UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): October 1, 2015
National Graphite Corp.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Nevada
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
| | |
| | |
000-53284 | | 27-3787574 |
(Commission File Number) | | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| | |
Immermannstr. 65A, Dusseldorf, Germany | | 42010 |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) | | (Zip Code) |
49 211 699380
(Registrants Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 1.01
Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement
Advisory Board Agreements
On October 1, 2015, National Graphite Corp. (the Company or Registrant) established an Advisory Board and entered into Advisory Board Agreements (the Agreements) with four individuals: Dr. jur. Bruno Becchio, Hansjuerg Haas, Rainer Feustel, and Dr. rer. nat. Radulf C. Oberthuer.
Dr. jur. Becchio will advise the Company on legal matters with regard to its European business, Mr. Haas will advise the Company on financial and tax matters, Mr. Feustel will provide legal advice with regard to the Companys business relations and assist the Company in obtaining project financing, and Dr. rer. nat. Oberthuer will advise the Company on critical reviews of its technical programs, provide recommendations on technology partnerships, and provide assistance with the Companys scientific research and methods. The term of the Agreements began on October 1, 2015, and each individual shall continue to serve at the pleasure of the Board, unless terminated earlier pursuant to other provisions of the Agreements.
In addition, the Company granted each Advisory Board member 25,000 shares of restricted stock pursuant to the 2015 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Please see Item 3.02 below for more discussion on this matter.
Our standard form of advisory board agreement is being filed as Exhibit 10.1 with this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 3.02
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities
Pursuant to the Agreements described in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, which description is incorporated herein by reference, on October 1, 2015, the Company authorized the issuance of 100,000 shares of its restricted common stock, at a value of $0.01per share, to the four individuals serving on the Companys newly formed Advisory Board.
No underwriters were used. The securities were sold pursuant to an exemption from registration provided by Regulation S and Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Each certificate representing the shares issued contained a restrictive legend.
Item 5.02
Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Departure of Director and Certain Officers
On October 1, 2015, Martina Helmes resigned as a Director of the Company effective immediately to pursue other business opportunities and not as a result of any dispute or disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company's operations, policies or practices, or other occurrence that would require disclosure under Item 5.02(a) of Form 8-K.
On October 1, 2015, Ms. Helmes also resigned as the Secretary of the Company. A copy of the resignation letter of Ms. Helmes is attached hereto as Exhibit 17.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and are incorporated herein by reference.
Election of Directors and Appointment of Certain Officers
On October 1, 2015, Verena Becchio was appointed by the Board of Directors as a Director of the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders or until her successor has been duly elected and qualified. Ms. Becchio was not appointed to any committees at this time.
Also on October 1, 2015, the Board appointed Ms. Becchio as the Secretary of the Company.
Verena Becchio, age 73, was appointed as the Secretary and a Director of National Graphite Corp. effective October 1, 2015. Previously Ms. Becchio was a journalist at Neue Zürcher Zeitung, Zürich, and served as a translator for its Foreign Affairs. She also has been a paralegal with the Law Offices of Becchio & Partner, Zürich Switzerland. Before that she was the Manager and Director of Secunda AG, a fiduciary company located in Zürich Switzerland. She is a member of Polyreg, a control organization against money laundering, and serves as a Director on several other Boards for organizations based in Switzerland. Ms. Becchio speaks four languages: German, English, Italian, and French. Ms. Becchio attended university in Florence, Italy, and at the Université de Lausanne. She spent three years at Interpreter School Zürich, obtaining a diploma in German, Italian, English, French with a specialization in journalism.
There currently are no agreements or understandings under which Ms. Becchio will receive compensation for her service on the Board of Directors or as an executive officer.
There are no arrangements or understandings between Ms. Becchio and any other persons pursuant to which she was selected as a director. There are no current or proposed transactions between the Company and Ms. Becchio or her immediate family members requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits
(c)
Exhibits. The following exhibits are either filed as a part hereof or are incorporated by reference. Exhibit numbers correspond to the numbering system in Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
| |
Exhibit | |
Number | Description of Exhibit |
10.1 | Advisory Board Agreement |
17.1 | Resignation Letter of Martina Helmes |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
National Graphite Corp.
Dated: October 1, 2015
/s/ Ulrike Dickmann
By: Ulrike Dickmann
Its: President and Chief Executive Officer
NATIONAL GRAPHITE CORP.
2015 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1.
PURPOSES OF THE PLAN. The purpose of this National Graphite Corp. 2015 Equity
Incentive Plan is to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial
responsibility, to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants and to promote
the success of the Companys business. The Plan provides for the grant of Incentive Stock Options, Non-
Qualified Stock Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights, and Performance Stock Awards.
2.
DEFINITIONS. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:
2.1
Acquisition means (a) a dissolution, liquidation or sale of all or substantially all
of the assets of the Company; (b) a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation; or (c) a merger in which the Company is the surviving corporation but the
shares of the Companys common stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger are
converted by virtue of the merger into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or
otherwise.
2.2
Administrator means the Board or the Committee responsible for conducting the
general administration of the Plan, as applicable, in accordance with Section 4.
2.3
Applicable Law means the requirements relating to the issuance and
administration of equity and stock option plans under the states corporate laws and federal and
state securities laws of the United States of America, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation
system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign
country or jurisdiction where Awards are granted under the Plan.
2.4
Award means an award of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock
Options, Restricted Stock, Stock Appreciation Rights or Performance Stock granted to a Service
Provider under this Plan.
2.5
Award Agreement means the Option Agreement or other written agreement
between the Company and a Service Provider evidencing the terms and conditions of an
individual Award. The Award Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the
Plan.
2.6
Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.
2.7
Cause shall have the meaning ascribed to it in any written employment or service
agreement between the Company (or Subsidiary) and the Service Provider. If not otherwise
defined, Cause shall mean (a) a failure by the Service Provider to perform his duties or to
comply with any material provision of his employment or service agreement with the Company,
where such failure is not cured by the Service Provider within thirty (30) days after receiving
written notice from the Company (or Subsidiary) specifying in reasonable detail the nature of the
failure, (b) a breach of the Service Providers fiduciary duty to the Company (or a Parent or
Subsidiary) by reason of receipt of personal profits, (c) conviction of a felony, or (d) any other
willful and gross misconduct committed by the Service Provider affecting the Company (or
Subsidiary).
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 1 of 17
2.8
Code means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor
statute or statutes thereto. Reference to any particular Code section shall include any successor
section and any regulations or authorities promulgated thereunder.
2.9
Committee means a committee appointed by the Board in accordance with
Section 4.
2.10
Common Stock means the Common Stock of the Company, par value $0.001 per
share.
2.11
Company means National Graphite Corp., a Nevada corporation.
2.12
Consultant means any consultant or adviser if: (i) the consultant or adviser
renders bona fide services to the Company (or any Subsidiary); (ii) the services rendered by the
consultant or adviser are not in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital-raising
transaction and do not directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Companys
securities; and (iii) the consultant or adviser is a natural person who has contracted directly with
the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company to render such services.
2.13
Director means a member of the Board.
2.14
Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is an
employee (as defined in accordance with Section 3401(c) of the Code) of the Company (or any
Subsidiary). An Employee shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of
absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between
the Company, its Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such
leave may exceed ninety (90) days, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is
guaranteed by statute or contract. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a directors fee by
the Company shall be sufficient, by itself, to constitute employment by the Company.
2.15
Exchange Act means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any
successor statute or statutes thereto. Reference to any particular Exchange Act section shall
include any successor section and any regulations or authorities promulgated thereunder.
2.16
Fair Market Value of a Share means, as of any date, the fair market value
determined consistent with the requirements of Sections 422 and 409A of the Code, as follows:
(a)
If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a
national market system, its Fair Market Value shall be the mean between the highest and
lowest quoted selling prices for a share of such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were
reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day prior to
the time of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as
the Administrator deems reliable;
(b)
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 bid and low asked prices for a share of the Common Stock on the last market
trading day prior to the day of determination; or
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 2 of 17
(c)
In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair
Market Value thereof shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator in
accordance with Applicable Law, except as provided in Section 11.
2.17
Holder means a person who has been granted an Award or who becomes the
holder of an Award or who holds Shares acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Award.
2.18
Incentive Stock Option means an Option (or portion thereof) which qualifies as
an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and which is designated
as an Incentive Stock Option by the Administrator.
2.19
Independent Director means a Director who is not an Employee of the Company.
2.20
Non-Qualified Stock Option means an Option (or portion thereof) that is not
designated as an Incentive Stock Option by the Administrator, or which is designated as an
Incentive Stock Option by the Administrator but fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
2.21
Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of
Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
2.22
Option means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
2.23
Option Agreement means the written agreement between the Company and a
Service Provider evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option. The Option
Agreement shall be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
2.24
Parent means any corporation, other than the Company, whether now or hereafter
existing, in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company if each of the
corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns equity possessing more
than fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity in one of the
corporations in such chain.
2.25
Performance Stock means Shares to be granted in the future upon completion of
specified performance criteria in accordance with Section 9.
2.26
Plan means this National Graphite Corp. Equity Incentive Plan
2.27
Public Offering means consummation of an underwritten public offering of the
Company's stock registered under the Securities Act.
2.28
Restricted Stock means Shares acquired pursuant to a grant of Restricted Stock
under Section 9 or pursuant to the exercise of an unvested Option in accordance with Section 8.8.
2.29
Rule 16b-3 means that certain Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act, as such Rule
may be amended from time to time.
2.30
Section 16(b) means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, as such Section may be
amended from time to time.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 3 of 17
2.31
Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any successor
statute or statutes thereto. Reference to any particular Securities Act section shall include any
successor section.
2.32
Service Provider means an Employee, Director or Consultant.
2.33
Share means a share of Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with
Section 10.
2.34
Shareholders Agreement means an agreement between the shareholders of the
Company which an Award Holder may be required to sign as a condition of the issuance of
Shares pursuant to an Award granted under the Plan, as provided in Section 11.
2.35
Stock Appreciation Right means a stock appreciation right granted in accordance
with Section 9.
2.36
Subsidiary means any corporation, whether now or hereafter existing (other than
the Company), in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company if each of the
entities other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns equity possessing more than
fifty percent (50%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of equity in one of the other
entities in such chain or any other entity of which a majority of the outstanding voting stock or
voting power is beneficially owned directly or indirectly by the Company. Notwithstanding the
forgoing, with respect to grant of a Non-qualified Stock Option, to the extent allowed under
Section 409A, Subsidiary may include a corporation designated by the Administrator in which the
Company has a significant interest at least equal to twenty percent (20%) of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock in such entity and there is a significant business nexus
between the Service Provider and the Company and legitimate business criteria to justify the
grant of an Award to such Eligible Person.
3.
STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN. Subject to the provisions of Section 10, the
Shares of stock subject to Award grants shall be Shares of the Companys Common Stock. The
maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be issued pursuant to Awards under the Plan shall be
ten million (10,000,000) Shares. If an Award expires, is canceled, becomes unexercisable or is forfeited,
without having been exercised or vested in full, the unpurchased or unvested Shares which were subject
thereto shall become available for future Awards under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Shares
which are delivered by the Holder or withheld by the Company upon the exercise of an Option or receipt
of an Award, in payment of the exercise price thereof or tax withholding thereon, may again be awarded
hereunder. If Shares issued pursuant to Awards are repurchased by the Company at their original
purchase price, such Shares shall become available for future Awards under the Plan. Notwithstanding
the provisions of this Section 3, no Shares may again be subject to future Award if such action would
cause an outstanding Incentive Stock Option to fail to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under Code
Section 422.
4.
ADMINISTRATION OF THE PLAN.
4.1
Administrator. The Plan shall be administered by the Board or by a Committee
to which administration of the Plan, or of part of the Plan, is delegated by the Board. The Board
shall appoint and remove members of the Committee in its discretion in accordance with
Applicable Laws. If necessary, in the Boards discretion, to comply with Rule 16b-3 under the
Exchange Act and Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee shall be comprised solely of non-
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 4 of 17
employee directors within the meaning of said Rule 16b-3 and outside directors within the
meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The foregoing notwithstanding, the Administrator may
delegate nondiscretionary administrative duties to such employees of the Company as it deems
proper and the Board, in its absolute discretion, may at any time and from time to time exercise
any and all rights and duties of the Administrator under the Plan.
4.2
Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and
the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, and subject to the approval of any
relevant authorities, the Administrator shall have plenary authority to the maximum extent
permissible by Applicable Law, in its sole discretion:
(a)
to determine the Fair Market Value of a Share;
(b)
to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may from time to time
be granted hereunder and the time of such Awards;
(c)
to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each such Award
granted hereunder;
(d)
to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(e)
to determine the terms and conditions of any Awards granted hereunder
(such terms and conditions include the exercise price, the time or times when Awards
may vest or be exercised (which may be based on, among other things, the passage of
time, specific events or performance criteria), any acceleration (as permissible under
Section 409A of the Code) of such vesting or exercise date or imposition or waiver of
forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Shares received
upon grant or exercise of an Award, based in each case on such factors as the
Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine);
(f)
to determine whether to offer to repurchase, replace or reprice a
previously granted Award and to determine the terms and conditions of such offer
(including whether any purchase price is to be paid in cash or Shares);
(g)
to determine whether and under what conditions options granted under
another option plan of the Company, a Subsidiary or an entity which is acquired by or
merged into the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary may be converted into Options on
Company Shares granted under and subject to the terms of this Plan;
(h)
to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan,
including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of
qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws;
(i)
to determine the amount and timing of withholding tax obligations and to
allow Holders to satisfy withholding tax obligations by electing to have the Company
withhold from the Shares to be issued pursuant to any Award the number of Shares
having a Fair Market Value equal to the minimum amount, determined by the
Administrator in its sole discretion, required to be withheld based on the statutory
withholding rates for federal, state and local tax purposes that apply to supplemental
taxable income. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined
on the date that the amount of tax is required to be withheld. All elections by Holders to
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 5 of 17
have Shares withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such
conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;
(j)
to exercise its sole discretion in a manner such that Awards which are
granted to individuals who are foreign nationals or are employed outside the United
States may contain terms and conditions which are different from the provisions
otherwise specified in the Plan but which are consistent with the tax and other laws of
foreign jurisdictions applicable to the Service Providers and which are designed to
provide the Service Providers with benefits which are consistent with the Companys
objectives in establishing the Plan;
(k)
to amend the Plan or any Award granted under the Plan as provided in
Section 10; and
(l)
to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted
pursuant to the Plan and to exercise such powers and perform such acts as the
Administrator deems necessary or desirable to promote the best interests of the Company
which are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan.
4.3
Compliance with Code Section 409A. Notwithstanding any other provision of
the Plan, the Administrator shall have no authority to issue an Award under the Plan under terms
and conditions which would cause such Award to be considered non-qualified deferred
compensation subject to the provisions of Code Section 409A. Accordingly, by way of example
but not limitation, no Options or Stock Appreciation Rights shall be issued with an exercise price
below Fair Market Value and all Restricted Stock and Performance Stock Shares shall be issued
and reported as income to the Holder no later than two and one half (2½) months after the end of
the calendar year in which the right to such Shares becomes vested. Notwithstanding anything
herein to the contrary, no Award Agreement shall provide for any deferral feature with respect to
an Award constituting a deferral of compensation under Section 409A of the Code. It is the intent
that the Plan and all Award Agreement be interpreted to comply in all respects with Code Section
409A, however, the Company shall have no liability to Service Providers or Holders in the event
taxes or excise taxes may ultimately be determined to be applicable to any Award under the Plan.
4.4
Effect of Administrators Decision. All decisions, determinations and
interpretations of the Administrator shall be final and binding on all Holders.
4.5
Liability of Administrator. No member of the Board, Committee or acting
Administrator shall be liable for anything whatsoever in connection with the administration of the
Plan, except such members own willful misconduct. Under no circumstances shall any member
of the Board or Committee be liable for any act or omission of any other member of the Board or
Committee. In the performance of its functions with respect to the Plan, the Board and
Committee shall be entitled to rely upon information and advice furnished by Companys
officers, Companys accountants, Companys legal counsel and any other qualified consultant the
Administrator determines it is necessary to consult for proper administration of the Plan, and no
member of the Board or Committee shall be liable for any action taken or not taken in reliance
upon any such advice.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 6 of 17
5.
ELIGIBILITY.
5.1
Eligible Persons. Awards may be granted to all Service Providers, provided,
however, that Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.
5.2
Administrative Discretion. If otherwise eligible, a Service Provider who has been
granted an Award may be granted additional Awards. In exercising its authority to set the terms
and conditions of Awards, and subject only to the limits of Applicable Law, the Administrator
shall be under no obligation or duty to treat similarly situated Service Providers or Holders in the
same manner, and any action taken by the Administrator with respect to one Service Provider or
Holder shall in no way obligate the Administrator to take the same or similar action with respect
to any other Service Provider or Holder.
5.3
Section 162(m) Limitation. No Service Provider shall be granted, in any
calendar year, Options or Stock Appreciation Rights covering more than 500,000 Shares. The
foregoing limitation shall be adjusted proportionately in connection with any change in the
Companys capitalization as described in Section 10. For purposes of this Section, if an Option is
canceled, forfeited or materially modified in the same calendar year it was granted (other than in
connection with a transaction described in Section 10), the canceled or modified Option shall be
counted against the limit set forth in this Section. For this purpose, if the exercise price of an
Option is reduced, the transaction shall be treated as a cancellation of the Option and the grant of
a new Option and if the base price of a Stock Appreciation Right is reduced, the transaction shall
be treated as a cancellation of the Stock Appreciation Right and the grant of a new Stock
Appreciation Right.
6.
GRANT OF OPTIONS.
6.1
Grant of Options. The Committee may grant Options to such Service Providers,
for such number of shares, and subject to such terms and conditions as the Administrator may
determine in its sole discretion. Each Option shall be designated by the Administrator in the
Option Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
However, notwithstanding such designations, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value
of Shares subject to a Holders Incentive Stock Options and other incentive stock options granted
by the Company, any Parent or Subsidiary, which become exercisable for the first time during
any calendar year (under all plans of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds one
hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such excess Options or other options shall be treated as
Non-Qualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6.1, Incentive Stock Options shall be
taken into account in the order in which they were granted, and the Fair Market Value of the
Shares shall be determined as of the time of grant of each Option.
6.2
Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option
Agreement; provided, however, that the term shall be no more than ten (10) years from the date
of grant thereof. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Employee who, at the
time the Option is granted, owns (or is treated as owning under Code Section 424) stock
possessing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock
of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Option shall be no more than five (5)
years from the date of grant.
6.3
No Shareholder Rights. The Holder of an Option shall have no rights of a
stockholder with respect to Shares covered by such Option until the Holder exercises the Option
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 7 of 17
and the Shares are issued to the Holder. If the Holder uses Shares to exercise an Option, the
Holder will continue to be treated as owning such Shares until new Shares are issued under the
exercised Option.
7.
OPTION EXERCISE PRICE AND CONSIDERATION.
7.1
Exercise Price. Except as provided in Section 10, the per share exercise price for
the Shares to be issued upon exercise of an Option shall be such price as is determined by the
Administrator (not less than par value), under the following conditions:
(a)
the per Share exercise price for any Incentive Stock Option or Non-
Qualified Stock Option granted under that Plan shall be no less (and shall not have
potential to become less at any time) than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market
Value per Share on the date of grant; and
(b)
if at the time of grant of an Option, the Service Provider owns (or is
treated as owning under Applicable Law) stock representing more than ten percent (10%)
of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, an
Incentive Stock Option (or to the extent required by state law, a Non-Qualified Stock
Option1) granted to such Service Provider shall bear an exercise price of no less than one
hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, pursuant to Section 10 Options may be granted with, or
converted at, a per Share exercise price other than as required above pursuant to a
merger, acquisition or other corporate transaction if consistent with the requirements of
Applicable Law.
7.2
Consideration. The consideration to be paid for the Shares to be issued upon
exercise of an Option, including the method of payment, shall be determined by the
Administrator. Such consideration may consist of (1) cash, (2) check, (3) to the extent consistent
with Applicable Law, a full recourse promissory note bearing interest (at a rate not less than the
applicable federal rate under Code Section 1274(d)) and payable upon such terms as may be
prescribed by the Administrator, (4) other Shares which (x) in the case of Shares acquired from
the Company, have been owned by the Holder for more than six (6) months on the date of
surrender, and (y) have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate
exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option shall be exercised, (5) surrendered Shares
then issuable upon exercise of the Option having a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise
equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Option or exercised portion thereof, (6) property of
any kind which constitutes good and valuable consideration, (7) to the extent consistent with
Applicable Laws, delivery of a notice that the Holder has placed a market sell order with a broker
with respect to Shares then issuable upon exercise of the Options and that the broker has been
directed to pay a sufficient portion of the net proceeds of the sale to the Company in satisfaction
of the Option exercise price provided, that payment of such proceeds is then made to the
Company upon settlement of such sale, or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of
payment.
1
Applicable to California Corp. Code Section 25102(o) exemption under California
Code of Regulations Title 10, Section 260.140.41-50 listed in Appendix A.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 8 of 17
8.
EXERCISE OF OPTION.
8.1
Vesting; No Fractional Exercises. Except as provided in Section 10, Options
granted hereunder shall be vested and exercisable according to the terms hereof at such times and
under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement.
Unless otherwise specified or to the extent required by California state law, Options granted
under the Plan to a Service Provider other than an Officer or Director or a Consultant shall vest at
a rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per year over not more than five (5) years from the date the
Option is granted, subject to reasonable conditions such as continued service. No Option may be
exercised for a fraction of a Share.2
8.2
Deliveries upon Exercise. All or a portion of an exercisable Option shall be
deemed exercised upon delivery of all of the following to the Secretary of the Company or his
office:
(a)
A written or electronic notice complying with the applicable rules
established by the Administrator stating that such Option, or a portion thereof, is
exercised. The notice shall be signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to
exercise the Option or such portion of the Option;
(b)
Such representations and documents as the Administrator deems
necessary or advisable to effect compliance with Applicable Law. The Administrator
may also take whatever additional actions it deems appropriate to effect such compliance,
including placing legends on Share certificates and issuing stop transfer notices to agents
and registrars;
(c)
A Shareholders Agreement (or upon the exercise of all or a portion of an
unvested Option pursuant to Section 8.8, a Restricted Stock Award Agreement) in a form
determined by the Administrator and signed by the Holder or other person then entitled to
exercise the Option or such portion of the Option; and
(d)
In the event that the Option shall be exercised pursuant to Section 8.6 by
any person or persons other than the Holder, appropriate proof of the right of such person
or persons to exercise the Option.
8.3
Conditions to Delivery of Share Certificates. The Company shall not be required
to issue or deliver any certificate or certificates for Shares purchased upon the exercise of any
Option or portion thereof prior to fulfillment of all of the following conditions:
(a)
The admission of such Shares to listing on all stock exchanges on which
such class of stock is then listed;
(b)
The completion of any registration or other qualification of such Shares
under any state or federal law, or under the rulings or regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission or any other governmental regulatory body which the
Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, deem necessary or advisable;
2 See California Code of Regulations Title 10, Section 260.140.41-50 Appendix A.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 9 of 17
(c)
The obtaining of any approval or other clearance from any state or
federal governmental agency or compliance with any lock-up period as provided in
Section 11, which the Administrator shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be
necessary or advisable;
(d)
The lapse of such reasonable period of time following the exercise of the
Option as the Administrator may establish from time to time for reasons of administrative
convenience; and
(e)
The receipt by the Company of full payment for such Shares, including
payment of any applicable withholding tax determined by the Administrator, which in the
sole discretion of the Administrator may be in the form of consideration used by the
Holder to pay for such Shares under Section 7.2. The Company may agree to withhold
such amounts from the Shares delivered under the Option, in the complete and sole
discretion of the Administrator.
8.4
Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Holder ceases to be a
Service Provider other than by reason of the Service Providers disability or death or termination
for Cause, unless otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain
exercisable for the lesser of three (3) months following such cessation or the remaining term of
the Option. If, on the date of termination, the Holder is not vested as to the entire Option, unless
otherwise provided in the Option Agreement, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option immediately cease to be issuable under the Option. If, after termination, the Holder does
not exercise the Option within the applicable time period, the Option shall terminate. If the
Holder is terminated for Cause, the Option shall terminate upon such termination for Cause.
8.5
Disability of Holder. If a Holder ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the
Service Providers disability, unless otherwise specified in the Option Agreement, the Option
shall remain exercisable for the lesser of twelve (12) months following such cessation or the
remaining term of the Option. If such disability is not a disability as such term is defined in
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option such Incentive Stock
Option shall automatically cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated
for federal income tax purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option from and after the day which is
three (3) months and one (1) day following such termination. If, on the date of termination, the
Holder is not vested as to the entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the
Option shall immediately cease to be issuable under the Option. If, after termination, the Holder
does not exercise the Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate.
8.6
Death of Holder. If a Service Provider dies while a Service Provider, unless
otherwise specified in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for the lesser of
twelve (12) months following the Service Providers death or the remaining term of the Option.
If, at the time of death, the Holder is not vested as to the entire Option, the Shares covered by the
unvested portion of the Option shall immediately cease to be issuable under the Option. The
Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Holders estate or, if none, by the
person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Holders will or the laws of descent or
distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall
terminate.
8.7
Regulatory Extension. A Holders Option Agreement may provide that if the
exercise of the Option following the termination of the Holders status as a Service Provider
(other than upon the Holders death or disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 10 of 17
the issuance of Shares would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then
the Option shall terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the term of the Option set forth in
Section 6.2 or (ii) the expiration of a period of three (3) months (after the termination of the
Holders Status as a Service Provider) during which the exercise of the Option would no longer
be in violation of such registration requirements.
8.8
Early Exercisability. The Administrator may provide in the terms of a Holders
Option Agreement that the Holder may, at any time before the Holders status as a Service
Provider terminates, exercise the Option in whole or in part in exchange for Restricted Stock prior
to the full vesting of the Option; provided however, that Shares acquired upon exercise of an
Option which has not fully vested shall be subject to the same forfeiture, transfer or other
restrictions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement.
8.9
Buyout Provisions. The Administrator may at any time offer to repurchase for a
payment in cash or Shares, an Option previously granted, based on such terms and conditions as
the Administrator shall establish and communicate to the Holder at the time that such offer is
made.
9.
EQUITY BASED AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS
9.1
Restricted Stock Awards.
(a)
Restricted Stock Grant. The Administrator may grant Restricted Stock to
such Service Providers, in such amounts, and subject to such terms and conditions as the
Administrator may determine, in its sole discretion, including restrictions on
transferability, which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such times,
under such circumstances, in such installments, or otherwise. Unless otherwise specified
or to the extent required by Applicable Law, restrictions on transferability with respect to
a Restricted Stock granted under the Plan to a Service Provider other than an Officer or
Director or a Consultant shall lapse at a rate of at least twenty percent (20%) per year
over a period of not more than five (5) years.
(b)
Award Agreement. Restricted Stock shall be granted under an Award
Agreement and shall be evidenced by certificates registered in the name of the Holder
and bearing an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions
applicable to such Restricted Stock. The Company may retain physical possession of any
such certificates, and the Company may require a Service Provider awarded Restricted
Stock to deliver a stock power to the Company, endorsed in blank, relating to the
Restricted Stock for so long as the Restricted Stock is subject to a risk of forfeiture or
repurchase by the Company at Fair Market Value.
(c)
Restricted Stock Purchase. The Administrator may require a Service
Provider to pay a purchase price to receive Restricted Stock at the time the Award is
granted, in which case the purchase price and the form and timing of payment shall be
specified in the Award Agreement in addition to the vesting provisions and other
applicable terms.
(d)
Withholding. The Administrator may require a Service Provider to pay
or otherwise provide for any applicable withholding tax determined by the Administrator
to be due at the time restrictions lapse or, in the event of an election under Section 83(b),
at the time of the Award.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 11 of 17
(e)
No Deferral Provisions. Notwithstanding any other provision of the
Plan, a Restricted Stock Award shall not provide for any deferral of compensation
recognition after vesting with respect to Restricted Stock which would cause the Award
to constitute a deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code.
(f)
Rights as a Shareholder. The Holder of Restricted Stock shall have
rights equivalent to those of a shareholder and shall be a shareholder when the Restricted
Stock grant is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the
Company.
9.2
Stock Appreciation Rights. Two types of Stock Appreciation Rights (SARs)
shall be authorized for issuance under the Plan: (1) stand-alone SARs and (2) stapled SARs. The
Award Agreement granting an SAR shall be in such form and shall contain such terms and
conditions as the Board shall deem appropriate and shall not include terms which cause the
Award to be considered non-qualified deferred compensation subject to the provisions of Section
409A of the Code. The terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Right Award Agreements
need not be identical, but each Award Agreement shall include (through incorporation of
provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the
following provisions:
(a)
Stand-Alone SARs. Stand-alone SARs shall cover a specified number of
underlying shares of Common Stock and shall be redeemable upon such terms and
conditions as the Board may establish. Upon redemption of the stand-alone SAR, the
Holder shall be entitled to receive a distribution from the Company in an amount equal to
the excess, if any, of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the redemption date of the
Shares underlying the redeemed right, over, (ii) the aggregate base price of such
underlying Shares at the time of grant. The distribution shall be in cash or Shares, as
specified in the Award Agreement, unless distribution in Shares is necessary to avoid
application of Code Section 409A, in which case the distribution shall be in Shares. The
number of Shares underlying each stand-alone SAR and the base price of such Shares
shall be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion at the time the stand-alone
SAR is granted. In no event, however, may the base price be less than one hundred
percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of the underlying Shares on the grant date.
(b)
Stapled SARs. Stapled SARs shall only be granted concurrently with an
Option to acquire the same number of Shares as the number of such Shares underlying
the stapled SARs. Stapled SARs shall be redeemable upon such terms and conditions as
the Administrator may establish and shall grant a Holder the right to elect among (i) the
exercise of the concurrently granted Option for Shares, whereupon the number of Shares
subject to the stapled SARs shall be reduced by an equivalent number, (ii) the redemption
of such stapled SARs in exchange for a distribution from the Company in an amount
equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value on the redemption date of the number of
vested Shares which the Holder redeems over the aggregate base price for such vested
Shares, whereupon the number of Shares subject to the concurrently granted Option shall
be reduced by any equivalent number, or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii). The
distribution under alternative (ii) shall be in cash or Shares as specified in the Award
Agreement unless distribution in Shares is necessary to avoid application of Code Section
409A, in which case the distribution shall be in Shares. The base price of such Shares
shall be determined by the Administrator at the time the Option and Stapled SAR is
granted; however, in no event may the base price be less (and shall not have potential to
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 12 of 17
become less at any time) than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value of
the underlying Shares on the grant date.
(c)
No Shareholder or Secured Rights. The Holder of an SAR shall have no
rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares covered by the SAR unless and until the
SAR is exercised and Shares are issued to the Holder. Prior to receipt of a cash
distribution or Shares pursuant to an SAR, such Award shall represent an unfunded
unsecured contractual obligation of the Company and the Company shall be under no
obligation to set aside any Shares or other assets to fund such obligation. Prior to vesting
and exercise, the Holder shall have no greater claim to the Shares underlying such SAR
or any other assets of the Company than any other unsecured general creditor and such
rights may not be sold, pledged, assigned, transferred or encumbered in any manner other
than by will or by the laws of intestate succession as provided in Section 12.
9.3
Performance Stock.
(a)
Performance Stock Awards. The Administrator may make Performance
Stock Awards entitling recipients to acquire shares of Stock upon the attainment of
specified performance goals. The Administrator may make Performance Stock Awards
independent of, or in connection with, the granting of any other Award under the Plan.
The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine the performance goals
applicable under each such Award, the periods during which performance is to be
measured, and all other limitations and conditions applicable to the awarded Performance
Stock.
(b)
Award Agreement. Performance Stock shall be granted under an Award
Agreement referring to the terms, conditions, and restrictions applicable to such
Performance Stock.
(c)
No Deferral Provisions. Notwithstanding anything herein to the
contrary, a Performance Stock Award shall provide for prompt issuance of Shares upon
vesting of the Award and shall not include any deferral of issuance and/or of
compensation recognition after vesting which would cause the Award to constitute a
deferral of compensation subject to Section 409A of the Code. The Administrator may at
any time accelerate or waive any or all of the goals, restrictions or conditions imposed
under any Performance Stock Award.
(d)
No Shareholder or Secured Rights. A Holder shall be entitled to receive a
stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of Shares under a Performance Stock Award
only upon satisfaction of all conditions specified in the Award Agreement evidencing the
Award. A Holder receiving a Performance Stock Award shall have no rights of a
stockholder as to Shares covered by such Award unless and until such Shares are issued
to the Holder under the Plan. Prior to receipt of the Shares underlying such Award, a
Performance Stock Award shall represent no more than an unfunded, unsecured,
contractual obligation of the Company and the Company shall be under no obligation to
set aside any assets to fund such Award. Prior to vesting and issuance of the Shares, the
Holder shall have no greater claim to the Common Stock underlying such Award or any
other assets of the Company than any other unsecured general creditor and such rights
may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred in any manner other than by will or by
the laws of intestate succession as provided in Section 12.
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 13 of 17
10.
ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION, MERGER OR
ASSET SALE.
10.1
Corporate Transaction or Capitalization Event. In the event that the
Administrator determines that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash,
Common Stock, other securities, or other property), recapitalization, reclassification, stock split,
reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination,
repurchase, liquidation, dissolution, or sale, transfer, exchange or other disposition of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company, or exchange of Common Stock or other securities
of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Common Stock or other
securities of the Company, or other similar corporate transaction or event, in the Administrators
sole discretion, affects the Common Stock such that an adjustment is determined by the
Administrator to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or
potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or with respect to
any Award, then the Administrator shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or
all of:
(a)
the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or
property) with respect to which Awards may be granted (including, but not limited to,
adjustments of the limitations in Section 3 on the maximum number and kind of Shares
which may be issued and adjustments of the maximum number of Shares that may be
purchased by any Holder in any calendar year pursuant to Section 5.3);
(b)
the number and kind of shares of Common Stock (or other securities or
property) subject to outstanding Awards; and
(c)
the grant, exercise price or base price with respect to any Award.
10.2
Administrative Discretion. In the event of any transaction or event described in
subsection (a) hereof, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and on such terms and conditions
as it deems appropriate, either by the terms of the Award or by action taken prior to the
occurrence of such transaction or event and either automatically or upon the Holders request, is
hereby authorized to take any one or more of the following actions whenever the Administrator
determines that such action is appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
benefits or potential benefits intended by the Company to be made available under the Plan or
with respect to any Award granted or issued under the Plan or to facilitate such transaction or
event:
(a)
To provide for either the purchase of any such Award or Restricted Stock
for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have been obtained upon the
exercise or realization of the Holders rights had such Award been currently exercisable
or payable or fully vested, or the replacement of such Award with other rights or property
selected by the Administrator in its sole discretion;
(b)
To provide that such Award shall be exercisable or vested as to all
Shares covered thereby, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the
provisions of such Award;
(c)
To provide that such Award be assumed by the successor or survivor
corporation, or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof, or shall be substituted for by similar
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 14 of 17
options, rights or awards covering the stock of the successor or survivor corporation, or a
Parent or Subsidiary thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kind of
Shares and prices;
(d)
To make adjustments in the number and type of Shares of Common
Stock (or other securities or property) subject to outstanding Awards and/or in the terms
and conditions of (including the grant or exercise price), and the criteria included in,
outstanding Awards or Awards which may be granted in the future; or
(e)
To provide that immediately upon the consummation of such event, such
Award shall terminate; provided, that for a specified period of time prior to such event,
such Award shall be fully vested and exercisable as to all Shares covered thereby,
notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or the provisions of such Award
Agreement.
(f)
Subject to limitations set forth in the Plan, the Administrator may, in its
sole discretion, include such further provisions and limitations in any Award Agreement
or certificate, as it may deem appropriate.
(g)
Notwithstanding the terms of subsection (b) above, if the Company
undergoes an Acquisition, then any surviving corporation or entity or acquiring
corporation or entity, or affiliate of such corporation or entity, may assume any Award
outstanding under the Plan for the acquiring entitys stock awards (including an award to
acquire the same consideration paid to the shareholders in the transaction described in
this subsection (d)) or may substitute similar stock awards (including an award to acquire
the same consideration paid to the shareholders in the transaction described in this
subsection (d)) for those outstanding under the Plan. In the event any surviving
corporation or entity or acquiring corporation or entity in an Acquisition, or affiliate of
such corporation or entity, does not assume an Award or does not substitute similar stock
awards for those outstanding under the Plan, then with respect to (i) Awards held by
participants in the Plan whose status as a Service Provider has not terminated prior to
such event, the vesting of such Awards shall be accelerated and made fully exercisable
and all restrictions thereon shall lapse at least ten (10) days prior to the closing of the
Acquisition, and (ii) all Awards outstanding under the Plan shall be terminated if not
exercised prior to the closing of the Acquisition.
(h)
The existence of the Plan, any Award or Award Agreement hereunder
shall not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the
shareholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization,
reorganization or other change in the Companys capital structure or its business, any
merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, warrants or
rights to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks,
whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof, or which
are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation
of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any
other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.
11.
[INTENTIONALLY DELETED]
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 15 of 17
12.
NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF AWARDS. No Award granted under this Plan may
be directly or indirectly sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, disposed of or encumbered in
any manner whatsoever, other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution prior to vesting and
exercise (if applicable) under the terms of the Award and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the
Service Provider, only by the Service Provider.
13.
RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The certificates representing the Shares issued upon
exercise of Options granted pursuant to this Plan shall bear appropriate legends giving notice of
applicable restrictions on transfer under Applicable Laws, the Plan and any Shareholders Agreement.
14.
NO RIGHT TO CONTINUED EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE. Nothing in this
Plan shall confer upon any Service Provider any right with respect to continuation of employment by or
consultancy to the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the Companys or any Subsidiarys
right to terminate any Service Providers employment or consultancy at any time, with or without cause
and with or without prior notice.
15.
TERM OF PLAN. The Plan shall become effective upon its initial adoption by the
Board and shall continue in effect until it is terminated under Section 17. No Award may be issued under
the Plan after the tenth (10th) anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date upon which the Plan is adopted by
the Board or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the shareholders.
16.
TIME OF GRANTING OF AWARDS. The date of grant of an Award shall, for all
purposes, be the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such
other date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be given to each
Service Provider to whom an Award is so granted within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
17.
AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
17.1
Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time wholly or
partially amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan. However, without approval of the
Companys shareholders given within twelve (12) months before or after the action by the Board,
no action of the Board may, except as provided in Section 10, increase the limits imposed in
Section 3 on the maximum number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan or extend the
term of the Plan under Section 15.
17.2
Shareholder Approval. The Board shall obtain shareholder approval of any
Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.
17.3
Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration,
suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Holder, unless mutually
agreed otherwise between the Holder and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing
and signed by the Holder and the Company; provided however, that the foregoing shall not limit
the authority of the Administrator to exercise all authority and discretion conveyed to it herein or
in any Award Agreement. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrators ability to
exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to
the date of such termination.
18.
INABILITY TO OBTAIN AUTHORITY. The inability of the Company to obtain
authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Companys
counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the
2015 Equity Incentive Plan
Page 16 of 17
National Graphite (PK) (USOTC:NGRC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024
National Graphite (PK) (USOTC:NGRC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024