UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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 Pursuant to Rule
Sec.240.14a-12 |
MASSROOTS, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
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No fee required |
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Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act
Rules 14a-6(i) (1) and 0-11. |
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Title of each class of securities to which
transaction applies: |
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Aggregate number of securities to which
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Per unit price or other underlying
value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11
(set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and
state how it was determined): |
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Proposed maximum aggregate value of
transaction: |
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Total fee paid: |
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Fee paid previously with preliminary
materials: |
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Check box if any part of the fee is
offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the
filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify
the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form
or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
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Amount previously paid: |
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Form, Schedule or Registration Statement
No.: |
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Date Filed: |
MassRoots, Inc.
1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 816-8070
Dear Stockholder,
You are cordially invited to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting (the
“Annual Meeting”) of stockholders (“Stockholders”) of MassRoots,
Inc. (the “Company”) to be held on September 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm
Eastern Time. This year, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the
Annual Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting conducted via
live audio webcast to enable our Stockholders to participate from
any location around the world that is safe and convenient to them.
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by visiting
http://webcasts.com/MassRootsInc-AnnualMeeting. The attached notice
of Annual Meeting and proxy statement describes the matters to be
presented at the Annual Meeting and provides information about us
that you should consider when you vote.
The principal business of the meeting will be:
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To elect two directors to serve until our next
annual meeting of Stockholders or until their successor is duly
elected and qualified; |
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To approve an amendment to the Company’s Second
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate
of Incorporation”) to increase the number of authorized shares of
common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock”), of the Company
from 500,000,000 shares to 1,200,000,000 shares; |
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To grant discretionary authority to the Company’s
Board of Directors to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to
effect one or more consolidations of the issued and outstanding
shares of Common Stock, pursuant to which the shares of Common
Stock would be combined and reclassified into one share of Common
Stock at a ratio within the range from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-1,000
(each, a “Reverse Stock Split”), provided that, (X) the Company
shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the aggregate,
exceed 1-for-1,000, and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is completed no
later than the first anniversary of the Record Date (as defined
herein); |
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To approve the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive
Plan (the “2021 Plan”) and the reservation of up to 50,000,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder, subject to certain
conditions; |
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To ratify the appointment of RBSM LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2021; |
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To hold an advisory vote on executive
compensation; |
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To approve the adjournment of the Annual Meeting,
if necessary or advisable, to solicit additional proxies in favor
of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes to
approve the foregoing proposals; and |
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To transact such other business as may be
properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof. |
We hope you will be able to virtually attend the Annual Meeting.
Whether you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting or not, it
is important that your shares are represented. Therefore, when you
have finished reading the proxy statement, you are urged to vote
over the Internet, by telephone, or complete, sign, date and return
the enclosed proxy card promptly in accordance with the
instructions set forth on the card. This will ensure your proper
representation at the Annual Meeting, whether or not you can
attend.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Danny Meeks |
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Danny Meeks, Chairman |
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT.
PLEASE RETURN YOUR PROXY PROMPTLY.
MassRoots, Inc.
1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 816-8070
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
To be Held on September 3, 2021
To the Stockholders of MassRoots, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
(the “Annual Meeting”) of MassRoots, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Company”), to be held on September 3, 2021 at 4:30 pm Eastern Time.
This year, in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, the Annual Meeting
will be a completely virtual meeting of Stockholders conducted via
live audio webcast to enable our Stockholders to participate from
any location around the world that is safe and convenient to them.
You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting by visiting
http://webcasts.com/MassRootsInc-AnnualMeeting for the purpose of
considering and taking action on the following proposals:
The principal business of the meeting will be:
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1. |
To elect two directors to serve until our next
annual meeting of Stockholders or until their successor is duly
elected and qualified; |
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2. |
To approve an amendment to the Company’s Second
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Certificate
of Incorporation”) to increase the number of authorized shares of
common stock, par value $0.001 (the “Common Stock”) of the Company
from 500,000,000 shares to 1,200,000,000 shares (the “Stock
Increase Amendment”); |
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To grant discretionary authority to the Company’s
Board of Directors (the “Board”) to amend the Certificate of
Incorporation to effect one or more consolidations of the issued
and outstanding shares of Common Stock, pursuant to which the
shares of Common Stock would be combined and reclassified into one
share of Common Stock at a ratio within the range from 1-for-2 up
to 1-for-1,000 (the “Reverse Stock Split”), provided that, (X) the
Company shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the
aggregate, exceed 1-for-1,000, and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is
completed no later than the first anniversary of the Record Date
(as defined herein); |
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To approve the Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive
Plan (the “2021 Plan”) and the reservation of up to 50,000,000
shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder, subject to certain
conditions; |
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To ratify the appointment of RBSM LLP as our
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2021; |
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To hold an advisory vote on executive
compensation; |
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To approve the adjournment of the Annual Meeting,
if necessary or advisable, to solicit additional proxies in favor
of the foregoing proposals if there are not sufficient votes to
approve the foregoing proposals; and |
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To transact such other business as may be
properly brought before the Annual Meeting and any adjournments
thereof. |
You may vote if you were the record owner of shares of the
Company’s Common Stock or of the Company’s Series C Convertible
Preferred Stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Series C
Preferred Stock”), at the close of business on July 7, 2021. The
Board of Directors of the Company has fixed the close of business
on July 7, 2021 as the record date (the “Record Date”) for the
determination of Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at
the Annual Meeting and at any adjournments thereof.
As of the Record Date, there were 499,871,337 shares of Common
Stock and 1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock outstanding and
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. The holders of our Common
Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of Common Stock held.
The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to vote
such number of shares equal to 40% of the issued and outstanding
Common Stock on a pro-rata basis. The foregoing shares are referred
to herein as the “Shares.” Holders of our Common Stock and Series C
Preferred Stock will vote together as a single class on all matters
described in this proxy statement (the “Proxy Statement”).
All Stockholders are cordially invited to virtually attend the
Annual Meeting. Whether you plan to virtually attend the Annual
Meeting or not, you are requested to vote over the Internet, by
telephone, or complete, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy
card promptly in accordance with the instructions set forth on the
card as soon as possible in accordance with the instructions on the
proxy card. A pre-addressed, postage prepaid return envelope is
enclosed for your convenience. Voting by using the aforementioned
methods will not prevent you from voting virtually at the annual
meeting.
YOUR VOTE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IS IMPORTANT
Your vote is important. Please vote as promptly as possible even if
you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting.
For information on how to vote your Shares, please see the
instruction from your broker or other fiduciary, as applicable, as
well as “How Do I Vote?” in the Proxy Statement accompanying this
notice.
We encourage you to vote over the Internet, by telephone, or by
completing, signing, and dating the proxy card, and returning it in
the enclosed envelope.
If you have questions about voting your Shares, please contact our
Chief Executive Officer at MassRoots, Inc., at 1560 Broadway, Suite
17-105, Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone number (303)
816-8070.
If you decide to change your vote, you may revoke your proxy in the
manner described in the attached Proxy Statement at any time before
it is voted.
We urge you to review the accompanying materials carefully and to
vote as promptly as possible. Note that we have enclosed with this
notice a proxy statement.
THE PROXY STATEMENT AND THE ANNUAL
REPORT ARE AVAILABLE AT:
http://annualgeneralmeetings.com/massroots
By Order of the Board of Directors of MassRoots, Inc.
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Sincerely, |
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/s/ Isaac Dietrich |
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Isaac Dietrich, Chief Executive
Officer |
Date: July 12, 2021
IMPORTANT NOTICE
REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL
MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and our Proxy
Statement are available at:
http://annualgeneralmeetings.com/massroots
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REFERENCES TO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
This Proxy Statement incorporates important business and financial
information about MassRoots, Inc. that is not included in or
delivered with this document. You may obtain this information
without charge through the Securities and Exchange Commission
(“SEC”) website (www.sec.gov) or upon your written or oral request
by contacting the Chief Executive Officer of MassRoots, Inc., at
1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105, Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone
number (303) 816-8070.
To ensure timely delivery of these documents, any request should
be made no later than August 1, 2021 to receive them before the
Annual Meeting.
For additional details about where you can find information about
MassRoots, Inc., please see the section entitled “Where You Can
Find More Information about the Company” in this Proxy
Statement.
MassRoots, Inc.
1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105
Denver, Colorado 80202
(303) 816-8070
2021 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 3,
2021
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING
This Proxy Statement, along with the accompanying notice of the
2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, contains information about the
2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of MassRoots, Inc., including
any adjournments or postponements thereof (referred to herein as
the “Annual Meeting”). We are holding the Annual Meeting at 4:30 pm
Eastern Time on September 3, 2021 or such later date or dates as
such Annual Meeting date may be adjourned or postponed. The Annual
Meeting will be a completely virtual meeting of Stockholders
conducted via live audio webcast to enable our Stockholders to
participate from any location around the world that is safe and
convenient to them. You will be able to attend the Annual Meeting
by visiting http://webcasts.com/MassRootsInc-AnnualMeeting.
In this Proxy Statement, we
refer to MassRoots, Inc. as “MassRoots,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,”
or “our.”
Why Did You Send Me This Proxy Statement?
We sent you this Proxy
Statement in connection with the solicitation by the board of
directors of the Company (referred to herein as the “Board of
Directors” or the “Board”) of proxies, in the accompanying form, to
be used at the Annual Meeting to be held at 4:30 pm Eastern Time on
September 3, 2021 and any adjournments thereof. This Proxy
Statement along with the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of
Stockholders summarizes the purposes of the Annual Meeting and the
information you need to know to vote at the Annual
Meeting.
Important Notice Regarding the
Availability of Proxy Materials for the Stockholder Meeting to Be
Held on September 3, 2021 The Proxy Statement and annual report to
security holders are available at
http://annualgeneralmeetings.com/massroots.
This Proxy Statement, the accompanying proxy and, though not part
of this Proxy Statement, our Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the
“Annual Report”), which includes our financial statements for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, are being mailed on or about
July 20, 2021 to all Stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote
at the meeting. You can also find a copy of our 2020 Annual Report
on Form 10-K on the Internet through the Securities and Exchange
Commission’s electronic data system called EDGAR at
www.sec.gov or through the “Investor Relations” section of
our website at www.massroots.com.
Why is the 2021 Annual
Meeting a virtual, online meeting?
In light of the COVID-19
pandemic, our Annual Meeting will be a virtual meeting of
stockholders where stockholders will participate by accessing a
website using the Internet. There will not be a physical meeting
location. In light of the public health and safety concerns related
to the COVID-19 outbreak, we believe that hosting a virtual meeting
will facilitate stockholder attendance and participation at our
Annual Meeting by enabling stockholders to safely participate from
any location around the world. We have designed the virtual annual
meeting to provide the same rights and opportunities to participate
as stockholders have at an in-person meeting, including the right
to vote and ask questions through the virtual meeting
platform.
Who Can Vote?
Stockholders who owned Common Stock or Series C Preferred Stock at
the close of business on July 7, 2021 (the “Record Date”), are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the Record Date,
there were 499,871,337 shares of Common Stock and 1,000 shares of
Series C Preferred Stock outstanding and entitled to vote at the
Annual Meeting.
You do not need to virtually attend the Annual Meeting to vote your
Shares. Shares represented by valid proxies, received in time for
the Annual Meeting and not revoked prior to the Annual Meeting,
will be voted at the Annual Meeting. A Stockholder may revoke a
proxy before the proxy is voted by delivering to our Secretary a
signed statement of revocation or a duly executed proxy card
bearing a later date. Any Stockholder who has executed a proxy card
but attends the Annual Meeting virtually may revoke the proxy and
vote at the Annual Meeting.
How Many Votes Do I Have?
Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote per share of
Common Stock. The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are
entitled to such number of votes equal to 40% of the issued and
outstanding Common Stock on a pro-rata basis. Holders of our Common
Stock and Series C Preferred Stock will vote together as a single
class.
How Do I Vote?
Whether you plan to virtually attend the Annual Meeting or not, we
urge you to vote by proxy. All Shares represented by valid proxies
that we receive through this solicitation, and that are not
revoked, will be voted in accordance with your instructions on the
proxy card or as instructed via Internet or telephone. You may
specify whether your Shares should be voted for or against each
nominee for director, and whether your Shares should be voted for,
against or abstain with respect to each of the other proposals.
Except as set forth below, if you properly submit a proxy without
giving specific voting instructions, your Shares will be voted in
accordance with the Board’s recommendations as noted below. Voting
by proxy will not affect your right to virtually attend the Annual
Meeting. If your Shares are registered directly in your name
through our stock transfer agent, Pacific Stock Transfer Company,
or you have stock certificates, you may vote:
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By
Internet or by telephone. Follow the instructions you received
to vote by Internet or telephone. |
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By mail. Complete and mail the enclosed
proxy card in the enclosed postage prepaid envelope. Your proxy
will be voted in accordance with your instructions. If you sign the
proxy card but do not specify how you want your Shares voted, they
will be voted as recommended by the Board. |
If your Shares are held in “street name” (held in the name of a
bank, broker or other nominee), you must provide the bank, broker
or other nominee with instructions on how to vote your Shares and
can do so as follows:
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By Internet or by telephone. Follow the
instructions you receive from your broker to vote by Internet or
telephone. |
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By mail. You will receive instructions
from your broker or other nominee explaining how to vote your
Shares. |
If you are a beneficial owner of Shares held in street name and do
not provide the organization that holds your Shares with specific
voting instructions, under the rules of various national and
regional securities exchanges, the organization that holds your
Shares may generally vote on routine matters, but cannot vote on
non-routine matters.
How Does The Board Recommend That I Vote On The
Proposals?
The Board recommends that you vote as follows:
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“FOR” the election of the Board nominees
as directors; |
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“FOR” the approval of an amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of
Common Stock from 500,000,000 shares to 1,200,000,000
shares; |
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“FOR” the approval of discretionary
authority to the Company’s Board of Directors to amend the
Certificate of Incorporation to effect one or more consolidations
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, within the
range from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-1,000 (each, a “Reverse Stock
Split”), provided that, (X) the Company shall not effect Reverse
Stock Splits that, in the aggregate, exceed 1-for-1,000, and (Y)
any Reverse Stock Split is completed no later than the first
anniversary of the Record Date; |
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“FOR” the approval the Company’s 2021
Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) and the reservation of up
to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance thereunder,
subject to certain conditions; |
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“FOR” the ratification of the selection of
RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2021; |
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“FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis,
of the compensation paid to our named executive officers;
and |
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“FOR” the approval of the adjournment of
the Annual Meeting, if necessary or advisable, to solicit
additional proxies in favor of the foregoing proposals if there are
not sufficient votes to approve the foregoing
proposals. |
If any other matter is presented, the proxy card provides that your
Shares will be voted by the proxy holder listed on the proxy card
in accordance with his or her best judgment. At the time this Proxy
Statement was printed, we knew of no matters that needed to be
acted on at the Annual Meeting, other than those discussed in this
Proxy Statement.
May I Change or Revoke My Proxy?
If you give us your proxy, you may change or revoke it at any time
before the Annual Meeting. You may change or revoke your proxy in
any one of the following ways:
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signing a new proxy card and submitting it as
instructed above; |
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re-voting by Internet or by telephone as
instructed above — only your latest Internet or telephone vote will
be counted; |
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if your Shares are registered in your name,
notifying the Company’s Secretary in writing before the Annual
Meeting that you have revoked your proxy; or |
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virtually attending the Annual Meeting and
voting. Virtually attending the Annual Meeting will not in and of
itself revoke a previously submitted proxy unless you specifically
request it. |
What If I Receive More Than One Proxy Card?
You may receive more than one proxy card or voting instruction form
if you hold Shares in more than one account, which may be in
registered form or held in street name. Please vote in the manner
described under “How Do I Vote?” on the proxy card for each account
to ensure that all of your Shares are voted.
What is a Broker Non-Vote?
If your Shares are held in street name, you must instruct the
organization that holds your Shares how to vote your Shares. If you
sign your proxy card but do not provide instructions on how your
broker should vote on “routine” proposals, your broker will vote
your Shares as recommended by the Board. If you do not provide
voting instructions, your Shares will not be voted on any
“non-routine” proposals. This vote is called a “broker
non-vote.”
What Vote is Required to Approve Each Proposal and How are Votes
Counted?
Proposal 1: Election of
Directors |
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A plurality of the Shares present
virtually or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the
subject matter at the Annual Meeting is required to elect the
nominees as directors. Abstentions and broker non-votes
will have no effect on the outcome of the vote on this
proposal. |
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Proposal 2: Approval of an amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase our authorized
shares of Common Stock from 500,000,000 shares to 1,200,000,000
shares (the “Stock Increase Amendment”). |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon is required to
approve an amendment to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation
to effect the Stock Increase Amendment. Thus, abstentions and
broker non-votes will have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this
proposal. |
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Proposal 3: Approval of discretionary
authority to the Company’s Board of Directors to amend the
Certificate of Incorporation to effect one or more consolidations
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, within the
range from 1-for-2 up to 1-for-1,000 (each, a “Reverse Stock
Split”), provided that, (X) the Company shall not effect Reverse
Stock Splits that, in the aggregate, exceed 1-for-1,000, and (Y)
any Reverse Stock Split is completed no later than the first
anniversary of the Record Date. |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of
the outstanding Shares entitled to vote thereon is required to
grant discretionary authority to the Company’s Board of Directors
to amend the Certificate of Incorporation to effect one or more
Reverse Stock Splits. Thus, abstentions and broker non-votes will
have the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal. |
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Proposal 4: Approval of the MassRoots, Inc.
2021 Stock Plan, and the reservation of up to 50,000,000 shares of
Common Stock for issuance thereunder, subject to certain
conditions. |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of
the Shares present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting is required to
approve the 2021 Stock Plan. Abstentions are considered Shares
present and entitled to vote on this proposal, and thus, will have
the same effect as a vote “AGAINST” this proposal. Broker non-votes
will have no effect on the outcome of this proposal. |
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Proposal 5: Ratification of the appointment of
RBSM as our independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of
the Shares present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting is required to
ratify the appointment of RBSM as our independent registered public
accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. This
means that the votes cast by the Stockholders “FOR” the approval of
the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “AGAINST” the
approval of the proposal. If a Stockholder votes to “ABSTAIN,” it
has the same effect as a vote “AGAINST.” If you are a beneficial
owner, your broker, bank or other nominee may vote your Shares on
this proposal without receiving voting instructions from
you. |
Proposal 6: Approval of an
advisory vote on executive compensation. |
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To be approved, this non-binding vote
must be approved by a majority of the Shares present virtually or
represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter at
the Annual Meeting. This means that the votes cast by the
Stockholders “FOR” the approval of the proposal must exceed the
number of votes cast “AGAINST” the approval of the proposal. If a
Stockholder votes to “ABSTAIN,” it has the same effect as a vote
“AGAINST.” Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of
this proposal. |
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Proposal 7: Authorization to adjourn the
Annual Meeting. |
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The affirmative vote of a majority of
the Shares present virtually or represented by proxy and entitled
to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting is required to
approve this proposal. This means that the votes cast by the
Stockholders “FOR” the approval of the proposal must exceed the
number of votes cast “AGAINST” the approval of the proposal. If a
Stockholder votes to “ABSTAIN,” it has the same effect as a vote
“AGAINST.” Broker non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of
this proposal. |
What Constitutes a Quorum for the Annual Meeting?
The presence, virtually or by proxy, of the holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of each class or series of voting stock
then entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to
constitute a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Votes of Stockholders of
record who are present at the virtual Annual Meeting virtually or
by proxy, abstentions, and broker non-votes are counted for
purposes of determining whether a quorum exists.
Do I Have Dissenters’ Rights of Appraisal?
The Company’s Stockholders do not have appraisal rights under
Delaware law or under the Company’s governing documents with
respect to the matters to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting.
Householding of Annual Disclosure Documents
The Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) previously
adopted a rule concerning the delivery of annual disclosure
documents. The rule allows us or brokers holding our Shares on your
behalf to send a single set of our annual report and proxy
statement to any household at which two or more of our Stockholders
reside, if either we or the brokers believe that the Stockholders
are members of the same family. This practice, referred to as
“householding,” benefits both Stockholders and us. It reduces the
volume of duplicate information received by you and helps to reduce
our expenses. The rule applies to our annual reports, proxy
statements and information statements. Once Stockholders receive
notice from their brokers or from us that communications to their
addresses will be “householded,” the practice will continue until
Stockholders are otherwise notified or until they revoke their
consent to the practice. Each Stockholder will continue to receive
a separate proxy card or voting instruction card.
Those Stockholders who either (i) do not wish to participate in
“householding” and would like to receive their own sets of our
annual disclosure documents in future years or (ii) who share an
address with another one of our Stockholders and who would like to
receive only a single set of our annual disclosure documents should
follow the instructions described below:
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Stockholders whose Shares are registered in their
own name should contact our transfer agent, Pacific Stock Transfer
Company, and inform them of their request by calling them at (800)
785-7782 or writing them at 173 Keith Street, Suite 3, Warrenton,
Virginia 20186. |
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Stockholders whose Shares are held by a broker or
other nominee should contact such broker or other nominee directly
and inform them of their request. Stockholders should be sure to
include their name, the name of their brokerage firm and their
account number. |
Who is Paying for this Proxy Solicitation?
In addition to mailed proxy materials, our directors, officers and
employees may also solicit proxies in person, by telephone, or by
other means of communication. We will not pay our directors,
officers and employees any additional compensation for soliciting
proxies. We may reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other agents
for the cost of forwarding proxy materials to beneficial
owners.
Who will Count the Votes?
A representative from Pacific Stock Transfer Company will act as
the inspector of election and count the votes.
When are Stockholder Proposals due for Next Year’s Annual
Meeting?
At our annual meeting each year, our Board submits to Stockholders
its nominees for election as directors. In addition, the Board may
submit other matters to the Stockholders for action at the annual
meeting.
Pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange
Act”), Stockholders may present proper proposals for inclusion in
the Company’s proxy statement for consideration at the 2022 annual
meeting of Stockholders by submitting their proposals to the
Company in a timely manner. These proposals must meet the
Stockholder eligibility and other requirements of the SEC. To be
considered for inclusion in next year’s proxy materials, you must
submit your proposal in writing no later than May 6, 2022 to
the Company at MassRoots, Inc., 1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105,
Denver, Colorado 80202; provided, however, if the date of the 2022
Annual Meeting is convened more than 30 days before, or delayed by
more than 30 days after the first anniversary of this Annual
Meeting, a Stockholder proposal must be submitted in writing to the
Company not less than 10 calendar days after the date the Company
shall have mailed notice to its shareholders of the date that the
annual meeting of shareholders will be held or shall have issued a
press release or otherwise publicly disseminated notice that an
annual meeting of shareholders will be held and the date of the
meeting.
What Interest Do Officers and Directors Have in Matters to Be
Acted Upon?
Neither member of the Board
of Directors and none of the executive officers of the Company have
any interest in any proposal that is not shared by all other
Stockholders of the Company except for Proposal No. 1 regarding the
nomination of the members of the Board, Proposal No. 4 regarding
the 2021 Plan, under which members of our Board of Directors and
our executive officers will be eligible to participate and receive
equity incentive awards, and Proposal No. 6 regarding the advisory
vote on executive compensation.
Where Can I Find the Voting Results of the Annual
Meeting?
We will announce preliminary voting results at the annual meeting.
We will also disclose voting results in a current report on Form
8-K filed with the SEC within four business days after the Annual
Meeting, which will be available on our website.
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE COMPANY
The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy
statements and other information with the SEC. You can read and
copy any materials that the Company files with the SEC, which you
can access over the Internet at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s
website address is www.massroots.com. Information contained on, or
that can be accessed through, the Company’s website is not a part
of this Proxy Statement.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information regarding the
beneficial ownership of our Common Stock and Series C Preferred
Stock by (i) each person who, to our knowledge, owns more than 5%
of our Common Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, (ii) our current
directors and the named executive officers identified under the
heading “Executive Compensation” and (iii) all of our current
directors and executive officers as a group. We have determined
beneficial ownership in accordance with applicable rules of the
SEC, and the information reflected in the table below is not
necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other
purpose. Under applicable SEC rules, beneficial ownership includes
any shares as to which a person has sole or shared voting power or
investment power and any shares which the person has the right to
acquire within 60 days after July 7, 2021 through the exercise of
any option, warrant or right or through the conversion of any
convertible security. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes
to the table below and subject to community property laws where
applicable, we believe, based on the information furnished to us
that each of the persons named in this table has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares indicated as
beneficially owned.
The information set forth in the table below is based on
499,871,337 shares of our Common Stock and 1,000 shares of Series C
Preferred Stock issued and outstanding on July 7, 2021. In
computing the number of shares of Common Stock and Series C
Preferred Stock beneficially owned by a person and the percentage
ownership of that person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares of
Common Stock or Series C Preferred Stock subject to options,
warrants, rights or other convertible securities held by that
person that are currently exercisable or will be exercisable within
60 days after July 7, 2021. We did not deem these shares
outstanding, however, for the purpose of computing the percentage
ownership of any other person. Unless otherwise indicated, the
principal address of each of the Stockholders below is in care of
MassRoots, Inc., 1560 Broadway, Suite 17-105, Denver, Colorado
80202.
|
|
Number of Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Percentage of Common Stock Beneficially Owned |
|
|
Number of Shares of Series C Preferred Stock Beneficially
Owned |
|
|
Percentage of Shares of Series C Beneficially Owned |
|
|
% of Total Voting Power |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Directors and Named Executive
Officers |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Danny Meeks |
|
|
12,495,258 |
|
|
|
2.50 |
% |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
1.79 |
% |
Isaac Dietrich |
|
|
18,738,831 |
(1) |
|
|
3.55 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
(2) |
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
31.10 |
% |
All directors and named executive officers as a group (2
persons) |
|
|
31,234,089 |
|
|
|
6.05 |
% |
|
|
1,000 |
|
|
|
100 |
% |
|
|
32.89 |
% |
Other 5% Stockholder |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
None |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(1) |
Consists of (i) 17,738,831 shares of Common Stock
and (ii) 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock underlying the shares of
Series C Preferred Stock. |
|
|
(2) |
As the sole holder of the Series C Preferred
Stock, Isaac Dietrich is entitled to such number of votes equal to
40% of the issued and outstanding Common Stock. |
PROPOSAL ONE:
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
At this Annual Meeting, two (2) people, comprising the entire
membership of the Board of Directors, are to be elected. The
elected directors will serve until the Company’s next annual
meeting of Stockholders and until a successor is elected and
qualified. The nominees currently serve on the Board of
Directors.
The nominees have consented to serve if elected. We expect that the
nominees will be available for election, but if they are not
candidates at the time the election occurs, such proxy will be
voted for the election of another nominee to be designated by the
Board to fill any such vacancy.
The term of office of the people elected as directors will continue
until the next annual meeting or until their successor has been
elected and qualified, or until the director’s death, resignation
or removal.
Biographical and certain other information concerning the Company’s
nominees for election to the Board of Directors is set forth below.
Our directors are not directors in any other reporting companies.
We are not aware of any proceedings to which our directors, or any
associate of our directors are a party adverse to us or any of our
subsidiaries or has a material interest adverse to us or any of our
subsidiaries.
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS
Name of Nominee |
|
Age |
Danny Meeks |
|
47 |
Isaac Dietrich |
|
29 |
Biography
Danny Meeks is the Chairman of the Board of MassRoots, Inc.,
a position he has been holding since June 2021. He is the sole
owner and President of Empire Services, Inc., a metal recycling
company he founded in 2002. Additionally, Mr. Meeks has been
serving as the President of DWM Properties, LLC, his real estate
holding company, since 2002 and as the President of Select
Recycling and Waste Services, Inc., a waste disposal and recycling
company, from October 2016 to present. Mr. Meeks graduated from
Manor High School in 1993. Mr. Meeks is well-suited to serve on our
Board due to his significant business and management experience and
deep knowledge of growth and commercialization strategies. Mr.
Meeks joined the Company’s Board to foster revenue-generating
capabilities of the Company.
Isaac Dietrich, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial
Officer, and Directors – Isaac Dietrich is the founder of
the Company and has been a director of the Company since our
inception. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer since
December 2017 and Chief Financial Officer since March 2021. In
addition, he previously held the following positions with the
Company: Chief Executive Officer (April 2013 – October 2017);
Chairman of the Board of the Company (April 2013 – October 2017,
December 2018 – June 2021); and Chief Financial Officer (April 2013
– May 2014 and August 2017 – October 2017). In his various
positions, Mr. Dietrich has been responsible for executing
MassRoots’ strategic business development. Mr. Dietrich was also
previously the co-founder of RoboCent.com from June 2012 where he
helped scale the business until his buyout in December 2016. He has
served as Chairman of 2Meet, Inc. from May 2017 to September 2020.
He also founded Tidewater Campaign Solutions, LLC, a Virginia
Beach-based political strategy firm that was retained by 30
political local and congressional campaigns and political action
committees from January 2010 to December 2012. From February 2010
to December 2010, Mr. Dietrich served as Field Director for former
Congressman E. Scott Rigell’s campaign. Mr. Dietrich is qualified
to serve as a member of the Company’s Board because of his business
management experience and his years of service to the Company in
various executive capacities.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among our directors and executive
officers.
Involvement in Legal Proceedings
We are not aware of any of
our directors or officers being involved in any legal proceedings
in the past ten years relating to any matters in bankruptcy,
insolvency, criminal proceedings (other than traffic and other
minor offenses) or being subject to any of the items set forth
under Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K.
Vote Required
A plurality of the Shares present virtually or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting is
required to elect the nominees as directors.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES
NAMED ABOVE, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN
FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE
PROXY.
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Governance of Our Company
We seek to maintain high standards of business conduct and
corporate governance, which we believe are fundamental to the
overall success of our business, serving our Stockholders well and
maintaining our integrity in the marketplace. Our corporate
governance guidelines and Code of Conduct and Ethics, together with
our Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and the charters for each
of our Board committees, form the basis for our corporate
governance framework. We also are subject to certain provisions of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
The full text of the Code of Conduct and Ethics is available on our
website at https://www.massroots.com/investors/code-conduct-ethics/
and is also filed as an exhibit to our Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 2014 as filed with the SEC on April
1, 2015.
There are currently no
members of the Board serving on our Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee, or Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and
our Board will act in place of such committees until such time that
members are appointed to such committees.
Our Board of Directors
Our Board currently consists
of two members. The number of directors on our Board can be
evaluated and amended by action of our Board.
Our Board has decided that it would judge the independence of its
directors by the heightened standards established by the Nasdaq
Stock Market, despite the Company not being subject to these
standards at this time. Our Board considers a director to be
independent when the director is not an officer or employee of the
Company or its subsidiaries, does not have any relationship which
would, or could reasonably appear to, materially interfere with the
independent judgment of such director, and the director otherwise
meets the independence requirements under the listing standards of
the Nasdaq Stock Market and the rules and regulations of the SEC.
Based on the foregoing, the Board has determined that none of our
directors currently meet the independence standards established by
the Nasdaq Stock Market and the applicable independence rules and
regulations of the SEC, including the rules relating to the
independence of the members of our Audit Committee, Compensation
Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
Stockholder Communications. Although we do not have a formal
policy regarding communications with the Board, Stockholders may
communicate with the Board by writing to us at 1560 Broadway, Suite
17-105, Denver, Colorado 80202, Attention: Chairman. Stockholders
who would like their submission directed to a member of the Board
may so specify, and the communication will be forwarded, as
appropriate. Please note that the foregoing communication procedure
does not apply to (i) Stockholder proposals pursuant to Exchange
Act Rule 14a-8 and communications made in connection with such
proposals or (ii) service of process or any other notice in a legal
proceeding.
Board and Committee Meetings
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, our Board held no
meetings and operated solely by unanimous written consent. For the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, our Board was composed of a
sole member who attended every meeting of our Board. Our Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate
Governance committee did not have any members and did not meet
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020. The Company did not
have an annual meeting of Stockholders during the prior year.
Board Committees
On December 9, 2015, our Board designated the following three
committees of the Board: the Audit Committee, the Compensation
Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Company’s designated committees currently do not have any
members and the Board acts in place of such committees.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee is
responsible for, among other things, overseeing the financial
reporting and audit process and evaluating our internal controls
over financial reporting. The Audit Committee currently does not
have any members nor does it have an audit committee financial
expert and the Board acts in place of such committee. Our Board has
determined that given its relatively small size, the function of
the Audit Committee could be performed by our Board as a whole
without unduly burdening the duties and responsibilities of our
Board member. A copy of the Audit Committee Charter is available on
our website at
https://www.massroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MassRoots_Audit_Committee_Charter.pdf.
Compensation Committee. The Compensation
Committee is responsible for, among other things, establishing and
overseeing the Company’s executive and equity compensation
programs, establishing performance goals and objectives, and
evaluating performance against such goals and objectives. The
Compensation Committee currently does not have any members and the
Board acts in place of such committee. Our Board has determined
that given its relatively small size, the function of the
Compensation Committee could be performed by our Board as a whole
without unduly burdening the duties and responsibilities of our
Board member. A copy of the Compensation Committee Charter is
available on our website at
https://www.massroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MassRoots_Compensation_Committee_Charter.pdf.
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.
The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is responsible
for, among other things, identifying and recommending candidates to
fill vacancies occurring between annual Stockholder meetings and
reviewing the Company’s policies and programs relating to matters
of corporate citizenship, including public issues of significance
to the Company and its Stockholders. The Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee currently does not have any members and the
sole member of the Board acts in place of such committee. Our Board
has determined that given its relatively small size, the function
of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee could be
performed by our Board as a whole without unduly burdening the
duties and responsibilities of our Board member. A copy of the
Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Charter is available
on our website at
https://www.massroots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/MassRoots_NCG_Charter.pdf.
Risk Oversight
The Board is primarily responsible for overseeing our risk
management processes. The Board receives and reviews periodic
reports from management, auditors, legal counsel and others, as
appropriate, regarding the Company’s assessment of risks. The Board
focuses on the most significant risks facing the Company and our
general risk management strategy, and also ensures that the risks
we undertake are consistent with the Board’s risk parameters. While
the Board oversees the risk management process, our management is
responsible for day-to-day risk management and, if management
identifies new or additional significant risks, it brings such
risks to the attention of the Board.
Board Leadership Structure
Danny Meeks is the Chairman of our Board of Directors. Isaac
Dietrich is the Chief Executive Officer of the Company and a
Director. The Chairman of the Board presides at all meetings of the
Board, unless such position is vacant, in which case, the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company would preside.
Policy on Hedging the Economic Risks of Equity Ownership
The Company has no policy regarding hedging the economic risks of
equity ownership for the executive team or directors of the Company
and the Company does not engage in this practice.
Changes to security holder director nomination
procedures
The Company has not adopted procedures for considering director
candidates submitted by stockholders under Item 407(c)(2)(iv),
Regulation S-K.
Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires our directors and
executive officers and persons who beneficially own more than 10%
of our outstanding shares of Common Stock (collectively, “Reporting
Persons”) to file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and
reports of changes in ownership in our Common Stock and other
equity securities. Such persons are required by SEC regulations to
furnish to us copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file. To our
knowledge, based solely on our review of copies of the reports
received by us or written representations from certain Reporting
Persons that no other reports were required, we believe that during
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, all filing requirements
applicable to the Reporting Persons were timely met except:
|
● |
Jesus Quintero, our former Chief Financial
Officer, failed to report one transaction on time on a Form
4. |
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following are biographical summaries of our executive officers
and their ages, except for Mr. Dietrich, whose biography is set
forth above:
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
Isaac
Dietrich |
|
29 |
|
Chief
Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer |
Isaac Dietrich, Chief
Executive Officer, Interim Chief Financial Officer,
and Director – Biographical information regarding Mr. Dietrich
is provided above under Board Nominees.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Named Executive Officer
Our named executive officer for the year ended December 31, 2020
was Isaac Dietrich, our Chief Executive Officer.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table presents the compensation awarded to, earned by
or paid to our named executive officer for the year ended December
31, 2019 and December 31, 2020.
Name and Principal Position |
|
Year |
|
Salary
($) |
|
|
Bonus
($) |
|
|
Stock awards
($) (1) |
|
|
Option awards
($) (1) |
|
|
Nonequity incentive plan compensation
($) |
|
|
Nonqualified deferred compensation earnings ($) |
|
|
All other compensation
($) (1) |
|
|
Total
($) |
|
Isaac Dietrich |
|
2020 |
|
|
145,000 |
|
|
|
38,330 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
183,330 |
|
Chief Executive Officer |
|
2019 |
|
|
145,000 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
10,000 |
(2) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
252,000 |
(3) |
|
|
407,000 |
|
(1) |
These amounts are the aggregate fair value of the
equity compensation incurred by the Company for payments to
executives during the fiscal year. The aggregate fair value is
computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board
(“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. The
fair market value was calculated using the Black-Scholes options
pricing model. |
|
|
(2) |
On October 21, 2019, Mr. Dietrich was issued
1,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a stated value of
$10,000. |
|
|
(3) |
During fiscal year 2019, Mr. Dietrich received a
housing and relocation allowance of $252,000 (of which $95,500 was
attributable to state and federal tax liability). |
Outstanding Equity Awards at December 31, 2020
There were no outstanding equity awards held by our named executive
officer as of December 31, 2020.
Narrative Disclosure to the Summary Compensation Table
Isaac Dietrich
On December 12, 2017, the Company entered into an employment
agreement with Isaac Dietrich pursuant to which Mr. Dietrich serves
as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. Pursuant to the terms of
the employment agreement, Mr. Dietrich shall receive an annual base
salary of $145,000. In addition, Mr. Dietrich shall be eligible to
receive an annual bonus and shall be eligible to receive such
awards under the Company’s incentive plans as determined by the
Company’s Compensation Committee. Mr. Dietrich may be terminated by
the Company or may voluntarily resign, at any time, with or without
cause. Either the Company or Mr. Dietrich may terminate Mr.
Dietrich’s employment upon two weeks prior written notice.
Upon termination except by death (the “Termination Date”), the
Company shall pay Mr. Dietrich (i) any accrued but unpaid
compensation, (ii) a pro-rata portion of his annual bonus
calculated as of the Termination Date and (iii) reimbursement of
expenses incurred on or prior to the Termination Date. In addition,
Mr. Dietrich may elect to receive Consolidated Omnibus Budget
Reconciliation Act of 1985 benefits for up to twelve months from
the Termination Date. Upon termination of Mr. Dietrich’s employment
for death, the Company shall pay Mr. Dietrich (i) any accrued but
unpaid compensation and (ii) reimbursement of expenses incurred on
or prior to such date. Mr. Dietrich is also entitled to participate
in any and all benefit plans such as health, dental and life
insurance, from time to time, in effect for senior executives,
along with vacation, sick and holiday pay in accordance with the
Company’s policies established and in effect from time to time. In
the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, Mr.
Dietrich received $38,330 and $0 in bonuses, respectively. Mr.
Dietrich did not receive any compensation related to his position
as a director.
Except for the modification of the vesting criteria in connection
with the issuance of the Series C Preferred Stock to Isaac
Dietrich, and the housing and relocation allowance of $252,000 paid
to Isaac Dietrich, at no time during the periods listed in the
above tables, with respect to any named executive officers, was
there:
|
● |
any outstanding option or other equity-based
award re-priced or otherwise materially modified (such as by
extension of exercise periods, the change of vesting or forfeiture
conditions, the change or elimination of applicable performance
criteria, or the change of the bases upon which returns are
determined); |
|
● |
any waiver or modification of any specified
performance target, goal or condition to payout with respect to any
amount included in non-stock incentive plan compensation or
payouts; |
|
● |
any non-equity incentive plan award made to a
named executive officer; |
|
● |
any nonqualified deferred compensation plans
including nonqualified defined contribution plans; or |
|
● |
any payment for any item to be included under the
“All Other Compensation” column in the Summary Compensation
Table. |
Director Compensation
Our directors do not receive any additional compensation for their
service as directors.
Indemnification of Officers and Directors
Our Certificate of Incorporation provides that we shall indemnify
our officers and directors to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law against all liability and loss suffered and expenses
(including attorneys’ fees) incurred in connection with actions or
proceedings brought against them by reason of their serving or
having served as officers, directors or in other capacities. We
shall be required to indemnify a director or officer in connection
with an action or proceeding commenced by such director or officer
only if the commencement of such action or proceeding by the
director or officer was authorized in advance by the Board of
Directors.
Our Equity Incentive Plans
Our Stockholders approved our 2014 Equity Incentive Plan (“2014
Plan”) in June 2014, our 2015 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2015
Plan”) in December 2015, our 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (“2016
Plan”) in October 2016, our 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (“2017
Plan”) in December 2016 and our 2018 Equity Incentive Plan (“2018
Plan” and together with the 2014 Plan, 2015 Plan, 2016 Plan and
2017 Plan, the “Prior Plans”) in June 2018. The Prior Plans are
identical to the proposed 2021 Plan, except for the number of
shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under each.
The Prior Plans provide for the grant of incentive stock options,
nonstatutory stock options, stock bonus awards, restricted stock
awards, performance stock awards and other forms of stock
compensation to our employees, including officers, consultants and
directors. Our Prior Plans also provide that the grant of
performance stock awards may be paid out in cash as determined by
the Committee (as defined herein).
Plan Details
The following table and information below sets forth information as
of December 31, 2020 with respect to our Plans:
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)
|
|
|
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: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2014
Equity Incentive Plan |
|
|
1,685,792 |
|
|
$ |
0.31 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2015 Equity
Incentive Plan |
|
|
3,059,157 |
|
|
$ |
0.94 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2016 Equity
Incentive Plan |
|
|
1,715,104 |
|
|
$ |
0.51 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2017 Equity
Incentive Plan |
|
|
7,660,850 |
|
|
$ |
0.87 |
|
|
|
— |
|
2018 Equity
Incentive Plan |
|
|
13,700,000 |
|
|
$ |
0.20 |
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total |
|
|
27,820,903 |
|
|
$ |
0.50 |
|
|
|
190,000 |
|
Summary of the Prior Plans
Authorized Shares
No shares of our Common Stock are reserved for issuance pursuant to
the 2014 Plan, 2015 Plan, the 2016 Plan and the 2017 Plan. There
are currently 190,000 shares of our Common Stock available for
issuance pursuant to the 2018 Plan. Shares of Common Stock issued
under our Prior Plans may be authorized but unissued or reacquired
shares of our Common Stock. Shares of Common Stock subject to stock
awards granted under our Prior Plans that expire or terminate
without being exercised in full, or that are paid out in cash
rather than in shares of Common Stock, will not reduce the number
of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under our Prior
Plans. Additionally, shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to
stock awards under our Prior Plans that we repurchase or that are
forfeited, as well as shares of Common Stock reacquired by us as
consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a stock award,
will become available for future grant under our Prior Plans.
Administration
Our Board, or a duly authorized committee thereof (collectively,
the “Committee”), has the authority to administer our Prior Plans.
Our Board may also delegate to one or more of our officers the
authority to designate employees other than Directors and officers
to receive specified stock, which, in respect to those awards, said
officer or officers shall then have all authority that the
Committee would have.
Subject to the terms of our Prior Plans, the Committee has the
authority to determine the terms of awards, including recipients,
the exercise price or strike price of stock awards, if any, the
number of shares of Common Stock subject to each stock award, the
fair market value of a share of our Common Stock, 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 stock award and the terms and
conditions of the award agreements for use under the Prior Plans.
The Committee has the power to modify outstanding awards under the
Prior Plans, subject to the terms of the Prior Plans and applicable
law. Subject to the terms of our Prior Plans, the Committee has the
authority to reprice any outstanding option or stock appreciation
right, cancel and re-grant any outstanding option or stock
appreciation right in exchange for new stock awards, cash or other
consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a
repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the
consent of any adversely affected participant.
Stock Options
Stock options may be granted under the Prior Plans. The exercise
price of options granted under our Prior Plans must at least be
equal to the fair market value of our Common Stock on the date of
grant. The term of an ISO may not exceed 10 years, except that with
respect to any participant who owns more than 10% of the voting
power of all classes of our outstanding stock, the term must not
exceed 5 years and the exercise price must equal at least 110% of
the fair market value on the grant date. The Committee will
determine the methods of payment of the exercise price of an
option, which may include cash, shares of Common Stock or other
property acceptable to the Committee, as well as other types of
consideration permitted by applicable law. No single participant
may receive more than 25% of the total options awarded in any
single year. Subject to the provisions of our Prior Plans, the
Committee determines the other terms of options.
Performance Shares
Performance shares may be granted under our Prior Plans.
Performance shares are awards that will result in a payment to a
participant only if performance goals established by the
administrator are achieved or the awards otherwise vest. The
Committee will establish organizational or individual performance
goals or other vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending
on the extent to which they are met, will determine the number
and/or the value of performance shares to be paid out to
participants. After the grant of a performance share, the
Committee, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any
performance criteria or other vesting provisions for such
performance shares. The Committee, in its sole discretion, may pay
earned performance units or performance shares in the form of cash,
in shares of Common Stock or in some combination thereof, per the
terms of the agreement approved by the Committee and delivered to
the participant. Such agreement will state all terms and condition
of the agreement.
Restricted Stock
The terms and conditions of any restricted stock awards granted to
a participant will be set forth in an award agreement and, subject
to the provisions in the Prior Plans, will be determined by the
Committee. Under a restricted stock award, we issue shares of our
Common Stock to the recipient of the award, subject to vesting
conditions and transfer restrictions that lapse over time or upon
achievement of performance conditions. The Committee will determine
the vesting schedule and performance objectives, if any, applicable
to each restricted stock award. Unless the Committee determines
otherwise, the recipient may vote and receive dividends on shares
of restricted stock issued under our Prior Plans.
Other Share-Based Awards and Cash Awards
The Committee may make other forms of equity-based awards under our
Prior Plans, including, for example, deferred shares, stock bonus
awards and dividend equivalent awards. In addition, our Prior Plans
authorizes us to make annual and other cash incentive awards based
on achieving performance goals that are pre-established by our
compensation committee.
Merger, Consolidation or Asset Sale
If the Company is merged or consolidated with another entity or
sells or otherwise disposes of substantially all of its assets to
another company while awards or options remain outstanding under
the Prior Plans, unless provisions are made in connection with such
transaction for the continuance of the Prior Plans and/or the
assumption or substitution of such awards or options with new
options or stock awards covering the stock of the successor
company, or parent or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate
adjustments as to the number and kind of shares and prices, then
all outstanding options and stock awards which have not been
continued, assumed or for which a substituted award has not been
granted shall, whether or not vested or then exercisable, unless
otherwise specified in the relevant agreements, terminate
immediately as of the effective date of any such merger,
consolidation or sale.
Change in Capitalization
If the Company shall effect a subdivision or consolidation of
shares of Common Stock or other capital readjustment, the payment
of a stock dividend, or other increase or reduction of the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding, without receiving
consideration therefore in money, services or property, then awards
amounts, type, limitations, and other relevant consideration shall
be appropriately and proportionately adjusted. The Committee shall
make such adjustments, and its determinations shall be final,
binding and conclusive.
Prior Plan Amendment or Termination
Our Board has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our
Prior Plans, provided that such action does not materially impair
the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s
written consent. Each of the Prior Plans will terminate ten years
after the earlier of (i) the date that each such Prior Plan is
adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date that each such Prior Plan is
approved by the Stockholders, except that awards that are granted
under the applicable Prior Plan prior to its termination will
continue to be administered under the terms of the that Prior Plan
until the awards terminate, expire or are exercised.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR
INDEPENDENCE
Except for the below, from January 1, 2019 through the date of this
Proxy Statement, we have not been a party to any transaction or
proposed transaction in which the amount involved in the
transaction exceeds the lesser of $120,000 or 1% of the average of
our total assets at year-end for the last two completed fiscal
years, and in which any of our directors, executive officers or, to
our knowledge, beneficial owners of more than 5% of our capital
stock or any member of the immediate family of any of the foregoing
persons had or will have a direct or indirect material interest,
other than equity and other compensation which are described
elsewhere in this Proxy Statement.
Agreements with Jesus Quintero and Affiliates of Jesus
Quintero
On December 15, 2020, the Company entered into a settlement
agreement (the “Settlement Agreement”) with JDE Development, LLC
(“JDE”), a Florida limited liability company wholly-owned and
managed by Jesus Quintero, the Company’s Chief Financial Officer,
in connection with the outstanding sum of $89,143.50 due to JDE for
the services of Jesus Quintero as the Chief Financial Officer of
the Company pursuant to that certain CFO Services Agreement entered
into as of April 1, 2018, by and between the Company and Jesus
Quintero. Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, the Company agreed
to pay JDE $25,000 (the “Cash Settlement”) and to enter into a
convertible note with JDE in the principal amount of $64,143 (the
“Note”). In addition, both parties agreed, on behalf of themselves,
their past and present shareholders, members, directors, employees,
managers, parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, principals, officers,
related entities, assigns and successors, to irrevocably and fully
release each other, and their respective past and present
shareholders, members, directors, employees, managers, parents,
affiliates, subsidiaries, principals, officers, related entities,
assigns and successors, from any and all claims and causes of
action, suits, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, reckonings,
bonds, bills specialties, covenants, contracts, controversies,
agreements, promises, variances, trespasses, damages, judgments,
extents, executions, claims and demands whatsoever at law or in
equity, upon or by reason of any matter, cause or thing of any
nature whatsoever, including but not limited to claims related to
sums payable by the Company to JDE.
In accordance with the Settlement Agreement, (i) on December 23,
2020, the Company paid JDE the Cash Settlement, and (ii) on
December 15, 2020 the Company entered into the Note with JDE for a
principal amount of $64,143.15. The Note had a maturity date of
June 15, 2021 and accrued interest at a rate of twelve percent
annually.
On December 23, 2020, the Company entered into an exchange
agreement with JDE, pursuant to which the Company exchanged the
Note, for 3.20716 shares of its Series Y Preferred Stock. On
January 11, 2021, the Company issued such shares of Series Y
Preferred Stock to JDE. Each share of Series Y Preferred Stock has
a stated value of $20,000 and is convertible into 10,000,000 shares
of the Company’s Common Stock, subject to certain adjustments. The
shares of Series Y Preferred Stock are not convertible to the
extent that (i) the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation has not
been amended to increase the number of authorized shares of Common
Stock of the Company, or (ii) the holder (together with such
holder’s affiliates) would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% of
the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving
effect to such conversion (which provision may be increased to a
maximum of 9.99% by the holder by written notice from such holder
to the Company, which notice shall be effective 61 calendar days
after the date of such notice). As of the date of this Proxy
Statement such shares of Series Y Preferred Stock are
outstanding.
PROPOSAL TWO:
APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO THE COMPANY’S CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION TO
INCREASE OUR AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK TO 1,200,000,000
SHARES
FROM 500,000,000 SHARES
Our Board of Directors has approved, subject to Stockholder
approval, by written consent in lieu of a meeting, an amendment to
the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number
of authorized shares of Common Stock of the Company from
500,000,000 shares to 1,200,000,000 shares (the “Increase in
Authorized”). The Increase in Authorized will become effective upon
the filing of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation with
the Secretary of State of Delaware (the “Stock Increase
Amendment”). The form of Stock Increase Amendment to be filed with
the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware is set forth as
Appendix A (subject to any changes required by
applicable law).
The terms of the additional shares of Common Stock will be
identical to those of the currently outstanding shares of Common
Stock. However, because holders of Common Stock have no preemptive
rights to purchase or subscribe for any unissued stock of the
Company, the issuance of additional shares of Common Stock will
reduce the current Stockholders’ percentage ownership interest in
the total outstanding shares of Common Stock. The relative rights
and limitations of the shares of Common Stock will remain unchanged
under the Stock Increase Amendment.
This Common Stock increase and the creation of additional shares of
authorized Common Stock will not by itself alter the current number
of issued shares. However, the approval of the Stock Increase
Amendment will allow the Company to fulfill contractual obligations
pursuant to certain outstanding debt and convertible securities of
the Company, some of which are in default. The Company intends to
pair the Increase in Authorized with one or more Reverse Stock
Splits (see Proposal Number Three) in order to meet its contractual
obligations and retain enough flexibility for future corporate
actions. If the Stock Increase Amendment is not approved by our
Stockholders, we will take further measures pursuant to our
contractual obligations to increase our number of authorized shares
of Common Stock, including the issuance of super-majority voting
preferred stock to Isaac Dietrich, our Chief Executive Officer. In
addition, if the Stock Increase Amendment is not authorized in a
timely manner, the Company may begin to accrue penalties under
certain outstanding agreements until such time as the Company is
able to increase its number of authorized shares of Common Stock,
and our future financing alternatives will be severely limited by
the lack of unissued and unreserved authorized shares of Common
Stock. If the Company does not have unissued and unreserved
authorized shares of Common Stock sufficient to fulfill existing
obligations and facilitate future offerings of our equity and
convertible debt securities, the Company may be unable to raise the
amount of working capital needed to continue operations.
The newly authorized shares of Common Stock would be issuable for
any proper corporate purpose, including issuances of shares of
Common Stock (which may be in lieu of cash payments) to settle our
obligations on our outstanding convertible securities, future
acquisitions, investment opportunities, capital raising
transactions of equity or convertible debt securities, stock
splits, stock dividends, issuance under current or future equity
compensation plans, employee stock plans and savings plans or for
other corporate purposes.
Reasons for the Increase in Authorized
The Board believes that the availability of additional authorized
shares of Common Stock is required, among other things: (i) to
avoid defaulting upon its obligations to satisfy certain covenants
in its securities and debt instruments which, among other things,
require that the Company maintain a certain reserve of authorized,
but unissued shares of Common Stock; (ii) to allow for the
conversion of certain of the Company’s debt instruments and
convertible securities that are convertible into shares of the
Company’s Common Stock; (iii) to provide the Company with
additional authorized shares of Common Stock for additional
flexibility to issue Common Stock for a variety of general
corporate purposes as the Board may determine to be desirable
including, without limitation, future financings, investment
opportunities, acquisitions, or other distributions and stock
splits; and (iv) to provide for shares to underlie our 2021 Plan,
which is subject to Stockholder approval (see Proposal Number Four)
and under which awards will only be available to the extent that
there are enough shares of Common Stock; and (v) as a result of our
recent financing and proposed equity exchanges, as reported in more
detail in our filings with the SEC and as further described
below.
Contractual Obligations due to the issuance of Series X
Preferred Stock
The Company has certain
contractual obligations to effect the Stock Increase Amendment
pursuant to its agreements with holders of the Company’s Series X
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the
“Series X Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to the Certificate
of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series X Convertible
Preferred Stock (the “Series X COD”).
To date, the Company has
issued 22.29 shares of Series X Preferred Stock, pursuant to
securities purchase agreements (each a “Series X Purchase
Agreement”) with accredited investors. Each share of Series X
Preferred Stock is convertible into 10,000,000 shares of Common
Stock, subject to certain adjustments. Until the filing and
effectiveness of the Stock Increase Amendment, the Series X
Preferred Stock is not convertible for any reason. A holder of
Series X Preferred Stock also does not have the right to convert
any portion of the Series X Preferred Stock to the extent that,
after giving effect to the conversion, the holder, together with
its affiliates, would beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (subject
to adjustment to up to 9.99% solely at the holder’s discretion upon
61 days’ prior notice to the Company) of the number of shares of
Common Stock outstanding immediately after giving effect to its
conversion.
Pursuant to the Series X
Purchase Agreements, the Company has agreed to take all necessary
corporate actions to increase its authorized shares of Common Stock
in order to have sufficient authorized but unissued Common Stock to
reserve and keep available at all times a number of shares of
Common Stock equal the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Series X Preferred Shares (subject to
adjustment for stock splits and dividends, combinations and similar
events) (the “Reserve Ratio”).
In addition, pursuant to the Certificate of Designations,
Preferences and Rights of the Series X Convertible Preferred Stock
(the “Series X COD”), so long as any shares of Series X Preferred
Stock remain outstanding, and upon the effectiveness of the Stock
Increase Amendment, the Company shall at all times reserve at least
two (2) times the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from
time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all of the
shares of Series X Preferred Stock then outstanding (without regard
to any limitations on conversions).
Pursuant to the Series X
Purchase Agreements, if the Company at any time fails to meet this
Reserve Ratio requirement within 45 days after written notice from
a purchaser of Series X Preferred Stock, it shall pay such
purchaser partial liquidated damages equal to $500 per day for each
$100,000 of such purchaser’s subscription amount and covenants to
issue to Isaac Dietrich, our Chief Executive Officer and sole
director, a series of preferred stock which contains the power to
vote a number of votes equal to 51% of the number of votes eligible
to vote at any special or annual meeting of the Company’s
Stockholders (with the power to take action by written consent in
lieu of a stockholders meeting) for the sole purpose of amending
the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase its
authorized Common Stock.
The descriptions of the form of Series X Purchase Agreement, the
Series X Preferred Stock and the Series X COD were previously
disclosed in Part II, Item 5 of the Company’s Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020, which
was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December
18, 2020.
In addition, while any of the shares of Series X Preferred Stock
remain outstanding, should the Company not have a sufficient number
of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its
obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Series X
at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required
Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company
shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the
Corporation’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount
sufficient to allow the Corporation to reserve the Required Reserve
Amount for the Series X then outstanding. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after
the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in
no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the
occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Corporation shall
use its best efforts to hold a meeting of its stockholders for the
approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Corporation
shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use
its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such
increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its
Board of Directors to recommend to the stockholders that they
approve such proposal. In lieu of a meeting of stockholders, the
Corporation may effect such action by written consent in accordance
with Section 14(c) of the 1934 Act. Except as provided in the first
sentence of Section 11(a), in the event that the Corporation is
prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon any
conversion due to the failure by the Corporation to have sufficient
shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common
Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such
Authorized Failure Shares to such Holder, the Corporation shall pay
cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the
Conversion Amount convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares
at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number
of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the average of the Closing
Sale Price of the Common Stock based upon the five (5) Trading Days
during the period commencing on the date such Holder delivers the
applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized
Failure Shares to the Corporation and ending on the date of such
issuance under this Section 12(b). Nothing contained in this
Section shall limit any obligations of the Corporation under any
provision of the Transaction Documents
Contractual Obligations due to the issuance of Series Y
Preferred Stock
The Company has certain
contractual obligations to effect the Stock Increase Amendment
pursuant to its agreements with holders of the Company’s Series Y
Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the
“Series Y Preferred Stock”), and pursuant to the Certificate
of Designations, Preferences and Rights of the Series Y Convertible
Preferred Stock (the “Series Y COD”).
To date, the Company has
issued 720.515674 shares of Series Y Preferred Stock, pursuant to
exchange agreements (each a “Series Y Exchange Agreement”) with
accredited investors. Each share of Series Y Preferred Stock is
convertible into 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, subject to
certain adjustments. Until the filing and effectiveness of the
Stock Increase Amendment, the Series Y Preferred Stock is not
convertible for any reason. A holder of Series Y Preferred Stock
also does not have the right to convert any portion of the Series Y
Preferred Stock to the extent that, after giving effect to the
conversion, the holder, together with its affiliates, would
beneficially own in excess of 4.99% (subject to adjustment to up to
9.99% solely at the holder’s discretion upon 61 days’ prior notice
to the Company) of the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after giving effect to its conversion.
Pursuant to the Series Y
Purchase Agreements, the Company has agreed to take all necessary
corporate actions to increase its authorized shares of Common Stock
in order to have sufficient authorized but unissued Common Stock to
reserve and keep available at all times a number of shares of
Common Stock equal the number of shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion of the Series Y Preferred Shares (subject to
adjustment for stock splits and dividends, combinations and similar
events) (the “Reserve Ratio”).
In addition, pursuant to the Certificate of Designations,
Preferences and Rights of the Series Y Convertible Preferred Stock
(the “Series Y COD”), so long as any shares of Series Y Preferred
Stock remain outstanding, and upon the effectiveness of the Stock
Increase Amendment, the Company shall at all times reserve at least
two (2) times the number of shares of Common Stock as shall from
time to time be necessary to effect the conversion of all of the
shares of Series Y Preferred Stock then outstanding (without regard
to any limitations on conversions).
Pursuant to the Series Y
Purchase Agreements, if the Company at any time fails to meet this
Reserve Ratio requirement within 45 days after written notice from
a purchaser of Series Y Preferred Stock, it shall pay such
purchaser partial liquidated damages equal to $500 per day for each
$100,000 of such purchaser’s subscription amount and covenants to
issue to Isaac Dietrich, our Chief Executive Officer and sole
director, a series of preferred stock which contains the power to
vote a number of votes equal to 51% of the number of votes eligible
to vote at any special or annual meeting of the Company’s
Stockholders (with the power to take action by written consent in
lieu of a stockholders meeting) for the sole purpose of amending
the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to increase its
authorized Common Stock.
The descriptions of the form of Series Y Purchase Agreement, the
Series Y Preferred Stock and the Series Y COD were previously
disclosed in Part II, Item 5 of the Company’s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, which was filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2021.
In addition, while any of the shares of Series Y Preferred Stock
remain outstanding, should the Company not have a sufficient number
of authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock to satisfy its
obligation to reserve for issuance upon conversion of the Series Y
at least a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the Required
Reserve Amount (an “Authorized Share Failure”), then the Company
shall immediately take all action necessary to increase the
Corporation’s authorized shares of Common Stock to an amount
sufficient to allow the Corporation to reserve the Required Reserve
Amount for the Series Y then outstanding. Without limiting the
generality of the foregoing sentence, as soon as practicable after
the date of the occurrence of an Authorized Share Failure, but in
no event later than one hundred and twenty (120) days after the
occurrence of such Authorized Share Failure, the Corporation shall
use its best efforts to hold a meeting of its stockholders for the
approval of an increase in the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock. In connection with such meeting, the Corporation
shall provide each stockholder with a proxy statement and shall use
its best efforts to solicit its stockholders’ approval of such
increase in authorized shares of Common Stock and to cause its
Board of Directors to recommend to the stockholders that they
approve such proposal. In lieu of a meeting of stockholders, the
Corporation may effect such action by written consent in accordance
with Section 14(c) of the 1934 Act. Except as provided in the first
sentence of Section 11(a), in the event that the Corporation is
prohibited from issuing shares of Common Stock to a Holder upon any
conversion due to the failure by the Corporation to have sufficient
shares of Common Stock available out of the authorized but unissued
shares of Common Stock (such unavailable number of shares of Common
Stock, the “Authorized Failure Shares”), in lieu of delivering such
Authorized Failure Shares to such Holder, the Corporation shall pay
cash in exchange for the redemption of such portion of the
Conversion Amount convertible into such Authorized Failure Shares
at a price equal to the sum of (i) the product of (x) such number
of Authorized Failure Shares and (y) the average of the Closing
Sale Price of the Common Stock based upon the five (5) Trading Days
during the period commencing on the date such Holder delivers the
applicable Conversion Notice with respect to such Authorized
Failure Shares to the Corporation and ending on the date of such
issuance under this Section 12(b). Nothing contained in this
Section shall limit any obligations of the Corporation under any
provision of the Transaction Documents
Effects of the Stock Increase Amendment
Following the filing of the Stock Increase Amendment with the
Delaware Secretary of State, we will have the authority to issue
700,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock. These shares of
Common Stock may be issued without Stockholder approval at any
time, in the sole discretion of our Board of Directors. The
authorized and unissued shares of Common Stock may be issued for
cash or for any other purpose that is deemed in the best interests
of the Company. In addition, the Stock Increase Amendment could
have a number of effects on the Company’s Stockholders depending
upon the exact nature and circumstances of any actual issuances of
authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock.
Potential Risks and Adverse Effects of the Stock Increase
Amendment
The Stock Increase Amendment will dramatically increase the number
of authorized shares of Common Stock. A large amount of available
shares of Common Stock could have adverse consequences, including
but not limited to if the price of our Common Stock decreases, we
may be required to issue a large number of shares of Common Stock
to raise capital.
Future issuances of Common Stock or securities convertible into
Common Stock will have a significant dilutive effect on the
earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and
percentage interest of holdings of current Stockholders. If the
Stock Increase Amendment is approved, our Stockholders will
experience significant dilution as a result of shares of Common
Stock being issued pursuant to our outstanding convertible
securities, including our outstanding convertible preferred stock.
Further, due to our need to raise additional capital in order to
fund continuing operations, our Stockholders will also experience
significant dilution as a result of shares of Common Stock being
issued in connection with future financings that the Company may
complete.
The Board cannot predict the effect of the Stock Increase Amendment
upon the market price for our shares of Common Stock. The table below illustrates the number of
shares of Common Stock authorized for issuance following the
Increase in Authorized and the number of unreserved shares of
Common Stock available for future issuance following the Increase
in Authorized. The information in the following table is based
on 499,871,337 shares
of Common Stock issued and outstanding as of July 7, 2021, 128,663
shares reserved for future issuance as of July 7, 2021 and 128,663
shares reserved for future issuance as of July 7, 2021 assuming
conversion of all convertible securities of the Company.
Number of Shares of Common Stock Issued and Outstanding
Pre-Increase in Authorized |
|
Approximate Number of Unreserved Shares of Common Stock Available
for Future Issuance |
|
|
Approximate Number of Shares of
Common Stock Issued and Outstanding Post- Increase in Authorized
(1) |
|
|
Approximate Number of Unreserved Shares of Common Stock
Available for Future Issuance Assuming Conversion of all
Outstanding Convertible Securities
Post- Increase in
Authorized
|
|
499,871,337 |
|
|
0 |
|
|
|
499,871,337 |
|
|
|
0 |
|
|
(1) |
the Stock Increase Amendment would
increase the amount of authorized shares of Common Stock the
Company may issue to 1,200,000,000 shares. Therefore, the number of
available shares in this column will contemplate 1,200,000,000
shares of Common Stock available. |
Potential Anti-Takeover Effect
The increase could have an anti-takeover effect, in that additional
shares of Common Stock could be issued (within the limits imposed
by applicable law) in one or more transactions that could make a
change in control or takeover of the Company more difficult. For
example, additional shares of Common Stock could be issued by the
Company so as to dilute the stock ownership or voting rights of
persons seeking to obtain control of the Company, even if the
persons seeking to obtain control of the Company offer an
above-market premium that is favored by a majority of the
independent Stockholders. Similarly, the issuance of additional
shares of Common Stock to certain persons allied with the Company’s
management could have the effect of making it more difficult to
remove the Company’s current management by diluting the stock
ownership or voting rights of persons seeking to cause such
removal. The Board of Directors is not aware of any attempt, or
contemplated attempt, to acquire control of the Company, and this
proposal is not being presented with the intent that it be utilized
as a type of anti-takeover device. The Stock Increase Amendment has
been prompted by business and financial considerations. The Stock
Increase Amendment will not by itself change the number of shares
of Common Stock issued nor will it change the rights of current
holders of the Company’s Common Stock.
Procedure for Implementing the Stock Increase Amendment
The increase in authorized Common Stock will become effective upon
the filing or such later time as specified in the filing of the
Stock Increase Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State. The
form of the Stock Increase Amendment is attached hereto as
Appendix A. The exact timing of the filing of the
Stock Increase Amendment will be determined by our Board of
Directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be
the most advantageous to the Company and our Stockholders.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares
entitled to vote thereon is required to approve an amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Stock Increase
Amendment.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE STOCK
INCREASE AMENDMENT.
PROPOSAL THREE:
GRANT OF AUTHORITY FOR ONE OR MORE REVERSE SPLITS OF THE
COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK
Our Board of Directors has approved, subject to Stockholder
approval, by written consent in lieu of a meeting, a proposal to
amend our Certificate of Incorporation to effect one or more
Reverse Stock Splits of all our outstanding shares of Common Stock,
at a ratio between 1-for-2 and 1-for-1,000, to be determined at the
discretion of the Board, subject to the Board’s discretion to
abandon such amendment. If this proposal is approved, the Board may
decide not to effect any Reverse Stock Splits if it determines that
it is not in the best interests of the Company to do so. The Board
does not currently intend to seek re-approval of a Reverse Stock
Split for any delay in implementing a Reverse Stock Split unless
twelve months have passed from the date of the Record Date (the
“Authorized Period”). If the Board determines to implement on or
more Reverse Stock Split, such Reverse Stock Split will become
effective upon filing a Certificate of Amendment to the Certificate
of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of
Delaware or at such later date specified therein.
The text of the proposed Certificate of Amendment to our
Certificate of Incorporation to effect a Reverse Stock Split is
included as Appendix B to this Proxy
Statement (subject to any changes required by applicable law and
provided that, since Proposals Number Two and this Proposal Number
Three will result in changes to the Certificate of Incorporation,
the Company may file one or more amendments with the Delaware
Secretary of State to effect multiple approved proposals).
Approval of the proposal would permit (but not require) our Board
of Directors to effect one or more reverse stock splits of our
issued and outstanding Common Stock by a ratio of not less than
1-for-2 and not more than 1-for-1,000, with the exact ratio to be
set at a number within this range as determined by our Board of
Directors in its sole discretion, provided that (X) the Company
shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in the aggregate,
exceed 1-for-1,000, and (Y) any Reverse Stock Split is completed no
later than the first anniversary of the Record Date. We believe
that enabling our Board of Directors to set the ratio within the
stated range will allow the Company to have the flexibility to
meets its obligations and provide us with the flexibility to
implement the Reverse Stock Split in a manner designed to maximize
the anticipated benefits for our Stockholders. In determining a
ratio, if any, our Board of Directors may consider, among other
things, factors such as:
|
● |
the number of shares of Common Stock the Company
is obligated to issue or reserve pursuant to any convertible
securities of the Company, including shares of convertible
preferred stock; |
|
● |
The aggregate amount of shares that may be
reserved under the 2021 Plan; |
|
● |
the initial or continuing listing requirements of
various stock exchanges; |
|
● |
the historical trading price and trading volume
of our Common Stock; |
|
● |
the number of shares of our Common Stock issued
and outstanding; |
|
● |
the then-prevailing trading price and trading
volume of our Common Stock and the anticipated impact of the
Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for our Common Stock;
and |
|
● |
prevailing general market and economic
conditions. |
Our Board reserves the right to elect to abandon a Reverse Stock
Split, including any or all proposed reverse stock split ratios, if
it determines, in its sole discretion, that a Reverse Stock Split
is no longer in the best interests of the Company and its
Stockholders.
Depending on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Splits determined by
our Board of Directors, if any, no less than two and no more than
one hundred shares of existing Common Stock, as determined by our
Board of Directors, will be combined into one share of Common
Stock. The Company shall not effect Reverse Stock Splits that, in
the aggregate, exceed 1-for-1,000. The Company shall pay
Stockholders the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time
when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined. An
amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to effect a Reverse
Stock Split, if any, will include only the reverse split ratio
determined by our Board of Directors at that time to be in the best
interests of our Stockholders.
Reasons for the Reverse Stock Splits; Potential Consequences of
the Reverse Stock Splits
The Company’s primary reason for approving and recommending one or
more Reverse Stock Splits is to: (1) have enough shares to fulfill
contractual obligations pursuant to certain outstanding debt and
convertible securities of the Company, some of which are in
default; (2) make the Common Stock more attractive to certain
institutional investors which would provide for a stronger investor
base; and (3) decrease our Delaware annual franchise tax, which may
be calculated based upon the number of issued shares.
The Company intends to pair one or more Reverse Stock Splits with
the Increased in Authorized (see Proposal Number Two) in order to
meet its contractual obligations and retain enough flexibility for
future corporate actions. Even if the Company were to effectuate
the Authorized Stock Increase, the Company would also need to
effect one or more Reverse Stock Splits: (i) in order to comply
with its obligations to satisfy certain covenants in its
outstanding convertible securities and preferred stock which, among
other things, require that the Company maintain a certain reserve
of authorized, but unissued shares of Common Stock; (ii) to allow
for the conversion of certain of the Company’s outstanding
convertible securities, including the Company’s convertible
preferred stock that are convertible into shares of Common Stock;
(iii) to provide for additional authorized shares of Common Stock
to provide the Company with additional flexibility to issue Common
Stock for a variety of general corporate purposes as the Board may
determine to be desirable including, without limitation, future
financings, investment opportunities, acquisitions, or other
distributions and stock splits; and (iv) to provide for shares to
underlie our 2021 Plan, which is subject to Stockholder approval
(see Proposal Number Four) and under which awards will only be
available to the extent that there are enough shares of Common
Stock available.
Reducing the number of issued shares of Common Stock may, absent
other factors, increase the per share market price of the Common
Stock. The Company believes that the Reverse Stock Splits may make
its Common Stock more attractive to a broader range of investors,
as it believes that the current market price of the Common Stock
may prevent certain institutional investors, professional investors
and other members of the investing public from purchasing stock.
Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal
policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in
low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from
recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. Furthermore,
some of those policies and practices may function to make the
processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive
to brokers. Moreover, because brokers’ commissions on low-priced
stocks generally represent a higher percentage of the stock price
than commissions on higher-priced stocks, the current average price
per share of Common Stock can result in individual Stockholders
paying transaction costs representing a higher percentage of their
total share value than would be the case if the share price were
higher. The Company believes that the Reverse Stock Splits will
make the Common Stock a more attractive and cost effective
investment for many investors, which in turn would enhance the
liquidity of the holders of Common Stock.
However, other factors, such as our financial results, market
conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely
affect the market price of our Common Stock. As a result, there can
be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Splits, if completed, will
result in the intended benefits described above, that the market
price of our Common Stock will increase following the Reverse Stock
Splits or that the market price of our Common Stock will not
decrease in the future. Additionally, we cannot assure you that the
market price per share of our Common Stock after any Reverse Stock
Split will increase in proportion to the reduction in the number of
shares of our Common Stock outstanding before any Reverse Stock
Split. Accordingly, the total market capitalization of our Common
Stock after any Reverse Stock Split may be lower than the total
market capitalization before such Reverse Stock Split.
In addition, as a Delaware corporation, we are required to pay an
annual Delaware franchise tax which is calculated based upon
several variables, including a company’s number of total
outstanding shares as compared to the company’s number of
authorized shares of capital stock. We believe that a decrease in
the number of outstanding shares as a result of any Reverse Stock
Split may decrease our annual Delaware franchise tax liability;
however, no assurance can be given that the decrease in outstanding
shares will decrease our annual Delaware franchise tax
liability.
Procedure for Implementing a Reverse Stock Split
A Reverse Stock Split would become effective upon the filing or
such later time as specified in the filing (the “Effective Time”)
of a Certificate of Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation
with the Delaware Secretary of State. The form of a Certificate of
Amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation effecting a Reverse
Stock Split is attached hereto as Appendix B. The
exact timing of the filing of the Certificate of Amendment that
would effectuate the Reverse Stock Split would be determined by our
Board based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the
most advantageous to the Company and our Stockholders. In addition,
our Board would reserve the right, without further action by the
Stockholders, to elect not to proceed with a Reverse Stock Split
if, at any time prior to filing a Certificate of Amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to effect a Reverse Stock
Split, our Board, in its sole discretion, determines that it is no
longer in our best interest and the best interests of our
Stockholders to proceed with a Reverse Stock Split. Our Board will
only have authority to file with the Delaware Secretary of State a
Certificate of Amendment effecting a Reverse Stock Split within one
year from the Record Date.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split on Holders of Outstanding
Common Stock
Depending on the ratio for the Reverse Stock Splits determined by
our Board, a minimum of two and a maximum of one hundred shares in
aggregate of existing Common Stock will be combined into one new
share of Common Stock. The
table below, which except for the final column does not take into account the Stock
Increase Amendment, illustrates the number of shares of Common
Stock authorized for issuance following different Reverse Stock
Splits, the approximate number of shares of Common Stock that would
remain outstanding following each such Reverse Stock Split, and the
number of unreserved shares of Common Stock available for future
issuance following each such Reverse Stock Split. The
examples in the table below for Reverse Stock Splits range from
1-for-2, to 1-for-1,000, which is the aggregate ratio allowed under
this proposal. Any other ratios selected within such range would
result in a number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
following the transaction between 249,935,668 and 499,871 shares.
The information in the
following table is based on 499,871,337 shares of Common Stock issued and
outstanding as of July 7, 2021, 128,663 shares reserved for future
issuance as of July 7, 2021, and 0 shares reserved for future
issuance as of July 7, 2021 assuming conversion of all convertible
securities of the Company.
Proposed Ratio |
|
Number of authorized shares of Common Stock (1) |
|
|
Approximate Number of Shares of Common Stock Issued and Outstanding
Post-Reverse Stock Split |
|
|
Approximate Number of Unreserved Shares of Common Stock Available
for Future Issuance Assuming Conversion of all Outstanding
Convertible Securities Post-Stock Increase Amendment (1) |
|
1-for-2 |
|
|
1,200,000,000 |
|
|
|
249,935,668 |
|
|
|
- |
|
1-for-100 |
|
|
1,200,000,000 |
|
|
|
4,998,713 |
|
|
|
1,113,613,951 |
|
1-for-1,000 |
|
|
1,200,000,000 |
|
|
|
499,871 |
|
|
|
1,191,361,395 |
|
|
(1) |
the Stock Increase Amendment would
increase the amount of authorized shares of Common Stock the
Company may issue to 1,200,000,000 shares. Therefore, the number of
available shares in this column will contemplate 1,200,000,000
shares of Common Stock available. |
The actual number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding
after giving effect to a Reverse Stock Split, if implemented, will
depend on the Reverse Stock Split ratio and the number of Reverse
Stock Splits, if any, that are ultimately determined by our
Board.
Any Reverse Stock Splits will affect all holders of our Common
Stock uniformly and will not affect any Stockholder’s percentage
ownership interest in the Company, except as described below in
“Fractional Shares.” Record holders of Common Stock otherwise
entitled to a fractional share as a result of a Reverse Stock Split
will receive the fair value of fractions of a share as of the time
when those entitled to receive such fractions are determined.
In the event the Company effectuates one or more Reverse Stock
Splits, the Company will be able to issue substantially more Common
Stock. Future issuances of Common Stock or securities convertible
into Common Stock will have a significant dilutive effect on the
earnings per share, book value per share, voting power and
percentage interest of holdings of current Stockholders. If a
Reverse Stock Split is effected, our Stockholders will experience
significant dilution as a result of shares of Common Stock being
issued pursuant to our outstanding convertible securities,
including our outstanding convertible preferred stock. Further, due
to our need to raise additional capital in order to fund continuing
operations, our Stockholders will also experience significant
dilution as a result of shares of Common Stock being issued in
connection with future financings that the Company may
complete.
The Reverse Stock Splits may result in some Stockholders owning
“odd lots” of less than 100 shares of Common Stock. Odd lot shares
may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other
costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher
than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of
100 shares.
After the Effective Time, our Common Stock will have a new
Committee on Uniform Securities Identification Procedures (CUSIP)
number, which is a number used to identify our equity securities,
and stock certificates with the older CUSIP number will need to be
exchanged for stock certificates with the new CUSIP number by
following the procedures described below. After the Reverse Stock
Splits, we will continue to be subject to the periodic reporting
and other requirements of the Exchange Act. Unless we list our
Common Stock on an exchange, bid and ask prices for our Common
Stock will continue to be quoted on the OTC Pink under the symbol
“MSRT.”
After the effective time of the Reverse Stock Splits, the
post-split market price of our Common Stock may be less than the
pre-split price multiplied by the Reverse Stock Split ratio. In
addition, a reduction in number of shares issued may impair the
liquidity for our Common Stock, which may reduce the value of our
Common Stock.
No Going Private Transaction
Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares of
Common Stock following the implementation of the Reverse Stock
Split(s), the Board does not intend for this transaction to be the
first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of
Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act and the implementation of the
proposed Reverse Stock Split(s) will not cause the Company to go
private.
Authorized Shares of Common Stock
The Reverse Stock Splits will not change the number of authorized
shares of the Company’s Common Stock under the Company’s
Certificate of Incorporation; however, a separate proposal in this
Proxy Statement would approve an amendment to our Certificate of
Incorporation to increase our authorized shares of Common Stock to
1,200,000,000 from 500,000,000 shares. (See Proposal Number Two).
Because the number of issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock
will decrease, the number of shares of Common Stock remaining
available for issuance will increase. Currently, under our
Certificate of Incorporation, our authorized capital stock consists
of 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock. The Company intends to use
its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to comply with
conversions pursuant to its outstanding convertible securities,
including its convertible preferred stock. However, even if the
Company were to effectuate the Authorized Stock Increase, the
Company would also need to effect one or more Reverse Stock Splits:
(i) in order to comply with its obligations to satisfy certain
covenants in its outstanding convertible securities, including its
convertible preferred stock which, among other things, require that
the Company maintain a certain reserve of authorized, but unissued
shares of Common Stock; (ii) to allow for the conversion of certain
of the Company’s outstanding convertible securities that are
convertible into shares of the Company’s Common Stock; (iii) to
provide for additional authorized shares of Common Stock to provide
the Company with additional flexibility to issue Common Stock for a
variety of general corporate purposes as the Board may determine to
be desirable including, without limitation, future financings,
investment opportunities, acquisitions, or other distributions and
stock splits; and (iv) to provide for shares to underlie our 2021
Plan, which is subject to Stockholder approval (see Proposal Number
Four) and under which awards will only be available to the extent
that there are enough shares of Common Stock available. Please see
“Reasons for the Reverse Stock Splits; Potential Consequences of
the Reverse Stock Splits” for more information.
By increasing the number of authorized but unissued shares of
Common Stock, the Reverse Stock Splits could, under certain
circumstances, have an anti-takeover effect, although this is not
the intent of the Board. For example, it may be possible for the
Board to delay or impede a takeover or transfer of control of the
Company by causing such additional authorized but unissued shares
of Common Stock to be issued to holders who might side with the
Board in opposing a takeover bid that the Board determines is not
in the best interests of the Company or its Stockholders. The
Reverse Stock Split therefore may have the effect of discouraging
unsolicited takeover attempts. By potentially discouraging
initiation of any such unsolicited takeover attempts the Reverse
Stock Splits may limit the opportunity for the Company’s
Stockholders to dispose of their shares at the higher price
generally available in takeover attempts or that may be available
under a merger proposal. The Reverse Stock Splits may have the
effect of permitting the Company’s current management, including
the current Board, to retain its position, and place it in a better
position to resist changes that the Company’s Stockholders may wish
to make if they are dissatisfied with the conduct of the Company’s
business. However, the Board is not aware of any attempt to take
control of the Company and the Board of Directors has not approved
the Reverse Stock Splits with the intent that they be utilized as a
type of anti-takeover device.
Beneficial Holders of Common Stock (i.e. Stockholders who hold
in street name)
Upon the implementation of a Reverse Stock Split, we intend to
treat shares held by Stockholders through a bank, broker, custodian
or other nominee in the same manner as registered Stockholders
whose shares of Common Stock are registered in their names. Banks,
brokers, custodians or other nominees will be instructed to effect
a Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding our
Common Stock in street name. However, these banks, brokers,
custodians or other nominees may have different procedures than
registered Stockholders for processing the Reverse Stock Split.
Stockholders who hold shares of our Common Stock with a bank,
broker, custodian or other nominee and who have any questions in
this regard are encouraged to contact their banks, brokers,
custodians or other nominees.
Registered “Book-Entry” Holders of Common Stock (i.e.
Stockholders that are registered on the transfer agent’s books and
records but do not hold stock certificates)
Certain of our registered holders of Common Stock may hold some or
all of their shares electronically in book-entry form with the
transfer agent. These Stockholders do not have stock certificates
evidencing their ownership of the Common Stock. They are, however,
provided with a statement reflecting the number of shares
registered in their accounts.
Stockholders who hold shares of Common Stock electronically in
book-entry form with the transfer agent will not need to take
action (the exchange will be automatic) to receive whole shares of
post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock, subject to adjustment for
treatment of fractional shares.
Holders of Certificated Shares of Common Stock
Stockholders holding shares of our Common Stock in certificated
form will be sent a transmittal letter by our transfer agent after
the effective time of the Stock Split. The letter of transmittal
will contain instructions on how a Stockholder should surrender
his, her or its certificate(s) representing shares of our Common
Stock (the “Old Certificates”) to the transfer agent in exchange
for certificates representing the appropriate number of whole
shares of post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock (the “New
Certificates”). No New Certificates will be issued to a Stockholder
until such Stockholder has surrendered all Old Certificates,
together with a properly completed and executed letter of
transmittal, to the transfer agent. No Stockholder will be required
to pay a transfer or other fee to exchange his, her or its Old
Certificates. Stockholders will then receive a New Certificate(s)
representing the number of whole shares of Common Stock that they
are entitled as a result of a Reverse Stock Split, subject to the
treatment of fractional shares described below. Until surrendered,
we will deem outstanding Old Certificates held by Stockholders to
be cancelled and only to represent the number of whole shares of
post-Reverse Stock Split Common Stock to which these Stockholders
are entitled, subject to the treatment of fractional shares. Any
Old Certificates submitted for exchange, whether because of a sale,
transfer or other disposition of stock, will automatically be
exchanged for New Certificates. If an Old Certificate has a
restrictive legend on the back of the Old Certificate(s), the New
Certificate will be issued with the same restrictive legends that
are on the back of the Old Certificate(s).
The Company expects that our transfer agent will act as exchange
agent for purposes of implementing the exchange of stock
certificates. No service charges will be payable by holders of
shares of Common Stock in connection with the exchange of
certificates. All of such expenses will be borne by the
Company.
STOCKHOLDERS SHOULD NOT DESTROY ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) AND
SHOULD NOT SUBMIT ANY STOCK CERTIFICATE(S) UNTIL REQUESTED TO DO
SO.
Fractional Shares
The Company does not currently intend to issue fractional shares of
Common Stock in connection with any Reverse Stock Split. Therefore,
the Company does not expect to issue certificates representing
fractional shares of Common Stock. The Board will arrange for the
disposition of fractional interests by Stockholders entitled
thereto by paying, in cash, the fair value of fractions of a share
of Common Stock as of the time when those entitled to receive such
fractions are determined.
If the Board determines to pay, in cash, the fair value of
fractions of a share of Common Stock as of the time when those
entitled to receive such fractions are determined, Stockholders who
would otherwise hold fractional shares because the number of shares
of Common Stock they hold before a Reverse Stock Split is not
evenly divisible by the ratio ultimately selected by the will be
entitled to receive cash (without interest or deduction) in lieu of
such fractional shares from either: (i) the Company, upon receipt
by the transfer agent of a properly completed and duly executed
transmittal letter and, where shares of Common Stock are held in
certificated form, upon due surrender of any certificate previously
representing a fractional share, in an amount equal to such
holder’s fractional share based upon the volume weighted average
price of the Common Stock as reported on The OTC Pink Market, or
other principal market of the Common Stock, as applicable, as of
the date such Reverse Stock Split is effected; or (ii) the transfer
agent, upon receipt by the transfer agent of a properly completed
and duly executed transmittal letter and, where shares of Common
Stock are held in certificated form, the surrender of all old
certificate(s), in an amount equal to the proceeds attributable to
the sale of such fractional shares following the aggregation and
sale by the transfer agent of all fractional shares otherwise
issuable. If the Board of Directors determines to dispose of
fractional interests pursuant to clause (ii) above, the Company
expects that the transfer agent would conduct the sale in an
orderly fashion at a reasonable pace and that it may take several
days to sell all of the aggregated fractional shares of Common
Stock. In this event, such holders would be entitled to an amount
equal to their pro rata share of the proceeds of such sale. The
Company will be responsible for any brokerage fees or commissions
related to the transfer agent’s open market sales of shares of
Common Stock that would otherwise be fractional shares.
The ownership of a fractional share interest in a share of Common
Stock following a Reverse Stock Split will not give the holder any
voting, dividend or other rights, except the right to receive the
cash payment, as described above.
Stockholders should be aware that, under the escheat laws of
various jurisdictions, sums due for fractional interests that are
not timely claimed after the effective time of a Reverse Stock
Split may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each
such jurisdiction, unless correspondence has been received by the
Company or the transfer agent concerning ownership of such funds
within the time permitted in such jurisdiction. Thereafter, if
applicable, Stockholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds,
but who do not receive them due to, for example, their failure to
timely comply with the transfer agent’s instructions, will have to
seek to obtain such funds directly from the state to which they
were paid.
Effect of the Reverse Stock Split(s) on Employee Plans, Options,
Restricted Stock Awards and Units, Warrants, Convertible or
Exchangeable Securities, and Preferred Stock.
Based upon the applicable Reverse Stock Split ratio determined by
the Board of Directors, proportionate adjustments are generally
required to be made to the per share exercise price and the number
of shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or conversion
of all outstanding options, warrants, convertible or exchangeable
securities, including any preferred stock, entitling the holders to
purchase, exchange for, or convert into, shares of Common Stock.
This would result in approximately the same aggregate price being
required to be paid under such options, warrants, convertible or
exchangeable securities upon exercise, and approximately the same
value of shares of Common Stock being delivered upon such exercise,
exchange or conversion, immediately following such Reverse Stock
Split as was the case immediately preceding such Reverse Stock
Split. The number of shares deliverable upon settlement or vesting
of restricted stock awards will be similarly adjusted, subject to
our treatment of fractional shares. The number of shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to these securities will be
proportionately based upon the Reverse Stock Split ratio determined
by the Board, subject to our treatment of fractional shares. In the
event of a Reverse Stock Split, the maximum number of shares that
can be issued under the 2021 Plan (including the ISO share grant
limit), the number of shares issued under the 2021 Plan and subject
to each award, the exercise prices of outstanding awards, the
maximum number of shares that are reserved under the 2021 Plan, and
the number of shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan,
shall each be equitably and proportionately adjusted by the 2021
Plan Committee (as defined herein).
Accounting Matters
The proposed amendment to the Company’s Certificate of
Incorporation will not affect the par value of our Common Stock per
share, which will remain $0.001 par value per share.
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock
Split
The following summary describes certain material U.S. federal
income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split(s) to holders of
our Common Stock.
Unless otherwise specifically indicated herein, this summary
addresses the tax consequences only to a beneficial owner of our
Common Stock that is (i) a citizen or individual resident of the
United States, (ii) a corporation organized in or under the laws of
the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia,
(iii) an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal
income taxation regardless of its source; or (iv) a trust if (1)
its administration is subject to the primary supervision of a court
within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the
authority to control all of its substantial decisions, or (2) it
has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury
regulations to be treated as a U.S. person (a “U.S. holder”). This
summary does not address all of the tax consequences that may be
relevant to any particular investor, including tax considerations
that arise from rules of general application to all taxpayers or to
certain classes of taxpayers or that are generally assumed to be
known by investors. In addition, it does not purport to address all
aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to
Stockholders in light of their particular circumstances or to any
Stockholder that may be subject to special tax rules, including
without limitation: (i) persons that may be subject to special
treatment under U.S. federal income tax law, such as banks,
insurance companies, thrift institutions, regulated investment
companies, real estate investment trusts, tax-exempt organizations,
U.S. expatriates, persons subject to the alternative minimum tax,
traders in securities that elect to mark to market and dealers in
securities or currencies, (ii) persons that hold our Common Stock
as part of a position in a “straddle” or as part of a “hedging,”
“conversion” or other integrated investment transaction for federal
income tax purposes, or (iii) persons that do not hold our Common
Stock as “capital assets” (generally, property held for
investment).
If a partnership (or other entity classified as a partnership for
U.S. federal income tax purposes) is the beneficial owner of our
Common Stock, the U.S. federal income tax treatment of a partner in
the partnership will generally depend on the status of the partner
and the activities of the partnership. Partnerships that hold our
Common Stock, and partners in such partnerships, should consult
their own tax advisors regarding the U.S. federal income tax
consequences of the Reverse Stock Split(s).
This summary is based on the provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), U.S. Treasury regulations,
administrative rulings and judicial authority, all as in effect as
of the date of this Proxy Statement. Subsequent developments in
U.S. federal income tax law, including changes in law or differing
interpretations, which may be applied retroactively, could have a
material effect on the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the
Reverse Stock Split(s). There can be no assurance that the Internal
Revenue Service will not take a contrary position to the tax
consequences described herein or that such position will be
sustained by a court. No opinion of counsel or ruling from the
Internal Revenue Service has been obtained with respect to the U.S.
federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split(s).
PLEASE CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE U.S. FEDERAL,
STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE
REVERSE STOCK SPLIT(S) IN YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE
INTERNAL REVENUE CODE AND THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING
JURISDICTION.
U.S. Holders
Based on the assumption that the Reverse Stock Split(s) will
constitute a tax-free reorganization within the meaning of Section
368(a)(1)(E) of the Code, and subject to the limitations and
qualifications set forth in this discussion, the following is a
general discussion of the U.S. federal income tax consequences
relating to the Reverse Stock Split(s).
We believe that the Reverse Stock Split(s) should be treated as a
recapitalization for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Therefore, a
U.S. holder generally should not recognize gain or loss on the
Reverse Stock Split(s), except to the extent of cash, if any,
received in lieu of a fractional share interest in post-Reverse
Stock Split shares of Common Stock. The aggregate tax basis of the
post-split shares of Common Stock received should be equal to the
aggregate tax basis of the pre-split shares of Common Stock
exchanged therefore (excluding any portion of the holder’s basis
allocated to fractional shares), and the holding period of the
post-split shares of Common Stock received will include the holding
period of the pre-split shares of Common Stock exchanged. U.S.
holders should consult their tax advisors as to the application of
the foregoing rules where shares of our Common Stock were acquired
at different times or at different prices.
A holder of the pre-split shares of Common Stock who receives cash
instead of a fractional share interest in post-Reverse Stock Split
shares of Common Stock should be treated as having received the
fractional share of Common Stock pursuant to such Reverse Stock
Split and then as having exchanged the fractional share of Common
Stock for cash in a redemption. In general, this deemed redemption
will be treated as a sale or exchange, provided the redemption is
not essentially equivalent to a dividend as discussed below. A U.S.
holder receiving fractional shares of Common Stock generally should
recognize gain or loss equal to the difference between the portion
of the tax basis of the pre-split shares of Common Stock allocated
to the fractional share interest and the cash received. Such gain
or loss generally will be a capital gain or loss and will be
short-term if the pre-split shares of Common Stock were held for
one year or less and long-term if held more than one year. No gain
or loss will be recognized by us as a result of the Reverse Stock
Split(s).
The receipt of cash is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend”
if the reduction in a U.S. holder’s proportionate interest in the
Company resulting from the Reverse Stock Split(s) (taking into
account for this purpose shares of our Common Stock which such U.S.
holder is considered to own under certain attribution rules) is
considered a “meaningful reduction” given such U.S. holder’s
particular facts and circumstances. The Internal Revenue Service
has ruled that a small reduction by a minority Stockholder whose
relative stock interest is minimal and who exercises no control
over the affairs of a corporation can satisfy this test. If the
receipt of cash in lieu of a fractional share is not treated as
capital gain or loss under the test just described, it will be
treated first as ordinary dividend income to the extent of a U.S.
holder’s ratable share of our current and accumulated earnings and
profits, then as a tax-free return of capital to the extent of the
portion of the U.S. holder’s adjusted tax basis of the pre-split
shares of Common Stock that is allocable to such fractional share,
and any remaining amount will be treated as capital gain. U.S.
holders should consult their tax advisors as to application of the
foregoing rules where they receive cash in lieu of a fractional
share in the Reverse Stock Split(s).
Cash payments received by a U.S. holder of our Common Stock
pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split(s) may be subject to
information reporting, and may be subject to backup withholding if
the U.S. holder fails to provide a valid taxpayer identification
number and comply with certain certification procedures or
otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Backup
withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the U.S. federal
income tax liability of the person subject to backup withholding
will be reduced by the amount of the tax withheld. If backup
withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be
obtained provided that the required information is timely furnished
to the Internal Revenue Service.
No Appraisal Rights
Under Delaware law and our charter documents, holders of our Common
Stock will not be entitled to dissenter’s rights or appraisal
rights with respect to any Reverse Stock Splits.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding Shares
entitled to vote thereon is required to approve an amendment to the
Company’s Certificate of Incorporation to approve the Reverse Stock
Split.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE
DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY TO THE COMPANY’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS TO
AMEND THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO EFFECT ONE OR MORE
REVERSE STOCK SPLITS.
PROPOSAL FOUR:
APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S 2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND THE
RESERVATION OF UP TO 50,000,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK FOR ISSUANCE
THEREUNDER
Summary
The Company’s 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”) was
adopted by the Board on July 1, 2021, and we are requesting
approval of this new equity compensation plan because we need to be
able to issue equity awards to service providers in order to
motivate and retain such persons and to further align their
interests with those of our Stockholders. The 2021 Plan will only
become effective if approved by the Stockholders. If approved, the
2021 Plan will be effective immediately, subject to any
restrictions on the issuance of awards under the 2021 Plan because
of a lack of available or reserved shares of Common Stock to
underlie such awards.
Having an adequate number of shares available for future equity
compensation grants is necessary to promote our long-term success
and the creation of Stockholder value by:
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Enabling us to continue to attract and retain the
services of key service providers who would be eligible to receive
grants; |
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Aligning participants’ interests with
Stockholders’ interests through incentives that are based upon the
performance of our Common Stock; and |
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Motivating participants, through equity incentive
awards, to achieve long-term growth in the Company’s business, in
addition to short-term financial performance. |
The 2021 Plan is identical to the Prior Plans, except for the
number of shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under each.
The 2021 Plan will provide for the grant of incentive stock options
(“ISOs”), non-qualified stock options (“NQSOs”), stock appreciation
rights (“SARs”), other equity awards and/or cash awards to
employees, directors and consultants. The 2021 Plan will remain in
effect until the earlier of (i) July 1, 2031 and (ii) the date upon
which the 2021 Plan is terminated pursuant to its terms, and in any
event subject to the maximum share limit of the 2021 Plan.
On July 1, 2021, our Board adopted the 2021 Plan and authorized the
reservation of up to 50,000,000 shares of Common Stock for issuance
thereunder, subject to availability. To the extent that there are
no authorized and unreserved shares of Common Stock available, the
awards underlying the 2021 Plan will not be issuable until such
time, and from time to time, as shares of Common Stock are
available to be reserved and in such amounts as are available.
Assuming all 50,000,000 shares become available and the Company may
issue the full amount of awards under the 2021 Plan, the number of
shares available for issuance under the 2021 Plan shall constitute
approximately 10.00% of our issued and outstanding shares of Common
Stock as of the Record Date. The 2021 Plan is intended to provide
us with a sufficient number of shares to satisfy our equity grant
requirements until our 2022 annual meeting of Stockholders, based
on the current scope and structure of our equity incentive programs
and the rate at which we expect to grant stock options, restricted
stock, and/or other forms of equity compensation.
When approving the reservation of up to 50,000,000 shares of Common
Stock issuable pursuant to the 2021 Plan, the Board considered a
number of factors, including those set forth below:
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Alignment with our Stockholders. Achieving
superior, long-term results for our Stockholders remains one of our
primary objectives. We believe that stock ownership enhances the
alignment of the long-term economic interests of our employees and
our Stockholders. |
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Attract, Motivate and Retain Key
Employees. We compete for employees in a variety of geographic
and talent markets and strive to maintain compensation programs
that are competitive in order to attract, motivate and retain key
employees. If we are unable to grant equity as part of our total
compensation strategy, our ability to attract and retain all levels
of talent we need to operate our business successfully would be
significantly harmed. |
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Balanced Approach to Compensation. We
believe that a balanced approach to compensation - using a mix of
salaries, performance-based bonus incentives and long-term equity
incentives (including performance based equity) encourages
management to make decisions that favor long-term stability and
profitability, rather than short-term results. |
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Burn Rate and Dilution. When deciding to
adopt the 2021 Plan, the Board evaluated our projected need for
equity grants over the next year, our expected burn rate of shares
under the 2021 Plan and the dilutive impact of the proposed share
allocation. |
Burn rate is the rate at which a company is granting equity awards
and is typically measured as the gross number of shares awarded as
a percentage of our weighted average shares outstanding. We
estimate that our projected annual burn rate will be 100%. The
Board determined that our projected rate of equity compensation
usage is reasonable and that the 2021 Plan should not need an
additional increase of shares until July 31, 2023.
In addition, the Board considered whether the potential dilutive
effect to Stockholders is reasonable. Dilution is typically
calculated by adding the number of shares of Common Stock subject
to outstanding awards plus shares of Common Stock available to
grant plus the proposed additional shares, and expressing such sum
as a percentage of the total number of diluted outstanding shares
of Common Stock. The Board considered that dilution from the 2021
Plan would be approximately 10.00% and believes that this is an
acceptable amount of dilution from the 2021 Plan.
After carefully considering each of these points, the Board
believes the 2021 Plan is essential for our future success and
encourages Stockholders to consider these points in voting to
approve this proposal.
Set forth below is a summary
of the 2021 Plan, which is qualified in its entirety by reference
to the full text of the 2021 Plan, a copy of which is included
as Appendix C to this Proxy Statement. If there
is any inconsistency between the following summary of the
2021 Plan and
Appendix C, the full text of the 2021 Plan included
as Appendix C shall govern.
Key Features of the 2021 Plan
Certain key features of the 2021 Plan are summarized as
follows:
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If not terminated earlier by the Board, the
2021 Plan will
terminate on July 1, 2031. |
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Up to a maximum aggregate of 50,000,000 shares of
Common Stock may be issued under the 2021 Plan, subject to
availability. The maximum number of shares that may be issued
pursuant to the exercise of ISOs is also 50,000,000, subject to
availability. |
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The 2021 Plan will generally be
administered by the Board or a committee designated by the Board
(the “2021 Plan Committee”). The Board may also designate a
separate committee to make awards to employees who are not officers
subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange
Act. |
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Employees, consultants and Board members are
eligible to receive awards, provided that the 2021 Plan Committee
has the discretion to determine (i) who shall receive any awards,
and (ii) the terms and conditions of such awards. |
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Awards may consist of ISOs, NQSOs, restricted
stock, SARs, other equity awards and/or cash awards. |
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Stock options and SARs may not be granted at a
per share exercise price below the fair market value of a share of
our Common Stock on the date of grant. |
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Stock options and SARs may not be repriced or
exchanged without Stockholder approval. |
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The maximum exercisable term of stock options and
SARs may not exceed ten years. |
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Awards are subject to recoupment of compensation
policies adopted by the Company. |
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A non-employee director serving in the following
positions cannot receive awards in any fiscal year which in the
aggregate exceeds 5,000,000 shares. In addition, the aggregate
amount of all cash compensation (including annual retainers and
other fees, whether or not granted under the 2021 Plan) plus the
aggregate grant date fair market value of all awards issued under
the 2021 Plan (or under any other incentive plan) provided to any
non-employee director during any single calendar year may not
exceed $1,000,000. |
Background and Purpose of the 2021 Plan. The purpose
of the 2021 Plan is to promote our long-term success and the
creation of Stockholder value by:
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Attracting and retaining the services of key
employees who would be eligible to receive grants as selected
participants; |
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Motivating selected participants through
equity-based compensation that is based upon the performance of our
Common Stock; and |
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Further aligning selected participants’ interests
with the interests of our Stockholders, through the award of equity
compensation grants which increases their interest in the Company,
to achieve long-term growth over short-term
performance. |
The 2021 Plan permits the grant of the following types of
equity-based incentive awards: (1) stock options (which can be
either ISOs or NQSOs), (2) SARs, (3) restricted stock, (4) other
equity awards and (5) cash awards. The vesting of awards can be
based on either continuous service and/or performance goals. Awards
are evidenced by a written agreement between the selected
participant and the Company.
Eligibility to Receive Awards. Employees, consultants
and Board members of the Company and certain of our affiliated
companies are eligible to receive awards under the 2021 Plan. The
2021 Plan Committee will determine, in its discretion, the selected
participants who will be granted awards under the 2021 Plan. As of
the Record Date, approximately 4 individuals (including 2 officers
and directors) were eligible to participate in the 2021 Plan.
Non-Employee Director Limitations. With respect to
our non-employee directors, the 2021 Plan provides that any
non-employee director serving in the following positions cannot
receive awards in any fiscal year which in the aggregate exceeds
the following number of shares: (i) chairperson (as defined in the
2021 Plan) - 5,000,000 shares; (ii) other non-employee director -
5,000,000 shares. In addition, the aggregate amount of all
compensation (including annual retainers and other fees, whether or
not granted under the 2021 Plan) plus the aggregate grant date fair
market value of all awards issued under the 2021 Plan (or under any
other incentive plan) provided to any non-employee director during
any single calendar year may not exceed $1,000,000 in any calendar
year. Provided that the Board affirmatively acts to implement such
a process, the 2021 Plan also provides that non-employee directors
may elect to receive stock grants or stock units (which would be
issued under the 2021 Plan) in lieu of fees that would otherwise be
paid in cash.
Shares Subject to the 2021 Plan. The maximum number
of shares of Common Stock that can be issued under the 2021 Plan is
50,000,000 shares. The shares underlying forfeited or terminated
awards (without payment of consideration), or unexercised awards
become available again for issuance under the 2021 Plan. The 2021
Plan also imposes certain share grant limits such as the limit on
grants to non-employee directors described above and other limits
that are intended to comply with the legal requirements of Section
422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”)
and which are discussed elsewhere in this proposal. No fractional
shares may be issued under the 2021 Plan. No shares will be issued
with respect to a participant’s award unless applicable tax
withholding obligations have been satisfied by the participant. To
the extent that there are no authorized and unreserved shares of
Common Stock available for the 2021 Plan, the awards underlying the
2021 Plan will not be issuable until such time, and from time to
time, as shares of Common Stock are available and in such amounts
as are available.
Administration of the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan will
be administered by the 2021 Plan Committee. Subject to the terms of
the 2021 Plan, the 2021 Plan Committee has the sole discretion,
among other things, to:
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Select the individuals who will receive
awards; |
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Determine the terms and conditions of awards (for
example, performance conditions, if any, and vesting
schedule); |
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Correct any defect, supply any omission, or
reconcile any inconsistency in the 2021 Plan or any award
agreement; |
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Accelerate the vesting, extend the
post-termination exercise term or waive restrictions of any awards
at any time and under such terms and conditions as it deems
appropriate, subject to the limitations set forth in the 2021
Plan; |
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Permit a participant to defer compensation to be
provided by an award; and |
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Interpret the provisions of the 2021 Plan and
outstanding awards. |
The 2021 Plan Committee may suspend vesting, settlement, or
exercise of awards pending a determination of whether a selected
participant’s service should be terminated for cause (in which case
outstanding awards would be forfeited). Awards may be subject to
any policy that the Board may implement on the recoupment of
compensation (referred to as a “clawback” policy). The members of
the Board, the 2021 Plan Committee and their delegates shall be
indemnified by the Company to the maximum extent permitted by
applicable law for actions taken or not taken regarding the 2021
Plan. In addition, the 2021 Plan Committee may use the 2021 Plan to
issue shares under other plans or sub-plans as may be deemed
necessary or appropriate, such as to provide for participation by
non-U.S. employees and those of any of our subsidiaries and
affiliates.
Types of Awards.
Stock Options. A stock option is the right to acquire shares
at a fixed exercise price over a fixed period of time. The 2021
Plan Committee will determine, among other terms and conditions,
the number of shares covered by each stock option and the exercise
price of the shares subject to each stock option, but such per
share exercise price cannot be less than the fair market value of a
share of our Common Stock on the date of grant of the stock option.
The fair market value of a share of our Common Stock for the
purposes of pricing our awards shall be equal to the closing price
for our Common Stock as reported by the OTC Pink or such other
principal trading market on which our securities are traded on the
date of determination. Stock options may not be repriced or
exchanged without Stockholder approval, and no re-load options may
be granted under the 2021 Plan.
Stock options granted under the 2021 Plan may be either ISOs or
NQSOs. As required by the Code and applicable regulations, ISOs are
subject to various limitations not imposed on NQSOs. For example,
the exercise price for any ISO granted to any employee owning more
than 10% of our Common Stock may not be less than 110% of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the date of grant, and such ISO
must expire no later than five years after the grant date. The
aggregate fair market value (determined at the date of grant) of
Common Stock subject to all ISOs held by a participant that are
first exercisable in any single calendar year cannot exceed
$100,000. ISOs may not be transferred other than upon death, or to
a revocable trust where the participant is considered the sole
beneficiary of the stock option while it is held in trust. In order
to comply with Treasury Regulation Section 1.422-2(b), the 2021
Plan provides that all 50,000,000 shares may be issued pursuant to
the exercise of ISOs, subject to the availability of underlying
shares of Common Stock.
A stock option granted under the 2021 Plan generally cannot be
exercised until it becomes vested. The 2021 Plan Committee
establishes the vesting schedule of each stock option at the time
of grant. The maximum term for stock options granted under the 2021
Plan may not exceed ten years from the date of grant although the
2021 Plan Committee may establish a shorter period at its
discretion. The exercise price of each stock option granted under
the 2021 Plan must be paid in full at the time of exercise, either
with cash, or through a broker-assisted “cashless” exercise and
sale program, or net exercise, or through another method approved
by the 2021 Plan Committee. The optionee must also make
arrangements to pay any taxes that are required to be withheld at
the time of exercise.
SARs. A SAR is the right to receive, upon exercise, an
amount equal to the difference between the fair market value of the
shares on the date of the SAR’s exercise and the aggregate exercise
price of the shares covered by the exercised portion of the SAR.
The 2021 Plan Committee determines the terms of SARs, including the
exercise price (provided that such per share exercise price cannot
be less than the fair market value of a share of our Common Stock
on the date of grant), the vesting and the term of the SAR. The
maximum term for SARs granted under the 2021 Plan may not exceed
ten years from the date of grant, subject to the discretion of the
2021 Plan Committee to establish a shorter period. Settlement of a
SAR may be in shares of Common Stock or in cash, or any combination
thereof, as the 2021 Plan Committee may determine. SARs may not be
repriced or exchanged without Stockholder approval.
Restricted Stock. A restricted stock award is the grant of
shares of our Common Stock to a selected participant and such
shares may be subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture until
specific conditions or goals are met. The restricted shares may be
issued with or without cash consideration being paid by the
selected participant as determined by the 2021 Plan Committee. The
2021 Plan Committee also will determine any other terms and
conditions of an award of restricted stock. In determining whether
an award of restricted stock should be made, and/or the vesting
schedule for any such award, the 2021 Plan Committee may impose
whatever conditions to vesting it determines to be appropriate.
During the period of vesting, the participant will not be permitted
to transfer the restricted shares but will generally have voting
and dividend rights (subject to vesting) with respect to such
shares.
Other Awards. The 2021 Plan also provides that other equity
awards, which derive their value from the value of our shares or
from increases in the value of our shares, may be granted. In
addition, cash awards may also be issued. Substitute awards may be
issued under the 2021 Plan in assumption of or substitution for or
exchange for awards previously granted by an entity which we (or an
affiliate) acquire.
Limited Transferability of Awards. Awards granted under the
2021 Plan generally are not transferrable other than by will or by
the laws of descent and distribution. However, the 2021 Plan
Committee may in its discretion permit the transfer of awards other
than ISOs. Generally, where transfers are permitted, they will be
permitted only by gift to a member of the selected participant’s
immediate family or to a trust or other entity for the benefit of
the selected participant and/or member(s) of his or her immediate
family.
Termination of Employment, Death or Disability. The 2021
Plan generally determines the effect of the termination of
employment on awards, which determination may be different
depending on the nature of the termination, such as terminations
due to cause, resignation, death, or disability and the status of
the award as vested or unvested, unless the award agreement or a
selected participant’s employment agreement or other agreement
provides otherwise.
Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Any dividend equivalents
distributed in the form of shares under the 2021 Plan will count
against the 2021 Plan’s maximum share limit. The 2021 Plan also
provides that dividend equivalents will not be paid or accrue on
unexercised stock options or unexercised SARs. Dividends and
dividend equivalents that may be paid or accrue with respect to
unvested Awards shall be subject to the same vesting conditions as
the underlying award and shall only be distributed to the extent
that such vesting conditions are satisfied.
Adjustments upon Changes in Capitalization.
In the event of the following actions:
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stock split of our outstanding shares of Common
Stock; |
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dividend payable in a form other than shares in
an amount that has a material effect on the price of the
shares; |
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combination or reclassification of the
shares; |
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other similar occurrences, |
then the following shall each be equitably and proportionately
adjusted by the 2021 Plan Committee:
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maximum number of shares that can be issued under
the 2021 Plan (including the ISO share grant limit); |
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number and class of shares issued under the 2021
Plan and subject to each award; |
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exercise prices of outstanding awards;
and |
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number and class of shares available for issuance
under the 2021 Plan. |
Change in Control. In the event that we are a party to a
merger or other reorganization or similar transaction, outstanding
2021 Plan awards will be subject to the agreement pertaining to
such merger or reorganization. Such agreement may provide for (i)
the continuation of the outstanding awards by us if we are a
surviving corporation, (ii) the assumption or substitution of the
outstanding awards by the surviving entity or its parent, (iii)
full exercisability and/or full vesting of outstanding awards, or
(iv) cancellation of outstanding awards either with or without
consideration, in all cases with or without consent of the selected
participant. The Board or the 2021 Plan Committee need not adopt
the same rules for each award or selected participant.
The 2021 Plan Committee will decide the effect of a change in
control of the Company on outstanding awards. The 2021 Plan
Committee may, among other things, provide that awards will fully
vest and/or be canceled upon a change in control, or fully vest
upon an involuntary termination of employment following a change in
control. The 2021 Plan Committee may also include in an award
agreement provisions designed to minimize potential negative income
tax consequences for the participant or the Company that could be
imposed under the golden parachute tax rules of Section 280G of the
Code.
Term of the 2021 Plan. The 2021 Plan is in effect until July
1, 2031 or until earlier terminated by the Board. Outstanding
awards shall continue to be governed by their terms after the
termination of the 2021 Plan.
Governing Law. The 2021 Plan shall be governed by the laws
of the State of Delaware (which is the state of our incorporation)
except for conflict of law provisions.
Amendment and Termination of the 2021 Plan. The Board
generally may amend or terminate the 2021 Plan at any time and for
any reason, except that it must obtain Stockholder approval of
material amendments to the extent required by applicable laws,
regulations or rules.
Certain Federal Income Tax Information
The following is a general summary, as of July 1, 2021, of the
federal income tax consequences to us and to U.S. participants for
awards granted under the 2021 Plan. The federal tax laws may change
and the federal, state and local tax consequences for any
participant will depend upon his or her individual circumstances.
This summary is not intended to be exhaustive and does not discuss
the tax consequences of a participant’s death or provisions of
income tax laws of any municipality, state or other country. We
advise participants to consult with a tax advisor regarding the tax
implications of their awards under the 2021 Plan.
Incentive Stock Options. For federal income tax purposes,
the holder of an ISO has no taxable income at the time of the grant
or exercise of the ISO. If such person retains the Common Stock
acquired under the ISO for a period of at least two years after the
stock option is granted and one year after the stock option is
exercised, any gain upon the subsequent sale of the Common Stock
will be taxed as a long-term capital gain. A participant who
disposes of shares acquired by exercise of an ISO prior to the
expiration of two years after the stock option is granted or before
one year after the stock option is exercised will realize ordinary
income equal to the lesser of (i) the excess of the fair market
value over the exercise price of the shares on the date of
exercise, or (ii) the excess of the amount realized on the
disposition over the exercise price for the shares. Any additional
gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares
would be a short- or long-term capital gain or loss, depending on
whether the shares have been held by the participant for more than
one year. Utilization of losses is subject to special rules and
limitations.
Nonstatutory Stock Options. A participant who receives a
nonstatutory stock option generally will not realize taxable income
on the grant of such option, but will realize ordinary income at
the time of exercise of the stock option equal to the difference
between the option exercise price and the fair market value of the
stock on the date of exercise.
Restricted Stock. A participant will generally not have
taxable income upon grant of unvested restricted shares unless he
or she elects to be taxed at that time pursuant to an election
under Code Section 83(b). Instead, he or she will recognize
ordinary income at the time(s) of vesting equal to the fair market
value (on each vesting date) of the shares or cash received minus
any amount paid for the shares, if any.
Stock Units. No taxable income is generally reportable when
unvested stock units are granted to a participant. Upon settlement
of the vested stock units, the participant will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares
issued or payment received in connection with the vested stock
units.
Stock Appreciation Rights. No taxable income is generally
reportable when a stock appreciation right is granted to a
participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary
income in an amount equal to the amount of cash received plus the
fair market value of any shares received.
Income Tax Effects for the Company. We generally will be
entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the
2021 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a
participant at the time the participant recognizes such income (for
example, upon the exercise of an nonqualified stock option or
vesting of restricted stock).
Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m) Deduction Limitation.
Section 162(m) of the Code places a limit of $1 million on the
amount of compensation that we may deduct in any one fiscal year
with respect to our executive officers and other persons who are
subject to Code Section 162(m). Therefore, compensation derived
from 2021 Plan awards may not be fully deductible by the
Company.
Internal Revenue Code Section 280G. For certain persons, if
a change in control of the Company causes an award to vest or
become newly payable, or if the award was granted within one year
of a change in control and the value of such award or vesting or
payment, when combined with all other payments in the nature of
compensation contingent on such change in control, equals or
exceeds the dollar limit provided in Section 280G of the Code
(generally, this dollar limit is equal to three times the five-year
historical average of the individual’s annual compensation received
from the Company), then the entire amount exceeding the
individual’s average annual compensation will be considered an
excess parachute payment. The recipient of an excess parachute
payment must pay a 20% excise tax on this excess amount and the
Company cannot deduct the excess amount from its taxable
income.
Internal Revenue Code Section 409A. Section 409A of the Code
governs the federal income taxation of certain types of
nonqualified deferred compensation arrangements. A violation of
Section 409A of the Code generally results in an acceleration of
the recognition of income of amounts intended to be deferred and
the imposition of a federal excise tax of 20% on the employee over
and above the income tax owed, plus possible penalties and
interest. The types of arrangements covered by Section 409A of the
Code are broad and may apply to certain awards available under the
2021 Plan (such as stock units). The intent is for the 2021 Plan,
including any awards available thereunder, to comply with the
requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable.
As required by Code Section 409A, certain nonqualified deferred
compensation payments to specified employees may be delayed to the
seventh month after such employee’s separation from service.
New Plan Benefits. All 2021 Plan awards are granted at the
2021 Plan Committee’s discretion, subject to the limitations
contained in the 2021 Plan. Future benefits and amounts that will
be received or allocated under the 2021 Plan are not presently
determinable. As of the Record Date, the fair market value of a
share of our Common Stock (as determined by the closing price
quoted by the OTC Pink on that date) was $0.0533.
Existing Plan Benefits. As of the Record Date, no awards
have been granted under the 2021 Plan.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares present virtually
or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter
at the Annual Meeting is required to approve the 2021 Stock
Plan.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE 2021 PLAN
AND THE RESERVATION OF UP TO 50,000,000 SHARES FOR ISSUANCE
THEREUNDER, AND PROXIES SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN
FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE
PROXY.
PROPOSAL FIVE:
RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF RBSM LLP AS THE COMPANY’S
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR
ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2021
The Board has appointed RBSM LLP (“RBSM”) as our independent
registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. The Board proposes
that our Stockholders ratify this appointment. RBSM has served as
our independent registered public accounting firm since December
28, 2017.
We expect that representatives of RBSM will be available via phone
at the Annual Meeting, will be able to make a statement if they so
desire, and will be available to respond to appropriate
questions.
Stockholder ratification of the selection of RBSM as our
independent registered public accounting firm is not required by
our Bylaws or the Delaware General Corporation Law. The Board seeks
such ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. Should
the Stockholders fail to ratify the selection of RBSM as our
independent registered public accounting firm, the Board will
reconsider whether to retain that firm for fiscal year 2021. In
deciding to appoint RBSM, the Board, standing in for the vacant
Audit Committee, reviewed auditor independence issues and existing
commercial relationships with RBSM and concluded that RBSM has no
commercial relationship with the Company that would impair its
independence for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021. Set
forth below are approximate fees for services rendered by RBSM, our
independent registered public accounting firm, for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019.
|
|
RBSM |
|
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2019 |
|
Audit Fees |
|
$ |
111,000 |
|
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
Audit-Related Fees |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Tax Fees |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Other Fees |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Totals |
|
$ |
111,000 |
|
|
$ |
110,000 |
|
Audit Fees
The aggregate fees billed for each of the last two fiscal years for
professional services rendered by RBSM for the audit of the
Company’s annual financial statements and review of financial
statements included in the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K and
in the Company’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, or services that
are normally provided by the independent registered public
accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings
or engagements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and
2019 were $111,000 and $110,000, respectively.
Audit-Related Fees
The aggregate fees billed in either of the last two fiscal years
for assurance and related services by RBSM that are reasonably
related to the performance of the audit or review of the
registrant’s financial statements and are not reported under “Audit
Fees” for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 were
$0 and $0, respectively.
Tax Fees
The aggregate fees were billed for professional services rendered
by the principal accountant for tax compliance, tax advice, and tax
planning for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 was
$0 and $0, respectively, for RBSM.
All Other Fees
Other fees billed for professional services provided by the
principal accountant, other than the services reported above, for
the fiscal years ending December 31, 2020 and 2019 were $0 and $0,
respectively, for RBSM.
The Company’s Board, acting in place of its Audit Committee,
approves all auditing services and the terms thereof and non-audit
services (other than non-audit services published under Section
10A(g) of the Exchange Act or the applicable rules of the SEC or
the Pubic Company Accounting Oversight Board) to be provided to the
Company by the independent auditor; provided, however, the
pre-approval requirement is waived with respect to the provisions
of non-audit services for the Company if the “de minimis”
provisions of Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act are
satisfied.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares present virtually
or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter
at the Annual Meeting is required to ratify the appointment of RBSM
as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2021. We are not required to obtain the
approval of our Stockholders to appoint the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm. However, if our Stockholders do
not ratify the appointment of RBSM as the Company’s independent
registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2021, the Board may reconsider its appointment.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RATIFICATION OF THE
APPOINTMENT OF RBSM AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING
FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021, AND PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A
STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Board, standing in for the Audit Committee, has:
|
● |
reviewed
and discussed the Company’s audited consolidated financial
statements for the year ended December 31, 2020 with
management; |
|
|
|
|
● |
discussed
with the Company’s independent auditors the matters required to be
discussed under Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing
Standard No. 1301; and |
|
|
|
|
● |
received
the written disclosures and letter from the independent auditors
required by the applicable requirements of the Public Accounting
Oversight Board regarding the independent auditors communications
with the Board concerning independence, and has discussed with RBSM
matters relating to its independence. |
In
reliance on the review and discussions referred to above, the Board
recommended that the consolidated financial statements audited by
RBSM for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 be included
in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for such fiscal
year.
The Board
PROPOSAL SIX:
ADVISORY VOTE ON THE APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of
2010 and Section 14A of the Exchange Act entitle our Stockholders
to vote to approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our
named executive officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement
pursuant to SEC rules.
Our executive compensation programs are designed to (1) motivate
and retain executive officers, (2) reward the achievement of our
short-term and long-term performance goals, (3) establish an
appropriate relationship between executive pay and short-term and
long-term performance, and (4) align executive officers’ interests
with those of our Stockholders. Please read the section of this
Proxy Statement entitled “Executive Compensation” for additional
details about our executive compensation programs, including
information about the fiscal year 2020 compensation of our named
executive officer.
The Compensation Committee continually reviews the compensation
programs for our executive officers to ensure they achieve the
desired goals of aligning our executive compensation structure with
our Stockholders’ interests and current market practices. During
the fiscal year 2020, our Compensation Committee was vacant and the
Board acted in its place.
We are asking our Stockholders to indicate their support for our
named executive officers compensation as disclosed in this Proxy
Statement and the accompanying Annual Report. This proposal,
commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our Stockholders
the opportunity to express their views on our executive
compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific
item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our
named executive officers and the philosophy, policies and practices
described in this Proxy Statement and the accompanying Annual
Report. Accordingly, we are asking our Stockholders to vote “FOR”
the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to MassRoots’ named executive
officer, as disclosed in MassRoots’ Proxy Statement for the 2021
Annual Meeting of Stockholders and the accompanying Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 pursuant
to Item 402 of Regulation S-K, including the compensation tables
and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.”
Vote Required
To be approved, this non-binding vote must be approved by a
majority of the Shares present virtually or represented by proxy
and entitled to vote on the subject matter at the Annual Meeting.
The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the
Compensation Committee or the Board. The Board and the Compensation
Committee value the opinions of our Stockholders and to the extent
there is any significant vote against the named executive officers’
compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement and the
accompanying Annual Report, we will consider our Stockholders’
concerns and evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address
those concerns.
THE BOARD RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE
COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER AS DESCRIBED
UNDER THE HEADING “EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION,” AND THE RELATED
DISCLOSURES CONTAINED IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT, AND PROXIES
SOLICITED BY THE BOARD WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR THEREOF UNLESS A
STOCKHOLDER HAS INDICATED OTHERWISE ON THE PROXY.
PROPOSAL
SEVEN:
AUTHORIZATION TO ADJOURN
THE ANNUAL MEETING
If the Annual Meeting is convened and a quorum is present, but
there are not sufficient votes to approve the forgoing proposals
described in this Proxy Statement, the Company may move to adjourn
the Annual Meeting at that time in order to enable our Board to
solicit additional proxies.
In this Proposal Seven, we are asking our Stockholders to authorize
the Company to adjourn the Annual Meeting to another time and
place, if necessary or advisable, to solicit additional proxies in
the event that there are not sufficient votes to approve the
forgoing proposals, each as described in this Proxy
Statement. If our Stockholders approve this Proposal Seven, we
could adjourn the Annual Meeting and any adjourned session of the
Annual Meeting and use the additional time to solicit additional
proxies, including the solicitation of proxies from our
Stockholders that have previously voted. Among other things,
approval of this proposal could mean that, even if we had received
proxies representing a sufficient number of votes to defeat the
forgoing proposals, we could adjourn the Annual Meeting without a
vote on such proposals and seek to convince our Stockholders to
change their votes in favor of such proposals.
If it is necessary or advisable to adjourn the Annual Meeting, no
notice of the adjourned meeting is required to be given to our
Stockholders, other than an announcement at the Annual Meeting of
the time and place to which the Annual Meeting is adjourned, so
long as the meeting is adjourned for 30 days or less and no new
record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting. At the
adjourned meeting, we may transact any business which might have
been transacted at the original meeting. If, however, after the
adjournment the Board fixes a new record date for the adjourned
meeting, a notice of adjourned meeting, shall be provided to each
Stockholder of record on the new record date entitled to vote at
such meeting.
Vote Required
The affirmative vote of a majority of the Shares present virtually
or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the subject matter
at the Annual Meeting is required to approve this proposal.
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A “FOR” VOTE FOR THIS PROPOSAL
TO AUTHORIZE THE ADJOURNMENT OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
OTHER MATTERS
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the Board knows of no other
business that will be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other
business is properly brought before the Annual Meeting, it is
intended that proxies in the enclosed form will be voted in respect
thereof in accordance with the best judgment and in the discretion
of the persons voting the proxies.
APPENDIX A
Certificate of Amendment
to
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of
MassRoots, Inc.
Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
MassRoots, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”) hereby certifies
as follows:
FIRST: The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation is hereby amended by replacing Article FOURTH in
its entirety with the following:
FOURTH: The total number of shares of capital stock that the
Corporation shall have authority to issue is 1,210,000,000 shares,
consisting of 1,200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value
$0.001 per share (the “Common Stock”), and 10,000,000 shares of
preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share (the “Preferred
Stock”).
4.1 Common Stock. A statement of the designations,
powers, preferences, rights, qualifications, limitations and
restrictions in respect to the shares of Common Stock is as
follows:
(a) Dividends. The Board of Directors of the Corporation may cause
dividends to be paid to the holders of shares of Common Stock out
of funds legally available for the payment of dividends by
declaring an amount per share as a dividend. When and as dividends
are declared on the Common Stock, whether payable in cash, in
property or in shares of stock or other securities of the
Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to share
ratably according to the number of shares of Common Stock held by
them, in such dividends.
(b) Liquidation Rights. Subject to the terms of any resolution or
resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors pursuant to Section
4.2 of this ARTICLE FOURTH, in the event of any voluntary or
involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs
of the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled
to share ratably, according to the number of shares of Common Stock
held by them, in all remaining assets of the Corporation available
for distribution to its stockholders.
(c) Voting Rights. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable
law, the holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to vote on each
matter on which the stockholders of the Corporation shall be
entitled to vote, and each holder of Common Stock shall be entitled
to one vote for each share of such stock held by him.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, except as otherwise required by law,
holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any
amendment to this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(including any resolution adopted pursuant to Section 4.2 of this
ARTICLE FOURTH relating to any series of Preferred Stock) that
relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of
Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series are
entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders
of one or more other such series, to vote thereon pursuant to this
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (including any
resolution adopted pursuant to Section 4.2 of this ARTICLE FOURTH
relating to any series of Preferred Stock).
4.2 Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors is
authorized, subject to any limitation prescribed by law, to adopt
one or more resolutions to provide for the issuance of the shares
of Preferred Stock in one or more series, and by filing a
certificate pursuant to applicable Delaware law to establish from
time to time the number of shares to be included in each such
series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights
of the shares of each such series and the qualifications,
limitations or restrictions thereof. The number of authorized
shares of Preferred Stock may be increased or decreased (but not
below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power
of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the
Corporation entitled to vote thereon, irrespective of the
provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL and without a vote of
the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof,
unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms
of any resolution adopted pursuant to this Section 4.2.
The authority of the Board of Directors with respect to each series
shall include, but not be limited to, determination of the
following:
(a) The number of shares constituting the series and the
distinctive designation of the series;
(b) The dividend rate (or the method of calculation of dividends)
on the shares of the series, whether dividends will be cumulative,
and if so, from which date or dates, and the relative rights of
priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of the
series;
(c) Whether the series shall have voting rights, in addition to the
voting rights required by law, and if so, the terms of such voting
rights;
(d) Whether the series shall have conversion rights, and, if so,
the terms and conditions of such conversion, including provision
for adjustment of the conversion rate in such events as the Board
of Directors shall determine;
(e) Whether or not the shares of that series shall be redeemable or
exchangeable, and, if so, the terms and conditions of such
redemption or exchange, as the case may be, including the date or
dates upon or after which they shall be redeemable or exchangeable,
as the case may be, and the amount per share payable in case of
redemption, which amount may vary under different conditions and at
different redemption dates;
(f) Whether the series shall have a sinking fund for the redemption
or purchase of shares of that series, and if so, the terms and
amount of such sinking fund;
(g) The rights of the shares of the series in the event of
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of
the Corporation, and the relative rights or priority, if any, of
payment of shares of the series; and
(h) Any other relative rights, preferences, powers and limitations
of that series.
Except for any difference so provided by the Board of Directors,
the shares of Preferred Stock will rank on parity with respect to
the payment of dividends and to the distribution of assets upon
liquidation.
SECOND: The foregoing amendment has been duly adopted in accordance
with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation law
of the State of Delaware by the vote of a majority of each class of
outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Certificate this __ day of
________, 20___
|
|
|
Isaac
Dietrich, Chief Executive Officer |
APPENDIX B
Certificate of Amendment
to
Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of
MassRoots, Inc.
Under Section 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
MassRoots, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”) hereby certifies
as follows:
FIRST: The Second Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
of the Corporation is hereby amended by adding the following to the
end of Article FOURTH:
“4.3 Reverse Stock Split. Effective as of [ ]
a.m., local time on [ ], 20__ (the “Amendment Effective
Time”), every [ ] ( ) shares of the
Company’s Common Stock (the “Old Common Stock”) then issued and
outstanding shall, automatically and without any action on the part
of the respective holders thereof, be combined, converted and
changed into one share of Common Stock of the Company (the “Reverse
Stock Split”). No fractional shares shall be issued upon the
Reverse Stock Split. If the Reverse Stock Split would result in the
issuance of a fraction of a share of Common Stock, the Corporation
shall, in lieu of issuing any such fractional share, pay an amount
in cash, without interest, equal to the fair value of such
fractional interest.”
SECOND: The foregoing amendment has been duly adopted in accordance
with the provisions of Section 242 of the General Corporation law
of the State of Delaware by the vote of a majority of each class of
outstanding stock of the Corporation entitled to vote thereon.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have signed this Certificate this __ day of
________, 20___
|
|
|
Isaac
Dietrich, Chief Executive Officer |
Massroots,
Inc.
2021 Equity Incentive
Plan
1. Purpose
MassRoots, Inc. 2021 Equity Incentive Plan is intended to promote
the best interests of MassRoots, Inc. and its stockholders by
(i) assisting the Corporation and its Affiliates in the
recruitment and retention of persons with ability and initiative,
(ii) providing an incentive to such persons to contribute to
the growth and success of the Corporation’s businesses by affording
such persons equity participation in the Corporation and
(iii) associating the interests of such persons with those of
the Corporation and its Affiliates and stockholders.
2.
Definitions
As used in this Plan the following definitions shall apply:
A. “Affiliate” means (i) any Subsidiary,
(ii) any Parent, (iii) any corporation, or trade or
business (including, without limitation, a partnership, limited
liability company or other entity) which is directly or indirectly
controlled fifty percent (50%) or more (whether by ownership of
stock, assets or an equivalent ownership interest or voting
interest) by the Corporation or one of its Affiliates, and
(iv) any other entity in which the Corporation or any of its
Affiliates has a material equity interest and which is designated
as an “Affiliate” by resolution of the Committee.
B. “Award” means any Option or Stock Award granted
hereunder.
C. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the
Corporation.
D. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and
any amendments thereto.
E. “Committee” means the Board or any Committee of the
Board to which the Board has delegated any responsibility for the
implementation, interpretation or administration of this Plan.
F. “Common Stock” means the common stock, $0.001 par
value, of the Corporation.
G. “Consultant” means (i) any person performing
consulting or advisory services for the Corporation or any
Affiliate, or (ii) a director of an Affiliate.
H. “Corporation” means MassRoots, Inc., a Delaware
corporation.
I. “Corporation Law” means the Delaware Revised
Statutes, as the same shall be amended from time to time.
J. “Date of Grant” means the date that the Committee
approves an Option grant; provided, that all terms of such grant,
including the amount of shares subject to the grant, exercise price
and vesting are defined at such time.
K. “Deferral Period” means the period of time during
which Deferred Shares are subject to deferral limitations under
Section 7.D of this Plan.
L. “Deferred Shares” means an award pursuant to Section
7.D of this Plan of the right to receive shares of Common Stock at
the end of a specified Deferral Period.
M. “Director” means a member of the Board.
N. “Eligible Person” means an employee of the
Corporation or an Affiliate (including a corporation that becomes
an Affiliate after the adoption of this Plan), a Director or a
Consultant to the Corporation or an Affiliate (including a
corporation that becomes an Affiliate after the adoption of this
Plan).
O. “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended.
P. “Fair Market Value” means, on any given date, the
current fair market value of the shares of Common Stock as
determined as follows:
|
(i) |
If the Common Stock is traded on a
national securities exchange, the closing price for the day of
determination as quoted on such market or exchange, including the
NASDAQ Global Market or NASDAQ Capital Market, which is the primary
market or exchange for trading of the Common Stock or if no trading
occurs on such date, the last day on which trading occurred, or
such other appropriate date as determined by the Committee in its
discretion, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such
other source as the Committee deems reliable; |
|
(ii) |
If the Common Stock is regularly
quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not
reported, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the high
and the low asked prices for the Common Stock for the day of
determination; or |
|
(iii) |
In the absence of an established
market for the Common Stock, Fair Market Value shall be determined
by the Committee in good faith. |
Q. “Family Member” means a parent, child, spouse or
sibling.
R. “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option (or portion
thereof) intended to qualify for special tax treatment under
Section 422 of the Code.
S. “Nonqualified Stock Option” means an Option (or
portion thereof) which is not intended or does not for any reason
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
T. “Option” means any option to purchase shares of
Common Stock granted under this Plan.
U. “Parent” means any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the
Corporation if each of the corporations (other than the
Corporation) owns stock possessing at least fifty percent (50%) of
the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of
the other corporations in such chain.
V. “Participant” means an Eligible Person who
(i) is selected by the Committee or an authorized officer of
the Corporation to receive an Award and (ii) is party to an
agreement setting forth the terms of the Award, as appropriate.
W. “Performance Agreement” means an agreement described
in Section 8 of this Plan.
X. “Performance Objectives” means the performance
objectives established by the Committee pursuant to this Plan for
Participants who have received grants of Awards. Performance
Objectives may be described in terms of Corporation-wide objectives
or objectives that are related to the performance of the individual
Participant or the Affiliate, division, department or function
within the Corporation or Affiliate in which the Participant is
employed or has responsibility. Any Performance Objectives
applicable to Awards to the extent that such an Award is intended
to qualify as “Performance Based Compensation” under Section 162(m)
of the Code shall be limited to specified levels of or increases in
the Corporation’s or a business unit’s return on equity, earnings
per share, total earnings, earnings growth, return on capital,
return on assets, economic value added, earnings before interest
and taxes, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization, sales growth, gross margin return on investment,
increase in the Fair Market Price of the shares, net operating
profit, cash flow (including, but not limited to, operating cash
flow and free cash flow), cash flow return on investments (which
equals net cash flow divided by total capital), internal rate of
return, increase in net present value or expense targets. The
Awards intended to qualify as “Performance Based Compensation”
under Section 162(m) of the Code shall be pre-established in
accordance with applicable regulations under Section 162(m) of the
Code and the determination of attainment of such goals shall be
made by the Committee. If the Committee determines that a change in
the business, operations, corporate structure or capital structure
of the Corporation (including an event described in Section 9), or
the manner in which it conducts its business, or other events or
circumstances render the Performance Objectives unsuitable, the
Committee may modify such Performance Objectives or the related
minimum acceptable level of achievement, in whole or in part, as
the Committee deems appropriate and equitable; provided, however,
that no such modification shall be made to an Award intended to
qualify as “Performance Based Compensation” under Section 162(m) of
the Code unless the Committee determines that such modification
will not result in loss of such qualification or the Committee
determines that loss of such qualification is in the best interests
of the Corporation.
Y. “Performance Period” means a period of time
established under Section 8 of this Plan within which the
Performance Objectives relating to a Stock Award are to be
achieved.
Z. “Performance Share” means an award pursuant to
Section 8 of this Plan of the right to receive shares of Common
Stock upon the achievement of specified Performance Objectives.
AA. “Plan” means this MassRoots, Inc., 2021 Equity Incentive
Plan.
BB. “Repricing” means, other than in connection with an
event described in Section 9 of this Plan, (i) lowering
the exercise price of an Option after it has been granted or
(ii) canceling an Option at a time when the exercise price
exceeds the then-Fair Market Value of the Common Stock in exchange
for another Option.
CC. “Restricted Stock Award” means an award of Common Stock
under Section 7.B.
DD. “Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
EE. “Stock Award” means a Stock Bonus Award, Restricted
Stock Award, Stock Appreciation Right, Deferred Shares, or
Performance Shares.
FF. “Stock Bonus Award” means an award of Common Stock under
Section 7.A.
GG. “Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement
between the Corporation and a Participant setting forth the
specific terms and conditions of a Stock Award granted to the
Participant under Section 7. Each Stock Award Agreement shall be
subject to the terms and conditions of this Plan and shall include
such terms and conditions as the Committee shall authorize.
HH. “Stock Option Agreement” means an agreement (written or
electronic) between the Corporation and a Participant setting forth
the specific terms and conditions of an Option granted to the
Participant. Each Stock Option Agreement shall be subject to the
terms and conditions of this Plan and shall include such terms and
conditions as the Committee shall authorize.
II. “Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the
Corporation) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with
the Corporation if each of the corporations (other than the last
corporation in the unbroken chain) owns stock possessing at least
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all
classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such
chain.
JJ. “Ten Percent Owner” means any Eligible Person owning at
the time an Option is granted more than ten percent (10%) of the
total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the
Corporation or of a Parent or Subsidiary. An individual shall, in
accordance with Section 424(d) of the Code, be considered to own
any voting stock owned (directly or indirectly) by or for such
Eligible Person’s brothers, sisters, spouse, ancestors and lineal
descendants and any voting stock owned (directly or indirectly) by
or for a corporation, partnership, estate or trust shall be
considered as being owned proportionately by or for its
stockholders, partners, or beneficiaries.
3. implementation,
interpretation and Administration
A. Delegation to Board Committee. The Board shall have
the sole authority to implement, interpret, and/or administer this
Plan unless the Board delegates all or any portion of its authority
to implement, interpret, and/or administer this Plan to a
Committee. To the extent not prohibited by the Certificate of
Incorporation or Bylaws of the Corporation, the Board may delegate
all or a portion of its authority to implement, interpret, and/or
administer this Plan to a Committee of the Board appointed by the
Board and constituted in compliance with the applicable Corporation
Law. The Committee shall consist solely of two (2) or more
Directors who are (i) Non-Employee Directors (within the
meaning of Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act) for purposes of
exercising administrative authority with respect to Awards granted
to Eligible Persons who are subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange Act; (ii) to the extent required by the rules of the
market on which the Corporation’s shares are traded or the exchange
on which the Corporation’s shares are listed, “independent” within
the meaning of such rules; and (iii) at such times as an Award
under this Plan by the Corporation is subject to Section 162(m) of
the Code (to the extent relief from the limitation of Section
162(m) of the Code is sought with respect to Awards and
administration of the Awards by a committee of “outside directors”
is required to receive such relief), “outside directors” within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
B. Delegation to Officers. The Committee may delegate
to one or more officers of the Corporation the authority to grant
and administer Awards to Eligible Persons who are not Directors or
executive officers of the Corporation; provided that the Committee
shall have fixed the total number of shares of Common Stock that
may be subject to such Awards. No officer holding such a delegation
is authorized to grant Awards to himself or herself. In addition to
the Committee, the officer or officers to whom the Committee has
delegated the authority to grant and administer Awards shall have
all powers delegated to the Committee with respect to such
Awards.
C. Powers of the Committee. Subject to the provisions
of this Plan, and in the case of a Committee appointed by the
Board, the specific duties delegated to such Committee, the
Committee (and the officers to whom the Committee has delegated
such authority) shall have the authority:
|
(i) |
To construe and interpret all
provisions of this Plan and all Stock Option Agreements, Stock
Award Agreements, Performance Agreements, or any other agreement
under this Plan. |
|
(ii) |
To determine the Fair Market Value
of Common Stock in the absence of an established market for the
Common Stock. |
|
(iii) |
To select the Eligible Persons to
whom Awards are granted from time to time hereunder. |
|
(iv) |
To determine the number of shares
of Common Stock covered by an Award; to determine whether an Option
shall be an Incentive Stock Option or Nonqualified Stock Option;
and to determine such other terms and conditions, not inconsistent
with the terms of this Plan, of each such Award. Such terms and
conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price of
an Option, purchase price of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award,
the time or times when Options or a Stock Award may be exercised or
Common Stock issued thereunder, the vesting schedule of an Option,
the right of the Corporation to repurchase Common Stock issued
pursuant to the exercise of an Option or a Stock Award and other
restrictions or limitations (in addition to those contained in this
Plan) on the forfeitability or transferability of Options, Stock
Awards or Common Stock issued upon exercise of an Option or
pursuant to a Stock Award. Such terms may include conditions which
shall be determined by the Committee and need not be uniform with
respect to Participants. |
|
(v) |
To accelerate the time at which any
Option or Stock Award may be exercised, or the time at which a
Stock Award or Common Stock issued under this Plan may become
transferable or non-forfeitable. |
|
(vi) |
To determine whether and under what
circumstances an Option or Stock Award may be settled in cash,
shares of Common Stock or other property under Section 6.H
instead of in Common Stock. |
|
(vii) |
To waive, amend, cancel, extend,
renew, accept the surrender of, modify or accelerate the vesting of
or lapse of restrictions on all or any portion of an outstanding
Award. Except as otherwise provided by this Plan, Stock Option
Agreement, Stock Award Agreement or Performance Agreement or as
required to comply with applicable law, regulation or rule, no
amendment, cancellation or modification shall, without a
Participant’s consent, adversely affect any rights of the
Participant; provided, however, that (x) an amendment or
modification that may cause an Incentive Stock Option to become a
Nonqualified Stock Option shall not be treated as adversely
affecting the rights of the Participant and (y) any other
amendment or modification of any Stock Option Agreement, Stock
Award Agreement or Performance Agreement that does not, in the
opinion of the Committee, adversely affect any rights of any
Participant, shall not require such Participant’s consent.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the restrictions on the Repricing of
Options, as set forth in this Plan, may not be waived. |
|
(viii) |
To prescribe the form of Stock
Option Agreements, Stock Award Agreements, Performance Agreements,
or any other agreements under this Plan; to adopt policies and
procedures for the exercise of Options or Stock Awards, including
the satisfaction of withholding obligations; to adopt, amend, and
rescind policies and procedures pertaining to the administration of
this Plan; and to make all other determinations necessary or
advisable for the administration of this Plan. Except for the due
execution of the award agreement by both the Corporation and the
Participant, the Award’s effectiveness will not be dependent on any
signature unless specifically so provided in the award
agreement. |
The express grant in this Plan of any specific power to the
Committee shall not be construed as limiting any power or authority
of the Committee; provided that the Committee may not exercise any
right or power reserved to the Board. Any decision made, or action
taken, by the Committee or in connection with the implementation,
interpretation, and administration of this Plan shall be final,
conclusive and binding on all persons having an interest in this
Plan.
4.
Eligibility
A. Eligibility for Awards. Awards, other than Incentive
Stock Options, may be granted to any Eligible Person selected by
the Committee. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to
employees of the Corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary.
B. Eligibility of Consultants. A Consultant shall be an
Eligible Person only if the offer or sale of the Corporation’s
securities would be eligible for registration on Form S-8
Registration Statement (or any successor form) because of the
identity and nature of the service provided by such person, unless
the Corporation determines that an offer or sale of the
Corporation’s securities to such person will satisfy another
exemption from the registration under the Securities Act and
complies with the securities laws of all other jurisdictions
applicable to such offer or sale. Accordingly, an Award may not be
granted pursuant to this Plan for the purpose of the Corporation
obtaining financing or for investor relations purposes.
C. Substitution Awards. The Committee may make Awards
under this Plan by assumption, in substitution or replacement of
performance shares, phantom shares, stock awards, stock options or
similar awards granted by another entity (including an Affiliate)
in connection with a merger, consolidation, acquisition of property
or stock or similar transaction. Notwithstanding any provision of
this Plan (other than the maximum number of shares of Common Stock
that may be issued under this Plan), the terms of such assumed,
substituted, or replaced Awards shall be as the Committee, in its
discretion, determines is appropriate.
5. Common Stock Subject
to Plan
A. Share Reserve and Limitations on Grants. The maximum
aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be
(i) issued under this Plan pursuant to the exercise of Options
(without regard to whether payment on exercise of the Stock Option
is made in cash or shares of Common Stock) and (ii) issued pursuant
to Stock Awards, shall be 50,000,000 shares in the aggregate. The
number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan shall be
subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.
Notwithstanding any provision hereto to the contrary, shares
subject to the Plan shall include shares forfeited in a prior year
as provided herein. For purposes of determining the number of
shares of Common Stock available under this Plan, shares of Common
Stock withheld by the Corporation to satisfy applicable tax
withholding obligations pursuant to Section 10 of this Plan
shall be deemed issued under this Plan. No single participant may
receive more than 25% of the total Options awarded in any single
year.
B. Reversion of Shares. If an Option or Stock Award is
terminated, expires or becomes unexercisable, in whole or in part,
for any reason, the unissued or unpurchased shares of Common Stock
which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant
under this Plan. Shares of Common Stock that have been actually
issued under this Plan shall not be returned to the share reserve
for future grants under this Plan; except that shares of Common
Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award which are forfeited to the
Corporation or repurchased by the Corporation at the original
purchase price of such shares, shall be returned to the share
reserve for future grant under this Plan.
C. Source of Shares. Common Stock issued under this
Plan may be shares of authorized and unissued Common Stock or
shares of previously issued Common Stock that have been reacquired
by the Corporation.
6. Options
A. Award. In accordance with the provisions of
Section 4, the Committee will designate each Eligible Person
to whom an Option is to be granted and will specify the number of
shares of Common Stock covered by such Option. The Stock Option
Agreement shall specify whether the Option is an Incentive Stock
Option or Nonqualified Stock Option, the exercise price of such
Option, the vesting schedule applicable to such Option, the
expiration date of such Option, events of termination of such
Option, and any other terms of such Option. No Option that is
intended to be an Incentive Stock Option shall be invalid for
failure to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
B. Option Price. The exercise price per share for
Common Stock subject to an Option shall be determined by the
Committee, but shall comply with the following:
|
(i) |
The exercise price per share for
Common Stock subject to an Option shall not be less than one
hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of
grant. |
|
(ii) |
The exercise price per share for
Common Stock subject to an Incentive Stock Option granted to a
Participant who is deemed to be a Ten Percent Owner on the date
such option is granted, shall not be less than one hundred ten
percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant. |
C. Maximum Option Period. The maximum period during
which an Option may be exercised shall be ten (10) years from
the date such Option was granted. In the case of an Incentive Stock
Option that is granted to a Participant who is or is deemed to be a
Ten Percent Owner on the date of grant, such Option shall not be
exercisable after the expiration of five (5) years from the
date of grant.
D. Maximum Value of Options which are Incentive Stock
Options. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of
the Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options
granted to any Participant are exercisable for the first time
during any calendar year (under all stock option plans of the
Corporation or any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000 (or such
other amount provided in Section 422 of the Code), the Options
shall not be deemed to be Incentive Stock Options. For purposes of
this section, the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock will be
determined as of the time the Incentive Stock Option with respect
to the Common Stock is granted. This section will be applied by
taking Incentive Stock Options into account in the order in which
they are granted.
E. Nontransferability. Options granted under this Plan
which are intended to be Incentive Stock Options shall be
nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution and, during the lifetime of the Participant, shall be
exercisable by only the Participant to whom the Incentive Stock
Option is granted. Except to the extent transferability of a
Nonqualified Stock Option is provided for in the Stock Option
Agreement or is approved by the Committee, during the lifetime of
the Participant to whom the Nonqualified Stock Option is granted,
such Option may be exercised only by the Participant. If the Stock
Option Agreement so provides or the Committee so approves, a
Nonqualified Stock Option may be transferred by a Participant
through a gift or domestic relations order to the Participant’s
family members to the extent such transfer complies with applicable
securities laws and regulations and provided that such transfer is
not a transfer for value (within the meaning of applicable
securities laws and regulations). The holder of a Nonqualified
Stock Option transferred pursuant to this section shall be bound by
the same terms and conditions that governed the Option during the
period that it was held by the Participant. No right or interest of
a Participant in any Option shall be liable for, or subject to, any
lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant, unless such
obligation is to the Corporation itself or to an Affiliate.
F. Vesting. Options will vest as provided in the Stock
Option Agreement.
G. Termination. Options will terminate as provided in
the Stock Option Agreement.
H. Exercise. Subject to the provisions of this Plan and
the applicable Stock Option Agreement, an Option may be exercised
to the extent vested in whole at any time or in part from time to
time at such times and in compliance with such requirements as the
Committee shall determine. A partial exercise of an Option shall
not affect the right to exercise the Option from time to time in
accordance with this Plan and the applicable Stock Option Agreement
with respect to the remaining shares subject to the Option. An
Option may not be exercised with respect to fractional shares of
Common Stock. The Participant may face certain restrictions on
his/her ability to exercise Options and/or sell underlying shares
when such Participant is potentially in possession of insider
information. The Corporation will make the Participant aware of any
formal insider trading policy it adopts, and the provisions of such
insider trading policy (including any amendments thereto) shall be
binding upon the Participant.
I. Payment. Unless otherwise provided by the Stock
Option Agreement, payment of the exercise price for an Option shall
be made in cash or a cash equivalent acceptable to the Committee or
if the Common Stock is traded on an established securities market,
by payment of the exercise price by a broker-dealer or by the
Option holder with cash advanced by the broker-dealer if the
exercise notice is accompanied by the Option holder’s written
irrevocable instructions to deliver the Common Stock acquired upon
exercise of the Option to the broker-dealer or by delivery of the
Common Stock to the broker-dealer with an irrevocable commitment by
the broker-dealer to forward the exercise price to the Corporation.
With the consent of the Committee, payment of all or a part of the
exercise price of an Option may also be made (i) by surrender
to the Corporation (or delivery to the Corporation of a properly
executed form of attestation of ownership) of shares of Common
Stock that have been held for such period prior to the date of
exercise as is necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment to
the Corporation, or (ii) any other method acceptable to the
Committee. If Common Stock is used to pay all or part of the
exercise price, the sum of the cash or cash equivalent and the Fair
Market Value (determined as of the date of exercise) of the shares
surrendered must not be less than the Option price of the shares
for which the Option is being exercised.
J. Stockholder Rights. No Participant shall have any
rights as a stockholder with respect to shares subject to an Option
until the date of exercise of such Option and the certificate for
shares of Common Stock to be received on exercise of such Option
has been issued by the Corporation.
K. Disposition and Stock Certificate Legends for Incentive
Stock Option Shares. A Participant shall notify the Corporation
of any sale or other disposition of Common Stock acquired pursuant
to an Incentive Stock Option if such sale or disposition occurs
(i) within two years of the grant of an Option or
(ii) within one year of the issuance of the Common Stock to
the Participant. Such notice shall be in writing and directed to
the Chief Financial Officer of the Corporation or is his/her
absence, the Chief Executive Officer. The Corporation may require
that certificates evidencing shares of Common Stock purchased upon
the exercise of Incentive Stock Options issued under this Plan be
endorsed with a legend in substantially the following form:
THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE MAY NOT BE SOLD OR
TRANSFERRED PRIOR TO ___, 20___, IN THE ABSENCE OF A WRITTEN
STATEMENT FROM THE CORPORATION TO THE EFFECT THAT THE CORPORATION
IS AWARE OF THE FACTS OF SUCH SALE OR TRANSFER.
The blank contained in this legend shall be filled in with the date
that is the later of (i) one year and one day after the date of the
exercise of such Incentive Stock Option or (ii) two years and
one day after the grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
L. No Repricing. In no event shall the Committee permit
a Repricing of any Option without the approval of the stockholders
of the Corporation.
7. Stock
Awards
A. Stock Bonus Awards. Stock Bonus Awards may be
granted by the Committee. Each Stock Award Agreement for a Stock
Bonus Award shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions (including provisions relating to consideration,
vesting, reacquisition of shares following termination, and
transferability of shares) as the Committee shall deem appropriate.
The terms and conditions of Stock Award Agreements for Stock Bonus
Awards may change from time to time and need not be uniform with
respect to Participants, and the terms and conditions of separate
Stock Bonus Awards need not be identical.
B. Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted Stock Awards may
be granted by the Committee. Each Stock Award Agreement for a
Restricted Stock Award shall be in such form and shall contain such
terms and conditions (including provisions relating to purchase
price, consideration, vesting, reacquisition of shares following
termination, and transferability of shares) as the Committee shall
deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of the Stock Award
Agreements for Restricted Stock Awards may change from time to time
and need not be uniform with respect to Participants, and the terms
and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Awards need not be
identical. Vesting of any grant of Restricted Stock Awards may be
further conditioned upon the attainment of Performance Objectives
established by the Committee in accordance with the applicable
provisions of Section 8 of this Plan regarding Performance
Shares.
C. Deferred Shares. The Committee may authorize grants
of Deferred Shares to Participants upon the recommendation of the
Corporation’s management, and upon such terms and conditions as the
Committee may determine in accordance with the following
provisions:
|
(i) |
Each grant shall constitute the
agreement by the Corporation to issue or transfer shares of Common
Stock to the Participant in the future in consideration of the
performance of services, subject to the fulfillment during the
Deferral Period of such conditions as the Committee may
specify. |
|
(ii) |
Each grant may be made without
additional consideration from the Participant or in consideration
of a payment by the Participant that is less than the Fair Market
Value on the date of grant. |
|
(iii) |
Each grant shall provide that the
Deferred Shares covered thereby shall be subject to a Deferral
Period, which shall be fixed by the Committee on the date of grant,
and any grant or sale may provide for the earlier termination of
such period in the event of a change in control of the Corporation
or other similar transaction or event. |
|
(iv) |
During the Deferral Period, the
Participant shall not have any right to transfer any rights under
the subject Award, shall not have any rights of ownership in the
Deferred Shares and shall not have any right to vote such shares,
but the Committee may on or after the date of grant, authorize the
payment of dividend or other distribution equivalents on such
shares in cash or additional shares on a current, deferred or
contingent basis. |
|
(v) |
Any grant, or the vesting thereof,
may be further conditioned upon the attainment of Performance
Objectives established by the Committee in accordance with the
applicable provisions of Section 8 of this Plan regarding
Performance Shares. |
|
(vi) |
Each grant shall be evidenced by an
agreement delivered to and accepted by the Participant and
containing such terms and provisions as the Committee may determine
consistent with this Plan. The terms and conditions of the
agreements for Deferred Shares may change from time to time and
need not be uniform with respect to Participants, and the terms and
conditions of separate Deferred Shares need not be identical. |
8. Performance
Shares
A. The Committee may authorize grants of Performance Shares,
which shall become payable to the Participant upon the achievement
of specified Performance Objectives, upon such terms and conditions
as the Committee may determine in accordance with the following
provisions:
|
(i) |
Each grant shall specify the number
of Performance Shares to which it pertains, which may be subject to
adjustment to reflect changes in compensation or other
factors. |
|
(ii) |
The Performance Period with respect
to each Performance Share shall commence on the date established by
the Committee and may be subject to earlier termination in the
event of a change in control of the Corporation or similar
transaction or event. |
|
(iii) |
Each grant shall specify the
Performance Objectives that are to be achieved by the
Participant. |
|
(iv) |
Each grant may specify in respect
of the specified Performance Objectives a minimum acceptable level
of achievement below which no payment will be made and may set
forth a formula for determining the amount of any payment to be
made if performance is at or above such minimum acceptable level
but falls short of the maximum achievement of the specified
Performance Objectives. |
|
(v) |
Each grant shall specify the time
and manner of payment of Performance Shares that shall have been
earned, and any grant may specify that any such amount may be paid
by the Corporation in cash, shares of Common Stock or any
combination thereof and may either grant to the Participant or
reserve to the Committee the right to elect among those
alternatives. |
|
(vi) |
Any grant of Performance Shares may
specify that the amount payable with respect thereto may not exceed
a maximum specified by the Committee on the date of grant. |
|
(vii) |
Any grant of Performance Shares may
provide for the payment to the Participant of dividend or other
distribution equivalents thereon in cash or additional shares of
Common Stock on a current, deferred or contingent basis. |
|
(viii) |
If provided in the terms of the
grant and subject to the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code
(in the case of awards intended to qualify for exception
therefrom), the Committee may adjust Performance Objectives and the
related minimum acceptable level of achievement if, in the sole
judgment of the Committee, events or transactions have occurred
after the date of grant that are unrelated to the performance of
the Participant and result in distortion of the Performance
Objectives or the related minimum acceptable level of
achievement. |
|
(ix) |
Each grant shall be evidenced by an
agreement that shall be delivered to and accepted by the
Participant, which shall state that the Performance Shares are
subject to all of the terms and conditions of this Plan and such
other terms and provisions as the Committee may determine
consistent with this Plan. The terms and conditions of the
agreements for Performance Shares may change from time to time and
need not be uniform with respect to Participants, and the terms and
conditions of separate Performance Shares need not be
identical. |
|
(x) |
Until the achievement of the
Performance Objectives and the resulting issuance of the
Performance Shares, the Participant shall not have any rights as a
stockholder in the Performance Shares and shall not have any right
to vote such shares, but the Committee may on or after the date of
grant, authorize the payment of dividend or other distribution
equivalents on such shares in cash or additional shares on a
current, deferred or contingent basis. |
9. Changes in Capital
Structure
A. No Limitations of Rights. The existence of
outstanding Awards shall not affect in any way the right or power
of the Corporation or its stockholders to make or authorize any or
all adjustments, recapitalizations, reorganizations or other
changes in the Corporation’s capital structure or its business, or
any merger or consolidation of the Corporation, or any issuance of
bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stock ahead of or
affecting the Common Stock or the rights thereof, or the
dissolution or liquidation of the Corporation, 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.
B. Changes in Capitalization. If the Corporation shall
effect a subdivision or consolidation of shares or other capital
readjustment, the payment of a stock dividend, or other increase or
reduction of the number of shares of the Common Stock outstanding,
without receiving consideration therefore in money, services or
property, then (i) the number, class, and per share price of shares
of Common Stock subject to outstanding Options and other Awards
hereunder and (ii) the number of and class of shares then reserved
for issuance under this Plan and the maximum number of shares for
which Awards may be granted to a Participant during a specified
time period shall be appropriately and proportionately adjusted.
The conversion of convertible securities of the Corporation shall
not be treated as effected “without receiving consideration.” The
Committee shall make such adjustments, and its determinations shall
be final, binding and conclusive.
C. Merger, Consolidation or Asset Sale. If the
Corporation is merged or consolidated with another entity or sells
or otherwise disposes of substantially all of its assets to another
company while Options or Stock Awards remain outstanding under this
Plan, unless provisions are made in connection with such
transaction for the continuance of this Plan and/or the assumption
or substitution of such Options or Stock Awards with new options or
stock awards covering the stock of the successor company, or parent
or subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the
number and kind of shares and prices, then all outstanding Options
and Stock Awards which have not been continued, assumed or for
which a substituted award has not been granted shall, whether or
not vested or then exercisable, unless otherwise specified in the
Stock Option Agreement or Stock Award Agreement, terminate
immediately as of the effective date of any such merger,
consolidation or sale.
D. Limitation on Adjustment. Except as previously
expressly provided, neither the issuance by the Corporation of
shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares
of stock of any class, for cash or property, or for labor or
services either upon direct sale or upon the exercise of rights or
warrants to subscribe therefor, or upon conversion of shares or
obligations of the Corporation convertible into such shares or
other securities, nor the increase or decrease of the number of
authorized shares of stock, nor the addition or deletion of classes
of stock, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall
be made with respect to, the number, class or price of shares of
Common Stock then subject to outstanding Options or Stock
Awards.
10. Withholding of
Taxes
The Corporation or an Affiliate shall have the right, before any
certificate for any Common Stock is delivered, to deduct or
withhold from any payment owed to a Participant any amount that is
necessary in order to satisfy any withholding requirement that the
Corporation or Affiliate in good faith believes is imposed upon it
in connection with U.S federal, state, or local taxes, including
transfer taxes, as a result of the issuance of, or lapse of
restrictions on, such Common Stock, or otherwise require such
Participant to make provision for payment of any such withholding
amount. Subject to such conditions as may be established by the
Committee, the Committee may permit a Participant to (i) have
Common Stock otherwise issuable under an Option or Stock Award
withheld to the extent necessary to comply with minimum statutory
withholding rate requirements; (ii) tender back to the
Corporation shares of Common Stock received pursuant to an Option
or Stock Award to the extent necessary to comply with minimum
statutory withholding rate requirements for supplemental income;
(iii) deliver to the Corporation previously acquired Common
Stock; (iv) have funds withheld from payments of wages, salary
or other cash compensation due the Participant; (v) pay the
Corporation or its Affiliate in cash, in order to satisfy part or
all of the obligations for any taxes required to be withheld or
otherwise deducted and paid by the Corporation or its Affiliate
with respect to the Option of Stock Award; or (vi) establish a
10b5-1 trading plan for withheld stock designed to facilitate the
sale of stock in connection with the vesting of such shares, the
proceeds of which shall be utilized to make all applicable
withholding payments in a manner to be coordinated by the
Corporation’s Chief Financial Officer.
11. Compliance with Law
and Approval of Regulatory Bodies
A. General Requirements. No Option or Stock Award shall
be exercisable, no Common Stock shall be issued, no certificates
for shares of Common Stock shall be delivered, and no payment shall
be made under this Plan except in compliance with all applicable
federal and state laws and regulations (including, without
limitation, withholding tax requirements), any listing agreement to
which the Corporation is a party, and the rules of all domestic
stock exchanges or quotation systems on which the Corporation’s
shares may be listed. The Corporation shall have the right to rely
on an opinion of its counsel as to such compliance. In the absence
of an effective and current registration statement on an
appropriate form under the Securities Act, or a specific exemption
from the registration requirements of the Securities Act, shares of
Common Stock issued under this Plan shall be restricted shares. Any
share certificate issued to evidence Common Stock when a Stock
Award is granted or for which an Option is exercised may bear such
restrictive legends and statements as the Committee may deem
advisable to assure compliance with federal and state laws and
regulations. No Option or Stock Award shall be exercisable, no
Stock Award shall be granted, no Common Stock shall be issued, no
certificate for shares shall be delivered, and no payment shall be
made under this Plan until the Corporation has obtained such
consent or approval as the Committee may deem advisable from
regulatory bodies having jurisdiction over such matters.
B. Participant Representations. The Committee may
require that a Participant, as a condition to receipt or exercise
of a particular award, execute and deliver to the Corporation a
written statement, in form satisfactory to the Committee, in which
the Participant represents and warrants that the shares are being
acquired for such person’s own account, for investment only and not
with a view to the resale or distribution thereof. The Participant
shall, at the request of the Committee, be required to represent
and warrant in writing that any subsequent resale or distribution
of shares of Common Stock by the Participant shall be made only
pursuant to either (i) a registration statement on an appropriate
form under the Securities Act of 1933, which registration statement
has become effective and is current with regard to the shares being
sold, or (ii) a specific exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, but in claiming such
exemption the Participant shall, prior to any offer of sale or sale
of such shares, obtain a prior favorable written opinion of
counsel, in form and substance satisfactory to counsel for the
Corporation, as to the application of such exemption thereto.
12. General
Provisions
A. Effect on Employment and Service. Neither the
adoption of this Plan, its operation, nor any documents describing
or referring to this Plan (or any part thereof) shall (i) confer
upon any individual any right to continue in the employ or service
of the Corporation or an Affiliate, (ii) in any way affect any
right and power of the Corporation or an Affiliate to change an
individual’s duties or terminate the employment or service of any
individual at any time with or without assigning a reason therefor
or (iii) except to the extent the Committee grants an Option
or Stock Award to such individual, confer on any individual the
right to participate in the benefits of this Plan.
B. Use of Proceeds. The proceeds received by the
Corporation from any sale of Common Stock pursuant to this Plan
shall be used for general corporate purposes.
C. Unfunded Plan. This Plan, insofar as it provides for
grants, shall be unfunded, and the Corporation shall not be
required to segregate any assets that may at any time be
represented by grants under this Plan. Any liability of the
Corporation to any Participant with respect to any grant under this
Plan shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations that
may be created pursuant to this Plan. No such obligation of the
Corporation shall be deemed to be secured by any pledge of, or
other encumbrance on, any property of the Corporation.
D. Rules of Construction. Headings are given to the
Sections of this Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate
reference. The reference to any statute, regulation, or other
provision of law shall be construed to refer to any amendment to or
successor of such provision of law.
E. Choice of Law. This Plan and all Stock Option
Agreements, Stock Award Agreements, and Performance Agreements (or
any other agreements) entered into under this Plan shall be
interpreted under the Corporation Law excluding (to the greatest
extent permissible by law) any rule of law that would cause the
application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the
Corporation Law.
F. Fractional Shares. The Corporation shall not be
required to issue fractional shares pursuant to this Plan. The
Committee may provide for elimination of fractional shares or the
settlement of such fractional shares in cash.
G. Foreign Employees. In order to facilitate the making
of any grant or combination of grants under this Plan, the
Committee may provide for such special terms for Awards to
Participants who are foreign nationals, or who are employed by the
Corporation or any Affiliate outside of the United States, as the
Committee may consider necessary or appropriate to accommodate
differences in local law, tax policy or custom. Moreover, the
Committee may approve such supplements to, or amendments,
restatements or alternative versions of, this Plan as it may
consider necessary or appropriate for such purposes without thereby
affecting the terms of this Plan, as then in effect, unless this
Plan could have been amended to eliminate such inconsistency
without further approval by the stockholders of the
Corporation.
13. Amendment and
Termination
The Board may amend or terminate this Plan from time to time;
provided, however, stockholder approval shall be required for any
amendment that (i) increases the aggregate number of shares of
Common Stock that may be issued under this Plan, except as
contemplated herein; (ii) changes the class of employees
eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options; (iii) modifies the
restrictions on Repricings set forth in this Plan; or (iv) is
required by the terms of any applicable law, regulation or rule,
including the rules of any market on which the Corporation shares
are traded or exchange on which the Corporation shares are listed.
Except as specifically permitted by this Plan, any Stock Option
Agreement or any Stock Award Agreement or as required to comply
with applicable law, regulation or rule, no amendment shall,
without a Participant’s consent, adversely affect any rights of
such Participant under any Option or Stock Award outstanding at the
time such amendment is made; provided, however, that an amendment
that may cause an Incentive Stock Option to become a Nonqualified
Stock Option shall not be treated as adversely affecting the rights
of the Participant. Any amendment requiring stockholder approval
shall be approved by the stockholders of the Corporation within
twelve (12) months of the date such amendment is adopted by
the Board.
14. Effective Date of
Plan; Duration of Plan
A. This Plan shall be effective upon adoption by the Board,
subject to approval within twelve (12) months by the
stockholders of the Corporation. Unless and until the Plan has been
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation, no Option or Stock
Award may be exercised, no shares of Common Stock may be issued
under this Plan. In the event that the stockholders of the
Corporation shall not approve the Plan within such twelve
(12) month period, the Plan and any previously granted Options
or Stock Awards shall terminate.
B. Unless previously terminated, this Plan will terminate ten
(10) years after the earlier of (i) the date this Plan is
adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date this Plan is approved
by the stockholders, except that Awards that are granted under this
Plan prior to its termination will continue to be administered
under the terms of this Plan until the Awards terminate, expire or
are exercised.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Corporation has caused this Plan to
be executed by a duly authorized officer as of the date of adoption
of this Plan by the Board of Directors.
MASSROOTS, INC.
By: |
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Isaac Dietrich |
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Chief Executive
Officer |
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