As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 6, 2024

Registration No. 333-             
 
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 
FORM S-8
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
The Securities Act of 1933

 
BACKBLAZE, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware 20-8893125
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
201 Baldwin Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 352-3738
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of Registrant’s principal executive offices)

Backblaze, Inc. 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan
(Full title of Plan)
Gleb Budman
Chief Executive Officer
Backblaze, Inc.
201 Baldwin Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(Name and address of agent for service)
(650) 352-3738
(Telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

Copies to:


 

Bennett L. Yee
Jeffrey R. Vetter
Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve
Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
550 Allerton St
Redwood City, CA 94063
(415) 978-9803
Tom MacMitchell
General Counsel
Backblaze, Inc.
201 Baldwin Ave.
San Mateo, CA 94401
(650) 352-3738
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer☐ Accelerated filer☐
Non-accelerated filer☒ Smaller reporting company☒
 Emerging growth company☒
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act. ☐

 
 





EXPLANATORY NOTE

On August 2, 2024, Backblaze, Inc. (the “Registrant”) adopted the 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”), pursuant to which the Registrant reserved 414,740 shares of its Class A common stock to be used exclusively for grants of equity-based awards to individuals who were not previously employees or directors of the Registrant, as an inducement material to the individual’s entry into employment with the Registrant within the meaning of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules. The Inducement Plan was adopted by the Registrant’s compensation committee of the board of directors without stockholder approval pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

PART I

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE SECTION 10(A) PROSPECTUS

The information specified in this Part I is omitted from this Registration Statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”), in accordance with the provisions of Rule 428 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), and the instructions to Form S-8, such documents are not being filed with the SEC either as part of this Registration Statement or as prospectuses or prospectus supplements pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act.

PART II
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT

Item 3.Incorporation of Documents by Reference
The Registrant hereby incorporates by reference into this Registration Statement the following documents:

(a)the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on April 1, 2024;

(b)the information in the Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on April 5, 2024, to the extent incorporated by reference into the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023;

(c)the Registrant's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, and June 30, 2024, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2024 and August 8, 2024, respectively;

(d)the Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on May 8, 2024 (solely with respect to Item 5.02), May 20, 2024, and August 8, 2024 (solely with respect to Item 5.02); and

(e)the description of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock contained in the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-41026), filed with the SEC on November 4, 2021, including any amendments or reports filed for the purpose of updating such description.

All other reports and documents filed by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), subsequent to the filing of this Registration Statement and prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered hereby have been sold or which de-registers all securities then remaining unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. The Registrant is not, however, incorporating any documents or information that the Registrant is deemed to furnish and not file in accordance with SEC rules. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement will be deemed modified or superseded for purposes of this Registration Statement to the extent that a statement contained in any subsequently filed document that also is deemed incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement modifies or supersedes that statement.


Item 4.Description of Securities
Not applicable.

Item 5.Interests of Named Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
Item 6.
Indemnification of Directors and Officers
Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers under certain circumstances and subject to certain limitations. The terms of Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law are sufficiently broad to permit indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement of expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act.

As permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Amended and Restated Bylaws contain provisions relating to the limitation of liability and indemnification of directors and officers. Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that our directors will not be personally liable to us or our stockholders for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability:

•for any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to us or our stockholders;

•for acts or omissions not in good faith or that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

•in respect of unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided in Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law; or

•for any transaction from which the director derives any improper personal benefit.

Our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation also provides that if Delaware law is amended after the approval by our stockholders of the certificate of incorporation to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of our directors will be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law.

Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, as it now exists or may in the future be amended, against all expenses and liabilities reasonably incurred in connection with their service for or on our behalf. Our Amended and Restated Bylaws provide that we shall advance the expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of an action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee, or other enterprise agent for any liability arising out of his or her action in that capacity, whether or not Delaware law would otherwise permit indemnification.

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our directors and executive officers and certain other key employees. The form of agreement provides that we will indemnify each of our directors, executive officers and such other key employees against any and all expenses incurred by that director, executive officer, or other key employee because of his or her status as one of our directors, executive officers, or other key employees, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and our Amended and Restated Bylaws. In addition, the form agreement provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law, we will advance all expenses incurred by our directors, executive officers and other key employees in connection with a legal proceeding.

We currently carry and intend to continue to carry liability insurance for our directors and officers.


Item 7.Exemption from Registration Claimed
Not applicable.

Item 8.Exhibits
The following exhibits are incorporated herein by reference.
EXHIBIT INDEX
    Incorporated by Reference  
Exhibit
Number
 Description Form File No. Exhibit 
Filing
Date
 
Filed
Herewith
4.1  10-Q 001-41026 3.1 08/14/2023 
4.2  10-Q 001-41026 3.2 12/14/2021 
5.1      X
23.1      X
23.2X
24.1X
99.1X
107.1X


Item 9.Undertakings
    A. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes:

(1) to file during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement:

(i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act,

(ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective Registration Statement, and

(iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration


Statement; provided , however, that clauses A(1)(i) and A(1)(ii) above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in reports filed with or furnished to the SEC by the Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement.

(2) that, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

(3) to remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the Registrant’s offering.

B. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

C. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act, and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.


SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Mateo, State of California on this 6th day of September, 2024.

BACKBLAZE, INC.
By:/s/ Gleb Budman
Name:Gleb Budman
Title:Chief Executive Officer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints Gleb Budman, Marc Suidan and Tom MacMitchell, and each of them, as his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution, for him or her in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments to this registration statement (including post-effective amendments) and any registration statement related thereto filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) increasing the number of securities for which registration is sought, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the SEC, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully for all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
/s/ Gleb Budman 
Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson
(Principal Executive Officer)
 September 6, 2024
Gleb Budman
/s/ Marc Suidan 
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
 September 6, 2024
Marc Suidan
/s/ Jocelyn Carter-Miller Director September 6, 2024
Jocelyn Carter-Miller
/s/ Barbara Nelson Director September 6, 2024
Barbara Nelson
/s/ Earl E. Fry Director September 6, 2024
Earl E. Fry
/s/ Evelyn D’An
DirectorSeptember 6, 2024
Evelyn D’An
  


Exhibit 107.1
Calculation of Filing Fee Tables
S-8
Backblaze, Inc.
Newly Registered Securities
Security
Type
Security
Class
Title
Fee
Calculation
or Carry
Forward
Rule
Amount
Registered (1)
Proposed
Maximum
Offering
Price Per
Unit		Maximum
Aggregate Offering
Price		Fee RateAmount of
Registration
Fee
Newly Registered Securities
Fees to be PaidEquity
Class A
Common
Stock, par
value
$0.0001
per share (2)
Other (3)
414,740
$6.00 (4)
$2,488,440.000.00014760$367.29
Total Offering Amounts$2,488,440.00$367.29
Total Fees Previously Paid—
Total Fee Offsets—
Net Fee Due$367.29

1.Pursuant to Rule 416(a) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), this Registration Statement shall also cover any additional shares of Registrant’s Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (“Class A Common Stock”), that become issuable under the Registrant’s 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Inducement Plan”) as a result of any stock dividend, stock split, recapitalization, or other similar transaction effected without the receipt of consideration that results in an increase to the number of outstanding shares of Registrant’s Class A Common Stock, as applicable.
2.Represents shares of Class A Common Stock reserved for issuance pursuant to awards that may be granted under the Inducement Plan as inducement grants under Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c)(4).
3.Because this Registration Statement is registering securities pursuant to employee benefit plans, the fees under this Registration Statement are calculated pursuant to Rule 457(h).
4.Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee in accordance with Rule 457(h) under the Securities Act and based upon the average of the high and low prices of the Registrant’s Class A Common Stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global Market on September 3, 2024.





    



Exhibit 5.1

image_0.jpg

September 6, 2024
Backblaze, Inc.
500 Ben Franklin Ct.
San Mateo, CA 94401

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We refer to the registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Registration Statement”) to be filed by Backblaze, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) in connection with the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Act”), of an aggregate of 414,740 shares (the “Shares”) of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) that are subject to issuance by the Company upon the exercise or settlement of awards to be granted under the Company’s 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”).

In connection with this opinion, we have reviewed the actions proposed to be taken by you in connection with the issuance and sale of the Shares to be issued under the Plan. We have also examined and relied upon the Registration Statement and the originals or copies certified to our satisfaction of such other documents, records, certificates, memoranda and other instruments as in our judgment are necessary or appropriate to enable us to render the opinion expressed below. With your consent, we have relied upon certificates and other assurances of officers of the Company as to factual matters without having independently verified such factual matters. We have assumed the genuineness and authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, and the conformity to originals of all documents submitted to us as copies thereof and the due execution and delivery of all documents where due execution and delivery are a prerequisite to the effectiveness thereof.

This opinion is being furnished in connection with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Act, and no opinion is expressed herein as to any matter pertaining to the contents of the Registration Statement, other than as expressly stated herein with respect to the issue of the Shares. Our opinion is limited to the matters stated herein and no opinion is implied or may be inferred beyond the matters expressly stated. Our opinion herein is expressed solely with respect to the federal laws of the United States and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”). Our opinion is based on these laws as in effect on the date hereof, and we disclaim any obligation to advise you of facts, circumstances, events or developments which hereafter may be brought to our attention and which may alter, affect or modify the opinion expressed herein. We are not rendering any opinion as to compliance with any federal or state antifraud law, rule or regulation relating to securities, or to the sale or issuance thereof.

Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we advise you that, in our opinion, when the Shares have been issued and sold by the Company pursuant to the applicable provisions of the Plan and pursuant to the agreements which accompany the Plan, and in accordance with the Registration Statement, such Shares will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.



We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder.

Sincerely,
/s/ Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP
GUNDERSON DETTMER STOUGH VILLENEUVE FRANKLIN & HACHIGIAN, LLP
image_1.jpg


Exhibit 23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Backblaze, Inc.
San Mateo, California
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-8 of our report dated March 29, 2024, relating to the consolidated financial statements of Backblaze, Inc. appearing in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023.

/s/ BDO USA, P.C.

San Jose, California
September 6, 2024



Exhibit 99.1
Backblaze, Inc.

2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan

(As Adopted on August 2, 2024)




Backblaze, Inc.
2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan
ARTICLE 1. INTRODUCTION.
The Board adopted the Plan on August 2, 2024. The purpose of the Plan is to promote the long-term success of the Company and the creation of stockholder value by: (a) encouraging Employees to focus on critical long-range corporate objectives, (b) encouraging the attraction and retention of Employees with exceptional qualifications and (c) linking Employees directly to stockholder interests through increased stock ownership. The Plan seeks to achieve this purpose by providing for Awards in the form of Options, SARs, Restricted Shares and Restricted Stock Units, and other equity-based or equity-related awards that the Compensation Committee of the Board (or such other committee as described in Article 2 that may be designated by the Board from time to time to administer the Plan, the “Committee”) determines are consistent with the purpose of the Plan and the interests of the Company. The Plan is designed to attract new Employees and is intended to satisfy the requirements of Nasdaq Marketplace Rule 5635. Capitalized terms used in this Plan are defined in Article 14.
ARTICLE 2. ADMINISTRATION.
2.1General. The Committee shall administer the Plan. The Committee shall consist exclusively of two or more directors of the Company, who shall be appointed by the Board. In addition, each member of Committee shall meet the following requirements:
(a)Any listing standards prescribed by the principal securities market on which the Company’s equity securities are traded;
(b)Such requirements as the Securities and Exchange Commission may establish for administrators acting under plans intended to qualify for exemption under Exchange Act Rule 16b-3 (or its successor); and
(c)Any other requirements imposed by applicable law, regulations or rules.
2.2Committee Responsibilities. The Committee shall have the authority to (a) select the Employees who are to receive Awards under the Plan, (b) determine the type, number, vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such Awards, (c) interpret the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, (d) make, amend and rescind rules relating to the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan, including rules relating to sub-plans established for the purposes of satisfying applicable foreign laws or for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable foreign laws, (e) impose such restrictions, conditions or limitations as it determines appropriate as to the timing and manner of any resales by a Participant of any Common Shares issued pursuant to an Award, including restrictions under an insider trading policy and restrictions as to the use of a specified brokerage firm for such resales, (f) determine whether, when, and to what extend an Award has become vested and/or exercisable and whether any performance-based vesting conditions have been satisfied, and (g) make all other decisions



relating to the operation of the Plan and Awards granted under the Plan. In addition, with regard to the terms and conditions of Awards granted to Employees outside of the United States or not subject to taxation under the laws of the United States, the Committee may vary from the provisions of the Plan to the extent it determines it necessary and appropriate to do so, including, where applicable, varying from the requirements set forth in Articles 5.3 and 6.3.
2.3Effect of Committee’s Decisions. The Committee’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all interested parties.
2.4Governing Law. The Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware (except its choice-of-law provisions).
ARTICLE 3. SHARES AVAILABLE FOR GRANTS.
3.1Basic Limitation. Common Shares issued pursuant to the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or treasury shares. The aggregate number of Common Shares issued under the Plan shall not exceed (a) 414,740 Common Shares plus (b) the additional Common Shares described in Article 3.2. The number of Common Shares that are subject to Awards outstanding at any time under the Plan may not exceed the number of Common Shares that then remain available for issuance under the Plan. The numerical limitations in this Article 3.1 shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
3.2Shares Returned to Reserve. To the extent that Options, SARs, Restricted Stock Units or other Awards are forfeited, cancelled or expire for any reason before being exercised or settled in full, the Common Shares subject to such Awards shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If SARs are exercised or Restricted Stock Units are settled, then only the number of Common Shares (if any) actually issued to the Participant upon exercise of such SARs or settlement of such Restricted Stock Units, as applicable, shall reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.1 and the balance shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. If Restricted Shares or Common Shares issued upon the exercise of Options are reacquired by the Company pursuant to a forfeiture provision, repurchase right or for any other reason, then such Common Shares shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. Common Shares applied to pay the Exercise Price of Options or to satisfy tax withholding obligations related to any Award shall again become available for issuance under the Plan. To the extent that an Award is settled in cash rather than Common Shares, the cash settlement shall not reduce the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan.
3.3Awards Not Reducing Share Reserve. To the extent permitted under applicable exchange listing standards, any dividend equivalents paid or credited under the Plan with respect to Restricted Stock Units shall not be applied against the number of Common Shares that may be issued under the Plan, whether or not such dividend equivalents are converted into Restricted Stock Units.



ARTICLE 4. ELIGIBILITY. Only Employees who are common-law employees of the Company, a Parent or a Subsidiary shall be eligible for the grant of Awards.
ARTICLE 5. OPTIONS.
5.1Stock Option Agreement. Each grant of an Option under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Stock Option Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such Option shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Stock Option Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
5.2Number of Shares. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares subject to the Option, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
5.3Exercise Price. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant.
5.4Exercisability and Term. Each Stock Option Agreement shall specify the date or event when all or any installment of the Option is to become vested and/or exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the Option may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Committee may determine, or any combination of such conditions. The Stock Option Agreement shall also specify the term of the Option. A Stock Option Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and/or exercisability upon certain specified events and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s service.
5.5Death of Optionee. After an Optionee’s death, any vested and exercisable Options held by such Optionee may be exercised by their beneficiary or beneficiaries, their estate or legal heirs, as applicable. If permitted by the Committee and valid under applicable law, each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionee’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or permitted, if the designation is not valid under applicable law, or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable Options held by the Optionee may be exercised by their estate.
5.6Modification or Assumption of Options. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, reprice, extend or assume outstanding options or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Options for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of an Option shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair their rights or obligations under such Option.
5.7Buyout Provisions. The Committee may at any time (a) offer to buy out for a payment in cash or cash equivalents an Option previously granted or (b) authorize an Optionee to



elect to cash out an Option previously granted, in either case at such time and based upon such terms and conditions as the Committee shall establish.
5.8Payment for Option Shares. The entire Exercise Price of Common Shares issued upon exercise of Options shall be payable in cash or cash equivalents at the time when such Common Shares are purchased. In addition, the Committee may, in its sole discretion and to the extent permitted by applicable law, accept payment of all or a portion of the Exercise Price through any one or a combination of the following forms or methods:
(a)Subject to any conditions or limitations established by the Committee, by surrendering, or attesting to the ownership of, Common Shares that are already owned by the Optionee with a value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Common Shares as to which such Option will be exercised;
(b)By delivering (on a form prescribed by the Company) an irrevocable direction to a securities broker approved by the Company to sell all or part of the Common Shares being purchased under the Plan and to deliver all or part of the sales proceeds to the Company;
(c)Subject to such conditions and requirements as the Committee may impose from time to time, through a net exercise or other cashless exercise procedure; or
(d)Through any other form or method consistent with applicable laws, regulations and rules.
ARTICLE 6. STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.
6.1SAR Agreement. Each grant of a SAR under the Plan shall be evidenced by a SAR Agreement between the Optionee and the Company. Such SAR shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various SAR Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
6.2Number of Shares. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the number of Common Shares to which the SAR pertains, which number shall adjust in accordance with Article 9.
6.3Exercise Price. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the Exercise Price, which shall in no event be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Common Share on the date of grant.
6.4Exercisability and Term. Each SAR Agreement shall specify the date when all or any installment of the SAR is to become vested and exercisable. The vesting and exercisability conditions applicable to the SAR may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Committee may determine, or any combination thereof. The SAR Agreement shall also specify the term of the SAR. A SAR Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting and exercisability upon certain specified events



and may provide for expiration prior to the end of its term in the event of the termination of the Optionee’s service.
6.5Exercise of SARs. Upon exercise of a SAR, the Optionee (or any person having the right to exercise the SAR after their death) shall receive from the Company (a) Common Shares, (b) cash or (c) a combination of Common Shares and cash, as the Committee shall determine. The amount of cash and/or the Fair Market Value of Common Shares received upon exercise of SARs shall, in the aggregate, not exceed the amount by which the Fair Market Value (on the date of surrender) of the Common Shares subject to the SARs exceeds the Exercise Price. If, on the date when a SAR expires, the Exercise Price is less than the Fair Market Value on such date but any portion of such SAR has not been exercised or surrendered, then such SAR shall automatically be deemed to be exercised as of such date with respect to such portion. A SAR Agreement may also provide for an automatic exercise of the SAR on an earlier date.
6.6Death of Optionee. After an Optionee’s death, any vested and exercisable SARs held by such Optionee may be exercised by their beneficiary or beneficiaries or their estate or legal heirs, as applicable. If permitted by the Committee and valid under applicable law, each Optionee may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Optionee’s death. If no beneficiary was permitted or designated, if the designation is not valid under applicable law, or if no designated beneficiary survives the Optionee, then any vested and exercisable SARs held by the Optionee at the time of their death may be exercised by their estate or legal heirs.
6.7Modification or Assumption of SARs. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify, reprice, extend or assume outstanding SARs or may accept the cancellation of outstanding SARs (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new SARs for the same or a different number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a SAR shall, without the consent of the Optionee, materially impair their rights or obligations under such SAR.
ARTICLE 7. RESTRICTED SHARES.
7.1Restricted Stock Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Shares under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Agreement between the Employee and the Company. Such Restricted Shares shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
7.2Payment for Awards. Restricted Shares may be sold or awarded under the Plan for such consideration as the Committee may determine, including (without limitation) cash, cash equivalents, property, cancellation of other equity awards, promissory notes, past services and future services, and such other methods of payment as are permitted by applicable law.
7.3Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Shares may or may not be subject to vesting and/or other conditions as the Committee may determine. Vesting shall occur, in full



or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Agreement. Vesting conditions may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Committee may determine, or any combination thereof. A Restricted Stock Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
7.4Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Shares awarded under the Plan shall have the same voting, dividend and other rights as the Company’s other stockholders, unless the Committee otherwise provides. A Restricted Stock Agreement, however, may require that any cash dividends paid on Restricted Shares (a) be accumulated and paid when such Restricted Shares vest, or (b) be invested in additional Restricted Shares. Such additional Restricted Shares shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the shares subject to the Award with respect to which the dividends were paid. In addition, unless the Committee provides otherwise, if any dividends or other distributions are paid in Common Shares, such Common Shares shall be subject to the same restrictions on transferability and forfeitability as the Restricted Shares with respect to which they were paid.
7.5Modification or Assumption of Restricted Shares. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify or assume outstanding Restricted Shares or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted shares (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Shares for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of Restricted Shares shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair their rights or obligations under such Restricted Shares.
ARTICLE 8. RESTRICTED STOCK UNITS.
8.1Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each grant of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan shall be evidenced by a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement between the Employee and the Company. Such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to all applicable terms of the Plan and may be subject to any other terms that are not inconsistent with the Plan. The provisions of the various Restricted Stock Unit Agreements entered into under the Plan need not be identical.
8.2Payment for Awards. To the extent that an Award is granted in the form of Restricted Stock Units, no cash consideration shall be required of the Employee.
8.3Vesting Conditions. Each Award of Restricted Stock Units may or may not be subject to vesting, as determined by the Committee. Vesting shall occur, in full or in installments, upon satisfaction of the conditions specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Vesting conditions may include service-based conditions, performance-based conditions, such other conditions as the Committee may determine, or any combination thereof. A Restricted Stock Unit Agreement may provide for accelerated vesting upon certain specified events.
8.4Voting and Dividend Rights. The holders of Restricted Stock Units shall have no voting rights. Prior to settlement or forfeiture, Restricted Stock Units awarded under the Plan may, at the Committee’s discretion, provide for a right to dividend equivalents. Such right entitles the holder to be credited with an amount equal to all cash dividends paid on one



Common Share while the Restricted Stock Unit is outstanding. Dividend equivalents may be converted into additional Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of dividend equivalents may be made in the form of cash, in the form of Common Shares, or in a combination of both. Prior to distribution, any dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same conditions and restrictions as the Restricted Stock Units to which they attach.
8.5Form and Time of Settlement of Restricted Stock Units. Settlement of vested Restricted Stock Units may be made in the form of (a) cash, (b) Common Shares or (c) any combination of both, as determined by the Committee. The actual number of Restricted Stock Units eligible for settlement may be larger or smaller than the number included in the original Award, based on predetermined performance factors. Methods of converting Restricted Stock Units into cash may include (without limitation) a method based on the average value of Common Shares over a series of trading days. Vested Restricted Stock Units shall be settled in such manner and at such time(s) as specified in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Until an Award of Restricted Stock Units is settled, the number of such Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to adjustment pursuant to Article 9.
8.6Death of Employee. Any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the Employee’s death shall be distributed to the Employee’s beneficiary or beneficiaries or their estate or legal heirs. If permitted by the Committee and valid under applicable law, each recipient of Restricted Stock Units under the Plan may designate one or more beneficiaries for this purpose by filing the prescribed form with the Company. A beneficiary designation may be changed by filing the prescribed form with the Company at any time before the Employee’s death. If no beneficiary was designated or permitted, if the designation is not valid under applicable law, or if no designated beneficiary survives the Employee, then any Restricted Stock Units that become payable after the Employee’s death shall be distributed to the Employee’s estate or legal heirs.
8.7Modification or Assumption of Restricted Stock Units. Within the limitations of the Plan, the Committee may modify or assume outstanding restricted stock units or may accept the cancellation of outstanding restricted stock units (whether granted by the Company or by another issuer) in return for the grant of new Restricted Stock Units for the same or a different number of shares or in return for the grant of a different type of Award. The foregoing notwithstanding, no modification of a Restricted Stock Unit shall, without the consent of the Participant, materially impair their rights or obligations under such Restricted Stock Unit.
8.8Creditors’ Rights. A holder of Restricted Stock Units shall have no rights other than those of a general creditor of the Company. Restricted Stock Units represent an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.
ARTICLE 9. ADJUSTMENTS; DISSOLUTIONS AND LIQUIDATIONS; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.
9.1Adjustments. In the event of a subdivision of the outstanding Common Shares, a declaration of a dividend payable in Common Shares, a combination or consolidation of the outstanding Common Shares (by reclassification or otherwise) into a lesser number of Common



Shares or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued Common Shares effected without receipt of consideration by the Company, proportionate adjustments shall be made to the following:
(a)The number and kind of shares available for issuance under Article 3, including the numerical share limit in Article 3.1;
(b)The number and kind of shares covered by each outstanding Option, SAR and Restricted Stock Unit; and/or
(c)The Exercise Price applicable to each outstanding Option and SAR, and the repurchase price, if any, applicable to Award shares.
In the event of a declaration of an extraordinary dividend payable in a form other than Common Shares in an amount that has a material effect on the price of Common Shares, a recapitalization, a spin-off or a similar occurrence, the Committee may make such adjustments as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate to the foregoing. Any adjustment in the number of shares subject to an Award under this Article 9.1 shall be rounded down to the nearest whole share, although the Committee in its sole discretion may make a cash payment in lieu of a fractional share. Except as provided in this Article 9, a Participant shall have no rights by reason of any issuance by the Company of stock of any class or securities convertible into stock of any class, any subdivision or consolidation of shares of stock of any class, the payment of any stock dividend or any other increase or decrease in the number of shares of stock of any class.
9.2Dissolution or Liquidation. To the extent not previously exercised or settled, Options, SARs and Restricted Stock Units shall terminate immediately prior to the dissolution or liquidation of the Company.
9.3Corporate Transactions. In the event that the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, or a Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.6(d)), all Common Shares acquired under the Plan and all Awards outstanding on the effective date of the transaction shall be treated in the manner described in the definitive transaction agreement (or, in the event the transaction does not entail a definitive agreement to which the Company is party, in the manner determined by the Board, with such determination having final and binding effect on all parties), which agreement or determination need not treat all Awards (or portions thereof) in an identical manner. Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, the treatment specified in the transaction agreement or by the Board may include (without limitation) one or more of the following with respect to each outstanding Award:
(a)The continuation of such outstanding Award by the Company (if the Company is the surviving entity);
(b)The assumption of such outstanding Award by the surviving entity or its parent, provided that the assumption of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax and regulatory requirements;



(c)The substitution by the surviving entity or its parent of an equivalent award for such outstanding Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the holders of Common Shares in the transaction), provided that the substitution of an Option or a SAR shall comply with applicable tax and regulatory requirements;
(d)In the case of an Option or SAR, the cancellation of such Award without payment of any consideration. An Optionee shall be able to exercise their outstanding Option or SAR, to the extent such Option or SAR is then vested or becomes vested as of the effective time of the transaction, during a period of not less than five full business days preceding the closing date of the transaction, unless (i) a shorter period is required to permit a timely closing of the transaction and (ii) such shorter period still offers the Optionee a reasonable opportunity to exercise such Option or SAR. Any exercise of such Option or SAR during such period may be contingent on the closing of the transaction;
(e)The cancellation of such Award and a payment to the Participant with respect to each share subject to the portion of the Award that is vested or becomes vested as of the effective time of the transaction equal to the excess of (A) the value, as determined by the Board in its absolute discretion, of the property (including cash) received by the holder of a Common Share as a result of the transaction, over (if applicable) (B) the per-share Exercise Price of such Award (such excess, if any, the “Spread”).  Such payment shall be made in the form of cash, cash equivalents, or securities of the surviving entity or its parent having a value equal to the Spread.  In addition, any escrow, holdback, earn-out or similar provisions in the transaction agreement may apply to such payment to the same extent and in the same manner as such provisions apply to the holders of Common Shares.  If the Spread applicable to an Award (whether or not vested) is zero or a negative number, then the Award may be cancelled without making a payment to the Participant. In the event that an Award is subject to Code Section 409A, the payment described in this clause (e) shall be made on the settlement date specified in the applicable Award Agreement, provided that settlement may be accelerated in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(j)(4); or
(f)The assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of an Award of Restricted Shares to the surviving entity or its parent, with corresponding proportionate adjustments made to the price per share to be paid upon exercise of any such reacquisition or repurchase rights.
Unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise, each outstanding Award held by a Participant who remains an Employee as of the effective time of a merger, consolidation or Change in Control (other than one described in Article 14.7(d)) (a “Current Participant”) shall become fully vested and, if applicable, exercisable immediately prior to the effective time of the transaction and, in the case of an Award subject to performance-based vesting conditions, such performance-based vesting conditions shall be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels. However, the prior sentence shall not apply, and an outstanding Award shall not become vested



and, if applicable, exercisable, if and to the extent the Award is continued, assumed or substituted as provided for in clauses (a), (b) or (c) above. In addition, the prior two sentences shall not apply to an Award held by a Participant who is not a Current Participant, unless an Award Agreement provides otherwise or unless the Company and the acquirer agree otherwise.
For avoidance of doubt, the Board shall have the discretion, exercisable either at the time an Award is granted or at any time while the Award remains outstanding, to provide for the acceleration of vesting upon the occurrence of a Change in Control, whether or not the Award is to be assumed or replaced in the transaction, or in connection with a termination of the Participant’s service following a transaction.
Any action taken under this Article 9.3 shall either preserve an Award’s status as exempt from Code Section 409A or comply with Code Section 409A.
ARTICLE 10. OTHER AWARDS.
Subject in all events to the limitations under Article 3 above as to the number of Common Shares available for issuance under this Plan, the Company may grant other forms of Awards not specifically described herein and may grant awards under other plans or programs, where such awards are settled in the form of Common Shares issued under this Plan. Such Common Shares shall be treated for all purposes under the Plan like Common Shares issued in settlement of Restricted Stock Units and shall, when issued, reduce the number of Common Shares available under Article 3.
ARTICLE 11. LIMITATION ON RIGHTS.
11.1Retention Rights. Neither the Plan nor any Award granted under the Plan shall be deemed to give any individual a right to remain an Employee. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate the service of any Employee at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice, subject to applicable laws, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and by-laws and a written employment agreement (if any).
11.2Stockholders’ Rights. Except as set forth in Article 7.4 or 8.4 above, a Participant shall have no dividend rights, voting rights or other rights as a stockholder with respect to any Common Shares covered by their Award prior to the time when a stock certificate for such Common Shares is issued or, if applicable, the time when they become entitled to receive such Common Shares by filing any required notice of exercise and paying any required Exercise Price. No adjustment shall be made for cash dividends or other rights for which the record date is prior to such time, except as expressly provided in the Plan.
11.3Regulatory Requirements. Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the obligation of the Company to issue Common Shares under the Plan shall be subject to all applicable laws, rules and regulations and such approval by any regulatory body as may be required. The Company reserves the right to restrict, in whole or in part, the delivery of Common Shares pursuant to any Award prior to the satisfaction of all legal requirements relating to the issuance of such Common Shares, to their registration, qualification or listing or to an



exemption from registration, qualification or listing. The inability or impracticability of the Company to obtain or maintain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Common Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Common Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained or maintained, and shall enable the Committee to cancel Awards pertaining to such Common Shares, with or without consideration to the Participant.
11.4Transferability of Awards. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit transfer of an Award in a manner consistent with applicable law (including to a “family member” as such term is defined in the General Instructions to Form S-8 (whether by gift or a domestic relations order)). Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, Awards shall be transferable by a Participant only by (a) beneficiary designation (if permitted by the Committee and valid under applicable law), (b) a will or (c) the laws of descent and distribution. Any transferee shall be bound by and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Award Agreement relating to the transferred Award and shall execute an agreement satisfactory to the Company evidencing such obligations.
11.5Recoupment Policy. All Awards granted under the Plan, all amounts paid under the Plan and all Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to recoupment, clawback or recovery by the Company in accordance with applicable law and with Company policy (whenever adopted) regarding same, whether or not such policy is intended to satisfy the requirements of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or other applicable law, as well as any implementing regulations and/or listing standards thereunder.
11.6Other Conditions and Restrictions on Common Shares. Any Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal, other transfer restrictions and such other terms and conditions as the Committee may determine. Such conditions and restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Common Shares generally. In addition, Common Shares issued under the Plan shall be subject to such conditions and restrictions imposed either by applicable law or by Company policy, as adopted from time to time, designed to ensure compliance with applicable law or laws with which the Company determines in its sole discretion to comply including in order to maintain any statutory, regulatory or tax advantage.
ARTICLE 12. TAXES.
12.1General. It is a condition to each Award under the Plan that a Participant or their successor shall make arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local or foreign withholding tax obligations that arise in connection with any Award granted under the Plan. The Company shall not be required to issue any Common Shares or make any cash payment under the Plan unless such obligations are satisfied.
12.2Withholding. At the Company’s discretion and subject to any Company insider trading policy (including black-out periods), any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items



may be satisfied by (i) deducting an amount sufficient to satisfy such withholding obligation from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant; (ii) accepting a payment from the Participant in cash, by wire transfer of immediately available funds, or by check made payable to the order of the Company, a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, as applicable; (iii) accepting the delivery of Common Shares, including Common Shares delivered by attestation; (iv) retaining Common Shares from the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, valued on the date of delivery, (v) if there is a public market for Common Shares at the time the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied, selling Common Shares issued pursuant to the Award creating the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items, either voluntarily by the Participant or mandatorily by the Company; (vi) accepting delivery of a promissory note or any other lawful consideration; or (vii) any combination of the foregoing payment forms. The amount withheld pursuant to any of the foregoing payment forms shall be determined by the Company and may be up to, but no greater than, the aggregate amount of such obligations based on the maximum statutory withholding rates in the applicable Participant’s jurisdiction for all Tax-Related Items that are applicable to such taxable income.
If any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items will be satisfied under clause (iii) of the preceding paragraph, any payment of Tax-Related Items by assigning Common Shares to the Company may be subject to restrictions including any restrictions required by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, accounting, or other rules.
If any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items will be satisfied under clause (v) of the preceding paragraph, each Participant’s acceptance of an Award under the Plan will constitute the Participant’s authorization to the Company and instruction and authorization to any brokerage firm selected by the Company to effect the sale to complete the transactions described in clause (v).
12.3Section 409A Matters. Except as otherwise expressly set forth in an Award Agreement, it is intended that Awards granted under the Plan either be exempt from, or comply with, the requirements of Code Section 409A. To the extent an Award is subject to Code Section 409A (a “409A Award”), the terms of the Plan, the Award and any written agreement governing the Award shall be interpreted to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A so that the Award is not subject to additional tax or interest under Code Section 409A, unless the Committee expressly provides otherwise. A 409A Award shall be subject to such additional rules and requirements as specified by the Committee from time to time in order for it to comply with the requirements of Code Section 409A. In this regard, if any amount under a 409A Award is payable upon a “separation from service” to an individual who is considered a “specified employee” (as each term is defined under Code Section 409A), then no such payment shall be made prior to the date that is the earlier of (i) six months and one day after the Participant’s separation from service or (ii) the Participant’s death, but only to the extent such delay is necessary to prevent such payment from being subject to Code Section 409A(a)(1).
12.4Limitation on Liability. Neither the Company nor any person serving on the Board or Committee shall have any liability to a Participant in the event an Award held by the Participant fails to achieve its intended characterization under applicable tax law.



ARTICLE 13. FUTURE OF THE PLAN.
13.1Term of the Plan. The Plan, as set forth herein, shall become effective as of the date of its adoption by the Board. The Plan shall terminate automatically 10 years after the date on which the Board approved the Plan.
13.2Amendment or Termination. The Board may, at any time and for any reason, amend or terminate the Plan. No Awards shall be granted under the Plan after the termination thereof. The termination of the Plan, or any amendment thereof, shall not affect any Award previously granted under the Plan.
13.3Stockholder Approval. An amendment of the Plan shall be subject to the approval of the Company’s stockholders only to the extent required by applicable laws, regulations, or rules.
ARTICLE 14. DEFINITIONS.
14.1“Affiliate” means any entity other than a Subsidiary, if the Company and/or one or more Subsidiaries own not less than 50% of such entity.
14.2“Award” means any award granted under the Plan, including as an Option, a SAR, a Restricted Share award, a Restricted Stock Unit award or another form of equity-based compensation award.
14.3“Award Agreement” means a Stock Option Agreement, a SAR Agreement, a Restricted Stock Agreement, a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement or such other agreement evidencing an Award granted under the Plan.
14.4“Board” means the Company’s Board of Directors, as constituted from time to time.
14.5“Change in Control” means:
(a)Any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then-outstanding voting securities;
(b)The consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(c)The consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity or its parent) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity or its parent outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation; or



(d)Individuals who are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board over a period of 12 months; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.
A transaction shall not constitute a Change in Control if its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation or to create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction. In addition, if a Change in Control constitutes a payment event with respect to any Award which provides for a deferral of compensation and is subject to Code Section 409A, then notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or applicable Award Agreement the transaction with respect to such Award must also constitute a “change in control event” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) to the extent required by Code Section 409A.
14.6“Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
14.7“Committee” means a committee of the Board, as described in Article 2.
14.8“Common Share” means one share of the Company’s Class A Common Stock.
14.9“Company” means Backblaze, Inc., a Delaware corporation.
14.10“Employee” means a common-law employee of the Company, a Parent, a Subsidiary or an Affiliate.
14.11“Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
14.12“Exercise Price,” in the case of an Option, means the amount for which one Common Share may be purchased upon exercise of such Option, as specified in the applicable Stock Option Agreement. “Exercise Price,” in the case of a SAR, means an amount, as specified in the applicable SAR Agreement, which is subtracted from the Fair Market Value of one Common Share in determining the amount payable upon exercise of such SAR.
14.13“Fair Market Value” means the closing price of a Common Share on any established stock exchange or a national market system on the applicable date or, if the applicable date is not a trading day, on the last trading day prior to the applicable date, as reported in a source that the Committee deems reliable. If Common Shares are not traded on an established stock exchange or a national market system, the Fair Market Value shall be determined by the Committee in good faith on such basis as it deems appropriate. The Committee’s determination shall be conclusive and binding on all persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the determination of Fair Market Value in all cases shall be in accordance with the requirements set forth under Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary for an Award to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Code.



14.14“NSO” means a stock option not described in Code Sections 422 or 423.
14.15“Option” means an NSO granted under the Plan and entitling the holder to purchase Common Shares.
14.16“Optionee” means an individual or estate holding an Option or SAR.
14.17“Parent” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations ending with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the Company owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation that attains the status of a Parent on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Parent commencing as of such date.
14.18“Participant” means an Employee holding an Award.
14.19“Plan” means this Backblaze, Inc. 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.
14.20“Restricted Share” means a Common Share awarded under the Plan.
14.21“Restricted Stock Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Share that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Share.
14.22“Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing the equivalent of one Common Share, as awarded under the Plan.
14.23“Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and the recipient of a Restricted Stock Unit that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to such Restricted Stock Unit.
14.24“SAR” means a stock appreciation right granted under the Plan.
14.25“SAR Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to their SAR.
14.26“Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
14.27“Stock Option Agreement” means the agreement consistent with the terms of the Plan between the Company and an Optionee that contains the terms, conditions and restrictions pertaining to their Option.
14.28“Subsidiary” means any corporation (other than the Company) in an unbroken chain of corporations beginning with the Company, if each of the corporations other than the last corporation in the unbroken chain owns stock possessing 50% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock in one of the other corporations in such chain. A corporation



that attains the status of a Subsidiary on a date after the adoption of the Plan shall be considered a Subsidiary commencing as of such date.
14.29“Tax-Related Items” means any U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and/or local taxes (including, without limitation, income tax, social insurance contributions, fringe benefit tax, employment tax, stamp tax and any employer tax liability which has been transferred to a Participant) for which a Participant is liable in connection with Awards and/or Common Shares.




Backblaze, Inc.
2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan
Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award

You have been granted Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”), each representing the right to receive one share of common stock of Backblaze, Inc. (the “Company”) on the following terms:

Name of Recipient:  «Name»
Total Number of RSUs Granted:«TotalRSUs»
Date of Grant:«DateGrant»
Vesting Schedule:
The first «CliffPercent»% of the RSUs subject
to this award will vest on «InitialVestDate» and
an additional «IncrementPercent»% of the RSUs subject to this award will vest on each Company Vesting Date thereafter, provided that you remain in continuous service as an Employee (“Service”) through each such date. The “Company Vesting Dates” are «VestDay1», «VestDay2», «VestDay3» and «VestDay4».

You and the Company agree that these RSUs are granted under and governed by the terms and conditions of the Company’s 2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (including, if applicable, the Appendix for Non-U.S. Participants), both of which are attached to, and made a part of, this document. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Plan.

The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to RSUs awarded under the Plan, future RSUs that may be awarded under the Plan and all documents that the Company is required to deliver to security holders (including annual reports and proxy statements) by email or other electronic means (including posting them on a website maintained by the Company or a third party under contract with the Company). You hereby consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and agree to participate in the Plan through any on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. You acknowledge that you may incur costs in connection with any such delivery by means of electronic transmission, including the cost of accessing the Internet and printing fees, and that an interruption of Internet access may interfere with your ability to access the documents.

You further agree to comply with the Company’s Insider Trading Policy, as in effect from time to time, when selling shares of the Company’s common stock.



Backblaze, Inc.
2024 New Employee Equity Incentive Plan
Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Grant of RSUs
Subject to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Award (the “Grant Notice”), this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”) and the Plan, the Company has granted to you the number of RSUs set forth in the Grant Notice.

All capitalized terms used in this Agreement shall have the meanings assigned to them in this Agreement, the Grant Notice or the Plan.
Nature of RSUsYour RSUs are bookkeeping entries. They represent only the Company’s unfunded and unsecured promise to issue shares of common stock on a future date. As a holder of RSUs, you have no rights other than the rights of a general creditor of the Company.
Payment for RSUsNo payment is required for the RSUs that you are receiving.
Vesting
The RSUs vest in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Grant Notice.

In no event will any additional RSUs vest after your Service has terminated for any reason unless expressly provided in a written agreement between you and the Company.

The Company determines whether and when your Service terminates for all purposes of your RSUs.
Termination of Service/ForfeitureIf your Service terminates for any reason, then your RSUs will be forfeited to the extent that they have not vested before the termination date and do not vest as a result of the termination of your Service. This means that any RSUs that have not vested under this Agreement will be cancelled immediately. You will receive no payment for RSUs that are forfeited.
Leaves of Absence and Part-Time Work
For purposes of this award, your Service does not terminate when you go on a military leave, a sick leave or another bona fide leave of absence, if the leave was approved by the Company in writing. However, your Service terminates when the approved leave ends, unless you immediately return to active work.



If you go on a leave of absence that lasts more than thirty days, then, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the vesting schedule specified in the Grant Notice will be suspended on the thirty-first day of such leave, and any unvested portion of this award will not vest during the remainder of such leave. Vesting will resume when you return to active Service.

If you commence working on a part-time basis, the Company may adjust the vesting schedule so that the rate of vesting is commensurate with your reduced work schedule.
Settlement of RSUs
Each RSU will be settled as soon as practicable on or following the date when it vests, but in any event within the “short term deferral period” as defined under Section 409A of the Code. In no event will you be permitted, directly or indirectly, to specify the taxable year of settlement of any RSUs subject to this award.

At the time of settlement, you will receive one share of the Company’s common stock for each vested RSU.

No fractional shares will be issued upon settlement.
Section 409A
Settlement of these restricted stock units is intended to be exempt from the application of Code Section 409A pursuant to Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and shall be administered and interpreted in a manner that complies with such exception.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that settlement of these RSUs is not exempt from Code Section 409A and the Company determines that you are a “specified employee,” as defined in the regulations under Code Section 409A at the time of your “separation from service,” as defined in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h), then this paragraph will apply. If this paragraph applies, and the event triggering settlement is your “separation from service,” then any RSUs that otherwise would have been settled during the first six months following your “separation from service” will instead be settled on the first business day following the earlier of (i) the six-month anniversary of your separation from service or (ii) your death.

Each tranche of RSUs that is settled after vesting is hereby designated as a separate payment for purposes of Code Section 409A.
No Voting Rights or DividendsYour RSUs carry neither voting rights nor rights to cash dividends. You have no rights as a stockholder of the Company unless and until your RSUs are settled by issuing shares of the Company’s common stock.



RSUs Nontransferable
You may not sell, transfer, assign, pledge or otherwise dispose of any RSUs. For instance, you may not use your RSUs as security for a loan.

In addition, regardless of any marital property settlement agreement, the Company is not obligated to recognize your former spouse’s interest in your RSUs in any way.
Beneficiary DesignationYou may dispose of your RSUs in a written beneficiary designation if authorized by the Company and to the extent such beneficiary designation is valid under applicable law. Any beneficiary designation must be filed with the Company on the proper form. It will be recognized only if it has been received at the Company’s headquarters before your death. If you file no beneficiary designation or if none of your designated beneficiaries survives you, then your estate will receive any vested RSUs that you hold at the time of your death.
Withholding TaxesRegardless of any action the Company (or, if applicable, the Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate employing or retaining you (the “Employer”)) takes with respect to any or all income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to the participation in the Plan and legally applicable to you (“Tax-Related Items”), you acknowledge that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or the Employer. You further acknowledge that the Company and the Employer (1) make no representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the RSUs, including, but not limited to, the grant or vesting of the RSUs, the issuance of shares upon vesting of the RSUs, the subsequent sale of shares acquired pursuant to such vesting and the receipt of any dividends and/or any dividend equivalents; and (2) do not commit to and are under no obligation to structure the terms of the RSUs or any aspect of the RSUs to reduce or eliminate your liability for Tax-Related Items or achieve any particular tax result. Further, if you are subject to tax in more than one jurisdiction, you acknowledge that the Company and/or the Employer may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.



You agree to that, in connection with your receipt of the RSUs, you are simultaneously entering into an automatic trading arrangement that is intended to comply with the requirements of Rule 10b5-1(c)(1) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, whereby that number of shares issuable upon settlement of the RSUs necessary to satisfy any Tax-Related Items and withholding thereon will be sold automatically through a brokerage firm selected by the Company, unless otherwise determined by the Company or Committee. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence and upon advance determination by the Committee, the Company also has the right (but not the obligation) to satisfy any Tax-Related Items: (a) by reducing the number of Shares otherwise deliverable to you; (b) by requiring payment by cash or check made payable to the Company and/or the Employer with respect to which the withholding obligation arises; (c) by deduction of such amount from your current salary, wages or other compensation payable; or (d) in any combination of the foregoing, or any other method determined by the Committee to be compliance with applicable laws.

The Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering the statutory withholding amount or other withholding rates, including maximum applicable rates in your jurisdiction(s). In the event of over-withholding, you may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash (with no entitlement to the equivalent in shares), or if not refunded, you may seek a refund from the applicable tax authorities. In the event of under-withholding, you may be required to pay additional Tax-Related Items directly to the applicable tax authorities or to the Company and/or a Parent or Subsidiary thereof. If the withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in shares of the Company’s Common Stock, for tax purposes, you will be deemed to have been issued the full number of shares subject to the RSUs, notwithstanding that a number of shares is held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.
To the extent there is a failure to comply with any obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items, the Company may refuse to issue or deliver the shares or the proceeds of the sale of shares of the Company’s Common Stock subject to the RSUs.



Restrictions on Issuance
The Company will not issue any shares to you if the issuance of shares at that time would violate any law or regulation.

Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan or this Agreement, unless there is an available exemption from registration, qualification or other legal requirement applicable to the shares of Company common stock, the Company shall not be required to issue any shares to you prior to the completion of any registration or qualification of the shares under any local, state or federal securities law or under rulings or regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or of any other governmental body, or prior to obtaining any approval or other clearance from any local, state or federal governmental agency, which registration, qualification or approval the Company shall, in its absolute discretion, deem necessary or advisable. You understand that the Company is under no obligation to register or qualify the Company’s shares with the SEC or any state securities commission or to seek approval or clearance from any governmental authority for the issuance or sale of the shares.
Restrictions on ResaleYou agree not to sell any shares at a time when applicable laws, Company policies or an agreement between the Company and its underwriters prohibit a sale. This restriction will apply as long as your Service continues and for such period of time after the termination of your Service as the Company may specify.
No Retention RightsYour award or this Agreement does not give you the right to be retained by the Company, a Parent, Subsidiary, or an Affiliate in any capacity. The Company and its Parents, Subsidiaries, and Affiliates reserve the right to terminate your Service at any time, with or without cause.
AdjustmentsIn the event of a stock split, a stock dividend or a similar change in Company stock, the number of your RSUs will be adjusted pursuant to the Plan.
Effect of Significant Corporate TransactionsIf the Company is a party to a merger, consolidation, or certain change in control transactions, then your RSUs will be subject to the applicable provisions of Article 9 of the Plan, provided that any action taken must either (a) preserve the exemption of your RSUs from Code Section 409A or (b) comply with Code Section 409A.
Recoupment PolicyThis award, and the shares acquired upon settlement of this award, shall be subject to any Company recoupment or clawback policy in effect from time to time.



Applicable LawThis Agreement will be interpreted and enforced under the laws of the State of Delaware (without regard to its choice-of-law provisions).
The Plan and Other Agreements
The text of the Plan is incorporated in this Agreement by reference.

The Plan, this Agreement (including, if applicable, any Appendix for Non-U.S. Participants) and the Grant Notice constitute the entire understanding between you and the Company regarding this award. Any prior agreements, commitments or negotiations concerning this award are superseded. This Agreement may be amended only by another written agreement between the parties.

BY ACCEPTING THIS RSU AWARD, YOU AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE AND IN THE PLAN.


Backblaze (NASDAQ:BLZE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2024 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Backblaze Charts.
Backblaze (NASDAQ:BLZE)
Historical Stock Chart
From Dec 2023 to Dec 2024 Click Here for more Backblaze Charts.