Veritone, Inc PRE 14A, filed Apr 10, 2025
Veritone, Inc. (VERI)
PRE 14A
2025-04-10
For: 2025-06-13
View Original
Added on
October 19, 2026
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
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Preliminary Proxy Statement
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Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
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Definitive Proxy Statement
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Definitive Additional Materials
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Soliciting Material Under §240.14a-12
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
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No fee required
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Fee paid previously with preliminary materials
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Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11
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April 2025
Dear Fellow Stockholders:
You are cordially invited to attend the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Veritone, Inc., which will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at
10:30 a.m. Mountain Time, via a virtual meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025.
Details of the business to be conducted at the Annual Meeting and instructions for how to participate in the Annual Meeting are set forth in the accompanying Notice of
2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy Statement. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2025 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.
We are furnishing our proxy materials to our stockholders over the Internet. On or about April [●], 2025, we are mailing a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy
Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) to our stockholders of record that did not request to receive a printed copy of our proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2024. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions for how stockholders can access our proxy materials over the Internet and vote their shares. All stockholders who do not receive a Notice of Internet Availability will
receive a printed copy of the proxy materials by mail.
Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please vote as soon as possible. As an alternative to voting online at the Annual Meeting, you may vote via the
Internet, by telephone or by mail. Voting by any of these methods will ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting.
Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to your online attendance at the Annual Meeting.
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Very truly yours,
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/s/ Ryan Steelberg
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Ryan Steelberg
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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VERITONE, INC.
1615 Platte Street
2nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on June 13, 2025
To the Stockholders of Veritone, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Veritone, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held on Friday, June 13, 2025, at 10:30 a.m., Mountain Time. Our board of directors (the “Board”) is
soliciting your proxy to vote at the Annual Meeting (including any adjournments, continuations, or postponements thereof) for the purposes set forth in this proxy statement for our Annual Meeting (the “Proxy Statement”). The Annual Meeting will
be held online only in a virtual meeting format via live webcast. Stockholders may attend the Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025. For purposes of attendance at
the Annual Meeting, all references in the accompanying Proxy Statement to “present in person” or “in person” shall mean virtually present at the Annual Meeting.
The Annual Meeting is being held for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following items of business:
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To elect two directors named in the accompanying proxy statement to serve as Class II directors to serve until the Company’s 2028 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal;
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To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025;
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;
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To approve an amendment to our third amended and restated certificate of incorporation (our “Certificate of Incorporation”) to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 75,000,000 to 150,000,000;
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To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to reflect Delaware Law provisions allowing for the exculpation of certain officers;
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To approve an amendment and restatement of the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”); and
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
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These items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this notice. We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and
other proxy materials carefully and in their entirety.
Only stockholders of record at the close of business on April 16, 2025 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. All such
stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting. A list of all stockholders entitled to vote at the annual meeting will be available for examination at our principal executive offices at 1615 Platte Street, 2nd Floor, Denver,
Colorado 80202 for 10 days before the Annual Meeting, and during the Annual Meeting, such list will be available to registered stockholders as a link on the virtual meeting platform at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025.
However, whether or not you expect to attend the Annual Meeting, you are encouraged to cast your vote by proxy prior to the Annual Meeting to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting. If you attend the Annual Meeting, you may vote during
the Annual Meeting even if you have voted by proxy in advance.
We encourage you to access the virtual meeting platform before the start time of 10:30 a.m., Mountain Time, on June 13, 2025, to allow ample time for
online check-in, which will begin at 10:15 a.m., Mountain Time. To attend the Annual Meeting, you will need the 16-digit control number provided on your proxy card or voting instruction form.
Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the 2025 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be Held on June 13, 2025: Our Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 are available online at
www.proxyvote.com.
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By order of the Board of Directors
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/s/ Ryan Steelberg
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Ryan Steelberg
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Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
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April [●], 2025
Denver, Colorado
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. EVEN IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, PLEASE VOTE BY PROXY PRIOR TO THE ANNUAL MEETING. IF YOU CHOOSE TO VOTE BY MAIL,
PLEASE DO SO PROMPTLY TO ENSURE YOUR PROXY ARRIVES IN SUFFICIENT TIME. PLEASE NOTE THAT IF YOUR SHARES ARE HELD OF RECORD BY A BROKER, BANK OR OTHER NOMINEE AND YOU WISH TO VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING, YOU MUST OBTAIN A PROXY ISSUED IN YOUR NAME
FROM THAT RECORD HOLDER.
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i
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Proxy Statement contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
“Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and we intend that such forward-looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. All statements made in this Proxy
Statement that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “could,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “continue,” “can,” “may,”
“plans,” “potential,” “projects,” “seeks,” “should,” “will,” “would” or similar expressions and the negatives of those expressions may identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words.
Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, any statements that refer to projections of our future financial condition and results of operations, capital needs and financing plans, competitive position, industry environment,
potential growth and market opportunities, sale, divestiture, or acquisition plans and strategies, compensation plans, governance structure and policies and/or the price of our common stock.
The forward-looking statements included herein represent our management’s current expectations and assumptions based on information available as of
the date of this report. These statements involve numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or
achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to:
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our ability to continue as a going concern, including our ability to service our debt obligations as they come due over the next twelve months;
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our ability to expand our aiWARE SaaS business;
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declines or limited growth in the market for AI-based software applications and concerns over the use of AI that may hinder the adoption of AI technologies;
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our requirements for additional capital to support our business growth, service our debt obligations and refinance maturing debt obligations, and the availability of such capital on acceptable terms, if at all;
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our reliance upon a limited number of key customers for a significant portion of our revenue, including declines in key customers’ usage of our products and other offerings;
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our ability to realize the intended benefits of our acquisitions, sales, divestitures and other planned cost savings measures, including the sale of our full-service advertising agency, Veritone One (as defined below) and our ability to
successfully integrate our recent acquisition of Broadbean (as defined in Note 3 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024);
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our identification of existing material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting and plans for remediation;
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fluctuations in our results over time;
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the impact of seasonality on our business;
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our ability to manage our growth, including through acquisitions and expansion into international markets;
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our ability to enhance our existing products and introduce new products that achieve market acceptance and keep pace with technological developments;
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our expectations with respect to the future performance of our products, including as drivers of future growth;
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actions by our competitors, partners and others that may block us from using third party technologies in our aiWARE platform, offering it for free to the public or making it cost prohibitive to continue to incorporate such technologies
into our platform;
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interruptions, performance problems or security issues with our technology and infrastructure, or that of third parties with whom we work;
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the impact of the continuing economic disruption caused by macroeconomic and geopolitical factors, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Israel-Hamas war and conflict in the surrounding regions, financial instability, inflation and
the responses by central banking authorities to control inflation, high interest rates, monetary supply shifts, the imposition of tariffs and other global trade disputes, and the threat of recession in the United States and around the world
on our business and our existing and potential customers; and
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any additional factors discussed in more detail in “Item 1. Business” and “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of Part I and “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of Part II of our Annual
Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024.
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All forward-looking statements are necessarily only estimates of future results, and there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ
materially from expectations. You should carefully review these risks, as well as the additional risks described in other documents we file from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In light of the significant risks and
uncertainties inherent in the forward-looking information included herein, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that such results will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to
place undue reliance on such forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date of this Proxy Statement.
Moreover, we operate in an evolving environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for our management to
predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual future results to be materially different from those expressed or
implied by any forward-looking statements.
Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons actual results could differ
materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. We qualify all of our forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.
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VERITONE, INC.
1615 Platte Street
2nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202
April [●], 2025
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”) is being furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by our Board of
Directors (the “Board”) for use at our 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Annual Meeting”) to be held online in a virtual meeting format only via live webcast on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m., Mountain Time. Stockholders may attend the
Annual Meeting online by visiting www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025.
In this Proxy Statement, we refer to Veritone, Inc. as the “Company,” “Veritone,” “we,” or “us” and to our Board of Directors as our “Board.”
This Proxy Statement and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 (the “2024 Annual Report”) are available on the
Internet at www.proxyvote.com. These materials are also available on our corporate website at investors.veritone.com. References to our website in this Proxy Statement are provided for convenience only and
the content on our website does not constitute part of this Proxy Statement.
Why did I receive only a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?
As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we are furnishing our proxy materials, including our Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and
2024 Annual Report, to most stockholders over the Internet. On or about April [●], 2025, we will mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) to stockholders of record that did not request to
receive printed copies of our proxy materials or that are otherwise receiving our materials electronically by email, while brokers, banks and other nominees who hold shares on behalf of beneficial owners will be sending their own similar Notice of
Internet Availability to the beneficial owners. The Notice of Internet Availability contains instructions on how stockholders can access and review our proxy materials via the Internet and vote their shares.
We will provide without charge to each stockholder solicited by these proxy solicitation materials a copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, without exhibits upon request of such stockholder made in writing to Veritone, Inc., 1615 Platte St., 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: Chief Legal Officer. We will also furnish any exhibit to such
Annual Report on Form 10-K if specifically requested in writing.
We believe the delivery options that we have chosen will allow us to provide our stockholders with the proxy materials they need, while lowering the cost of the delivery
of the materials and reducing the environmental impact of printing and mailing printed copies.
When and where is the Annual Meeting?
The Annual Meeting will be held on June 13, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Mountain Time, via live webcast on the Internet. You may listen to and participate in the Annual Meeting by
going to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025. You will be able to access the Annual Meeting using the control number found on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction
form, as applicable.
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Why is the Company holding the Annual Meeting virtually?
We believe a virtual-only meeting format facilitates stockholder attendance and participation by enabling all stockholders to participate fully, equally and without cost,
using an Internet-connected device from any location around the world. In addition, the virtual-only meeting format increases our ability to engage with all stockholders, regardless of size, resources or physical location.
What am I being asked to vote on at the Annual Meeting?
At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will act on the following matters:
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To elect two nominees named in the accompanying Proxy Statement to serve as Class II directors to serve until the Company’s 2028 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or
until their earlier death, resignation or removal;
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To ratify the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025;
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To approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named executive officers;
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To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 75,000,000 to 150,000,000;
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To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to reflect Delaware Law provisions allowing for the exculpation of certain officers;
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To approve an amendment and restatement of the 2023 Plan; and
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To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any postponement or adjournment thereof.
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How does the Board recommend that I vote?
The Board recommends that you vote your shares:
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“FOR” each of the two Class II director nominees named in this Proxy Statement;
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“FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton LLP;
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“FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers;
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“FOR” the approval of the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock;
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“FOR” the approval of the amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation allowing for exculpation of certain officers; and
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“FOR” the approval of an amendment and restatement of the 2023 Plan.
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Who may vote?
Only holders of record of the Company’s common stock (the “Common Stock”), at the close of business on the record date, April 16, 2025 (the “Record Date”), are entitled
to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to cast one vote for each share held by them on each matter to be voted upon. As of the Record Date, there were [●] shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding.
Our Common Stock is the only class of securities of the Company authorized to vote. Stockholders are not entitled to cumulative voting rights in the election of directors.
What must I do if I want to attend the Annual Meeting?
We will be hosting the Annual Meeting on the Internet via live webcast. You will not be able to attend the Annual Meeting physically in
person. All holders of shares of our Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, including stockholders of record and stockholders who hold our Common Stock through a broker, bank or other nominee (i.e., in “street name”),
may listen to and participate in the Annual Meeting by going to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025.
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You will need the 16-digit control number included on your Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction form (if you received a printed copy of the
proxy materials) or included in the email to you (if you received the proxy materials by email) to be able to attend the Annual Meeting. Please note that if you hold your shares in street name and the Notice is being forwarded to you by your
broker, bank or other nominee, that organization is considered to be the holder of record for purposes of voting at the Annual Meeting. As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your broker, bank or other nominee regarding how to vote the
shares in your account. However, since you are not the holder of record, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you request and obtain a valid proxy from your broker, bank or other nominee and provide your 16-digit control
number.
The Annual Meeting webcast will begin at 10:30 a.m., Mountain Time. Stockholders may access the Annual Meeting beginning at 10:15 a.m., Mountain Time, through www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025.
How may I ask questions of management and the Board at the Annual Meeting?
Stockholders will be able to submit questions by means of the “Ask a Question” field on the virtual meeting platform beginning at 10:15 a.m. Mountain Time on the morning
of the Annual Meeting and throughout the duration of the meeting by accessing the meeting through www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/VERI2025. Following the presentation of all proposals at the Annual
Meeting, we will answer stockholder-submitted questions pertinent to meeting matters as time permits. Any questions that are relevant to our business that we are unable to address during the Annual Meeting will be answered on our website at investors.veritone.com following the Annual Meeting. If we receive substantially similar questions, we will group the questions together and provide a single response to avoid repetition. We will not answer any
questions that are irrelevant to the purpose of the Annual Meeting or our business or that contain inappropriate or derogatory references which are not in good taste.
What happens if I experience technical difficulties during the Annual Meeting?
We will have technicians ready to assist you with any technical difficulties you may have in accessing the virtual meeting or submitting questions. If you encounter any
difficulties accessing the virtual Annual Meeting during the check-in or meeting time, please call the technical support number that will be provided in the meeting access email that will be sent approximately one hour prior to the Annual Meeting.
What constitutes a quorum?
The presence at the meeting, in person or by proxy, of the holders of a majority of the shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will be counted for the purpose of determining whether a quorum is present. If there is no quorum, the presiding officer, or
holders of a majority of shares present at the meeting or represented by proxy may adjourn the meeting to another date.
How do I vote my shares?
Voting at the Annual Meeting
All holders of shares of our Common Stock as of the close of business on the Record Date, including stockholders of record and stockholders who hold shares of our Common
Stock in street name, may attend and vote their shares at the Annual Meeting. See above under “What must I do if I want to attend the Annual Meeting?”
Even if you plan to be virtually present at the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy or voting instructions in advance to authorize the voting of your
shares at the Annual Meeting so that your vote will be counted if you later are unable to attend the Annual Meeting.
Submitting a Proxy or Voting Instructions
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Submitting a Proxy for Shares Registered Directly in the Name of the Stockholder. If you hold your shares of
our Common Stock as a record holder and you are reviewing a printed copy of this Proxy Statement, you may vote by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card in the accompanying prepaid envelope, or by submitting a
proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the proxy card. If you hold your shares of Common Stock as a record holder and you are viewing this Proxy Statement on the Internet, you may vote by submitting a
proxy over the Internet or by telephone by following the instructions on the Notice of Internet Availability previously mailed to you. If you submit a proxy by Internet or telephone, you need not return a written proxy card by mail.
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Submitting Voting Instructions for Shares Registered in Street Name. If you hold your shares of our Common
Stock in street name, which means your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or nominee, you will receive instructions from your broker, bank or other nominee on how to vote your shares. Your broker, bank or other nominee will allow
you to deliver your voting instructions over the Internet and may also permit you to provide your voting instructions by telephone.
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What is the deadline for voting my shares if I do not attend the Annual Meeting?
If you are a stockholder of record, your proxy must be received by telephone or the Internet by 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on June 12, 2025 for your shares to be voted at
the Annual Meeting. If you are a stockholder of record and received your proxy materials by mail, and you cause your shares to be voted by completing, signing, dating and returning the enclosed proxy card, your proxy card must be received before
the Annual Meeting for your shares to be voted at the Annual Meeting.
If you hold your shares in street name, please comply with the deadlines for voting provided by the broker, bank or other nominee that holds your shares.
What vote is required for adoption or approval of each matter to be voted on?
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Proposal
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Vote Required
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Proposal 1: Election of Directors
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The nominee receiving a plurality of the votes cast with respect to his or her election will be elected (that is, the two nominees receiving the largest number of “For” votes will be elected).
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Proposal 2: Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
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Proposal 3: Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
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Proposal 4: Approval of an Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to Increase the Number of Authorized Shares of Common Stock
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on the matter (this is a higher threshold voluntarily imposed to
avoid litigation risk, as described in further detail in Proposal 4).
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Proposal 5: Approval of an Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to Reflect Delaware Law Provisions Allowing for the Exculpation of
Officers
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of capital stock entitled to vote on the matter.
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Proposal 6: Approval of an Amendment and Restatement of the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
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The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter.
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What happens if I do not give specific voting instructions?
If you are a stockholder of record and you properly submit a signed proxy card or submit your proxy by telephone or the Internet, but do not specify how you want to vote
your shares on a particular proposal, then the named proxy holders will vote your shares in accordance with the recommendations of the Board on all matters presented in this Proxy Statement. See above under the heading “How does the Board recommend that I vote?”
In accordance with applicable stock exchange rules, if you hold your shares through a brokerage account and you fail to provide voting instructions to your broker, your
broker may generally vote your uninstructed shares of our Common Stock in its discretion on routine matters at a stockholder meeting. However, a broker cannot vote shares of our Common Stock held in street name on non-routine matters unless the
broker receives voting instructions from the stockholder. Generally, if a broker exercises this discretion on routine matters at a stockholder meeting, a stockholder’s shares will be voted on the routine matter in the manner directed by the broker
but will constitute a “broker non-vote” on all of the non-routine matters to be presented at the stockholder meeting. Proposal 1 (election of directors), Proposal 3 (approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of the Company’s named
executive officers), Proposal 5 (approval of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to allow exculpation of officers) and Proposal 6 (approval of an amendment and restatement of the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan) are considered non-routine
matters. Proposal 2 (ratification of the appointment of Grant Thornton as our independent registered public accounting firm) and Proposal 4 (approval of an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares)
are considered routine matters.
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Consequently, if you hold your shares in street name through a brokerage account and do not submit voting instructions to your broker, your broker may exercise its
discretion to vote your shares on Proposals 2 and 4, but will not be permitted to vote your shares on Proposals 1, 3, 5 or 6 or on any other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting. If your broker exercises this discretion on any of
Proposals 2 or 4, your shares will be counted as present for determining the presence of a quorum at the Annual Meeting and will be voted on any such proposals in the manner directed by your broker, but your shares will constitute broker non-votes
on Proposals 1, 3, 5 and 6 at the Annual Meeting.
What are “broker non-votes”?
As discussed above, when a beneficial owner of shares of our Common Stock held in street name does not give voting instructions to his or her broker, bank or other
nominee as to how to vote on matters deemed to be “non-routine” under applicable stock exchange rules, the broker, bank or other nominee cannot vote the shares. These un-voted shares are counted as “broker non-votes.” As noted above, Proposals 1,
3, 5 and 6 are considered to be “non-routine,” and we therefore expect broker non-votes to exist in connection with those proposals.
As a reminder, if you are a beneficial owner of shares held in street name, to ensure
your shares are voted in the way you would prefer, you must provide voting instructions to your broker, bank or other nominee by the deadline provided in the materials you receive from your broker, bank or other nominee.
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What are my choices for casting my vote on each matter to be voted on?
Your choices for casting your vote on each proposal to be voted on at the Annual Meeting are as follows:
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Proposal
Number
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Proposal Description
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Voting Options
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Effect of
Abstentions
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Effect of Broker
Non-Votes
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1
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Election of Directors
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“For All,” “Withhold All,” or “For All Except” with respect to each of the two director nominees
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Not applicable
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No effect
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2
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Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
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“For,” “Against,” or “Abstain”
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No effect
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Not applicable
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||||
|
3
|
Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers
|
“For,” “Against,” or “Abstain”
|
No effect
|
No effect
|
||||
|
4
|
Approval of an Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to Increase Authorized Shares
|
“For,” “Against,” or “Abstain”
|
Effect of voting against
|
Not applicable
|
||||
|
5
|
Approval of an Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to Allow Director Exculpation
|
“For,” “Against,” or “Abstain”
|
Effect of voting against
|
Effect of voting against
|
||||
|
6
|
Approval of an Amendment and Restatement of the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
|
“For,” “Against,” or “Abstain”
|
No effect
|
No effect
|
How will voting on any other business be conducted?
Although the Board does not know of any business to be considered at the Annual Meeting other than the items described in this Proxy Statement, if any other business
properly comes before the Annual Meeting, a stockholder’s properly submitted proxy gives authority to the proxy holders to vote on those matters in their discretion.
How can I change or revoke my proxy?
If you are a stockholder of record, you may change or revoke a previously submitted proxy at any time before the final vote at the Annual Meeting by one of the following
methods:
| • |
delivering a later dated proxy card or by submitting another proxy by telephone or the Internet (your latest telephone or Internet voting instructions will be followed);
|
| • |
delivering to the Secretary of Veritone at our principal executive offices a written notice of revocation prior to the voting of the proxy at the Annual Meeting; or
|
| • |
by attending the Annual Meeting and voting online. Virtual attendance at the Annual Meeting will not, by itself, revoke your proxy.
|
Written notices of revocation should be addressed to:
Veritone, Inc.
Attn: Secretary
1615 Platte Street
2nd Floor
Denver, Colorado 80202
Any change to your proxy that is provided by telephone or the Internet must be submitted before the deadlines set forth above under “What
is the deadline for voting my shares if I do not attend the Annual Meeting?” If your shares are held in street name, you must contact your broker, bank or other nominee to find out how to change or revoke your voting instructions.
8
Who will bear the cost of this proxy solicitation?
We will bear the cost of solicitation of proxies. This includes the charges and expenses of preparing, assembling, and mailing the Notice of Internet Availability, Proxy
Statement, and other soliciting materials and the charges and expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding solicitation materials to beneficial owners of our issued and outstanding Common Stock. We have
retained Alliance Advisors, a third-party solicitation firm, to assist in the distribution of proxy materials and solicitation of proxies on our behalf for an estimated fee of $21,000, plus reimbursement of certain out-of-pocket expenses.
Proxies will be solicited by mail, and may be solicited personally by directors, officers, or our employees, who will not receive any additional compensation for any such services. If you have any questions or need assistance with voting, please
contact Alliance Advisors:
Alliance Advisors
200 Broadacres Drive
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
833-757-0740
Where can I find the voting results of the Annual Meeting?
Our intention is to announce the preliminary voting results at the Annual Meeting and to publish the final vote results within four business days after the Annual Meeting
on a Form 8-K to be filed with the SEC.
What do I do if I receive more than one proxy or set of voting instructions?
If you received more than one Notice of Internet Availability or more than one proxy card or voting instruction form (if you receive your proxy materials by mail), your
shares are likely registered in different names or with different addresses or are in more than one account. Please follow the voting instructions shown on each Notice of Internet Availability, proxy card or voting instruction form that you
received to ensure that all of your shares are voted.
If I share an address with another stockholder and received only one copy of the proxy materials, how do I obtain an additional copy?
We have adopted a procedure called “householding,” which the SEC has approved. Under this procedure, two or more stockholders of record sharing the same address who did
not receive a Notice of Internet Availability or otherwise receive their proxy materials electronically will receive only one copy of our proxy materials unless we receive contrary instructions from one or more of such stockholders. Upon oral or
written request, we will deliver promptly a separate copy of the proxy materials to a stockholder at a shared address to which a single copy of proxy materials was delivered. If you are a stockholder of record at a shared address to which we
delivered a single copy of the proxy materials and you desire to receive a separate copy of the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting or for our future meetings, or if you are a stockholder at a shared address to which we delivered multiple copies
of the proxy materials and you desire to receive one copy in the future, please submit your request to the Householding Department of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717, or at 1-866-540-7095. If you
are a beneficial stockholder holding your shares in street name, please contact your bank, broker or other nominee directly if you have questions, require additional copies of the proxy materials, wish to receive multiple reports by revoking your
consent to householding or wish to request single copies of the proxy materials in the future.
9
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Our Board of Directors is currently fixed at six directors. On March 12, 2025, Chad Steelberg resigned as a member of the Board, and on March 12,
2025, the Board appointed Francisco Morales as a member of the Board, effective as of March 20, 2025.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”) provide for a staggered, or classified, Board consisting of three classes
of directors, each serving a staggered three-year term and with one class being elected at each year’s annual meeting of stockholders as follows:
| • |
the Class II directors are Mr. Knute P. Kurtz and Mr. Michael Zilis, and their terms will expire at the Annual Meeting.
|
| • |
the Class III directors are Mr. Francisco Morales and Mr. Ryan Steelberg, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2026.
|
| • |
the Class I directors are Mr. Richard H. Taketa and Mr. Michael Keithley, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of stockholders to be held in 2027.
|
Upon the expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors for that class may be elected for a new three-year term at the annual meeting of
stockholders in the year in which their term expires. Each director’s term is subject to the election and qualification of his or her successor, or his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. Subject to any rights applicable to any then
outstanding preferred stock, any vacancies on our Board may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee of the Board is responsible for reviewing and recommending to the Board from time to time the
criteria for Board membership including independence, character, judgment, diversity, age, expertise and corporate experience, as well as identifying, evaluating and recommending prospective director nominees for election to the Board. The
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will review and consider any candidates recommended by stockholders in accordance with the bylaws of the Company. In considering candidates for nomination or appointment to the Board, the Board
considers such factors as whether the director candidate has relevant expertise upon which to be able to offer advice and guidance to management, has sufficient time to devote to the affairs of the Company, has demonstrated excellence in his or her
field, has the ability to exercise sound business judgment and has the commitment to rigorously represent the long-term interests of the Company’s stockholders. Candidates for director nominees are reviewed in the context of the current composition
of the Board, the operating requirements of the Company and the long-term interests of stockholders. In conducting its assessment, the Board considers diversity, age, skills, and such other factors as it deems appropriate given the current needs of
the Board and the Company to maintain a balance of knowledge, experiences, background and capability. Although we do not have a formal diversity policy, we believe it is important to have a diversity of skills, experience, backgrounds and
perspectives for the optimal functionality of the Board. In the case of incumbent directors whose terms of office are set to expire, the Board reviews such directors’ overall service to the Company during their term, including the number of
meetings attended, level of participation, quality of performance, and any other relationships and transactions that might impair such directors’ independence.
All of our directors bring to the Board a wealth of executive leadership experience. In addition, of our current six Board members, one member
identifies as part of an under-represented community. Below we identify and describe the key experience, qualifications, and skills our directors bring to the Board that are important in light of our businesses and structure. The directors’
experiences, qualifications, and skills that the Board considers in their nominations are included in their individual biographies.
Director Nominees
Based upon the recommendation of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, our Board has nominated the individuals set forth below to stand
for re-election to serve as Class II directors until our annual meeting of stockholders in 2028 and until their respective successors are duly elected and qualified, or until their earlier death, resignation or removal. Each nominee is currently
serving on our Board. The following sets forth certain information about our director-nominees as of April 16, 2025:
|
Name
|
Principal Occupation
|
Age
|
Director
Since
|
|||
|
Knute P. Kurtz
|
Independent Investor
|
69
|
2017
|
|||
|
Michael Zilis
|
Chief Financial Officer, Ingram Micro, Inc.
|
55
|
2023
|
10
Knute P. Kurtz has served as our director since June 2017. Until his retirement in June 2016, Mr. Kurtz was the Managing Partner of the Orange County office of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (“PwC”). During his ten years in
that role, Mr. Kurtz was responsible for leading all important market facing activities on behalf of PwC and overseeing the delivery of assurance, financial/tax and advisory services to public and private clients in the market. He was a member of
PwC’s senior leadership for the Southern California, Phoenix and Las Vegas cluster of offices and also served as the Market Leader for PwC’s Private Company Services practice in that region. Prior to his role in the Southern California market,
Mr. Kurtz served in various other leadership positions with PwC over a career that spanned 38 years and six offices throughout the United States. His professional experience includes serving as the lead advisor and audit partner to public and
private clients in a number of different industry sectors and companies as diverse as Fortune 500 companies to high tech start-up entities. In addition to financial/audit services, he has extensive experience in capital market transactions
including initial public offerings, mergers and acquisitions and debt offerings. His client work has also included advising audit committees and senior management on matters pertaining to corporate governance, risk assessments, internal controls
and strategic initiatives. Mr. Kurtz holds a Bachelor of Science from Nicholls State University. We believe that Mr. Kurtz is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience and knowledge in accounting and auditing matters
involving publicly traded technology companies, which provide our Board with valuable insight in their oversight of our company in these areas.
Michael Zilis has served as our director since December 2023. Mr. Zilis has served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ingram Micro Holding Corporation (“Ingram Micro”) since January 2020. He joined
Ingram Micro in 2006 as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller, heading the company’s financial planning and analysis, external and internal financial reporting, long-term strategic planning, financial due diligence and merger and
acquisition work. In addition, between 2012 and 2020, Mr. Zilis held a variety of roles at Ingram Micro, including EVP and President of Asia Pacific, most recently from 2017 to 2020, and prior to that, Emerging Markets and Latin American regional
operations. Prior to Ingram Micro, Mr. Zilis was Vice President and Corporate Controller for Avnet, Inc., where he was instrumental in leading the company’s cost-saving initiatives and efforts to streamline and add efficiency to ongoing
processes. Mr. Zilis began his career with 10 years in the commercial audit practice of Arthur Andersen LLP. He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant (inactive) and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance and Accounting from Boston
College. We believe that Mr. Zilis is qualified to serve on our Board based on his financial expertise and service as the chief financial officer of a large publicly-traded multinational technology company.
Unless otherwise instructed, each proxy received by us will be voted in favor of the election of the nominees named above as directors. The nominees
have consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and to serve as directors if elected. If any nominee should become unable or unwilling to serve, it is the intention of the persons designated as proxies to vote instead, in their discretion,
for any such other person as may be designated as a nominee by our Board.
Continuing Directors
The individuals set forth below will continue to serve as directors on our Board. The following sets forth certain information about each director as
of April 16, 2025:
|
Name
|
Principal Occupation
|
Age
|
Class
|
Term
Expires
|
Director
Since
|
|||||||||
|
Ryan Steelberg
|
President and Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Veritone, Inc.
|
51
|
III
|
2026
|
2014
|
|||||||||
|
Francisco Morales
|
Co-Founder and Executive Chairman, 5.11 Tactical
|
51
|
III
|
2026
|
2025
|
|||||||||
|
Michael Keithley
|
Former Chief Information Officer, United Talent Agency
|
62
|
I |
2027
|
2024
|
|||||||||
|
Richard H. Taketa
|
President, Taketa Capital Corporation
|
53
|
I |
2027
|
2019
|
|||||||||
Ryan Steelberg is a co-founder of our company and has served as our Chief Executive Officer since January 2023. Mr. Steelberg has also served as a director since our inception in June 2014, and he was appointed as
Chairman of our Board in January 2024. From March 2017 to December 2022, Mr. Steelberg served as our President. From October 2007 to June 2014, he served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc. and as a
member of the Board of Directors. Prior to that, Mr. Steelberg served as the Head of the Radio Division of Google Inc. from February 2006 to February 2007. From September 2002 to February 2007, he was the co-founder and President of dMarc
Broadcasting, an advertising company that was acquired by Google Inc. in 2006. Mr. Steelberg holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from the University of California, Los Angeles. We believe that Mr. Steelberg is qualified to serve on our
Board because of his extensive experience in the business development, marketing and management of enterprises in the media and digital technology industries. In addition, Mr. Steelberg’s intimate knowledge of our operations, products and
technology solutions provides our Board with an in-depth understanding of our company.
Francisco Morales is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of 5.11 Tactical. He previously served as its Chief Executive Officer of 5.11 Tactical from September 2018 to January 2024, when he transitioned to serving as
Executive Chairman. Founded in 2003, 5.11 Tactical is widely recognized as a global market leader in tactical apparel, footwear, and gear for law enforcement, military, and first responders, serving thousands of agencies and institutions
worldwide. Mr. Morales holds a B.S. in Fashion Apparel Management, Business and Textiles from Philadelphia University and an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. We believe that Mr. Morales is qualified to serve on our Board
because of his experience with law enforcement, first responder and military customer relationships, and his expertise in operations and marketing.
11
Michael Keithley has served as our director since June 2024. From March 2017 until April 2024, Mr. Keithley served as the Chief Information Officer at United Talent Agency. In this capacity, he was responsible for all
aspects of United Talent Agency’s technology platform and advised clients and companies on emerging digital business models, distribution platforms and other technology-related issues. In addition to managing United Talent Agency’s Information
Technology department, Mr. Keithley provided United Talent Agency’s clients with corporate consulting, marketing, venture funding and strategic advisory services to companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies. Prior to his role at
United Talent Agency, Mr. Keithley was the Chief Information Officer and Chief Technology Officer at Creative Artists Agency from 1991 to 2016, where he made significant contributions to the agency’s technological advancement and digital
strategy. Mr. Keithley currently serves on the board of directors of Bfilter Inc., and on numerous startup and venture capital advisory boards. Michael holds a B.S. in Business Information Systems from Arizona State University. We believe that
Mr. Keithley is qualified to serve on our Board based on his blend of strategic vision, technological expertise, and leadership experience, all of which make him an invaluable asset to our Board.
Richard H. Taketa has served as our director since May 2019. Since September 2018, Mr. Taketa has been President of Taketa Capital Corporation, a private equity investment and consulting company. Previously, he served as
President and Chief Executive Officer of York Risk Services, Inc. (“York”), a leading provider of technology-enabled, integrated insurance services to the property and casualty insurance industry, from January 2014 to September 2018, and served
as Chairman of York’s board of directors from October 2014 to July 2017. Prior to becoming York’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Taketa served in a variety of capacities including as the President of Commercial Business, Chief Operating Officer and
Chief Strategy Officer. Mr. Taketa joined York in 2006 upon its acquisition of Southern California Risk Management Associates, a regional provider of third-party administration services to insurance companies, where he had served as Chief
Executive Officer since 2004. Prior to that, he was a co-founder and managing director of Eventide Capital, a small private equity firm, after working as a corporate securities lawyer with DLA, a global law firm and in various public policy roles
with non-governmental organizations in Washington, D.C. Mr. Taketa has served on the board of directors of Palomar Holdings, Inc., a publicly traded provider of property catastrophe insurance, since 2019, and has served on the board of Farmers
and Merchants Bank of Long Beach since May 2024. He has also served on the boards of directors of several privately held companies and charitable organizations. He was named an Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017 for the State of
New Jersey. He has been a recurring guest lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business and is a member of the California Bar Association, inactive status. Mr. Taketa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Colgate University and a law degree
from Stanford Law School. We believe that Mr. Taketa is qualified to serve on our Board based on his extensive experience in financing, developing and managing high-growth, technology-enabled companies, as well as his experience in the insurance
and healthcare industries, corporate law and governance, mergers and acquisitions, public policy, and operating in regulated markets.
Vote Required for Election of Directors
Directors are elected if they received a plurality of the votes cast on the election of directors at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, the two
nominees receiving the largest number of “For” votes will be elected. Broker non-votes and withhold votes will have no effect on the election of directors.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” EACH OF THE TWO DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
12
Corporate Governance Guidelines
Our Board has developed corporate governance practices to help it fulfill its responsibility to stockholders to oversee the work of management in the
conduct of the Company’s business and to seek to serve the long-term interests of stockholders. The Company’s corporate governance practices are memorialized in our Corporate Governance Guidelines which direct our Board’s actions with respect to,
among other things, our Board composition and director qualifications, composition of the Board’s standing committees, stockholder communications with the Board, succession planning and the Board’s annual performance evaluation.
A current copy of our Corporate Governance Guidelines is available on our website at investors.veritone.com.
Annual Board Evaluations
Pursuant to our Corporate Governance Guidelines and the charter of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, the Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee oversees an annual evaluation of the performance of the Board and each of its committees to assess the overall effectiveness of the Board and its committees. The evaluation process is designed to facilitate ongoing, systematic
examination of the Board’s effectiveness and accountability, and to identify opportunities for improving its operations and procedures. The effectiveness of individual directors is considered each year when the directors stand for re-nomination.
Director Independence
Our Board affirmatively determined that a majority of the members of our Board qualify as “independent,” as required under applicable NASDAQ rules.
Our Board affirmatively determined that each of Messrs. Gehl, Keithley, Kurtz, Morales, Taketa, and Zilis qualify as an “independent director” under the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the SEC. Our Board previously affirmatively determined that each
of Mr. Gehl, a former member of our Board, qualified as an “independent director” under the applicable rules of NASDAQ and the SEC. In making these determinations, the Board found that none of these directors had a material or other disqualifying
relationship with the Company. Our Board determined that Mr. Ryan Steelberg does not qualify as an “independent director” and previously determined that our former director, Mr. Chad Steelberg, did not qualify as an “independent director.”
In making its independence determinations, our Board considered the relationships that each of these non-employee directors and director nominees has
with the Company, and all other facts and circumstances our Board deemed relevant in determining their independence. As required under applicable NASDAQ rules, our independent directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions at which only
independent directors are present.
All members of our Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are independent directors. In addition, each of the
members of the Audit Committee and Compensation Committee meet the additional independence criteria required for membership on those committees under applicable NASDAQ listing standards. Our Board also has determined that each member of the Audit
Committee qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” under SEC rules.
Board Leadership and Structure
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines provide that the Board will exercise its discretion in combining or separating the offices of the Chairman of the
Board and the Chief Executive Officer, based on the Board’s judgment of the best interests of the Company and its stockholders from time to time. Mr. Ryan Steelberg currently serves as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Our
Board believes that it is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders for Mr. Steelberg to serve as both Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, given his knowledge of and experience with the Company, his familiarity with
our industry and his strategic vision. We do not currently have a lead independent director.
Board Role in Risk Oversight
The Board believes that effective risk management involves our entire corporate governance framework. Both management and the Board have key
responsibilities in managing risk throughout the Company. Management continually monitors the material risks we face, including financial risk, strategic risk, cybersecurity risk, enterprise and operational risk and legal and compliance risk. The
Board, both as a whole and at the committee level, has an active role in, and is responsible for, exercising oversight of management’s identification and management of, and planning for, those risks as shown below. In fulfilling this oversight
role, our Board focuses on understanding the nature of our enterprise risks, including our operations and strategic direction, as well as the adequacy of our risk management process and overall risk management system. Our Board performs these
functions in a number of ways, including the following:
13
| • |
at its regularly scheduled meetings, the Board receives management updates on our business operations, financial results, committee activities, and strategy and discusses risks related to the business;
|
| • |
the Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of risk management by discussing with management our policies regarding financial risk management, including major risk exposures, and the steps management has taken to monitor and
mitigate such exposures;
|
| • |
the Compensation Committee assists the Board by evaluating potential risks related to our compensation programs; and
|
| • |
through management updates and committee reports, the Board monitors our risk management activities, including the enterprise risk management process and cybersecurity risks, risks relating to our compensation programs, risks related to
environmental, social and governance practices, and financial, legal and operational risks.
|
Board Responsibilities
| • |
Overall oversight concerning the assessment and management of risk related to our business
|
| • |
Decision-making for fundamental financial and business strategies and major corporate activities, including material acquisitions and financings
|
| • |
Oversight of management and Board committees
|
| • |
Oversight of information technology and cybersecurity risk policies
|
| • |
Receives regular reports from Board committees on specific risk oversight responsibilities
|
| • |
Receives regular reports from management regarding business operations and strategic planning, financing planning, cybersecurity risks, as well as the processes the Company has implemented to address them, and budgeting and regulatory
matters
|
|
Audit Committee
|
Compensation Committee
|
Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee
|
||
|
• Oversight of accounting and financial reporting processes and audits of financial statements
• Oversight of financial risk management policies and controls
• Oversight of quality and integrity of the accounting, auditing, internal control and financial
reporting practices
• Responsible for the appointment, compensation, retention and oversight of independent registered
public accounting firm
• Oversight of the internal audit function
|
• Oversight of compensation plans, policies and programs and overall philosophy including confirming
that incentive pay arrangements do not encourage unnecessary risk taking
|
• Identifies, evaluates and provides recommendations regarding Board and Committee composition
• Oversight of evaluation of the Board and Committees
• Advises Board on corporate governance matters and Board performance matters
|
Management Responsibilities
| • |
Identify material risks faced by the Company
|
| • |
Implement appropriate risk management strategies
|
| • |
Integrate risk management into our decision-making process
|
| • |
Ensure that information with respect to material risks is transmitted to the Board or the appropriate Board committee
|
14
|
Risk Areas
|
|
|
• Strategic
• Reputational
• Financial
• Operational
• Legal, regulatory and compliance
|
• Financial reporting and internal control
• Information systems, data privacy and cybersecurity
• Human capital management
• ESG/sustainability
|
Environmental, Social & Governance
As a leading AI technology and solutions provider, our mission is to be an active contributor to making the world better through the use of AI. As
such, we understand the importance of considering the environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) aspects of our business and operations.
We strive to advance social inclusion in the way we do business and seek ways to include our ESG strategy as part of our corporate mission and
priorities. In addition, we aim to ensure that material ESG factors are integrated into our strategy, operations and risk frameworks. The following are a summary of some of the existing ESG priorities that we continue to advance.
Environmental Highlights
As part of our commitment to being good stewards of the environment, we continue to work toward understanding, quantifying and reducing our impact on
climate change. We understand that climate change poses risks and presents opportunities for our business to address such impacts in several ways. With the growing awareness that all companies need to manage their environmental impact, we have:
| • |
Continued to be a “remote first” organization, allowing our employees to work primarily from home, which significantly reduces our carbon footprint by cutting down on our employees’ commuting requirements.
|
| • |
With respect to office locations which we do maintain in Irvine, CA; Denver, CO; London, England; Paris, France; Sydney, Australia; Uttar Pradesh, India; and Herzliya, Israel, endeavored, where possible, to select sites with the highest
possible energy efficiency ratings.
|
| • |
Established our production environments, pursuant to which we provide and service our customer products and solutions, at AWS (Amazon) and Azure (Microsoft), each of whom provide robust environmental protections for these production
environments at scale.
|
| • |
Implemented policies to reduce non-essential travel for our employees.
|
| • |
Promoted responsible recycling of e-waste and paper and use of resources, including water and electricity.
|
We continue to assess on a regular basis our future environmental goals.
Human Capital/Social Highlights
We appreciate the importance of retention, growth and development of our employees. We seek to provide competitive compensation and benefits
packages, opportunities for advancement and extensive training programs and learning opportunities for our employees, which includes the following:
| • |
We provide a comprehensive benefits package benchmarked in the 25th-50th percentile of coverage for similarly sized companies as of December 31, 2024. Our benefits package includes various employee assistance
programs that provide wellness benefits as well.
|
| • |
We offer competitive compensation to our employees. Certain of our U.S. employees and, to the extent practicable, non-U.S. employees, are eligible to participate in our long-term stock-based incentive plan.
|
| • |
We have a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics in place which outlines business and ethical expectations for our employees.
|
| • |
We support and pay for training and education programs that provide continual improvement for our employees.
|
15
| • |
We require our employees to participate in our training programs, including programs on anti-harassment, cybersecurity and safety in the workplace.
|
Corporate Governance Highlights
We maintain governance practices that we believe establish meaningful accountability for our Company and our Board, including:
| • |
All of our directors are independent, except Ryan Steelberg, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board.
|
| • |
All of our standing Board committees are comprised entirely of independent directors.
|
| • |
We conduct annual Board and committee evaluations.
|
| • |
All of our Audit Committee members are financial experts.
|
| • |
Our Board and committees remain focused on their critical risk oversight role, in particular, by monitoring threats and taking preventative actions to ensure business continuity, protection of intellectual property and the safeguarding
of business and customer data.
|
| • |
Our Board actively oversees the Company’s governance practices.
|
| • |
We maintain stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers.
|
| • |
We prohibit short sales and transactions in derivatives of our stock and prohibit hedging of our stock by our directors, executive officers and other employees without pre-clearance.
|
| • |
We prohibit the pledging of Company stock by directors, executive officers and other employees, unless the person wishes to pledge our securities as collateral for a loan (not including margin debt) and can clearly demonstrate the
financial capacity to repay the loan without resort to the pledged securities.
|
Meetings and Attendance
During fiscal year 2024, our Board held 6 meetings, the Audit Committee held 8 meetings, the Compensation Committee held 3 meetings and the Corporate
Governance and Nominating Committee held 3 meetings. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate meetings of the Board and the committees of the Board on which he served during fiscal year 2024, except for Chad Steelberg, who
attended 4 Board meetings. In addition, the independent directors meet regularly in executive session without the presence of management.
It is the Board’s policy to encourage directors to attend the annual meeting of stockholders, including the Annual Meeting. All of our then-serving
directors attended our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
Executive Sessions
As required under applicable Nasdaq listing rules, in the last fiscal year, the Company’s independent directors met in regularly scheduled executive
sessions of the Board and its committees at which only independent directors were present. Our independent directors have robust and candid discussions at these executive sessions during which they can critically evaluate the performance of our
Company, Chief Executive Officer and management. These private sessions are generally held in conjunction with the regular quarterly Board meetings. Other private meetings are held as often as deemed necessary by the independent directors.
In addition, executive sessions of the Audit Committee are typically scheduled following regular meetings of the Audit Committee (with our
independent auditors, with the head of our internal audit department, with outside counsel and/or with executive management, if deemed necessary). Executive sessions of the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee are held when deemed necessary by the members of such committees.
Committees of Our Board
Our Board has a standing Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Each committee operates under a
written charter adopted and reviewed annually by our Board, which satisfy the applicable standards of the SEC and NASDAQ. Copies of the charters of all standing committees are available on our website at investors.veritone.com
under “Governance.” Our Board may establish other committees from time to time as deemed appropriate by our Board based on the needs of our Board and the Company.
16
The composition of each of our three standing committees as of the date of this proxy statement is set forth below. Prior to Mr. Gehl’s resignation
from our Board, he served as a member of the Compensation Committee and as Chairperson of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. Mr. Ryan Steelberg, our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of our Board, does not serve on any
committees of the Board. Prior to his resignation from our Board, Mr. Chad Steelberg did not serve on any committees of the Board.
|
Name
|
Audit Committee
|
Compensation Committee
|
Corporate Governance and
Nominating Committee
|
|||
|
Knute P. Kurtz
|
Chairperson
|
X
|
||||
|
Michael Keithley
|
X
|
Chairperson
|
||||
|
Francisco Morales
|
X
|
|||||
|
Richard H. Taketa
|
X
|
Chairperson
|
||||
|
Michael Zilis
|
X
|
X
|
Audit Committee
Our Audit Committee consists of Messrs. Kurtz, Taketa and Zilis, and Mr. Kurtz serves as the Chairman. Our Board has affirmatively determined that
each of Messrs. Kurtz, Taketa and Zilis meets the definition of an “independent director” for purposes of serving on an audit committee under Rule 10A-3 of the Exchange Act and NASDAQ rules. In addition, our Board has determined that each of
Messrs. Kurtz, Taketa and Zilis qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert,” as such term is defined in Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K.
Our Audit Committee has the responsibility to, among other things:
| • |
review and evaluate our annual and quarterly financial statements and reports, and discuss these statements and reports with our independent registered public accounting firm and management;
|
| • |
assess the independence and qualifications of, appoint and, where appropriate, replace our independent registered public accounting firm;
|
| • |
evaluate the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm;
|
| • |
review the proposed scope and results of the audit, and serve as the primary point of contact with our independent registered public accounting firm through the audit process with respect to key audit matters;
|
| • |
review and pre-approve audit and non-audit fees and services;
|
| • |
review accounting and financial controls with our independent registered public accounting firm and our financial and accounting staff, and oversee the process of addressing any issues that arise with respect to the scope, adequacy and
effectiveness of these controls;
|
| • |
review and approve transactions between us and our directors, officers and affiliates;
|
| • |
recognize and prevent prohibited non-audit services;
|
| • |
establish procedures for complaints received by us regarding accounting matters;
|
| • |
oversee internal audit functions; and
|
| • |
review and evaluate our primary risk exposures.
|
Compensation Committee
Our Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Keithley, Taketa and Zilis, and Mr. Taketa serves as the Chairman. Mr. Gehl was also a member of the
Compensation Committee prior to his resignation from the Board on June 13, 2024. Mr. Keithley was appointed to the Compensation Committee in August 2024. Our Board has determined that each member serving on the Compensation Committee is
“independent” as that term is defined in the applicable NASDAQ rules.
Our Compensation Committee has the responsibility to, among other things:
| • |
review and determine the compensation arrangements for our executive officers;
|
17
| • |
establish and review general compensation policies with the objective to attract and retain superior talent, to reward individual performance and to achieve our financial goals;
|
| • |
administer our equity incentive plans and other incentive compensation plans;
|
| • |
evaluate the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and participate in the evaluation of other executive management;
|
| • |
evaluate and make recommendations to our Board regarding the compensation of our Board and its committees;
|
| • |
evaluate whether the Company’s compensation plans, programs or practices would encourage unnecessary or excessive risk-taking; and
|
| • |
review the independence of any compensation advisers engaged by our Compensation Committee.
|
From time to time, the Compensation Committee has retained a compensation consultant as it deems necessary to provide advice as to market levels of
compensation, compensation program design and compensation trends. In 2024, our Compensation Committee engaged the services of Compensia, Inc. (“Compensia”), a compensation consulting firm, to advise the Compensation Committee regarding, among
other things, the amount and types of compensation that we provide to our executives and directors, our compensation philosophy and how our compensation practices compare to the compensation practices of other similar and peer companies. Compensia
does not provide any services to us other than the services provided to the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has assessed the independence of Compensia pursuant to SEC rules and NASDAQ listing standards and concluded that no
conflict of interest exists that would prevent Compensia from independently representing the Compensation Committee.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee consists of Messrs. Keithley, Kurtz and Morales, and Mr. Keithley serves as the Chairman. Mr. Gehl
was also a member of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and served as its Chairman prior to his resignation from the Board on June 13, 2024. Mr. Keithley and Mr. Morales were appointed to the Corporate Governance and Nominating
Committee in August 2024 and March 2025, respectively. Our Board has determined that each member serving on the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is “independent” as that term is defined in the applicable NASDAQ rules.
Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the responsibility to, among other things:
| • |
identify, evaluate and make recommendations to our Board regarding prospective director nominees;
|
| • |
oversee the evaluation of our Board and its committees;
|
| • |
review developments in corporate governance practices;
|
| • |
evaluate the adequacy of our corporate governance practices and reporting; and
|
| • |
develop, periodically review and make recommendations to our Board regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters.
|
Identifying and Evaluating Director Candidates
Our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee evaluates and recommends director candidates for nomination by the full Board. Any stockholder may
recommend candidates for evaluation by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee by submitting a written recommendation to our Secretary in accordance with the requirements described under the heading “Stockholder Proposals and Director
Nominations for our 2026 Annual Meeting” at the end of this Proxy Statement below.
There are no specific minimum qualifications that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee requires to be met by a director nominee
recommended for a position on our Board, nor are there any specific qualities or skills that are necessary for one or more members of our Board to possess, other than as are necessary to meet the requirements of the laws, rules and regulations
applicable to us. Except as required by applicable law, our Board does not have a formal policy regarding racial/ethnic, gender or other diversity characteristics of director candidates, but considers diversity of background and perspective,
including with respect to age, gender, race, place of residence and specialized experience, as important factors in evaluating such candidates.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will evaluate any director candidates recommended by stockholders in the same manner as it would
evaluate any other candidates identified by or recommended to it.
18
Communications with Our Board
Any stockholder may communicate with our Board, any Board committee or any individual director. All communications should be made in writing,
addressed to our Board, our Board committee or the individual director, as the case may be, in care of our Secretary, mailed or delivered to our principal executive offices at 1615 Platte Street, 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202.
Each communication must set forth the name and address of the stockholder on whose behalf the communication is sent and should be addressed to the
Board, any such individual director, the independent directors as a group, Board committee or Chairperson of any Board committee by either name or title. Each communication will be reviewed by the Company’s Secretary to determine whether it is
appropriate for presentation to the directors. Junk mail, job inquiries, business solicitations, or hostile communications will not be presented. In addition, if requested by stockholders, when appropriate, the Chairman of the Board will also be
available for consultation and direct communication with stockholders.
Corporate Responsibility
Code of Ethics
We have adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the “Code of Conduct”) which is applicable to our directors, officers and employees,
including our principal executive officer, principal financial and accounting officer, or persons performing similar functions. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available on our website at investors.veritone.com.
To the extent required by rules adopted by the SEC and NASDAQ, we intend to promptly disclose on our website or in a Current Report on Form 8-K future amendments to certain provisions of the Code of Conduct, or waivers to such provisions granted to
any executive officer or director.
We have adopted an insider trading policy (our “Insider Trading Policy”) and procedures that govern the purchase, sale and other dispositions of our
securities by our directors, officers and employees. We believe our Insider Trading Policy and procedures are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations and applicable listing standards. In addition,
it is the Company’s practice to comply with the applicable laws and regulations relating to insider trading. A copy of our insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed
with the SEC on April 1, 2025.
Hedging Policy
Pursuant to our Insider Trading Policy, which applies to all directors, officers and other employees of the Company, certain forms of hedging or
monetization transactions, such as zero-cost collars and forward sale contracts, are strongly discouraged. Our Insider Trading Policy requires that any hedging or similar arrangement proposed by any director, officer or other employee must be
reviewed and approved in advance by our Compliance Officer. Any request for pre-approval of a hedging or similar arrangement must be submitted to the Compliance Officer at least two weeks prior to the proposed execution of documents evidencing the
proposed transaction and must set forth a justification for the proposed transaction. All determinations by the Compliance Officer under our Insider Trading Policy are final and not subject to further review.
Procedures for Submitting Complaints Regarding Accounting and Auditing Matters
We are committed to compliance with all applicable securities laws and regulations, accounting standards and accounting controls. The Audit Committee
has established written procedures for the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints received by us regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters, and the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns
or complaints regarding such matters. The Audit Committee oversees the handling of such concerns or complaints. Any person may report concerns or complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters by sending a
communication in writing addressed to the Chairman of the Audit Committee, mailed or delivered to our principal executive offices at 1615 Platte Street, 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202. Additional information regarding the procedures for
non-employees to submit such concerns or complaints is available in the Investors section of our website at investors.veritone.com under the heading “Governance.”
19
The table below sets forth certain information regarding our executive officers as of April 16, 2025:
|
Name
|
Age
|
Title
|
||
|
Ryan Steelberg(1)
|
51
|
President and Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board
|
||
|
Michael L. Zemetra
|
54
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
| (1) |
The biography of Ryan Steelberg is presented under the heading “Board of Directors—Continuing Directors.” Mr. Zemetra’s biography is set forth below.
|
We did not have any other “executive officers” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) during fiscal year 2024.
Michael L. Zemetra has served as our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since October 2020. From April 2018 to October 2020, Mr. Zemetra served as Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer of LiveXLive Media, LLC, a global digital media company. From April 2017 to March 2018, Mr. Zemetra served as Vice President of Finance and Divisional Chief Financial Officer of the Cloud Services Division of J2 Global,
Inc., a provider of cloud-based software and digital media services. From June 2013 to August 2016, Mr. Zemetra served as Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer of Global Eagle Entertainment, an in-flight entertainment services
company. From May 2008 to June 2013, Mr. Zemetra served as Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of Demand Media, Inc. (now Leaf Group), a digital content and media company. Prior to that, from May 2000 to February 2008, Mr. Zemetra
held senior financial positions with a number of publicly traded SaaS, technology and digital media companies. Mr. Zemetra began his career in the Technology and Entertainment groups of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Mr. Zemetra holds a Masters
Degree in Accounting from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts in Business-Economics from the University of California, Riverside, and earned his CPA from the State of California.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships between any director, executive officer or person nominated or chosen to become a director or executive officer,
except that Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg are brothers.
Legal Proceedings
On December 15, 2014, Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc. filed a petition for relief under the Bankruptcy Code commencing the matter of In re Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc., United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California, Santa Ana Division, Case No. 8:14-bk-17244 SC. Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg previously served
as officers, directors and beneficial owners of Brand Affinity Technologies, Inc. The Bankruptcy Court entered an order closing this bankruptcy case on December 5, 2016.
20
The following is a summary of the compensation policies, plans and arrangements for all individuals who served at any time as an executive officer of
the Company during 2024. This summary should be read in conjunction with the Summary Compensation Table and related disclosures set forth below. We are eligible to, and have chosen to, comply with the executive compensation disclosure rules
applicable to a “smaller reporting company,” as defined in applicable SEC rules.
Overview
Our executive compensation plans and arrangements are overseen and administered by our Compensation Committee, which is comprised entirely of
independent directors as determined in accordance with applicable NASDAQ rules. Our Compensation Committee has established compensation plans and arrangements that are intended to fulfill three primary objectives: first, to attract and retain the
high caliber executives required for the success of our business; second, to reward these executives for strong financial and operating performance; and third, to align their interests with those of our stockholders to incentivize them to create
long-term stockholder value. The key components of executive compensation are base salaries, cash incentives and equity awards.
Our Compensation Committee reviews and evaluates executive compensation on an annual basis.
Mr. Ryan Steelberg was appointed by our Board as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective as of January 1, 2023, and was subsequently
appointed by our Board as Chairman of the Board, effective as of January 22, 2024. In connection with Ryan Steelberg’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer in January 2023, the Compensation Committee, with assistance from its
compensation consultant, Compensia, reviewed the base salaries, cash incentives and equity compensation of Ryan Steelberg and Michael Zemetra, as well as the Company’s compensation philosophy and pay for performance metrics. Based upon that review,
the Compensation Committee determined that it was appropriate to establish new compensation arrangements for Ryan Steelberg and Michael Zemetra, which were set forth in new employment agreements entered into with these officers in January 2023, as
discussed under the heading “2023 Employment Agreements” below.
2023 Employment Agreements
As noted above, in January 2023, we entered into new employment agreements with Ryan Steelberg and Michael Zemetra, which superseded and replaced the
employment agreements previously entered into with such officers in 2020. These new employment agreements are intended to ensure that our executive compensation program is designed to pay for performance. Our Compensation Committee believes it is
important to structure a significant portion of our named executive officers’ compensation so that it is aligned with the Company’s corporate strategies and business objectives, and it incentivizes our named executive officers to create long-term
value for our stockholders without encouraging unnecessary or excessive risk taking. In line with this compensation philosophy, generally, a substantial majority of each named executive officer’s annual compensation opportunity is not fixed but
consists of performance-based compensation (annual bonus opportunity and equity awards with performance-based vesting requirements) and/or compensation tied to long-term vesting requirements with a value dependent on our stock price (all equity
awards).
Ryan Steelberg. Pursuant to Mr. Steelberg’s 2023 employment agreement, his annual base salary was set initially at $525,000. Mr. Steelberg voluntarily reduced his salary to $1 in May 2023, and such reduction remained in effect
until February 2025. On February 10, 2025, the Compensation Committee of our Board approved an increase in the annual base salary of Mr. Steelberg to $665,000, which the Compensation Committee believed returned his base salary to an amount more
reflective of market levels. The base salary increase became effective as of January 1, 2025. Mr. Steelberg is also eligible to receive discretionary annual incentives under our cash incentive program, with a target of not less than one hundred
percent (100%) of his annual base salary, up to a maximum amount determined in accordance with the terms of our annual bonus plan, or such amount in excess of target as may be determined by our Compensation Committee, based on the achievement of
performance goals determined by our Compensation Committee.
Pursuant to his 2023 employment agreement, on January 19, 2023, Mr. Steelberg was granted a time-based restricted stock unit (“RSU”) award
representing the right to receive 158,025 shares of our common stock and a performance-based RSU award representing the right to receive 148,176 shares of our common stock. The number of shares for each award was determined by dividing $1,000,000
by the 90-day average closing price of our common stock prior to the date of grant. The time-based RSU award vests in equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the effective date of Mr. Steelberg’s employment agreement, subject to his
continuous service through the relevant vesting date. The performance-based RSU awards did not vest because the Compensation Committee determined in April 2024 that the performance criteria for such performance-based RSUs had not been met.
21
In April 2024, Mr. Steelberg was granted three time-based RSU awards: (1) a 2023 salary replacement award representing the right to receive 47,076
shares of our common stock vesting monthly over one year beginning on January 1, 2024; (2) a 2024 salary replacement award representing the right to receive 122,399 shares of our common stock vesting monthly over one year beginning on January 1,
2024; and (3) an award pursuant to his 2023 employment agreement representing the right to receive 200,000 shares of our common stock vesting in three equal installments on January 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027. Additionally in April 2024, Mr.
Steelberg was granted a performance-based RSU award representing the right to receive 200,000 shares of our common stock. The performance-based RSU awards did not vest because the Compensation Committee determined in March 2025 that the performance
criteria for such performance-based RSUs had not been met.
Mr. Steelberg is also entitled to receive: (i) purchase of a separate healthcare policy covering him and his family; (iii) reimbursement of legal
fees reasonably incurred in the negotiation of his employment agreement, up to a maximum of $15,000; and (iii) other benefits generally made available to employees under our employee benefit plans. Mr. Steelberg also received a one-time cash bonus
in the amount of $400,000 in connection with his promotion to Chief Executive Officer in January 2023.
Our employment agreement with Mr. Steelberg is an at-will agreement and may be terminated at any time and for any reason or without reason. However,
if Mr. Steelberg terminates his employment as a Good Leaver (as defined in his employment agreement), then he will be entitled to receive cash severance payments and acceleration of the vesting of certain of his equity awards, as discussed under
the heading “Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” below.
Michael Zemetra. Pursuant to Mr. Zemetra’s 2023 employment agreement, his annual base salary was set initially at $400,000. He is also eligible to receive discretionary annual incentives under our cash incentive program, with a
target of not less than sixty percent (60%) of his annual base salary, up to a maximum amount determined in accordance with the terms of our annual bonus plan, or such amount in excess of target as may be determined by our Compensation Committee,
based on the achievement of performance goals determined by our Compensation Committee. In February 2025, Mr. Zemetra’s annual base salary was increased to $425,000.
Pursuant to his 2023 employment agreement, on January 19, 2023, Mr. Zemetra was granted a time-based RSU award representing the right to receive
71,111 shares of our common stock, a second time-based RSU award representing the right to receive 28,396 shares of our common stock; and a performance-based RSU award representing the right to receive 22,226 shares of our common stock. The number
of shares for each award was determined by dividing the dollar value of the award ($450,000 for the first time-based RSU and $150,000 for each of the second time-based RSU and the performance-based RSU) by the 90-day average closing price of our
common stock prior to the date of grant. In addition, in June 2024, Mr. Zemetra was granted two time-based RSU award representing the right to receive 72,000 and 30,000 shares of our common stock and, in April 2024, a performance-based RSU award
representing the right to receive an additional 48,000 shares of our common stock. The time-based RSU awards granted in 2023 vest in equal installments on the first three anniversaries of the effective date of Mr. Zemetra’s employment agreement and
the time-based RSU awards granted in 2024 vest in three equal installments on January 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, subject to his continuous service through the relevant vesting date. The performance-based RSU awards in 2023 and 2024 did not vest
because the Compensation Committee determined in April 2024 and March 2025, respectively, that the performance criteria for such performance-based RSUs had not been met.
Mr. Zemetra is also entitled to receive: (i) payment by us of 100% of the costs of healthcare benefits for Mr. Zemetra and his family; (ii)
reimbursement of legal fees reasonably incurred in the negotiation of his employment agreement, up to a maximum of $5,000; and (iii) other benefits generally made available to employees under our employee benefit plans.
Our employment agreement with Mr. Zemetra is an at-will agreement and may be terminated at any time and for any reason or without reason. However, if
Mr. Zemetra terminates his employment as a Good Leaver (as defined in his employment agreement), then he will be entitled to receive cash severance payments and acceleration of the vesting of certain of his equity awards, as discussed under the
heading “Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” below.
Compensation Components
Base Salaries
The base salaries of our executive officers are reviewed annually.
In January 2023, in connection with the appointment of Ryan Steelberg as our President and Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee
reviewed the compensation program for our executive officers. Upon the execution of new employment agreements with Messrs. Ryan Steelberg and Michael Zemetra, the 2023 annual base salary for Mr. Steelberg was set at $525,000 and the annual base
salary for Mr. Zemetra was set at $400,000. Subsequently, Mr. Steelberg voluntarily reduced his annual base salary to $1 in May 2023. On February 10, 2025, the Compensation Committee approved an increase in the annual salary of Mr. Steelberg to
$665,000, which increase was effective as of January 1, 2025. In February 2025, Mr. Zemetra’s annual base salary was increased from $400,000 to $425,000.
22
Cash Incentives
The Compensation Committee has established a cash incentive program for our executive officers to link a significant portion of each executive’s
total compensation to the achievement of pre-established quarterly and/or annual financial performance goals. For 2024, the Compensation Committee established target and maximum levels for each financial measure, with the target level corresponding
to the level for such measure reflected in our annual operating plan and the maximum level reflecting significant overachievement of the target level. Payouts are prorated on a straight-line basis in the event of achievement between the target and
maximum levels for the applicable financial measure.
2024 Annual Bonus. For 2024, the target and maximum incentive amounts for Mr. Steelberg were set at 100% and 200%, respectively, of his annual base salary and the target and maximum incentive amounts for Mr. Zemetra were set at 60% and 120%,
respectively, of his annual base salary, in each case pursuant to the terms of the applicable officer’s employment agreement.
For the annual performance goals for 2024, the Compensation Committee selected two financial measures, which were equally weighted, and established
target levels for such measures equal to the levels for such measures set forth in the annual operating plan approved by our Board for 2024, as follows: (i) reported GAAP revenue of $145.1 million and (ii) non-GAAP net loss prior to any bonus
accrual of $14.9 million. The maximum achievement levels for these measures were set at up to a 200% target payout at (i) reported GAAP revenue of $151.7 million and (ii) pre-bonus non-GAAP net income of $5.59 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, our reported GAAP revenue was $96.2 million (0% payout) and our non-GAAP net loss prior to any bonus accrual
for 2024 was $30.7 million (0% payout). As a result, we paid no incentive bonuses under our cash incentive program to our executive officers for 2024. However, we paid cash bonuses of $79,500 each in November 2024 to Mr. Steelberg and Mr. Zemetra
in connection with the successful completion of the divestiture of our former wholly-owned subsidiary, Veritone One, Inc. (“Veritone One”).
An explanation of non-GAAP net loss and a reconciliation of this non-GAAP measure to our net loss calculated in accordance with GAAP for 2024 is
included under the heading “Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Key Performance Indicators” in Part II, Item 7 (Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations) of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2024.
Equity Incentives
We provide long-term incentive compensation to our executive officers through equity-based awards under our equity incentive plans, such as stock
options and RSUs, with time-based and/or performance-based vesting conditions.
On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Ryan Steelberg under the 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”) a time-based award of
RSUs representing the right to receive 200,000 shares of our common stock upon vesting. Mr. Steelberg’s award had a grant date fair value of $1,394,000 as computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards
Codification Topic 718, Compensation – Stock Compensation (“ASC Topic 718”). This award vests in three equal installments on January 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, subject to Mr. Steelberg’s continued service to us through each applicable vesting date.
Additionally, on April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Ryan Steelberg under the 2023 Plan two awards of RSUs representing the right to receive 47,076 and 122,399 shares of our common stock upon vesting. Mr. Steelberg’s awards had a
grant date fair value of $328,120 and $853,121, respectively, as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. These awards were intended as salary replacement awards due to the fact that Mr. Steelberg’s annual base salary was reduced to $1 in May
2023, and vested in monthly installments over a period of one year beginning on January 1, 2024.
On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee also granted to Mr. Steelberg under the 2023 Plan an award of performance-based RSUs representing the
right to receive 200,000 shares of our common stock upon vesting. These performance-based RSUs became eligible to vest upon the achievement of certain revenue and non-GAAP net income targets in 2024 (the “2024 Milestones”). Mr. Steelberg’s award
had a grant date fair value of $1,394,000 as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. In March 2024, the Compensation Committee determined that the 2024 Milestones had not been achieved; as a result, these performance-based RSUs were not eligible
to vest and were forfeited by Mr. Steelberg.
23
On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Michael Zemetra under the 2023 Plan a time-based award of RSUs representing the right to
receive 72,000 shares of our common stock upon vesting. Mr. Zemetra’s award had a grant date fair value of $501,840 as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. On June 6, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Michael Zemetra under the 2023
Plan a time-based award of RSUs representing the right to receive 30,000 shares of our common stock upon vesting. Mr. Zemetra’s award had a grant date fair value of $75,900 as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. Both awards vest in three
equal installments on January 1 of 2025, 2026, and 2027, subject to Mr. Zemetra’s continued service to us through each applicable vesting date.
On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Mr. Zemetra under the 2023 Plan an award of performance-based RSUs representing the right to
receive 48,000 shares of our common stock upon vesting. These performance-based RSUs became eligible to vest upon the achievement of the 2024 Milestones. Mr. Zemetra’s award had a grant date fair value of $334,560 as computed in accordance with ASC
Topic 718. In March 2025, the Compensation Committee determined that the 2024 Milestones had not been achieved; as a result, these performance-based RSUs were not eligible to vest and were forfeited by Mr. Zemetra.
Inducement Grant Plan
Our Inducement Grant Plan (the “Inducement Grant Plan”) was adopted by our Board in October 2020. Under the Inducement Grant Plan, non-statutory
stock options, stock appreciation rights, stock awards, RSUs and dividend equivalent rights may be granted as an inducement material for eligible persons to enter into employment with the company in accordance with NASDAQ Marketplace Rule
5635(c)(4) and the related guidance under NASDAQ IM 5635-1, and any amendments or supplements thereto. All stock options granted under the Inducement Grant Plan have exercise prices equal to or greater than the fair market value of our common stock
on the grant date, and expire 10 years after the grant date, subject to earlier expiration in the event of termination of the awardee’s continuous service with the company. All equity awards granted under the Inducement Grant Plan vest in
accordance with the vesting schedules established by the Compensation Committee at the time of award, subject to the awardee’s continued service with our Company. The vesting of equity awards granted to our executive officers under the Inducement
Grant Plan is subject to acceleration under certain circumstances as discussed under the heading “Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” below.
In March 2023, our Board amended and restated the Inducement Grant Plan to increase by 425,000 the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to
equity awards granted under the Inducement Grant Plan to 1,175,000 shares. As of March 31, 2025, there are 427,485 shares of Common Stock currently available for issuance under the Inducement Grant Plan. In accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule
5635(c)(4), we did not seek stockholder approval of the amended and restated Inducement Grant Plan. Other than the increase in the Inducement Grant Plan share reserve, there were no other changes to any terms and conditions of the previously
existing Inducement Grant Plan.
Generally Available Benefit Programs
Section 401(k) Plan
We make available a tax-qualified retirement plan that provides eligible employees, including our executives, with an opportunity to save for
retirement on a tax advantaged basis. Participants are able to defer up to 80% of their eligible compensation, subject to applicable annual limits under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Internal Revenue Code”). Pre-tax
contributions are allocated to each participant’s individual account and are then invested in selected investment alternatives according to the participant’s directions. We currently match contributions under the 401(k) plan up to a maximum of
$3,000 per participating employee.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
We maintain an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”), which is intended to qualify as an “employee stock purchase plan” under Section 423 of the
Internal Revenue Code, to promote stock ownership by employees. Under the ESPP, eligible employees may acquire shares of our common stock at a discount to their fair market value.
Health Benefit Programs
Our executive officers are eligible to participate in our health benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, life and
accidental death and dismemberment insurance, flexible spending accounts and certain other benefits. We pay 100% of the premiums for the medical, dental, vision, long-term disability and life insurance elected by Mr. Zemetra under these
company-provided benefits (excluding the premiums for voluntary supplemental disability insurance). Ryan Steelberg currently participates in our basic life and accidental death and dismemberment insurance, short-term disability and long-term
disability benefit programs; in addition, we pay for 100% of the costs for a separate healthcare plan for Mr. Steelberg.
24
2023 Employment Agreements
Ryan Steelberg
Under the terms of Mr. Steelberg’s employment agreement with us, if Mr. Steelberg is terminated by us other than for
Cause, death or Disability, or he resigns for Good Reason, in each case unrelated to a Change in Control (such capitalized terms as defined in his employment agreement), then he will be entitled to receive, (i) a cash severance payment equal to
1.5x his then-current base salary and target annual bonus (with such target annual bonus calculated pro rata for the year as of the date of such termination of his employment), payable over twelve months (except if a Change in Control occurs during
such twelve month period, any remaining installment payments will be paid in a lump sum within ten days following the Change in Control), (ii) a monthly cash payment equal to his monthly premium payment for health care coverage during the 12-month
severance period (except if a Change in Control occurs during such twelve month period, any remaining monthly payments under this clause (ii) will be paid in a lump sum within ten days following the Change in Control), and (iii) full vesting
acceleration of any then unvested and outstanding time-based options and other time-based equity awards, and an extension of the post-termination exercise period of all then vested and outstanding options (after taking into account the above
vesting acceleration) to the end of their maximum original term.
If within three months prior to or twelve months following a Change in Control, Mr. Steelberg is terminated by us other than for Cause, death or
Disability, or he resigns for Good Reason, then he will receive, (i) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to 1.5x his then-current base salary and target annual bonus (with such target annual bonus calculated pro rata for the year as of the date
of termination of employment), (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to one year’s worth of his then-current healthcare policy premiums, and (iii) full vesting acceleration of any then unvested and outstanding time-based options and other time-based
equity awards and an extension of the post-termination exercise period of all then vested and outstanding options (after taking into account the above vesting acceleration) to the end of their maximum original term.
Mr. Steelberg’s entitlement to the above-described severance benefits is also conditioned on him timely signing and not revoking a general release of claims in favor of Veritone.
Except for the performance-based RSU awards granted in January 2023 and April 2024, the treatment of any performance-based equity awards will be
governed by their terms. See “—Equity Plans” below for how those awards are treated. For the performance-based RSU award granted to Mr. Steelberg pursuant to his employment agreement in January 2023 and April 2024 and forfeited in April 2024 and
March 2025, respectively, such RSU awards would have, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, converted to a time-based RSU award, with vesting occurring on the last day of the three-year performance period based on the target number of shares,
subject to Mr. Steelberg’s continuous service through that date, and subject to full accelerated vesting upon a termination of Mr. Steelberg’s employment by us other than for Cause, death or Disability or a resignation of employment by Mr.
Steelberg for Good Reason during the 12-month period following such change in control.
Michael Zemetra
If Mr. Zemetra is terminated by us other than for Cause, death or Disability, or he resigns for Good Reason, in each case unrelated to a Change in
Control (such capitalized terms as defined in his employment agreement), then he will be entitled to receive, (i) a cash severance payment equal to 1x his then-current base salary and target annual bonus (with such target annual bonus calculated
pro rata for the year as of the date of such termination of employment), payable over twelve months (except if a Change in Control occurs during such twelve month period, any remaining installment payments under this clause (i) will be paid in a
lump sum within ten days following the Change in Control), and (ii) payment of his COBRA premiums during the 12-month severance period, except if a Change in Control occurs during such twelve month period, any remaining COBRA premium payments
required under this clause (ii) will be paid to Mr. Zemetra in a lump sum within ten days following the Change in Control.
If within three months prior to or twelve months following a Change in Control, Mr. Zemetra is terminated by us other than for Cause, death or
Disability, or he resigns for Good Reason, then he will receive (i) a lump sum cash severance payment equal to 1.5x his then-current base salary and target annual bonus (with such target annual bonus calculated pro rata for the year as of the date
of such termination of employment), (ii) a lump sum cash payment equal to one year’s worth of his COBRA premiums for the group health plan in which he is enrolled at the time of termination, and (iii) full vesting acceleration of any unvested and
outstanding time-based options and other time-based equity awards and an extension of the post-termination exercise period of all then vested and outstanding options (after taking into account the above vesting acceleration) to the end of their
maximum original term. Mr. Zemetra’s entitlement to the above-described severance benefits is also conditioned on him timely signing and not revoking a general release of claims in favor of Veritone.
Except for the performance-based RSU awards granted in January 2023 and April 2024, the treatment of any performance-based equity awards will be
governed by their terms. See “—Equity Plans” below for how those awards are treated. For the performance-based RSU award granted to Mr. Zemetra in March 2023 and April 2024 and forfeited in April 2024 and March 2025, respectively, such RSU awards
would have, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, converted to a time-based RSU award, with vesting occurring on the last day of the three-year performance period based on the target number of shares, subject to Mr. Zemetra’s continuous
service through that date, and subject to full accelerated vesting upon a termination of Mr. Zemetra’s employment by us other than for Cause, death or Disability or a resignation of employment by Mr. Zemetra for Good Reason during the 12-month
period following such Change in Control.
25
Equity Plans
2017 Plan
Pursuant to our 2017 Plan, if any outstanding equity award granted thereunder (including any equity awards granted to Mr. Steelberg or Mr. Zemetra)
is not assumed or substituted in connection with a change in control (as defined in the 2017 Plan), such award will automatically vest in full immediately prior to the effective date of the change in control (as defined in the 2017 Plan), unless
the acceleration of such award is subject to other limitations imposed by the plan administrator at the time of the grant of the award.
2018 Plan
Pursuant to the terms of our 2018 Performance-Based Stock Incentive Plan, as amended in June 2020 (the “2018 Plan”), in the event of a change in
control (as defined in the 2018 Plan) of Veritone, then outstanding performance-based stock options granted under the 2018 Plan to Mr. Steelberg will be assumed, substituted or exchanged for an equivalent award (which may include a cash payment) by
the successor entity to the extent the successor entity agrees to such treatment, and shall remain exercisable for the remainder of their term. In addition, if Mr. Steelberg’s employment is terminated by us without cause, other than following a
change in control of Veritone, then the exercisable portion of such awards held by him will remain exercisable for the remainder of their term, provided that he has not engaged in misconduct, as defined in the 2018 Plan.
2023 Plan
In the event of a corporate transaction or change in control (each as defined in the 2023 Plan) in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or
its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the 2023 Plan, or substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then, unless the participant’s (including Mr. Steelberg and Mr. Zemetra) award agreement or
other written agreement with Veritone provides otherwise, with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants (including Mr. Steelberg and Mr. Zemetra) whose continuous service has
not terminated prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction or change in control, the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such awards that are subject to
performance-based vesting conditions or requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance) to a date prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction or change in control (contingent upon the closing or
completion of the corporate transaction or change in control) as the plan administrator will determine, and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the corporate transaction or change in control in
accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the plan administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by Veritone with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the corporate transaction
or change in control).
Role of Management in Determining Executive Compensation
The Compensation Committee periodically meets with our Chief Executive Officer and/or other executive officers to obtain recommendations with respect
to compensation programs for executives and other employees. Our Chief Executive Officer makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee on the base salaries, target incentives and performance measures, and equity compensation for our
executives and other key employees. The Compensation Committee considers, but is not bound to accept, management’s recommendations with respect to executive compensation. Our Chief Executive Officer and certain other executives attend most of the
Compensation Committee’s meetings, but the Compensation Committee also holds private sessions outside the presence of members of management. The Compensation Committee discusses our Chief Executive Officer’s compensation with him but makes
decisions with respect to his compensation without him present.
In 2023 and 2024, the Compensation Committee reviewed the compensation arrangements for our executive officers and took the actions discussed above
under the headings “Base Salaries,” “Cash Incentives” and “2024 Equity Awards.” The Compensation Committee has delegated to management the authority to make certain decisions regarding compensation for employees other than executive officers. The
Compensation Committee has not delegated any of its authority with respect to the compensation of executive officers.
26
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth compensation earned during the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 by Ryan Steelberg, our principal executive
officer, and Michael Zemetra, our other executive officer serving at December 31, 2024, as well as the grant date fair values of share-based compensation awarded to such officers during such fiscal years, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic
718. Mr. Zemetra was also serving as our principal financial officer as of December 31, 2024. These officers are referred to herein as the “named executive officers.” Other than Mr. Steelberg and Mr. Zemetra, we did not have any other “executive
officers” (as defined in Rule 3b-7 under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024.
|
Name and Principal Position
|
Year
|
Salary
($)
|
Bonus
($)
|
Stock
Awards(1)
($)
|
Non-equity
Incentive
Plan
Compen-
sation
($)
|
All
Other
Compen-
sation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Ryan Steelberg
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board
|
2024
|
525,000
|
(2)
|
79,500
|
(3)
|
3,116,122
|
—
|
84,043
|
(4)
|
3,804,665
|
|||||||||||||
|
2023
|
524,997
|
(2)
|
425,840
|
1,872,066
|
—
|
52,264
|
2,875,167
|
||||||||||||||||
|
Michael L. Zemetra
|
2024 |
400,000
|
79,500
|
(3)
|
912,300
|
—
|
31,578
|
(5)
|
1,423,378
|
||||||||||||||
|
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
2023 |
400,000
|
50,000
|
711,332
|
—
|
39,299
|
1,200,631
|
||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
Reflects the grant date fair values of RSUs awarded to the named executive officers, which were computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. See additional information regarding the RSUs awarded to our named executive officers in 2024
under the heading “2024 Equity Awards” above.
|
| (2) |
In 2024, Mr. Steelberg was entitled to receive a base salary of $525,000 under his employment agreement with us. Mr. Steelberg voluntarily reduced his annual base salary from $525,000 to $1.00 in May 2023, which remained in effect
through December 31, 2024. On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Ryan Steelberg under the 2023 Plan two awards of RSUs representing the right to receive 47,076 and 122,399 shares of our common stock upon vesting. These
awards were intended as 2023 and 2024 salary replacement awards, respectively, due to the fact that Mr. Steelberg’s annual base salary was reduced to $1 in May 2023. The 2023 salary replacement award had a grant date fair value of $328,120
as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. In accordance with SEC disclosure rules, the grant date fair value of the 2023 salary replacement award is reflected in the “Salary” column for 2023 in the Summary Compensation Table. The 2024
salary replacement award had a grant date fair value of $853,121 as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. In granting the replacement grants, our compensation committee used a 90-day VWAP of our stock price to determine the number of
RSUs to replace Mr. Steelberg’s foregone salary. The value of the replacement grants reflected in this table are computed in accordance with FASB Topic ASC 718, which resulted in a higher value of the replacement grants than the 90-day VWAP
of our stock price used by our compensation committee. In accordance with SEC disclosure rules, the portion of the grant date fair value of the 2024 salary replacement award that replaced Mr. Steelberg’s foregone base salary of $524,999 is
reflected in the “Salary” column for 2024 in the Summary Compensation Table. The portion of the grant date fair value of the 2024 salary replacement award that exceeded the amount of Mr. Steelberg’s foregone base salary in 2024 was $328,122
and is reported in the “Stock Awards” column of the Summary Compensation Table. For a discussion of Mr. Steelberg’s base salary in effect as of January 1, 2025, please refer to the sections above titled, “2023 Employment Agreements—Ryan
Steelberg” and “Compensation Components—Base Salaries.”
|
| (3) |
Reflects a one-time deal bonus for the successful completion of the Veritone One divestiture in 2024.
|
| (4) |
Consists of reimbursement of costs of Mr. Steelberg’s separate healthcare plan totaling $14,043 and payment for the use of Mr. Steelberg’s personal rental property for Company purposes totaling $70,000.
|
| (5) |
Consists of Company contributions made to Mr. Zemetra’s 401(k) account totaling $3,000 and contributions made towards Mr. Zemetra’s health insurance premiums totaling $28,578.
|
27
OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT 2024 FISCAL YEAR END
The table below sets forth information regarding outstanding equity awards held by each named executive officer as of December 31, 2024, including:
(i) the numbers of shares of our common stock underlying exercisable and unexercisable stock options, and unearned performance-based stock options, held by each named executive officer and the exercise prices and expiration dates thereof; and (ii)
the aggregate number of RSUs held by each named executive officer, and the market value thereof, that had not vested as of December 31, 2024.
|
Option Award
|
Stock Award
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Number of Securities
Underlying
Unexercised Options
(#)
|
Option
Exercise
Price
($)
|
Option
Expiration
Date
|
Number of
Shares Or
Units of
Stock
That Have
Not
Vested (#)
|
Market
Value of
Shares or Units
of Stock That
Have Not
Vested($)(1)
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested (#)
|
Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or
Payout Value of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested ($)
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Name
|
Grant
Date
|
Exercisable
|
Unexercisable
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Ryan Steelberg
|
4/8/24
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
200,000
|
(2)
|
656,000
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
4/8/24
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
200,000
|
(3)
|
656,000
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
1/19/23
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
105,350
|
(4)
|
345,548
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
5/11/17
|
522,409
|
—
|
15.00
|
05/11/27
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
5/11/17
|
1,044,819
|
—
|
15.00
|
05/11/27
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
3/15/18
|
68,015
|
—
|
15.14
|
03/15/28
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
8/27/20
|
1,357,425
|
(5)
|
—
|
11.97
|
08/27/30
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
Michael L. Zemetra
|
6/6/24
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
30,000
|
(3)
|
98,400
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||||||
|
4/8/24
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
48,000
|
(2)
|
157,440
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
4/8/24
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
72,000
|
(3)
|
236,160
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
1/19/23
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
47,407
|
(4)
|
155,495
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
6/21/23
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
18,930
|
(4)
|
62,090
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
10/8/20
|
60,000
|
—
|
11.10
|
10/08/30
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
|||||||||||||||||||
|
10/8/20
|
120,000
|
(5)
|
—
|
11.10
|
10/08/30
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
—
|
||||||||||||||||||
| (1) |
The market values of all RSUs reflected in the table above have been calculated based on the closing price of our common stock on December 31, 2024 as reported on the NASDAQ Global Market, which was $3.28 per share.
|
| (2) |
In April 2025, the Compensation Committee determined that, for purposes of this award, the 2024 Milestones (defined above) had not been achieved; as a result, these performance-based RSUs were not eligible to vest and were forfeited.
|
| (3) |
Represents time-based restricted stock unit awards that vest in three equal installments on each of January 1, 2025, January 1, 2026 and January 1, 2027.
|
| (4) |
Represents time-based restricted stock unit awards that vest in three equal installments on each of January 1, 2024, January 1, 2025 and January 1, 2026.
|
| (5) |
Consists of performance-based stock options awarded to Ryan Steelberg on August 27, 2020, and a performance-based stock option awarded to Mr. Zemetra under our Inducement Grant Plan on October 8, 2020. The vesting of one-third (1/3rd) of
such performance-based stock options was conditioned upon the achievement of stock price milestones for our common stock of $17.50, $22.50 and $27.50 per share, respectively. The first and second stock price milestones were achieved in
January 2021, and the third stock price milestone was achieved in February 2021. Accordingly, all such performance-based stock options have vested in full.
|
The vesting of equity awards held by the named executive officers is subject to each officer’s continued service with our company and is subject to
acceleration under certain circumstances as discussed under the heading “Payments Upon Termination of Employment or Change in Control” above.
28
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE
As required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following information about the relationship between the “compensation actually paid” (“CAP”) to our
current and former principal executive officers (“PEOs”) and our non-PEO named executive officers (“Non-PEO NEOs”) and certain aspects of our financial performance for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022.
|
Year(1)
|
Summary
Compensation
Table Total for
PEO(2)
|
Compensation
Actually
Paid to
PEO(3)
|
Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for
Non-PEO
NEOs(2)
|
Average
Compensation
Actually
Paid to
Non-PEO
NEOs(4)
|
Total
Shareholder
Return:
Value of
Initial $100
Investment(5)
|
Net
Income(6)
|
||||||||||||||||||
|
2024
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||||||||||
|
2023
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||||||||||
|
2022
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
|
$
|
(
|
)
|
|||||||||||
| (1) |
|
| • |
2024: Michael Zemetra
|
| • |
2023: Michael Zemetra
|
| • |
2022: Ryan Steelberg and Michael Zemetra
|
| (2) |
Amounts reported in these columns represent (i) the total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the applicable years for our PEO and (ii) the average of the total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation
Table for the applicable years for our Non-PEO NEOs.
|
| (3) |
Amounts reported in this column represent CAP to our PEO, based on his total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the indicated fiscal years and certain adjustments required by Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K. The
following adjustments were made to the reported total compensation of the PEO for 2024 to determine CAP for 2024:
|
|
PEO
|
2024
|
||||
|
Summary Compensation Table - Total Compensation
|
$
|
|
|||
|
-
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year*
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
-
|
Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year End of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
=
|
Compensation Actually Paid
|
$
|
|
||
Equity award values are calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially
differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.
* On April 8, 2024, the Compensation Committee granted to Ryan Steelberg an award of RSUs representing the right to receive 122,399 shares of our common stock upon vesting. This award was intended as a 2024 salary replacement award due to the fact that Mr. Steelberg’s annual
base salary was reduced to $1 in May 2023. The 2024 salary replacement award had a grant date fair value of $853,121 as computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718. The portion of the grant date fair value of the that replaced Mr. Steelberg’s foregone base salary
of $524,999 is reflected in the “Salary” column for 2024 in the Summary Compensation Table, and is accordingly not reflected in “Grant
Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year” in the table provided in this footnote 3. The fair value of this award is reflected in “Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That
Vested During Fiscal Year” in the table provided in this footnote 3.
| (4) |
Amounts reported in this column represent CAP to our Non-PEO NEOs, based on their average total compensation reported in the Summary Compensation Table for the indicated fiscal years and certain adjustments required by Item 402(v) of
Regulation S-K. The following adjustments were made to the reported total compensation of the Non-PEO NEOs for 2024 to determine CAP for 2024:
|
|
Non-PEO NEO Average
|
2024
|
||||
|
Summary Compensation Table - Total Compensation
|
$
|
|
|||
|
-
|
Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Fair Value at Fiscal Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Change in Fair Value of Outstanding and Unvested Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
+
|
Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
-
|
Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year End of Stock Awards and Option Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year
|
$
|
|
||
|
=
|
Compensation Actually Paid
|
$
|
|
||
29
Please see footnote 1 for the Non-PEO NEOs included in the average for 2024. Equity award values are calculated in accordance with ASC Topic
718, and the valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values did not materially differ from those disclosed at the time of grant.
| (5) |
Pursuant to Item 402(v), the comparison assumes $100 was invested on December 31, 2021 in our common stock. Historic stock price performance is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
|
| (6) |
The dollar amounts reported represent the amount of net income reflected in our audited financial statements for the applicable year.
|
Relationship Between Pay and Performance
CAP, as required under Item 402(v), reflects adjusted values to unvested and vested equity awards during the years shown in the table based on year-end stock prices,
various accounting valuation assumptions, and projected performance modifiers but does not reflect actual amounts paid out for those awards. CAP generally fluctuates due to stock price performance and varying levels of projected and actual
achievement of performance goals. For a discussion of how our Compensation Committee assessed “pay-for-performance” and how our executive compensation program is designed to link executive compensation with the achievement of our financial and
strategic objectives as well as stockholder value creation each year, see “Executive Compensation” in this Proxy Statement.
We believe CAP for the applicable fiscal years in the Pay Versus Performance Table is reflective of the Compensation Committee’s emphasis on “pay-for-performance” as CAP
fluctuated over such fiscal years, primarily due to the result of our stock price performance.
In accordance with Item 402(v), we are providing the following descriptions of the relationships between the information presented in the Pay Versus Performance table.
30
All information provided above under the “Pay Versus Performance” heading will not be
deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing of the Company under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act of 1934, as amended, whether made before or after the date hereof and irrespective of any general
incorporation language in any such filing, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such information by reference.
31
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Overview
Our non-employee director compensation program is comprised of two key components: equity awards and cash retainer fees. Non-employee director
compensation is reviewed by our Compensation Committee on an annual basis. The compensation components and amounts that were in effect for 2024 are described below.
| • |
Equity Awards: each non-employee director receives awards of RSUs under the automatic grant program for non-employee directors approved by our Compensation Committee and issued under our 2023 Plan, including:
|
| • |
Annual RSU Award: on the
date of each annual meeting of our stockholders, each non-employee director will be granted a number of RSUs having a grant date value equal to $150,000, which RSUs will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date (or the day
immediately preceding the date of the next regular annual meeting following the grant date, if earlier), subject to the non-employee director’s continued service to us through the vesting date; and
|
| • |
Initial Time-Based RSU Award for New Directors: for each new non-employee director appointed or elected to the Board other than on the date of an annual meeting of our stockholders, on the date of initial appointment or election to our Board, each such new
non-employee director will be granted a number of RSUs having a grant date value equal to a prorated portion of the $150,000 annual RSU award (such proration based on the number of whole months that have elapsed from the date of our last
annual meeting of stockholders to the date of such initial appointment or election but not more than 12 months), which RSUs will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date (or the day immediately preceding the date of the next
regular annual meeting following the grant date, if earlier), subject to the non-employee director’s continued service to us through the vesting date.
|
Each non-employee director’s initial RSU award or annual RSU award outstanding immediately prior to the occurrence of a change in control (as defined
in the applicable equity plan) will fully accelerate vesting at such time, subject to the non-employee director’s continued service to us through immediately prior to the occurrence of the change in control. The number of RSUs issued for each
initial RSU award or annual RSU award is determined by dividing $150,000 by the closing price of the Company’s common stock on that date, or such other “floor” price that may be set by the Compensation Committee
which exceeds the closing price of Veritone’s common stock on that date.
| • |
Board Fees: on an annual basis, each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer for serving as a member of our Board in the amount of $30,000;
|
| • |
Non-Executive Chair Fee: in addition to the annual cash retainer set forth above, the non-executive Chair of our Board, if any, receives an additional annual retainer in the amount of $30,000; and
|
| • |
Committee Fees: on an annual basis, each non-employee director serving as a member of our Audit Committee, our Compensation Committee, or our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee receives an annual cash retainer in the amount of
$7,500, $5,000 and $2,500, respectively. In addition, each non-employee director serving as Chair of our Audit Committee, Chair of our Compensation Committee, and Chair of our Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee receives an
additional annual cash retainer of $20,000, $15,000, and $7,500, respectively.
|
The annual cash retainer fees are paid in equal quarterly installments in arrears, prorated for any partial months of service. Our directors are also
reimbursed for expenses incurred in attending Board and/or committee meetings or in connection with other business activities on behalf of our company. All such expenses must be in accordance with our travel and expense reimbursement policy.
Our M&A Committee did not meet in 2024 and was dissolved in March 2025.
Our President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board, Ryan Steelberg, does not receive any additional compensation for his service on our
Board.
32
2024 Director Compensation
The table below sets forth cash compensation earned by each non-employee director, and the grant date fair values of equity awards granted to each
non-employee director, during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. All compensation of Ryan Steelberg is reported in the “Summary Compensation Table” and has been excluded from the table below.
|
Name
|
Fees
Earned or
Paid in
Cash(3)
($)
|
RSU
Awards(4)(5)
($)
|
All Other
Compensation
($)
|
Total
($)
|
||||||||||||
|
Jeffrey P. Gehl(1)
|
$
|
24,063
|
—
|
$
|
—
|
$
|
24,063
|
|||||||||
|
Michael Keithley
|
24,375
|
73,800
|
(7)
|
—
|
98,175
|
|||||||||||
|
Knute P. Kurtz
|
60,000
|
73,800
|
(7)
|
—
|
133,800
|
|||||||||||
|
Chad Steelberg(2)
|
32,500
|
73,800
|
(7)
|
1,450,000
|
(6)
|
1,556,300
|
||||||||||
|
Richard H. Taketa
|
60,000
|
73,800
|
(7)
|
—
|
133,800
|
|||||||||||
|
Michael Zilis
|
42,500
|
73,800
|
(7)
|
—
|
116,300
|
|||||||||||
| (1) |
Mr. Gehl resigned from the Board in June 2024.
|
| (2) |
Mr. Chad Steelberg resigned from the Board in March 2025.
|
| (3) |
Reflects cash retainer fees earned in 2024 by each non-employee director for service on our Board and committees of our Board, as applicable. Mr. Morales was appointed to the Board in March 2025 and, as such, did not receive any
compensation for Board service during 2024. Mr. Morales will receive compensation for his service on the Board in fiscal year 2025 in accordance with the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy.
|
| (4) |
Reflects the grant date fair values of RSU awards granted to each non-employee director in 2024, calculated in accordance with ASC Topic 718.
|
| (5) |
The number of stock awards, consisting of RSUs and non-qualified stock options, held as of December 31, 2024 by each non-employee director serving on the Board on such date is set forth in the table below.
|
|
Name
|
Aggregate Number of
Shares Underlying
Outstanding RSUs
|
Aggregate Number of
Shares Underlying
Outstanding Options
|
||||||
|
Michael Keithley
|
30,000
|
—
|
||||||
|
Knute P. Kurtz
|
30,000
|
8,688
|
||||||
|
Chad Steelberg
|
30,000
|
3,513,157
|
||||||
|
Richard H. Taketa
|
30,000
|
8,688
|
||||||
|
Michael Zilis
|
30,000
|
—
|
||||||
| (6) |
Reflects amounts paid in cash pursuant to the Consulting Agreement between the Company and Steel Holdings, LLC, an entity affiliated with Mr. Steelberg. Mr. Steelberg was paid $1,450,000 in cash under the Consulting Agreement in 2024.
|
| (7) |
RSUs representing a right to receive 30,000 shares of our common stock were awarded to each of our then-serving non-employee directors on June 13, 2024, and the grant date fair value of such awards was determined as computed in
accordance with ASC Topic 718. Such RSUs will vest in full on June 13, 2025.
|
33
OTHER POLICIES
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under
Delaware law, which prohibits our Certificate of Incorporation from limiting the liability of our directors for the following:
| • |
any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
|
| • |
acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;
|
| • |
unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or
|
| • |
any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.
|
Our Certificate of Incorporation also provides that if Delaware law is amended to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the
personal liability of a director, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as so amended. This limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under the federal
securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission. If our Certificate of Incorporation is amended as requested in Proposal 5 (approval of an amendment to the Certificate of
Incorporation to allow exculpation of officers) described below, the provisions similar to the provisions described above will apply to our officers as well.
Our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws also provide that we will indemnify our employees and agents to the fullest extent permitted by law.
Our Bylaws also permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any officer, director, employee or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in this capacity, regardless of whether we would have the power to indemnify such person
against such expense, liability or loss under the Delaware General Corporation Law (the “DGCL”). We have obtained directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.
We have entered into separate indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers, in addition to indemnification provided
for in our Certificate of Incorporation and our Bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of our directors and executive officers for expenses, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by this person in any
action or proceeding arising out of this person’s services as a director or executive officer or at our request. We will not indemnify such director or officer, however, for expenses and the payment of profits arising from the purchase and sale by
the director or officer of securities in violation of Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
Director and Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines
In March 2023, our Board adopted stock ownership guidelines for our directors and executive officers (each, a “Covered Individual”), under which (i)
our Chief Executive Officer is expected to own shares of our Common Stock with a value equal to at least five times his then-current annualized base salary, (ii) each of our other executive officers is expected to own shares of our Common Stock
with a value equal to at least one times the officer’s then-current annualized base salary and (iii) each of our Board members is expected to own shares with a value equal to at least three times the then-current annualized Board service retainer.
Share ownership for purposes of the guidelines includes shares of our Common Stock owned directly by the Covered Individual, by the Covered Individual’s spouse, or by the Covered Individual’s children who reside with the Covered Individual or the
Covered Individual’s spouse, shares held in a trust established by the Covered Individual or the Covered Individual’s spouse for estate or tax planning purposes if the trust is revocable by the Covered Individual or the Covered Individual’s spouse,
and shares subject to outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards (whether or not vested and whether or not payable in stock or cash of equivalent value) granted to the Covered Individual (other than restricted stock units subject
to unsatisfied performance-based vesting conditions). Covered Individuals are expected to satisfy the guideline level of ownership by the first December 31 on or after the later of the date that is five years after the effective date of the
guidelines or the date that the Covered Individual first becomes subject to the guidelines. Thereafter, compliance with the guidelines will be assessed as of December 31 each year. If a Covered Individual does not satisfy the guideline level of
ownership as of such a measurement date, the Covered Individual is expect to hold at least 50% of the net vested shares acquired upon the exercise, payment or vesting of any equity award (with the “net” shares determined after taking into account
any shares sold or withheld to pay any applicable exercise price of the award and to satisfy any applicable withholding obligations) granted to the Covered Individual by the Company until and to the extent required for the Covered Individual’s
level of ownership to satisfy the applicable guideline level. Our Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee may suspend or grant waivers to the guidelines from time to time. The first measurement date for our stock ownership guidelines will
be in March 2028.
34
Clawback Policy
In November 2023, our Board adopted a clawback policy that complies with Section 10D of the Exchange Act, Rule 10D-1 promulgated thereunder, and
Nasdaq Listing Rule 5608. A copy of the clawback policy has been filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025.
Policies and Practices Related to the Grant of Certain Equity Awards Close in Time to the Release of Material Nonpublic Information
The Company does not grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, or similar instruments with option-like features and has no policies or practices
to disclose pursuant to Item 402(x)(1) of Regulation S-K.
35
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS
Since January 1, 2023, except as described below, there have been no transactions to which we have been a party in which the amount involved exceeds
the lesser of $120,000 or one percent of the average of our total assets at the end of our last two completed fiscal years and in which any of our directors, executive officers or beneficial holders of more than 5% of our common stock, or an
affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Policies and Procedures for Transactions with Related Persons
Our Board has a policy regarding the review and approval or ratification of transactions with related persons (“Related Persons Transaction Policy”).
The Related Persons Transaction Policy requires our Audit Committee to review and approve all transactions with related persons (as defined in Section 404 of Regulation S-K) involving the Company. In reviewing and approving any such transactions,
our Audit Committee is tasked to consider all relevant facts and circumstances, including, but not limited to, whether the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction and the extent of the
related person’s interest in the transaction.
Steel Holdings, LLC Consulting Agreements
On January 4, 2023, the Company entered into a consulting agreement with Steel Holdings, LLC, effective as of January 1, 2023 (the “Consulting
Agreement”), which we later amended on January 23, 2024, as described below. Steel Holdings, LLC is an entity affiliated with Chad Steelberg, who is the sole manager and member of Steel Holdings, LLC. Chad Steelberg is a member of our Board, and
our former Chief Executive Officer and former Chairman of our Board. Pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, we retained Mr. Steelberg’s services as a consultant to the Company after his resignation as our Chief Executive Officer on December 31,
2022. Prior to the amendment to the Consulting Agreement in January 2024, the Company paid Steel Holdings, LLC $41,666 per month (the “Monthly Service Fee”) to provide consulting services, which included Mr. Steelberg performing various tasks
aligned with the Company’s development, operation and commercialization of its aiWARE platform.
In addition, prior to the amendment to the Consulting Agreement in January 2024, Steel Holdings, LLC was eligible to receive performance bonuses,
split equally between cash and RSU awards, each vesting upon achievement of specific “Performance Goals” to be achieved for an applicable quarter or year in the following categories: Product Achievements (five goals), Customer Validation (two
goals), Analyst Validation (four goals) and Transition and Succession Planning (one goal). Prior to the amendment to the Consulting Agreement in January 2024, Mr. Steelberg had achieved three Performance Goals and as a result, we paid Mr. Steelberg
$375,000 in cash bonuses and vested RSU awards representing the right to receive 19,743 and 39,486 shares of common stock on April 22, 2023, and November 15, 2023, respectively. The grant date value of these RSU awards was $178,477 in the
aggregate.
On January 23, 2024, we entered into an amended and restated independent contractor services agreement with Steel Holdings, LLC (the “Amended
Consulting Agreement”), which supersedes and replaces the Consulting Agreement.
Pursuant to the Amended Consulting Agreement, Mr. Steelberg will provide technical advisory services related to our software, software architecture
and technology strategy as requested by our Chief Executive Officer until December 31, 2025, the termination date of the Amended Consulting Agreement. In consideration for these services, the Company will pay to Steel Holdings, LLC: (i) $1.0
million in cash on July 1, 2024; and (ii) $50,000 per month in cash for the period from January 2024 through December 2025. The Company will reimburse Steel Holdings, LLC for reasonable and documented expenses incurred in connection with providing
the services in accordance with Company’s standard travel and expense policies.
Steel Holdings, LLC will no longer be eligible for any performance bonuses under the Amended Consulting Agreement.
The Amended Consulting Agreement may be terminated by either party with 90 days’ notice. If the Company terminates the Amended Consulting Agreement
for any reason other than Steel Holdings, LLC’s material breach, then any remaining compensation payments under the Amended Consulting Agreement will become due and payable. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the Company’s 2017
Equity Incentive Plan), the Amended Consulting Agreement will terminate as of the effective date of the Change in Control and any remaining payments will become due and payable.
Through March 31, 2025, we have paid a total of $2,636,805.08 in cash to Steel Holdings, LLC pursuant to the Amended Consulting Agreement.
36
Prior to entering into each of the Consulting Agreement and the Amended Consulting Agreement, respectively, our Audit Committee considered the terms
of each such agreement under our Related Persons Transaction Policy, including whether or not the transaction is on terms comparable to those that could be obtained in an arm’s length transaction for the services being rendered and the extent of
the related person’s interest in the transaction. Given Mr. Steelberg’s expertise in the field of AI solutions, his familiarity with our aiWARE platform and the uniqueness of the services that the Company required to advance the development and
commercialization of our aiWARE platform, the Audit Committee determined that entering into the Consulting Agreement, and subsequently the Amended Consulting Agreement, were each in the best interests of our Company and its stockholders and
approved each of the Consulting Agreement and the Amended Consulting Agreement under our Related Persons Transaction Policy.
The following table sets forth information with respect to securities authorized for issuance under our equity compensation plans as of December 31,
2024:
|
Plan Category
|
Number of Securities to
be Issued upon Exercise
of Outstanding Options,
Warrants and Rights
(a)
|
Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
of Outstanding
Options,
Warrants and
Rights
(b)(3)
|
Number of Securities
Remaining Available for
Future Issuance under
Equity Compensation Plans
(excluding securities
reflected in column (a))
(c)
|
|||||||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans Approved by Security Holders(1)
|
9,897,491
|
$
|
12.91
|
3,666,755
|
||||||||
|
Equity Compensation Plans Not Approved by Security Holders(2)
|
442,264
|
$
|
13.24
|
531,360
|
||||||||
|
Total
|
12,994,383
|
4,198,115
|
||||||||||
| (1) |
The number of shares reflected in column (a) of the table above for equity compensation plans approved by security holders consists of: (i) outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 8,033,460 shares of our common stock, which were
granted under our 2014 Plan, 2017 Plan, 2018 Plan and 2023 Plan; and (ii) outstanding RSUs representing the right to receive upon vesting an aggregate of 1,864,031 shares of our common stock, which were awarded under our 2017 Plan and 2023
Plan. The number of shares reflected in column (c) of the table above for equity compensation plans approved by security holders consists of (i) an aggregate of 1,853,043 shares available for issuance under our 2023 Plan as of December 31,
2024 and (ii) 1,813,712 shares available for future issuance under our ESPP as of December 31, 2024, of which 315,406 shares were subsequently issued on January 31, 2025, for the purchase interval that had been open as of December 31,
2024. Our ESPP provides that the number of shares reserved for issuance thereunder will increase automatically on the first trading day of January each calendar year by an amount equal to 1% of the total number of shares of common stock
outstanding on the last trading day in December of the immediately preceding calendar year, up to an annual maximum of 250,000 shares.
|
| (2) |
The number of shares reflected in column (a) of the table above for equity compensation plans not approved by security holders consists of: (i) outstanding options to purchase an aggregate of 404,771 shares of our common stock, which
were granted under our Inducement Grant Plan; and (ii) outstanding RSUs representing the right to receive upon vesting an aggregate of 37,493 shares of our common stock, which were awarded under our Inducement Grant Plan. The number of
shares reflected in column (c) of the table above for equity compensation plans not approved by security holders consists of 531,360 shares available for issuance under our Inducement Grant Plan. See additional information regarding our
Inducement Grant Plan under the heading “Inducement Grant Plan” above.
|
| (3) |
For equity compensation plans approved by security holders, the weighted-average exercise price reflected in column (b) represents the weighted-average exercise prices of outstanding options. All outstanding RSUs were awarded without
payment of any purchase price. For equity compensation plans not approved by security holders, the weighted-average exercise price in column (b) represents a weighted-average exercise price of $13.24 with respect to options to purchase an
aggregate of 404,771 shares of our common stock.
|
37
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth specified information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of March 31, 2025 by: (1) each
of our named executive officers serving at the time of filing of this Proxy Statement; (2) each of our directors and nominees for director; (3) all of our executive officers serving at the time of filing of this Proxy Statement, our directors and
nominees for director as a group; and (4) each person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of the outstanding shares of our common stock.
|
Amount and Nature of Shares
Beneficially Owned(2)
|
||||||||
|
Name and Address of Beneficial Owners(1)
|
Number
|
Percentage
|
||||||
|
Named Executive Officers, Directors and Nominees
|
||||||||
|
Ryan Steelberg(3)
|
5,712,806
|
12.7
|
%
|
|||||
|
Michael L. Zemetra(4)
|
290,794
|
*
|
||||||
|
Michael Keithley(5)
|
—
|
*
|
||||||
|
Knute P. Kurtz(6)
|
88,121
|
*
|
||||||
|
Francisco Morales(7)
|
—
|
*
|
||||||
|
Richard H. Taketa(8)
|
128,952
|
*
|
||||||
|
Michael Zilis(9)
|
42,475
|
*
|
||||||
|
All executive officers, directors and nominees as a group (7 persons)(10)
|
6,263,148
|
14
|
%
|
|||||
|
5% Stockholders
|
||||||||
|
Chad Steelberg(11)
|
4,241,455
|
9.5
|
%
|
|||||
|
Esousa Group Holdings LLC and affiliate(12)
211 East 43rd Street, Suite 402
New York, NY 10017
|
8,023,716
|
17.9
|
%
|
|||||
|
Banta Asset Management, LP(13)
517 30th Street
Newport Beach, CA 92663
|
3,424,243
|
7.6
|
%
|
|||||
|
Private Management Group, Inc.(14)
15635 Alton Parkway, Suite 400
Irvine, CA 92618
|
2,447,335
|
5.5
|
%
|
|||||
| * |
Less than 1%
|
| (1) |
Unless otherwise indicated, the business address of each holder is c/o Veritone, Inc., 1615 Platte St., 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202.
|
| (2) |
The beneficial ownership is calculated based on 44,834,462 shares of our common stock outstanding as of March 31, 2025. Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with SEC rules. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned
by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to options, warrants, RSUs and/or other rights held by that person that are exercisable and/or will be settled within 60 days after March 31, 2025 are
deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage of each other person. To our knowledge, except pursuant to applicable community property laws or as otherwise indicated herein,
each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such person’s name, and none of such persons has pledged such shares as security for any obligation.
|
| (3) |
Includes (i) 480,065 shares of common stock held by Ryan Steelberg; (ii) 2,003,349 shares of common stock held by RVH, LLC; (iii) 215,174 shares of common stock held by The RSS Living Trust; (iv) warrants to purchase 21,550 shares of
common stock held by The RSS Living Trust; and (v) 2,992,668 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025. Ryan Steelberg is the sole member and manager of RVH, LLC and, as
such, has sole voting and dispositive power over all shares held by RVH, LLC. Ryan Steelberg is the trustee of The RSS Living Trust and, as such, is deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over all of the shares and options held
by The RSS Living Trust.
|
| (4) |
Includes (i) 110,794 shares of common stock held by Mr. Zemetra and (ii) 180,000 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025.
|
| (5) |
Mr. Keithley does not hold any shares of the Company’s common stock.
|
| (6) |
Includes (i) 79,433 shares of common stock held by Mr. Kurtz; and (ii) 8,688 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025.
|
| (7) |
Mr. Morales does not hold any shares of the Company’s common stock.
|
| (8) |
Includes (i) 70,264 shares of common stock held by Mr. Taketa; (ii) 50,000 shares of common stock held by Mr. Taketa and his spouse as trustees of a family trust; and (iii) 8,688 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that
are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025.
|
| (9) |
Includes 42,475 shares of common stock held by Mr. Zilis.
|
| (10) |
Includes (i) an aggregate of 3,051,554 shares of common stock held directly or indirectly by our executive officers, directors and nominees, as described in footnotes (1) through (9) above, (ii) warrants to purchase 21,550 shares of
common stock and (iii) 3,190,044 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025.
|
| (11) |
Includes (i) 1,861 shares of common stock held by Chad Steelberg; (ii) 160,426 shares of common stock held by CSVH, LLC; (iii) 425,603 shares of common stock held by Chad Steelberg’s spouse as custodian for
his minor daughter; (iv) 59,629 shares of common stock held by the C&CS Family Trust; (v) warrants to purchase 21,550 shares of common stock held by The C&CS Family Trust that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025;
(vi) 3,513,157 shares of common stock subject to outstanding options that are exercisable within 60 days after March 31, 2025 and (vii) 59,229 shares of common stock held by Steel Holdings, LLC, an entity affiliated with Mr. Steelberg. Chad
Steelberg is the sole member and manager of CSVH, LLC and, as such, has sole voting and dispositive power over all shares held by CSVH, LLC. Chad Steelberg is the sole member and manager of Steel Holdings, LLC and, as such, has sole voting
and dispositive power over all shares held by Steel Holdings, LLC. Chad Steelberg is a co-trustee of The C&CS Family Trust and, as such, is deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over all of the shares and options held by
The C&CS Family Trust. Chad Steelberg is deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power with respect to all shares held by his spouse as custodian for his minor daughter but disclaims beneficial ownership of all such shares. The
beneficial ownership information reflected in the table is included in the Schedule 13D, Amendment No. 9, filed by the holder with the SEC on December 17, 2024.
|
38
| (12) |
The holder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 8,023,716 shares of common stock and has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of common stock. This amount consists of 4,414,878 shares of common
stock and 3,608,838 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of pre-funded warrants. The percentage assumes the issuance of shares of common stock upon exercise of pre-funded warrants, which are subject to a beneficial ownership
limitation of 9.99%, and gives effect to such beneficial ownership limitation. Michael Wachs is the managing member of the holder. The beneficial ownership information reflected in the table is included in the Schedule 13G filed by the
holder with the SEC on January 6, 2025.
|
| (13) |
The holder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,576,004 shares of common stock and has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 848,239 shares of common stock. The beneficial ownership information reflected
in the table is included in the Schedule 13G, Amendment No. 10, filed by the holder with the SEC on January 8, 2025.
|
| (14) |
The holder has sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,447,335 shares of common stock and has shared voting and dispositive power with respect to 0 shares of common stock. The beneficial ownership information reflected in the
table is included in the Schedule 13G, Amendment No. 2, filed by the holder with the SEC on February 3, 2025.
|
39
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of a registered class of our equity securities, to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership of our common stock and other equity securities. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent stockholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish us with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. To our
knowledge, based solely upon the review of reports filed electronically with the SEC during, or with respect to, fiscal year 2024, and written representations that no other reports were required, all of our officers, directors and greater
than ten percent stockholders have complied with all applicable Section 16(a) filing requirements during the year ended December 31, 2024, except that Chad Steelberg reported one transaction on a late Form 4 filing, Michael Keithley reported
one transaction on a late form 4 filing and Michael Zemetra reported two transactions on a late Form 4 filing.
40
PROPOSAL TWO
FIRM
The Audit Committee of our Board has selected Grant Thornton LLP (“Grant Thornton”) as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Grant Thornton audited our
financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Neither our Bylaws nor the DGCL requires the approval by our stockholders of the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm, but in view of the importance
of the financial statements to stockholders, our Board deems it desirable that our stockholders ratify the selection of such firm.
A representative of Grant Thornton will attend the Annual Meeting, will be given the opportunity to make a statement if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions submitted
by stockholders. If this proposal is not approved, the Audit Committee will reconsider its selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. Because the Audit Committee has the sole authority to appoint the independent
registered public accounting firm, the ultimate decision to retain or appoint Grant Thornton in the future as our independent registered public accounting firm will be made by the Audit Committee based upon the best interests of Veritone at
that time.
Principal Accountant Fees and Services
The table below reflects the aggregate fees billed for audit, audit-related, tax and other services rendered by Grant Thornton for our fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
|
Fee Category
|
Year Ended
December 31,
2024
|
Year Ended
December 31,
2023
|
||||||
|
Audit Fees
|
$
|
2,769,980
|
$
|
2,438,101
|
||||
|
Audit-Related Fees
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
|
Tax Fees
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
|
All Other Fees
|
—
|
—
|
||||||
|
Total Fees
|
$
|
2,769,980
|
$
|
2,438,101
|
||||
Audit Fees
Audit fees billed by Grant Thornton for 2024 and 2023 consisted of fees for professional services rendered for: (i) the audit of our annual consolidated financial statements; (ii) the review of our consolidated
financial statements included in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and annual report on Form 10-K; (iii) the review of our registration statements filed with the SEC in 2024 and 2023; and (iv) reviews related to other filings with the SEC.
Audit-Related Fees
No audit-related services were rendered by Grant Thornton for 2024 or 2023.
Tax Fees
No tax related services were rendered by Grant Thornton for 2024 or 2023.
All Other Fees
No other services were rendered by Grant Thornton for 2024 or 2023.
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
Consistent with SEC rules, the Audit Committee has the responsibility for appointing, setting compensation for and overseeing the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. As such, the Audit
Committee has established a policy of pre-approving all audit and permissible non-audit services provided to us by our independent registered public accounting firm. Prior to engagement, the Audit Committee pre-approves these services by
category of service. The fees are budgeted and the Audit Committee requires the independent registered public accounting firm and management to report actual fees versus the budget periodically throughout the year by category of service.
During the year, circumstances may arise that make it necessary to engage our independent registered public accounting firm for additional services not contemplated in the original pre-approval. In those instances, the Audit Committee
requires specific pre-approval prior to engagement. All audit services provided by Grant Thornton during 2024 and 2023 were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to this policy.
41
The Audit Committee may delegate pre-approval authority to one or more of its members. The member to whom such authority is delegated must report, for informational purposes only, any pre-approval decisions to
the Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the services, in addition to audit services, rendered by Grant Thornton during 2024 and 2023, as well as the fees paid therefor, and has determined that the provision
of such other services by Grant Thornton, and the fees paid therefor, were compatible with maintaining Grant Thornton’s independence.
Vote Required for the Ratification of the Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ratification of the appointment of our independent registered public accounting firm requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions will have no effect on this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF OUR INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM.
42
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee assists the Board in its oversight of the Company’s financial statements and reporting process, audit process and internal controls. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board, which
describes this and the other responsibilities of the Audit Committee. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of internal controls. Our independent registered
public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of our consolidated financial statements and internal controls over financial reporting in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (“PCAOB”) and to issue a report thereon.
The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management, which has primary responsibility for the financial statements. Grant Thornton, the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm for fiscal year 2024, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles and internal controls over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee has discussed with Grant Thornton the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB and the SEC. The Audit Committee has received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from
Grant Thornton required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding Grant Thornton’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence and has discussed with Grant Thornton its independence.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the audited financial statements be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 for
filing with the SEC. This report is submitted by Knute P. Kurtz, Richard H. Taketa and Michael Zilis.
The Audit Committee
Knute P. Kurtz, Chairman
Richard H. Taketa
Michael Zilis
The foregoing report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed filed, incorporated by reference into or a part of any other filing by the Company (including any
future filings) under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such report by reference therein.
43
APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In accordance with Section 14A of the Exchange Act, which was amended pursuant to the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd-Frank”), we are asking stockholders to approve a
non-binding advisory resolution approving the compensation paid to our named executive officers, as disclosed in the section titled “Executive Compensation” pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, including the
compensation tables and narrative discussion set forth therein.
Our executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain the high caliber executives required for the success of our business; to reward these executives for strong financial and operating
performance; and to align their interests with those of our stockholders to incentivize them to create long-term stockholder value. Our Board believes that our compensation program is appropriately designed to accomplish these objectives.
We encourage our stockholders to read the “Executive Compensation” section, which describes key elements of our executive compensation program.
At the 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, our stockholders indicated, by a non-binding advisory vote, that they agreed with our Board’s recommendation that we solicit a non-binding advisory vote on the
compensation of our named executive officers, commonly referred to as “say-on-pay,” every year. Our Board has adopted a policy that is consistent with that preference and, accordingly, we are holding a say-on-pay vote at this annual meeting.
A “say-on-frequency” vote is required at least every six years and, as such, our next say-on-frequency vote will be no later than 2029.
We are asking stockholders to approve the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:
RESOLVED, that the stockholders of the Company approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers set forth
under “Executive Compensation,” and the related compensation tables and narratives in the Proxy Statement for the 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
This proposal to approve the compensation paid to our executive officers is advisory only and will not be binding on the Company, our Board or the Compensation Committee, and will not be construed as overruling
a decision by or creating or implying any additional fiduciary duty for the Company, our Board or the Compensation Committee. However, the Compensation Committee, which is responsible for designing and administering the Company’s executive
compensation program, values the opinions expressed by stockholders in their vote on this proposal and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions for our executive officers.
Vote Required for the Approval, on an Advisory Basis, of the Compensation of Our Named Executive Officers
Approval, on an advisory basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on
this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
44
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
Overview
The Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment (the “Authorized Share Amendment”) to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of our common
stock from 75,000,000 shares to 150,000,000 shares. The Certificate of Incorporation was filed with the Delaware Secretary of State on May 17, 2017, and the number of authorized shares of our common stock has not been increased since that
time.
The additional common stock to be authorized by adoption of the Authorized Share Amendment will have rights identical to our currently outstanding common stock. Adoption of the Authorized
Share Amendment will not affect the rights of the holders of our currently outstanding common stock, except for effects incidental to increasing the number of shares of common stock available for future issuance, which would result in
dilution of the earnings per share and voting rights of current holders of our common stock.
The Authorized Share Amendment would amend the first sentence of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation to read as follows (insertions shown
by underline and deletions shown by strikethrough):
The total number of shares of capital stock which the Corporation shall have authority to issue is 76,000,000151,000,000, of which (i) 75,000,000150,000,000
shares shall be a class designated as common stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and (ii) 1,000,000 shares shall be a class designated as undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Undesignated
Preferred Stock”).
The remainder of Article IV of the Certificate of Incorporation will not be impacted by the Authorized Share Amendment. The Certificate of Incorporation would be further amended to reflect
our current registered agent, Corporation Service Company, and its address and other necessary conforming changes to reflect the amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation. Stockholders should review the Authorized Share
Amendment above, together with the existing Certificate of Incorporation, which is included as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025.
Rationale
As of March 31, 2025, we had 75,000,000 authorized shares of our common stock with 44,834,462 shares of our common stock outstanding and 21,253,652 shares of our common stock reserved for
issuance as described below under “—Existing Reserves as of March 31, 2025.” As a result, as of March 31, 2025, we only had authorized 8,911,886 shares of unissued, unreserved common stock available
for issuance.
On March 17, 2025, the Board authorized an amendment to the 2023 Plan to increase the shares authorized for issuance under the 2023 Plan to 5,000,0000 shares, representing an increase of
2,500,000 shares (the “Amended 2023 Plan”), subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders. Further details regarding the proposed increase of authorized shares under the 2023 Plan are set forth under Proposal 6 below. The approval of the
Amended 2023 Plan set forth under Proposal 6 is conditioned upon the approval of this Proposal 4. If each of the Authorized Share Amendment and the Amended 2023 Plan is approved, the Board intends to issue awards under the 2023 Plan to
certain directors, officers and employees of the Company. In addition, the Board believes that it is in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders for the Board to have shares of our common stock available for issuance,
thereby providing flexibility to use our capital stock for business and financial purposes in the future. Such shares of common stock may be used for various purposes without further stockholder approval. These purposes may include raising
capital, providing equity incentives to employees, officers or directors, and establishing strategic relationships with other companies.
To date, we have funded our operations principally through our operations, the issuance of common stock, warrants and convertible notes, and debt. In the future, we will require additional
financing to fund working capital and pay our obligations and we may pursue financing opportunities through the issuance of debt or equity. If the Authorized Share Amendment is not approved by our stockholders, we may not have sufficient
unissued and unreserved authorized shares to engage in such transactions.
Further, our success also depends in part on our continued ability to attract, retain, and motivate highly qualified management and key personnel. If this proposal is not approved by our
stockholders, the lack of unissued and unreserved authorized shares of common stock available to provide future equity incentive opportunities could adversely impact our ability to achieve these goals.
45
The additional shares of our common stock that would become available for issuance if the Authorized Share Amendment is approved could also be used to oppose a hostile takeover attempt or to
delay or prevent changes in our control or in our management. For example, if the Authorized Share Amendment is approved, the Board could strategically sell shares of our common stock in a private transaction to purchasers who would oppose a
takeover or favor the current Board. Although the Authorized Share Amendment to increase our authorized common stock has been prompted by business and financial considerations and not by the threat of any hostile takeover attempt (nor is the
Board currently aware of any such attempts directed at us), our stockholders should be aware that approval of the Authorized Share Amendment could facilitate future efforts by us to deter or prevent changes in our control, including
transactions in which the stockholders might otherwise receive a premium for their shares over then current market prices.
If the Authorized Share Amendment is approved, no further action by stockholders would be necessary prior to the issuance of additional shares of common stock unless required by applicable
law or applicable NASDAQ rules.
Existing Reserves as of March 31, 2025:
| • |
2,482,621 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of our 1.75% convertible notes due 2026 (the “Convertible Notes”), based on $91,250,000 principal amount outstanding of the Convertible Notes and the initial conversion
rate of 27.2068 shares of common stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes;
|
| • |
2,508,683 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $2.576 per share;
|
| • |
145,945 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of warrants outstanding, with an exercise price of $13.61 per share;
|
| • |
3,608,838 shares of common stock issuable upon the exercise of pre-funded warrants outstanding with an exercise price of $0.01;
|
| • |
3,163,232 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under our 2014 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan;
|
| • |
1,354,124 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under our 2017 Stock Incentive Plan;
|
| • |
3,375,478 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under our 2018 Performance-Based Stock Incentive Plan (the “2018 Plan”);
|
| • |
534,100 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under the Inducement Grant Plan (the “Inducement Grant Plan”);
|
| • |
427,485 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the Inducement Grant Plan;
|
| • |
1,904,205 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to outstanding awards granted under our 2023 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2023 Plan”); and
|
| • |
1,748,941 shares of common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2023 Plan.
|
Effectiveness of Authorized Share Amendment
If approved by our stockholders, the Authorized Share Amendment will become effective upon filing a revised Certificate of Incorporation reflecting the Authorized Share Amendment with the
Delaware Secretary of State, which would be completed promptly after the Annual Meeting.
If our stockholders do not approve the Authorized Share Amendment, the number of authorized shares of our common stock will remain 75,000,000 shares, a revised Certificate of Incorporation
reflecting the Authorized Share Amendment will not be filed with the Delaware Secretary of State and the Amended 2023 Plan set forth under Proposal 6 will not be approved.
The Board retains the discretion to abandon, and not implement, the Authorized Share Amendment at any time before it becomes effective, even if it is approved by our stockholders.
46
Vote Required for the Approval of Authorized Share Amendment
Pursuant to Section 242(d)(2) of the DGCL, we believe the voting threshold required to approve the Authorized Share Amendment is a majority of the votes cast on this proposal, notwithstanding
a provision in the Certificate of Incorporation related to Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL. However, we are aware that plaintiffs’ firms have challenged the use of the majority of votes cast threshold by companies with a Section 242(b)(2)
provision seeking to increase their authorized shares and, therefore, to avoid litigation risk, we are voluntarily imposing the majority of outstanding shares threshold for approval of the Authorized Share Amendment. Accordingly, the
affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Authorized Share Amendment. Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against this
proposal.
The approval of the Authorized Share Amendment under this Proposal 4 is not conditioned on the approval of any other proposals herein, including the Officer Exculpation Amendment set forth
under Proposal 5 or the Amended 2023 Plan set forth under Proposal 6. However, the approval of the Amended 2023 Plan set forth under Proposal 6 is conditioned upon the approval of this Proposal 4.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK.
47
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE AMENDED AND RESTATED
CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO REFLECT DELAWARE LAW PROVISIONS
ALLOWING FOR THE EXCULPATION OF OFFICERS
Overview
The DGCL was recently amended to permit Delaware companies to exculpate their officers, in addition to their directors, from personal liability in certain actions. Such protections for
officers do not apply automatically to Delaware corporations but must be set forth in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation to be effective.
Following due consideration of Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL and our desire to remain competitive in the market for top qualified and experienced officers, on March 17, 2025, the Board
approved an amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation to provide for officer exculpation (the “Officer Exculpation Amendment”), subject to stockholder approval. The Board has determined that amending the Certificate of Incorporation to
provide for officer exculpation is advisable and in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and the Board unanimously recommends that our stockholders approve and adopt the Officer Exculpation Amendment for the reasons
set forth below.
Summary of the Officer Exculpation Amendment
The Officer Exculpation Amendment provides for the exculpation of Covered Officers (as defined below) to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. This means that the Officer Exculpation
Amendment provides for the exculpation of Covered Officers only in connection with direct claims brought by stockholders, including class actions, for breaches of duty of care. The Officer Exculpation Amendment would not eliminate Covered
Officers’ monetary liability for breach of fiduciary duty claims brought by the corporation itself or for derivative claims brought by stockholders. Further, the Officer Exculpation Amendment will not limit the liability of Covered Officers
for breaches of the duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders, any acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law, or any transaction from which the officer derived
an improper personal benefit.
The officers who may be exculpated (“Covered Officers”) are persons who, at the time of an act or omission as to which liability is asserted, are deemed to have consented to being identified
as officers of the Company for purposes of accepting service of process, and as such, are an “officer” in accordance with Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, as amended, which would currently include our Chief Executive Officer and President,
Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer, Corporate Controller, Chief Accounting Officer, and any other officer identified as a named executive officer in our SEC filings.
The Officer Exculpation Amendment would add a new Article XI to the Certificate of Incorporation to read as follows:
ARTICLE XI
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR OFFICERS
An officer of the Corporation shall not be personally liable to the Corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty
as an officer of the Corporation, except to the extent such exemption from liability or limitation thereof is not permitted under the DGCL, as the same exists or may hereafter be amended. If the DGCL is amended after the effective date of
this Certificate to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of officers of the Corporation, then the liability of an officer of the Corporation shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent
permitted by the DGCL, as so amended.
Any amendment, repeal or modification of this Article XI by either of (i) the stockholders of the Corporation or (ii) an amendment to the DGCL, shall
not adversely affect any right or protection existing at the time of such amendment, repeal or modification with respect to any acts or omissions occurring before such amendment, repeal or modification of a person serving as an officer at the
time of such amendment, repeal or modification.
Solely for purposes of this Article XI, “officer” shall have the meaning provided in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL.
The Certificate of Incorporation would be further amended to reflect our current registered agent, Corporation Service Company, and its address and other necessary conforming changes to
reflect the amendment and restatement of the Certificate of Incorporation. Stockholders should review the Officer Exculpation Amendment, together with the existing Certificate of Incorporation, which is included as an exhibit to our Annual
Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 1, 2025.
48
Rationale
The Board believes that our officers should be held to the highest standards when carrying out their duties. Nevertheless, the Board believes that the potential for our officers to have
personal liability for decisions made or actions taken on our behalf could adversely affect the ability of our officers to maintain high standards and make decisions that are most appropriate for us and could also increase our costs in
defending litigation.
In approving the Officer Exculpation Amendment, and recommending it for approval by our stockholders, the Board considered the narrow class and type of claims to which it applies, the limited
number of officers that are covered by it, and the benefits that the Board believes we will accrue from providing such officer exculpation. Similar to the provision currently in place that limits the personal liability of our directors, the
Officer Exculpation Amendment does not permit the elimination of liability of our officers for:
| ◾ |
Any breach of the duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;
|
| ◾ |
Any acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of the law; or
|
| ◾ |
Any transaction from which the officer derived an improper personal benefit.
|
Additionally, the Officer Exculpation Amendment does not permit the limitation of liability of our officers in any derivative action.
The Board believes that the Officer Exculpation Amendment will limit officers’ concerns about personal liability, which will empower our officers to best exercise their business judgment in
furtherance of stockholder interests without the potential for distraction posed by the risk of personal liability. The nature of the role of officers often requires them to make difficult judgments and decisions on important and complex
matters on a time-sensitive basis, which can create the risk of investigations, claims, actions, suits, or proceedings seeking to impose personal liability based on hindsight. The Board believes that the Officer Exculpation Amendment better
aligns the protections available to our officers with those currently available to our directors. The Board also believes that the Officer Exculpation Amendment will discourage plaintiff’s attorneys from adding our officers to direct claims
relating to breaches of the duty of care, which can lead to increased litigation and insurance costs.
In addition, the Board believes that to continue to attract and retain experienced and highly qualified officers, it is important to protect our officers to the fullest extent permitted by
the DGCL. In the absence of such protections, highly qualified candidates could be deterred from serving as our officers due to exposure to personal liability and the risk that substantial expense could be incurred defending such lawsuits,
regardless of merit. Also, other corporations that are organized in Delaware have adopted and will likely continue to adopt amendments to their certificates of incorporation that limit the personal liability of officers. Enhancing our ability
to retain and attract experienced officers is in our best interest and the best interest of our stockholders, and the Board believes that adopting the Officer Exculpation Amendment will positively contribute to our ability to do so.
When considering the recommendation of the Board that our stockholders approve the Officer Exculpation Amendment, our stockholders should be aware that certain of our executive officers,
specifically our Chief Executive Officer and our other named executive officers, have interests in the Officer Exculpation Amendment that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of our stockholders more generally because they
will receive the liability exculpation protections afforded by the Officer Exculpation Amendment if it is adopted. The Board was aware of these interests and considered them, among other matters, in reaching its decision to approve the
Officer Exculpation Amendment.
Effectiveness of the Officer Exculpation Amendment
If approved by our stockholders, the Officer Exculpation Amendment will become effective upon filing a revised Certificate of Incorporation reflecting the Officer Exculpation Amendment with
the Delaware Secretary of State, which would be completed promptly after the Annual Meeting.
If our stockholders do not approve the Officer Exculpation Amendment, a revised Certificate of Incorporation reflecting the Officer Exculpation Amendment will not be filed with the Delaware
Secretary of State.
The Board retains the discretion to abandon, and not implement, the Officer Exculpation Amendment at any time before it becomes effective, even if it is approved by our stockholders.
49
Vote Required for the Approval of Officer Exculpation Amendment
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote on this proposal at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the Officer Exculpation Amendment
to the Certificate of Incorporation to provide for the exculpation of Covered Officers to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against this proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO REFLECT DELAWARE LAW PROVISIONS ALLOWING FOR THE EXCULPATION OF OFFICERS.
50
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
Overview
The Board is requesting stockholder approval of an amendment and restatement of the 2023 Plan. We refer to the amended and restated 2023 Plan in this proxy statement as the “Amended 2023
Plan.”
The 2023 Plan was approved by our Board on March 30, 2023, and by our stockholders at the 2023 Annual Meeting on June 8, 2023. The Amended 2023 Plan was approved by our Board on March 17,
2025, subject to stockholder approval at this Annual Meeting. We are seeking stockholder approval of the Amended 2023 Plan to increase the number of shares available thereunder by 2,500,000 shares, which will allow us to grant equity awards
at levels determined appropriate by our Board or Compensation Committee. The approval of the Amended 2023 Plan under this Proposal 6 is conditioned upon the approval of the Authorized Share Amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation set
forth under Proposal 4. If each of the Authorized Share Amendment and the Amended 2023 Plan is approved, the Board intends to issue awards under the 2023 Plan to certain directors, officers and employees of the Company.
The Amended 2023 Plan allows us to grant a broad array of equity incentives and performance cash incentives to secure and retain the services of our employees, consultants and directors, and
to provide long-term incentives that align the interests of our employees, consultants and directors with the interests of our stockholders. Our Board believes that the Amended 2023 Plan is an integral part of our long-term compensation
philosophy and that the 2023 Plan is necessary to continue providing appropriate levels and types of equity compensation. Equity compensation aligns the interests of our employees, directors and consultants with our stockholders and is a key
component in attracting and retaining top talent. Granting equity compensation is a common element of compensation offered by our competitors and is a highly-valued benefit that is necessary for us to effectively compete in our markets.
We currently make equity award grants under the 2023 Plan and the Inducement Grant Plan. As of March 31, 2025, there are 1,748,941 shares available for equity award grants under the 2023
Plan, and the Inducement Grant Plan can only be used for grants to new employees (it cannot be used to make grants to retain existing employees or generally to make grants to consultants or directors).
If the 2023 Plan is not approved by our stockholders, the existing 2023 Plan and the Inducement Grant Plan will continue in effect, but we will be limited in the grants that we will be able
to make to consultants, directors and existing employees, as well as new employees in light of our future growth plans, and we anticipate that there will be no shares available under the 2023 Plan to make additional equity grants in less than
one year. These circumstances would place us in a materially disadvantageous position when compared with our competitors, resulting in challenges with respect to employee acquisition and retention. It is essential that we continue the use of
equity compensation to effectively position ourselves in the market and allow us to hire the best candidates for open positions and retain our most skilled employees, in each case to enable us to achieve our strategic objectives, which
include increasing stockholder value by growing our business. Without the approval of the Amended 2023 Plan and an additional share reserve, we will be less able to compete effectively in this highly competitive market. This could ultimately
result in the loss of critical talent and inhibit our ability to meet our future growth objectives. In addition, we may be required to increase the cash compensation components of our compensation program to offset our inability to provide
equity-based compensation.
Rationale
The Amended 2023 Plan includes provisions that are designed to protect our stockholders’ interests and to reflect best practices including:
| • |
No evergreen. The Amended 2023 Plan does not contain an evergreen feature to automatically increase the size of the share pool available for issuance under the Amended 2023 Plan.
Stockholder approval is required to increase the shares available under the Amended 2023 Plan.
|
| • |
No “liberal” change in control definition. The Transaction definition in the Amended 2023 Plan is not a “liberal” definition. A change in control transaction must actually be consummated
for the change in control provisions in the Amended 2023 Plan to be triggered.
|
| • |
No repricing without stockholder approval. The Amended 2023 Plan does not permit the “repricing” of stock options and SARs without stockholder approval. This includes a prohibition on cash
buyouts of underwater options or SARs and “reloads” in connection with the exercise of options or SARs.
|
51
| • |
Limit on non-employee director compensation. The aggregate value of all cash and equity-based compensation paid or granted by us to any individual
for service as a non-employee director of our Board with respect to any fiscal year of the Company will not exceed (i) $750,000 in total value or (ii) in the event such non-employee director is first appointed or elected to the Board
during such fiscal year, $1,000,000 in total value, in each case calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such equity awards for financial reporting purposes.
|
| • |
Awards subject to forfeiture/clawback. Awards granted under the Amended 2023 Plan are subject to recoupment in accordance with the clawback policy
adopted by the Company pursuant to Nasdaq listing standards and as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
|
| • |
Stock Ownership and Holding Guidelines. Shares issued pursuant to the Amended 2023 Plan are subject to the Company’s stock ownership guidelines. Our CEO is required to hold equity equal to
three times base salary and our other named executive officers are required to hold equity equal to one-time base salary. Once the initial five-year compliance period has ended, executives are required to retain at least 50% of vested
equity until individual stock ownership guidelines are achieved.
|
| • |
Plan Flexibility. We may continue to grant stock options, stock appreciation rights, direct stock issuances, restricted stock, restricted stock units and other stock-based awards, as well as
awards that are subject to performance vesting conditions, such as performance-based restricted stock units.
|
| • |
Administration by independent committee. The Amended 2023 Plan will be administered by the members of our Compensation Committee, all of whom are
“non-employee directors” within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and “independent” within the meaning of the Nasdaq listing standards.
|
In determining the size of the share request under the Amended 2023 Plan, our Compensation Committee considered, among other things, our outstanding equity awards, our burn rate, our stock
price and volatility, our projected recruiting and retention needs, the potential dilution of our equity compensation program, the voting guidelines of certain institutional investors and proxy advisory firms, and the advice of the
Compensation Committee’s independent compensation consultant. The results of this comprehensive analysis were presented to the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors for its consideration. We continue to believe that equity awards
are a vital part of our overall compensation program. However, we recognize that equity awards dilute existing stockholders, and therefore, we must responsibly manage the growth of our equity compensation program. We are committed to
effectively monitoring our equity compensation share reserve, including our “burn rate,” to ensure that we maximize stockholders’ value by granting the appropriate number of equity incentive awards necessary to attract, reward and retain
employees. The tables below show our overhang and burn rate information.
Overhang
Our overhang is driven largely by historical stock option grants that have been made to current employees which are “out-of-the-money” as of March 31, 2025, and remain unexercised. Given the
volatility in our stock and current global market conditions, it is difficult to predict when, or if, our overhang will be reduced either by the exercise of options when they become “in-the-money” or the separation of those employees who hold
these stock options which will result in forfeiture after ninety days. The following table provides certain additional information regarding our equity incentive program.
|
As of March 31,
2025
|
||||
|
Total number of shares subject to outstanding stock options(1)
|
8,232,199
|
|||
|
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options
|
12.99
|
|||
|
Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options
|
4.03
|
|||
|
Total number of shares subject to outstanding full value awards
|
2,399,440
|
|||
|
Total number of shares available for grant under the 2014 and 2017 Plans
|
—
|
|||
|
Total number of shares outstanding
|
44,834,462
|
|||
|
Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on Nasdaq Global Market
|
2.33
|
|||
| (1) |
Includes: (i) 3,160,442 stock option awards held by current and certain former employees granted under the 2014 Plan, including 3,134,456 stock option awards held by
Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg; (ii) 1,237,166 stock option awards held by current and certain former employees granted under the 2017 Plan, including 204,044 stock option awards held by Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg; and
(iii) 3,375,478 stock option awards held by current and certain former employees granted under the 2018 Plan, including 3,167,325 performance-based awards held by Chad Steelberg and Ryan Steelberg, in all cases which are
“out-of-the-money” as of March 31, 2025 and remain unexercised.
|
52
Burn Rate
The following table provides detailed information regarding the activity related to our equity incentive plans for fiscal years 2022, 2023 and 2024. We use our burn rate to measure the
potential life expectancy of our equity plan and stockholder dilution. Our burn rate experience is summarized in the table below, which provides data on our share usage under our equity plans for the last three fiscal years.
Our burn rate is calculated as the total amount of equity granted in any year, divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding as of the end of each fiscal year. For
purposes of this calculation, stock options and restricted stock unit awards were counted in the year granted.
We manage our burn rate closely to ensure efficient use of our available equity in making grants to our employees, non-executive board members and consultants. Our burn rate in recent years
has been impacted by, among other factors, volatility in our stock price and the granting of new-hire equity awards, including to senior executives as we built out our executive leadership team. Nevertheless, our burn rate declined
substantially from 2023 to 2024 due to our careful management and stewardship of our equity program. Our future burn rate will depend on a number of factors, including the number of participants in the Amended 2023 Plan, our stock price,
changes to our compensation strategy, changes in business practices or industry standards, changes in our capital structure due to stock splits or similar events and the compensation practices of our competitors or changes in compensation
practices in the market generally.
|
Fiscal Year
|
|||||||||||||
|
2024
|
2023
|
2022
|
|||||||||||
|
Total number of shares subject to stock options granted
|
—
|
288,893
|
721,717
|
||||||||||
|
Total number of shares subject to full value awards granted(1)
|
1,304,835
|
2,111,936
|
768,964
|
||||||||||
|
Less: Forfeitures
|
(836,235
|
)
|
(533,509
|
)
|
(295,509
|
)
|
|||||||
|
Total number of shares subject to stock options and shares subject to full value awards granted
|
468,600
|
1,867,320
|
1,195,172
|
||||||||||
|
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
|
38,034,546
|
36,909,919
|
36,033,560
|
||||||||||
|
Net Burn Rate(2)
|
1.2
|
%
|
5.1
|
%
|
3.3
|
%
|
|||||||
|
Three Year Average of Net Burn Rate(2)
|
3.2%
|
||||||||||||
| (1) |
For performance-based awards, amount reflects target number of shares issuable pursuant to such awards.
|
| (2) |
“Net Burn Rate” is defined as the number of equity awards granted in the year, less the number of equity awards forfeited in the year, divided by weighted average number of shares outstanding.
|
Description of the Amended 2023 Plan
The material features of the Amended 2023 Plan are described below. The following description of the Amended 2023 Plan is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
complete text of the Amended 2023 Plan. Stockholders are urged to read the actual text of the Amended 2023 Plan in its entirety, which is included as Appendix A.
General. The Amended 2023 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options to our employees and employees of certain affiliates, and for the
grant of nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance stock awards, performance cash awards, and other forms of stock awards to our employees, directors and
consultants and the employees and consultants of our affiliates.
53
Authorized Shares and Share Counting Provisions. Subject to adjustment for certain changes in our capitalization, the aggregate number of shares of
our common stock that may be issued under the Amended 2023 Plan will not exceed the sum of (i) 2,500,000 new shares, plus (ii) the 2,500,000 shares originally reserved under the 2023 Plan, plus (iii) the available reserve under the 2014 Stock
Option/Stock Issuance Plan (the “2014 Plan”) and 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2017 Plan,” and together with the 2014 Plan, the “Prior Plans”) as of the effective date of the original 2023 Plan, plus (iv) the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares
(defined below), as such shares become available from time to time.
The term “Prior Plans’ Returning Shares” refers to the following shares of our common stock subject to any outstanding award granted under the 2014 Plan and 2017 Plan and that following the
effective date of the original 2023 Plan: (A) are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having been issued; (B) are not issued because
such stock award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; (C) are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (D) are withheld or
reacquired to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price; or (E) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy a tax withholding obligation.
The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of incentive stock options is 2,000,000 shares.
The following actions will not result in an issuance of shares under the Amended 2023 Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the share reserve and available for
issuance under the Amended 2023 Plan: (1) the expiration or termination of any portion of an award without the shares covered by such portion of the award having been issued, (2) the settlement of any portion of an award in cash, (3) the
withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award, or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding
obligation in connection with an award.
The following shares previously issued pursuant to an award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the share reserve and again become available for
issuance under the Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, (2) any shares that are reacquired by the
Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an award, and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an award.
Plan Administration. Our Board, or a duly authorized committee of our Board, administers the Amended 2023 Plan. Our Board may also delegate to one or
more of our officers the authority to (1) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified stock awards and (2) determine the number of shares subject to such stock awards. Under the Amended 2023 Plan, our Board has the
authority to determine the terms of awards, including recipients, the exercise, purchase or strike price of stock awards, if any, the number of shares subject to each stock award, the fair market value of a share, the vesting schedule
applicable to the awards, together with any vesting acceleration, the form of consideration, if any, payable upon exercise or settlement of the award and the terms of the award agreements.
No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. Under the Amended 2023 Plan, the plan administrator does not have the authority to reprice any outstanding
stock option or stock appreciation right by reducing the exercise or strike price of the stock option or stock appreciation right or to cancel any outstanding stock option or stock appreciation right that has an exercise or strike price
greater than the then-current fair market value of our common stock in exchange for cash or other stock awards without obtaining the approval of our stockholders. Such approval must be obtained within 12 months prior to such an event.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. The Amended 2023 Plan provides that dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited with respect to any
shares of our common stock subject to an award, as determined by the plan administrator and contained in the applicable award agreement.
Stock Options. Incentive stock options and non-statutory stock options are granted pursuant to stock option agreements
adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the Amended 2023 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less
than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. Options granted under the Amended 2023 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Restricted stock unit awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan
administrator. Restricted stock unit awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our Board, or a duly authorized committee of our Board, and permissible under applicable law. A
restricted stock unit award may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the plan administrator or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit award
agreement. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited upon the participant’s cessation of continuous service for any reason.
54
Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards are granted pursuant to restricted stock award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. A
restricted stock award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past services to us or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our Board, or a duly authorized committee of our Board,
and permissible under applicable law. The plan administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant’s service relationship with us ceases for any reason, we may
receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all the shares held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us.
Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights are granted pursuant to stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the plan administrator.
The plan administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of a share on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under
the Amended 2023 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the plan administrator.
Performance Awards. The Amended 2023 Plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards. Our Compensation
Committee may structure awards so that the stock or cash will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period.
Other Stock Awards. The plan administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our shares. The plan administrator will
set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.
Changes to Capital Structure. In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split
or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (1) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the Amended 2023 Plan, (2) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued upon the exercise of
incentive stock options, (3) the class and maximum number of shares subject to stock awards that can be granted in a calendar year and (4) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price or purchase price, if applicable, of
all outstanding stock awards.
Corporate Transaction and Change in Control
The following provisions will apply to outstanding awards under the Amended 2023 Plan in the event of a corporate transaction (as defined in the Amended 2023 Plan) or a change in control (as
defined in the Amended 2023 Plan) unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the award, in any other written agreement between us or one of our affiliates and the participant, or in our director compensation policy. For purposes
of this Proposal 6, the term “Transaction” will mean such corporate transaction or change in control.
In the event of a Transaction, any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) may assume or continue any or all outstanding awards under the Amended 2023 Plan, or may
substitute similar stock awards for such outstanding awards (including, but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase
rights held by the Company in respect of shares issued pursuant to any outstanding awards under the Amended 2023 Plan may be assigned by the Company to the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company).
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2023 Plan, or substitute
similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective
time of the Transaction (the “Current Participants”), the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such awards will be accelerated in full (and with respect to any such awards that are subject to performance-based vesting conditions or
requirements, vesting will be deemed to be satisfied at the target level of performance to a date prior to the effective time of the Transaction (contingent upon the closing or completion of the Transaction) as the plan administrator will
determine, and such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction in accordance with the exercise procedures determined by the plan administrator, and any reacquisition or repurchase
rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will lapse (contingent upon the closing or completion of the corporate transaction).
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue outstanding awards under the Amended 2023 Plan, or substitute
similar stock awards for such outstanding awards, then with respect to any such awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by participants other than the Current Participants, such awards will terminate if
not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised
notwithstanding the Transaction.
55
In the event any outstanding award under the Amended 2023 Plan held by a participant will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Transaction, the plan administrator may
provide that the participant may not exercise such award but instead will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the plan administrator, equal in value to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant
would have received upon the exercise of such award immediately prior to the effective time of the Transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with such exercise.
Transferability. A participant may not transfer stock awards under the Amended 2023 Plan other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution or
as otherwise provided under the Amended 2023 Plan.
Plan Amendment or Termination. Our Board has the authority to amend, suspend or terminate the Amended 2023 Plan, provided that such action does not
materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. No incentive stock options may be granted after the tenth
anniversary of the date our Board adopted the Amended 2023 Plan. No stock awards may be granted under the Amended 2023 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.
U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences
The information set forth below is a summary only and does not purport to be complete. The information is based upon current federal income tax rules and therefore is subject to change when
those rules change. Because the tax consequences to any recipient may depend on his or her particular situation, each recipient should consult the recipient’s tax adviser regarding the federal, state, local, and other tax consequences of the
grant or exercise of an award or the disposition of stock acquired as a result of an award. The Amended 2023 Plan is not qualified under the provisions of Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) and is not
subject to any of the provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974.
Non-statutory Stock Options
Generally, there is no taxation upon the grant of a non-statutory stock option if the stock option is granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on
the grant date. On exercise, an optionholder will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value on the date of exercise of the stock over the exercise price. If the optionholder is employed by us or one of
our affiliates, that income will be subject to withholding taxes. We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the optionholder.
Incentive Stock Options
The Amended 2023 Plan provides for the grant of stock options that qualify as “incentive stock options,” as defined in Section 422 of the Code. Under the Code, an optionholder generally is
not subject to ordinary income tax upon the grant or exercise of an incentive stock option (“ISO”) (although, in certain circumstances, there may be an item of adjustment included for alternative minimum tax purposes). If the optionholder
holds a share received on exercise of an ISO for more than two years from the date the stock option was granted and more than one year from the date the stock option was exercised, which is referred to as the required holding period, the
difference, if any, between the amount realized on a sale or other taxable disposition of that share and the holder’s tax basis in that share will be long-term capital gain or loss. If, however, an optionholder disposes of a share acquired on
exercise of an ISO before the end of the required holding period, which is referred to as a disqualifying disposition, the optionholder generally will recognize ordinary income in the year of the disqualifying disposition equal to the excess,
if any, of the fair market value of the share on the date the ISO was exercised over the exercise price.
We are not allowed an income tax deduction with respect to the grant or exercise of an ISO or the disposition of a share acquired on exercise of an ISO after the required holding period. If
there is a disqualifying disposition of a share, however, we are generally allowed a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income includible in income by the optionholder.
Restricted Stock Awards
Generally, the recipient of a restricted stock award will recognize ordinary income at the time the stock is received equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock
received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. If, however, the stock is not vested when it is received (for example, if the employee is required to work for a period of time in order to have the right to sell the
stock), the recipient generally will not recognize income until the stock becomes vested, at which time the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date it becomes
vested over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the stock. A recipient may, however, file an election with the Internal Revenue Service, within 30 days following his or her receipt of the stock award, to recognize ordinary
income, as of the date the recipient receives the award, equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the stock on the date the award is granted over any amount paid by the recipient for the stock. We will generally be entitled to
a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock award.
56
Restricted Stock Unit Awards
Generally, the recipient of a stock unit structured to conform to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code or an exception to Section 409A of the Code will recognize ordinary income at
the time the stock is delivered equal to the excess, if any, of the fair market value of the shares received over any amount paid by the recipient in exchange for the shares. We will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the
taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock award.
Stock Appreciation Rights
We may grant under the Amended 2023 Plan stock appreciation rights separate from any other award or in tandem with other awards under the Amended 2023 Plan. Where the stock appreciation
rights are granted with a strike price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the grant date, the recipient will recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market value of the stock or cash received upon such exercise. We
will generally be entitled to a tax deduction equal to the taxable ordinary income realized by the recipient of the stock appreciation right.
Section 162(m)
Under Section 162(m) of the Code (“Section 162(m)”), compensation paid to each of the Company’s “covered employees” that exceeds $1 million per taxable year is generally non-deductible.
Although the Compensation Committee will continue to consider tax implications as one factor in determining executive compensation, the Compensation Committee also looks at other factors in making its decisions and retains the flexibility to
provide compensation for the Company’s named executive officers in a manner consistent with the goals of the Company’s executive compensation program and the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, which may include providing for
compensation that is not deductible by the Company due to the deduction limit under Section 162(m).
New Plan Benefits
The Company cannot currently determine the benefits or number of shares subject to awards that may be granted in the future to executive officers, directors and employees under the Amended
2023 Plan. We do not presently have any current plans, proposals or arrangements, written or otherwise, to issue any of the newly available authorized shares under the Amended 2023 Plan except as set forth below with respect to non-employee
directors. As of March 31, 2025, we have approximately 425 employees, 58 consultants and five non-employee directors who would be eligible to receive grants under the Amended 2023 Plan. We do not currently engage any consultants to whom we
intend to make equity grants.
Awards granted under the Amended 2023 Plan to our non-employee directors are not subject to set benefits or amounts under the terms of the Amended 2023 Plan itself. However, our director
compensation policy provides for certain equity award grants to our non-employee directors. On and after the date of the Annual Meeting, if this Proposal 6 is approved by our stockholders, any such equity award grants to non-employee
directors will be made under the Amended 2023 Plan. If this Proposal 6 is not approved by our stockholders, any such equity award grants to non-employee directors will be made under the existing 2023 Plan. For additional information regarding
our current compensation program for non-employee directors, please see “Director Compensation.”
57
Awards Granted under the 2023 Plan
The following table sets forth, for each of the individuals and various groups indicated, the total number of shares of our common stock subject to awards that have been granted under the
2023 Plan as of March 31, 2025.
|
Name and Position
|
Number of Shares
|
|
Ryan Steelberg
President and Chief Executive Officer; Chairman of the Board of Directors
|
849,475
|
|
Michael L. Zemetra
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
|
295,396
|
|
All current executive officers as a group
|
1,144,871
|
|
All current directors who are not executive officers as a group
|
169,975
|
|
Each nominee for election as a director:
|
|
|
Knute P. Kurtz
|
30,000
|
|
Michael Zilis
|
72,475
|
|
Each associate of any executive officers, current directors or director nominees
|
—
|
|
Each other person who received or is to receive 5% of awards
|
—
|
|
All employees, including all current officers who are not executive officers, as a group
|
1,711,690
|
Effectiveness of the Amended 2023 Plan
If approved by our stockholders, the Amended 2023 Plan will become effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting.
If our stockholders do not approve the Amended 2023 Plan, it will not become effective and the 2023 Plan will continue in its current form. In addition, if our
stockholders do not approve the Authorized Share Amendment set forth under Proposal 4, the Amended 2023 Plan will not be approved.
The Board retains the discretion to abandon, and not implement, the Amended 2023 Plan at any time before it becomes effective.
Vote Required for the Approval of Officer Exculpation Amendment
Approval of the 2023 Plan requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast on the matter at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect on this
proposal.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT OF THE 2023 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN.
58
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR OUR 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
Requirements for Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in Proxy Materials. Stockholders interested in submitting a proposal for inclusion in the proxy materials for
our 2026 annual meeting of stockholders may do so by following the procedures prescribed in Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act. To be eligible for inclusion in our proxy statement, stockholder proposals must be received no later than [●], 2025
and must comply with our Bylaws and Rule 14a-8 under the Exchange Act regarding the inclusion of stockholder proposals in company-sponsored proxy materials. If we change the date of the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders by more than 30 days
from the anniversary of this year’s meeting, stockholder proposals must be received a reasonable time before we begin to print and mail our proxy materials for the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders. Proposals should be sent to the attention
of the Secretary, Veritone, Inc., 1615 Platte Street, 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202.
Requirements for Proposals Not Intended for Inclusion in Proxy Materials and for Nomination of Director Candidates. Stockholders who wish to nominate persons for
election to the Board at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or who wish to present a proposal at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders, but whose stockholder proposal will not be included in the proxy materials that we distribute for
such meeting, must deliver written notice of the nomination or proposal to our Secretary no earlier than February 13, 2026 and no later than March 15, 2026 (provided, however, that if the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders is more than 30
days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary of this year’s meeting, nominations and proposals must be received not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to the scheduled date of the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders or the 10th day following the day on which public
announcement of the date of such meeting is first made). The stockholder’s written notice must include certain information concerning the stockholder and each nominee as specified in our Bylaws. In addition, a stockholder who intends to
solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the Company’s nominees at the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders must deliver written notice to the Company setting forth the information required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange
Act. If a stockholder’s written notice is not received between the dates specified above and does not satisfy these additional informational requirements, the notice will not be considered properly submitted and will not be acted upon at the
2026 annual meeting of stockholders. A stockholder’s written notice should be sent to the attention of the Secretary, Veritone, Inc., 1615 Platte St., 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202. In addition, if the stockholder does not comply with the
requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2) promulgated under the Exchange Act, we may exercise discretionary voting authority under proxies that we solicit to vote in accordance with our best judgment on any such stockholder proposal.
In addition to satisfying the foregoing, stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than Company-sponsored nominees must provide notice that sets forth the information
required by Rule 14a-19 under the Exchange Act. If such written notice is not timely received or does not satisfy these additional information requirements, the notice will not be considered properly submitted and will not be acted upon at
the 2026 annual meeting of stockholders.
The Chairman of the Annual Meeting reserves the right to reject, exclude, rule out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any proposal that does not comply with the above requirements,
including conditions established by the SEC.
Our Board is not aware of any other matters that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting. If other matters properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof,
however, the proxy holders named in the proxies solicited by our Board will have the authority to vote all proxies received with respect to such matters in their discretion, and it is their intention to vote such proxies in accordance with
the recommendation of our Board.
Our principal executive offices are located at 1615 Platte St., 2nd Floor, Denver, Colorado 80202.
59
Veritone, Inc.
Amended and Restated 2023 Equity Incentive Plan
Adopted by the Board of Directors: March 17, 2025
Approved by the Stockholders: June __, 2025
1. General.
(a) Defined Terms. Except as otherwise provided, any capitalized term shall
have the meaning provided in Section 14 of this Plan.
(b) Successor to and Continuation of Prior Plans. The Plan is the successor to
and continuation of the Prior Plans. As of the Effective Date, (i) no additional awards may be granted under the Prior Plans; (ii) the Prior Plans’ Available Reserve (plus the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares) will become available for issuance
pursuant to Awards granted under this Plan; and (iii) each outstanding award granted under the Prior Plans will remain subject to the terms of the Prior Plan pursuant to which it was granted. All Awards granted under this Plan will be
subject to the terms of this Plan.
(c) Plan Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain
the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which
such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.
(d) Available Awards. The Plan provides for
the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards; (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards.
(e) Adoption Date; Effective Date. The Plan will come into existence on the
Adoption Date, but no Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.
2. Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a) Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) and
any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards will not exceed the sum of (i) 2,500,000 shares, plus (ii) the 2,500,000 shares
originally reserved for issuance under the Plan at the time of its original adoption on June 8, 2023, plus (iii) a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Prior Plans’ Available Reserve, plus (iv) a number of shares of Common Stock
equal to the number of the Prior Plans’ Returning Shares, if any, as such shares become available from time to time.
(b) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary in Section 2(a) and subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is
2,000,000 shares.
(c) Share Reserve Operation.
(i) Limit Applies to Common Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards. For
clarity, the Share Reserve is a limit on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards and does not limit the granting of Awards, except that the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of
Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy its obligations to issue shares pursuant to such Awards. Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed
Company Manual Section 303A.08, NYSE American Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.
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(ii) Actions that Do Not Constitute Issuance of Common Stock and Do
Not Reduce Share Reserve. The following actions do not result in an issuance of shares under the Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the Share Reserve and available for issuance under the Plan: (1) the
expiration or termination of any portion of an Award without the shares covered by such portion of the Award having been issued, (2) the settlement of any portion of an Award in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than shares of
Common Stock), (3) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award, or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to
satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
(iii) Reversion of Previously Issued Shares of Common Stock to Share
Reserve. The following shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant to an Award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the Share Reserve and again become available for issuance under the
Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares, (2) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy the
exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award, and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.
3. Eligibility and Limitations.
(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.
(b) Specific Award Limitations.
(i) Limitations on Incentive Stock Option Recipients.
Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code).
(ii) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. To the extent
that the aggregate fair market value (determined at the time of grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all
plans of the Company and any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof, as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f) of the Code) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code), or any Incentive Stock
Options otherwise do not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be
treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).
(iii) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent
Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder may not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless (i) the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Option and (ii) the Option is
not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of such Option.
(iv) Limitations on Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs.
Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company (as such term is defined in Rule 405) unless the stock underlying such
Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin off transaction) or unless such Awards otherwise comply with the distribution requirements of
Section 409A.
(c) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. The aggregate maximum number of
shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is the number of shares specified in Section 2(b).
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(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all
compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any fiscal year, including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director for his or her
service as a Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (i) $750,000 in total value or (ii) in the event such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board during such fiscal year, $1,000,000 in total value, in each case
calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such equity awards for financial reporting purposes. Such limits shall apply starting with the first fiscal year that commences following the Effective Date.
4. Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
Each Option and SAR will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. Each Option will be designated in writing as an Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option at the
time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is not so designated, then such Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and the shares purchased upon exercise of each type of Option will be separately accounted for. Each SAR will be
denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents. The terms and conditions of separate Options and SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement and SAR Agreement will conform (through incorporation of provisions
hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
(a) Term. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option
or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such Award or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.
(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent
Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or
strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award if such Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation
right pursuant to a Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Sections 409A and, if applicable, 424(a) of the Code.
(c) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Exercise Price for Options. In order to
exercise an Option, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in the Option Agreement or otherwise provided by the Company. The Board has the authority to grant
Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to utilize a particular method of payment. The
exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and as determined by the Board, by one or more of the following methods of payment to the extent set forth in the Option Agreement:
(i) by cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;
(ii) pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the United
States Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the exercise price to the
Company from the sales proceeds;
(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock
that are already owned by the Participant free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) at the time of
exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such delivery is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment, (3) such delivery would not violate any
Applicable Law or agreement restricting the redemption of the Common Stock, (4) any certificated shares are endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate, and (5) such shares have been held by the Participant for
any minimum period necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment as a result of such delivery;
(iv) if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the
Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) such shares used
to pay the exercise price will not be exercisable thereafter and (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such net exercise is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment; or
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(v) in any other form of consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and permissible under Applicable Law.
(d) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Appreciation Distribution for SARs. In
order to exercise any SAR, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the SAR Agreement. The appreciation distribution payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR will not be greater
than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents that are vested and being exercised under such SAR, over
(ii) the strike price of such SAR. Such appreciation distribution may be paid to the Participant in the form of Common Stock or cash (or any combination of Common Stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board
and specified in the SAR Agreement.
(e) Transferability. Options and SARs may not be transferred to third party
financial institutions for value. The Board may impose such additional limitations on the transferability of an Option or SAR as it determines. In the absence of any such determination by the Board, the following restrictions on the
transferability of Options and SARs will apply, provided that except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration and provided, further, that if an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such
Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of being transferred:
(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be
transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit transfer of an Option or SAR in a
manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request, including to a trust if the Participant is considered to be the sole beneficial owner of such trust (as determined under Section 671 of the
Code and applicable U.S. state law) while such Option or SAR is held in such trust, provided that the Participant and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.
(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing,
subject to the execution of transfer documentation in a format acceptable to the Company and subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.
(f) Vesting. The Board may impose such
restrictions on or conditions to the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Options and SARs will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.
(g) Termination of Continuous Service for Cause. Except as explicitly otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause,
the Participant’s Options and SARs will terminate and be forfeited immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising any portion (including any vested portion) of such Awards on
and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in such forfeited Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the forfeited Award, or any consideration
in respect of the forfeited Award.
(h) Post-Termination Exercise Period Following Termination of
Continuous Service for Reasons Other than Cause. Subject to Section 4(i), if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, the Participant may exercise his or
her Option or SAR to the extent vested, but only within the following period of time or, if applicable, such other period of time provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between
a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)):
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(i) three months following the date of such termination if such
termination is a termination without Cause (other than any termination due to the Participant’s Disability or death);
(ii) 12 months following the date of such termination if such
termination is due to the Participant’s Disability;
(iii) 18 months following the date of such termination if such
termination is due to the Participant’s death; or
(iv) 18 months following the date of the Participant’s death if such
death occurs following the date of such termination but during the period such Award is otherwise exercisable (as provided in (i) or (ii) above).
Following the date of such termination, to the extent the Participant does not exercise such Award within the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period (or, if
earlier, prior to the expiration of the maximum term of such Award), such unexercised portion of the Award will terminate, and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in
terminated Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the terminated Award, or any consideration in respect of the terminated Award.
(i) Restrictions on Exercise; Extension of Exercisability. A Participant may not exercise an Option or SAR at any time that the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or
other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable
Post-Termination Exercise Period, the exercise of the Participant’s Option or SAR would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law
(as determined in the sole discretion of the Board), then the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that commences following the
date the Award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period,
generally without limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth
in Section 4(a)).
(j) Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR, whether or not vested, granted to
an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the United States Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of such
Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of the United States Worker Economic Opportunity Act, any vested portion of such Award may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant of such Award
in the event of (i) such Participant’s death or Disability, (ii) a Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) such Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the
Award Agreement or another applicable agreement or, in the absence of any such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines). This Section 4(j) is intended to operate so that any income derived
by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay.
(k) Whole Shares. Options and SARs may be exercised only with respect to whole
shares of Common Stock or their equivalents.
5. Awards Other Than Options and Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award and RSU
Award will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement and RSU Award Agreement will conform (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Award
Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:
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(i) Form of Award.
RSAs: To the extent consistent with the Company’s Bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may
be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until such shares become vested or any other restrictions lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by
the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant will have voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award.
RSUs: A RSU Award represents a Participant’s right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the
RSU Award. As a holder of a RSU Award, a Participant is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement
of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between a Participant and the Company
or an Affiliate or any other person. A Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).
(ii) Consideration.
RSA: A Restricted Stock Award may be granted in consideration for (A) cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or
(C) any other form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.
RSU: Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, a RSU Award will be granted in consideration for the Participant’s services to
the Company or an Affiliate, such that the Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, or the
issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the RSU Award. If, at the time of grant, the Board determines that any consideration must be paid by the Participant (in a form other than the
Participant’s services to the Company or an Affiliate) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU Award, such consideration may be paid in any form of consideration as the
Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.
(iii) Vesting. The Board
may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant
and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.
(iv) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason, (i) the Company may
receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant under his or her Restricted Stock Award that have not vested as of the date of such termination as set forth in the
Restricted Stock Award Agreement and (ii) any portion of his or her RSU Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon such termination and the Participant will have no further right, title or
interest in the RSU Award, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the RSU Award, or any consideration in respect of the RSU Award.
(v) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend
equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award, as determined by the Board and specified in the Award Agreement.
(vi) Settlement of RSU Awards. A RSU Award may be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or cash (or any combination thereof) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the RSU Award Agreement. At the time of grant, the Board may determine to impose such restrictions or conditions that delay such delivery to a date following the vesting of the RSU Award.
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(b) Performance Awards. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of
any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be
determined by the Board.
(c) Other Awards. Other
Awards may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for under Section 4 and the preceding provisions of this Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the
persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such
Other Awards.
6. Adjustments upon Changes in Common Stock; Other Corporate Events.
(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the
Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan and the maximum number of shares by which the Share Reserve may annually increase pursuant to Section
2(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 2(b), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and exercise price, strike price or
purchase price of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares or rights for fractional
shares of Common Stock shall be created in order to implement any Capitalization Adjustment. The Board shall determine an appropriate equivalent benefit, if any, for any fractional shares or rights to fractional shares that might be created
by the adjustments referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of
repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired
by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may determine to cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to
repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.
(c) Transactions. The following provisions will apply to Awards in the event of
a Transaction except as set forth in Section 11, and unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or in a director compensation policy
or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of an Award.
(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Transaction, any
surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards for Awards outstanding under the
Plan (including but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock
issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successor’s parent company, if any), in connection with such Transaction. A surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent) may
choose to assume or continue only a portion of an Award or substitute a similar award for only a portion of an Award, or may choose to assume, continue, or substitute the Awards held by some, but not all Participants. The terms of any
assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.
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(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a
Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that
have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Transaction (referred to as the “Current
Participants”), the vesting of such Awards (and, with respect to Options and SARs, the time when such Awards may be exercised) will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Transaction (contingent upon the
effectiveness of the Transaction) as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective time of the Transaction), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if
applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Transaction). With respect to
the vesting of Performance Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and that have multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless otherwise provided in the Award
Agreement, the vesting of such Performance Awards will accelerate at 100% of the target level upon the occurrence of the Transaction. With respect to the vesting of Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Transaction pursuant to
this subsection (ii) and are settled in the form of a cash payment, such cash payment will be made no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Transaction.
(iii) Awards Held by Persons other than Current Participants.
In the event of a Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect
to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the Transaction; provided,
however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Transaction.
(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding
the foregoing, in the event an Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a
payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value, at the effective time, to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Award (including, at the
discretion of the Board, any unvested portion of such Award), over (2) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.
(d) Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of
an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment
of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant’s behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.
(e) No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award
under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization
or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference
stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part
of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
7. Administration.
(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until
the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in subsection (c) below.
(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the
limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine from time to time: (1) which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted
Awards; (2) when and how each Award will be granted; (3) what type or combination of types of Award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person will be
permitted to receive an issuance of Common Stock or other payment pursuant to an Award; (5) the number of shares of Common Stock or cash equivalent with respect to which an Award will be granted to each such person; (6) the Fair Market Value
applicable to an Award; and (7) the terms of any Performance Award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and
the timing of payment.
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(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke
rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to
make the Plan or Award fully effective.
(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.
(iv) To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or
any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.
(v) To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Award during a period of up to 30
days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other
change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock (including, but not limited to, any Transaction), for reasons of administrative convenience.
(vi) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not
Materially Impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.
(vii) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable; provided, however, that
stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the extent required by Applicable Law. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan will not be Materially Impaired by any amendment of the
Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(viii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.
(ix) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or
more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion;
provided however, that, a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be Materially Impaired by any such amendment unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.
(x) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or
expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Awards.
(xi) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit and facilitate
participation in the Plan by, or take advantage of specific tax treatment for Awards granted to, Employees, Directors or Consultants who are non-U.S. nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be
necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Award Agreement to ensure or facilitate compliance with the laws of the relevant non-U.S. jurisdiction).
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(c) Delegation to Committee.
(i) General. The Board may
delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers
theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to another Committee or a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise
(and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Each
Committee may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee or subcommittee to which it has delegated its authority hereunder and may, at any time, revest in such Committee some or all of the powers previously
delegated. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with any Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.
(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance.
To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two
or more Non-Employee Directors, as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to
the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available.
(d) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and
constructions made by the Board or any Committee in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
(e) Delegation to an Officer. The Board or any Committee may delegate to one or
more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, other types of Awards) and, to the extent
permitted by Applicable Law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the resolutions or charter adopted by the Board or any
Committee evidencing such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will
be granted on the applicable form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or the Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, neither the Board nor any Committee may delegate to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) the authority to determine the Fair Market Value.
(f) No Repricing Without Stockholder Approval. Neither the Board nor any
Committee shall have the authority to: (1) reduce the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR; (2) cancel any outstanding Option or SAR and grant in substitution therefor (A) a new Option, SAR, Restricted Stock
Award, RSU Award or Other Award, under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company, covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (B) cash and/or (C) other valuable consideration (as
determined by the Board or any Committee); or (3) take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, unless the stockholders of the Company have approved such an action within the
prior twelve (12) months.
8. Tax Withholding
(a) Withholding Authorization. As a condition to acceptance of any Award under
the Plan, a Participant authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to such Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for, any sums required to satisfy any U.S. and/or non-U.S. federal, state or local
tax or social insurance contribution withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the grant, vesting, exercise, or settlement of such Award, as applicable. Accordingly, a Participant may not
be able to exercise an Award even though the Award is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, unless and until such obligations are satisfied.
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(b) Satisfaction of Withholding Obligation. To the extent permitted by the terms
of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. and/or non-U.S. federal, state or local tax or social insurance withholding obligation relating to an Award by any of the following means or by a combination of
such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash
from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (v) by allowing a Participant to effectuate a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated
by the United States Federal Reserve Board; or (vi) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.
(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; No Liability to Claims. Except
as required by Applicable Law, the Company has no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company has no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise
such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award and
will not be liable to any holder of an Award for any adverse tax consequences to such holder in connection with an Award. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant (i) agrees to not make any claim against the
Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from such Award or other Company compensation and (ii) acknowledges that such Participant was advised to consult with his or her own
personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Award and has either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, each Participant acknowledges any Option or SAR granted under
the Plan is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise or strike price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the United States Internal Revenue Service and there is no other
impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Award. Additionally, as a condition to accepting an Option or SAR granted under the Plan, each Participant agrees not to make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers,
Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the United States Internal Revenue Service asserts that such exercise price or strike price is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently
determined by the United States Internal Revenue Service.
(d) Withholding Indemnification. As a condition to accepting an Award under the
Plan, in the event that the amount of the Company’s and/or its Affiliate’s withholding obligation in connection with such Award was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or its Affiliates, each Participant agrees to
indemnify and hold the Company and/or its Affiliates harmless from any failure by the Company and/or its Affiliates to withhold the proper amount.
9. Miscellaneous.
(a) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of
authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.
(b) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of
shares of Common Stock pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.
(c) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action
constituting a grant by the Company of an Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter
evidencing the Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant
contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the Award Agreement or related grant documents,
the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
(d) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or
to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to such Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and
(ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award is reflected in the records of the Company.
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(e) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing
in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the
capacity in effect at the time the Award was granted or affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that a Participant may have with respect to any Award (i) the
employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to
the Bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the U.S. state or non-U.S. jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. Further, nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award will constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or
nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or service or confer any right or benefit under the Award or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued
under the terms of the Award Agreement and/or Plan.
(f) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of
time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a
full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award to the Participant, the Board may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to (i) make a corresponding
reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction,
extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.
(g) Execution of Additional Documents. As a condition to accepting an Award
under the Plan, the Participant agrees to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion, to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award, or facilitate
compliance with securities and/or other regulatory requirements, in each case at the Plan Administrator’s request.
(h) Electronic Delivery and Participation. Any reference herein or in an Award
Agreement to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic
medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Award, the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system
established and maintained by the Plan Administrator or another third party selected by the Plan Administrator. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be
determined by the Company.
(i) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will be subject to
recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise
required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other Applicable Law and any clawback policy that the Company otherwise adopts, to the extent applicable and permissible under Applicable Law. In addition, the Board
may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common
Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a Participant’s right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a “resignation for good
reason,” or for a “constructive termination” or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.
(j) Securities Law Compliance. A Participant will not be issued any shares in
respect of an Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Award also must
comply with other Applicable Law governing the Award, and a Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with Applicable Law.
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(k) Transfer or Assignment of Awards; Issued Shares. Except as expressly
provided in the Plan or the form of Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned by the Participant. After the vested shares subject to an Award have been issued, or in the case of a Restricted Stock
Award and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance
with the provisions herein, the terms of the Trading Policy and Applicable Law.
(l) Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of any Award granted
under the Plan, as determined upon grant, vesting or settlement, shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating any Participant’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by
the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.
(m) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the Board, in its sole
discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral
elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(n) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award
Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with the
requirements of Section 409A. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary
to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding
anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under
Section 409A is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A without regard to alternative definitions thereunder)
will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a
manner that complies with Section 409A, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.
(o) Choice of Law. This Plan and any controversy arising out of or relating to
this Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in any application of any law other than the law of the State of
Delaware.
10. Covenants of the Company.
(a) Compliance with Law. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory
commission or agency, as may be deemed necessary, having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Awards; provided, however, that
this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is
unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary or advisable for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any
liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant is not eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock
pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any Applicable Law.
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11. Additional Rules for Awards Subject to Section 409A.
(a) Application. Unless the provisions of this Section of the Plan are expressly
superseded by the provisions in the form of Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Award Agreement for a Non-Exempt Award.
(b) Non-Exempt Awards Subject to Non-Exempt Severance Arrangements. To the
extent a Non-Exempt Award is subject to Section 409A due to application of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, the following provisions of this subsection (b) apply.
(i) If the Non-Exempt Award vests in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service in
accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Agreement, and does not accelerate vesting under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, in no event will the shares be issued in respect of such Non-Exempt Award any later
than the later of: (i) December 31st of the calendar year that includes the applicable vesting date, or (ii) the 60th day that follows the applicable vesting date.
(ii) If vesting of the Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement
in connection with the Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award as of the
date of grant, then the shares will be earlier issued in settlement of such Non-Exempt Award upon the Participant’s Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, but in no event later than the
60th day that follows the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued the Participant is
subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date
of such Participant’s Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.
(iii) If vesting of a Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement
in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were not in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are not a part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award on
the date of grant, then such acceleration of vesting of the Non-Exempt Award shall not accelerate the issuance date of the shares, but the shares shall instead be issued on the same schedule as set forth in the Grant Notice as if they had
vested in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service, notwithstanding the vesting acceleration of the Non-Exempt Award. Such issuance schedule is intended to satisfy the requirements of payment on a specified date or
pursuant to a fixed schedule, as provided under United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(a)(4).
(c) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Transaction for Employees and Consultants. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of any Non-Exempt Award in connection
with a Transaction if the Participant was either an Employee or Consultant upon the applicable date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award.
(i) Vested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall
apply to any Vested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Transaction:
If the Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in
Control, the settlement of the Vested Non-Exempt Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Alternatively, the Company may instead provide that the Participant
will receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control.
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If the Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute each Vested Non-Exempt Award. The shares to be issued
in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring
Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant
on such issuance dates, with the determination of the Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Transaction.
(ii) Unvested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions
shall apply to any Unvested Non-Exempt Award unless otherwise determined by the Board pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section.
In the event of a Transaction, the Acquiring Entity shall assume, continue or substitute any Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt
Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by
the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead
substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value of the shares made
on the date of the Transaction.
If the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue any Unvested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Transaction, then such Award shall automatically terminate and be forfeited
upon the Transaction with no consideration payable to any Participant in respect of such forfeited Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the
Board may in its discretion determine to elect to accelerate the vesting and settlement of the Unvested Non-Exempt Award upon the Transaction, or instead substitute a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares that would
otherwise be issued to the Participant, as further provided in subsection (e)(ii) below. In the absence of such discretionary election by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration to the
affected Participants if the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue the Unvested Non-Exempt Awards in connection with the Transaction.
The foregoing treatment shall apply with respect to all Unvested Non-Exempt Awards upon any Transaction, and regardless of whether or not such Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in
Control.
(d) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Transaction for Non-Employee Directors.
The following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of a Non-Exempt Director Award in connection with a
Transaction.
(i) If the Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity may not
assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control, the vesting and settlement of any Non-Exempt Director Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued to
the Participant in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award. Alternatively, the Company may provide that the Participant will instead receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to
the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control pursuant to the preceding provision.
(ii) If the Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must
either assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Non-Exempt Director Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the
Award prior to the Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if
the Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the
shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value made on the date of the Transaction.
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(e) If the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, then the provisions in this Section 11(e) shall apply and supersede anything
to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the permitted treatment of such Non-Exempt Award:
(i) Any exercise by the Board of discretion to accelerate the vesting of a Non-Exempt Award shall not
result in any acceleration of the scheduled issuance dates for the shares in respect of the Non-Exempt Award unless earlier issuance of the shares upon the applicable vesting dates would be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.
(ii) The Company explicitly reserves the right to earlier settle any Non-Exempt Award to the extent
permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, including pursuant to any of the exemptions available in United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).
(iii) To the extent the terms of any Non-Exempt Award provide that it will be settled upon a Change in
Control or Transaction, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Change in Control or Transaction event triggering settlement must also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control. To the extent
the terms of a Non-Exempt Award provides that it will be settled upon a termination of employment or termination of Continuous Service, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the termination event
triggering settlement must also constitute a Separation From Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued to a Participant in connection with a “separation from service” such Participant is subject to the
distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of the
Participant’s Separation From Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.
(iv) The provisions in this subsection (e) for delivery of the shares in respect of the settlement of a
RSU Award that is a Non-Exempt Award are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that the delivery of the shares to the Participant in respect of such Non-Exempt Award will not trigger the additional tax imposed under
Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be so interpreted.
12. Severability.
If all or any part of the Plan or any Award Agreement is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any
portion of the Plan or such Award Agreement not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of the Plan or any Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner
which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.
13. Termination of the Plan.
The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of: (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the
Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
14. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) “Acquiring Entity” means the surviving or acquiring
corporation (or its parent company) in connection with a Transaction.
(b) “Adoption Date” means the date the Plan is first
approved by the Board.
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(c) “Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any
“parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing
definition.
(d) “Applicable Law” means the Code and any applicable U.S. or
non-U.S. securities, federal, state, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or
requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of any applicable self-regulating organization such as the Nasdaq
Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(e) “Award” means any right to receive Common Stock, cash or
other property granted under the Plan (including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a RSU Award, a SAR, a Performance Award or any Other Award).
(f) “Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the
Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award. The Award Agreement generally consists of the Grant Notice and the agreement containing the written summary of the general
terms and conditions applicable to the Award and which is provided to a Participant along with the Grant Notice.
(g) “Board” means the board of directors of the Company (or
its designee). Any decision or determination made by the Board shall be a decision or determination that is made in the sole discretion of the Board (or its designee), and such decision or determination shall be final and binding on all
Participants.
(h) “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made
in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization,
recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate
structure or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(i) “Cause” has the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a
Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s actual or attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company or an Affiliate; (ii) such Participant’s intentional,
material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or of any statutory duty owed to the Company or an Affiliate; (iii) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s or
any of its Affiliate’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (iv) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by
the Board with respect to Participants who are executive officers of the Company and by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer with respect to Participants who are not executive officers of the Company. Any determination by the Company that
the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or an
Affiliate or such Participant for any other purpose.
(j) “Change in Control” or “Change of Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events; provided, however, to the extent necessary to avoid adverse
personal income tax consequences to the Participant in connection with an Award, such event or events, as the case may be, also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control:
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(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company
representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control shall not be
deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person
that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities, or (C) solely because the level of
Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other
acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the
Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting
securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control shall be deemed to occur;
(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or
indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting
securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the
surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately
prior to such transaction;
(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50%
of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such
sale, lease, license or other disposition; or
(iv) individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election)
of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing
the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect
to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply.
(k) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(l) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee and any
other committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board or Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.
(m) “Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.
(n) “Company” means Veritone, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and any successor thereto.
(o) “Compensation Committee” means the Compensation
Committee of the Board.
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(p) “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of
the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a
“Consultant” for purposes of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form
S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.
(q) “Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s
service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee,
Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a
Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to
have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous
Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of
absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in an Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to
the Participant, or as otherwise required by law. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such
term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of “separation from service” as defined under United States Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(r) “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a
single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as
determined by the Board, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;
(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;
(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving
corporation; or
(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving
corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property,
whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.
(s) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(t) “determine” or “determined” means as determined by the
Board or the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.
(u) “Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, such
Participant is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous
period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.
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(v) “Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is
approved by the Company’s stockholders.
(w) “Employee” means any
person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
(x) “Employer” means the Company or the Affiliate that
employs the Participant.
(y) “Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited
liability company or other entity.
(z) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(aa) “Exchange Act Person” means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the
Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter
temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of
the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of
securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.
(bb) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, unless
otherwise determined by the Board, the value of the Common Stock (as determined on a per share or aggregate basis, as applicable) determined as follows:
(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established
market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in
a source the Board deems reliable.
(ii) If there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair
Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.
(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, or if otherwise determined by the Board, the
Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.
(cc) “Governmental Body” means any: (i) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (ii) U.S. federal, state, local, municipal,
non-U.S. or other government; (iii) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official,
ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (iv) self-regulatory
organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).
(dd) “Grant Notice” means the notice provided to a Participant
that he or she has been granted an Award under the Plan and which includes the name of the Participant, the type of Award, the date of grant of the Award, number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award or potential cash payment right,
(if any), the vesting schedule for the Award (if any) and other key terms applicable to the Award.
(ee) “Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant
to Section 4 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.
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(ff) “Materially Impair” means any amendment to the terms of the Award that materially adversely affects the Participant’s rights under the Award. A Participant’s rights under an Award will not be deemed to have been Materially
Impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights. For example, the following types of amendments to the terms of an
Award do not Materially Impair the Participant’s rights under the Award: (i) imposition of reasonable restrictions on the minimum number of shares subject to an Option that may be exercised, (ii) to maintain the qualified status of the Award
as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iii) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option in a manner that disqualifies, impairs or otherwise affects the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option
under Section 422 of the Code; (iv) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with or qualify it for an exemption from, Section 409A; or (v) to comply with other Applicable Law.
(gg) “Non-Employee Director” means
a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any
capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation
S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant
to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.
(hh) “Non-Exempt Award” means any Award that is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A, including as the result of (i) a deferral of the issuance of the shares subject to the Award which is elected by the Participant or imposed
by the Company or (ii) the terms of any Non-Exempt Severance Agreement.
(ii) “Non-Exempt Director Award” means a Non-Exempt Award
granted to a Participant who was a Director but not an Employee on the applicable grant date.
(jj) “Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement” means a severance
arrangement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company that provides for acceleration of vesting of an Award and issuance of the shares in respect of such Award upon the Participant’s termination of employment or separation
from service (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code (and without regard to any alternative definition thereunder) (“Separation from Service”)) and such
severance benefit does not satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A provided under United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9) or otherwise.
(kk) “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted
pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
(ll) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the
Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(mm) “Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory
Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.
(nn) “Option Agreement” means
a written agreement between the Company and the Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of the Option grant. The Option Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Option and the agreement containing the written summary of
the general terms and conditions applicable to the Option and which is provided to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(oo) “Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is
granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.
(pp) “Other Award” means an award valued in whole or in part
by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value at the time of grant), that is not
an Incentive Stock Option, Nonstatutory Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Performance Award.
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(qq) “Other Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Award grant. Each Other Award Agreement will be subject
to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(rr) “Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership” means that a person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of,
or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to
direct the voting, with respect to such securities.
(ss) “Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant to
whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.
(tt) “Performance Award” means an Award that may vest or may
be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of Section 5(b) pursuant to such
terms as are approved by the Board. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash or other property may be used in payment of Performance Awards.
Performance Awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock.
(uu) “Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that
the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a Performance Period. The Performance Criteria that will be used to establish such Performance Goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as
determined by the Board: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; net income/loss adjusted for interest
expense, interest income, other income/expenses, net provision for/benefit from income taxes, depreciation and amortization, legal settlement expenses and stock-based compensation expenses; other earnings measures; total stockholder return;
return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; stock price; margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income; operating income after taxes; non-GAAP net
income; pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue or product revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added (or an equivalent
metric); market share; cash flow; cash flow per share; share price performance; debt reduction; customer satisfaction; stockholders’ equity; capital expenditures; debt levels; operating profit or net operating profit; workforce diversity;
growth of net income or operating income; operations within or below pre-determined annual budget; billings; financing; regulatory milestones; stockholder liquidity; corporate governance and compliance; intellectual property; personnel
matters; progress of internal research; progress of partnered programs; partner satisfaction; budget management; partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; investor
relations, analysts and communication; manufacturing achievements (including obtaining particular yields from manufacturing runs and other measurable objectives related to process development activities); implementation or completion of
projects or processes; employee retention; number of users, including unique users; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with respect to the
marketing, distribution and sale of the Company’s products; supply chain achievements; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture or other similar arrangements; individual performance goals; corporate development and planning
goals; and other measures of performance selected by the Board or Committee.
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(vv) “Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the
one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. Performance Goals may be based on a Company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, Affiliates, or business
segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise by the Board (i) in the Award Agreement at the time the
Award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the Performance Goals at the time the Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance
Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude
the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the
dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to
exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of Common Stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or
other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude
costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are
required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the
manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the
Award Agreement.
(ww) “Performance Period” means the period of time selected by
the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to vesting or exercise of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at
the sole discretion of the Board.
(xx) “Plan” means this Amended and Restated Veritone, Inc. 2023
Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time. The Amended and Restated Veritone, Inc. 2023 Equity Incentive Plan amends and restates in its entirety the Veritone, Inc. Equity Incentive Plan approved by the Company’s stockholders on
June 8, 2023.
(yy) “Plan Administrator” means the person, persons, and/or
third-party administrator designated by the Company to administer the day to day operations of the Plan and the Company’s other equity incentive programs.
(zz) “Post-Termination Exercise
Period” means the period following termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service within which an Option or SAR is exercisable, as specified in Section 4(h).
(aaa) “Prior Plans” means
the Company’s 2014 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan and the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, each as amended.
(bbb) “Prior Plans’ Available
Reserve” means the number of shares available for the grant of new awards under the Company’s 2014 Stock Option/Stock Issuance Plan (if any) and the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, each as amended, as of immediately prior to the
Effective Date.
(ccc) “Returning Shares” means shares subject to outstanding
stock awards granted under the Prior Plans and that following the Effective Date: (A) are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such stock award having
been issued; (B) are not issued because such stock award or any portion thereof is settled in cash; (C) are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting
of such shares; (D) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price; or (E) are withheld or reacquired to satisfy a tax withholding obligation.
(ddd) “Restricted Stock Award”
or “RSA” means an Award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).
(eee) “Restricted
Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. The
Restricted Stock Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Restricted Stock Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Award and which is provided to a
Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
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(fff) “RSU Award” or “RSU” means an Award of restricted stock units representing the right to receive an issuance of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions
of Section 5(a).
(ggg) “RSU Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a RSU Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a RSU Award. The RSU Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the RSU Award and the
agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the RSU Award and which is provided to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each RSU Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions
of the Plan.
(hhh) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the
Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.
(iii) “Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the
Securities Act.
(jjj) “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the
regulations and other guidance thereunder.
(kkk) “Section 409A Change in Control” means a change in the
ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and United States Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without
regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(lll) “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(mmm “Share Reserve” means the
number of shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 2(a).
(nnn) “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 4.
(ooo) “SAR Agreement” means a written agreement between the
Company and a holder of a SAR evidencing the terms and conditions of a SAR grant. The SAR Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the SAR and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the
SAR and which is provided to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each SAR Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(ppp) “Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any
corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of
such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which
the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.
(qqq) “Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is
deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.
(rrr) “Trading Policy” means the Company’s policy permitting
certain individuals to sell Company shares only during certain “window” periods and/or otherwise restricts the ability of certain individuals to transfer or encumber Company shares, as in effect from time to time.
(sss) “Transaction” means a Corporate Transaction or a Change
in Control.
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(ttt) “Unvested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any
Non-Exempt Award that had not vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of any Transaction.
(uuu) “Vested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any
Non-Exempt Award that had vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of a Transaction.
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