent of the Company or any Affiliate administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services, to disclose to the Company or any of its Affiliates such information and data as the Company or any such Affiliate shall request in order to facilitate the grant of options and the administration of the Plan; (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law waives any data privacy rights he or she may have with respect to such information, and (iii) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate to store and transmit such information in electronic form for the purposes set forth in this Agreement. |
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Exhibit A
NOTICE OF EXERCISE OF STOCK OPTION
Form for Shares registered in the United States
To: Vicarious Surgical Inc.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: This form of Notice of Exercise may only be used at such time as the Company has filed a Registration Statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission under which the issuance of the Shares for which this exercise is being made is registered and such Registration Statement remains effective.
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I hereby exercise my Stock Option to purchase shares (the “Shares”) of the Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value, of Vicarious Surgical Inc. (the “Company”), at the exercise price of $ per share, pursuant to and subject to the terms of that Stock Option Grant Notice dated , 202 .
I understand the nature of the investment I am making and the financial risks thereof. I am aware that it is my responsibility to have consulted with competent tax and legal advisors about the relevant national, state and local income tax and securities laws affecting the exercise of the Option and the purchase and subsequent sale of the Shares.
I am paying the option exercise price for the Shares as follows:
Please issue the Shares (check one):
☐ to me; or
☐ to me and , as joint tenants with right of survivorship, at the following address:
My mailing address for stockholder communications, if different from the address listed above, is:
| Very truly yours, | ||
| Participant (signature) | ||
| Print Name | ||
| Date |
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VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC.
Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice
Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant under the Company’s
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
| 1. | Name of Participant: |
| 2. | Date of Grant of Restricted Stock Unit Award: |
| 3. | Maximum Number of Shares underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award: |
| 4. | Vesting of Award: This Restricted Stock Unit Award shall vest as follows provided the Participant is an Employee, director or Consultant of the Company or of an Affiliate on the applicable vesting: |
Number of Restricted Stock Units Vesting Date
[INSERT VESTING PROVISIONS]
The Company and the Participant acknowledge receipt of this Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and agree to the terms of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement attached hereto and incorporated by reference herein, the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and the terms of this Restricted Stock Unit Award as set forth above.
| VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
| Participant | ||
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VICARIOUS SURGICAL INC.
RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT –
INCORPORATED TERMS AND CONDITIONS
AGREEMENT made as of the date of grant set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice between Vicarious Surgical Inc. (the “Company”), a Delaware corporation, and the individual whose name appears on the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Participant”).
WHEREAS, the Company has adopted the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), to promote the interests of the Company by providing an incentive for Employees, directors and Consultants of the Company and its Affiliates;
WHEREAS, pursuant to the provisions of the Plan, the Company desires to grant to the Participant restricted stock units (“RSUs”) related to the Company’s Class A common stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Common Stock”), in accordance with the provisions of the Plan, all on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth; and
WHEREAS, the Company and the Participant understand and agree that any terms used and not defined herein have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the Plan.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the promises and the mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
| 1. | Grant of Award. The Company hereby grants to the Participant an award for the number of RSUs set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice (the “Award”). Each RSU represents a contingent entitlement of the Participant to receive one share of Common Stock, on the terms and conditions and subject to all the limitations set forth herein and in the Plan, which is incorporated herein by reference. The Participant acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan. |
| 2. | Vesting of Award. |
| (a) | Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and the Plan, the Award granted hereby shall vest as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice and is subject to the other terms and conditions of this Agreement and the Plan. On each vesting date set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice, the Participant shall be entitled to receive such number of shares of Common Stock equivalent to the number of RSUs as set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice provided that the Participant is providing service to the Company or an Affiliate on such vesting date. Such shares of Common Stock shall thereafter be delivered by the Company to the Participant within five business days of the applicable vesting date and in accordance with this Agreement and the Plan. |
| (b) | Except as otherwise set forth in this Agreement, if the Participant ceases to be providing services for any reason by the Company or by an Affiliate (the “Termination”) prior to a vesting date set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Grant Notice, then as of the date on which the Participant’s employment or service terminates, all unvested RSUs shall immediately be forfeited to the Company and this Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect. |
| 3. | Prohibitions on Transfer and Sale. This Award (including any additional RSUs received by the Participant as a result of stock dividends, stock splits or any other similar transaction affecting the Company’s securities without receipt of consideration) shall not be transferable by the Participant otherwise than (i) by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, or (ii) pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order as defined by the Internal Revenue Code or Title I of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act or the rules thereunder. Except as provided in the previous sentence, the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement shall be issued, during the Participant’s lifetime, only to the Participant (or, in the event of legal incapacity or incompetence, to the Participant’s guardian or representative). This Award shall not be assigned, pledged or hypothecated in any way (whether by operation of law or otherwise) and shall not be subject to execution, attachment or similar process. Any attempted transfer, assignment, pledge, hypothecation or other disposition of this Award or of any rights granted hereunder contrary to the provisions of this Section 3, or the levy of any attachment or similar process upon this Award shall be null and void. |
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| 4. | Adjustments. The Plan contains provisions covering the treatment of RSUs and shares of Common Stock in a number of contingencies such as stock splits. Provisions in the Plan for adjustment with respect to this Award and the related provisions with respect to successors to the business of the Company are hereby made applicable hereunder and are incorporated herein by reference. |
| 5. | Securities Law Compliance. The Participant specifically acknowledges and agrees that any sales of shares of Common Stock shall be made in accordance with the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The Company currently has an effective registration statement on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission with respect to the Common Stock to be granted hereunder. The Company intends to maintain this registration statement but has no obligation to do so. If the registration statement ceases to be effective for any reason, Participant will not be able to transfer or sell any of the shares of Common Stock issued to the Participant pursuant to this Agreement unless exemptions from registration or filings under applicable securities laws are available. Furthermore, despite registration, applicable securities laws may restrict the ability of the Participant to sell his or her Common Stock, including due to the Participant’s affiliation with the Company. The Company shall not be obligated to either issue the Common Stock or permit the resale of any shares of Common Stock if such issuance or resale would violate any applicable securities law, rule or regulation. |
| 6. | Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant shall have no right as a stockholder, including voting and dividend rights, with respect to the RSUs subject to this Agreement. |
| 7. | Incorporation of the Plan. The Participant specifically understands and agrees that the RSUs and the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan will be issued to the Participant pursuant to the Plan, a copy of which Plan the Participant acknowledges he or she has read and understands and by which Plan he or she agrees to be bound. The provisions of the Plan are incorporated herein by reference. |
| 8. | Tax Liability of the Participant and Payment of Taxes. The Participant acknowledges and agrees that any income or other taxes due from the Participant with respect to this Award or the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise sold shall be the Participant’s responsibility. Without limiting the foregoing, the Participant agrees that if under applicable law the Participant will owe taxes at each vesting date on the portion of the Award then vested the Company shall be entitled to immediate payment from the Participant of the amount of any tax or other amounts required to be withheld by the Company by applicable law or regulation. Any taxes or other amounts due shall be paid, at the option of the Administrator as follows: |
| (a) | through reducing the number of shares of Common Stock entitled to be issued to the Participant on the applicable vesting date in an amount equal to the statutory minimum of the Participant’s total tax and other withholding obligations due and payable by the Company. Fractional shares will not be retained to satisfy any portion of the Company’s withholding obligation. Accordingly, the Participant agrees that in the event that the amount of withholding required would result in a fraction of a share being owed, that amount will be satisfied by withholding the fractional amount from the Participant’s paycheck; |
| (b) | requiring the Participant to deposit with the Company an amount of cash equal to the amount determined by the Company to be required to be withheld with respect to the statutory minimum amount of the Participant’s total tax and other withholding obligations due and payable by the Company or otherwise withholding from the Participant’s paycheck an amount equal to such amounts due and payable by the Company; or |
| (c) | if the Company believes that the sale of shares can be made in compliance with applicable securities laws, authorizing, at a time when the Participant is not in possession of material nonpublic information, the sale by the Participant on the applicable vesting date of such number of shares of Common Stock as the Company instructs a registered broker to sell to satisfy the Company’s withholding obligation, after deduction of the broker’s commission, and the broker shall be required to remit to the Company the cash necessary in order for the Company to satisfy its withholding obligation. To the extent the proceeds of such sale exceed the Company’s withholding obligation the Company agrees to pay such excess cash to the Participant as soon as practicable. In addition, if such sale is not sufficient to pay the Company’s withholding obligation the Participant agrees to pay to the Company as soon as practicable, including through additional payroll withholding, the amount of any withholding obligation that is not satisfied by the sale of shares of Common Stock. The Participant agrees to hold the Company and the broker harmless from all costs, damages or expenses relating to any such sale. The Participant acknowledges that the Company and the broker are under no obligation to arrange for such sale at any particular price. In connection with such sale of shares of Common Stock, the Participant shall execute any such documents requested by the broker in order to effectuate the sale of shares of Common Stock and payment of the withholding obligation to the Company. The Participant acknowledges that this paragraph is intended to comply with Section 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) under the Exchange Act. |
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It is the Company’s intention that the Participant’s tax obligations under this Section 8 shall be satisfied through the procedure of Subsection (c) above, unless the Company provides notice of an alternate procedure under this Section, in its discretion. The Company shall not deliver any shares of Common Stock to the Participant until it is satisfied that all required withholdings have been made.
| 9. | Participant Acknowledgements and Authorizations. |
The Participant acknowledges the following:
| (a) | The Company is not by the Plan or this Award obligated to continue the Participant as an employee, director or consultant of the Company or an Affiliate. |
| (b) | The Plan is discretionary in nature and may be suspended or terminated by the Company at any time. |
| (c) | The grant of this Award is considered a one-time benefit and does not create a contractual or other right to receive any other award under the Plan, benefits in lieu of awards or any other benefits in the future. |
| (d) | The Plan is a voluntary program of the Company and future awards, if any, will be at the sole discretion of the Company, including, but not limited to, the timing of any grant, the amount of any award, vesting provisions and the purchase price, if any. |
| (e) | The value of this Award is an extraordinary item of compensation outside of the scope of the Participant’s employment or consulting contract, if any. As such the Award is not part of normal or expected compensation for purposes of calculating any severance, resignation, redundancy, end of service payments, bonuses, long-service awards, pension or retirement benefits or similar payments. The future value of the shares of Common Stock is unknown and cannot be predicted with certainty. |
| (f) | The Participant (i) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate and any agent of the Company or any Affiliate administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services, to disclose to the Company or any of its Affiliates such information and data as the Company or any such Affiliate shall request in order to facilitate the grant of the Award and the administration of the Plan; and (ii) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate to store and transmit such information in electronic form for the purposes set forth in this Agreement. |
| 10. | Notices. Any notices required or permitted by the terms of this Agreement or the Plan shall be given by recognized courier service, facsimile, registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed as follows: |
If to the Company:
Vicarious Surgical Inc.
78 Fourth Avenue
Waltham, MA 0245
Attention: Legal Department
If to the Participant at the Participant’s most recent address as shown in the employment or stock records of the Company. Any such notice shall be deemed to have been given on the earliest of receipt, one business day following delivery by the sender to a recognized courier service, or three business days following mailing by registered or certified mail.
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| 11. | Assignment and Successors. |
| (a) | This Agreement is personal to the Participant and without the prior written consent of the Company shall not be assignable by the Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the Participant’s legal representatives. |
| (b) | This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns. |
| 12. | Governing Law. This Agreement shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to the conflict of law principles thereof. For the purpose of litigating any dispute that arises under this Agreement, whether at law or in equity, the parties hereby consent to exclusive jurisdiction in Massachusetts and agree that such litigation will be conducted in the state courts of Massachusetts or the federal courts of the United States for the District of Massachusetts. |
| 13. | Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, then such provision or provisions shall be modified to the extent necessary to make such provision valid and enforceable, and to the extent that this is impossible, then such provision shall be deemed to be excised from this Agreement, and the validity, legality and enforceability of the rest of this Agreement shall not be affected thereby. |
| 14. | Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the Plan, constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter hereof. No statement, representation, warranty, covenant or agreement not expressly set forth in this Agreement shall affect or be used to interpret, change or restrict the express terms and provisions of this Agreement provided, however, in any event, this Agreement shall be subject to and governed by the Plan. |
| 15. | Modifications and Amendments; Waivers and Consents. The terms and provisions of this Agreement may be modified or amended as provided in the Plan. Except as provided in the Plan, the terms and provisions of this Agreement may be waived, or consent for the departure therefrom granted, only by written document executed by the party entitled to the benefits of such terms or provisions. No such waiver or consent shall be deemed to be or shall constitute a waiver or consent with respect to any other terms or provisions of this Agreement, whether or not similar. Each such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which it was given, and shall not constitute a continuing waiver or consent. |
| 16. | Section 409A. The Award of RSUs evidenced by this Agreement is intended to be exempt from the nonqualified deferred compensation rules of Section 409A of the Code as a “short term deferral” (as that term is used in the final regulations and other guidance issued under Section 409A of the Code, including Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4)(i)), and shall be construed accordingly. |
| 17. | Data Privacy. By entering into this Agreement, the Participant: (i) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate, and any agent of the Company or any Affiliate administering the Plan or providing Plan recordkeeping services, to disclose to the Company or any of its Affiliates such information and data as the Company or any such Affiliate shall request in order to facilitate the grant of options and the administration of the Plan; (ii) to the extent permitted by applicable law waives any data privacy rights he or she may have with respect to such information, and (iii) authorizes the Company and each Affiliate to store and transmit such information in electronic form for the purposes set forth in this Agreement. |
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Exhibit 10.2
Vicarious Surgical Inc.
Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy
Non-employee members of the board of directors (the “Board”) of Vicarious Surgical Inc. (the “Company”) shall receive cash and equity compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “Policy”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Policy shall be paid or issued, as applicable, automatically and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any subsidiary of the Company (each, a “Non-Employee Director”) who is entitled to receive such cash or equity compensation, unless such Non-Employee Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company. This Policy shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. This Policy may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion. The adoption of this Policy shall have no effect on any cash or equity compensation granted to non-employee directors prior to the adoption of this Policy.
| I. | CASH COMPENSATION |
A. Annual Retainers. Each Non-Employee Director shall receive an annual retainer of $40,000 for service on the Board.
B. Additional Annual Retainers. In addition, each Non-Employee Director shall receive the following annual retainers:
1. Chair of the Board. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chair of the Board shall receive an additional annual retainer of $35,000 for such service.
2. Audit Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chair of the Audit Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $18,000 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member other than the Chair of the Audit Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $6,300 for such service.
3. Compensation Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chair of the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $14,250 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member other than the Chair of the Compensation Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,500 for such service.
4. Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $10,000 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member other than the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $4,650 for such service.
5. Technology and Product Committee. A Non-Employee Director serving as Chair of the Technology and Product Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $14,250 for such service. A Non-Employee Director serving as a member other than the Chair of the Technology and Product Committee shall receive an additional annual retainer of $5,500 for such service.
C. Payment of Retainers. The retainers described in Sections I(A) and I(B) shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid in cash by the Company in arrears not later than the fifteenth day following the end of each calendar quarter, unless the Non-Employee Director elects to receive equity in lieu of cash in accordance with Sections I(D) and I(E). In the event a Non-Employee Director does not serve as a Non-Employee Director, or in the applicable positions described in Section I(B), for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Non-Employee Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as a Non-Employee Director, or in such position, as applicable.
D. Election for Equity in Lieu of Cash Retainers. A Non-Employee Director may elect to receive a fully-vested grant of the Company’s Class A common stock (the “Common Stock”) under the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan or any other applicable Company equity incentive plan then-maintained by the Company (the “Equity Plan”) with a fair market value of the retainer amounts described in Sections I(A) and I(B) above in lieu of receiving cash in such amounts. Prior to the end of each calendar year, each Non-Employee Director shall make an election with respect to the retainers described in Sections I(A) and I(B) for the following calendar year, indicating whether he or she elects to receive the retainers in cash or equity. If no election has been made as of the first day of the year, the Non-Employee Director shall receive all retainers in cash. If a previous election has been made to receive equity in lieu of cash, such election shall remain in effect for subsequent calendar years until such election is changed by the completion, signature and delivery to the Company of a new election form for the following calendar year. Each newly elected or appointed Non-Employee Director shall make an election prior to, or within 30 days of, his or her initial appointment or election to the Board, for the remainder of the year of such appointment or election, whether to receive the retainers in cash or equity.
E. Grant of Equity in Lieu of Cash Retainers. In the event an election is made pursuant to Section I(D) to receive equity in lieu of cash with respect to the retainers described in Sections I(A) and I(B), such Non-Employee Director shall automatically be granted on the last trading day of the calendar quarter a number of shares of Common Stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to the aggregate amount of such Non-Employee Director’s cash retainer for such calendar quarter, determined by dividing (A) the aggregate amount of the retainer by (B) the closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on such date (rounded down to the nearest whole share).
| II. | EQUITY COMPENSATION |
Non-Employee Directors shall be granted the equity awards described below, unless otherwise specified by the Board or Compensation Committee at the time of grant. The awards described below shall be granted under and shall be subject to the terms and provisions of the Equity Plan and shall be granted subject to award agreements, including attached exhibits, in substantially the form previously approved by the Board. All applicable terms of the Equity Plan apply to this Policy as if fully set forth herein, and all Restricted Stock Unit (“RSU”) and stock option grants made pursuant to this Policy are subject in all respects to the terms of the Equity Plan and the applicable award agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, the share numbers in Sections II(A) and II(B) shall be subject to adjustment as provided in the Equity Plan.
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A. Initial Awards. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, each Non-Employee Director who is initially elected or appointed to the Board shall receive RSUs with a grant date fair value of $301,800 (or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion), on the date of such initial election or appointment (or, if specified by the Board or Compensation Committee, a number of stock options to purchase Common Stock, with an aggregate grant date fair value of $301,800 (or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion), valued based on a Black Scholes valuation method). The awards described in this Section II(A) shall be referred to as “Initial Awards.” No Non-Employee Director shall be granted more than one Initial Award.
B. Subsequent Annual Awards. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, a Non-Employee Director who (i) has been serving as a Non-Employee Director on the Board for at least six months as of the date of any annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders and (ii) will continue to serve as a Non-Employee Director immediately following such meeting, shall receive a number of RSUs on the date of such annual meeting calculated by dividing $145,000 (or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion) by the 60-day average price of the Common Stock (or, if specified by the Board or Compensation Committee, a number of stock options to purchase Common Stock, with an aggregate grant date fair value of $145,000 (or such lesser amount as determined by the Compensation Committee in its discretion), valued based on a Black Scholes valuation method); provided that a Non-Employee Director who has been serving as a Non-Employee Director on the Board for less than six months as of the date of any annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders shall receive the number of RSUs or stock options set forth above prorated for the portion of the year actually served as a Non-Employee Director. The awards described in this Section II(B) shall be referred to as “Subsequent Awards.” For the avoidance of doubt, a Non-Employee Director elected for the first time to the Board at an annual meeting of the Company’s stockholders shall only receive an Initial Award in connection with such election, and shall not receive any Subsequent Award on the date of such meeting as well.
C. Termination of Employment of Employee Directors. Members of the Board who are employees of the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company who subsequently terminate their employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company and remain on the Board will not receive an Initial Award pursuant to Section II(A) above, but to the extent that they are otherwise entitled, will receive, after termination of employment with the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company, Subsequent Awards as described in Section II(B) above.
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D. Terms of Awards Granted to Non-Employee Directors. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, each Initial Award shall vest and become exercisable in thirty six (36) substantially equal monthly installments following the date of grant, such that the Initial Award shall be fully vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service as a Non-Employee Director through each such vesting date. Unless otherwise specified by the Board or the Compensation Committee at the time of grant, each Subsequent Award shall vest and become exercisable on the earlier to occur of (x) one day prior to the date of the Company’s next annual meeting of stockholders held after the date of grant or (y) the anniversary of the date of grant, in each case, subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service as a Non-Employee Director through the applicable vesting date. Unless the Board or Compensation Committee otherwise determines, any portion of an Initial Award or Subsequent Award which is unvested or unexercisable at the time of a Non-Employee Director’s termination of service on the Board as a Non-Employee Director shall be immediately forfeited upon such termination of service and shall not thereafter become vested and exercisable. A Non-Employee Director shall become fully vested in all outstanding RSUs or stock options subject to an Initial Award or any Subsequent Award upon a change in control of the Company subject to the Non-Employee Director continuing in service on the Board as a Non-Employee Director until immediately prior to the consummation of a change of control transaction.
* * * * *
In no event shall the aggregate grant date fair value (determined in accordance with ASC 718) of (1) equity awards to be granted and (2) any cash compensation paid to any Non-Employee Director exceed $1,000,000 in any calendar year.
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Exhibit 99.1
Vicarious Surgical Announces Election of New Directors
WALTHAM, Mass. -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vicarious Surgical Inc. (NYSE: RBOT, RBOT WS) (the “Company”), a next-generation robotics technology company seeking to improve lives by transforming robotic surgery, today announced the election of Fuad Ahmad and Joseph Doherty to the Vicarious Surgical Board of Directors at the Company’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 27, 2025. The Company also announced the departure of Ric Fulop from the Vicarious Surgical Board of Directors effective as of the Annual Meeting.
“On behalf of the board, I am thrilled to welcome Fuad and Joseph to the Vicarious team. Their decades of experience and insight will be instrumental as we continue our advance towards our clinical trial and the eventual commercialization of our platform” said Adam Sachs, CEO and Co-Founder of Vicarious Surgical. “I would also like to thank Ric for his 5-years of dedicated service and invaluable guidance. His tenure has left a lasting positive impact on the Company.”
Mr. Ahmad has been a partner at FLG Partners, a CEO and CFO consulting practice and board advisory services firm, since 2013. From November 2020 to March 2025, he served as CFO of Iridex Corporation (NASDAQ: IRIX), a medical device company. Prior to that, Mr. Ahmad served as CFO at each of Mitek Systems (NASDAQ: MITK), Vaxart, Inc. (NASDAQ: VXRT), Cutera, Inc. and Telenav, Inc. Prior to joining FLG Partners, he served as CFO of Sezmi Corporation, a Morgenthaler Ventures-backed cloud-based software platform. Prior to his service with Sezmi Corporation, Mr. Ahmad served as Senior Vice President and CFO of Globalstar Inc. (NASDAQ: GSAT), a public company that builds and operates low-earth orbit satellite-based digital telecommunications systems. In this role, Mr. Ahmad was involved in the initial fundraising activities related to building and launching Globalstar’s satellite telecommunications system, including its IPO and various public market and private financing initiatives totaling more than $1.5 billion. Mr. Ahmad graduated from Brigham Young University with a Bachelor of Science in Finance.
Mr. Doherty has served as CEO of the Worcester City Campus Corporation, a not-for-profit corporation whose base corporate purpose is to foster, promote and support the University of Massachusetts since January 2025. Since 2020, Mr. Doherty has served as a teacher at Saint John’s High School, and since March 2022, Mr. Doherty has also served as a member of the board of directors of Immertec, a software company that creates immersive and interactive experiences for training in healthcare. From 2021 to 2025, he served as the Director for the BOLT initiative at the Massachusetts Biomedical Initiative (MBI), a nonprofit life science startup incubator. From January 2019 to August 2020, he served as the President of Scapa Healthcare, and from January 2019 to May 2020, he was a member of the board of directors of Scapa Group, a publicly traded company on AIM, a market of the London Stock Exchange plc. There, he oversaw a B2B business focused on developing and manufacturing medical devices and consumer wellness products for global market leaders. From 2015 to 2019, Mr. Doherty served in roles of increasing responsibility, including as President of Olympus Surgical Technologies America, a medical device subsidiary of Olympus Corporation of the Americas. He also spent over 24 years with Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) and held various roles with increasing responsibilities, ultimately serving as the Vice President of Integration and Transformation. Mr. Doherty received a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the United States Military Academy at West Point and a Master of Business Administration from Nichols College.
About Vicarious Surgical
Founded in 2014, Vicarious Surgical is a next generation surgical robotics company, developing a unique disruptive technology with the multiple goals of substantially increasing the efficiency of surgical procedures, improving patient outcomes, and reducing healthcare costs. The Company’s novel surgical approach uses proprietary human-like surgical robots to virtually transport surgeons inside the patient to perform minimally invasive surgery. The Company is led by an experienced team of technologists, medical device professionals and physicians, and is backed by technology luminaries including Bill Gates, Vinod Khosla’s Khosla Ventures, Innovation Endeavors, Jerry Yang’s AME Cloud Ventures, Sun Hung Kai & Co. Ltd and Philip Liang’s E15 VC. The Company is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts. Learn more at www.vicarioussurgical.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company’s actual results may differ from its expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s expectations for its advancement toward a clinical trial and commercialization, are forward-looking statements that reflect the current beliefs and expectations of management. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Most of these factors are outside the Company’s control and are difficult to predict. Factors that may cause such differences include, but are not limited to: the ability to maintain the listing of the Company’s Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange; the approval, commercialization and adoption of the Company’s initial product candidates and the success of its single-port surgical robot, called the Vicarious Surgical System, and any of its future product candidates and service offerings; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the ability of the Company to raise financing in the future; the success, cost and timing of the Company’s product and service development activities; the potential attributes and benefits of the Company’s product candidates and services; the Company’s ability to obtain and maintain regulatory approval for the Vicarious Surgical System, and any related restrictions and limitations of any approved product; the size and duration of human clinical trials for the Vicarious Surgical System; the Company’s ability to identify, in-license or acquire additional technology; the Company’s ability to maintain its existing license, manufacture, supply and distribution agreements; the Company’s ability to compete with other companies currently marketing or engaged in the development of products and services that the Company is currently marketing or developing; the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company’s product candidates and services, and its ability to serve those markets, either alone or in partnership with others; the pricing of the Company’s product candidates and services and reimbursement for medical procedures conducted using its product candidates and services; the company’s estimates regarding expenses, revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing; the Company’s financial performance; economic downturns, political and market conditions and their potential to adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations; the Company’s intellectual property rights and its ability to protect or enforce those rights, and the impact on its business, results and financial condition if it is unsuccessful in doing so; and other risks and uncertainties indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company cautions that the foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.
Investor Contact
Marissa Bych
Gilmartin Group
marissa@gilmartinir.com
Media Inquiries
media@vicarioussurgical.com
Source: Vicarious Surgical Inc.