UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 20-F
| ¨ | REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
| ¨ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended
OR
| ¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
OR
| x | SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
Date of event requiring this shell company report: September 14, 2021
Commission File Number: 001-40736
Lilium N.V.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
|
Not Applicable (Translation of Registrant’s name into English) |
The Netherlands (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
Claude-Dornier Straße 1, Bldg. 335, 82234 Wessling, Germany
(Address of principal executive offices)
Daniel
Wiegand
c/o Lilium N.V.
Claude-Dornier Straße 1
Bldg. 335, 82234
Wessling, Germany
Telephone: +49 160 9704 6857
(Name, telephone, e-mail and/or facsimile number and address of company contact person)
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act.
|
Title of each class |
Trading Symbol(s) |
Name of each exchange on which registered | ||
| Class A ordinary shares, nominal value €0.12 per share |
LILM | Nasdaq Global Select Market | ||
| Warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares |
LILMW | Nasdaq Global Select Market |
Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act.
Not Applicable
(Title of Class)
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
Not Applicable
(Title of Class)
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the shell company report: 259,696,994 Class A ordinary shares and 12,650,000 warrants to purchase Class A ordinary shares
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ¨ No x
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 229.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated file, a non-accelerated filer, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.:
| Large accelerated filer | ¨ | Accelerated filer | ¨ |
| Non-accelerated filer | x | Emerging growth company | x |
If an emerging growth company that prepares its financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP, 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 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ¨
† The term “new or revised financial accounting standard” refers to any update issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board to its Accounting Standards Codification after April 5, 2012.
Indicate by check mark which basis for accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financing statements included in this filing:
| U.S. GAAP ¨ | International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. x |
Other ¨ |
If “Other” has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow. ¨ Item 17 ¨ Item 18
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ¨.
LILIUM N.V.
FORM 20-F
Table of Contents
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On September 14, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Lilium N.V. (“Lilium” or the “Company”) closed the previously announced business combination (the “Business Combination”) pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2021, as amended by an amendment agreement dated July 14, 2021 (the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among Qell Acquisition Corp., a Cayman Islands exempted company (“Qell”), Lilium GmbH, a German limited liability company, Lilium B.V., a Dutch private liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) (which was converted into a Dutch public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap), Lilium N.V., prior to the closing of the Business Combination) (“Lilium”), and Queen Cayman Merger LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of Lilium (“Merger Sub”).
On the Closing Date, (i) Qell converted the class A ordinary shares of Qell (the “Qell Class A Ordinary Shares”) into a claim for corresponding equity in Merger Sub, with such claim then contributed to Lilium N.V. in exchange for one ordinary share A of Lilium, nominal value €0.12 per share (“Class A Share”), (ii) the shareholders of Lilium GmbH exchanged their shares of Lilium GmbH for shares in the capital of Lilium, with all Lilium GmbH shareholders, but Daniel Wiegand, receiving Class A Shares in the share capital of Lilium, and Daniel Wiegand receiving ordinary shares B of Lilium, nominal value €0.36 per share (“Class B Shares,” and together with the Class A Shares, “Ordinary Shares”), and (iii) each outstanding warrant to purchase a Qell Class A Ordinary Share was converted into a warrant to purchase one Class A Share.
On March 30, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Qell and Lilium entered into Subscription Agreements (the “Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (the “PIPE Investors”), pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Lilium agreed to issue and sell to such PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 45,000,000 Class A Shares (the “PIPE Shares”) at a price of $10.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $450,000,000 (the “PIPE Financing”) on the Closing Date. The PIPE Financing closed concurrently with the Business Combination.
Prior to the Business Combination, Qell did not conduct any material activities other than those incident to its formation and the matters contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, such as the making of certain required securities law filings. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, Qell merged with and into Merger Sub, with Merger Sub as the surviving company. Lilium then caused Merger Sub to wind up under the Cayman LLC Act and to distribute all of its tangible and intangible assets (including all cash) and transfer any and all of its liabilities to Lilium (the “Liquidation Distribution and Assumption”).
Class A Shares and warrants to purchase one Class A Share at a price of $11.50, subject to adjustment (“Public Warrants”), began trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (“Nasdaq”) under the symbols “LILM” and “LILMW”, respectively, on September 15, 2021. Unless otherwise indicated, “Lilium”, “the Company”, “we”, “us” and “our” refer to Lilium N.V. after conversion into a Dutch public limited liability company and Lilium B.V. prior to the conversion into a Dutch public liability company. References to “€” are to the common currency of the European Monetary Union and references to “U.S. dollars”, “$” or “cents” are to the lawful currency of the United States.
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CAUTIONARY Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Report on Form 20-F (including information incorporated by reference herein, the “Report”) contains or may contain forward-looking statements that involve significant risks and uncertainties. Statements contained in this Report, other than statements of historical fact, including statements about Lilium’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, intentions, assumptions and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Words or phrases such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “objective,” “ongoing,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “will” and “would,” or similar words or phrases, or the negatives of those words or phrases, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not necessarily mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Examples of forward-looking statements in this Report include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Lilium’s operations, cash flows, financial position and dividend policy.
Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to:
| · | Business disruptions arising from the COVID-19 pandemic; |
| · | Any disruption from the Business Combination to our current business plans and operations or potential difficulties in Lilium employee retention as a result of the Business Combination; |
| · | We may not realize the anticipated benefits of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination which may be affected by, among other things, competition and our ability to grow and manage growth following the Business Combination; |
| · | The market price of our securities may be volatile due to a variety of factors, such as changes in the competitive environment in which we operate, the regulatory framework of the industry in which we operate, developments in our business and operations, and any future changes in our capital structure; |
| · | Our ability to maintain the listing of our securities on the Nasdaq; |
| · | Our ability to implement business plans, operating models, forecasts, and other expectations and identify and realize additional business opportunities; |
| · | General economic downturns or general systematic changes to the industry in which we operate, including a negative safety incident involving one of our competitors that results in decreased demand for our jets or services; |
| · | That we and our current and future business partners will be unable to successfully develop and commercialize our business, or experience significant delays in doing so; |
| · | We may never achieve or sustain profitability; |
| · | We will need to raise additional capital to execute our business plan, which may not be available on acceptable terms or at all; |
| · | We may experience difficulties in managing our growth, moving between development phases or expanding our operations; |
| · | Third-party suppliers, component manufacturers or service provider partners not being able to fully and timely meet their obligations or deliver the high-level customer service that Lilium or our customers expect or will expect; |
| · | Lilium’s jets and any other products Lilium may introduce from time to time not performing as expected, delays in producing Lilium’s jets, including the Lilium 7-Seat electric vertical take-off and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft (the “Lilium Jet”), or delays in seeking full certification of all aspects of the Lilium Jet or any other Lilium products, causing overall delays in the anticipated time frame for our commercialization and launch; |
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| · | The technology necessary to successfully operate our business, as contemplated in the business models and financial forecasts, is delayed, unavailable, not available at commercially anticipated prices, not sufficiently tested, not certified for passenger use or otherwise unavailable to us based on our current expectations and expected needs; |
| · | Any identified material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting which, if not corrected, could adversely affect the reliability of our financial reporting; |
| · | Product liability lawsuits, civil or damages claims or regulatory proceedings relating to Lilium’s jets, technology, intellectual property or services; |
| · | Our inability to secure or protect our intellectual property; and |
| · | Negative publicity about us, our employees, directors, management, shareholders, affiliated parties or founders. |
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on potentially inaccurate assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected or implied by the forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in forward-looking statements for many reasons, including the factors described under the section titled “Risk Factors” in this Report. Accordingly, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this Report. We undertake no obligation to publicly revise any forward-looking statement to reflect circumstances or events after the date of this Report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. You should, however, review the factors and risks we describe in the reports we will file from time to time with the SEC after the date of this Report.
In addition, statements that “Lilium believes” or “we believe” and similar statements reflect our beliefs and opinions on the relevant subject. These statements are based on information available to us as of the date such statements are made. And while we believe that information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, that information may be limited or incomplete. Our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain, and you are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.
Although we believe the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements were reasonable at the time made, we cannot guarantee future results, level of activity, performance or achievements. Moreover, neither Lilium nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of any of these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section in connection with the forward looking statements contained in this Report and any subsequent written or oral forward-looking statements that may be issued by Lilium or persons acting on our behalf. Our actual results, performance or achievements could differ materially from those contemplated, expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this Report as described in “Item 3.D.—Risk Factors”, “Item 4—Information on the Company” and “Item 5—Operating and Financial Review and Prospects”. Given these risks, uncertainties and other important factors, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements set forth in this Report. Also, these forward-looking statements represent our estimates and assumptions only as of the date such forward-looking statements are made. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements publicly, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
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| ITEM 1. | Identity of Directors, Senior Management And Advisers |
A. Directors and Senior Management
Information regarding the directors and executive officers of the Company after the closing of the Business Combination is included in Item 6.A, “Directors and Senior Management” below, and in the Proxy Statement and Prospectus (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), forming part of the Registration Statement on Form F-4 of Lilium, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on August 5, 2021 (File No. 333-255800), under the section titled “Management of Holdco After the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.
The business address for each of the directors and executive officers of the Company is Claude-Dornier Straße 1, Bldg. 335, 82234 Wessling, Germany.
B. Advisers
Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP, 51 West 52nd Street, New York, NY 10166 and Ropes & Gray LLP, Prudential Tower, 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 have acted as U.S. securities counsel for the Company and Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP will continue to act as U.S. securities counsel to the Company following the closing of the Business Combination.
Van Doorne N.V., Jachthavenweg 121, 1081KM Amsterdam, 1070 AG Amsterdam, The Netherlands has acted as counsel for the Company with respect to Dutch law and will continue to act as counsel for the Company with respect to Dutch law following the closing of the Business Combination.
C. Auditors
For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH, Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Bernhard-Wicki-Straße 8, 80636 Munich, Germany, has acted as independent registered public accounting firm for the Company and its predecessor.
| ITEM 2. | Offer Statistics and Expected Timetable |
Not applicable.
| ITEM 3. | Key Information |
A. [Reserved]
B. Capitalization and Indebtedness
The table below sets forth the capitalization of the Company on an unaudited pro forma combined basis as of December 31, 2020, after giving effect to the Business Combination and the PIPE Financing.
| As of December 31, 2020 | (€) in thousands | |||
| Cash and cash equivalents | € | 516,975 | ||
| Equity: | ||||
| Subscribed capital | € | 40,093 | ||
| Share premium | 771,807 | |||
| Other capital reserves | 110,055 | |||
| Accumulated deficit | (449,438 | ) | ||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (119 | ) | ||
| Total equity | 472,398 | |||
| Debt: | ||||
| Convertible loans | 99,235 | |||
| Total debt | 99,235 | |||
| Total capitalization | € | 571,633 | ||
C. Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds
Not applicable.
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D. Risk Factors
The risk factors related to the business and operations
of Lilium are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Risk Factors.” The risk factors
set forth in sections “Risks Related to Lilium’s Operations, Technology and Financial Condition,” “Risks
Related to Lilium’s Intellectual Property,” “Risks Related to the Regulatory Environment in which Lilium Operates,”
“Risks Associated with Holdco Being a U.S. Public Company,” “Risks Related to Taxes” and “Risks
Related to Holdco Being a Newly Incorporated Dutch Company,” and under the headings
Risks for any holders of Qell Public Warrants following the Business Combination” and “The future exercise of registration
rights may adversely affect the market price of Holdco’s ordinary shares” are incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 4. | Information on the Company |
A. History and Development of the Company
The legal name of the Company is Lilium N.V. The Company was incorporated as a Dutch private limited liability company (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) on March 11, 2021. As part of the Business Combination, the Company changed its legal form to a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap). The address of the registered office of the Company is Claude-Dornier Straße 1, Bldg. 335, 82234 Wessling Germany, and the telephone number of the Company is +49 160 9704 6857.
See “Explanatory Note” in this Report for additional information regarding Lilium and the Business Combination. Certain additional information about the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Business of Holdco before the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference. The material terms of the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “The Business Combination,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company is subject to certain of the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act. Since the Company is a “foreign private issuer”, it is exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to their purchase and sale of Ordinary Shares. In addition, the Company is not required to file reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, the Company is required to file with the SEC an Annual Report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. We will also furnish to the SEC, on Form 6-K, unaudited financial information with respect to the six months ended June 30, 2021. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information that the Company files with or furnishes electronically to the SEC.
The website address of the Company is http://www.lilium.com. The information contained on the website does not form a part of, and is not incorporated by reference into, this Report.
B. Business Overview
Prior to the Business Combination, the Company did not conduct any material activities other than those incidental to its formation and the matters contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, such as the making of certain required securities law filings and the establishment of certain subsidiaries. Upon the closing of the Business Combination, the Company became the direct parent of, and conducts its business through, Lilium GmbH, a next-generation transportation company focused on developing an eVTOL aircraft for use in a new type of high-speed air transport system for people and goods.
Information regarding the business of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Business of Lilium and Certain Information about Lilium” and “Lilium’ Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, which are incorporated herein by reference.
C. Organizational Structure
Upon the closing of the Business Combination, Lilium GmbH became a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The organizational chart of the Company is included on page 29 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference.
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D. Property, Plants and Equipment
Information regarding the facilities of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Business of Lilium and Certain Information About Lilium — Production Facilities and Manufacturing Strategy” and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 4A. | Unresolved Staff Comments |
None.
| ITEM 5. | Operating and Financial Review and Prospects |
Following and as a result of the Business Combination, the business of the Company is conducted through Lilium GmbH, its direct, wholly-owned subsidiary, and the direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lilium GmbH.
The discussion and analysis of the financial condition and results of operations of Lilium is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Lilium’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”, which is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 6. | Directors, Senior Management and Employees |
A. Directors and Senior Management
Information regarding executive officers of the Company after the closing of the Business Combination is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Holdco After the Business Combination” and is incorporated by reference herein.
The following table lists the names, ages and positions of those individuals serving as our directors.
| Board Member | Position | ||
| Daniel Wiegand | 36 | Executive Director | |
| Barry Engle | 57 | Non-executive Director | |
| Dr. Thomas Enders | 62 | Non-executive Director | |
| David Wallerstein | 47 | Non-executive Director | |
| Niklas Zennström | 55 | Non-executive Director | |
| Gabrielle Toledano | 54 | Non-executive Director | |
| Henri Courpron | 58 | Non-executive Director | |
| David Neeleman | 61 | Non-executive Director | |
| Margaret M. Smyth | 57 | Non-executive Director |
Daniel Wiegand. Mr. Wiegand has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of our board since September 2021 and previously served as a member of the Lilium GmbH board from February 2015. Mr. Wiegand is the Lilium co-founder and also served as Lilium GmbH’s Chief Executive Officer from February 2015. Mr. Wiegand holds a degree in Aerospace Engineering from Technische Universität München.
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Dr. Thomas Enders. Dr. Enders has served on our board since September 2021 and previously served as a member of the Lilium GmbH board from January 2021. Dr. Enders has served as a member of the Executive Committee and Audit Committee of the board of directors of Linde plc, a global industrial gases and engineering company, since 2018. Prior to joining the Lilium GmbH board, Dr. Enders held a number of positions at Airbus SE, a European multinational aerospace corporation, including Chief Executive Officer of Airbus SE from June 2012 to April 2019 and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus’ Commercial Aircraft Division from 2007 to 2012. Dr. Enders also held a number of positions at European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company (EADS) (rebranded as Airbus Group), including co-Chief Executive Officer from 2005 to 2007 and Head of Defense Division from 2000 to 2005. Dr. Enders served as a member of the Executive Committee of Airbus S.E. from its creation in 2000 until 2019. Dr. Enders studied Economics, Political Science and History at the University of Bonn and the University of California, Los Angeles. He holds a degree as Dr. Phil from University of Bonn.
David Wallerstein. Mr. Wallerstein has served as an independent member of our board since September 2021 and previously served as a member of the Lilium GmbH board from September 2017. Mr. Wallerstein has held a number of positions at Tencent Holdings Limited, a Chinese multinational technology conglomerate holding company providing Internet-related services and products, including Chief eXploration Officer since 2014 and Senior Executive Vice President since 2001. Mr. Wallerstein holds an Master’s degree from the University of California, Berkeley and a B.A. from the University of Washington.
Niklas Zennström. Mr. Zennström has served as a member of our board since September 2021 and previously served as a member of the Lilium GmbH board from December 2016. Mr. Zennström has served as Chief Executive Officer and Founding Partner at Atomico, a European venture capital firm investing in innovative technology companies around the world, since 2007. Prior to founding Atomico, Mr. Zennström co-founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Skype, a proprietary telecommunications application specializing in voice and video communications, acquired by Microsoft, from 2002 to 2007. Prior to Skype, Mr. Zennström co-founded and served as Chief Executive Officer of Kazaa B.V., a peer to peer content distribution provider, from 2000 to 2002. Mr. Zennström also co-founded and served as the Chief Executive Officer of Joltid Ltd., a provider of peer to peer technologies for content distributors, Internet Service Providers, websites and software developers, from 2001 to 2003. Prior to Joltid, Mr. Zennström served in various General Manager positions at Tele2 AB, a European telecommunications operator, from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Zennström holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering Physics and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Uppsala University. Mr. Zennström also currently serves on the boards of H&M Hennes & Mauritz AB, Zennström Philanthropies, Varjo, Rekki and Oden Technologies.
Gabrielle B. Toledano. Ms. Toledano has served as a member of our board since September 2021. Since January 2020, Ms. Toledano has served as Chief Operating Officer at Keystone Strategy LLC, a strategy and economics consulting firm. From January 2021 to March 2021, Ms. Toledano served as Chief Talent Officer of ServiceNow Inc., a software company. From May 2017 to October 2018, Ms. Toledano served as the Chief People Officer of Tesla Inc., a manufacturer of electric vehicles and energy storage products. From February 2006 to May 2017, Ms. Toledano served as Chief Talent Officer and Advisor at Electronic Arts Inc., a video game company. Ms. Toledano has served as a director of Velo3D since July 2021, Better.com since April 2021 and Bose Corporation since June 2020. Previously, Ms. Toledano served on the boards of Glu Mobile, Inc. from December 2017 to April 2021 and Jive Software, Inc. from November 2015 to June 2017. Ms. Toledano holds a B.A. in Modern Thought and Literature and an M.A. in Education from Stanford University.
Henri Courpron. Mr. Courpron has served as a member of our board since September 2021. Since September 2014, Mr. Courpron has been the Chairman and Co-Founder of Plane View Partners, LLC, a strategic advisory firm for aviation and aerospace management and investments. He was the Chief Executive Officer of International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC), one of the largest aircraft financing firms in the world, from May 2010 to May 2014. Prior to joining ILFC, Mr. Courpron was President of the Aerospace Division of Seabury Aviation & Aerospace, an advisory and investment banking firm in New York focused on the aviation industry, from 2007 to 2010. Prior to that, Mr. Courpron had a 20-year career with Airbus where he reached the position of Executive Vice President, Procurement at Airbus headquarters in Toulouse, France and held a number of other executive positions, including President and Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, North America. Mr. Courpron has also served as a director of Breeze Airways since September 2020 and previously served as a director of Azul Linhas Aéreas Brasileiras from May 2015 to April 2020 and TAP Portugal from November 2015 to July 2017. Mr. Courpron earned his degree in Computer Science in 1985 from Ecole Nationale Supérieure d’Electrotechnique d’Electronique d’Informatique et d’Hydraulique (ENSEEIHT) in Toulouse, where he specialized in artificial intelligence.
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Barry Engle. Mr. Engle has served as a member of our board since September 2021. Mr. Engle has experience in operational, financial and managerial roles within the international automotive sector, as well as growth-oriented companies across various industries. In September 2020, Mr. Engle founded the special purpose acquisition company, Qell Acquisition Corp., our predecessor. Mr. Engle served as the Chief Executive Officer of Qell until the consummation of the Business Combination. He has spent the past five years serving in senior executive roles at General Motors (“GM”). Most recently, Mr. Engle served as President of GM North America, the company’s largest segment with over $100+ billion in sales during the year ended December 31, 2019. Under his leadership, GM frequently beat analysts’ expectations, including during the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. Before this, Mr. Engle served as the President of GM International, where he successfully worked with various stakeholders to improve the segment’s profitability. Mr. Engle joined GM in September 2015 as President of South America, leading the business unit through the region’s economic recession and achieving market leadership in Brazil for 50+ months while restructuring the business to improve its profitability. Prior to joining GM, Mr. Engle spent time leading high growth, private equity and venture capital-backed companies, serving as Chief Executive Officer of Agility Fuel Systems, a leading provider of clean fuel solutions for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, and electric vehicle manufacturer Think Holding AS, a Norwegian company, which, subsequent to his departure from the company entered into Norwegian bankruptcy proceedings in June 2011. Before joining Think Holdings AS, Mr. Engle spent two years as President and CEO of New Holland Agricultural Equipment in Turin, Italy. Mr. Engle also spent a number of years with Ford Motor Company where he served as President & CEO of Ford Canada, President of Ford Brazil, and Head of North American Marketing. Finally, Mr. Engle has also led entrepreneurial endeavors of his own; he previously owned Barry Engle Chrysler-Plymouth-Jeep, near Salt Lake City, from 1997 to 2000. Mr. Engle earned a bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University and holds an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
David Neeleman. Mr. Neeleman has served as a member of our board since September 2021. Since he founded Azul Brazilian Airlines in January 2008, Mr. Neeleman has served as the Chairman of its board of directors and served as its Chief Executive Officer until July 2017. Previously, Mr. Neeleman founded JetBlue, where he held the position of Chief Executive Officer from 1998 to 2007 and Chairman of and served on the board of directors from 2002 to 2008. Mr. Neeleman’s career in the airline industry began in 1984 when he co-founded Morris Air. As president of Morris Air, he implemented the industry’s first electronic ticketing system and pioneered a home reservationist system that is now the foundation of JetBlue’s call center. Mr. Neeleman sold Morris Air in 1993 and took the electronic ticketing to Open Skies. He sold Open Skies to Hewlett Packard in 1999. Mr. Neeleman was also co-founder of WestJet Airlines and served as a member of its board of directors from 1996 to 1999. Mr. Neeleman was also part of a consortium that initially acquired a controlling interest in Tap Air Portugal (“TAP”) through TAP’s privatization in 2015 and was a member of the board of directors of TAP from 2015 to 2020.
Margaret M. Smyth. Ms. Smyth has served as a member of our board since September 2021. Since July 2021, Ms. Smyth has served as the Senior Advisor, Global Infrastructure of QIC Global Infrastructure (“QIC”) and chair of CenTrio, QIC’s subsidiary that is the largest pure-play US district energy provider. Previously, Ms. Smyth served as the Chief Financial Officer of National Grid USA from October 2014 to June 2021, where she oversaw all finance, accounting, transactional, and property services for National Grid. Prior to joining National Grid, Ms. Smyth served as Vice President of Finance for Consolidated Edison, Inc. from August 2012 to September 2014. Ms. Smyth previously served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Hamilton Sundstrand, which is part of the former United Technologies Corp., from October 2010 to June 2011. Ms. Smyth also served as Vice President and Corporate Controller of United Technologies Corp. from August 2007 to September 2010, and Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer of 3M Corporation from April 2005 to August 2007. Ms. Smyth is currently a board member of two subsidiaries of Mutual of America since February 2005, a board member and chair of the Audit Committee of Etsy, Inc. since June 2016, a board member and chair of the Audit Committee of Remitly, Inc. since May 2021, and a board member and chair of the Audit Committee of Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. since June 2021.
The board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) has determined that each of Dr. Thomas Enders, Barry Engle, Margaret M. Smyth, Gabrielle Toledano, David Wallerstein and Niklas Zennström qualify as an independent director, as defined under the listing rules of Nasdaq.
There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.
B. Compensation
Certain information regarding the compensation of the directors and executive officers of Lilium after the closing of the Business Combination is set forth below and additional information, including a summary of the Lilium 2021 Equity Incentive Plan and the Lilium 2021 Employee Share Purchase Plan, which were approved by the shareholders of the Company on September 10, 2021, is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Holdco After the Business Combination” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Information regarding such indemnification agreements is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Holdco Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Indemnification Agreements” and is incorporated herein by reference.
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Historical Compensation of Executive Officers
The amount of compensation, including benefits in kind, accrued or paid to our executive officers with respect to the year ended December 31, 2020 is described in the table below:
| (Euros in thousands)(*) | Daniel Wiegand | All other executives | ||||||
| Periodically-paid remuneration | € | 170 | € | 52.3 | ||||
| Bonuses | — | — | ||||||
| Share-based compensation expense | — | — | ||||||
| Additional benefit payments | — | — | ||||||
| Total compensation | € | 170 | € | 52.3 | ||||
(*) Amounts paid in U.S. Dollars have been converted to Euros using an annual exchange rate for 2020 of 0.87 to one U.S. dollar.
Compensation of Non-Executive Board Members
Niklas Zennström, David Wallerstein and Dr. Thomas Enders, our non-executive directors, who served as members of the Lilium GmbH board, did not receive any compensation from us for the year ended December 31, 2020.
Equity Awards
Our directors and executive officers held the following Lilium stock options (both vested and unvested) as of the Closing Date:
| Beneficiary | Grant date | Number
of shares subject to stock options outstanding(1) |
Exercise price per stock option(2) | |||||||||
| Henri Courpron | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Dr. Thomas Enders | January 1, 2021 | 48,569 | (3)(7) | € | 1.00 | |||||||
| September 1, 2021 | 82,853 | (4)(7) | € | 1.00 | ||||||||
| Barry Engle | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Geoffrey Richardson | November 16, 2020 | 714,250 | (5)(7) | € | 1.00 | |||||||
| September 13, 2021 | 1,374,217 | (6)(7) | $ | 28,570 | ||||||||
| David Wallerstein | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Daniel Wiegand | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Niklas Zennström | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Gabrielle Toledano | — | — | — | |||||||||
| David Neeleman | — | — | — | |||||||||
| Margaret M. Smyth | — | — | — | |||||||||
| (1) | Stock options granted before consummation of the Business Combination, subject to the consent of the individual award holder were converted into options to purchase Class A Shares by using the following conversion method (simplified): the number of shares subject to the options as of immediately prior to the Business Combination was multiplied by the conversion ratio used for purposes of the Business Combination. The number of shares in this column reflect the post-conversion amounts. |
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| (2) | Following the consummation of the Business Combination, 2,857 Class A Shares are subject to each stock option. |
| (3) | The stock options vest in equal monthly installments over the 24-month period following the date of grant. |
| (4) | The stock options shall vest 4% in the year 2021, 11% in the year 2022, 40% in the year 2023 and 45% in the year 2024, in each case, in equal monthly installments within each such year on the first date of each month. |
| (5) | Mr. Richardson provides services in the U.S. These stock options are treated as restricted stock units (“RSUs”) for U.S. tax purposes. 25% of the RSUs are scheduled to vest on November 16, 2021, and 1/48th of the RSUs are scheduled to vest monthly thereafter. The RSUs become fully vested if Mr. Richardson’s employment is terminated without cause or if he resigns for good reason (each as defined in Mr. Richardson’s offer letter), in each case, within 12 months following a change in control or prior to the consummation of a change in control if such termination is in connection with such change in control. |
| (6) | The stock options shall vest 4.4% on the last day of each quarter during the period commencing on September 13, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2023, 5.6% on the last day of each quarter during the period commencing on January 1, 2024 and ending on December 31, 2024 and 9.5% on the last day of each quarter during the period commencing on January 1, 2025 and ending on December 31, 2025. |
| (7) | Subject to the consent of each executive officer and board member, the stock options will become vested and exercisable based on the satisfaction of the service-based vesting conditions applicable to such stock options as of immediately prior to the Business Combination, provided that such stock options will not be exercisable during the 180-day lock-up period immediately following the Business Combination. Following the 180-day lock-up period, vested stock options must be exercised during certain exercise windows during each quarter of Lilium’s fiscal year (with the exact dates during each such quarterly period to be determined by Lilium). Such stock options will generally expire on the tenth anniversary of the applicable date the stock options become exercisable. Please see “Our Legacy Employee Stock Option Program” below for more information, including certain exceptions to the foregoing. |
Share Ownership of Executive Officers and Non-Executive Directors
See Item 7.A. below.
Our Legacy Employee Stock Option Program
Prior to the Business Combination, certain beneficiaries were given the opportunity to participate in an Employee Stock Option Program (the “Legacy Stock Option Program”) as part of a long-term equity incentive scheme. The Legacy Stock Option Program was adopted by our shareholders in 2017 and subsequently clarified for certain purposes in December 2020.
Under the Legacy Stock Option Program, the beneficiaries generally received stock options to purchase Lilium shares at a per share exercise price equal to €1.00, provided that certain stock options granted to U.S. taxpayers are treated as RSUs for U.S. tax purposes while other stock options granted to U.S. taxpayers were priced with an exercise price per stock option equal to $28,570. Stock options granted under the Legacy Stock Option Program generally vest over a 4-year period, with 25% vesting on the first anniversary of the grant date, and the remaining 75% vesting in equal monthly installments on the last day of each calendar month thereafter, subject to deviating arrangements in the individual case. Employees who terminate employment with us may retain any stock options vested as of the applicable termination date, unless such termination of employment is a termination by us for cause or for person-related or conduct-related reasons under German labor law.
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Subject to the consent of each executive officer and board member, the stock options (including any stock options treated as RSUs for U.S. tax purposes) will become vested and exercisable, as applicable, based on the satisfaction of the service-based vesting conditions applicable to such stock options as of immediately prior to the Business Combination, provided that such options will not be exercisable or settled, as applicable, during the 180-day lock-up period immediately following the Business Combination. Any stock options treated as RSUs for U.S. tax purposes may not be exercised, and will instead be settled no later than March 15th of the calendar year immediately following the calendar year during which such RSUs become vested. The terms and conditions for the exercise of all other stock options following the 180-day lock-up period are described below.
Following the 180-day lock-up period, vested stock options must be exercised during certain exercise windows during each quarter of Lilium’s fiscal year (with the exact dates during each such quarterly period to be determined by Lilium). The stock options will generally expire on the tenth anniversary of the applicable date the stock options become exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the employment or service of the applicable option holder terminates for any reason prior to the end of the 180-day lock-up period, the stock options will expire upon the later of (i) the end of the last day of the 90-day period immediately following the month in which the 180-day lock-up period expires and (ii) if the stock options cannot be exercised by the option holder due to legal reasons or because there is no exercise window during that period, the end of the next exercise window in which the stock options can be exercised. In addition, notwithstanding the foregoing, if the employment or service of the applicable option holder terminates for any reason after the end of the 180-day lock-up period, the stock options will expire upon the later of (i) the last day of the 90-day period immediately following the date of termination and (ii) if the stock options cannot be exercised by the option holder due to legal reasons or because there is no exercise window during that period, the end of the next exercise window in which the stock options can be exercised.
2021 Equity Incentive Plan
In connection with the Business Combination, the Board adopted the 2021 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2021 Plan”), which was subsequently approved by our shareholders, in order to facilitate the grant of equity awards to attract, retain and incentivize employees (including our executive officers), independent contractors and directors, which is essential to our long term success.
2021 Employee Share Purchase Plan
In connection with the Business Combination, the Board adopted the 2021 Employee Share Purchase Plan, which was subsequently approved by our shareholders, in order to allow our and our affiliates’ employees to purchase Class A Shares at a discount through payroll deductions and to benefit from share price appreciation, thus enhancing the alignment of employee and shareholder interests.
Equity Grants to Management and Directors in Connection with the Closing of the Business Combination
Richardson Success Fee
On September 10, 2021, Lilium entered into a success fee letter with Geoffrey Richardson, our Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to which Lilium has agreed to pay Mr. Richardson a success fee equal to 0.5% of financing proceeds secured by Lilium (provided the value of the success fee may not exceed $4,000,000), including financing proceeds secured by Lilium in connection with the Business Combination, subject to Mr. Richardson’s continued employment through the consummation of the Business Combination. The success fee will be paid in the form of fully vested Class A Shares as soon as reasonably practicable following the filing of a Form S-8 with the SEC in respect of shares authorized for issuance under the 2021 Plan. In addition, to the extent that Mr. Richardson is required to make a payment to Lilium in respect of the Class A Shares, Lilium will provide Mr. Richardson with a cash bonus equal to the amount of the required payment, increased by any taxes owed with respect to such amount.
Other Arrangements with Management and Directors in Connection with the Closing of the Business Combination
Wiegand Service Agreements
On December 1, 2015, Lilium’s German subsidiary entered into a managing director service agreement with Mr. Wiegand, which was later amended on September 20, 2017 and September 14, 2021. The service agreement, as amended, provides for, among other things, a €200,000 annual base salary.
On September 14, 2021, Lilium also entered into a contract for services with Mr. Wiegand, which provides for, among other things, a salary of €300,000 annual base salary.
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Richardson Offer Letter and Employment Agreement
On November 14, 2020, Lilium’s U.S. subsidiary entered into an offer letter with Mr. Richardson, which was later amended on September 19, 2021. The offer letter, as amended, provides for, among other things, a $350,000 base salary and eligibility to participate in Lilium’s employee benefit plans. The offer letter further provides that if Mr. Richardson’s employment is terminated by Lilium without cause or by Mr. Richardson for good reason (each as defined in Mr. Richardson’s offer letter), Mr. Richardson will be entitled to receive 6 months’ base salary and benefits continuation for 6 months following the termination date, subject to his execution and nonrevocation of a release of claims.
On September 14, 2021, Lilium also entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Richardson, which provides for, among other things, a $150,000 base salary.
Non-Executive Director Compensation
In connection with the Business Combination, Lilium adopted a board member compensation policy, which governs the compensation of Lilium’s executive and non-executive directors. The terms and conditions of the board member compensation policy that are applicable to non-executive directors (referred to herein as the “Non-Executive Director Compensation Policy”) are designed to attract and retain high quality non-executive board members by providing competitive compensation and aligning their interests with the interests of shareholders through equity awards.
Cash Retainers
The Non-Executive Director Compensation Policy provides for annual cash retainers, which will be payable quarterly in arrears and pro-rated for partial quarters of service and certain other benefits. Each non-executive board member may also elect to convert all or a portion of his or her annual board member service retainer into RSUs, which will be subject to vesting on the same payment schedule, and subject to the same conditions, as applied to the underlying retainer. Any portion of the RSUs that vests in respect of a partial quarter of service will be pro-rated based on the number of days of service that the non-executive board member provided in such quarter. In addition, subject to the approval of Lilium and applicable law, prior to a cash retainer being earned, a non-executive board member may elect to defer such cash retainer into fully-vested deferred stock units (“DSUs”), which will be granted after such retainer is earned and will be settled in Class A Shares upon the earlier of (i) the date chosen on the applicable election form and (ii) a separation from service. Subject to the approval of Lilium and applicable law, a non-executive board member may also elect to defer RSUs into DSUs with a settlement date that occurs at least one year after the applicable vesting date and up to the time the non-executive board member has a separation from service.
Transitional Equity Grants
The Non-Executive Director Compensation Policy also provides that prior to the 2022 general meeting of shareholders, in lieu of the RSU grants described below, non-executive directors will receive transitional RSU grants upon the following terms under the 2021 Plan, which will vest, subject to continuous service through the applicable vesting date:
• Non-executive board members who are elected or appointed to the board of directors on or after the Closing (but before the 2022 general meeting of shareholders) will be granted 32,500 RSUs covering an equal number of Class A Shares, which will vest in three equal annual installments from the date of grant.
• Non-executive directors who are elected or appointed on or after the Closing will be granted RSUs covering an equal number of Class A Shares, which will be pro-rated based on an initial target of 17,500 Class A Shares and the number of full months that are expected to lapse between the non-executive board member’s appointment to the board and the 2022 general meeting of shareholders. The RSUs will vest on the date immediately preceding the date of the next annual general meeting of shareholders.
Equity Compensation Beginning at the 2022 General Meeting of Shareholders
In addition, the Non-Executive Director Compensation Policy provides that non-executive directors will receive RSU grants under the 2021 Plan on the date of each annual general meeting of shareholders (beginning at the 2022 meeting), and upon the beginning of service, which will vest, subject to continuous service through the applicable vesting date:
• RSUs initially valued at $325,000 upon initial election or appointment to the board, which will vest in three equal annual installments from the date of grant; and
• Additional RSUs initially valued at $175,000 annually, which will vest upon the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant or the next annual general meeting of shareholders, prorated for the initial year of service.
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All vesting is subject to the non-executive board member’s continued service as a member of the board through each applicable vesting date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a non-executive board member remains in continuous service as a member of the board until immediately prior to: (a) the non-executive board member’s death, (b) the termination of the non-executive board member’s service due to the non-executive board member’s disability, or (c) the closing of a change in control (as defined in the 2021 Plan) (each a “Director Acceleration Event”), any unvested RSUs will vest in full immediately prior to, and contingent upon, the applicable Director Acceleration Event.
Notwithstanding the above, each non-executive board member may elect to waive any or all of his or her compensation under the Non-Executive Director Compensation Policy prior to the payment of such compensation.
C. Board Practices
Information regarding the board of directors of the Company subsequent to the Business Combination is included under “Directors and Senior Management” above and in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Management of Holdco After the Business Combination” and is in each case incorporated herein by reference.
D. Employees
Following and as a result of the Business Combination, the business of the Company is conducted through Lilium GmbH, its direct, wholly-owned subsidiary, and the direct, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lilium GmbH.
Information regarding the employees of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Business of Lilium and Certain Information about Lilium—Employees and Consultants” and is incorporated herein by reference.
E. Share Ownership
Information regarding the ownership of our shares by our directors and executive officers is set forth in Item 7.A of this Report.
| ITEM 7. | Major Shareholders and Related Party Transactions |
A. Major Shareholders
The following table sets forth information relating to the beneficial ownership of our Ordinary Shares as of September 14, 2021 immediately following the consummation of the Business Combination by:
| · | each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our outstanding Ordinary Shares; |
| · | each of our directors; |
| · | each of our named executive officers; and |
| · | all of our directors and executive officers as a group. |
The SEC has defined “beneficial ownership” of a security to mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of voting power and/or investment power over such security. A shareholder is also deemed to be, as of any date, the beneficial owner of all securities that such shareholder has the right to acquire within 60 days after that date through (i) the exercise of any option, warrant or right, (ii) the conversion of a security, (iii) the power to revoke a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement, or (iv) the automatic termination of a trust, discretionary account or similar arrangement. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, ordinary shares subject to options or other rights (as set forth above) held by that person that are currently exercisable, or will become exercisable within 60 days thereafter, are deemed outstanding, while such shares are not deemed outstanding for purposes of computing percentage ownership of any other person. Each person named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the Ordinary Shares shown as beneficially owned by such person, except as otherwise indicated in the table or footnotes below.
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The percentage of our Ordinary Shares beneficially owned is computed on the basis of 259,696,994 Class A Shares and 24,413,065 Class B Shares issued and outstanding on the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Business Combination and the PIPE Financing, and does not include 12,650,000 Class A Shares issuable upon the exercise of the Public Warrants that will remain outstanding following the Business Combination and 7,060,000 Class A Shares issuable upon the exercise of certain Private Warrants (as defined below) that will remain outstanding following the Business Combination.
Unless otherwise indicated, we believe that all persons named in the table below have sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by them. To our knowledge, no shares beneficially owned by any executive officer, director or director nominee have been pledged as security.
Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each person named below is c/o Lilium N.V., Claude-Dornier Str. 1, Bldg. 335, 82234, Wessling, Germany.
| Beneficial Owner | Class A Shares | Class B Shares | % Voting | % Share Ownership | ||||||||||||
| Executive Officers and Directors | ||||||||||||||||
| Daniel Wiegand | — | 24,413,065 | 22.0 | % | 8.6 | % | ||||||||||
| Geoffrey Richardson | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Dr. Thomas Enders | 148,564 | — | * | * | ||||||||||||
| Barry Engle | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| David Wallerstein(2) | 1,054,233 | — | * | * | ||||||||||||
| Niklas Zennström(3) | 40,943,742 | — | 12.3 | % | 14.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Gabrielle Toledano | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Henri Courpron | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| David Neeleman | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| Margaret M. Smyth | — | — | — | — | ||||||||||||
| All executive officers and directors of Lilium as a group (10 persons) | 42,146,539 | 24,413,065 | 34.7 | % | 23.4 | % | ||||||||||
| 5% and Greater Shareholders (Not Included Above) | ||||||||||||||||
| Sebastian Born | 18,064,811 | — | 5.4 | % | 6.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Matthias Meiner | 18,064,811 | — | 5.4 | % | 6.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Atomico Entities(3) | 40,943,742 | — | 12.3 | % | 14.4 | % | ||||||||||
| Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) S.á.r.l(4) | 76,196,615 | — | 22.9 | % | 26.8 | % | ||||||||||
| Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc(5) | 17,699,615 | — | 5.3 | % | 6.2 | % | ||||||||||
* Less than 1%
| (1) | Percentage of total voting power represents voting power with respect to all Class A Shares and Class B Shares, as a single class. The holders of Class B Shares are entitled to three times as many votes per share as holders of Class A Shares. |
| (2) | Consists of 1,054,233 Class A Shares held of record by the David Wallerstein and Jun Yu Living Trust for the benefit of Mr. Wallerstein. The business address for the David Wallerstein and Jun Yu Living Trust is 481 N Santa Cruz #148, Los Gatos, CA 95030, United States. |
| (3) | Consists of (i) 33,419,323 Class A Shares held of record by Atomico IV L.P. (“Atomico IV”) and (ii) 7,524,419 Class A Shares held of record by Atomico IV (Guernsey) L.P. (“Atomico IV (Guernsey)”). Atomico Advisors IV, Ltd. (“Atomico Advisors IV”) is the general partner of each of Atomico IV and Atomico IV (Guernsey). Niklas Zennström, Mark Dyne, Nicole Ramroop and Claris Ruwende, the members of the board of directors of Atomico Advisors IV, may be deemed to have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares held by each of Atomico IV and Atomico IV (Guernsey). The business address of Atomico IV and Atomico Advisors IV is One Capital Place, Grand Cayman, KY1-1103 Cayman Islands. The business address of Atomico IV (Guernsey) is Old Bank Chambers, La Grande Rue St. Martin’s, Guernsey, GY4 6RT, Channel Islands. |
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| (4) | Consists of 76,196,615 Class A Shares held of record by Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) S.à r.l. (“Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg)”). Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Mobility Limited, a company limited by shares incorporated in Hong Kong. Tencent Mobility Limited is a direct wholly-owned subsidiary of Tencent Holdings Limited. Tencent Holdings Limited is a publicly traded company. The business address of Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) S.à r.l. is 6 rue Eugène Ruppert, 2453 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg. The business address of Tencent Mobility Limited and Tencent Holdings Limited is 29/F., Three Pacific Place No. 1, Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong. |
| (5) | Consists of 17,699,615 Class A Shares held of record by Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust plc (“SMIT”). As agent for SMIT, Baillie Gifford & Co may be deemed to share the power to direct the disposition and vote of the securities held by SMIT. Baillie Gifford & Co disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares held by SMIT. SMIT is a publicly traded company. The business address of SMIT is c/o Baillie Gifford & Co, Calton Square, 1 Greenside Row, Edinburgh EH1 3AN, Scotland. |
B. Related Party Transactions
Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with its directors and executive officers. Information regarding such indemnification agreements is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions—Holdco Relationships and Related Party Transactions—Indemnification Agreements” and is incorporated herein by reference.
On July 31, 2021, we executed a term sheet in which we agreed to enter into negotiations with Brazilian airline Azul S.A. and Azul Linhas Aereas Brasileiras S.A. (collectively, “Azul”) to establish a strategic collaboration whereby Azul is expected to commit to purchase from Lilium 220 Lilium Jets for an aggregate value of up to $1.0 billion, with anticipated delivery to commence in 2025. David Neeleman, the founder and controlling shareholder of Azul, is one of our non-executive directors. Additional information regarding our arrangement with Azul is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Business of Lilium and Certain Information About Lilium— Commercial and Business Operations— Strategic Commercial Collaboration” and is incorporated herein by reference.
The Company consummated the PIPE Financing concurrently with the closing of the Business Combination. Entities affiliated with Atomico (together, the “Atomico Entities”), and Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) S.a.rl, each a greater than 10% shareholder of the Company, acquired PIPE Shares in the PIPE Financing.
Information pertaining to the Company’s other related party transactions is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
C. Interests of Experts and Counsel
Not applicable.
| ITEM 8. | Financial Information |
A. Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information
See Item 18 of this Report for consolidated financial statements and other financial information.
Information regarding legal proceedings involving the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the sections titled “Business of Holdco before the Business Combination—Legal Proceedings” and “Business of Qell—Legal Proceedings” and is incorporated herein by reference.
B. Significant Changes
None.
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| ITEM 9. | The Offer and Listing |
A. Offer and Listing Details
Nasdaq Listing of Shares and Public Warrants
The Class A Shares and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols LILM and LILMW, respectively. Holders of Class A Shares and Public Warrants should obtain current market quotations for their securities. There can be no assurance that the Class A Shares and/or Public Warrants will remain listed on Nasdaq. If the Company fails to comply with the Nasdaq listing requirements, the Class A Shares and/or Public Warrants could be delisted from Nasdaq. Particularly, Nasdaq requires us to have at least 400 round lot holders of Class A Shares and 100 round lot holders of Public Warrants. A delisting of the Class A Shares will likely affect the liquidity of the Class A Shares and could inhibit or restrict the ability of the Company to raise additional financing.
Lock-up Agreements
Information regarding the lock-up restrictions applicable to the Class A Shares and certain of our securities convertible into Class A Shares is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents—Ancillary Documents—Registration Rights Agreement” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Warrants
Upon the completion of the Business Combination, there were 12,650,000 Public Warrants outstanding. The Public Warrants, which entitle the holder to purchase one Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share, will become exercisable 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination. The Public Warrants will expire five years after the completion of the Business Combination or earlier upon redemption or liquidation in accordance with their terms. There are also 7,060,000 outstanding warrants that were originally issued by Qell in a private placement transaction and were converted into warrants to purchase Class A Shares at the closing of the Business Combination at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “Private Warrants”). The Private Warrants are identical to the Public Warrants in all material respects, except that the Private Warrants are not transferable, assignable or salable until 30 days after the completion of the Business Combination.
B. Plan of Distribution
Not applicable.
C. Markets
The Class A Shares and Public Warrants are listed on Nasdaq under the symbols LILM and LILMW, respectively.
D. Selling Shareholders
Not applicable.
E. Dilution
Not applicable.
F. Expenses of The Issue
Not applicable.
| ITEM 10. | Additional Information |
A. Share Capital
We have authorized share capital in the amount of up to €194,454,208.32, corresponding to a total of 1,498,386,411 authorized Class A Shares, 24,413,065 authorized Class B Shares and 24,413,065 authorized ordinary shares C of Lilium, nominal value €0.24 per share (“Class C Shares”). We may convert Class B Shares into one Class A Share and one Class C Share in accordance with the provisions of our Articles of Association.
18
As of September 14, 2021, immediately subsequent to the closing of the Business Combination, there were 259,696,994 Class A Shares outstanding, 24,413,065 Class B Shares outstanding, and no Class C Shares outstanding. Additionally, there were 12,650,000 Public Warrants and 7,060,000 Private Warrants outstanding, each of which entitle the holder to purchase one Class A Share at an exercise price of $11.50 per share. As of September 14, 2021, we held 375,000 Class A Shares and no Class B Shares or Class C Shares as treasury shares.
Information regarding our share capital is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Holdco Securities” and is incorporated herein by reference.
B. Memorandum and Articles of Association
Information regarding certain material provisions of the articles of association of the Company is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Holdco Securities” and is incorporated herein by reference.
C. Material Contracts
Business Combination Agreement
The description of the Business Combination Agreement is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents—General Description of the Business Agreement” which is incorporated herein by reference
Other Agreements
Information regarding certain material contracts is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “The Business Combination Agreement and Ancillary Documents—Ancillary Documents” and is incorporated herein by reference.
D. Exchange Controls
Under Dutch law, there are no exchange controls applicable to the transfer to persons outside of the Netherlands of cash dividends or other distributions with respect to, or of the proceeds from the sale of, shares of a Dutch company, subject to applicable restrictions under sanctions and measures, including those concerning export control, pursuant to applicable resolutions adopted by the United Nations, regulations of the European Union, the Sanctions Act 1977 (Sanctiewet 1977), national emergency legislation, or other legislation, applicable anti-boycott regulations and similar rules. Pursuant to the Dutch Foreign Financial Relations Act 1994 (Wet financiële betrekkingen buitenland 1994) entities could be obliged to provide certain financial information to the Dutch Central Bank for statistical purposes only. The European Directive Mandatory Disclosure Rules (2011/16/EU) in relation to cross-border tax arrangements can provide for future notification requirements.
Under German law, there are no exchange controls restricting the transfer of funds between Germany and other countries or individuals subject to applicable restrictions concerning import or export control or sanctions and measures against certain persons, entities and countries subject to embargoes in accordance with German law and applicable resolutions adopted by the United Nations and the European Union.
Under German foreign trade regulation, with certain exceptions, every corporation or individual residing in Germany must report to the German Central Bank on any payment received from or made to a non-resident corporation or individual if the payment exceeds €12,500 (or the equivalent in a foreign currency). Additionally, corporations and individuals residing in Germany must report to the German Central Bank on any claims of a resident against, or liabilities payable to, a non-resident corporation or individual exceeding an aggregate of €5 million (or the equivalent in a foreign currency) at the end of any calendar month. Resident corporations and individuals are also required to report annually to the German Central Bank on any stakes of 10% or more they hold in the equity of non-resident corporations with total assets of more than €3 million. Corporations residing in Germany with assets in excess of €3 million must report annually to the German Central Bank on any stake of 10% or more in the company held by an individual or a corporation located outside Germany.
19
E. Taxation
Information regarding certain U.S. tax consequences of owning and disposing of Class A Shares and Public Warrants is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Material Tax Considerations” and is incorporated herein by reference.
F. Dividends and Paying Agents
The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its ordinary shares and does not anticipate paying any dividends on its ordinary shares for the foreseeable future.
The Company may only make distributions to its shareholders if its shareholders’ equity exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital and the reserves that must be maintained under to Dutch law or by the Company’s Articles of Association.
The holders of Class A Shares and Class B Shares will be entitled pari passu to the profits of the Company, pro rata to the total number of Class A Shares and Class B Shares held, provided that out of the profit of any financial year, the holders of Class C Shares shall be entitled to a maximum amount per financial year equal to 0.1% of the nominal value of such Class C Shares. The Board is permitted to declare interim dividends without the approval of a General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders. Interim dividends may be declared as provided in the Company’s Articles of Association and may be distributed to the extent that its shareholders’ equity, based on interim financial statements, exceeds the sum of the paid-up and called-up share capital and the reserves that must be maintained under Dutch law or the Company’s Articles of Association. The Company may reclaim any distributions, whether interim or not interim, made in contravention of Dutch law or the Company’s Articles of Association from its shareholders that knew or should have known that such distribution was not permissible. In addition, on the basis of Dutch case law, if after a distribution the Company is not able to pay its due and collectable debts, then its shareholders or directors who at the time of the distribution knew or reasonably should have foreseen that result may be liable to its creditors.
The General Meeting of the Company’s shareholders may determine that distributions shall be made in whole or in part in a currency other than the Euro. The Board will set the record date to establish which shareholders (or usufructuaries or pledgees, as the case may be) are entitled to the distribution, such date not being earlier than the date on which the distribution was announced. Claims for payment of dividends and other distributions not made within five years from the date that such dividends or distributions became payable will lapse, and any such amounts will be considered to have been forfeited to the Company (verjaring). Unless the General Meeting resolves, at the proposal of the Board, upon a different term for that purpose, dividends shall be made payable within 30 days after they are declared.
Since the Company is a holding company, its ability to pay dividends will be dependent upon the financial condition, liquidity and results of operations of, and the receipt of dividends, loans or other funds from, its subsidiaries. The subsidiaries are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation to make funds available to the Company. In addition, there are various statutory, regulatory and contractual limitations and business considerations on the extent, if any, to which the subsidiaries of the Company may pay dividends, make loans or otherwise provide funds to the Company.
G. Statement by Experts
Not applicable.
H. Documents on Display
Documents concerning the Company referred to in this Report may be inspected at the principal executive offices of the Company at Claude-Dornier Straße. 1, Bldg. 335, 82234 Wessling, Germany.
20
The Company is subject to certain of the informational filing requirements of the Exchange Act. Since the Company is a “foreign private issuer”, it is exempt from the rules and regulations under the Exchange Act prescribing the furnishing and content of proxy statements, and the officers, directors and principal shareholders of the Company are exempt from the reporting and “short-swing” profit recovery provisions contained in Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to their purchase and sale of Ordinary Shares. In addition, the Company is not required to file reports and financial statements with the SEC as frequently or as promptly as U.S. public companies whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act. However, the Company is required to file with the SEC an Annual Report on Form 20-F containing financial statements audited by an independent accounting firm. The SEC also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports and other information that the Company files with or furnishes electronically to the SEC.
I. Subsidiary Information
Not applicable.
| ITEM 11. | Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk |
Information regarding quantitative and qualitative disclosure about market risk is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Lilium’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations— Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk” and is incorporated herein by reference.
| ITEM 12. | Description of Securities Other than equity Securities |
Information pertaining to the Public Warrants and Private Warrants is described under the heading "Warrants" in Item 9.A above and is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus under the section titled “Description of Holdco Securities—Warrants” and is incorporated herein by reference.
21
Not applicable.
22
| ITEM 17. | Financial Statements |
See Item 18.
| ITEM 18. | Financial Statements |
The audited consolidated financial statements of Lilium GmbH are incorporated by reference to pages F-42 – F-83 in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
The audited financial statements of Qell Acquisition Corp. are incorporated by reference to pages F-2 – F-22 in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
The unaudited condensed interim financial statements of Qell Acquisition Corp. are incorporated by reference to pages F-23 – F-41 in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and pages 1 – 19 in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed by Qell Acquisition Corp. with the SEC on August 16, 2021, respectively.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Lilium GmbH and Qell Acquisition Corp. are attached as Exhibit 15.1 to this Report.
| ITEM 19. | Exhibits |
The Exhibits listed in the Exhibit Index at the end of this Report are filed as Exhibits to this Report.
EXHIBIT INDEX
23
24
The registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this report on its behalf.
| LILIUM N.V. | |||
| September 20, 2021 | |||
| By: | /s/ Daniel Wiegand | ||
| Name: | Daniel Wiegand | ||
| Title | Chief Executive Officer | ||
25
Exhibit 1.3
DEED OF CONVERSION AND AMENDMENT OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF LILIUM B.V. INTO LILIUM N.V.
Today, the tenth day of September two thousand and twenty-one, appears before me, Daan ter Braak, civil-law notary practising in Amsterdam (the Netherlands):
Robert-Jan Simon Peter Boekweit, born in Hoorn (the Netherlands) on the fourth day of January nineteen hundred and eighty-five, with office address at Jachthavenweg 121, 1081 KM Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
The appearer declares that:
| - | the general meeting of Lilium B.V., a private company with limited liability (besloten vennootschap met beperkte aansprakelijkheid) incorporated and existing under the laws of the Netherlands, having its registered seat (statutaire zetel) in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) and its business office at Rhijnspoorplein 10, 1018 TX Amsterdam (the Netherlands), registered with the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce under number 82165874 (the "Company"), has resolved on the tenth day of September two thousand and twenty-one to: |
| (i) | convert the Company into a public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap); |
| (ii) | amend the articles of association of the Company as stated hereinafter; and |
| (iii) | authorise the appearer to execute this deed, |
which resolutions appear from the shareholder's resolution of which a copy is attached to this deed as Annex I;
| - | an auditor as referred to in Section 2:393 of the Dutch Civil Code has declared that the net assets (eigen vermogen) of the Company on a date within five months before this conversion and amendment to the articles of association at least corresponds to the issued and paid-up share capital of the Company, being forty-five thousand euro (EUR 45,000) (the "Auditor Statement"). A copy of the Auditor Statement is attached to this deed as Annex II; |
| - | the articles of association of the Company were established by deed of amendment of the articles of association, executed on the eight day of April two thousand and twenty-one by a deputy of P.P. de Vries, civil-law notary practising in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). |
In order to carry out the (legal) acts contemplated in the shareholder's resolution, the appearer, acting in the aforementioned capacity, declares to amend the articles of association of the Company as follows:
| 1 |
CHAPTER I.
Definitions.
Article 1. Definitions.
| 1. | In these articles of association the following expressions shall have the following meanings: |
| a. | "Accountant": a registered accountant or other accountant as referred to in Section 2:393 DCC or as the case may be an organization in which such accountants work together; |
| b. | "Affiliate": means, with respect to a person or legal entity, any legal entity that, directly, or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such person or legal entity. The term "control" shall mean the ownership, directly or indirectly, of shares possessing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of a legal entity, or having the power to control the management or elect a majority of members to the board of directors or equivalent decision-making body of such legal entity; notwithstanding the foregoing in no event shall a limited partner of (or comparable passive investor in) any entity be deemed to be an Affiliate of such entity. A party shall cease to qualify as an Affiliate for purposes of this definition if it ceases to control, be controlled by, or be under common control with such person or legal entity; provided in each case of this sentence and the preceding sentences that any person or legal entity controlled within meaning of Section 56 paragraph 1 subsection 3 as well as paragraphs 4 and 5 of the German Foreign Trade Ordinance (Außenwirtschaftsverordnung) ("AWV") (or a successor regulation) shall be deemed to be under control for purposes of this definition; |
| c. | "Board": the management board of the Company, consisting of one or more Executive Directors and one or more Non-Executive Directors; |
| d. | "Chairman": the Non-Executive Director appointed as Chairman in accordance with article 13 paragraph 4; |
| e. | "Chief Executive Officer": the Executive Director appointed as Chief Executive Officer in accordance with article 13 paragraph 4; |
| f. | "Class Share Premium Reserve": has the meaning given thereto in article 4 paragraph 5; |
| g. | "Company": the public company governed by these articles of association; |
| h. | "Class Meeting": the Class Meeting Shares A, the Class Meeting Shares B or the Class Meeting Shares C; |
| i. | "Class Meeting Shares A": the meeting of holders of Shares A; |
| j. | "Class Meeting Shares B": the meeting of holders of Shares B; |
| k. | "Class Meeting Shares C": the meeting of holders of Shares C; |
| l. | "Closing Date": the fourteenth day of September two thousand twenty-one; |
| m. | "Conversion Date": the date on which a Conversion Event has occurred; |
| n. | "Conversion Event": means, in respect of any Shares B held by any of the following parties, the occurrence of an event as a consequence of which, |
| (i) | anyone who is a Qualified B Holder ceasing to be a Qualified B Holder; |
| (ii) | anyone who is a Permitted Entity ceasing to be a Permitted Entity; or |
| (iii) | anyone who is Permitted Transferee ceasing to be a Permitted Transferee; |
| o. | "DCC": Dutch Civil Code; |
| p. | "Directors": the Executive Directors and the Non-Executive Directors; |
| q. | "Executive Director": a member of the Board appointed as executive director; |
| 2 |
| r. | "Founder": Daniel Christian Wiegand, born in Tübingen (Germany) on the twelfth day of June nineteen hundred eighty-five; |
| s. | "Founder Minimum Ownership Shares B Threshold": the Founder, together with its Permitted Transferees, holding at least twenty percent (20%) of the aggregate amount of outstanding Shares B held by such persons on the Closing Date; |
| t. | "General Meeting": the general meeting of Shareholders as corporate body of the Company as well as meetings of this corporate body; |
| u. | "Group": an economic unit in which legal entities and companies are united within the meaning of Section 2:24b DCC; |
| v. | "Initial Qualified Holder" means, in relation to any Share B, the person holding such Share B on the Closing Date; |
| w. | "in writing": any communication sent by letter, telefax, e-mail or by any other electronic means of communication which can transmit text, provided such communication is readable and reproducible, unless Dutch law or these articles of association provide otherwise; |
| x. | "Non-Executive Director": a member of the Board appointed as non-executive director; |
| y. | "Notice": shall have the meaning given thereto in article 4A paragraph 3; |
| z. | "Offer": shall have the meaning given thereto in article 4A paragraph 3; |
| aa. | "Permitted Entity": means, with respect to any Initial Qualified Holder and/or spouse of the Founder, any vehicle (including a trust, corporation and partnership) so long as an Initial Qualified Holder and/or a spouse of a Founder, if applicable, collectively have sole dispositive power and exclusive Voting Control with respect to the Shares B held by such vehicle; |
| bb. | "Permitted Transferee" |
| a. | in relation to any Share B held by an Initial Qualified Holder means: |
| (i) | such Initial Qualified Holder (as transferee of any Share B retransferred to such Initial Qualified Holder from its Permitted Transferee); |
| (ii) | any Permitted Entity and/or estate or tax planning vehicle (including a trust, corporation and partnership), the beneficiaries of which are limited to such Initial Qualified Holder and/or members of the immediate family (being the spouse or children) of such Initial Qualified Holder, provided that: |
| (A) | (1) prior to the Initial Qualified Holder’s death or mental incapacitation, such Initial Qualified Holder retains (subject to any community or spousal property laws) sole voting and dispositive power over such Share B, and (2) following the date on which such Initial Qualified Holder’s dies or is mentally incapacitated such vehicle shall immediately cease to be a Permitted Transferee; and |
| 3 |
| (B) | the Transfer to such estate or tax planning vehicle does not involve payment of any consideration (other than the interest in such trust, corporation, partnership or other estate or tax planning vehicle); and |
| b. | in relation to any Share held by Qell Partners LLC means: |
| (i) | any party who is and has not ceased to be a director, officer, member, partner or equity holder of Qell Partners LLC; and |
| (ii) | any estate or tax planning vehicle (including a trust, corporation and partnership), the beneficiaries of which are limited to the members of the immediate family (being the spouse or children) of those initial persons identified in paragraph b.(i), provided that (a) prior to such person’s death or mental incapacitation, such initial person retains (subject to any community or spousal property laws) sole voting and dispositive power over the shares held by such estate or tax planning vehicle, and (b) following the date on which such person ceases to be a director, officer, member, partner or equity holder of Qell Partners LLC, dies, or is mentally incapacitated such vehicle shall immediately cease to be a Permitted Transferee; and provided further that the Transfer to such estate or tax planning vehicle does not involve payment of any consideration (other than the interest in such trust, corporation, partnership or other estate or tax planning vehicle); |
| cc. | “Qell Group” means Qell Partners LLC and its Permitted Transferees; |
| dd. | "Qualified B Holder" means, in relation to any Share B: the Company, the Initial Qualified Holder of such Share B and any Permitted Transferee thereof, in each case provided that such Share B has not been Transferred (including by way of a transfer of the legal holder thereof) other than to a Permitted Transferee; |
| ee. | "Regulated Market": regulated market or multilateral trading facility, as referred to in article 1:1 of the Financial Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht) or a system of a non-EU/EEA member state that is comparable to a regulated market or multilateral trading facility (including, for purposes hereof any of the NASDAQ market tiers); |
| ff. | "Secretary": the person appointed as Secretary in accordance with article 15 paragraph 7; |
| 4 |
| gg. | "Shareholders' Covenant”: means in respect of any Shareholder that has notified the Company in writing that this covenant shall irrevocably apply to such Shareholder, in relation to the ownership of its Shares, provided that such Shareholder, in each case together with its Subsidiaries and/or Affiliates, in aggregate is (i) holding or acquiring, or (ii) controlling (including under a voting agreement, specific or general proxy, usufruct, pledge or other arrangement) Shares that reach or exceed the screening threshold pursuant to Sections 55 and 56 paragraph 1 subsection 3 as well as paragraph 4 and 5 of the AWV (or in each case a successor regulation), this Shareholder is required not to hold and/or acquire more than twenty-four and nine-tenths of a percent (24.9%) of the total voting rights attached to all issued and outstanding Shares (not counting any Shares in respect of which no votes can be exercised pursuant to mandatory Dutch law) ("Voting Rights Limitation Threshold"), unless such Shareholder has obtained (i) a certificate of non-objection within the meaning of Section 58 (1) of the AWV or (ii) a permit or clearance within the meaning of Section 15 of the German Foreign Trade Act (Außenwirtschaftsgesetz) ("AWG") (or in each case a successor regulation), or (iii) the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy ("BMWi") has confirmed in writing that voting rights of such Shareholder and/or such Shareholders' Affiliates above the Voting Rights Limitation Threshold are in line with, or out of scope of, the German regime on the screening of foreign investments, or if such voting rights above this threshold cease to be subject to such regime pursuant to grandfathering or other provisions in the AWG or the AWV or applicable orders or regulatory guidelines of the BMWi in relation to the ownership of its Shares; |
| hh. | "Shareholder Support Agreement”: that shareholder support agreement entered into between, among others, Qell Acquisition Corp., the Company and the Founder dated the thirtieth day of March two thousand twenty-one; |
| ii. | "Shareholders": holders of Shares or the joint holders of Shares referred to in article 9; |
| jj. | "Shares": means any and all shares issued by or in the capital of the Company, including Shares A, the Shares B and the Shares C; |
| kk. | "Shares A": the ordinary shares A in the capital of the Company; |
| ll. | "Shares B": the ordinary shares B in the capital of the Company; |
| mm. | "Shares B Compulsory Conversion Date": the date of the Shares B Compulsory Conversion Event; |
| nn. | "Shares B Compulsory Conversion Event": the event occurring on the date set by the Non-Executive Directors within a time period of sixty (60) and one hundred eighty (180) days after the date on which the Founder no longer meets the Founder Minimum Ownership Shares B Threshold, upon which event each issued and outstanding Share B shall be automatically converted into one (1) Share A and one (1) Share C; |
| oo. | "Shares C": the ordinary shares C in the capital of the Company; |
| pp. | "Subsidiary": a subsidiary within the meaning of Section 2:24a DCC; |
| qq. | "Tax Covenant": that certain tax covenant (Founder Tax Covenant) granted by the Company to the benefit of the respective beneficiary pursuant to section 10 of the Shareholder Support Agreement; |
| 5 |
| rr. | "Transfer" means: any direct or indirect sale, assignment, transfer under general or specific title (algemene of bijzondere titel), conveyance, grant of any form of security interest (other than as explicitly provided in this definition), or other transfer or disposition of a Share or any legal or beneficial interest therein (including, for the avoidance of doubt, by way of a synthetic transfer or total return swap), whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law. A "Transfer" of a Share B shall also include, without limitation, the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to, voting control over a Share B by proxy or otherwise; provided, however, that the following shall not be considered a "Transfer" of a Share B: (a) the granting of a power of attorney to persons designated by the Board in connection with actions to be taken at a General Meeting; (b) the pledge of Shares B by a Qualified B Holder that creates a mere security interest in such Shares B pursuant to a bona fide loan or indebtedness transaction as long as the Qualified B Holder continues to exercise voting control over such pledged shares; provided, however, that a foreclosure on such Shares B or other similar action by the pledgee shall constitute a "Transfer" of a Share B; |
| ss. | "Transferor": shall have the meaning given thereto in article 4B paragraph 3; |
| tt. | "Voting Cap": means, in respect of a Shareholder who (i) is subject to the Shareholders' Covenant, and (ii) is not in compliance with the Shareholders' Covenant, the suspension of any voting rights (attaching to Shares) which that Shareholder (together with its Affiliates) would otherwise be able to exercise in a General Meeting in excess of twenty-four and nine-tenths of a percent (24.9%) of all voting rights (after deduction of any voting rights suspended under this Voting Cap) which may be exercised in a General Meeting, regardless of whether such Shareholder (together with its Affiliates) would otherwise be entitled to such votes (i) on the basis of Shares held by such Shareholder, its Affiliates and/or its Subsidiaries, or (ii) as any votes on Shares under control of such Shareholder or its Affiliates (including under voting agreement, specific or general proxy, usufruct, pledge or other arrangement), provided that the Board has confirmed the application of the Voting Cap in accordance with article 25 paragraph 4, based on the information available to the Board; and |
| uu. | "Voting Control": means with respect to a Share B, the power (exclusively) to vote or direct the voting of such Share B, including by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise. |
| 2. | Unless the contrary is shown or it is manifestly intended otherwise, a reference to a concept or word in the singular includes a reference to the plural form of this concept or word and vice versa. |
| 3. | Unless the contrary is shown or it is manifestly intended otherwise, a reference to a concept or word of any gender includes a reference to a concept or word of any other gender. |
CHAPTER II.
Name. Seat. Objects.
Article 2. Name. Seat.
| 1. | The Company is a public company with the name: Lilium N.V. |
| 2. | The registered seat of the Company is in Amsterdam (the Netherlands). The Company may have branch offices and branch establishments, both in and outside of the Netherlands. |
| 6 |
Article 3. Objects.
The objects of the company are to participate in, to take an interest in any other way in, to conduct any business of whatever nature1, to provide services of any nature, or to conduct the management of other business enterprises of whatever nature, to provide services to other business enterprises of whatever nature, furthermore to finance third parties, in any way to provide security or undertake the obligations of third parties and finally all activities which are incidental to or which may be conducive to any of the foregoing. The objects of the Company include to enhance and promote the interest of the Group of companies of which the Company forms part of.
CHAPTER III.
Capital and register. Transfer and conversion of Shares B. Qualified shareholding of Shares B and Shares C.
Article 4. Capital. Class Share Premium Reserve. Joint ownership.
| 1. | The authorized share capital of the Company amounts to one hundred ninety-four million four hundred fifty-four thousand two hundred and eight euro and thirty-two eurocent (EUR 194,454,208.32). |
| 2. | The authorized share capital is divided into: |
| (i) | one billion four hundred ninety-eight million three hundred eighty-six thousand four hundred eleven (1,498,386,411) Shares A with a nominal value of twelve eurocent (EUR 0.12) each; |
| (ii) | twenty-four million four hundred thirteen thousand sixty-five (24,413,065) Shares B with a nominal value of thirty-six eurocent (EUR 0.36) each; and |
| (iii) | twenty-four million four hundred thirteen thousand sixty-five (24,413,065) Shares C with a nominal value of twenty-four eurocent (EUR 0.24) each. |
| 3. | At the time of conversion of Shares B into Shares A and Shares C referred to in article 4A, the authorized capital shall decrease by the number of Shares B converted and increase by the number of Shares A and Shares C converted. |
| 4. | The Shares A are continuously numbered from A1 onwards, the Shares B are continuously numbered from B1 onwards and the Shares C are continuously numbered from C1 onwards. |
| 5. | Where in these articles reference is made to Shares and Shareholders this shall include the Shares of each class and the holders of Shares of each class respectively, unless explicitly provided otherwise. |
| 6. | Shares shall be issued in registered form only. Shares shall be available in the form of an entry in the share register. Share certificates shall not be issued. |
| 7. | At all times at least one Share is or should be held by and for the account of a person other than the Company or any of its subsidiaries. |
| 8. | The Company shall maintain for the exclusive benefit of the holders of Shares of the applicable class of Shares a separate share premium reserve (hereinafter jointly as well as separately referred to as: a "Class Share Premium Reserve"), and this Class Share Premium Reserve bears the same letter as the corresponding Shares. If upon or after the issuance of Shares of a certain class more than the nominal value of such Shares is paid, in cash or in kind, the excess shall be considered to be share premium for the exclusive benefit of holders of Shares of the applicable class. |
| 7 |
Article 4A. Transfer and conversion of Shares B.
| 1. | Shares B may only be Transferred to (i) Permitted Transferees and/or (ii) the Company. Any other purported Transfer of a Share B shall be null and void. A holder of Shares B shall notify the Company in writing of any Transfer of Shares (i) if practicable, prior to the consummation of such Transfer, and (ii) always, as soon as possible following (and in any event within ten (10) days of) such Transfer. |
| 2. | A Share B shall be automatically converted into one (1) Share A and one (1) Share C upon the occurrence of a Conversion Event or a Shares B Compulsory Conversion Event. Upon the Company becoming aware of a Conversion Event, the Non-Executive Directors shall determine in their sole discretion the Conversion Date, which Conversion Date shall not be later than the date of such determination, |
| 3. | If at any time a Share C is held by anyone other than the Company (regardless as a consequence of conversion), such holder of Shares C (the "Transferor") shall forthwith notify the Company of this fact by written notice (the "Notice") as soon as possible and in any event within three (3) days after the occurrence of such event pursuant to which the Transferor is obliged to serve the Notice. The holder of one or more Shares C, other than the Company itself, shall be obliged to transfer such Share(s) C to the Company for no consideration. |
| 4. | If the Transferor fails to: |
| a. | give the Notice within the time period provided in this article; or |
| b. | transfer the relevant Shares C to the Company within sixty (60) days of the Notice, the Company is irrevocably empowered and authorized to offer and transfer the relevant Shares C to the Company for no consideration and until such transaction occurs. If and so long as any Share C is not held by the Company, the voting rights, dividend rights and other rights pertaining to such Share C (including, without limitation, the approval rights hereunder, if any) may not be exercised, subject to paragraph 5 of this article. |
| 5. | If the Company fails to accept the offered Shares C from the Transferor within three (3) months after receipt of the Notice, then the Transferor's dividend rights attached to its Shares C shall revive. |
| 6. | The Board shall forthwith register any such conversion of Shares in the register of Shareholders and equally in any applicable company register. |
| 7. | The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued capital, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of Shares B, such number of Shares A and Shares C as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding Shares B into Shares A and Shares C. |
| 8. | The Company may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures relating to the general administration of the share capital structure as it may deem necessary or advisable, and may request that holders of Shares B furnish affidavits or other proof to the Company as it deems necessary to verify the legal and beneficial ownership of Shares B and the "Qualified B Holder" status of any such holder, and to confirm that Shares B are no longer held by a Qualified B Holder. |
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Article 5. Register of Shareholders.
| 1. | Each Shareholder, each usufructuary and each pledgee of a Share is required to give notice to the Company of their (email) address and shall ensure that the Company is informed of such (email) address. If an electronic address is disclosed by the Shareholder, usufructuary or pledgee of a Share for the purpose of entry into the register, such disclosure is deemed to entail the consent to receive all notifications and announcements for a meeting via electronic means. |
| 2. | The Board shall keep a register in which the names and (email) addresses of all Shareholders are recorded, showing the date on which they acquired the Shares, the date of the acknowledgement or notification, and the amount paid on each Share. Also recorded in the register are the names and (email) addresses of usufructuaries and pledgees, showing the date on which they acquired such rights, the date of the acknowledgement or notification, and also specifying whether or not the voting rights attached to the Shares accrue to them. The register may, at the discretion of the Board, be kept in more than one copy and at more than one address. Part of the register may be kept outside the Netherlands in order to comply with applicable foreign statutory provisions or applicable listing rules. The Board may delegate its duty to keep the register to one or more agents for the purposes as meant in this article. |
| 3. | The register shall be kept accurate and up to date. The Board shall determine the form and contents of the register with due observance of the provisions of Article 5 paragraphs 1 and 2. |
| 4. | On application by a Shareholder, a usufructuary or a pledgee of Shares, the Board shall furnish an extract from the register, free of charge, insofar as it relates to his rights in a Share. If a right of usufruct is vested on a Share or if a Share is pledged, the extract also sets forth who is entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the Share and who is entitled to attend the General Meeting. |
| 5. | The Board shall be authorized to provide the authorities with information and data contained in the register of shareholders or have the same inspected to the extent that this is requested to comply with applicable foreign legislation or rules of the stock exchange where the Company’s Shares are listed. |
CHAPTER IV.
Issue of Shares. Own Shares. Joint ownership of Shares.
Article 6. Issue of Shares. Authorized body. Conditions of issue.
| 1. | Shares shall be issued: |
| a. | pursuant to a resolution proposed by the Board and adopted by the General Meeting; or |
| b. | pursuant to a resolution of the Board if by resolution of the General Meeting the Board has been authorized for a specific period not exceeding five (5) years to issue Shares. |
The resolution granting the aforesaid authorization must determine the number and class of the Shares that may be issued. The authorization may from time to time be extended for a period not exceeding five (5) years. Unless otherwise stipulated at its grant, the authorization cannot be withdrawn.
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| 2. | Within eight (8) days following a resolution by the General Meeting to issue Shares or to designate, as referred to in paragraph 1 of this article, the Company shall file the full text of such resolution at the offices of the Dutch trade register. Within eight (8) days after close of each quarter, the Company shall report each issue of Shares in the past quarter to the offices of the Dutch trade register, stating the number of Shares issued. |
| 3. | The provisions of paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the granting of rights to acquire Shares, but not to the issue of Shares to a person exercising a previously acquired right to acquire Shares. |
| 4. | The Company cannot acquire Shares in its own capital upon the issue of the Shares. |
| 5. | When Shares are acquired the amount of their nominal value must be paid at the same time and, in addition, if the Share is subscribed at a higher amount, the difference between such amounts. It may be agreed that part of that amount, such part not to exceed three fourths (3/4th) of the nominal value of the Shares, may remain unpaid until the Company shall make a call in respect of the monies unpaid on the Shares. Such arrangement may only be agreed prior to the resolution to issue Shares and shall require the approval of the body of the Company which has the authority to resolve to issue. |
| 6. | Calls upon the Shareholders in respect of any monies unpaid on their Shares shall be made by the Board. |
| 7. | The Board shall be authorized to enter into transactions concerning non-monetary contributions on Shares and any other transaction referred to in Section 2:94 paragraph 1 DCC, without the prior approval of the General Meeting. |
Article 7. Rights of pre-emption upon issue.
| 1. | Without prejudice to paragraph 2 of this article, upon an issue of Shares A and/or Shares B, each holder of Shares A or Shares B (as applicable) shall have a pre-emption right pro rata to the total number of (in aggregate) Shares A and Shares B (whereby the Shares A and Shares B shall, for the purposes of this article 7 paragraph 1, be treated as a single class of Shares) held by him on the date of the resolution to issue the Shares A and/or Shares B, it being understood that this pre-emption right shall not apply to an issuance of Shares A: |
| a. | to employees of the Company or employees of a Group company; and |
| b. | to a person exercising a previously obtained right to acquire Shares A or Shares B (in accordance with the terms of such right) subject always to article 7 paragraph 7. |
| 2. | If a Qualified B Holder elects to participate in a pre-emptive issuance of Shares that includes Shares A and/or Shares B, then, for so long as such person remains a Qualified B Holder, such Qualified B Holder shall be issued Shares B in lieu of any Shares A. |
If a holder of Shares A elects to participate in a pre-emptive issuance of Shares that includes Shares A and/or Shares B, such holder of Shares A shall be issued Shares A in lieu of any Shares B.
| 3. | No pre-emption rights shall apply in respect of an issuance of Shares C. |
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| 4. | The pre-emptive right may be restricted or excluded by a resolution proposed by the Board and adopted by the General Meeting. In the proposal for such resolution the reasons for the proposal and the choice of the intended price of issue must be explained in writing. If the Board has been designated as the body authorized to issue Shares, the General Meeting may by resolution also designate the Board for a period not exceeding five (5) years as the body authorized to restrict or exclude the pre-emptive right. This authorization may from time to time be extended for a period not exceeding five (5) years. Unless otherwise stipulated at its grant, the authorization cannot be withdrawn. |
| 5. | A resolution of the General Meeting to restrict or exclude the pre-emptive right or to designate the Board as referred to in paragraph 4 of this article requires a majority of at least two-thirds (2/3rd) of the votes cast, if less than half of the issued capital is represented at the General Meeting. |
| 6. | The Company announces the issue of Shares with pre-emption right and the period in which the pre-emption right may be exercised in the Dutch State Gazette (Staatcourant) and in a nationally distributed daily newspaper, unless the announcement is made to all Shareholders in writing to the addresses as provided by them. |
| 7. | The pre-emption right may be exercised during the period to be determined by the body authorized to restrict or exclude the pre-emptive right. Such period to be at least two (2) weeks from the day following the date of announcement in the Dutch State Gazette or dispatch of the announcement to the Shareholders. |
| 8. | The provisions of the preceding paragraphs of this article shall apply mutatis mutandis to the granting of rights to acquire Shares, but shall not apply to the issue of Shares to one who exercises a previously acquired subscription right. |
Article 8. Acquisition by the Company of own Shares.
| 1. | Any acquisition by the Company of partly-paid Shares in its own capital shall be null and void. |
| 2. | Provided that the General Meeting has given the Board authorization for this purpose, the Company may acquire fully paid-up Shares provided that: |
| a. | the Company's equity capital, reduced by the acquisition price, is not less than the sum of the issued and paid-up capital and the reserves to be maintained pursuant to the law or these articles of association; |
| b. | following the transaction contemplated, at least one issued share in the capital of the Company remains outstanding and is not held by the Company; and |
| c. | in case the Company is admitted to trading on a Regulated Market, the nominal value of the Shares to be acquired, already held by the Company or already held by the Company as pledgee or which are held by Subsidiaries, does not exceed fifty percent (50%) of the issued capital of the Company. |
| 3. | The factor deciding whether the acquisition is valid shall be the amount of the equity of the Company as shown in its most recently adopted balance sheet, reduced by (i) the acquisition price of Shares, (ii) the amount of loans as described in Section 2:98c paragraph 2 DCC and (iii) any payments from profit or reserves to others which may have become due by the Company and its Subsidiaries after the balance sheet date. |
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If more than six (6) months of a financial year have passed without the annual accounts having been adopted, the acquisition of own Shares under paragraph 2 of this article shall not be permitted until such time as such most recent annual accounts have been so adopted.
| 4. | The authorization of the General Meeting, referred to in paragraph 2 of this article, which shall be valid for a maximum of eighteen (18) months only, must specify how many Shares are permitted to be acquired, the manner in which they may be acquired and the permitted upper and lower limits of the price. |
| 5. | The preceding paragraphs of this article shall not apply in respect of (i) Shares which the Company may acquire gratuitously or by universal succession and (ii) Shares that are admitted to trading on a Regulated Market Shares which are acquired for the purpose of distribution of such Shares to employees of the Company and/or its Subsidiaries pursuant to an employee option plan. |
| 6. | Any acquisition of Shares made in breach of the provisions of paragraph 2 of this article shall be null and void. |
| 7. | Shares owned by the Company shall not bear any dividend rights unless rights of usufruct are created in respect of such Shares prior to the acquisition by the Company, in which case the holder of usufruct shall be entitled to any dividends on the underlying Shares. Shares owned by the Company or its Subsidiaries shall not bear any voting rights. |
Article 9. Joint ownership of Shares.
If through any cause whatsoever one or more Shares are jointly held by two or more persons, such persons may jointly exercise the rights arising from those Shares, provided that these persons be represented for that purpose by one from their midst or by a third party authorized by them for that purpose by a written power of attorney. The Board may, whether or not subject to certain conditions, grant an exemption for the provision of the previous sentence.
Article 10. Formalities on the issue and transfer of Shares.
| 1. | Unless these articles of association provide otherwise, the issue and transfer of Shares or the transfer of a limited right thereon shall require a deed drawn up for that purpose, executed before a civil-law notary registered in the Netherlands. |
| 2. | If Shares are admitted to trading on a Regulated Market, the transfer of such Share or of a limited right (beperkt recht) thereto shall require an instrument intended for such purpose and, save when the Company itself is a party to such legal act, the written acknowledgement by the Company of the transfer. The acknowledgement shall be made in the instrument or by a dated statement on the instrument or on a copy or extract thereof mentioning the acknowledgement signed as a true copy thereof by a civil-law notary or the transferor. Service of such instrument of transfer, copy or extract on the Company shall be deemed to constitute such acknowledgement. |
| 3. | Following a transfer referred to in this article, the rights attached to the Shares concerned may not be exercised until the instrument of transfer has been served upon the Company or until the Company has acknowledged the transaction in writing or has been deemed to have acknowledged such transaction. The provision in the preceding sentence shall not apply if the Company itself has been a party to the transaction. |
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| 4. | To the fullest extent permitted by Dutch law, in accordance with the applicable law on International Private laws as referred to in Title 10 of Book 10 DCC (Boek 10 Internationaal privaatrecht), especially article 10:138 DCC, for as long as Shares are listed on a Regulated Market, the Company may, by a resolution of the Board for that purpose, determine that the laws of the State of New York (United States of America), shall apply to the property law aspects of the Shares (including the legal rules on ownership, legal title, transfer). Articles 10.1 up to and including 10.3 shall not apply to such Shares. Such resolution, as well as a resolution to revoke such determination, shall be made public in accordance with applicable law and shall be filed with the offices of the Company and the Dutch trade register for inspection. |
| 5. | The property law aspects of the Shares (including the legal rules on ownership, legal title, transfer) in book-entry form, as included in the part of the register of shareholders kept by the relevant transfer agent, shall be governed the State of New York (United States of America), in accordance with the applicable law on International Private laws as referred to in Title 10 of Book 10 DCC (Boek 10 Internationaal privaatrecht), especially article 10:141 DCC. |
CHAPTER V.
Capital reduction. Limited rights.
Article 11. Capital reduction.
| 1. | The General Meeting may resolve to reduce the issued capital of the Company by a cancellation of Shares or by reduction of the nominal value of the Shares by amendment of the articles of association of the Company, with due observance of the provisions in Section 2:99 and 2:100 DCC. This resolution must designate the Shares to which the resolution relates and provide for the implementation of the resolution. |
| 2. | A resolution to cancel may only relate to Shares held by the Company itself. |
| 3. | If the General Meeting resolves to reduce the nominal value of the Shares by amendment of the articles of association, such reduction must be made pro rata on all Shares, regardless whether this is done without redemption or against partial repayment on the Shares or upon release from the obligation to pay up the Shares. Such pro rata requirement may be waived with the consent of all Shareholders concerned. |
| 4. | A resolution for reduction of capital shall require a majority of at least two-thirds (2/3rd) of the votes cast, if less than half of the issued capital is represented at the General Meeting. |
Article 12. Depositary receipts. Usufruct and pledge on Shares.
| 1. | The Company may not give its cooperation to the issue of depositary receipts. |
| 2. | A right of usufruct or a right of pledge may be vested on the Shares, with due observance of the provisions of the Articles. |
| 3. | If a Share is pledged or a right of usufruct is vested on a Share, the Shareholder remains entitled to exercise the voting rights. A usufructuary and pledgee shall not have the same rights as those conferred by law upon the holders of depositary receipts for shares issued with the cooperation of a company. |
| 4. | In deviation of paragraph 3 of this article 12, if a Share A is pledged or a right of usufruct is vested on a Share A, the holder of this Share A is entitled to transfer the voting rights on the Share A to the usufructuary and pledgee. |
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CHAPTER VI.
Board.
Article 13. One-tier Board.
| 1. | The management of the Company shall be conducted by the Board. |
| 2. | The Board of Directors shall initially, as of the Closing Date, subject to the provisions of the following sentence, consist of a minimum of five (5) persons and a maximum of nine (9) persons, of whom one (1) shall be an Executive Director and the others shall be Non-Executive Directors. The total number of Directors, the total number of Executive Directors and the total number of Non-Executive Directors, may be increased or decreased pursuant to a resolution of the Board approved by a majority vote of all of the Directors, and a majority vote of all of the Non-Executive Directors, then in office. A decrease in the number of Directors, or in the number of Executive Directors or Non-Executive Directors, shall not result in a decrease in the term of office of any Director in office at the time of such decrease in the number of Directors. |
| 3. | Only natural persons can be Directors. |
| 4. | The Board shall appoint a Non-Executive Director to be Chairman of the Board for such period as the Board may decide. The Board will appoint an Executive Director as Chief Executive Officer for such period as the Board may decide. The Board may grant other titles to the Directors. |
Article 14. Appointment and nomination. Suspension and dismissal. Remuneration.
| 1. | Executive and Non-Executive Directors shall be appointed as such by the General Meeting at the binding nomination of the Non-Executive Directors, and for such term as proposed by the Non-Executive Directors, provided that a Director shall retire at the close of the first annual General Meeting held following the expiry of the term of his appointment, without prejudice to article 14 paragraph 3. A Director may be reappointed one or more times, with due observance of this paragraph and paragraph 3. |
| 2. | Without prejudice to paragraph 3 of this article, if a Director is to be appointed, the Non-Executive Directors shall make a binding nomination of at least the number of persons prescribed by law by a majority decision. |
| 3. | As of the Closing Date, Barry Engle shall be a Non-Executive Director. Barry Engle shall, in deviation of paragraph 1 of this article 14, serve a three (3) year term. On the termination of Barry Engle’s first three (3) year term, the Qell Group shall be entitled (but not obliged), to nominate Barry Engle to be appointed as Non-Executive Director for an additional three (3) year term. |
| 4. | The General Meeting may at all times overrule the binding nomination by at least a two thirds (2/3rd) majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital. If the General Meeting overruled the binding nomination, the Non-Executive Directors shall make a new nomination and a new General Meeting is called at which the resolution for appointment of a Director shall require at least a two thirds (2/3rd) majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half of the issued share capital, notwithstanding article 14 paragraph 3. The nomination shall be included in the notice of the General Meeting at which the appointment shall be considered. |
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| 5. | If a nomination has not been made or has not been made in due time, this shall be stated in the notice and the General Meeting shall be free to appoint a Director at its discretion. A resolution to appoint a Director that was not nominated by the Board, may only be appointed by a two thirds (2/3rd) majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half the issued share capital. With regard to subjects referred to in this paragraph and the previous paragraph, a second General Meeting may not be convened pursuant to Section 2:120 paragraph 3 DCC. |
| 6. | A Director may at any time be suspended or dismissed by the General Meeting. A resolution of the General Meeting to suspend or dismiss a Director other than pursuant to a proposal by the Board shall require a two thirds (2/3rd) majority of the votes cast, provided such majority represents more than half the issued share capital. If and to the extent permitted by law, an Executive Director may also be suspended by the Board. |
| 7. | Every suspension may be extended one or more times, but the total term of suspension cannot exceed three (3) months. If the General Meeting does not terminate the suspension or resolve to dismiss the respective Director within this period, the suspension ends. |
| 8. | The Company must establish a policy for the remuneration of the Directors, which shall at least describe the items referred to in Section 2:383c up to and including Section 2:383e DCC, to the extent that these relate to the Directors. The remuneration policy is adopted by the General Meeting at the proposal by the Board. |
| 9. | The remuneration of the Executive Directors shall be determined by the Board with due observance of the remuneration policy adopted by the General Meeting. The remuneration of the Non-Executive Directors shall be determined by the General Meeting with due observance of the remuneration policy adopted by the General Meeting. |
| 10. | A proposal with respect to remuneration schemes in the form of Shares or rights to Shares is submitted by the Board to the general meeting for its approval. This proposal must set out at least the maximum number of Shares or rights to Shares to be granted to the Directors and the criteria for granting or amendment. The lack of approval referred to in this paragraph does not affect the authority of the Board or the Directors to represent the Company. |
| 11. | The appointment of a Director in itself does not constitute an employment contract between the Director and the Company. An employment contract between the Company and a Director is prohibited. |
Article 15. Power. Division of duties. Regulations.
| 1. | Subject to the division of duties included and as referred to in paragraph 2 of this article, the Board shall be entrusted with the management of the Company and shall for such purpose have all the powers within the limits of the law that are not granted to others by these articles of association. |
| 2. | The Executive Directors are charged in particular with the day-to-day management of the company and its affiliated business. The Non-Executive Directors are charged in particular with the supervision of the duties carried out by the Directors. The Board may further divide its duties among the Directors by regulation referred to in paragraph 3, provided that the day-to-day management of the Company shall be exclusively entrusted to the Executive Directors and the supervision of the Board shall be exclusively entrusted to the Non-Executive Directors. |
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| 3. | With due observance of these articles of association and the restrictions provided by the law, the Board shall adopt one or more sets of regulations dealing with such matters as its internal organization, the manner in which decisions are taken, the composition, the duties and organization of committees established by the Board (if any) and any other matters concerning the Board, the Chief Executive Officer, the Executive Directors, the Non-Executive Directors and the committees established by the Board. Regulations dealing with matters concerning General Meetings will be placed on the Company's website. |
| 4. | The Board may establish such committees as it may deem necessary which committees may consist of one or more Directors or of other persons. The Board appoints the members of each committee and determines the tasks of each committee. The Board may at any time change the duties and the composition of each committee. |
| 5. | The Executive Directors shall endeavor to timely provide the Non-Executive Directors with all information required for the exercise of their duties. |
| 6. | In fulfilling their duties, the Directors shall act in accordance with the corporate interests of the Company and its affiliated business. |
| 7. | The Board shall appoint a Secretary from outside the Directors, who shall have such powers as are assigned to him by these articles of association and, subject to these articles of association, by the Board on or after his appointment. The Secretary may be removed from office at any time by the Board. |
Article 16. Meetings of the Board. Decision-making process.
| 1. | Meetings of the Board shall be held as often as a Director deems such necessary. |
| 2. | Meetings of the Board shall be convened in writing to the addresses of the Directors or by means of a legible and reproducible notice sent by electronic means of communication to the (e-mail) address provided for this purpose to the Company. Notice shall be given no later than on the seventh (7th) day prior to the date of the meeting of the Board, provided that this convening period may be waived by all Directors. The notice shall specify the date, time and place of the meeting of the Board and the subjects to be addressed. |
| 3. | Each Director has the right to cast one (1) vote in meetings of the Board. |
In as far as Dutch law or these articles of association do not stipulate any greater majority, all resolutions of the Board shall be adopted by a majority of the votes cast. If there is a tie of votes the proposal is rejected.
| 4. | In case a Director has a direct or indirect personal interest which conflicts with the interests of the Company and its business, such Director will not participate in the deliberation and decision-making of the Board. In the event that a Director is uncertain whether or not he has a conflict of interest, he may request the Chairman to determine if he has a conflict of interest. If as a result hereof no resolution can be adopted by the Board, the resolution shall be adopted by the Non-Executive Directors, and the Non-Executive Directors shall record in writing the reasons in the minutes. |
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| 5. | Meetings of the Board can be held by telephone conference, videoconference or any other electronic means of communication, provided that all Directors can communicate with each other. |
| 6. | A Director can attend a meeting of the Board by telephone conference, videoconference or any other electronic means of communication, provided this Director can communicate with the other attending Directors at all times and vice versa. A Director may only be represented by a co-Director authorized in writing. |
| 7. | Minutes shall be kept of the proceedings of each meeting of the Board. |
| 8. | Resolutions of the Board may also be adopted in writing without recourse to a meeting of the Board, provided that all Directors gave their written consent to this way of decision-making. |
| 9. | One or more Directors who have been allocated certain duties pursuant to these articles of association or the board rules and regulations, can adopt resolutions regarding matters that belong to his or their duties, respectively. If one or more Directors have been allocated certain duties in the aforementioned manner, article 16.8 – and, in the event of multiple Directors, article 16.5 up to and including 16.8 – shall apply to the adoption of resolutions, whereby this Director or these Directors shall be deemed to constitute the Board. If all Directors that have been allocated certain duties within the meaning of the first sentence of this paragraph have a conflict of interest, the resolution shall, to the extent possible and permitted by law, be adopted by the other Directors. |
| 10. | Any resolution of the Executive Directors or the Board regarding Shares B, including but not limited to transfer or conversion of Shares B and the admittance of the Shares B or Shares C for trading on a Regulated Market, shall be adopted by the unanimous votes of the Executive Directors, with the exception of the Founder, and all Non-Executive Directors in a meeting of the Board in which all Directors, with the exception of the Founder, are present or represented. |
| 11. | Any resolution regarding (i) any non-compete arrangement between the Company and any Executive Director, (ii) any resolution with regard to the fulfilment of the undertakings, consent, amendment, waiver, termination, satisfaction, enforcement or any other action under the Tax Covenant and (iii) the sale (or any other disposal) and subsequent transfer of shares in the capital of Lilium GmbH, a private company with limited liability incorporated under German law, registered with the Handelsregister B des Amtsgerichts München under number HRB 216921, may in each case only be adopted by the Non-Executive Directors by an absolute majority of the votes cast. |
| 12. | Any resolution of the Board regarding the issuance of Shares, or the granting of rights to subscribe for Shares (i) to employees, other than in accordance with an employee plan, or (ii) to the Founder, may in each case only be adopted by the unanimous votes of the Non-Executive Directors. |
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Article 17. Approval of decisions of the Board.
| 1. | Without prejudice to any other applicable provisions of these articles of association, the Board shall require the approval of the General Meeting for resolutions of the Board regarding a significant change in the identity or nature of the Company or the enterprise, including in any event: |
| a. | the transfer of the enterprise or practically the entire enterprise to a third party; |
| b. | the conclusion or cancellation of any long-lasting cooperation by the Company or a Subsidiary with any other legal person or company or as a fully liable general partner of a limited partnership or a general partnership, provided that such cooperation or the cancellation thereof is of essential importance to the Company; and |
| c. | the acquisition or disposal of a participating interest in the capital of a company with a value of at least one-third of the sum of the assets according to the consolidated balance sheet with explanatory notes thereto according to the last adopted annual accounts of the Company, by the Company or a subsidiary. |
| 2. | The Board is entitled to require resolutions of the Executive Directors to be subject to its approval. These resolutions shall be clearly specified and notified to the Executive Directors in writing. |
| 3. | The lack of approval referred to in paragraph 1 and 2 of this article does not affect the authority of the Board or the Directors to represent the Company. |
Article 18. Representation. Proxy holders.
| 1. | The Board shall be authorized to represent the Company. The Company shall also be represented by the Executive Director or by any two Directors acting jointly. |
| 2. | The Board may appoint persons with general or limited power to represent the Company. Each of those persons shall be competent to represent the Company with due regard to any restrictions imposed on him. |
| 3. | The Board can determine to grant a specific title to the persons as referred to in paragraph 2 of this article. |
Article 19. Absence or prevention.
In the event of the absence or inability to act of one or more Directors, the powers of the Board remain intact, provided that:
| (i) | in the event of the absence or inability to act of all Executive Directors, the Non-Executive Directors shall be authorized to temporarily entrust the management to others; |
| (ii) | in the event of the absence or inability to act of all Directors, the Secretary shall temporarily be responsible for the management of the Company until the vacancies have been filled. In the event of the absence or inability to act of all Directors, the Secretary will as soon as possible take the necessary measures required for a permanent solution. |
CHAPTER VII.
Annual accounts. Profits.
Article 20. Financial year. Drawing up of the annual accounts. Accountant.
| 1. | The financial year of the Company shall run concurrently with the calendar year. |
| 2. | Annually, as prescribed by law and in any event not later than five (5) months after the end of the financial year of the Company, the Board shall draw up the annual accounts and make these available for inspection by the Shareholders at the offices of the Company. This term may be extended by the General Meeting for a period not exceeding five (5) months, by reason of special circumstances. As far as required by law, the Board shall also prepare a management report within the abovementioned period and make the management board report available for inspection by the Shareholders. |
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| 3. | The annual accounts shall be signed by all Directors. If the signature of one or more of them is lacking, this shall be expressly stated and explained. |
| 4. | The General Meeting shall instruct an Accountant to audit the annual accounts prepared by the Board, in accordance with Section 2:393 paragraph 3 DCC. If the General Meeting fails to give these instructions, the Board shall be authorized to do so at the Company's expense. The Accountant shall report on his audit to the Board and shall present the result of his audit in a report with due observance of Section 2:393 paragraph 2. |
Article 21. Adoption of the annual accounts. Discharge. Publication.
| 1. | The General Meeting shall adopt the annual accounts. Adoption of the annual accounts shall not automatically discharge a Director. The General Meeting may discharge a Director by a separate resolution. |
| 2. | The Company shall make the annual accounts publicly available within eight (8) days following the adoption thereof, unless a statutory exemption is applicable. |
Article 22. Profits and loss.
| 1. | The profits of the Company appearing from the annual accounts adopted by the General Meeting shall be at the disposal of the General Meeting. The Board shall make a proposal to the General Meeting which amount of the profit shall be allocated to the Company's profit reserves and which amount of the profit shall be available for distribution. |
| 2. | The Company may distribute profits only if and to the extent that its shareholders' equity is greater than the paid and called-up part of the issued capital plus the reserves which must be maintained by virtue of the law or the articles of association. |
| 3. | Dividends may be paid only after adoption of the annual accounts which show that they are justified. |
| 4. | For the purposes of determining the allocation of profits, any Shares held by the Company and any Shares of which the Company has a usufruct shall not be taken into account. |
| 5. | The holders of Shares A and Shares B shall be entitled pari passu to the profits of the Company, pro rata to the total number of Shares A and Shares B held as a percentage of the total number of Shares A and Shares B issued and outstanding, provided that out of the profit of any financial year, the holders of Shares C shall be entitled to a maximum amount per financial year equal to one-tenth of a percent (0.1%) of the nominal value of such Shares C. |
| 6. | The Board may resolve to declare interim dividends. Dividend payments as referred to in this paragraph may be made only if the provisions in paragraph 2 of this article have been met and in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law. |
| 7. | Unless the General Meeting resolves, at the proposal of the Board, upon a different term for that purpose, dividends shall be made payable within thirty (30) days after they are declared. |
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| 8. | The General Meeting declaring a dividend may, upon proposal of the Board, decide that dividend will be distributed, wholly or partly, other than in cash. |
| 9. | The General Meeting is authorized to reserve the profits to which the Shareholders are entitled, wholly or partly, for their benefit. |
| 10. | A deficit may only be offset against the reserves prescribed by law to the extent that this is allowed by law. |
| 11. | Any claim of a Shareholder for payment of a distribution shall be barred after five (5) years have elapsed, to be computed from the date on which such distribution becomes payable. |
CHAPTER VIII.
General Meetings.
Article 23. General Meetings.
| 1. | During each financial year at least one (1) General Meeting shall be held, in which shall, in any event, be considered: |
| a. | the management report, as far as required by law; |
| b. | the adoption of the annual accounts; |
| c. | the granting of discharge from liability to the Directors for actions in respect of their management during the preceding financial year; and |
| d. | any other matters put forward by Board and announced pursuant to this article. |
| 2. | Other General Meetings shall be held as often as the Board deems such necessary. |
| 3. | The General Meeting shall be announced and convened with due observance of the relevant statutory minimum convening period. |
| 4. | Notice of the General Meeting shall be given by the Board, subject to a time limit and in accordance with the applicable statutory provisions and stock exchange regulations; notice to holders of Shares and to usufructuaries and pledgees of Shares who are entitled to vote shall also be given by means of letters sent by registered post or by regular post. |
| 5. | The Board may decide that the convocation letters as referred to in paragraph 4 in respect of a person entitled to attend a General Meeting pursuant to Shares who agrees thereto, is replaced by a legible and reproducible message sent by electronic mail to the address indicated by him to the Company for such purpose. |
| 6. | The notice shall state the subjects on the agenda, the place and time of the General Meeting, the procedure for participation in the General Meeting and the exercise of voting rights in person or by proxy, matters and particulars prescribed by law, as well as any matters and particulars that the Board deems fit. |
| 7. | An item proposed by one or more shareholders having the right thereto according to applicable law, will be included in the convocation or announced in the same manner, provided the company receives such substantiated request or a proposal for a resolution in writing no later than the sixtieth day prior to the day of the meeting. |
| 8. | The Board may resolve that Shareholders entitled to attend the General Meeting are those who at the record date laid down by law have these rights derived from their Shares and have been registered as such in a register designated by the Board for that purpose, regardless of who would have been entitled to attend the General Meeting based on the rights derived from Shares if no record date as contemplated in this paragraph should have been determined. The record date shall be the twenty-eighth day prior to the day of the meeting, unless Dutch law prescribes another record date or offers the opportunity for another record date. In the latter case the Board shall determine the record date. The convocation notice for the meeting shall state the record date and the manner in which the persons who derive their right to attend the General Meeting from their Shares may register and exercise their rights. |
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| 9. | General Meetings shall be held in the municipality in which the Company has its registered seat or alternatively in Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague or Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol Airport), the Netherlands. |
| 10. | The General Meeting shall be presided by the Chairman or, if he is absent, by one of the other Non-Executive Directors designated for that purpose by the Board. If no Non-Executive Directors are present at the meeting, the General Meeting shall be presided by one of the Executive Directors designated for that purpose by the Board. The Chairman shall decide on all disputes with regard to voting, admitting people and, in general the procedure at the meeting, insofar as this is not provided for by law or the articles of association. |
| 11. | Directors as such have an advisory vote in General Meetings. |
Article 24. The entire issued capital is represented. Records.
| 1. | Valid resolutions in respect of matters which were not mentioned on the agenda in the notice of General Meeting, or which have not been properly published, or in respect of which there has been no due observance of the period set for notice, can only be taken by unanimous votes in a General Meeting where the entire issued capital is represented. |
| 2. | The Board shall keep a record of the resolutions taken. If the Board is not represented in a meeting, by or on behalf of the chairman of the meeting a copy of the resolutions taken will be provided to the Board as soon as possible after the meeting. The records shall be deposited at the offices of the Company for inspection by the Shareholders. Upon request each of them shall be provided with a copy or an extract of such record at not more than the actual costs. |
Article 25. Right to attend a General Meeting. Votes.
| 1. | In each case without prejudice to the Voting Cap being applicable to any Shareholder, each Share A confers the right to cast twelve (12) votes in a General Meeting, each Share B confers the right to cast thirty-six (36) votes in a General Meeting and each Share C confers the right to cast twenty-four (24) votes in a General Meeting. |
| 2. | Again, without prejudice to the Voting Cap being applicable to any Shareholder, each Shareholder shall be authorized to attend and address the General Meeting and, in the event the shareholder is entitled to the voting rights, to exercise the voting rights, either in person or by written proxy. The requirement of a written proxy is met if the proxy is recorded electronically. |
| 3. | Each Shareholder is obliged to provide the Board with all information relevant to assess the applicability of the Voting Cap to the number of votes in the General Meeting available to such Shareholder. |
| 4. | Before any General Meeting, the Board, acting reasonably and in accordance with Section 56 paragraphs 4 and 5 AWV (or a successor regulation), shall assess and confirm, based on the information available to it, whether the Voting Cap applies to the voting of a Shareholder in that General Meeting and inform the relevant Shareholder(s) and the General Meeting of the applicability of a Voting Cap to the voting in that General Meeting. |
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| 5. | The Board is authorized to determine that the rights in respect of a General Meeting as referred to in paragraph 2 can be exercised by using an electronic means of communication. If so decided, it will be required that the Shareholder or his proxy can be identified through the electronic means of communication, follow the discussions in the meeting and exercise voting rights. The Board may also determine that the electronic means of communication used must allow the Shareholder or his proxy to participate in the discussions. |
| 6. | The Board may set further requirements to the use of the electronic means of communication referred to in paragraph 5 of this article. Those conditions shall be set out in the notice convening the meeting. The chairman of the General Meeting is fully authorized to take any action as he deems fit in the interest if the meeting being conducted properly. Any non or malfunctioning of the means of electronic communication used is at the risk of the Shareholder or proxy using the same. |
| 7. | The Board may decide that persons entitled to attend and to vote at a General Meeting may, within a period prior to the General Meeting to be set by the Board, which period cannot start prior to the record date as meant in article 23 paragraph 8, cast their votes electronically in a manner to be decided by the Board and/or, if permitted by law, by post. Votes cast in accordance with the previous sentence are equal to votes cast at the General Meeting. |
| 8. | Blank and invalid votes will not be counted as cast votes. |
| 9. | In as far as Dutch law or these articles of association do not stipulate any greater majority, all resolutions by the General Meeting shall be passed by an absolute majority of the votes cast. |
| 10. | In case of a tie of votes in an election of persons, one new voting will take place in the same meeting; in case the votes are tied again, the matter shall be decided by the drawing of lots. |
If in an election among more than two (2) persons no one has obtained an absolute majority of the votes cast, a revote shall be taken between the two (2) candidates who have received the largest number of votes in their favor, where necessary after an interim vote and/or a drawing of lots.
In case of a tie of votes concerning another proposal than mentioned in this paragraph, the proposal is rejected.
Article 26. Resolutions outside of meetings. Records.
| 1. | Resolutions of the General Meeting may also be adopted in writing or by electronic means of communication without recourse to a General Meeting. These resolutions must be taken with unanimous votes of all Shareholders entitled to vote. |
| 2. | The Board shall keep a record of the resolutions thus made. Each of the Shareholders must procure that the Board is informed in writing of the resolutions made in accordance with paragraph 1 of this article as soon as possible. The records shall be deposited at the offices of the Company for inspection by the Shareholders. Upon request each of them shall be provided with a copy or an extract of such record at not more than the actual costs. |
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Article 27. Class Meetings.
| 1. | Class Meetings shall be convened by the Board. |
| 2. | The convocation shall take place not later than on the fifth (5th) day prior to the day on which the meeting shall take place. |
| 3. | A Share of a certain class confers the right to cast one (1) vote in the respective Class Meeting. |
| 4. | A Class Meeting shall be held in the municipality in which the Company has its registered seat or alternatively in Rotterdam, Utrecht, The Hague or Haarlemmermeer (Schiphol Airport), the Netherlands, provided, however, that if all of the holders of such class of Shares so agree, (i) a meeting of such class may instead be convened elsewhere, or (ii) such holders may pass resolutions in writing in accordance with article 26. |
| 5. | Other than as varied by paragraphs 2 and 3 above, articles 23 through 26 shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to any meeting referred to in this article, save that the Directors have the right to render advice on any resolution proposed in any Class Meeting. |
CHAPTER IX.
Amendment of the articles of association. Merger. Demerger. Conversion.
Article 28. Resolutions and proposals.
| 1. | Without prejudice to the provisions of article 2:334ff paragraph 1 DCC, on proposal of the Board, the General Meeting may resolve to amend the Company's articles of association, to conclude a legal merger or a demerger, or to dissolve the Company. A resolution of the General Meeting on a legal merger or a demerger requires a majority of at least two-thirds (2/3rd) of the votes cast, if less than half of the issued capital is represented at the General Meeting. |
| 2. | When a proposal is to be made to the General Meeting to amend the articles of association, to enter into a legal merger, legal demerger or to convert or to dissolve the Company, this must be mentioned in the convocation of the General Meeting. As regards an amendment of the articles of association, legal merger or legal demerger, a copy of the proposal including the text of the proposed amendment, legal merger or legal demerger must at the same time be deposited and held available at the offices of the Company for inspection by the Shareholders until the end of the meeting. |
| 3. | A resolution to amend these articles of association which negatively impacts the rights of holders of Shares B, requires the prior approval of the Class Meeting Shares B. |
| 4. | Unless the law provided for a larger majority or larger quorum, a resolution of the General Meeting to amend these articles of association as result of which one or more of the following articles is amended or abolished, requires the prior approval of the Class Meeting Shares A, which approval can only be granted by a majority of the votes cast in a meeting in which at least fifty percent (50%) of the issued and outstanding Shares A is present of represented: |
| a. | article 1 subsections j, n, s, aa, bb, dd, mm or nn; |
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| b. | article 4 paragraph 2 or paragraph 3, to the extent it concerns a change of the nominal value of the Shares; |
| c. | article 4A; |
| d. | article 7 paragraph 1 or paragraph 2; |
| e. | article 16 paragraph 10, paragraph 11 or paragraph 12; |
| f. | article 22 paragraph 5; |
| g. | this article 28 paragraph 4. |
A second general meeting as referred to in Section 2:120 paragraph 3 DCC cannot be convened.
| 5. | A resolution of the General Meeting to amend these articles of association as result of which article 14 paragraph 3 or this article 28 paragraph 5 is amended or abolished, requires within the first three years after the Closing Date a majority of at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the votes cast in a meeting in which at least eighty-five percent (85%) of the issued and outstanding share capital is present of represented. A second general meeting as referred to in Section 2:120 paragraph 3 DCC cannot be convened. |
Article 29. Dissolution and liquidation.
| 1. | The General Meeting may only resolve to dissolve the Company at the proposal of the Board. The Board will be in charge of the liquidation of the business of the Company, unless the General Meeting appoints one or more other persons or the law provides otherwise. |
| 2. | During liquidation, the provisions of these articles of association shall remain in force as far as possible. |
| 3. | The balance remaining after payment of all debts of the dissolved Company, shall be transferred to the Shareholders pro rata to the total number of Shares held as a percentage of the total number of Shares issued and outstanding, albeit that the holders of Shares C shall be entitled to a maximum amount of one eurocent (EUR 0.01) per Share C. |
| 4. | After the Company has ceased to exist, the books, records and other databases of the dissolved Company shall retain at the person appointed thereto in writing by the liquidators for seven (7) years. |
| 5. | Furthermore, the provisions of Title 1, Book 2 DCC apply to the liquidation. |
Indemnity and Insurance.
Article 30.
| 1. | To the fullest extent permissible by law, the Company shall indemnify and hold harmless: |
| a. | each Director, both former Directors and Directors currently in office; |
| b. | each person who is or was serving as an officer of the Company; |
| c. | each person who is or was serving as a proxy holder of the Company; |
| d. | each person who is or was a member of the board or supervisory board or officer of other companies or corporations, partnerships, joint ventures, trusts or other enterprises by virtue of their functional responsibilities with the Company and or its Subsidiaries, |
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(each of them, for the purpose of this article only, an "indemnified person"), against any and all liabilities, claims, judgments, fines and penalties ("claims") incurred by the indemnified person as a result of any threatened, pending or completed action, investigation or other proceeding, whether civil, criminal or administrative (each, a "legal action"), brought by any party other than the Company itself or any Subsidiaries, in relation to acts or omissions in or related to his capacity as an indemnified person.
| 2. | Claims will include derivative actions brought on behalf of the Company or any Subsidiaries against the indemnified person and claims by the Company (or any Subsidiaries) itself for reimbursement for claims by third parties on the ground that the indemnified person was jointly liable toward that third party in addition to the Company. |
| 3. | The indemnified person will not be indemnified with respect to claims insofar as they relate to the gaining in fact of personal profits, advantages or compensation to which he was not legally entitled, or if the indemnified person shall have been adjudged to be liable for willful misconduct (opzet) or intentional recklessness (bewuste roekeloosheid). |
| 4. | Any expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs) (collectively, "expenses") incurred by the indemnified person in connection with any legal action shall be settled or reimbursed by the Company, but only upon receipt of a written undertaking by that indemnified person that he shall repay such expenses if a competent court in an irrevocable judgment has determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified. Expenses shall be deemed to include any tax liability which the indemnified person may be subject to as a result of his indemnification. |
| 5. | Also in case of a legal action against the indemnified person by the Company itself or any Subsidiary(s), the Company will settle or reimburse to the indemnified person his reasonable attorneys’ fees and litigation costs, but only upon receipt of a written undertaking by that indemnified person that he shall repay such fees and costs if a competent court in an irrevocable judgment has resolved the legal action in favor of the Company or the relevant Subsidiary(s) rather than the indemnified person. |
| 6. | Expenses incurred by the indemnified person in connection with any legal action will also be settled or reimbursed by the Company in advance of the final disposition of such action, but only upon receipt of a written undertaking by that indemnified person that he shall repay such expenses if a competent court in an irrevocable judgment has determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified. |
Such expenses incurred by indemnified persons may be so advanced upon such terms and conditions as the Board decides.
| 7. | The indemnified person shall not admit any personal financial liability vis-à-vis third parties, nor enter into any settlement agreement, without the Company’s prior written authorization. |
The Company and the indemnified person shall use all reasonable endeavors to cooperate with a view to agreeing on the defense of any claims, but in the event that the Company and the indemnified person would fail to reach such agreement, the indemnified person shall comply with all reasonable directions given by the Company, in order to be entitled to the indemnity contemplated by this article.
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| 8. | The indemnification provided for by this article shall not be deemed exclusive of any other right to which a person seeking indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under the laws of the Netherlands as from time to time amended or under any by-laws, agreement, resolution of the General Meeting or of the Directors or officers who are not an interested party in this matter or otherwise, both as to actions in his official capacity and as to actions in another capacity while holding such position, and shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a Director or an officer, but was a member of the board of directors or an officer at any time after the execution of this deed of amendment and shall also inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of the estate of such person. |
| 9. | The Company may purchase and maintain insurance on behalf of any indemnified person, whether or not the company would have the power to indemnify him against such liability under the provisions of this article. The indemnity contemplated by this article shall not apply to the extent claims and expenses are reimbursed by insurers. |
| 10. | The Company will provide for and bear the cost of adequate insurance covering claims against the indemnified person, unless such insurance cannot be obtained at reasonable terms. |
| 11. | This article can be amended without the consent of the indemnified persons as such. However, the indemnity provided herein shall nevertheless continue to apply to claims and/or expenses incurred in relation to the acts or omissions by the indemnified person during the periods in which this clause was in effect. |
| 12. | At its discretion, the Board may have the Company indemnify other members of the management team, not being Directors, or other employees, each in case of the Company or of a Subsidiary, comparable to the indemnification provided herein for the benefit of other indemnified persons. |
Transitory Provisions.
Article 31.
The first financial year of the Company shall run up to and including the thirty-first day of December two thousand and twenty-one. This article and its heading shall cease to exist after the end of the first financial year.
Article 32.
| 1. | The provisions of article 4 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 of these articles of association shall only come into effect if and when the share issue deed whereby 193,341,761 Shares A, numbered A57,235,121 up to and including A250,576,881 and 24,413,065 Shares B, numbered B1 up to and including B24,413,065 shall be issued to the parties holding shares in Lilium GmbH on the day that is immediately prior to the Closing Date, becomes effective (the "Authorised Share Capital CP 2"), which shall be evidenced by the filing of a Board resolution with the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce that states that the Authorised Share Capital CP 2 has been fulfilled. |
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| 2. | Prior to the Authorised Share Capital CP 2, but after the deed of issue whereby 21,080,961 Shares A, numbered A375,001 up to and including A12,235,120 and A250,851,154 up to and including 260,071,994 shall be issued to Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, a transfer agent regulated by the U.S. Security and Exchange Commission and organized under the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, with its place of business at One State Street, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004, United States of America, acting as a transfer agent for and on behalf of Cede & Co, a general partnership organized under the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, with its place of business at 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041, United States of America, as nominee for The Depository Trust Company, a central securities clearing depository existing under the laws of the State of New York, United States of America, having its address at 55 Water Street, New York, NY 10041, United States of America, solely for the benefit of the parties holding shares in Qell Acquisition Corp. on the day that is immediately prior to the last business day before the Closing Date, becomes effective (the "Authorised Share Capital CP 1"), which shall be evidenced by the filing of a Board resolution with the trade register of the Chamber of Commerce that states that the Authorised Share Capital CP 1 has been fulfilled, article 4 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 shall read as follows: |
| "1. | The authorized share capital of the Company amounts to nine million euro (EUR 9,000,000). |
| "2. | The authorized share capital is divided into: |
| (i) | seventy million (70,000,000) Shares A with a nominal value of twelve eurocent (EUR 0.12) each; |
| (ii) | one million (1,000,000) Shares B with a nominal value of thirty-six eurocent (EUR 0.36) each; and |
| (iii) | one million (1,000,000) Shares C with a nominal value of twenty-four eurocent (EUR 0.24) each." |
| 3. | Upon these articles of association taking effect and prior to the Authorised Share Capital CP 1, article 4 paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 shall read as follows: |
| "1. | The authorized share capital of the Company amounts to one hundred seventy-four thousand euro (EUR 174,000). |
| "2. | The authorized share capital is divided into: |
| (i) | four hundred thousand (400,000) Shares A with a nominal value of twelve eurocent (EUR 0.12) each; |
| (ii) | two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares B with a nominal value of thirty-six eurocent (EUR 0.36) each; and |
| (iii) | two hundred thousand (200,000) Shares C with a nominal value of twenty-four eurocent (EUR 0.24) each." |
| 4. | This article shall cease to exist upon the Authorised Share Capital CP 2. |
Article 33.
| 1. | The provisions of article 14 paragraph 1, paragraph 2, paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 of these articles of association shall only come into effect the next day after the Closing Date (Central European Time). Until such point in time, article 14 paragraph 1 shall read as follows while paragraph 2, paragraph 4 and paragraph 5 shall be non-existent: |
| “1. | Executive and Non-Executive Directors shall be appointed as such by the General Meeting and for such term as set at the time of the appointment by the General Meeting, provided that a Director shall retire at the close of the first annual General Meeting held following the expiry of the term of his appointment, without prejudice to article 14 paragraph 3. A Director may be reappointed one or more times, with due observance of this paragraph and paragraph 3." |
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| 2. | This article shall cease to exist the next day after the Closing Date (Central European Time). |
Final Statement.
Finally, the person appearing has declared that:
| a. | immediately prior to the moment that the subject amendment to the articles of association becomes effective, the entire issued and outstanding share capital of the Company amounted to forty-five thousand euro (EUR 45,000), comprised of four hundred and fifty thousand (450,000) ordinary shares with a nominal value of ten eurocent (EUR 0.10) each, numbered 1 up to and including 450,000 (the "Ordinary Shares"). |
| b. | as of the moment that the subject amendment to the articles of association becomes effective, the Ordinary Shares will be converted in three hundred seventy-five thousand (375,000) Shares A, numbered A1 up to and including A375,000; and |
| c. | therefore, as of the moment that the subject amendment to the articles of association becomes effective, the issued and paid up share capital of the Company amounts to forty-five thousand euro (EUR 45,000), divided into three hundred seventy-five thousand (375,000) Shares A, numbered A1 up to and including A375,000. |
Conclusion deed.
The appearer is known to me, civil-law notary.
This deed is executed in Amsterdam (the Netherlands) on the date mentioned in the heading of this deed. After the substance of this deed and an explanation thereon have been stated to the appearer, the appearer has declared to have taken notice of the contents of this deed and to consent thereto. Immediately after those parts of the deed that the law requires to be read out have been read out, this deed is signed by the appearer and by me, civil-law notary.
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Exhibit 4.5
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of September 13, 2021, is made and entered into by and among Lilium N.V., a Netherlands public limited liability company (the “Company”), Qell Partners LLC, a Cayman Islands exempted limited liability company (the “Sponsor”) and certain former stockholders of Lilium GmbH (a German limited liability company) (“Target”) set forth on Schedule 1 hereto (such stockholders, the “Target Holders” and, collectively with the Sponsor and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 6.2 or Section 6.11 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).
RECITALS
WHEREAS, the Company and the Sponsor are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of September 29, 2020 (the “Original RRA”);
WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2021 (as it may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Business Combination Agreement”), by and among the Company, Qell Acquisition Corp, Queen Cayman Merger LLC, a Cayman exempted company and a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company (“Merger Sub”), and Target, pursuant to which Merger Sub merged with and into Qell (the “Merger”), with Merger Sub continuing as the surviving corporation and becoming a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, and the Company acquired Target, with Target becoming a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the Company;
WHEREAS, on the date hereof, pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, the Target Holders received shares of the Company’s Ordinary Shares, par value $10 per share;
WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 6.6 of the Original RRA, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders (as defined in the Original RRA) of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) at the time in question, and the Sponsor is the Holder in the aggregate of at least a majority in interest of the Registrable Securities as of the date hereof; and
WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and the Target Holders desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Target Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:
ARTICLE I
DEFINITIONS
1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:
“Additional Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.11.
“Additional Holder Ordinary Shares” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.11.
“Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (a) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (b) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be, (c) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public, and (d) such disclosure (i) would be reasonably likely to have an adverse impact on the Company, (ii) could reasonably be expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s ability to effect a material proposed acquisition, disposition, financing, reorganization, recapitalization or similar transaction or (iii) relates to information the accuracy of which has yet to be determined by the Company or which is the subject of an ongoing investigation or inquiry; provided that the Company takes all reasonable action as necessary to promptly make such determination and conclude such investigation or inquiry.
“Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
“Block Trade” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.
“Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
“Business Combination Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.
“Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.
“Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.
“Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.
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“Final Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Form F-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.
“Form F-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.
“Holdco Equity Plans” shall have the meaning given in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2.
“Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.
“Joinder” shall have the meaning given in Section 6.11.
“Legacy Options” shall have the meaning given in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Lock-up” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.1.
“Lock-up Parties” shall mean, as applicable, the Sponsor, the Target Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees.
“Lock-up Period” shall mean:
(A) with respect to the Target Holders, the period beginning on the Final Closing Date and ending on the date that is 180 days after the Final Closing Date; and
(B) with respect to the Sponsor, the period beginning on the Final Closing Date and ending on the earlier of (i) 360 days after the Final Closing Date and (ii) (x) if the closing price of an Ordinary Share equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for share sub-divisions, share capitalizations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any 30-trading day period commencing at least 150 days after the Final Closing Date, or (y) the date on which the Company completes a liquidation, merger, share exchange, reorganization or other similar transaction that results in all the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property.
“Lock-up Shares” shall mean the Ordinary Shares and any other equity securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for the Ordinary Shares (including, without limitation, any Private Placement Warrants, Legacy Options and/or awards issued under the Holdco Equity Plans) held by the Sponsor or Target Holders immediately following the Closing (other than the Sponsor EarnOut Shares, PIPE Shares or Ordinary Shares acquired in the public market).
“Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.
“Merger” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
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“Merger Sub” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.
“Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.
“Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.
“Ordinary Shares” means the Company’s Class A shares and the Company’s Class B shares.
“Other Coordinated Offering” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.
“Permitted Transferees” shall mean (a) with respect to the Target Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 5.2 and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter, and (b) with respect to all other Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, any person or entity to whom a Holder of Registrable Securities is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities, including prior to the expiration of any lock-up period applicable to such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter.
“Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.2.1.
“PIPE Shares” shall mean the Ordinary Shares acquired by any Target Holder in connection with such Target Holder’s participation in the PIPE Financing as defined in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Private Placement Warrants” shall mean the warrants held by certain Holders, purchased by such Holders in the private placement that occurred concurrently with the closing of the Company’s initial public offering, including any Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon conversion or exchange of such warrants.
“Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.
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“Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding Ordinary Shares and any other equity security (including the Private Placement Warrants and any other warrants to purchase Ordinary Shares and Ordinary Shares issued or issuable upon the exercise or conversion of any other such equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (including any securities distributable pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement), (b) any Additional Holder Ordinary Shares, and (c) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a) or (b) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (B) (i) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred (other than to a Permitted Transferee), (ii) new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and (iii) subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 or any successor rule promulgated under the Securities Act (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations including as to manner or timing of sale or current public information requirements); (E) such securities have been sold without registration pursuant to Section 4(a)(1) of the Securities Act or Rule 145 promulgated under the Securities Act or any successor rules promulgated under the Securities Act and (F) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.
“Registration” shall mean a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a registration statement, Prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.
“Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:
(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any national securities exchange on which the Ordinary Shares are then listed;
(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);
(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;
(D) reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;
(E) reasonable fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration; and
(F) in an Underwritten Offering, reasonable fees and expenses of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders (not to exceed $50,000 without the consent of the Company).
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“Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement, amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.
“Requesting Holders” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.
“Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.
“Shelf” shall mean the Form F-1 Shelf, the Form F-3 Shelf or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be.
“Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).
“Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.
“Sponsor” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
“Sponsor EarnOut Shares” shall have the meaning given to such term in the Sponsor Letter Agreement, between, among others, the Sponsor, Qell Acquisition Corp., Target and the Company, dated March 30, 2021.
“Sponsor Member” shall mean a member of Sponsor who becomes party to this Agreement as a Permitted Transferee of Sponsor.
“Subscription Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Business Combination Agreement.
“Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2.
“Target” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
“Target Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.
“Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).
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“Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.
“Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.
“Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.
“Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6.
ARTICLE II
REGISTRATIONS AND OFFERINGS
2.1 Shelf Registration.
2.1.1 Filing. Within thirty (30) calendar days following the Final Closing Date, the Company shall submit to or file with the Commission a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form F-1 (the “Form F-1 Shelf”) or a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form F-3 (the “Form F-3 Shelf”), if the Company is then eligible to use a Form F-3 Shelf, in each case, covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such submission or filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Shelf declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (a) the sixtieth (60th) calendar day (or ninetieth (90th) calendar day if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement) following Closing and (b) the tenth (10th) business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review (such earlier date, the “Effectiveness Deadline”); provided, however, that if such Effectiveness Deadlines falls on a Saturday, Sunday or other day that the SEC is closed for business, the Effectiveness Deadlines shall be extended to the business day on which the SEC is open for business. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form F-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to convert the Form F-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) to a Form F-3 Shelf as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use a Form F-3 Shelf. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.
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2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing). If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer at the time of filing (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form F-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form at the time of filing. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.
2.1.3 Additional Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of such Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, any then available Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such additional Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor and the Target Holders.
2.1.4 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. Subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, the Sponsor, or a Target Holder (any of the Sponsor or a Target Holder being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with a total offering price of at least $10 million in the aggregate (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”); provided that, with respect to all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder no Minimum Takedown Threshold shall apply. All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2.4.4, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the Company’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Sponsor and the Target Holders may demand not more than two (2) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.1.4 within any six (6) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company shall not be required to effect an aggregate of more than four (4) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns pursuant to this Section 2.1.4 in any twelve (12) month period. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form F-3, that is then available for such offering.
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2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, in good faith, advises the Company, the Demanding Holders and the Holders requesting piggy back rights pursuant to this Agreement with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (the “Requesting Holders”) (if any) in writing that the dollar amount or number of Registrable Securities that the Demanding Holders and the Requesting Holders (if any) desire to sell, taken together with all other Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell and all other Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, that have been requested to be sold in such Underwritten Offering pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights held by any other stockholders, exceeds the maximum dollar amount or maximum number of equity securities that can be sold in the Underwritten Offering without adversely affecting the proposed offering price, the timing, the distribution method, or the probability of success of such offering (such maximum dollar amount or maximum number of such securities, as applicable, the “Maximum Number of Securities”), then the Company shall include in such Underwritten Offering, before including any Ordinary Shares or other equity securities proposed to be sold by Company or by other holders of Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, the Registrable Securities of (i) first, the Demanding Holders that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that all of the Demanding Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) and (ii) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (i), the Requesting Holders (if any) (pro rata based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Requesting Holder (if any) has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that all of the Requesting Holders have requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown) that can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities.
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2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that the Sponsor or a Target Holder may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Sponsor the Target Holders or any of their respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of Section 2.1.4, unless such Demanding Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown); provided that, if the Sponsor or a Target Holder elects to continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall instead count as an Underwritten Shelf Takedown demanded by the Sponsor or such Target Holder, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2.1.4. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.6, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this Section 2.1.6.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. Subject to Section 2.4.3, if the Company or any Holder proposes to conduct a registered offering of, or if the Company proposes to file a Registration Statement under the Securities Act with respect to the Registration of, equity securities, or securities or other obligations exercisable or exchangeable for, or convertible into equity securities, for its own account or for the account of stockholders of the Company (or by the Company and by the stockholders of the Company including, without limitation, an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1), other than a Registration Statement (or any registered offering with respect thereto) (i) filed in connection with any employee stock option or other benefit plan, (ii) pursuant to a Registration Statement on Form S-4 (or similar form that relates to a transaction subject to Rule 145 under the Securities Act or any successor rule thereto), (iii) for an offering of debt that is convertible into equity securities of the Company, (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan, or (v) a Block Trade or an Other Coordinated Offering (which shall be subject to Section 2.4), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a “Piggyback Registration”). Except with respect to an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4, the rights provided under this Section 2.2.1 shall not be available to any Holder at such time as there is an effective Shelf available for the resale of the Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1. Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall, in good faith, cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holder’s agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering.
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2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the managing Underwriter or Underwriters in an Underwritten Offering that is to be a Piggyback Registration, in good faith, advises the Company and the Holders of Registrable Securities participating in the Piggyback Registration in writing that the dollar amount or number of Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, taken together with (i) Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been demanded pursuant to separate written contractual arrangements with persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, (ii) the Registrable Securities as to which registration has been requested pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof, and (iii) Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, exceeds the Maximum Number of Securities, then:
(a) if the Registration or registered offering is undertaken for the Company’s account, the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities;
(b) if the Registration or registered offering is pursuant to a demand by persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering (A) first, the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, of such requesting persons or entities, other than the Holders of Registrable Securities, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (B) second, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clause (A), the Registrable Securities of Holders exercising their rights to register their Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.2.1, pro rata, based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Offering and the aggregate number of Registrable Securities that the Holders have requested to be included in such Underwritten Offering, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; (C) third, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A) and (B), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities that the Company desires to sell, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and (D) fourth, to the extent that the Maximum Number of Securities has not been reached under the foregoing clauses (A), (B) and (C), the Ordinary Shares or other equity securities, if any, as to which Registration or a registered offering has been requested pursuant to separate written contractual piggy-back registration rights of persons or entities other than the Holders of Registrable Securities hereunder, which can be sold without exceeding the Maximum Number of Securities; and
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(c) if the Registration or registered offering and Underwritten Shelf Takedown is pursuant to a request by Holder(s) of Registrable Securities pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof, then the Company shall include in any such Registration or registered offering securities in the priority set forth in Section 2.1.5.
2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.6) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include a Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.
2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to Section 2.1.6, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4 hereof.
2.3 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering), if requested by the managing Underwriters, each Holder that is an executive officer or director or Holder (i) in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares (and for which it is customary for such Holder to agree to a lock-up) or (ii) who is participating in the Underwritten Offering, agrees that it shall not Transfer any Ordinary Shares or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the sixty (60)-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriters) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriters otherwise agree by written consent. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).
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2.4 Block Trades; Other Coordinated Offerings.
2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder wishes to engage in (a) an underwritten registered offering not involving a “roadshow,” an offer commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”), or (b) an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal (an “Other Coordinated Offering”), in each case, (x) with a total offering price of at least $10 million in the aggregate or (y) with respect to all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters, brokers, sales agents or placement agents prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering.
2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and any brokers, sales agents or placement agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.
2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to this Agreement.
2.4.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to select the Underwriters and any brokers, sales agents or placement agents (if any) for such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).
2.4.5 A Demanding Holder in the aggregate may demand no more than (i) one (1) Block Trade pursuant to this Section 2.4 within any six (6) month period or (ii) two (2) Block Trades or Other Coordinated Offerings pursuant to this Section 2.4 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 hereof.
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ARTICLE III
COMPANY PROCEDURES
3.1 General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof, and pursuant thereto the Company shall:
3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;
3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least one percent (1%) of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold in accordance with the intended plan of distribution set forth in such Registration Statement or supplement to the Prospectus or have ceased to be Registrable Securities;
3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders; provided that the Company shall have no obligation to furnish any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System (“EDGAR”);
3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;
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3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;
3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;
3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (or such shorter period of time as may be (a) necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable or (b) advisable in order to reduce the number of days that sales are suspended pursuant to Section 3.4), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);
3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4;
3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering, or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, in each of the following cases to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade, Other Coordinated Offering or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;
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3.1.11 obtain a “comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration (subject to such broker, placement agent or sales agent providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by the Company’s independent registered public accountants and the Company’s counsel) in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters for a transaction of its type as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;
3.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, to the extent customary for a transaction of its type, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the broker, placement agents or sales agent, if any, and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, broker, placement agent, sales agent or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters;
3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or the broker, placement agent or sales agent of such offering or sale;
3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule then in effect);
3.1.15 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and
3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent if such Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration as an Underwriter, broker, sales agent or placement agent, as applicable.
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3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all reasonable fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.
3.3 Requirements for Participation in Registration Statement in Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that it is necessary or advisable to include such information in the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. In addition, no person or entity may participate in any Underwritten Offering or other offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person or entity (i) agrees to sell such person’s or entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting, sales, distribution or placement arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting or other agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting, sales, distribution or placement arrangements. For the avoidance of doubt, the exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.
3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.
3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that: (a) a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement; (b) any request by the Commission for any amendment or supplement to any Registration Statement or Prospectus or for additional information or of the occurrence of an event requiring the preparation of a supplement or amendment to such Prospectus so that, as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of the securities covered by such Registration Statement or Prospectus, such Registration Statement or Prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; or (c) upon any suspension by the Company, pursuant to a written insider trading compliance program adopted by the Board, of the ability of all “insiders” covered by such program to transact in the Company’s securities because of the existence of material non-public information, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement covering such Registrable Securities until (x) in the case of (a) or (b), it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as reasonably practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed, or (y) in the case of (c), until the restriction on the ability of “insiders” to transact in the Company’s securities is removed, and, if so directed by the Company, each such Holder will deliver to the Company all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holder’s possession, of the most recent Prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of such notice.
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3.4.2 Subject to Section 3.4.4, if the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control, or (c) in the good faith judgment of the majority of the Board such Registration, be detrimental to the Company and the majority of the Board concludes as a result that it is advisable to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (which notice shall not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension), delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under this Section 3.4.2, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents.
3.4.3 Subject to Section 3.4.4, (a) during the period starting with the date sixty (60) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date one hundred and twenty (120) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all commercially reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration, or (b) if, pursuant to Section 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4 or 2.4.
3.4.4 The right to delay or suspend any filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement pursuant to Section 3.4.2 or a registered offering pursuant to Section 3.4.3 shall be exercised by the Company, in the aggregate, for not more than sixty (60) consecutive calendar days and not more than twice for not more than one hundred and twenty (120) total calendar days, during any twelve (12)-month period.
3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to EDGAR shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Ordinary Shares held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect). Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.
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ARTICLE IV
INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION
4.1 Indemnification.
4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, directors and agents and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act), against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing to the Company by such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.
4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement or Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its directors, officers and agents and each person or entity who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable and documented outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.
4.1.3 Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s or entity’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.
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4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.
4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.
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ARTICLE V
LOCK-UP
5.1 Lock-Up. Subject to Section 5.2 and Section 5.3, each Lock-up Party agrees that it shall not Transfer any Lock-up Shares prior to the end of, in respect of such Lock-up Party, the applicable Lock-up Period (the “Lock-up”).
5.2 Permitted Transferees.
5.2.1 Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 5.1, each Lock-up Party may Transfer the Lock-up Shares during the Lock-up Period (a) to (i) the Company’s officers or directors, (ii) any affiliates or family members of the Company’s officers or directors, (iii) any Target Holder Affiliate, (iv) any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such Lock-up Party, or any related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such persons or entities or their respective affiliates, or (v) any other Lock-up Party or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such other Lock-up Party, any affiliates of such other Lock-up Party or any related investment funds or vehicles controlled or managed by such persons or entities or their respective affiliates, (b) in the case of an individual, by gift to a member of the individual’s immediate family or to a trust, the beneficiary of which is a member of the individual’s immediate family or an affiliate of such person or entity, or to a charitable organization, (c) in the case of an individual, by virtue of laws of descent and distribution upon death of the individual, (d) in the case of an individual, pursuant to a qualified domestic relations order, (e) in the case of a trust, by distribution to one or more of the permissible beneficiaries of such trust, (f) to the partners, members or equity holders of such Lock-up Party by virtue of the Lock-up Party’s organizational documents, as amended, upon dissolution of the Lock-up Party, (g) in connection with any bona fide mortgage, encumbrance or pledge to a financial institution in connection with any bona fide loan or debt transaction or enforcement thereunder, (h) to the Company, or (i) in connection with a liquidation, merger, stock exchange, reorganization, tender offer approved by the Board or a duly authorized committee thereof or other similar transaction which results in all of the Company’s stockholders having the right to exchange their Ordinary Shares for cash, securities or other property subsequent to the Final Closing Date. The parties acknowledge and agree that any Permitted Transferee of a Lock-up Party shall be subject to the transfer restrictions set forth in this ARTICLE V with respect to the Lock-Up Shares upon and after acquiring such Lock-Up Shares.
5.3 Except as otherwise agreed to by the Company and the Sponsor, if any Lock-up Party is granted a release or waiver from the Lock-up provided in this Article V (such party a “Triggering Holder”), then each other Lock-up Party shall also be granted an early release from its obligations hereunder or under any contractual lock-up agreement with the Company on the same terms and on a pro-rata basis with respect to such number of Lock-up Shares rounded down to the nearest whole security equal to the product of (i) the total percentage of Lock-up Shares held by the Triggering Holder immediately following the Closing that are being released from the Lock-up agreement multiplied by (ii) the total number of Lock-up Shares held by such other Lock-up Party immediately following the Closing ..
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5.4 For the purposes of this Agreement:
“Control” means, in relation to any Person, (i) direct, indirect or beneficial ownership of the majority of the voting rights and/or capital interests in such Person, (ii) the power, directly or indirectly, to designate, nominate or remove more than half of the members of the board of directors, management board, supervisory board or similar corporate body of such Person, and/or (iii) the power, directly or indirectly, whether by contract or otherwise, to direct or cause the direction of the management, the affairs, the policies and/or investment decisions of such Person and the terms “Controlled” and “Controlling” have meanings correlative thereto.
“Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, joint stock company, unincorporated organization or association, trust, joint venture, investment fund, foundation or other similar entity, whether or not a legal entity.
“Target Holder Affiliate” means any Person who directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, Controls, is Controlled by, or is under common Control with, the Target Holder, or in case of an investment fund, its investment manager and/or advisor or an investment fund that is managed and/or advised by an entity that is under common Control with one of the foregoing.
ARTICLE VI
MISCELLANEOUS
6.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) recorded mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, or electronic mail. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery or electronic mail, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement until completion of closing of the transaction contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: Rhijnspoorplein 10, 1018TX Amsterdam, the Netherlands, Attention: Sam Kiran Gabbita or by email: sam.gabbita@qellpartners.com, and, after completion of closing of the transaction contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: Lilium N.V., Claude-Dornier Str. 1, Bldg. 335, 82234 Wessling, Germany, Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Attention: Michael Andersen, or email: michael.andersen@lilium.com, and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address, electronic mail address as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 6.1.
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6.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.
6.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.
6.2.2 Subject to Section 6.2.4 and Section 6.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees to which it transfers Registrable Securities; provided that with respect to the Sponsor and the Target Holders, the rights hereunder that are personal to such Holders may not be assigned or delegated in whole or in part, except that (i) the Sponsor shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Sponsor to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of the Sponsor (including Sponsor Members), which, for the avoidance of doubt, shall include a transfer of its rights in connection with a distribution of any Registrable Securities held by Sponsor to Sponsor Members (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce or multiply any rights of the Sponsor or such transferees), and (ii) each of the Target Holders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Target Holders to one or more Target Holder Affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such Target Holder (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce or multiply any rights of such Target Holder or such transferees) . Upon a transfer by the Sponsor pursuant to subsection (i) to Sponsor Members, the rights that are personal to the Sponsor shall be exercised by the Sponsor Members only with the consent of the Sponsor’s board of managers in accordance with the Sponsor’s operating agreement.
6.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.
6.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 6.2.
6.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 6.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement, including the joinder in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 6.2 shall be null and void.
6.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced.
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6.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (1) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND (2) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK
6.5 Waiver of Jury Trial. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY OF ANY CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION (I) ARISING UNDER THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE, WHETHER NOW EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING, AND WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY, OR OTHERWISE. THE PARTIES EACH HEREBY AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT ANY SUCH CLAIM, DEMAND, ACTION OR CAUSE OF ACTION SHALL BE DECIDED BY COURT TRIAL WITHOUT A JURY AND THAT THE PARTIES MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OF A COPY OF THIS AGREEMENT WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF THE PARTIES HERETO TO THE WAIVER OF THEIR RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY CERTIFIES AND ACKNOWLEDGES THAT (a) NO REPRESENTATIVE, AGENT OR ATTORNEY OF ANY OTHER PARTY HAS REPRESENTED, EXPRESSLY OR OTHERWISE, THAT SUCH OTHER PARTY WOULD NOT, IN THE EVENT OF LITIGATION, SEEK TO ENFORCE THE FOREGOING WAIVER, (b) EACH SUCH PARTY UNDERSTANDS AND HAS CONSIDERED THE IMPLICATIONS OF THIS WAIVER, (c) EACH SUCH PARTY MAKES THIS WAIVER VOLUNTARILY AND (d) EACH SUCH PARTY HAS BEEN INDUCED TO ENTER INTO THIS AGREEMENT BY, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE MUTUAL WAIVERS AND CERTIFICATIONS IN THIS SECTION 6.5.
6.6 Arbitration. Each of the parties irrevocably and unconditionally agrees that any proceeding based upon, arising out of or related to this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby (each, a “Related Proceeding”) shall be finally settled by binding arbitration in accordance with the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce by three arbitrators. Any Related Proceeding shall be decided by a panel of three (3) arbitrators seated in New York, New York. Each arbitrator must be (a) an attorney with significant experience in negotiating complex commercial transactions, or a judge seated on, or retired from, a U.S. federal court sitting in the Southern District of New York and (b) neutral and independent of each Party. The parties agree, pursuant to Article 30(2)(b) of the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, that the Expedited Procedure Rules shall apply irrespective of the amount in dispute. The arbitrators may enter a default decision against any Party who fails to participate in the arbitration proceedings with respect to any Related Proceeding. The language of the proceeding shall be English. The decision of the arbitrators on the points in dispute will be final, unappealable and binding, and judgment on the award may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The parties and the arbitrators will keep confidential, and will not disclose to any person, except the parties’ respective representatives (who shall keep any such information confidential as provided in this sentence), or as may be required by applicable Law or any order of a governmental entity of competent jurisdiction, the existence of any Related Proceeding under this Section 6.6, the referral of any such Related Proceeding to arbitration or the status or resolution thereof. The initiation of any Related Proceeding pursuant to this Section 6.6 will toll the applicable statute of limitations for the duration of any such Related Proceeding.
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6.7 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of (a) the Company and (b) the Holders of a majority of the total Registrable Securities, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof shall also require the written consent of the Sponsor so long as the Sponsor and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares; provided, further, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof shall also require the written consent of each Target Holder so long as such Target Holder and its respective Target Holder Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares; and provided, further, that any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.
6.8 Other Registration Rights. Other than the certain Holders and third-party investor stockholders who each have registration rights pursuant to (i) their respective Subscription Agreements and (ii) as provided in the Warrant Agreement, dated as of 29 September 2020, between the Company and Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Company, the Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own account or for the account of any other person or entity. The Company hereby agrees and covenants that it will not grant rights to register any Ordinary Shares (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Ordinary Shares) pursuant to the Securities Act that are more favorable, pari passu or senior to those granted to the Holders hereunder without (a) the prior written consent of (i) the Sponsor, for so long as the Sponsor and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, Registrable Securities representing at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, and (ii) a Target Holder, for so long as such Target Holder and Target Holder Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, Registrable Securities representing at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares, or (b) granting economically and legally equivalent rights to the Holders hereunder such that the Holders shall receive the benefit of such more favorable or senior terms and/or conditions. Further, the Company represents and warrants that this Agreement supersedes any other registration rights agreement or agreement with similar terms and conditions and in the event of a conflict between any such agreement or agreements and this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall prevail.
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6.9 Term. This Agreement shall terminate with respect to any Holder, on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.
6.10 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.
6.11 Additional Holders; Joinder. In addition to persons or entities who may become Holders pursuant to Section 6.2 hereof, subject to the prior written consent of each of the Sponsor (so long as the Sponsor and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, Registrable Securities representing at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares) and each Target Holder (in each case, so long as such Target Holder and Target Holder Affiliates hold, in the aggregate, Registrable Securities representing at least one percent (1%) of the outstanding Ordinary Shares), the Company may make any person or entity who acquires Ordinary Shares or rights to acquire Ordinary Shares after the date hereof a party to this Agreement (each such person or entity, an “Additional Holder”) by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Additional Holder in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Such Joinder shall specify the rights and obligations of the applicable Additional Holder under this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery and subject to the terms of a Joinder by such Additional Holder, the Ordinary Shares then owned, or underlying any rights then owned, by such Additional Holder (the “Additional Holder Ordinary Shares”) shall be Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein and therein and such Additional Holder shall be a Holder under this Agreement with respect to such Additional Holder Ordinary Shares.
6.12 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.
6.13 Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.
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6.14 Adjustments. If, and as often as, there are any changes in the Registrable Securities by way of stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification, or through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization or sale, or by any other means, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the provisions of this Agreement, as may be required, so that the rights, privileges, duties and obligations hereunder shall continue with respect to the Registrable Securities as so changed.
[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.
| COMPANY: | ||
| Lilium N.V. a Netherlands public limited liability company | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| SPONSOR | ||
| Qell Partners LLC | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| HOLDERS: | ||
| Tencent Mobility (Luxembourg) S.à r.l | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Title: | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| Matthias Meiner | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Sebastian Born | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Patrick Nathen | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Daniel Wiegand | ||
| By: | ||
| Name:Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| LGT Global Invest Limited | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Lightrock Growth Fund I S.A., SICAV-RAIF (f/k/a Lightstone Fund S.A.) | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Atomico IV L.P. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Atomico IV (Guernsey) L.P. | ||
| By: | ||
| Name: Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| e42 II GmbH | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Alexander Makram George Asseily | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Obvious Ventures II L.P. | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Scottish Mortgage Investment Trust PLC | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
| Lilium Beteiligungs UG (haftungsbeschränkt) & Co.KG | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
| Stichting Evtol Investment | |||
| By: | |||
| Name: | Dr. Christoph Rödter | ||
| Title: | Authorized Signatory (under power of attorney) | ||
[Signature Page to Registration Rights Agreement]
Schedule 1
Target Holders
Exhibit A
REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT JOINDER
The undersigned is executing and delivering this joinder (this “Joinder”) pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of [●], 2021 (as the same may hereafter be amended, the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among Lilium N.V., a Netherlands public limited liability company (the “Company”), and the other persons or entities named as parties therein. Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings provided in the Registration Rights Agreement.
By executing and delivering this Joinder to the Company, and upon acceptance hereof by the Company upon the execution of a counterpart hereof, the undersigned hereby agrees to become a party to, to be bound by, and to comply with the Registration Rights Agreement as a Holder of Registrable Securities in the same manner as if the undersigned were an original signatory to the Registration Rights Agreement, and the undersigned’s Ordinary Shares shall be included as Registrable Securities under the Registration Rights Agreement to the extent provided therein.
Accordingly, the undersigned has executed and delivered this Joinder as of the __________ day of __________, 20__.
| Signature of Stockholder | ||
| Print Name of Stockholder | ||
| Its: | ||
| Address : | ||
| Agreed and Accepted as of | |
| ____________, 20__ | |
| Lilium N.V. | |
| By: | ||
| Name: | ||
| Its: | ||
Exhibit 4.8
lilium N.V.
2021 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this Plan are (a) to attract and retain the best available personnel to ensure the Company’s success and accomplish the Company’s goals; (b) to incentivize Service Providers with equity-based compensation to align their interests with the Company’s stockholders; and (c) to promote the success of the Company’s business.
2. Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions will apply:
(a) “Accounting Rules” means Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor provision.
(b) “Administrator” means the Committee, except with respect to such matters that are not delegated to the Committee by the Board to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws (whether pursuant to committee charter or otherwise). The Committee (or the Board, with respect to such matters over which it retains authority under the Plan or otherwise) may delegate (i) to one or more of its members (or one or more other members of the Board) such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine; (ii) to one or more officers of the Company the power to grant Awards to the extent permitted by Applicable Law; and (iii) to such Service Providers or other persons as it determines such ministerial tasks as it deems appropriate. For purposes of the Plan, the term “Administrator” will include the Board, the Committee, and the person or persons delegated authority under the Plan, to the extent of such delegation as applicable.
(c) “Affiliate” means a Parent, a Subsidiary or any corporation or other entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Company.
(d) “Applicable Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements, including, but not limited to, all applicable U.S. federal or state laws, rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of any other country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan or Participants reside or provide services to the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, as such laws, rules, and regulations shall be in effect from time to time.
(e) “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Stock Units (including without limitation Restricted Stock Units), or Stock Bonuses.
(f) “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.
(g) “Board” means the board of directors (bestuur) of the Company.
(h) “Business Combination Agreement” means the Business Combination Agreement by and among the Company (at that time named: Qell DutchCo B.V.), Queen Cayman Merger LLC, Qell Acquisition Corp., and Lilium GmbH dated as of March 30, 2021.
(i) “Cause” means in the case of a Participant who is party to a currently effective employment, consulting, advisory, separation, severance of other agreement with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates in which “Cause” is defined, “Cause means the occurrence of any circumstance constituting “Cause” (or such similar term pursuant to the terms of such agreement). In every other case, “Cause” means the occurrence of any of the following, as determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion: (i) the Participant’s material failure to perform (other than by reason of disability), or substantial negligence or misconduct in the performance of, the Participant’s duties and responsibilities for the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (ii) the Participant’s breach of any confidentiality, invention assignment, non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, non-disparagement or other restrictive covenant obligation set forth in any written agreement by and between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (iii) the Participant’s material breach of any other provision of any written agreement by and between the Participant and the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (iv) the Participant’s material violation of any applicable policy, rule or code of conduct of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; (v) the Participant’s indictment for or commission of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any felony or any crime involving moral turpitude; (vi) the Participant’s repeated failure to follow reasonable and lawful instructions from the Board or Chief Executive Officer; or (vii) other conduct by the Participant that is or reasonably could be expected to be harmful to the business interests or reputation of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, that if the Administrator determines, following termination of the Participant’s employment or other service for any reason other than Cause, that such termination could have been for Cause, then the Participant’s employment or other service will be deemed to have been terminated for Cause for all purposes hereunder, retroactive to the date of such Participant’s termination of employment or other service. The foregoing definition does not in any way limit the Company’s ability (or that of any Subsidiary, any Affiliate or any successor thereto, as appropriate) to terminate a Participant’s employment, consulting or other service relationship at any time, subject to Applicable Laws. For purposes of clarity, a termination without “Cause” does not include any termination that occurs solely as a result of Participant’s death or disability.
(j) “Change in Control” means the occurrence of any of the following events:
(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act), excluding (1) a trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, (2) a corporation or other entity owned directly or indirectly by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of the Shares of the Company, (3) the Company and (4) a corporation or other entity of which at least a majority of its combined voting power is owned directly or indirectly by the Company, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;
(ii) the consummation by the Company of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation that 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) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power of the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation (in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as immediately prior to the transaction);
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(iii) the consummation of a sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (it being understood that the sale or spinoff of one or more divisions of the Company will not necessarily constitute the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets); or
(iv) a change in the effective control of the Company which occurs on the date that a majority of members of the Board is replaced during any twelve (12) month period by Directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Board prior to the date of the appointment or election.
Further, for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change of Control if: (y) its sole purpose is to change the state of the Company’s incorporation; or (z) its sole purpose is 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 any “person” (as defined above) is considered to be in effective control of the Company, the acquisition of additional control of the Company by the same Person will not be considered to cause a Change in Control. If required for compliance with Section 409A of the Code, in no event will a Change in Control be deemed to have occurred if such transaction is not also a “change in the ownership or effective control of” the Company or “a change in the ownership of a substantial portion of the assets of” the Company as determined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).
(k) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Reference to a specific section of the Code or regulation thereunder shall include such section or regulation, any valid regulation promulgated under such section, and any comparable provision of any future legislation or regulation amending, supplementing or superseding such section or regulation.
(l) “Committee” means the compensation committee of the Board.
(m) “Company” means Lilium N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap), or any successor thereto.
(n) “Date of Adoption” means the earlier of the date the Plan was approved by the Company’s stockholders or adopted by the Board, as determined by the Committee.
(o) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(p) “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Administrator in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Administrator from time to time; provided further, that if the Participant resides outside of the United States, “Disability” shall have such meaning as is required by Applicable Laws.
(q) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
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(r) “Exchange Program” means a program under which outstanding Awards are amended to provide for a lower exercise price or surrendered or cancelled in exchange for (i) Awards with a lower exercise price, (ii) a different type of Award or awards under a different equity incentive plan, (iii) cash, or (iv) a combination of (i), (ii) and/or (iii). Notwithstanding the preceding, the term Exchange Program does not include (A) any action described in Section 15 or any action taken in connection with a Change in Control transaction nor (B) any transfer or other disposition permitted under Section 14. For the purpose of clarity, each of the actions described in the prior sentence, none of which constitute an Exchange Program, may be undertaken (or authorized) by the Administrator in its sole discretion without approval by the Company’s stockholders.
(s) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Shares determined as follows:
(i) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the day of determination, as reported in such source as the Administrator deems reliable;
(ii) If the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Shares on the day of determination, as reported in such source as the Administrator deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Administrator in compliance with Applicable Laws and regulations and in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code.
(t) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(u) “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
(v) “Insider” means an officer or director of the Company or any other person whose transactions in Shares are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(w) “ISO Participant” means any Service Provider who is eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 5.
(x) “Legacy ESOP” means the Employee Stock Option Program Conditions established by Lilium GmbH, as in effect immediately prior to the consummation of the Business Combination Agreement.
(y) “Legacy Option” means an option to purchase a Company ordinary share issued pursuant to the Legacy ESOP.
(z) “Non-statutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
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(aa) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(bb) “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the Plan.
(cc) “Outside Director” means a Director who is not an employee. Neither service as an Outside Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company will be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.
(dd) “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 fifty percent (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.
(ee) “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award.
(ff) “Performance Goal” means a formula or standard determined by the Administrator with respect to each Performance Period based on one or more of the following criteria and any adjustment(s) thereto established by the Administrator: (1) sales or non-sales revenue; (2) return on revenues; (3) operating income; (4) income or earnings including operating income; (5) income or earnings before or after taxes, interest, depreciation and/or amortization; (6) income or earnings from continuing operations; (7) net income; (8) pre-tax income or after-tax income; (9) net income excluding amortization of intangible assets, depreciation and impairment of goodwill and intangible assets and/or excluding charges attributable to the adoption of new accounting pronouncements; (10) raising of financing or fundraising; (11) project financing; (12) revenue backlog; (13) gross margin; (14) operating margin or profit margin; (15) capital expenditures, cost targets, reductions and savings and expense management; (16) return on assets (gross or net), return on investment, return on capital, or return on stockholder equity; (17) cash flow, free cash flow, cash flow return on investment (discounted or otherwise), net cash provided by operations, or cash flow in excess of cost of capital; (18) performance warranty and/or guarantee claims; (19) stock price or total stockholder return; (20) earnings or book value per share (basic or diluted); (21) economic value created; (22) pre-tax profit or after-tax profit; (23) strategic business criteria, consisting of one or more objectives based on meeting specified market penetration or market share, completion of strategic agreements such as licenses, joint ventures, acquisitions, and the like, geographic business expansion, objective customer satisfaction or information technology goals, intellectual property asset metrics; (24) objective goals relating to divestitures, joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and similar transactions; (25) objective goals relating to staff management, results from staff attitude and/or opinion surveys, staff satisfaction scores, staff safety, staff accident and/or injury rates, compliance, headcount, performance management, completion of critical staff training initiatives; (26) objective goals relating to projects, including project completion, timing and/or achievement of milestones, project budget, technical progress against work plans; and (27) enterprise resource planning. Awards issued to Participants may take into account other criteria (including subjective criteria). Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant, Performance Period to Performance Period and from Award to Award. Any criteria used may be measured, as applicable, (i) in absolute terms, (ii) in relative terms (including, but not limited to, any increase (or decrease) over the passage of time and/or any measurement against other companies or financial or business or stock index metrics particular to the Company), (iii) on a per share and/or share per capita basis, (iv) against the performance of the Company as a whole or against any Subsidiary(ies) or Affiliate(s), or a particular segment(s), a business unit(s) or a product(s) of the Company or individual project company, (v) on a pre-tax or after-tax basis, (vi) on a GAAP or non-GAAP basis, and/or (vii) using an actual foreign exchange rate or on a foreign exchange neutral basis.
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(gg) “Performance Period” means the time period during which the Performance Goals or other vesting provisions must be satisfied for Awards. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Administrator.
(hh) “Period of Restriction” means the period during which the transfer of Shares of Restricted Stock is subject to restrictions and therefore, the Shares are subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture. Such restrictions may be based on the passage of time, the achievement of target levels of performance, or the occurrence of other events as determined by the Administrator.
(ii) “Plan” means this 2021 Equity Incentive Plan as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.
(jj) “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to a Restricted Stock Award under Section 7 of the Plan.
(kk) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a Stock Unit subject to lapse restrictions, granted pursuant to Section 8.
(ll) “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.
(mm) “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.
(nn) “Service” or “Service Relationship” means a Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Service will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator otherwise determines, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to, the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates. If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with any Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company and that entity ceases to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company, the Participant’s employment or other service relationship will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be a Subsidiary or Affiliate of the Company unless the Participant transfers Service to the Company or one of its remaining Subsidiaries or Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in construing the provisions of any Award relating to the payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (subject to Section 409A) upon a termination or cessation of Service, references to termination or cessation of employment, separation from service, retirement or similar or correlative terms will be construed to require a “separation from service” (as that term is defined in Treasury Regulation § Section 1.409A-1(h), after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein) from the Company and from all other corporations and trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single “service recipient” with the Company under Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h)(3). The Company may, but need not, elect in writing, subject to the applicable limitations under Section 409A, any of the special elective rules prescribed in Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) for purposes of determining whether a “separation from service” has occurred. Any such written election will be deemed a part of the Plan.
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(oo) “Service Provider” means (i) a person who has a Service Relationship with the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, other than an Outside Director or (ii) an Outside Director.
(pp) “Share” means a Class A ordinary share of the Company, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.
(qq) “Stock Appreciation Right” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with an Option, that pursuant to Section 9 is designated as a Stock Appreciation Right.
(rr) “Stock Bonus Award” means an Award granted pursuant to Section 10 of the Plan.
(pp) “Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 8. Each Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.
(qq) “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 fifty percent (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.
(rr) “Tax-Related Items” means income tax, social insurance or other social contributions, national insurance, social security, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items.
3. Stock Subject to the Plan.
(a) Stock Subject to the Plan. Subject to the provisions of Sections 3(b) and 15 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan is 24,880,272, increased by that number of Shares underlying Legacy Options that are unallocated under the Legacy Option Plan aggregate option pool (taking into account (i) any increases or adjustments to the Legacy Option Plan pool prior to, or at, the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement (the “Effective Time”) and (ii) forfeitures of options previously issued under the Legacy Option Plan following the Effective Time), as adjusted for conversion into Shares on a fully diluted basis as of the Date of Adoption. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the provisions of Section 15 below, in no event shall the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Incentive Stock Options exceed the number of Shares initially made available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to the first sentence of this Section 3(a), plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that again become available for issuance pursuant to Sections 3(b) and 3(c).
(b) Share Reserve Increases. The number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan may be increased on the first day of each Fiscal Year beginning with the 2022 Fiscal Year by such number of Shares determined by the Board on or prior to the date of any increase that will not exceed five percent (5%) of the outstanding Shares on the last day of the immediately preceding Fiscal Year.
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(c) Lapsed Awards. To the extent an Award should expire or be forfeited or become unexercisable for any reason without having been exercised in full, or is surrendered pursuant to an Exchange Program, the unissued Shares that were subject thereto shall, unless the Plan shall have been terminated, continue to be available under the Plan for issuance pursuant to future Awards. In addition, any Shares which are retained by the Company upon exercise of an Award in order to satisfy the exercise or purchase price for such Award or any withholding taxes due with respect to such Award shall be treated as not issued and shall continue to be available under the Plan for issuance pursuant to future Awards. Shares issued under the Plan and later forfeited to the Company due to the failure to vest or repurchased by the Company at the original purchase price paid to the Company for the Shares (including, without limitation, upon forfeiture to or repurchase by the Company in connection with a Participant ceasing to be a Service Provider) shall again be available for future grant under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. The payment of dividend equivalents in cash in conjunction with any outstanding Awards shall not count against the share limit set forth in Section 3(a).
(d) Assumption or Substitution of Awards by the Company. The Administrator, from time to time, may determine to substitute or assume outstanding awards granted by another company, whether in connection with an acquisition of such other company or otherwise, by either: (a) assuming such award under this Plan or (b) granting an Award under this Plan in substitution of such other company’s award. Such assumption or substitution will be permissible if the holder of the substituted or assumed award would have been eligible to be granted an Award under this Plan if the other company had applied the rules of this Plan to such grant. In the event the Administrator elects to assume an award granted by another company, subject to the requirements of Section 409A of the Code, the purchase price or the exercise price, as the case may be, and the number and nature of Shares issuable upon exercise or settlement of any such Award will be adjusted appropriately. In the event the Administrator elects to grant a new Option in substitution rather than assuming an existing option, such new Option may be granted with a similarly adjusted exercise price. Any awards that are assumed or substituted under this Plan shall not reduce the number of Shares authorized for grant under the Plan or authorized for grant to a Participant in any fiscal year. Notwithstanding any provision of the Plan to the contrary, substitute Awards may contain terms and conditions that are inconsistent with the terms and conditions specified.
(e) Limitation of Liability. The Administrator and each delegee thereof shall be entitled to, in good faith, rely or act upon any report or other information furnished thereto by any officer or employee of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate, the Company’s legal counsel, independent auditors, consultants or any other agents assisting in the administration of the Plan. Members of the Administrator and any officer or employee of the Company or any Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate acting at the direction or on behalf of the Administrator shall not be personally liable for any action or determination taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan, and shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be indemnified and held harmless by the Company with respect to any such action or determination.
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4. Administration of the Plan.
(a) Procedure.
(i) Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Committee (or the Board, as applicable) may delegate the authority to administer the Plan to other persons with respect to different groups of Service Providers.
(ii) Rule 16b-3. To the extent determined desirable by the Board to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder will be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.
(iii) Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Committee, or any delegee, to the extent applicable, will be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.
(b) Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Administrator is granted the authority delegated by the Board, in its discretion:
(i) to determine the Fair Market Value in accordance with Section 2(t)(iii);
(ii) to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;
(iii) to determine the number of Shares to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;
(iv) to approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan;
(v) to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award granted hereunder; such terms and conditions include, but are not limited to, the exercise price, the time or times when Awards may be exercised (which may be based on Performance Goals), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding any Award or the Shares relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator will determine, provided that no term of an Award will provide for automatic “reload” grants of additional Awards upon exercise of an Option or SAR;
(vi) to institute and determine the terms and conditions of an Exchange Program; provided however, that the Administrator shall not implement an Exchange Program without the approval of the holders of a majority of the Shares that are present in person or by proxy and entitled to vote at any annual or special meeting of the Company’s stockholders;
(vii) to construe and interpret the terms of the Plan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;
(viii) correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in this Plan, any Award or any Award Agreement;
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(ix) to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations established for the purpose of satisfying non-U.S. Applicable Laws, for qualifying for favorable tax treatment under applicable non-U.S. Applicable Laws or facilitating compliance with non-U.S. Applicable Laws (sub-plans may be created for any of these purposes);
(x) to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 22 of the Plan), including but not limited to the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Awards, to accelerate vesting and to extend the maximum term of an Option (subject to Section 6(b) of the Plan regarding Incentive Stock Options);
(xi) adjust Performance Goals to take into account changes in Applicable Laws or in accounting or tax rules, or such other extraordinary, unforeseeable, nonrecurring or infrequently occurring events or circumstances as the Administrator deems necessary or appropriate to avoid windfalls or hardships;
(xii) to allow Participants to satisfy tax withholding obligations in such manner as prescribed in Section 16 of the Plan;
(xiii) to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator;
(xiv) to allow a Participant to defer the receipt of the payment of cash or the delivery of Shares that would otherwise be due to such Participant under an Award; and
(xv) to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.
(c) Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations will be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of Awards.
(d) Delegation. To the extent permitted by applicable Law, the Committee (or the Board, as applicable) may delegate the authority to do anything permitted by Applicable Law, including without limitation the following (i) designate Service Providers who are not Insiders to be recipients of Awards, (ii) determine the number of Shares to be subject to such Awards granted to such designated Service Providers, and (iii) take any and all actions on behalf of the Board or Committee other than any actions that affect the amount or form of compensation of Insiders or have material tax, accounting, financial, human resource or legal consequences to the Company or its Subsidiaries or Affiliates; provided, however, that if the authority is granted to an officer of the Company, then, to the extent required by Applicable Law, the Committee resolutions regarding any delegation with respect to (i) and (ii) will specify the total number of Shares that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any Awards will be granted on the form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority.
(e) Administration of Awards Subject to Performance Goals. The Administrator will, in its sole discretion, determine the Performance Goals, if any, applicable to any Award (including any adjustment(s) thereto that will be applied in determining the achievement of such Performance Goals). The Performance Goals may differ from Participant to Participant and from Award to Award. The Administrator shall determine and approve the extent to which such Performance Goals have been timely achieved and the extent to which the Shares subject to such Award have thereby been earned.
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(f) Section 16 of the Exchange Act. Awards granted to Participants who are Insiders must be approved by two or more “non-employee directors” of the Board (as defined in the regulations promulgated under Section 16 of the Exchange Act).
5. Award Eligibility. The Administrator will select Participants from among Service Providers, provided that, any Service Provider of an Affiliate (other than any Parent or Subsidiary) shall be permitted to participate in the Plan only to the extent permitted under Applicable Laws. Eligibility for Incentive Stock Options is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are employees of the Company or of a “parent corporation” or “Subsidiary corporation of the Company as those terms are defined in Section 424 of the Code. With respect to any person whose grant is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the grant of Non-statutory Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights is limited to individuals described in the first sentence of this Section 5 who are providing direct services on the date of grant of the Award to the Company or to a Subsidiary of the Company that would be described in the first sentence of Treasury Regulations section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E).
6. Stock Options.
(a) Limitations. Each Option will be designated in the Award Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-statutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Subsidiary or Affiliate) exceeds one hundred thousand dollars ($100,000), such Options will be treated as Non-statutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the date the Option with respect to such Shares is granted. With respect to the Administrator’s authority in Section 4(b)(x), if, at the time of any such extension, the exercise price per Share of the Option is less than the Fair Market Value of a Share, the extension shall, unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, be limited to the earlier of (1) the maximum term of the Option as set by its original terms, or (2) ten (10) years from the grant date. Unless otherwise determined by the Administrator, any extension of the term of an Option pursuant to this Section 6(a) shall comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent applicable.
(b) Term of Option. The term of each Option will be stated in the Award Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term will be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option will be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Award Agreement.
(c) Option Exercise Price and Consideration.
(i) Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option will be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:
(1) In the case of an Incentive Stock Option
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(A) granted to an ISO Participant who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred ten percent (110%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(B) granted to any ISO Participant other than an ISO Participant described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(2) In the case of a Non-statutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.
(3) Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant (i) pursuant to a transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code, (ii) consistent with the application with Section 409A of the Code, in each case to the extent applicable or (iii) as permitted pursuant to other Applicable Law.
(ii) Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator will fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and will determine any conditions that must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised. An Option may become exercisable upon completion of a specified period of service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate and/or based on the achievement of Performance Goals during a Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If an Option is exercisable based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals, then the Administrator will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for such Option; (y) select the Performance Goals to be used to measure the performance; and (z) determine what additional vesting conditions, if any, should apply.
(iii) Form of Consideration. The Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator will determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration for both types of Options may consist entirely of: (1) cash; (2) check; (3) promissory note, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, (4) other Shares, provided that such Shares have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which such Option will be exercised and provided that accepting such Shares will not result in any adverse accounting consequences to the Company, as the Administrator determines in its sole discretion; (5) consideration received by the Company under a broker-assisted (or other) cashless exercise program (whether through a broker or otherwise) implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan; (6) by net exercise; (7) such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws; or (8) any combination of the foregoing methods of payment.
(d) Exercise of Option.
(i) Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Stockholder. Any Option granted hereunder will be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share. An Option will be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (1) a notice of exercise (in such form as the Administrator may specify from time to time) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (2) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised (together with full payment of any applicable taxes or other amounts required to be withheld or deducted with respect to the Option). Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Award Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option will be issued in the name of the Participant or, if requested by the Participant, in the name of the Participant and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a stockholder will exist with respect to the Shares subject to an Option, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company will issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.
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(ii) Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider, other than upon the Participant’s termination as the result of the Participant’s death, Disability or Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Participant’s termination. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iii) Disability of Participant. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s termination as a result of the Participant’s Disability. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If after termination the Participant does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(iv) Death of Participant. If a Participant dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised following the Participant’s death within such period of time as is specified in the Award Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death (but in no event may the Option be exercised later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Award Agreement), by the Participant’s designated beneficiary, provided such beneficiary has been designated prior to the Participant’s death in a form acceptable to the Administrator. If no such beneficiary has been designated by the Participant, then such Option may be exercised by the personal representative of the Participant’s estate or by the person(s) to whom the Option is transferred pursuant to the Participant’s will or in accordance with the laws of descent and distribution. In the absence of a specified time in the Award Agreement, the Option will remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Participant’s death. Unless otherwise provided by the Administrator, if on the date of termination, the Participant is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option will revert to the Plan. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option will terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option will revert to the Plan.
(v) Termination for Cause. If a Participant ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of being terminated for Cause, any outstanding Option (including any vested portion thereof) held by such Participant shall immediately terminate in its entirety. All the Participant’s rights under any Option, including the right to exercise the Option, may be suspended pending an investigation of whether Participant’s Service will be, or has been, terminated for Cause.
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7. Restricted Stock.
(a) Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and provisions of the Plan, the Administrator, at any time and from time to time, may grant Shares of Restricted Stock to Service Providers in such amounts as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.
(b) Agreement. Each Award of Restricted Stock will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the Period of Restriction, if any, the number of Shares granted, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Company or an Affiliate as escrow agent will hold Shares of Restricted Stock until the restrictions on such Shares have lapsed. These restrictions may lapse upon the completion of a specified period of service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate and/or based on the achievement of Performance Goals during a Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If the unvested Shares of Restricted Stock are being earned upon the satisfaction of Performance Goals, then the Administrator will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for each unvested Share; (y) select the Performance Goals to be used to measure the performance; and (z) determine what additional vesting conditions, if any, should apply.
(c) Transferability. Except as provided in this Section 7 or the Award Agreement, Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, transferred, pledged, assigned, or otherwise alienated or hypothecated until the end of the applicable Period of Restriction.
(d) Other Restrictions. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may impose such other restrictions on Shares of Restricted Stock as it may deem advisable or appropriate.
(e) Removal of Restrictions. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 7, Shares of Restricted Stock covered by each Restricted Stock grant made under the Plan will be released from escrow as soon as practicable after the last day of the Period of Restriction or at such other time as the Administrator may determine. The Administrator, in its discretion, may accelerate the time at which any restrictions will lapse or be removed.
(f) Voting Rights. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock granted hereunder may exercise full voting rights with respect to those Shares, unless the Administrator determines otherwise.
(g) Dividends and Other Distributions. During the Period of Restriction, Service Providers holding Shares of Restricted Stock will be entitled to receive all dividends and other distributions paid with respect to such Shares, unless the Administrator provides otherwise. If any such dividends or distributions are paid in Shares, the Shares will be subject to the same restrictions, including, without limitation, restrictions on transferability and forfeitability, as the Shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid. During the Period of Restriction, such dividends or other distributions shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the shares of Restricted Stock with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid or distributed unless and until such related Shares have vested and been earned.
(h) Return of Restricted Stock to Company. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, the Restricted Stock for which restrictions have not lapsed will be cancelled and returned as unissued Shares to the Company and again will become available for grant under the Plan.
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8. Stock Units.
(a) Grant. Stock Units (including without limitation Restricted Stock Units) may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. After the Administrator determines that it will grant Stock Units under the Plan, it will advise the Participant in an Award Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions (if any) related to the grant, including the number of Stock Units.
(b) Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator will set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may vest upon completion of a specified period of service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate and/or based on the achievement of Performance Goals during a Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If Restricted Stock Units vest based upon satisfaction of Performance Goals, then the Administrator will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for the Stock Units; (y) select the Performance Goals to be used to measure the performance; and (z) determine what additional vesting conditions, if any, should apply.
(c) Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant will be entitled to receive a payout as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive a payout.
(d) Dividend Equivalents. The Administrator may, in its sole discretion, award dividend equivalents in connection with the grant of Stock Units that may be settled in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof. The Administrator may provide that such dividend equivalents shall be paid or distributed when accrued or at a later specified date and, if distributed at a later date, may be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares, Awards, or other investment vehicles or accrued in a bookkeeping account without interest, and subject to such restrictions on transferability and risks of forfeiture, as the Administrator may specify. Absent a contrary provision in an Award Agreement, such dividend equivalents shall be subject to the same restrictions and risk of forfeiture as the Restricted Stock Units with respect to which the dividends accrue and shall not be paid or settled unless and until the related Restricted Stock Units have vested and been earned. To the extent applicable, any such dividend equivalents will comply with Section 409A of the Code or other similar Applicable Law.
(e) Form and Timing of Payment. Payment of earned Stock Units will be made upon the date(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Award Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may only settle earned Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.
(f) Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Award Agreement, all Shares underlying any unvested, unlapsed unearned Restricted Stock Units will be forfeited to the Company for future issuance.
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9. Stock Appreciation Rights.
(a) Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, a Stock Appreciation Right may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion.
(b) Number of Shares. The Administrator will have complete discretion to determine the number of Stock Appreciation Rights granted to any Service Provider.
(c) Exercise Price and Other Terms. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right will be determined by the Administrator and will be no less than one hundred percent (100%) of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant. Otherwise, the Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of Stock Appreciation Rights granted under the Plan.
(d) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. Each Stock Appreciation Right grant will be evidenced by an Award Agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the Stock Appreciation Right, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. A Stock Appreciation Right may become exercisable upon completion of a specified period of service with the Company or a Subsidiary or Affiliate and/or based on the achievement of Performance Goals during a Performance Period as set out in advance in the Participant’s Award Agreement. If a Stock Appreciation Right is exercisable based on the satisfaction of Performance Goals, then the Administrator will: (x) determine the nature, length and starting date of any Performance Period for such Stock Appreciation Right; (y) select the Performance Goals to be used to measure the performance; and (z) determine what additional vesting conditions, if any, should apply.
(e) Expiration of Stock Appreciation Rights. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan will expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 6(b) relating to the maximum term and Section 6(d) relating to exercise also will apply to Stock Appreciation Rights.
(f) Payment of Stock Appreciation Right Amount. Upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, a Participant will be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying:
(i) The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times
(ii) The number of Shares with respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised.
At the discretion of the Administrator, the payment upon Stock Appreciation Right exercise may be in cash, in Shares of equivalent value, or in some combination thereof.
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10. Stock Bonus Awards.
(a) Awards of Stock Bonuses. A Stock Bonus Award is an award of Shares to an eligible person without a purchase price that is not subject to any restrictions. All Stock Bonus Awards may but are not required to be made pursuant to an Award Agreement.
(b) Terms of Stock Bonus Awards. The Administrator will determine the number of Shares to be awarded to the Participant under a Stock Bonus Award.
(c) Form of Payment to Participant. Payment may be made in the form of cash, whole Shares, or a combination thereof, based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to the Stock Bonus Award on the date of payment, as determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator.
11. Outside Director Limitations. Stock awards granted during a single fiscal year under the Plan, taken together with any cash fees paid during such fiscal year for services on the Board, shall not exceed $1,000,000 in total value for any Outside Director serving as the lead director of the Board or chair of the Board and $750,000 in total value for any other Outside Director (calculating the value of any such stock awards, in each case, based on the grant date fair value of such stock awards for financial reporting purposes). Such applicable limit shall include the value of any stock awards that are received in lieu of all or a portion of any annual committee cash retainers or other similar cash-based payments. Stock awards granted to an individual while he or she was serving in the capacity as a Service Provider but not an Outside Director will not count for purposes of the limitations set forth in this Section 11.
12. Leaves of Absence/Transfer Between Locations. The Administrator shall have the discretion to determine at any time whether and to what extent the vesting of Awards shall be suspended during any leave of absence; provided, however, that in the absence of such determination, vesting of Awards shall continue during any paid leave and shall be suspended during any unpaid leave (unless otherwise required by Applicable Laws). A Participant will not cease to be a Service Provider in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Participant’s employer or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company or any Subsidiary. If an ISO Participant is holding an Incentive Stock Option and such leave exceeds three (3) months then, for purposes of Incentive Stock Option status only, such ISO Participant’s Service as a Service Provider shall be deemed terminated on the first (1st) day following such three (3) month period and the Incentive Stock Option shall thereafter automatically treated for tax purposes as a Non-statutory Stock Option in accordance with Applicable Laws, unless reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute, or unless provided otherwise pursuant to a written Company policy.
13. Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company or any Subsidiary is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an employee of the Company and the employee has a change in status from full-time to part-time or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Award, the Committee or the Administrator, in that party’s sole discretion, may, subject to Applicable Laws, (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of Shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (y) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting schedule applicable to such Award (in accordance with Section 409A of the Code, as applicable). In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so amended.
14. Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the lifetime of the Participant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate provided, however, that in no event may any Award be transferred for consideration to a third-party financial institution.
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15. Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Merger or Change in Control.
(a) Adjustments.
(1) In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity restructuring within the meaning of the Accounting Rules, the Administrator will make appropriate adjustments to the maximum number of shares of Stock specified in Section 3 that may be delivered under the Plan, and will make appropriate adjustments to the number and kind of shares of stock or securities underlying Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise or purchase prices (or base values) relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change.
(2) The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 15(a) above to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Sections 15(d) and 15(e), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan or any Award.
(3) References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 15(a).
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed winding up, dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator will notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. To the extent it has not been previously exercised or settled, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.
(c) Corporate Transaction. In the event of (i) a transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets, (ii) a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, entity or person, (iii) the consummation of a transaction, or series of related transactions, in which 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 more than 50% of the Company’s then outstanding capital stock, or (iv) a Change in Control (each, a “Corporate Transaction”), each outstanding Award (vested or unvested) will be treated as the Administrator determines, which determination may be made without the consent of any Participant and need not treat all outstanding Awards (or portion thereof) in an identical manner. Such determination, without the consent of any Participant, may provide (without limitation) for one or more of the following in the event of a Corporate Transaction: (A) the continuation of such outstanding Awards by the Company (if the Company is the surviving corporation); (B) the assumption of such outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation or its parent; (C) the substitution by the surviving corporation or its parent of new options or other equity awards for such Awards; (D) the cancellation of such Awards in exchange for a payment to the Participants equal to the excess of (1) the Fair Market Value of the Shares subject to such Awards as of the closing date of such Corporate Transaction over (2) the exercise price or purchase price paid or to be paid (if any) for the Shares subject to the Awards; provided further, that at the discretion of the Administrator, such payment may be subject to the same conditions that apply to the consideration that will be paid to holders of Shares in connection with the transaction; provided, however, that any payout in connection with a terminated award shall comply with Section 409A of the Code to the extent necessary to avoid taxation thereunder; (E) the full or partial acceleration of exercisability or vesting and accelerated expiration of an outstanding Award and lapse of the Company’s right to repurchase or re-acquire Shares acquired under an Award or lapse of forfeiture rights with respect to Shares acquired under an Award; (F) the opportunity for Participants to exercise their Options prior to the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction and the termination (for no consideration) upon the consummation of such Corporate Transaction of any Options not exercised prior thereto; or (G) the cancellation of outstanding Awards in exchange for no consideration.
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(d) Change in Control. An Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Award Agreement for such Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.
16. Tax.
(a) Withholding Requirements. Prior to the delivery of any Shares or cash pursuant to an Award (or exercise thereof) or prior to any time the Award or Shares are subject to taxation or other Tax-Related Items, the Company and/or the Participant’s employer will have the power and the right to deduct or withhold, or require a Participant to remit to the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy any Tax-Related Items or other items that are required to be withheld or deducted or otherwise applicable with respect to such Award. The Company and/or the Designated Company may, but will not be obligated to, unless required by law, withhold from the Participant’s compensation or any other payments due the Participant the amount necessary to meet such withholding obligations, withholding a sufficient whole number of Shares issued following exercise having an aggregate value sufficient to pay the Tax-Related Items or withhold from the proceeds of the sale of Shares, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company or any other method of withholding that the Company and/or the Designated Company deems appropriate. The Company and/or the Designated Company will have the right to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or a Designated Company to satisfy withholding and/or reporting obligations for such Tax-Related Items. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
(b) Withholding Arrangements. The Administrator, in its sole discretion and pursuant to such procedures as it may specify from time to time, may permit a Participant to satisfy such withholding or deduction obligations or any other Tax-Related Items, in whole or in part by (without limitation) (a) paying cash, (b) electing to have the Company withhold otherwise deliverable cash or Shares, (c) delivering to the Company already-owned Shares or (d) such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement; provided that, unless specifically permitted by the Company, any proceeds derived from a cashless exercise must be an approved broker-assisted cashless exercise or the cash or Shares withheld or delivered must be limited to avoid financial accounting charges under applicable accounting guidance or Shares must have been previously held for the minimum duration required to avoid financial accounting charges under applicable accounting guidance. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld or delivered will be determined based on such methodology that the Company deems to be reasonable and in accordance with Applicable Laws.
(c) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent applicable, Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that they are either exempt from the application of, or comply with, the requirements of Section 409A of the Code such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A of the Code. The Plan and each Award Agreement under the Plan is intended to meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or an exemption therefrom) and will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent, except as otherwise determined in the sole discretion of the Administrator. To the extent that an Award or payment, or the settlement or deferral thereof, is subject to Section 409A of the Code the Award will be granted, paid, settled or deferred in a manner that will meet the requirements of Section 409A of the Code (or an exemption therefrom), such that the grant, payment, settlement or deferral will not be subject to the additional tax or interest applicable under Section 409A of the Code. In no event will the Company be responsible for or reimburse a Participant for any taxes or other penalties incurred as a result of applicable of Section 409A of the Code.
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17. No Effect on Employment or Service. Neither the Plan nor any Award will confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company or any Subsidiary or Affiliate, nor will they interfere in any way with the Participant’s right or the Company’s or any Subsidiary’s or Affiliate’s right to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.
18. Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award will be, for all purposes, the date on which the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination will be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time after the date of such grant.
19. Corporate Records Control. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action constituting the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of Shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.
20. Clawback/Recovery. The Administrator may specify in an Award Agreement that the Participant’s rights, payments, and/or benefits with respect to an Award will be subject to reduction, cancellation, forfeiture, and/or recoupment upon the occurrence of certain specified events, in addition to any applicable vesting, performance or other conditions and restrictions of an Award. Notwithstanding any provisions to the contrary under this Plan, an Award granted under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s clawback policy as may be established and/or amended from time to time. The Administrator may require a Participant to forfeit or return to and/or reimburse the Company for all or a portion of the Award and/or Shares issued under the Award, any amounts paid under the Award, and any payments or proceeds paid or provided upon disposition of the Shares issued under the Award, pursuant to the terms of such Company policy or as necessary or appropriate to comply with Applicable Laws.
21. Term of Plan. Subject to Section 25 of the Plan, the Plan will become effective as of the Date of Adoption. The Plan will continue in effect unless terminated under Section 22 of the Plan (or, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, until the date that is ten (10) years from the Date of Adoption); provided that previously granted Awards may continue beyond the date of termination in accordance with their terms.
22. Amendment and Termination of the Plan. The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by Applicable Law, and may at any time suspend or terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided, however, that except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or the applicable Award Agreement, the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to affect materially and adversely the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do so in the applicable Award Agreement. Any amendments to the Plan will be conditioned upon stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by Applicable Law (including the Code), regulations or stock exchange requirements, as determined by the Administrator. For the avoidance of doubt, without limiting the Administrator’s rights hereunder, no adjustment to any Award pursuant to the terms of Section 15 or Section 32 will be treated as an amendment requiring a Participant’s consent. Termination of the Plan will not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination.
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23. Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.
(a) Legal Compliance. Shares will not be issued pursuant to the exercise or vesting (as applicable) of an Award unless the exercise or vesting of such Award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares will comply with Applicable Laws and will be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.
(b) Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.
24. Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain 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 Shares hereunder, will relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue or sell such Shares as to which such requisite authority will not have been obtained.
25. Stockholder Approval. The Plan will be subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board. Such stockholder approval will be obtained in the manner and to the degree required under Applicable Laws.
26. Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards hereunder shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Netherlands, but without regard to its conflict of law provisions. All disputes relating to this Plan and all Awards or agreements based on or pursuant to this Plan shall be submitted exclusively to the competent court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
27. Severability and Reformation. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or as to any person or Award, or would unintentionally disqualify the Plan or any Award under any Applicable Laws, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to the Applicable Laws or, if it cannot be construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Administrator, materially altering the intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction, person or Award and the remainder of the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect. If any of the terms or provisions of the Plan or any Award Agreement conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 (as those terms or provisions are applied to Participants who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act) or Section 422 of the Code (with respect to Incentive Stock Options), then those conflicting terms or provisions shall be deemed inoperative to the extent they so conflict with the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or Section 422 of the Code (unless the Administrator has expressly determined that the Plan or such Award should not comply with Rule 16b-3 or Section 422 of the Code, as applicable), in each case, only to the extent Rule 16b-3 and Section 422 of the Code are applicable. With respect to Incentive Stock Options, if the Plan does not contain any provision required to be included herein under Section 422 of the Code, that provision shall be deemed to be incorporated herein with the same force and effect as if that provision had been set out at length herein; provided that, to the extent any Option that is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option cannot so qualify, that Option (to that extent) shall be deemed a Non-statutory Stock Option for all purposes of the Plan.
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28. Unfunded Status of Awards; No Trust or Fund Created. The Plan is intended to constitute an “unfunded” plan for certain incentive awards. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate and a Participant or any other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any general unsecured creditor of the Company or such Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate.
29. Non-exclusivity of the Plan. Neither the adoption of the Plan by the Board, nor its submission to the stockholders of the Company for approval, shall be construed as creating any limitations on the power of the Board or a committee thereof to adopt such other incentive arrangements as it may deem desirable. Nothing contained in the Plan shall be construed to prevent the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate from taking any corporate action which is deemed by the Company or such Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate to be appropriate or in its best interest, whether or not such action would have an adverse effect on the Plan or any Award made under the Plan. No Participant, beneficiary or other person shall have any claim against the Company or a Parent, Subsidiary or Affiliate as a result of any such action.
30. Other Compensation Arrangements. The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not affect the right of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates to grant any person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan. The Company, in establishing and maintaining the Plan as a voluntary and unilateral undertaking, expressly disavows the creation of any rights in Participants or others claiming entitlement under the Plan or any obligations on the part of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, or the Administrator, except as expressly provided herein. No Award will be deemed to be salary or compensation for the purpose of computing benefits under any employee benefit, severance, pension or retirement plan of the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, unless the Administrator determines otherwise, Applicable Law provides otherwise or the terms of such plan expressly include such compensation.
31. Waiver of Jury Trial. To the extent applicable, by accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives (or will be deemed to have waived), to the maximum extent permitted under Applicable Law, any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan or any Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim will be tried before a court and not before a jury. By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, nothing herein is to be construed as limiting the ability of the Company and a Participant to agree to submit any dispute arising under the terms of the Plan or any Award to binding arbitration or as limiting the ability of the Company to require any individual to agree to submit such disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of receiving an Award hereunder.
32. Rules for Participants in Certain Jurisdictions. The Administrator may at any time and from time to time (including before or after an Award is granted) establish, adopt or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable for purposes of satisfying applicable securities, tax, blue sky, world sky or other laws of various jurisdictions, including by establishing one or more sub-plans, supplements or appendices under the Plan or any Award Agreement setting forth (i) such limitations on the Administrator’s discretion under the Plan and (ii) such additional or different terms and conditions, in each case, as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable. Any such sub-plan, supplement, appendix, rule or regulation will be deemed to be a part of the Plan but will apply only to Participants within the applicable jurisdiction (as determined by the Administrator); provided, however, that no sub-plan, supplement, appendix, rule or regulation established pursuant to this provision will increase the Pool.
33. Status under ERISA. It is the intent of the Company that the Plan shall not constitute an “employee benefit plan” for purposes of Section 3(3) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.
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Exhibit 4.9
lilium N.V.
2021 EMPLOYEE SHARE PURCHASE PLAN
1. General; Purpose.
(a) Purpose. The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees and/or Eligible Service Providers of either the Company or a Designated Company may be given an opportunity to purchase Shares. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees and/or Eligible Service Providers. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain and assist its Related Corporations or Affiliates in retaining the services of such Eligible Employees and Eligible Service Providers, to secure and retain the services of new Eligible Employees and Eligible Service Providers and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations and Affiliates.
(b) Qualified and Non-Qualified Offerings Permitted. The Plan includes two components: a 423 Component and a Non-423 Component. The Company intends (but makes no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an Employee Share Purchase Plan. The provisions of the 423 Component, accordingly, will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, including without limitation, to extend and limit Plan participation in a uniform and non-discriminatory basis. In addition, this Plan authorizes grants of Purchase Rights under the Non-423 Component that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Share Purchase Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or determined by the Board, the Non-423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component. In addition, the Company may make separate Offerings which vary in terms (provided that such terms are not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan or the requirements of an Employee Share Purchase Plan, except in each case with respect to a Non-423 Component), and the Company will designate which Designated Company is participating in each separate Offering and if any Eligible Service Providers will be eligible to participate in a separate Offering. Eligible Employees will be able to participate in either the 423 Component or the Non-423 Component of the Plan. Eligible Service Providers will only be able to participate in the Non-423 Component of the Plan.
2. Administration.
(a) The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).
(b) The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:
(i) To determine how and when Purchase Rights will be granted and the provisions of each Offering (which need not be identical).
(ii) To designate from time to time which Related Corporations will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated 423 Corporations or as Designated Non-423 Corporations, which Affiliates will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated Non-423 Corporations, and which Designated Companies will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).
(iii) To designate from time-to-time which persons will be eligible to participate in the Non-423 Component of the Plan as Eligible Service Providers and which Eligible Service Providers will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).
(iv) To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.
(v) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.
(vi) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.
(vii) To amend the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.
(viii) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company, its Related Corporations, and Affiliates and to carry out the intent that the 423 Component be treated as an Employee Share Purchase Plan.
(ix) To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans relating to the operation and administration of the Plan as are necessary or appropriate under Applicable Laws to permit or facilitate participation in the Plan by Employees or Eligible Service Providers who are non-U.S. nationals or employed or providing services or located or otherwise subject to the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States. Without limiting the generality of, but consistent with, the foregoing, the Board specifically is authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and sub-plans, which, for purposes of the Non-423 Component, may be beyond the scope of Section 423 of the Code, regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate in the Plan, handling and making of Contributions, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances, any of which may vary according to Applicable Laws.
(c) The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board and Applicable Laws. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether or not the Board has delegated administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.
(d) All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.
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3. Shares Subject to the Plan.
(a) Number of Shares Available; Share Reserve Increases. Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan will initially be zero Shares on the Effective Date, and may be increased on the first day of each Fiscal Year beginning with the 2022 Fiscal Year and ending on (and including) the first day of the 2031 Fiscal Year, by such number of shares determined by the Board on or prior to the date of any increase that will not exceed (i) the lesser of one percent (1%) of the total number of Shares outstanding on the last day of the calendar month prior to the date of such increase and (ii) 2,841,101 Shares.
(b) Share Recycling. If any Purchase Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the Shares not purchased under such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.
(c) Source of Shares. The Shares purchasable under the Plan will be authorized but unissued or reacquired Shares, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market.
4. Grant of Purchase Rights; Offering.
(a) Offerings. The Board may from time-to-time grant or provide for the grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees and/or Eligible Service Providers under an Offering (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each Offering will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate, and, with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase Rights will have the same rights and privileges. The terms and conditions of an Offering will be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offerings need not be identical, but each Offering will include (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference in the Offering Document or otherwise) the period during which the Offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the Offering Date, and the substance of the provisions contained in Sections 5 through 8, inclusive.
(b) More than One Purchase Right. If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding under the Plan, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company: (i) each form will apply to all of his or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.
(c) Restart Provision Permitted. To the extent more than one Purchase Period is provided during an Offering, the Board will have the discretion to structure such Offering so that if the Fair Market Value of a Share on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offering is less than or equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the Offering Date for that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate as of the Purchase Date specified with respect to such Purchase Period, after giving effect to such purchase on the applicable Purchase Date, (ii) all Contribution amounts not applied to the purchase of Shares after giving effect to such purchase on the applicable Purchase Date shall be refunded to the applicable Participants and (iii) the Participants in such terminated Offering will be automatically enrolled in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Day of such new Offering Period and Purchase Period.
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5. Eligibility.
(a) General. Purchase Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the Board may designate in accordance with Section 2(b), to Employees of a Related Corporation or, solely with respect to the Non-423 Component, Employees of an Affiliate and/or Eligible Service Providers.
(b) Grant of Purchase Rights in Ongoing Offering. The Board may provide that Employees will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan if, on the Offering Date, the Employee (i) has not completed at least two (2) years of service since the Employee’s last hire date (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Board in its discretion), (ii) customarily works not more than twenty (20) hours per week (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Board in its discretion), (iii) customarily works not more than five (5) months per calendar year (or such lesser period of time as may be determined by the Board in its discretion), (iv) is a highly compensated employee within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code, or (v) has not satisfied such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code. Unless otherwise determined by the Board for any Offering Period, an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee customarily works more than twenty (20) hours per week and more than five (5) months per calendar year.
(c) 5% Stockholders Excluded. No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock possessing five (5) percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as stock owned by such Employee.
(d) $25,000 Limit. As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Share Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations, do not permit such Eligible Employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Related Corporation to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds U.S. $25,000 of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time.
(e) Service Requirement. An Eligible Service Provider will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless the Eligible Service Provider is providing bona fide services to the Company or a Designated Company on the applicable Offering Date.
(f) Non-423 Component Offerings. Notwithstanding anything set forth herein except for Section 5(e) above, the Board may establish additional eligibility requirements, or fewer eligibility requirements, for Employees and/or Eligible Service Providers with respect to Offerings made under the Non-423 Component even if such requirements are not consistent with Section 423 of the Code.
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6. Purchase Rights; Purchase Price.
(a) Grant and Maximum Contribution Rate. On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee or Eligible Service Provider, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that number of Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board; provided however, that in the case of Eligible Employees, such percentage or maximum dollar amount will in either case not exceed 15% of such Employee’s earnings (as defined by the Board in each Offering) during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering, unless otherwise provided for in an Offering.
(b) Purchase Dates. The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and Shares will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.
(c) Other Purchase Limitations. Subject to Section 5(d) herein, in connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of Shares that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date during such Offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering, and (iii) a maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date under the Offering. If the aggregate purchase of Shares issuable on exercise of Purchase Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participant’s accumulated Contributions) allocation of the Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.
(d) Purchase Price. The purchase price of Shares acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be not less than the lesser of:
(i) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the Offering Date; or
(ii) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the applicable Purchase Date.
7. Participation; Withdrawal; Termination.
(a) Enrollment. An Eligible Employee may elect to authorize payroll deductions to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company, within the time specified by the Company, an enrollment form provided by the Company or any third party designated by the Company (each, a “Company Designee”). The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participant’s Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general funds of the Company except where Applicable Laws require that Contributions be deposited with a Company Designee or otherwise be segregated.
(b) Contributions. If permitted in the Offering to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, a Participant may begin Contributions with the first payroll or payment date occurring on or after the Offering Date (or, in the case of a payroll date or payment date that occurs after the end of the prior Offering but before the Offering Date of the next new Offering, Contributions from such payroll or payment will be included in the new Offering) or on such other date as set forth in the Offering. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her Contributions. If required under Applicable Laws or if specifically provided in the Offering, in addition to or instead of making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through a payment by cash, check, or wire transfer prior to a Purchase Date, in a manner directed by the Company or a Company Designee.
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(c) Withdrawals. During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company or a Company Designee a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. On such withdrawal, such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate, and the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions without interest and such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering will then terminate. A Participant’s withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect on his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings under the Plan, but such Participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent Offerings.
(d) Termination of Eligibility. Purchase Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan will terminate immediately if the Participant either (i) is no longer an Eligible Employee or Eligible Service Provider for any reason or for no reason, or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. The Company shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively employed or actively providing services, as relevant, and the date of the termination of employment or service for purposes of the Plan. As soon as practicable, the Company will distribute to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions without interest.
(e) Leave of Absence. For purposes of this Section 7, an Employee will not be deemed to have terminated employment or failed to remain in the continuous employ of the Company or of a Designated Company in the case of sick leave, military leave, or any other leave of absence approved by the Company; provided that such leave is for a period of not more than three (3) months or reemployment upon the expiration of such leave is guaranteed by contract or statute. The Company will have sole discretion to determine whether a Participant has terminated employment and the effective date on which the Participant terminated employment, regardless of any notice period or garden leave required under local law.
(f) Transfers. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant whose employment (or in the case of Eligible Service Providers, service) transfers or whose employment (or in the case of Eligible Service Providers, service) terminates with an immediate rehire (or in the case of Eligible Service Providers, reengagement) with no break in employment (or in the case of Eligible Service Providers, service) by or between the Company and a Designated Company or between Designated Companies will not be treated as having terminated employment (or in the case of Eligible Service Providers, service) for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from an Offering under the 423 Component to an Offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the Participant’s Purchase Right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from an Offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the Purchase Right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. In the event that a Participant’s Purchase Right is terminated under the Plan, the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions.
(g) No Transfers of Purchase Rights. During a Participant’s lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable by a Participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by the Company, by a beneficiary designation as described in Section 10.
(h) No Interest. Unless otherwise specified in the Offering or required by Applicable Law, the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.
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8. Exercise of Purchase Rights.
(a) On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share), up to the maximum number of Shares permitted by the Plan and the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.
(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Offering, if any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participant’s account after the purchase of Shares on the final Purchase Date in an Offering, then such remaining amount will roll over to the next Offering.
(c) No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the Shares to be issued on such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all Applicable Laws. If on a Purchase Date the Shares are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and the Purchase Date will be delayed until the Shares are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will in no event be more than three (3) months from the original Purchase Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the Shares are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed as soon as practicable to the Participants without interest.
9. Covenants of the Company. The Company will seek to obtain from each U.S. federal or state, non-U.S. or other regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Purchase Rights and issue and sell Shares thereunder unless the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so would cause the Company to incur costs that are unreasonable. If, after commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Shares under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights or to issue and sell Shares on exercise of such Purchase Rights.
10. Designation of Beneficiary.
(a) The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit a Participant to submit a form designating a beneficiary who will receive any Shares or Contributions from the Participant’s account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant to change such designation of beneficiary. Any such designation or change must be on a form approved by the Company or as approved by the Company for use by a Company Designee.
(b) If a Participant dies, in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any Shares and Contributions to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant. If no executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such Shares and Contributions, without interest, to the Participant’s spouse, dependents or relatives, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.
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11. Capitalization Adjustments; Dissolution or Liquidation; Corporate Transactions.
(a) Capitalization Adjustment. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve may be increased each year pursuant to Section 3(a), (iii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights, and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering. The Board will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding, and conclusive.
(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Board will shorten any Offering then in progress by setting a New Purchase Date prior to the consummation of such proposed dissolution or liquidation. The Board will notify each Participant in writing, prior to the New Purchase Date that the Purchase Date for the Participant’s Purchase Rights has been changed to the New Purchase Date and that such Purchase Rights will be automatically exercised on the New Purchase Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering as provided in Section 7.
(c) Corporate Transaction. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then: (i) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue outstanding Purchase Rights or may substitute similar rights (including a right to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the Corporate Transaction) for outstanding Purchase Rights, or (ii) if any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not agree to assume or continue such Purchase Rights or does not substitute similar rights for such Purchase Rights, then the Participants’ accumulated Contributions will be used to purchase Shares (rounded down to the nearest whole share) prior to the Corporate Transaction under the outstanding Purchase Rights (with such actual date to be determined by the Board in its sole discretion), and the Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such purchase. The Board will notify each Participant in writing, prior to the New Purchase Date that the Purchase Date for the Participant’s Purchase Rights has been changed to the New Purchase Date and that such Purchase Rights will be automatically exercised on the New Purchase Date, unless prior to such date the Participant has withdrawn from the Offering as provided in Section 7.
(d) Spin-Off. In the event of a spin-off or similar transaction involving the Company, the Board may take actions deemed necessary or appropriate in connection with an ongoing Offering and subject to compliance with Applicable Laws (including the assumption of Purchase Rights under an ongoing Offering by the spun-off company, or shortening an Offering and scheduling a new Purchase Date prior to the closing of such transaction). In the absence of any such action by the Board, a Participant in an ongoing Offering whose employer ceases to qualify as a Related Corporation as of the closing of a spin-off or similar transaction will be treated in the same manner as if the Participant had terminated employment (as provided in Section 7(d)).
12. Amendment, Termination or Suspension of the Plan.
(a) Plan Amendment. The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which stockholder approval is required by Applicable Laws, including any amendment that either (i) increases the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan, (ii) expands the class of individuals eligible to become Participants and receive Purchase Rights, (iii) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan or reduces the price at which Shares may be purchased under the Plan, (iv) extends the term of the Plan, or (v) expands the types of awards available for issuance under the Plan, but in each of (i) through (v) above only to the extent stockholder approval is required by Applicable Laws.
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(b) Suspension or Termination. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.
(c) No Impairment of Rights. Any benefits, privileges, entitlements, and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension, or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension, or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to comply with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Share Purchase Plans) including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain any special tax, listing, or regulatory treatment; provided that, any action taken pursuant to Section 11 herein shall not be treated as an amendment giving rise to impairment hereunder. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participant’s consent (1) if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right or the 423 Component complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code, or (2) as reserved pursuant to the terms of the Plan.
(d) Corrections and Administrative Procedures. Notwithstanding anything in the Plan to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (ii) establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Shares for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Contributions; (iii) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code; and (iv) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.
13. Tax Matters.
(a) Section 409A of the Code. Purchase Rights granted under the 423 Component are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under U.S. Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(ii). Purchase Rights granted under the Non-423 Component to U.S. taxpayers are intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. Subject to Section 13(b) below, Purchase Rights granted to U.S. taxpayers under the Non-423 Component will be subject to such terms and conditions that will permit such Purchase Rights to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral exception available under Section 409A of the Code, including the requirement that the shares subject to a Purchase Right be delivered within the short-term deferral period. Subject to Section 13(b) below, in the case of a Participant who would otherwise be subject to Section 409A of the Code, to the extent the Board determines that a Purchase Right or the exercise, payment, settlement, or deferral thereof is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Purchase Right will be granted, exercised, paid, settled, or deferred in a manner that will comply with Section 409A of the Code, including U.S. Department of Treasury regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder, including, without limitation, any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued after the adoption of the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company will have no liability to a Participant or any other party if the Purchase Right that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Board with respect thereto and in no event will the Company, any Related Corporation or any Affiliate be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest or other expenses that may be incurred by a Participant on account of non-compliance with Section 409A of the Code.
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(b) No Guarantee of Tax Treatment. Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a Purchase Right for special tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States, or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment (e.g., under Section 409A of the Code), the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain special or to avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan, including Section 13(a) above. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants under the Plan.
14. Tax Withholding. The Participant will make adequate provision to satisfy the Tax-Related Items withholding obligations, if any, of the Company and/or the applicable Designated Company which arise with respect to Participant’s participation in the Plan or upon the disposition of the Shares. The Company and/or the Designated Company may, but will not be obligated to unless required by Applicable Laws, withhold from the Participant’s compensation or any other payments due the Participant the amount necessary to meet such withholding obligations, withholding a sufficient whole number of Shares issued following exercise having an aggregate value sufficient to pay the Tax-Related Items or withhold from the proceeds of the sale of Shares, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company or any other method of withholding that the Company and/or the Designated Company deems appropriate. The Company and/or the Designated Company will have the right to take such other action as may be necessary in the opinion of the Company or a Designated Company to satisfy withholding and/or reporting obligations for such Tax-Related Items. The Company shall not be required to issue any Shares under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.
15. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan will become effective on the Effective Date. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or, if required under Section 12(a) above, amended) by the Board.
16. Miscellaneous Provisions.
(a) Proceeds from the sale of Shares pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.
(b) A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, Shares subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participant’s Shares acquired on exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).
(c) The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment or service contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at-will nature of a Participant’s employment, if applicable, or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue his or her employment or service relationship with the Company, a Related Corporation, or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company, a Related Corporation, or an Affiliate to continue the employment or service of a Participant.
(d) The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the Netherlands without resort to its conflicts of laws rules. All disputes relating to this Plan and all Awards or agreements based on or pursuant to this Plan shall be submitted exclusively to the competent court in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
(e) If any particular provision of the Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will not affect the other provisions of the Plan, but the Plan will be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.
(f) If any provision of the Plan does not comply with Applicable Laws, such provision will be construed in such a manner as to comply with Applicable Laws.
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17. Definitions. As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:
(a) “423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the Non-423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that satisfy the requirements for an Employee Share Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.
(b) “Affiliate” means any entity, other than a Related Corporation, in which the Company has an equity or other ownership interest or that is directly or indirectly controlled by, controls, or is under common control with the Company, in all cases, as determined by the Board, whether now or hereafter existing.
(c) “Applicable Laws” means all applicable laws, rules, regulations and requirements, including, but not limited to, all applicable U.S. federal or state laws, rules and regulations, the rules and regulations of any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Shares are listed or quoted, and the applicable laws, rules and regulations of any other country or jurisdiction where Purchase Rights are, or will be, granted under the Plan or Participants reside or provide services to the Company or any Related Corporation or Affiliate, as such laws, rules, and regulations shall be in effect from time to time.
(d) “Board” means the board of directors (bestuur) of the Company.
(e) “Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Shares subject to the Plan or subject to any Purchase Right after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.
(f) “Code” means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.
(g) “Committee” means a committee of one or more members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).
(h) “Company” means Lilium N.V., a Dutch public limited liability company (naamloze vennootschap), or any successor thereto.
(i) “Contributions” means the payroll deductions or other payments specifically provided for in the Offering to fund the exercise of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments into his or her account if specifically provided for in the Offering, and then only if the Participant has not already contributed the maximum permitted amount of payroll deductions and other payments during the Offering.
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(j) “Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:
(i) a transfer of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets;
(ii) a merger, consolidation or other capital reorganization or business combination transaction of the Company with or into another corporation, entity or person; or
(iii) the consummation of a transaction, or series of related transactions, in which 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 more than 50% of the Company’s then outstanding capital stock.
(k) “Designated 423 Corporation” means any Related Corporation selected by the Board as participating in the 423 Component.
(l) “Designated Company” means any Designated Non-423 Corporation or Designated 423 Corporation, provided, however, that at any given time, a Related Corporation participating in the 423 Component will not be a Related Corporation participating in the Non-423 Component.
(m) “Designated Non-423 Corporation” means any Related Corporation or Affiliate selected by the Board as participating in the Non-423 Component.
(n) “Director” means a member of the Board.
(o) “Effective Date” means the date of consummation of the initial business combination between Lilium GmbH, Lilium N.V. and Qell Acquisition Corp.
(p) “Eligible Employee” means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan. For purposes of the Plan, the employment relationship will be treated as continuing intact while the Employee is on sick leave or other leave of absence approved by the Company or a Related Corporation or Affiliate that directly employs the Employee. Where the period of leave exceeds three (3) months and the Employee’s right to reemployment is not guaranteed either by statute or by contract, the employment relationship will, to the extent permitted by law, be deemed to have terminated three (3) months and one (1) day following the commencement of such leave.
(q) “Eligible Service Provider” means a natural person other than an Employee or Director who (i) is designated by the Committee to be an “Eligible Service Provider,” (ii) provides bona fide services to the Company or a Related Corporation, (iii) is not a U.S. taxpayer and (iv) meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such person also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.
(r) “Employee” means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is treated as an employee in the records of the Company or a Related Corporation or Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.
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(s) “Employee Share Purchase Plan” means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an “employee Share Purchase Plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.
(t) “Exchange Act” means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
(u) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Shares determined as follows:
(i) If the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, its Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable;
(ii) If the Shares are regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not reported, its Fair Market Value will be the mean of the closing bid and asked prices for the Shares on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable; or
(iii) In the absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Board in compliance with Applicable Laws and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A of the Code.
(v) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year of the Company.
(w) “New Purchase Date” means a new Purchase Date set by shortening any Offering then in progress.
(x) “Non-423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the 423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that are not intended to satisfy the requirements for an Employee Share Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees and Eligible Service Providers.
(y) “Offering” means the grant to Eligible Employees or Eligible Service Providers of Purchase Rights, with the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the “Offering Document” approved by the Board for that Offering.
(z) “Offering Date” means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to commence.
(aa) “Offering Period” means a period with respect to which the right to purchase Shares may be granted under the Plan, as determined by the Board pursuant to the Plan.
(bb) “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation or Affiliate within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.
(cc) “Participant” means an Eligible Employee or Eligible Service Provider who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.
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(dd) “Plan” means this Lilium N.V. 2021 Employee Share Purchase Plan, including both the 423 Component and the Non-423 Component, as amended and/or amended and restated from time to time.
(ee) “Purchase Date” means one or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of Shares will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.
(ff) “Purchase Period” means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.
(gg) “Purchase Right” means an option to purchase Shares granted pursuant to the Plan.
(hh) “Related Corporation” means any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company whether now or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.
(ii) “Securities Act” means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(jj) “Shares” means the Class A ordinary shares of the Company.
(kk) “Tax-Related Items” means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising in relation to a Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to a Participant.
(ll) “Trading Day” means any day on which the exchange or market on which Shares are listed is open for trading.
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Exhibit 15.1
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Defined terms included below shall have the same meaning as terms defined and included elsewhere in this Report on Form 20-F and, if not defined in the Form 20-F, in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.
Introduction
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 combines the historical statement of financial position of Lilium GmbH and the historical statement of financial position of Qell on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions had been consummated on December 31, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 combines the historical statements of operations of Lilium GmbH and Qell for such period on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions had been consummated on January 1, 2020, the beginning of the earliest period presented.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been presented for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the financial position and results of operations that would have been achieved had the Business Combination and related transactions occurred on the dates indicated. Further, the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information may not be useful in predicting the future financial condition and results of operations of the post-combination company. The actual financial position and results of operations may differ significantly from the pro forma amounts reflected herein due to a variety of factors. The unaudited pro forma adjustments represent management’s estimates based on information available as of the date of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and is subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed. This information should be read together with Lilium GmbH’s and Qell’s audited financial statements and related notes, as applicable, and the sections titled “Lilium GmbH’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and “Qell’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus and other financial information incorporated herein by reference.
Description of the Business Combination
On September 14, 2021 (the “Closing Date”), Lilium closed the previously announced Business Combination pursuant to the Business Combination Agreement, dated as of March 30, 2021 by and among Qell, Lilium GmbH, Lilium, and Merger Sub.
On the Closing Date, (i) Qell converted the Qell Class A Ordinary Shares into a claim for corresponding equity in Merger Sub, with such claim then contributed to Lilium in exchange for one Class A Share of Lilium, (ii) the shareholders of Lilium GmbH exchanged their shares of Lilium GmbH for shares in the capital of Lilium, with all Lilium GmbH shareholders, but Daniel Wiegand, receiving Class A Shares in the share capital of Lilium, and Daniel Wiegand receiving Class B Shares of Lilium, and (iii) each outstanding warrant to purchase a Qell Class A Ordinary Share was converted into a warrant to purchase one Lilium Class A Share.
On March 30, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Business Combination Agreement, Qell and Lilium entered into Subscription Agreements with certain PIPE Investors, pursuant to which the PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Lilium agreed to issue and sell to such PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 45,000,000 Class A Shares at a price of $10.00 per share, for gross proceeds of $450,000,000 on the Closing Date. The PIPE Financing closed concurrently with the Business Combination.
Accounting Treatment
The Business Combination will be accounted for as a capital reorganization. Under this method of accounting, Qell is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination is treated as the equivalent of Lilium GmbH issuing shares at the closing of the Business Combination for the net assets of Qell as of the closing date, accompanied by a recapitalization. The net assets of Qell is stated at historical cost, with no goodwill or other intangible assets recorded.
1
Lilium GmbH has been determined to be the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts and circumstances:
| · | Lilium GmbH’s shareholders have the largest voting interest in Lilium with approximately 80% of the voting interest; |
| · | Lilium GmbH has nominated the majority of the members on the board of directors of the post-combination company; |
| · | Lilium GmbH’s senior management is the senior management of the post-combination company; |
| · | The business of Lilium GmbH comprises the ongoing operations of Lilium; and |
| · | Lilium GmbH is the larger entity, in terms of substantive operations and employee base. |
The Business Combination, which is not within the scope of IFRS 3 since Qell does not meet the definition of a business in accordance with IFRS 3, is accounted for within the scope of IFRS 2. Any excess of fair value of Lilium shares issued over the fair value of Qell’s identifiable net assets acquired represents compensation for the service of a stock exchange listing for its shares and is expensed as incurred.
Basis of Pro Forma Presentation
Pursuant to Qell’s existing charter, Qell’s public shareholders were offered the opportunity to redeem, upon closing of the Business Combination, Qell Class A Ordinary Shares held by them for cash equal to their pro rata share of the aggregate amount on deposit in the Trust Account. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements reflect the actual redemption of 24,527,594 shares of Qell Class A Ordinary Shares at $10.00 per share.
The following summarizes the number of Lilium ordinary shares outstanding at Closing Date:
| Ownership in shares | Equity % | Voting % | ||||||||||
| Lilium GmbH shareholders (1) | 219,202,016 | 77 | % | 80 | % | |||||||
| Qell public shareholders | 13,422,406 | 5 | % | 4 | % | |||||||
| Qell sponsor (2) | 7,658,555 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |||||||
| PIPE Investors | 45,000,000 | 16 | % | 14 | % | |||||||
| Total Ordinary Shares | 285,282,977 | 100 | % | 100 | % | |||||||
| (1) | Includes 1,172,918 Lilium Class A Shares to be issued to certain Lilium GmbH Executives in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination. |
| (2) | Includes 3,063,422 of Lilium Class A Shares acquired by the Sponsor in connection with the Merger, which Sponsor has agreed to subject to certain time and performance vesting provisions. |
2
| UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION |
| As of December 31, 2020 |
| (In thousands) |
| As of December 31, 2020 | As of December 31, 2020 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Lilium (IFRS, Historical) | Qell (US GAAP, Restated, As Converted) | IFRS Policy and Presentation Alignment (Note 2) | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | ||||||||||||||||||
| ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Intangible assets | € | 1,372 | € | - | € | - | € | - | € | 1,372 | ||||||||||||
| Property, plant and equipment | 22,715 | - | - | - | 22,715 | |||||||||||||||||
| Financial assets | 2,112 | - | - | - | 2,112 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-financial assets | 153 | - | - | - | 153 | |||||||||||||||||
| Investments held in Trust Account | - | 310,723 | - | (200,867 | ) | A | - | |||||||||||||||
| (109,856 | ) | B | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current assets | 26,352 | 310,723 | - | (310,723 | ) | 26,352 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other financial assets | 50,676 | - | - | - | 50,676 | |||||||||||||||||
| Non-financial assets | 5,774 | - | 422 | - | 6,196 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 102,144 | 1,657 | - | 109,856 | B | 516,975 | ||||||||||||||||
| 368,369 | C | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (10,873 | ) | D | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (54,178 | ) | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Prepaid expenses | - | 422 | (422 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Current assets | 158,594 | 2,079 | - | 413,174 | 573,847 | |||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL ASSETS | € | 184,946 | € | 312,802 | € | - | € | 102,451 | € | 600,199 | ||||||||||||
| EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Subscribed capital | € | 69 | € | - | € | - | € | 5,400 | C | € | 40,093 | |||||||||||
| 141 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 2,530 | K | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 31,953 | L | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share premium | 253,815 | - | 32,740 | 362,969 | C | 771,807 | ||||||||||||||||
| (6,771 | ) | E | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 8,880 | F | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (28,407 | ) | G | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 96,793 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (18,857 | ) | I | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 0 | J | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (2,528 | ) | K | ||||||||||||||||||||
| (31,953 | ) | L | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 105,126 | M | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares | - | 1 | - | (1 | ) | G | - | |||||||||||||||
| 1 | H | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (1 | ) | K | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Class B ordinary shares | - | 1 | - | 0 | J | - | ||||||||||||||||
| (1 | ) | K | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Other capital reserves | 110,055 | - | - | - | 110,055 | |||||||||||||||||
| Additional paid-in capital | - | 32,740 | (32,740 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated loss | (306,098 | ) | (28,648 | ) | - | (47,810 | ) | E | (449,438 | ) | ||||||||||||
| (9,021 | ) | F | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 28,408 | G | |||||||||||||||||||||
| 18,857 | I | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (105,126 | ) | M | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (119 | ) | - | - | - | (119 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Equity | 57,722 | 4,094 | - | 410,582 | 472,398 | |||||||||||||||||
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Class A ordinary shares subject to redemption | - | 247,321 | (247,321 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other financial liabilities | 27 | - | - | - | 27 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 9,505 | - | - | - | 9,505 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | 411 | - | - | - | 411 | |||||||||||||||||
| Derivative warrant liabilities | - | 50,340 | - | (50,340 | ) | G | - | |||||||||||||||
| Deferred underwriting commissions | - | 10,873 | - | (10,873 | ) | D | - | |||||||||||||||
| Common stock subject to possible redemptions | - | - | 247,321 | (200,867 | ) | A | - | |||||||||||||||
| 50,340 | G | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (96,794 | ) | H | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-current liabilities | 9,943 | 61,213 | 247,321 | (308,534 | ) | 9,943 | ||||||||||||||||
| Accounts payable | - | 109 | (109 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Accrued expenses | - | 65 | (65 | ) | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Other financial liabilities | 21 | - | - | - | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
| Lease liabilities | 1,613 | - | - | - | 1,613 | |||||||||||||||||
| Provisions | 80 | - | - | - | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
| Income tax payable | 43 | - | - | - | 43 | |||||||||||||||||
| Convertible loans | 99,235 | - | - | - | 99,235 | |||||||||||||||||
| Trade and other payables | 11,092 | - | 109 | 403 | E | 11,604 | ||||||||||||||||
| Other non-financial liabilities | 5,197 | - | 65 | - | 5,262 | |||||||||||||||||
| Current liabilities | 117,281 | 174 | - | 403 | 117,858 | |||||||||||||||||
| TOTAL EQUITY AND LIABILITIES | € | 184,946 | € | 312,802 | € | - | € | 102,451 | € | 600,199 | ||||||||||||
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| UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS |
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 |
| (In thousands, except share and per share data) |
| Year Ended December 31, 2020 | For the Period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 | Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Lilium (IFRS, Historical) | Qell (US GAAP, Restated, As Converted) | IFRS Policy and Presentation Alignment (Note 2) | Transaction Accounting Adjustments | Pro Forma Combined | ||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue | € | 97 | € | - | € | - | € | - | € | 97 | ||||||||||||
| Cost of sales | (10 | ) | - | - | - | (10 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Gross Profit | 87 | - | - | - | 87 | |||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | (90,345 | ) | - | - | - | (90,345 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| General and administrative expenses | (35,406 | ) | (289 | ) | (25 | ) | (29,193 | ) | BB | (179,034 | ) | |||||||||||
| (9,020 | ) | CC | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 25 | DD | |||||||||||||||||||||
| (105,126 | ) | EE | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Administrative fee - related party | - | (25 | ) | 25 | - | - | ||||||||||||||||
| Selling expenses | (15,272 | ) | - | - | - | (15,272 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Other income | 2,346 | - | - | - | 2,346 | |||||||||||||||||
| Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities | - | (28,365 | ) | - | 28,365 | FF | - | |||||||||||||||
| Offering costs - derivative warrant liabilities | - | (841 | ) | - | 841 | FF | - | |||||||||||||||
| Income earned on investments in Trust Account | - | 67 | - | (67 | ) | AA | - | |||||||||||||||
| Other expenses | (130 | ) | - | - | - | (130 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Operating loss | (138,720 | ) | (29,453 | ) | - | (114,175 | ) | (282,348 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Finance income | 80 | - | - | - | 80 | |||||||||||||||||
| Finance expenses | (49,741 | ) | - | - | - | (49,741 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Financial result | (49,661 | ) | - | - | - | (49,661 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Loss before income tax | (188,381 | ) | (29,453 | ) | - | (114,175 | ) | (332,009 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | (46 | ) | - | - | - | - | (46 | ) | ||||||||||||||
| Net loss for the period | (188,427 | ) | (29,453 | ) | - | (114,175 | ) | (332,055 | ) | |||||||||||||
| Pro forma weighted average common shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 285,282,977 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Pro forma net loss per share - basic and diluted | € | (1.16 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
4
NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
1. Basis of Presentation
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 assumes that the Business Combination occurred on December 31, 2020. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 presents pro forma effect to the Business Combination as if it had been completed on January 1, 2020. These periods are presented on the basis that Lilium GmbH is the accounting acquirer.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
| · | Lilium GmbH’s audited consolidated statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 and the related notes for the period ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference; and |
| · | Qell’s audited statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 and the related notes for the period ended December 31, 2020, which is incorporated by reference. |
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the period ended December 31, 2020 has been prepared using, and should be read in conjunction with, the following:
| · | Lilium GmbH’s audited consolidated statement of operations for the twelve months ended December 31, 2020 and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference; and |
| · | Qell’s audited statement of operations for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2020 and the related notes, which is incorporated by reference. |
The historical financial statements of Lilium GmbH have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB and in its presentation and reporting currency of the Euro (€). The historical financial statements of Qell have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“US GAAP”) in its presentation and reporting currency of United States dollars ($). The financial statements of Qell have been translated into Euros for the purposes of presentation in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information (“As Converted”) using the following exchange rates:
| · | at the period end exchange rate as of December 31, 2020 of $1.00 to €0.8186 for the statement of financial position; and |
| · | the average exchange rate for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 of $1.00 to €0.8416 for the statement of operations for the period ending on that date. |
The adjustments presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information have been identified and presented to provide relevant information necessary for an accurate understanding of Lilium after giving effect to the Business Combination. Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented.
The pro forma adjustments reflecting the consummation of the Business Combination are based on certain currently available information and certain assumptions and methodologies that management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The unaudited condensed pro forma adjustments, which are described in the accompanying notes, may be revised as additional information becomes available and is evaluated. Therefore, it is likely that the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments and it is possible the difference may be material. The Company believes that its assumptions and methodologies provide a reasonable basis for presenting all of the significant effects of the Business Combination based on information available to management at this time and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information.
5
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of the post-combination company. They should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and notes thereto of Lilium GmbH and Qell.
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not reflect the income tax effects of the pro forma adjustments as based on the statutory rate in effect for the historical periods presented. The Company believes this unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information to not be meaningful given the combined entity incurred significant losses during the historical period presented due to having not yet launched its air mobility service.
2. IFRS Policy and Presentation Alignment
The historical financial information of Qell has been adjusted to give effect to the differences between US GAAP and IFRS as issued by the IASB for the purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. The only adjustment required to convert Qell’s financial statements from US GAAP to IFRS for purposes of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information was to reclassify Qell’s common stock subject to redemption to non-current financial liabilities under IFRS.
Further, as part of the preparation of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information, certain reclassifications were made to align Qell’s historical financial information in accordance with the presentation of Lilium GmbH’s historical financial information.
3. Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information
The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X.
Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Financial Position
The Transaction Accounting Adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position as of December 31, 2020 are as follows:
| (A) | Reflects the actual redemption of 24,527,594 shares for aggregate redemption payments of €200.9 million at a redemption price of approximately $10.00 per share based on the investments held in the Trust Account at Closing of $379.6 million. | ||||||||||||
| (B) |
Reflects the liquidation and reclassification of €109.9 million of investments held in the Qell Trust Account to cash and cash equivalents, after recording actual redemptions as described in note (A), that becomes available following the Business Combination.
| ||||||||||||
| (C) | Represents the proceeds of €368.4 million from the issuance and sale of 45,000,000 shares of Lilium ordinary shares at $10.00 per share in the PIPE Investment pursuant to the terms of the Subscription Agreement. | ||||||||||||
| (D) | Reflects the settlement of €10.9 million in deferred underwriting commissions. | ||||||||||||
| (E) | Represents transaction costs incurred by Qell and Lilium GmbH of €23.1 million and €34.3 million, respectively, for advisory, banking, printing, legal, and accounting fees incurred as part of the Business Combination.
For the Qell transaction costs, none of these fees have been accrued as of the pro forma balance sheet date. €4.5 million represent equity issuance costs capitalized in share premium related to the PIPE Financing. The remaining amount of €18.6 million is reflected as an adjustment to accumulated loss, of which $15.3 million was paid at Closing and €3.3 million was deferred and is reflected in the unaudited pro forma statement of financial position in Trade and other payables. These costs have been excluded from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations. The Qell transaction costs exclude the deferred underwriting commissions as described in (D) above.
| ||||||||||||
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| For the Lilium GmbH transaction costs, €2.9 million of these fees have been accrued as of the pro forma balance sheet date. €2.2 million represents equity issuance costs capitalized in share premium. The remaining amount of €29.2 million is included as an expense through accumulated loss and is reflected in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 as discussed in (BB) below. |
| The following tables summarize the abovementioned transaction costs and the related treatment within the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. |
| Qell transaction costs | Transaction accounting adjustment | Amounts | ||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| PIPE Financing fees | (E) | € | 4,519 | |||
| Transaction costs not eligible for capitalization (1) | (E), (I), (M), (EE) | 18,617 | ||||
| Total Qell transaction costs | € | 23,136 | ||||
| (1) | Consistent with the accounting for a capital raising transaction by Lilium GmbH, such costs are excluded from the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations, but are reflected as a reduction of the net assets of Qell when calculating the IFRS 2 expense. |
| Lilium GmbH transaction costs | Transaction accounting adjustments | Amounts | ||||
| (in thousands) | ||||||
| Capitalized equity issuance costs (2) | (E) | € | 2,252 | |||
| Transaction costs not eligible for capitalization | (E), (BB) | 29,193 | ||||
| Transaction costs accrued/expensed in fiscal 2020 | (E) | 2,872 | ||||
| Total Lilium GmbH transaction costs | € | 34,317 | ||||
| (2) | Direct and incremental Lilium GmbH transaction costs were allocated based on costs related to Lilium shares issued to Qell public shareholders including Sponsor, and costs related to Lilium shares issued to Lilium GmbH shareholders. Amounts allocated to Qell public shareholders including Sponsor were capitalized and offset against the proceeds raised in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of financial position, while amounts allocated to Lilium GmbH shareholders were expensed in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations |
| (F) | Reflects 1,172,918 Lilium Class A Shares to be issued to certain Lilium GmbH executives based on a percentage of proceeds raised through the consummation of the Business Combination, and the related estimated compensation cost as discussed in (CC) below. | ||||||||||||
| (G) |
Reflects the recognition of Qell’s public and private placement warrants as equity instruments upon consummation of the Business Combination.
| ||||||||||||
| (H) |
Represents the reclassification of the redeemable ordinary shares.
| ||||||||||||
| (I) | Reflects the elimination of Qell’s historical accumulated deficit after recording the transaction costs to be incurred by Qell as described in note (E). | ||||||||||||
| (J) | Represents the forfeiture of 1,828,945 Qell Class B Shares pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement. | ||||||||||||
| (K) | Represents the exchange of 13,422,406 Qell Class A Shares and 7,658,555 Qell Class B Shares into 21,080,961 Lilium Class A Shares. | ||||||||||||
| (L) | Represents the Company Share Exchange of 76,314 shares of Lilium GmbH equity into 218,029,098 Lilium Shares, which includes 193,616,033 Lilium Class A Shares and 24,413,065 Lilium Class B Shares. The number of Lilium Class A Shares does not include the shares issued to certain Lilium GmbH executives as discussed in (F) above. | ||||||||||||
| (M) |
Represents the expense recognized, in accordance with IFRS 2, for the excess of the fair value of Lilium shares issued and the fair value of Qell’s identifiable net assets at the date of the Business Combination, resulting in a €105.1 million increase to accumulated loss. The fair value of shares issued was determined based on a market price of $9.41 per share and $1.55 per warrant as of Closing Date.
|
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7
Transaction Accounting Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations
The transaction accounting adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 are as follows:
| (AA) | Represents the elimination of interest income generated from the Trust Account for the period from August 7, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020. | ||
| (BB) | Reflects the transaction costs of €29.2 million expensed and incurred by Lilium GmbH as part of the Business Combination, as described in (E). The remaining transaction costs expensed of €2.9 million are included in the historical income statement of Lilium GmbH for the year ended December 31, 2020. These costs are a nonrecurring item. | ||
| (CC) | Reflects the compensation cost of €9.0 million related to equity issued to certain Lilium GmbH executives in connection with the Business Combination, as described in note (F). | ||
| (DD) | Represents pro forma adjustment to eliminate historical expenses related to Qell’s office space, utilities, and secretarial and administrative services pursuant to the Administrative Services Agreement, which will terminate upon the consummation of the Business Combination. | ||
| (EE) |
Represents €105.1 million of expense recognized in accordance with IFRS 2, for the difference between the fair value of Lilium shares issued and the fair value of Qell’s identifiable net assets, as described in (M). This cost is a nonrecurring item.
|
||
| (FF) |
Reflects pro forma adjustment to eliminate change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities as a result of the recognition of Qell’s public and private placement warrants as equity instruments upon consummation of the Business Combination, as described in (G).
|
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4. Net Loss per Share
Represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares in connection with the Business Combination and related transactions, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2020. As the Business Combination and related transactions are being reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issued in connection with the Business Combination have been outstanding for the entire period presented. Basic and diluted loss per share for Lilium Class A Shares and Lilium Class B Shares are the same, as each class of common stock is entitled to the same dividend participation rights and economic terms.
8
The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared using the actual redemption of Qell’s public shares:
| For the Year Ended December 31, 2020 | ||||
(in thousands, except share | ||||
| Pro forma net loss | € | (332,055 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | 285,282,977 | |||
| Net loss per share - basic and diluted (1) | € | (1.16 | ) | |
| Weighted average shares outstanding – basic and diluted: | ||||
| Lilium GmbH shareholders (2) | 219,202,016 | |||
| Qell public shareholders | 13,422,406 | |||
| Qell sponsor (3) | 7,658,555 | |||
| PIPE Investors | 45,000,000 | |||
| Total | 285,282,977 | |||
|
(1) For the purpose of calculating diluted loss per share, it was assumed that all Qell Public Warrants sold in the Qell IPO and the Private Placement Warrants are exchanged for Lilium Class A Shares. However, since this results in anti-dilution, the effect of such exchange was not included in the calculation of diluted loss per share. (2) Includes 1,172,918 Lilium Class A Shares to be issued to certain Lilium GmbH Executives in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination. (3) The pro forma basic and diluted shares of Sponsor includes 3,063,422 of Lilium Shares acquired by the Sponsor in connection with the Merger, which it has agreed to subject to certain time and performance vesting provisions.
|
9
Exhibit 15.2
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Shell Company Report on Form 20-F of Lilium N.V. of our report dated May 5, 2021 relating to the financial statements of Lilium GmbH, which appears in the Registration Statement on Form F-4 (No. 333-255800) of Lilium B.V.
Munich, Germany
September 20, 2021
PricewaterhouseCoopers GmbH
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
| /s/ Katharina Deni | /s/ Alexander Fiedler | |
| Wirtschaftsprüfer | Wirtschaftsprüfer | |
| (German Public Auditor) | (German Public Auditor) |