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As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2025.

 

 
 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 

 

Ethos Technologies Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   7389   81-3181024

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 915-0665

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 

 

Peter Colis

Chief Executive Officer

Ethos Technologies Inc.

90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 915-0665

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 

 

Copies to:

 

Matthew Bartus

Jon C. Avina

Jean Park

Milson C. Yu

Cooley LLP

3175 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 843-5000

 

Porter Nolan

General Counsel

Ethos Technologies Inc.

90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, CA 94105

(415) 915-0665

 

John C. Ericson

Heidi E. Mayon

Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP

2475 Hanover Street

Palo Alto, CA 94304

(650) 251-5000

 

 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, check the following box: 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer      Accelerated filer  
Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company  
     Emerging growth company  

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

The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.

 

 
 


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The information in this preliminary prospectus is not complete and may be changed. These securities may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This preliminary prospectus is not an offer to sell nor does it seek an offer to buy these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

Subject to Completion. Dated  , 2025.

Shares

 

 

LOGO

CLASS A COMMON STOCK

 

 

This is an initial public offering of shares of Class A common stock of Ethos Technologies Inc. We are offering      shares of Class A common stock, and the selling stockholders identified in this prospectus are offering an additional      shares of Class A common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. It is currently estimated that the initial public offering price per share will be between $     and $     . We have applied to list our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market, or Nasdaq, under the symbol “LIFE.”

We have two classes of authorized common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. The rights of the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting, conversion, and transfer rights. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. Each share of Class B common stock is entitled to 20 votes and is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock. Upon the completion of this offering, Peter Colis and Lingke Wang, or our co-founders, who are both current executive officers and directors, and their respective affiliates will represent approximately    % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, which voting power may increase over time as our co-founders exercise or vest in equity awards outstanding at the time of the completion of this offering. Entities affiliated with Accel and Sequoia Capital, our two largest stockholders, will represent    % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock. As a result, each of our co-founders, Accel and Sequoia Capital will be able to significantly influence or control any action requiring the approval of our stockholders, including the election of our board of directors, the adoption of amendments to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws and the approval of any merger, consolidation, sale of all or substantially all of our assets or other major corporate transaction.

We are an “emerging growth company” as defined under the federal securities laws, and as such, we have elected to comply with certain reduced reporting requirements for this prospectus and may elect to do so in future filings. See “Prospectus Summary—Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company.”

 

 

See the section titled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 27 to read about factors you should consider before buying shares of our Class A common stock.

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory body has approved or disapproved of these securities or passed upon the accuracy or adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

     PER SHARE      TOTAL  

Initial public offering price

   $             $       

Underwriting discounts and commissions(1)

   $             $       

Proceeds, before expenses, to Ethos Technologies Inc.

   $             $       

Proceeds, before expenses, to selling stockholders

   $             $       
 
(1)

See the section titled “Underwriting” for additional information regarding compensation payable to the underwriters.

To the extent that the underwriters sell more than     shares of Class A common stock, the underwriters have the option to purchase up to an additional     shares of Class A common stock from us at the initial public offering price less underwriting discounts and commissions for a period of 30 days after the date of this prospectus.

The underwriters expect to deliver the shares of Class A common stock against payment in New York, New York on    , 2025.

 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC   J.P. Morgan

 

BofA Securities   Barclays   Citigroup   Deutsche Bank Securities

 

Citizens Capital Markets   William Blair   Baird

 

 

Prospectus dated     , 2025.

 


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LOGO

Our Mission To protect families by democratizing access to life insurance and empowering agents at scale.


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LOGO

A letter from Peter Colis and Lingke Wang, Co-Founders of Ethos Families depend on Ethos. Every policy we help issue is a promise that a childs education, a mortgage, or a retirement plan will still stand if the unthinkable happens. Yet tens of millions remain under-insured because traditional life insurance is slow, complex, and tedious to both buy and sell. We conceived of Ethos in our dorm room at Stanfords business school.The life insurance industry was as confusing to us as outsiders as it was to consumers and agents. We built Ethos to democratize access to life insurance. Our technology platform and underwriting engine transforms the buying, selling and risk management of life insuranceso families can secure affordable coverage in minutes, not months. We also empower agents livelihoods. By making the selling process instant, paying next-day commissions and delivering an industry-leading agent technology suite, Ethos can dramatically change the earnings potential of an agent. Backing the promises of these policies are our valued life insurance carriers. We have the trusted position of managing risk on their behalf and we always put their underwriting profitability before our own profitability. We have consistently demonstrated strong risk management capabilities and delivered meaningful policyholder scale. When a father in rural Texas or a single mother in Minnesota gets coverage, a household gains security, an agent earns, and a carrier grows responsibly. We are proud to serve each of our constituents.


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LOGO

A letter from Peter Colis and Lingke Wang, Co-Founders of Ethos How we operate Our greatest competitive advantage is our people and culture. We are inspired to protect families, empower agents and grow our carriers - and know we need to consistently earn their trust. Our culture is reflected in our values:Serve our Families. Our clients are not simply a number in a spreadsheet. We understand a family will sink or swim depending on how we perform. We always strive to act with integrity and delight the customer. Bias for Impact. We win by overachieving, and we dont confuse motion with progress. This principle distinguishes our execution from the incumbent industry. Intellectual Rigor. We take a first-principled approach to an age-old industry. We recognize that Ethos is a virtuous data-cycle business-one that strengthens with scale when we interpret data effectively and act on it wisely. Speak your mind. We encourage Ethosaurs to have strong opinions, loosely held. We are comfortable giving and receiving feedback. We win together: one team, one dream. Ethos is a low, single-digit percentage of the life insurance industry today. By building a high-NPS, vertically-integrated technology platform that transforms the life insurance experience for consumers, agents and carriers - we are well-positioned to seize the opportunity before us and transform the industry.


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LOGO

Our 3-sided technology platform Consumers Helping people access affordable, personalized coverage through a seamless digital experience that delivers protection in minutes, not months. Agents Accelerating sales and cash flow with instant policies, next-day commissions, and a comprehensive operating system of powerful tools to grow their business. Carriers Delivering profitable, scaled growth at target underwriting profitability, powered by modern technology.


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LOGO

LTM REVENUE $320MLTM YOY REVENUE GROWTH+57%LTM GAAP NET INCOME$61MLTM ADJ. EBITDA$81MLTM NET INCOME MARGIN19%LTM ADJ. EBITDA MARGIN25%ACTIVATED POLICIES 450K+ LTM GROSS MARGIN 98% LTM figures are for the twelve months endod June 30, 2025. Our activated pollane figure is from inception through the date of this prospectus. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin ara con GAAP financial measures. See the section titled Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for more information on our ase and calculation of Activated Policies, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and a reconcilation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA and net income margin to Adjusted EB TDA Margin  


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LOGO

Ethos' History of Innovation


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  

GLOSSARY OF TERMS

     iii  

PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

     1  

THE OFFERING

     16  

SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

     21  

RISK FACTORS

     27  

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     71  

MARKET, INDUSTRY, AND OTHER DATA

     73  

USE OF PROCEEDS

     74  

DIVIDEND POLICY

     75  

CAPITALIZATION

     76  

DILUTION

     79  

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     82  

BUSINESS

     118  

MANAGEMENT

     140  

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     149  

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     164  

PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     166  

DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

     170  

SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

     178  

MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK

     184  

UNDERWRITING

     188  

LEGAL MATTERS

     195  

EXPERTS

     195  

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

     195  

INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

     F-1  

 

 

Through and including      , 2025 (the 25th day after the date of this prospectus), all dealers effecting transactions in these securities, whether or not participating in this offering, may be required to deliver a prospectus. This is in addition to a dealer’s obligation to deliver a prospectus when acting as an underwriter and with respect to an unsold allotment or subscription.

Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor any of the underwriters has authorized anyone to provide you with any information or to make any representations other than those contained in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectuses we have prepared. Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor any of the underwriters takes any responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. We and the selling stockholders are offering to sell, and seeking offers to buy, shares of our Class A common stock only in jurisdictions where offers and sales are permitted. The information contained in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date of this prospectus, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus or of any sale of our Class A common stock. Our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects may have changed since that date.

 

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For investors outside the United States: Neither we, the selling stockholders, nor any of the underwriters have done anything that would permit this offering or possession or distribution of this prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other than in the United States. Persons outside of the United States who come into possession of this prospectus must inform themselves about, and observe any restrictions relating to, the offering of the shares of our Class A common stock and the distribution of this prospectus outside of the United States.

 

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

As used in this prospectus, unless the context indicates or otherwise requires, the following terms have the following meanings:

Activated Policy: An insurance policy that was sold through our platform. Activated policies include insurance policies issued and sold to consumers who come to our platform directly as well as those sourced through third-party channels. The number of activated policies does not include any Wills & Estate Planning products.

Active Carriers: Carriers that issued at least one policy through our platform within the last 12 months and were continuing to offer products through our platform as of June 30, 2025.

Active Selling Agents: Agents who have activated a policy through our platform within the last 12 months.

Agencies: Independent insurance agencies that are not owned or operated by us but use our platform to sell insurance products. These agencies employ, or contract with, agents who engage with consumers and submit applications through our platform.

Agent Payments: Amounts paid by us to agents or agencies in connection with both policy sales and sale referrals made by such agents, or in the case of payments made to agencies, their affiliated agents, on our platform.

Agents: Individuals licensed to sell insurance policies in the relevant jurisdiction, whether captive, independent, or affiliated with agencies, including those who sell insurance and related products through our platform.

Carrier: A licensed insurance company.

Commissions: The compensation paid by a carrier to us for an activated policy. Commissions are based on the annual premium of an activated policy and are typically paid throughout the life of the policy. The majority of a policy’s lifetime commissions are paid in the first year following activation.

Commission Rates: The percentage of the policy premium in each policy year paid to us as commission. Commission rates are contractually defined with carriers and reviewed on an annual basis.

Consumers: Individuals who apply for and purchase insurance and related products on our platform, either directly, or through our third-party channel.

NPS: Net promoter score, or NPS, is a standardized measure of consumer satisfaction and loyalty and can range from a low of negative 100 to a high of positive 100. NPS benchmarks can vary significantly by industry, but a score greater than zero represents a company that has more promoters than detractors. Our NPS is calculated using a third-party platform. We use NPS to assess consumer satisfaction and experience with policies sold through our platform for which we serve as the third-party administrator and to evaluate performance across carriers on our platform on average over a given period. Our NPS provided in this prospectus reflects the six months ended June 30, 2025.

Persistency: The term “persistency” refers to how long activated policies remain active throughout their terms. Observed persistency for policies of a particular product type changes over time as activated policies are terminated prior to the end of their terms.

Persistency Estimate: The term persistency estimate refers to a percentage estimating the likelihood that a currently activated policy will remain active throughout the policy’s term. We derive the persistency estimate for a policy using our observed persistency data applicable to that policy as well as relevant industry persistency data. We apply the persistency estimate for an activated

 

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policy when recognizing revenue from that policy, and we regularly review, and update as needed, persistency estimates as observed persistency applicable to that policy changes over time.

Post-Issue Audit: A review process conducted periodically by Ethos after a policy has been activated to validate digital underwriting information. The audits may result in recommendations for policy termination where discrepancies are identified. While we conduct the audit, implementation of any resulting actions, such as policy terminations, is typically carried out by the issuing carriers.

Terminations: Previously activated policies that cease to be active due to either (i) policy lapses, which are primarily driven by the consumer’s failure to pay their premiums or voluntary consumer cancellations, (ii) policy rescissions, which are cancellations by the carrier typically resulting from misrepresentation or non-disclosure of material facts by the consumer discovered during post-issue audits, or (iii) death of the consumer.

Third-Party Channel: Our external distribution network, which is composed of independent insurance agencies, their affiliated licensed agents, independent agents, third-party fintech companies, and other third parties that refer consumers to, or enable the sale of, insurance products through our platform.

Underwriting Costs: The costs incurred throughout the underwriting process for both activated and non-activated policies, including costs associated with obtaining third-party evidences (such as prescription history, credit-based insurance scores and motor vehicle records), and, separately, costs related to post-issue audits.

 

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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

This summary highlights selected information contained elsewhere in this prospectus. This summary does not contain all of the information you should consider before investing in our Class A common stock. You should read this entire prospectus carefully, including the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making an investment decision. Unless the context otherwise requires, all references in this prospectus to “we,” “us,” “our,” “our company,” “the Company,” and “Ethos” refer to Ethos Technologies Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Unless otherwise indicated, references to our “common stock” include our Class A common stock and Class B common stock.

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Company Overview

Our Mission

Our mission is to protect families by democratizing access to life insurance and empowering agents at scale.

To achieve this mission, we built Ethos, a three-sided technology platform that transforms the buying, selling, and risk management experience of life insurance for consumers, agents, and carriers alike.

The Problem with the Legacy Life Insurance Process

Life insurance is a pillar of financial security. It provides individuals and their families peace of mind and financial protection against unforeseen events.

While technology has transformed almost every important personal and financial experience, from education to buying a home, banking, or investing, the experience of purchasing, selling, and administering life insurance has not meaningfully improved in several decades:

 

   

Consumers: Consumers today face slow, complex, and opaque application processes that often discourage them from obtaining the coverage they need.

 

   

Agents: Agents are required to navigate complex underwriting guidelines and rely on legacy, disparate technology applications that distract from insurance sales, create long sales cycles, and make case management labor-intensive.

 

   

Carriers: Carriers rely on analog underwriting processes and siloed data, which limits the speed and scale at which they can distribute policies.

As a result, there is a significant need for a new approach to life insurance in the United States. In 2024, 42% of American adults recognized they needed life insurance coverage but did not purchase it due to multiple reasons, notably the complexity of the products, perceived cost, and other financial priorities, according to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, or LIMRA, a leading research organization for insurance and financial services companies.

 

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Value Proposition to Consumers, Agents, and Carriers

Through our three-sided technology platform, we serve a growing ecosystem of consumers, agents, and carriers, each of which benefits from the scale, ease-of-use, and efficiency of our platform. This creates strong network effects that drive our continued growth.

Since inception, we have activated over 450,000 policies, and as of June 30, 2025, we had over 10,000 active selling agents and several active carriers on our platform.

 

   

Consumers: We remove the friction from buying life insurance with a 100% digital application and underwriting process that includes transparent pricing, a few health questions driven by our proprietary underwriting engine instead of lengthy and invasive medical exams, and decisions in minutes for almost all consumers.

 

   

Agents: Our platform is designed to enable agents to sell more policies and get paid quickly across a broad portfolio of products. We provide agents with an all-in-one agent operating system, or Agent OS, that streamlines quoting, application submission, and policy management. This reduces case management work and streamlines payments infrastructure, all of which substantially increase an agent’s time available to prospect and sell.

 

   

Carriers: We help life insurance carriers expand their consumer and agent reach in a manner designed to optimize risk selection and profitability, as carriers assume the insurance risk of the underlying policies. We do not assume balance sheet risk for the policies on our platform.

Our Platform

Our technology platform is fully digital and vertically integrated. We simplify the insurance value chain from distribution to underwriting, activation, payments, and administration. Combining key elements of the insurance sales and administrative process into a singular platform enables us to build insurance products quickly, dynamically adjust underwriting and pricing, and rapidly iterate to deliver a delightful consumer and agent experience.

Our platform makes the application process faster and more accessible for consumers and agents while reducing errors, including by validating disclosures against third-party data in real-time. Our proprietary underwriting engine leverages predictive and real-time data acquired with the consent of the applicant to create a bespoke information graph that allows us to instantly assess risk and deliver quick, competitively priced policies with high approval rates. Once issued, our cloud-native policy administration system provides consumers with seamless servicing and billing. The unified, end-to-end nature of our platform enables us to collect and analyze granular data across the entire consumer and agent journey. We then identify patterns across cohorts to continuously optimize our underwriting and improve conversion and platform usability.

Our technology platform is extensible, demonstrated by our ability to launch and scale new life insurance and estate planning products. This has enabled us to expand our offerings from just one product in 2019 to ten as of December 31, 2024. We have launched multiple Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance products, and an Indexed Universal Life Insurance product, as well as Wills & Estate Planning. As a result, we have achieved significant scale with broad demographic and geographic distribution. We have activated over 450,000 policies, and these consumers come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, income levels, and ages, consistent with our mission of democratizing access to life insurance. Our technology platform continuously improves as we scale and collect data, which further refines underwriting accuracy, pricing efficiency, and our platform engagement strategy to create durable network effects.

 

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Our Business Model

Our business model is capital and asset light and highly scalable. In contrast to a traditional carrier model, we do not assume balance sheet risk for the policies sold on our platform. We power the technology, distribution, digital underwriting, and consumer experience while our insurance carriers assume the underlying insurance risk of the policies.

We have achieved significant scale and rapid growth, and have expanded our margins since inception. The number of activated policies on our platform increased by 77% from 72,018 in the year ended December 31, 2023 to 127,623 in the year ended December 31, 2024, and increased by 70% from 55,656 in the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 94,405 in the six months ended June 30, 2025. Our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 was $160 million and $255 million, respectively, representing an increase of 60%. Over the same period, we also increased our gross profit margin from 96% to 97%, respectively, and Contribution Margin from 32% to 41%, respectively. Our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 was $119 million and $184 million, respectively, representing an increase of 55%. Over the same period, we also increased our gross profit margin from 97% to 98%, respectively, and Contribution Margin from 37% to 43%, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, our net income margin was 1% and 19% and our Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased from 4% to 23%. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025, our net income margin was 16% and 17% and our Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased from 18% to 24%. For more information about Contribution Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, including the limitations of such measures and a reconciliation of each metric to its most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP, see the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

The Ethos Platform

We operate a vertically integrated platform transforming how life insurance is bought and sold through end-to-end distribution, underwriting, and policy administration. Our platform is natively built on a unified data infrastructure and our technology allows for continuous platform improvement, creating network effects as we scale.

 

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Vertically Integrated

Our vertical integration yields comprehensive data and insights across the value chain, enabling us to deliver superior value to consumers, agents, and carriers, while continuously improving our platform. By integrating multiple carriers on our unified platform, we are also able to offer a wider array of products tailored to various consumer profiles, creating a significant competitive advantage that compounds over time and helps us achieve our mission of democratizing access to life insurance.

Distribution

We believe we have transformed distribution for constituents in the life insurance value chain, simplifying and improving the policy experience for consumers, agents, and carriers alike.

We serve consumers by unifying the direct-to-consumer, or DTC, and third-party distribution channels on a single digital platform. This integrated model creates powerful flywheel effects: consumer marketing drives brand visibility and inbound interest from agents leading to higher sales and data captured from both channels that collectively improve our platform.

Our data engine and machine learning models identify patterns from historical consumer cohorts and use that data to predict purchase behavior, consumer lifetime values, and underwriting outcomes early in the funnel, improving our targeting while offering consumers an experience that is personalized to their needs.

Our platform also integrates with third-party channels such as fintech companies via application programming interfaces, or APIs, allowing these companies to quote, process, and activate policies within their own platform. This further expands our reach and reinforces our distribution.

Underwriting

Our proprietary underwriting engine leverages real-time, sophisticated data analytics designed to deliver faster decision-making and higher approval rates at competitive prices compared to traditional models.

Traditional underwriting often requires in-person blood tests, urine analysis, and medical exams, as well as time-intensive, static, fillable forms. Such processes can take several weeks and subsequently can result in denial of coverage. With our digital technology platform, the majority of applicants receive a decision within ten minutes of starting their application.

Our underwriting engine ingests up to 250,000 data points per application, including prescription history, credit-based insurance scores, historical underwriting outcomes, and motor vehicle records. Importantly, it is designed to intelligently determine which data is most relevant for each individual consumer, which minimizes both cost and friction in the process. Our underwriting engine then combines such relevant third-party data with consumer-submitted application data to create a proprietary information graph that allows us to identify and assess risk instantly in an individualized manner. This scale of data integration and evaluation is difficult to achieve and is powered by our proprietary technology. When paired with our comprehensive product suite spanning a broad array of risk profiles, 95% of applicants receive decisions instantly based on internal data compared to four to eight weeks on average for traditional underwriting processes.

As a testament to our capabilities, many of our carriers entrust us with underwriting administration and execution. In these arrangements, we administer underwriting pursuant to certain standards that we develop and modify as necessary pursuant to carrier-specific requirements. The final standards, as

 

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agreed to by carriers, are set forth in carrier-specific manuals or guidelines. These standards are specific to each carrier and also vary by product, and address matters such as persistency, mortality, and post-issue audits. These standards generally apply consistently regardless of whether a policy is activated on our platform through our DTC channel or third-party channel, including APIs. These standards provide the framework within which our underwriting engine operates. Our underwriting engine continuously improves with each application processed, refining logic-based rules for risk selection, optimizing pricing, and enhancing approval rates, which drives better unit economics for us and our carriers.

Policy Administration

Our cloud-native policy administration system is able to automate significant portions of the full policy lifecycle, from issuance to servicing and policyholder payments. These services include dynamic contract generation, payment processing and reinstatements, endorsements (policy changes such as coverage amount or beneficiary updates), full servicing workflows (including consumer self-service), and structured data pipelines for auditing and compliance reporting. Owning our own policy administration stack allows us to deploy new product features, pricing updates, and carrier configurations in days, not quarters. This reduces unnecessary integration with, and reliance on, legacy carrier systems, which tend to be less flexible and therefore slower to iterate or improve.

Platform Extensibility

Our integrated distribution, underwriting, and policy administration capabilities enable us to efficiently develop and scale new products. We leverage ongoing feedback from agents, which is grounded in their understanding of consumer demand, to help guide product development. We also collaborate with carriers to introduce additional offerings that expand their distribution reach and broaden our product suite on our platform.

We continue to remain active in product development, including launching Indexed Universal Life Insurance in September 2023 and enhancing the consumer experience for certain of our existing products in 2024. We believe that our ability to rapidly develop and launch new products sets us apart. For example, we launched one of our most recent Term Life Insurance products in less than half of the industry average product development time, based on average timelines cited in a 2023 Deloitte study.

 

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Network Effects

Our technology platform benefits from three key network effects:

 

   

Data Advantage: Because we vertically integrate the distribution, underwriting, and administration of policies, we are able to gather and utilize data across the entire consumer journey. As more consumers apply for policies through our platform, our machine-learning driven consumer intelligence engine strengthens and adapts, resulting in optimized targeting in marketing, better consumer experiences, and improved conversion, allowing us to scale efficiently. As we underwrite more policies, our underwriting engine leverages these insights to optimize our risk assessment, which improves the unit economics for us and our carriers.

 

   

Platform Engagement: Our data advantage, increasing scale, and risk-management expertise lead to more carriers joining our platform for incremental growth. As we add new carriers, our existing agents have a broader and more competitive suite of products to sell. This broader offering enables us to attract more agents and agencies onto our platform and strengthens our consumer value proposition and marketing efficiency.

 

   

Economies of Scale: As more agents engage with our platform, we can more efficiently leverage the fixed costs associated with building our platform across a larger agent base. This more efficient cost structure allows us to invest more heavily in improving our agent experience and agent incentives. These improvements help attract new agencies and grow our agent base, which further compounds our scale.

 

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Our Ecosystem—Who We Serve

Our platform connects thousands of consumers and agents, and multiple agencies and carriers daily.

Why Consumers Choose Ethos: Life Insurance Reimagined for the Digital Age

We aim to make buying life insurance as seamless and intuitive as any modern e-commerce experience—fast, transparent, and entirely online. We believe we have revolutionized the application

 

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process, enabling consumers to apply and receive decisions in minutes, not weeks. The consumer experience on the Ethos platform eliminates the cumbersome medical exams and extensive paperwork of traditional processes. Our NPS score is 70, compared to the carrier industry average of 14.

We also believe in transparency and value. Consumers have traditionally faced an opaque and confusing array of policy options. Our consumers benefit from competitive pricing from the start, ensuring confidence in their coverage. We streamline life insurance selection with precision, recommending the optimal policy available on our platform for each consumer at a risk-adjusted price and ensuring clarity, confidence, and the right coverage without unnecessary complexity or hidden surprises.

Why Agents Choose Ethos: Empowering Growth and Efficiency

Without Ethos, agents rely on antiquated technology with multiple logins, consumer relationship management, or CRM, platforms, contracting and compensation systems, and quoting tools that lead to fragmented and tedious consumer outreach and case management. Our operating system empowers agents to improve the efficiency of their outreach and increase conversion while making it easier to manage their business. Our end-to-end digital platform streamlines carrier contracting, quoting, applications, and policy management, freeing agents to focus on what they do best: selling policies, rather than administrative work. Additionally, we have added features and functionalities to our platform that help agencies recruit more agents, enhance agent efficiency, and boost overall productivity—delivering better outcomes for agencies, agents, carriers, and us.

With our agent platform, agents can enroll in minutes, acquire high-intent leads, sell a policy the same day, and get paid as early as the next day. Our CRM capabilities enable continuous and efficient engagement with current and prospective consumers. We believe our proprietary underwriting engine leads to faster approvals, helping agents close more policies in less time. Real-time tracking of consumer application status and automated payouts help agents optimize their cash flow, all while avoiding administrative burdens. Additionally, we enhance the agent experience through incentives and a structured loyalty program that rewards performance, encourages engagement, and fosters long-term retention. By making the sales process more rewarding and interactive, we help agents boost their productivity and stay motivated to grow their business with us.

Why Carriers Succeed with Us: Expanding Reach and Optimizing Risk

Our carriers are integral to our success. We are dedicated to helping carriers expand their consumer base through additional distribution, underwriting, and policy administration, as well as to bring new products to market quickly. For our top three carriers by distribution, who are also our longest tenured carriers, we were their largest source of life insurance premiums in 2024.

Carriers often still rely heavily on decades-old technology infrastructure. As a result, sales and underwriting cycles remain long and inefficient. Our platform provides carriers new growth opportunities by reaching digital-first consumers and a growing network of tech-enabled agents, with higher underwriting efficiencies. Our proprietary underwriting model uses real-time data to optimize risk assessment while maintaining strong risk controls. Our commitment to carriers is a top priority, and we take extensive steps to assess and improve the efficacy of our digital underwriting process. For example, we have performed over 100,000 post-issue audits on activated policies (approximately 25% of activated policies to date) to validate digital underwriting information. We also provide carriers with full-service policy administration, which minimizes their internal resource requirements and simplifies the path to distribution at scale. Our carriers enjoy seamless integration with our data infrastructure, which connects with existing systems for rapid deployment and value creation.

 

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Our Opportunity

There is a Significant Coverage Gap for Life Insurance Today

Life insurance represents a vast market opportunity in the United States, driven by millions of life events each year that heighten the demand for comprehensive coverage. Welcoming a new child, purchasing a home, saving for higher education, reaching retirement age, or experiencing the loss of a loved one are examples of key life milestones that drive this demand. In 2024, 3.6 million children were born in America according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.0 million Americans purchased homes according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Realtors, 19.3 million enrolled for college in the United States according to College Enrollment & Student Demographic Statistics, 4.1 million Americans reached the age of 65 according to Alliance for Lifetime Income, and 12.5 million Americans mourned the loss of a loved one according to the Recovery Village Grief Statistics.

These recurring life events result in a persistent annual influx of new consumers seeking life insurance. Despite this demand, a significant need gap persists. According to LIMRA, 42% of American adults in 2024 recognized a need for life insurance but were deterred by the perceived cost and complexity of the products. The industry’s lack of innovation and reliance on traditional methods create an opportunity for technology-driven solutions. Our platform leverages technology and network effects to increase our market share.

The cumbersome nature of legacy life insurance processes has led insurers and agents to increasingly focus on the high net worth segment, where the complexity and cost of servicing are offset by larger premiums and higher lifetime commission value. We believe this focus has left a significant untapped opportunity in the mass affluent and middle market segments, where there is a growing demand for simplified and accessible life insurance solutions. We are well positioned to address this gap by offering streamlined, technology-driven solutions that cater to a broader market segment, thereby expanding our reach and impact.

Ethos Addresses a Large and Growing Market Opportunity

Ethos effectively bridges the life insurance need gap by offering accessible coverage and underwriting 95% of applicants instantly based on internal data. Term Life Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, and Indexed Universal Life Insurance, each offered on our platform, represented an aggregate of $12.6 billion of annual new policy premiums in the industry for the year ended December 31, 2024. The markets for these products have demonstrated consistent demand through economic cycles, with an average of approximately 10 million individuals purchasing new policies annually over the past decade, according to the American Council of Life Insurers. As we expand into new products, such as Variable Universal Life and Fixed Indexed Annuities, our market opportunity could grow to over $140 billion of new premiums a year.

Limitations Burden Existing Carriers Today

Traditional life insurers face challenges in bridging the life insurance need gap due to outdated infrastructure and the substantial investment required for modernization. With all of the top 20 carriers being over 100 years old, these insurers often focus on maintaining third-party provided legacy systems given the complexity associated with transitioning to new systems. Legacy processes often rely on human underwriters who manually review data, resulting in slow, inconsistent decision-making that limits scalability. Ethos was purpose-built to solve these problems.

 

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Over the last decade, the life insurance industry has been transitioning from captive agents tied to a single carrier to independent agents offering products from multiple insurers. This trend is driven by consumer demand for choice, price transparency, and tailored coverage. According to LIMRA, independent agents distributed 53% of premiums in 2023, up 8% from 2013. This shift presents operational challenges for carriers, who must now compete in a broker-driven environment without a dedicated agent salesforce. Consequently, carriers need to invest in agent-friendly tools, simplify underwriting, and offer competitive products to attract independent agents and agencies focused on consumer value rather than brand loyalty.

Consumer Demand for DTC Sales Positions Ethos for Success

According to LIMRA, approximately 90% of life insurance premiums are sold through agents. We believe DTC sales will continue to gain traction as consumers increasingly expect a digital end-to-end experience. The United States auto insurance sector has demonstrated this preference shift: for example, Progressive wrote 56% of its personal auto premiums through DTC channels for the year ended December 31, 2024 according to company filings. Life insurance is undergoing a similar transformation, and we believe Ethos is positioned to lead and benefit from this transition with its modern, technology-first platform.

Our Competitive Strengths

Extensible Platform Drives Growth and Efficiency

Our technology platform is extensible, enabling us to scale more rapidly and more efficiently than traditional carriers. Built on a unified data infrastructure, our digitally native platform can launch products quickly, enhance product design, and update pricing in real-time. In addition, we believe our platform compares favorably to other non-traditional insurance companies in our industry. While many non-traditional insurance companies have implemented elements of automated underwriting to some degree, we believe our platform’s underwriting engine is competitively differentiated in its ability to ingest and analyze a wide range of data sources and identify which data points are most relevant to each individual applicant, both at scale. For example, we are able to deliver underwriting decisions for the majority of applicants within ten minutes, and deliver instant decisions for 95% of applicants based on internal data. Our platform’s scale enhances our underwriting engine and results by continuously generating additional data points that support ongoing refinement of our underwriting model. Further, because our platform is fully native, unlike many non-traditional insurance companies, we can analyze data across the entire ecosystem, from the application engine, underwriting engine, payments and commissions, and marketing infrastructure, allowing us to continuously improve our platform.

Multi-Carrier Relationship Model Delivers Value to Consumers and Agents

Unlike traditional insurers that typically focus on specific market segments and risk classes, our business model encompasses a wide range of products and risk categories within the life insurance sector. We work with multiple carriers, each uniquely suited for specific product categories and risk characteristics, ensuring strong value propositions across all of our offerings. This flexible model allows us to offer diverse products with the most suitable carrier, driving strong demand from targeted consumer profiles.

Diverse Go-to-Market Channels

By leveraging both our DTC digital platform and extensive third-party channel, Ethos captures a wide array of consumer use cases and preferences, allowing us to evolve our platform in response to market demands and reinforce our data moat. We cater both to consumers who prefer the

 

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personalized agent experience and others who opt for the convenience of DTC. This diverse go-to-market approach allows us to reach a broader range of consumers across multiple geographies and income levels.

Significant Data Moat

As a vertically integrated platform, Ethos collects extensive data and insights from consumer interactions and third-party data providers. Our closed-loop data system, which integrates consumer disclosures with reflexive application questions, continually refines our underwriting models. With over 450,000 cumulative policies activated since inception, Ethos has built a robust data moat that enhances accuracy, efficiency, and pricing as more consumer data flows through the platform.

Early Mover Advantage

Ethos holds a powerful early mover advantage as one of the only scaled technology platforms in the life insurance industry. Our early market entry in 2018 has allowed us to forge long-standing strategic relationships with leading insurance carriers that share our commitment to digitization. Building relationships with carriers is a challenging task, as carriers set a high bar for entrusting a platform like ours with underwriting policies and managing risk on their behalf.

Proven Track Record with Industry Leading Carriers

Ethos has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional value to our carriers. Our three longest tenured, active carriers, who are also our top carriers by distribution, have grown at an average compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 64% in annual premiums activated through Ethos from 2021 to 2024. For each of these carriers, we were their largest source of life insurance premiums in 2024. We believe that our track record in driving value for the carriers with whom we work not only helps us retain our existing carriers but also positions us as an attractive choice for new carrier relationships.

Our Growth Strategies

 

   

Attract More Consumers: We continue to attract more consumers by leveraging our rapidly growing data advantage, which strengthens as we scale.

 

   

Recruit More Agents and Increase Ethos’ Share of Our Agents’ Sales: We have a strong network of over 10,000 active selling agents on our platform as of December 31, 2024, and we are committed to expanding this network.

 

   

Enhance Agent Productivity: We have achieved significant success by equipping agents with our comprehensive digital platform, and there are more enhancements to come. We will continue to invest in platform features to streamline the sales process and boost agent productivity to attract more agents and drive growth.

 

   

Expand Our Product Portfolio: Ethos has expanded from one product in 2019 to ten products as of December 31, 2024. We intend to continue broadening the product offerings available on our platform and plan to launch two additional products, Cancer Insurance and Accumulation Indexed Universal Life Insurance, by the end of 2025. These new products are expected to be launched without the need for additional financing.

Recent developments (preliminary and unaudited)

Set forth below are preliminary estimates of select unaudited financial data for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2025. Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the

 

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three months ended September 30, 2025 are not yet available. The following information reflects our preliminary estimates based on currently available information, and actual results may differ. We have provided ranges, rather than specific amounts, for the preliminary estimates of the select unaudited financial data described below primarily because our financial closing procedures for the three months ended September 30, 2025 are not yet complete and, as a result, our final results upon completion of our closing procedures may vary from the preliminary estimates. See “Risk Factors,” “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” for additional information regarding factors that could result in differences between the preliminary estimated ranges of certain of our unaudited financial data presented below and the actual financial data we will report for the three months ended September 30, 2025.

The preliminary estimates for the three months ended September 30, 2025 presented below have been prepared by, and are the responsibility of, management. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or performed any procedures with respect to such preliminary data and the corresponding period of the prior fiscal period. Accordingly, Ernst & Young LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2024      2025
Estimated
 
     Actual      Low      High  
     (in thousands)  

Revenue(1)

   $            $            $        

Gross Profit

        

Net Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

        

Non-GAAP Financial Measures:

        

Contribution Profit(2)

        

Adjusted EBITDA(3)

   $        $        $    
 
(1)

The DTC channel generated revenue of $     and $     for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively. The third-party channel generated revenue of $      and $     for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and September 30, 2025, respectively.

(2)

Contribution Profit is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. The following table sets forth a reconciliation of Gross Profit to Contribution Profit. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information.

 

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     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2024      2025
Estimated
 
     Actual      Low      High  
     (in thousands)  

Gross Profit

   $            $            $        

Less: Sales and Marketing

   $        $        $    

Add: Stock-based Compensation Allocated to Sales and Marketing*

   $        $        $    

Add: Professional Fees Allocated to Sales and Marketing

   $        $        $    

Add: Technology Expenses Allocated to Sales and Marketing

   $        $        $    

Add: Other Expenses Allocated to Sales and Marketing

        

Contribution Profit

   $        $        $    
 
*

Such expenses relate to our employees.

(3)

Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated in accordance with GAAP. For the three months ended September 30, 2025, we are not able to reconcile Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss), the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP, because we have not yet been able to calculate our income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2025. We will provide such reconciliation in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2025 when filed. Therefore, the following table sets forth a reconciliation of net income before provision for income taxes, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP that is currently available to us, to Adjusted EBITDA. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for additional information.

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     2024      2025
Estimated
 
     Actual      Low      High  
     (in thousands)  

Net Income Before Provision for Income Taxes

   $            $            $        

Interest Income

   $        $        $    

Interest Expense

   $        $        $    

Depreciation and Amortization

   $        $        $    

Stock-based Compensation

   $        $        $    

Adjusted EBITDA

   $        $        $    

Risk Factors Summary

Investing in our Class A common stock involves numerous risks, including the risks described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should carefully consider these risks before making an investment. Below are some of these risks, any one of which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects.

 

   

We have a history of losses, and while we have recently achieved profitability, we may not sustain it in the future.

 

   

We have a limited history operating our business at its current scale, scope, and complexity, which makes it difficult to plan for future operations and growth initiatives and predict future

 

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results. In particular, factors impacting, and our ability to accurately forecast, our persistency estimates have negatively impacted and may in the future negatively impact our ability to accurately predict future revenue and cash flows and may in future periods result in unexpected differences between actual results compared to our forecasts.

 

   

Our business could be harmed if we fail to manage our growth effectively.

 

   

Revenue we earn on the sale of insurance products is based on premiums set by carriers, and any meaningful change in these premiums, or decrease in commission rates that we negotiate with our carriers based on such premiums, or actions by carriers seeking repayment of commissions, could adversely impact our revenue.

 

   

Our business may be harmed if we lose relationships with carriers, fail to maintain good relationships with carriers, become even more dependent upon a limited number of carriers or fail to develop new carrier relationships.

 

   

We rely on a limited number of agency counterparties, and if we are unsuccessful in maintaining relationships with these and new agencies, our results of operations be harmed.

 

   

Our success depends on individual agent adoption and engagement, and if agents do not engage with or adopt our platform, our results of operation will be harmed.

 

   

Our business depends in part on third-party data, technology, and infrastructure providers, and failure to maintain these relationships or changes in their services could adversely affect our operations, revenue, and growth.

 

   

Cyber attacks, data breaches, security incidents, systems failures, and resulting, interruptions in the availability of our websites, mobile applications, platform, or services could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

   

Our brand awareness and marketing efforts to help grow our business may not be effective.

 

   

Damage to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

   

Failure to obtain, maintain, protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property rights, the infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of our intellectual property by third parties, or allegations that we have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the intellectual property rights of others, could harm our reputation, ability to compete effectively, financial condition and business.

 

   

Our business is subject to risks related to disputes, legal proceedings, and governmental inquiries and investigations.

 

   

We and the third parties with whom we work are subject to stringent and evolving U.S. laws, regulations, and rules, contractual obligations, industry standards, policies and other obligations related to data privacy and security. Our actual or perceived failure (or that of the third parties with whom we work) to comply with such obligations could lead, and in certain cases has led, to regulatory investigations or actions, litigation (including class action claims) and mass arbitration demands, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, reputational harm, loss of revenue or profits, loss of consumers or sales, and other adverse business consequences.

 

   

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of our remediation measures, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be adversely affected.

 

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Competition in our industry is intense, and our inability to compete effectively may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

   

Our stock price may be volatile, and the value of our Class A common stock may decline.

 

   

No public market for our Class A common stock currently exists, and an active public trading market may not develop or be sustained following the closing of this offering.

If we are unable to adequately address these and other risks we face, our business may be harmed.

Channels for Disclosure of Information

Following the closing of this offering, we intend to announce material information to the public through filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, the investor relations page on our website, press releases, public conference calls, public webcasts, our blog posts on our website, and our X (formerly Twitter) (@getEthosLife) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/ethoslife) accounts. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website and accounts is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website and account addresses in this prospectus is only as inactive textual references.

The information disclosed through the foregoing channels could be deemed to be material information. As such, we encourage investors, the media, and others to follow the channels listed above and to review the information disclosed through such channels. Any updates to the list of disclosure channels through which we will announce information will be posted on the investor relations page on our website.

Corporate Information

We were initially incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware in July 2016 under the name Ethos Insurance Corporation. We changed our name to Ethos Technologies Inc. in August 2016. Our principal executive offices are located at 90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105. Our telephone number is (415) 915-0665. Our website address is www.ethos.com. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is only as an inactive textual reference.

Trademarks, Trade Names and Service Marks

The Ethos design logos, “Ethos,” and our other registered or common law trademarks, trade names, or service marks appearing in this prospectus are the property of Ethos Technologies Inc. or its affiliates. Other trademarks, trade names, and service marks used in this prospectus are the property of their respective owners. Our use or display of third parties’ trademarks, trade names, or service marks in this prospectus is not intended to, and does not imply, a relationship with or endorsement or sponsorship by us. Solely for convenience, trademarks, trade names, and service marks referred to in this prospectus may appear without the ®, TM, or SM symbols, but such references are not intended to indicate, in any way, that we will not assert, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, our rights or the rights of the applicable licensor to such trademarks, trade names, and service marks.

Implications of Being an Emerging Growth Company

As a company with less than $1.235 billion in revenue during our last fiscal year, we qualify as an “emerging growth company” as defined in the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act, or JOBS Act,

 

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enacted in April 2012. An emerging growth company may take advantage of reduced reporting requirements that are otherwise applicable generally to public companies. These provisions include:

 

   

not being required to comply with the audit requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, or the Sarbanes-Oxley Act;

 

   

reduced obligations with respect to financial data, including presenting only two years of audited financial statements;

 

   

reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports, proxy statements, and registration statements; and

 

   

exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and any golden parachute payments not previously approved.

We may take advantage of these provisions until the last day of our fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the date of the first sale of our Class A common stock in this offering. However, we will cease to be an emerging growth company prior to the end of such five-year period if (i) we become a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of common equity securities held by non-affiliates; (ii) our annual gross revenue exceeds $1.235 billion; or (iii) we issue more than $1.0 billion of non-convertible debt in any three-year period, whichever occurs first.

We have elected to take advantage of certain of the reduced disclosure obligations in the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and may elect to take advantage of other reduced reporting requirements in future filings. As a result, the information that we provide to our stockholders may be different than you might receive from other public reporting companies in which you hold equity interests.

In addition, the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” can take advantage of an extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards. This provision allows an emerging growth company to delay the adoption of some accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. We have elected to use this extended transition period to enable us to comply with certain new or revised accounting standards that have different effective dates for public and private companies until the earlier of the date we (i) are no longer an emerging growth company, or (ii) affirmatively and irrevocably opt out of the extended transition period provided in the JOBS Act. As a result, our financial statements may not be comparable to companies that comply with new or revised accounting pronouncements as of public company effective dates.

 

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THE OFFERING

 

Class A common stock offered by us

      shares.

Class A common stock offered by the selling stockholders

  


   shares.

Option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock in this offering   


   shares.

Class A common stock to be outstanding after this offering   


   shares (or     shares, assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock is exercised in full).

Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering   


   shares.

Total Class A common stock and Class B common stock to be outstanding after this offering   


   shares (or     shares, assuming the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares of Class A common stock is exercised in full).

Use of proceeds

   We estimate that our net proceeds from the sale of our Class A common stock in this offering will be approximately $    million (or approximately $    million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full), assuming an initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
   We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds we receive from this offering to pay all of our anticipated tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement (as defined below). In connection with the RSU Net Settlement, assuming (i) the fair market value of our Class A common stock at the time of settlement will be equal to the assumed initial public offering price per share of $    , the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and (ii) an assumed    % tax withholding rate, we estimate that these tax withholding and remittance obligations on the RSU Net Settlement will be $    million in the aggregate. We intend to use the remaining net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses,

 

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   and capital expenditures. We may also use a portion of the remaining net proceeds for acquisitions of, or strategic investments in, complementary businesses, products, services, or technologies, although we do not currently have any agreements or commitments for any material acquisitions or investments. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds” for additional information.
   We will not receive any proceeds from sales of shares of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.

Voting rights

   We have two classes of common stock: Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share and Class B common stock is entitled to 20 votes per share and is convertible at any time into one share of Class A common stock.
   Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will generally vote together as a single class, unless otherwise required by law or our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering. Once this offering is completed, the holders of our outstanding Class B common stock will hold approximately    % of our outstanding shares and control approximately    % of the voting power of our outstanding shares. Additionally, (i) Peter Colis, our co-founder, Chief Executive Officer, and chairperson and member of our board of directors, will hold or control approximately     % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, (ii) Lingke Wang, our co-founder, President, and member of our board of directors, will hold or control approximately     % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, (iii) entities affiliated with Accel will hold approximately     % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock, and (iv) entities affiliated with Sequoia Capital will hold approximately     % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.
   If all currently outstanding RSUs (as defined below) held by our co-founders vested and settled for shares of our Class A common stock and were exchanged for an equal number of shares of

 

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   Class B common stock pursuant to the Equity Exchange Right, then immediately following the completion of this offering, Messrs. Colis and Wang would hold approximately     % and     %, respectively, of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock.
   The holders of our outstanding Class B common stock will have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election of our directors and the approval of any change in control transaction. See the sections titled “Principal and Selling Stockholders” and “Description of Capital Stock” for additional information.

Risk factors

   See the section titled “Risk Factors” and the other information included elsewhere in this prospectus for a discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our Class A common stock.

Proposed trading symbol

   “LIFE.”

The number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering is based on      shares of our Class A common stock and      shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 after giving effect to (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iv) the RSU Net Settlement (each as defined below), and excludes:

 

   

1,197,629 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025 under our Amended and Restated 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2016 Plan, with a weighted-average exercise price of $3.23 per share;

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of restricted stock units, or RSUs, outstanding as of the date of this prospectus subject to service-based and liquidity event-based conditions, for which (i) the service-based condition was not satisfied as of such date and (ii) the liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, of which      shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock pursuant to the Equity Exchange Right described below;

 

   

1,130,794 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2016 Plan as of June 30, 2025, which shares will cease to be available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part;

 

   

580,579 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Class A common stock as of June 30, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.21 per share;

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, or 2025 Plan, plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled

 

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“Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Equity Incentive Plan,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; and

 

   

    shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, or 2025 ESPP, plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plans,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Our 2025 Plan and 2025 ESPP provide for annual automatic increases in the number of shares reserved thereunder. See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” for additional information.

Unless otherwise indicated, all information in this prospectus assumes:

 

   

a 1-for-7 reverse stock split of our capital stock that became effective on September 25, 2025;

 

   

the reclassification of our common stock into Class A common stock and the authorization of our Class A common stock in connection with this offering;

 

   

the automatic conversion of 37,227,989 shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 into 37,296,105 shares of Class A common stock upon the closing of this offering, which we refer to as the Preferred Conversion;

 

   

the automatic exchange of an aggregate of 31,018,307 shares of Class A common stock (including 19,127,200 shares of Class A common stock issued upon the automatic conversion of shares of our redeemable convertible preferred stock pursuant to the preceding bullet) for an equivalent number of shares of our Class B common stock pursuant to the Class B Stock Exchange upon the closing of this offering;

 

   

the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation in Delaware and the adoption of our amended and restated bylaws, each of which will occur upon the closing of this offering;

 

   

the net issuance of    shares of Class A common stock in connection with the vesting and settlement of certain RSUs outstanding as of the date of this prospectus subject to service-based and/or liquidity event-based conditions, for which (i) the service-based condition was fully or partially satisfied as of such date and (ii) the liquidity event-based condition, if applicable, will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part (which we refer to as the IPO Vesting RSUs), after giving effect to the withholding of    shares of our Class A common stock to satisfy the associated estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed    % tax withholding rate), of which    net shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock pursuant to the Equity Exchange Right, which we refer to as the RSU Net Settlement;

 

   

no exercise or forfeitures of outstanding stock options and, except as described above, no settlement of outstanding RSUs; and

 

   

no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase up to an additional    shares of our Class A common stock in this offering.

 

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The assumed    % tax withholding rate used in this prospectus is an assumed blended withholding rate for the IPO Vesting RSUs that are subject to withholding in the RSU Net Settlement. A portion of the IPO Vesting RSUs that will settle as part of the RSU Net Settlement are not subject to tax withholding obligations. The estimates in this prospectus relating to the RSU Net Settlement and related share withholding may differ from actual results due to, among other things, the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing, actual forfeitures through the date of this prospectus, and actual tax withholding rates. In addition, information in this prospectus relating to RSUs outstanding as of the date of this prospectus reflect estimated forfeitures through     , 2025.

Upon the closing of this offering, shares of our Class A common stock beneficially owned by (i) our co-founders and their respective affiliated entities, (ii) Accel and affiliated entities, and (iii) Sequoia Capital and affiliated entities, will be exchanged for an equivalent number of shares of our Class B common stock pursuant to the terms of certain equity exchange agreements, or the Class B Stock Exchange.

Additionally, pursuant to certain equity exchange agreements entered into between us and each co-founder, each co-founder has a right (but not an obligation) to require us to exchange, for shares of Class B common stock, any shares of Class A common stock received by him upon settlement of equity awards for shares of Class A common stock, or the Equity Exchange Right. The Equity Exchange Right applies to equity awards granted to our co-founders prior to the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to be effective upon the closing of this offering. As of June 30, 2025, there were 3,708,268 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the settlement of RSUs held by our co-founders and that may be exchanged upon exercise or settlement, as applicable, for an equivalent number of shares of our Class B common stock following this offering pursuant to the Equity Exchange Right.

 

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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL AND OTHER DATA

The following tables summarize our consolidated financial and other data. We derived the summary consolidated statements of operations data for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 (except for pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders and weighted-average shares used to compute pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders) from our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We derived the summary condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (except for pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders and weighted-average shares used to compute pro forma net loss per share attributable to common stockholders) from our unaudited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. Our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus have been prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or GAAP. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements were prepared on a basis consistent with our audited consolidated financial statements and include, in management’s opinion, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that they consider necessary for a fair presentation of the financial information set forth in those statements. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for any future period, and our interim results are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the full year or any other period. When you read this summary of consolidated financial and other data, it is important that you read it together with the historical consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, as well as the sections titled “Risk Factors,” “Capitalization,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”

 

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Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except per share amounts)  

Revenue:

        

Commission

   $  159,754     $  254,926     $  118,575     $  183,737  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     159,754       254,926       118,575       183,737  

Costs and expenses(1):

        

Sales and marketing

     107,531       148,664       73,009       108,131  

General and administrative

     21,231       22,417       11,713       21,543  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

     22,288       23,133       10,991       16,942  

Cost of revenue

     5,902       6,527       3,538       2,997  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,713       5,438       2,769       2,743  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     162,665       206,179       102,020       152,356  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     (2,911     48,747       16,555       31,381  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (723     (595     (312     (1,619

Interest income

     5,792       5,599       2,794       3,062  

Other income, net

     117       185       78       58  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     5,186       5,189       2,560       1,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before provision for income taxes

     2,275       53,936       19,115       32,882  

Income tax expense

     (586     (5,104     (418     (2,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     1,689       48,832       18,697       30,716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

        

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

     955       (121     (106     195  

Unrealized foreign currency translation loss

     (88     (199     (77     (134
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

     867       (320     (183     61  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income

   $ 2,556     $ 48,512     $ 18,514     $ 30,777  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

        

Basic net income per share(2)

   $ 0.11     $ 3.05     $ 1.17     $ 1.87  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share(2)

   $ 0.03     $ 0.85     $ 0.33     $ 0.52  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing basic net income per share(2)

     15,926       16,007       15,987       16,402  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing diluted net income per share(2)

     54,723       57,600       56,933       58,778  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(3)

        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted (unaudited)(3)

        
    

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

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(1)

Amounts include stock-based compensation expense as follows:

 

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2023      2024      2024      2025  
                   (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Sales and marketing

   $ 507      $ 687      $ 224      $ 2,020  

General and administrative

     2,003        1,654        938        5,768  

Technology

     1,097        825        438        2,504  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $ 3,607      $ 3,166      $ 1,600      $ 10,292  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(2)

See Notes 2 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for an explanation of the method used to calculate our basic and diluted net income per share and the weighted-average number of shares used in the computation of the per share amounts.

(3)

Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share for the year ended December 31, 2024 and six months ended June 30, 2025 have been computed to give effect to the conversion of outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock and the RSU Net Settlement and related stock-based compensation expense.

The following table sets forth the computation of the pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share:

 

     Year Ended      Six Months Ended  
     December 31, 2024      June 30, 2025  
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except per share
amounts)
 

Numerator:

  

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 48,832      $ 30,716  

Stock-based compensation expense (RSUs)

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss, basic and diluted

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Denominator:

     

Weighted-average shares used in computing net income per share

     

Adjustment for RSU Net Settlement

     

Adjustment for Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Conversion

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average shares used in computing pro forma net income per share, basic and diluted

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Pro forma net loss per share, basic and diluted

   $        $    

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheet Data

 

     As of June 30, 2025  
     Actual     Pro Forma(1)      Pro Forma As
Adjusted(2)(3)
 
     (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Consolidated Balance Sheet Data:

       

Cash and cash equivalents, and short-term investments

   $ 129,024     $            $        

Working capital(4)

     125,191       

Total assets

     466,232       

Redeemable convertible Preferred Stock

     403,997       

Additional paid-in capital

     78,356       

Accumulated deficit

     (142,949     

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (65,008     
 
(1)

The pro forma consolidated balance sheet data gives effect to (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, (iv) stock-based compensation expense of $    million related to RSUs subject to the RSU Net Settlement, reflected as an increase to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit, as further described in Notes 2 and 13 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, (v) the net issuance of    shares of Class A common stock in connection with the RSU Net Settlement, after withholding    shares to satisfy estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations of $    million (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed    % tax withholding rate), (vi) the $    million increase in liabilities and corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital resulting from the share withholding for the tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement, and (vii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will occur upon the closing of this offering.

(2)

The pro forma as adjusted consolidated balance sheet data gives effect to (i) the items described in footnote (1) above, (ii) our receipt of $    million estimated net proceeds from the sale of shares of Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us; (iii) the use of net proceeds from this offering, together with existing cash and cash equivalents, if necessary, to satisfy the estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement described in footnote (1) above.

(3)

A $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) each of cash, cash equivalents, and investments, working capital, total assets, and total stockholders’ (deficit) equity by $    million, assuming that the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) each of cash, cash equivalents, and investments, working capital, total

 

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  assets, and total stockholders’ (deficit) equity by $     million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price of $     per share of Class A common stock remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price per share of $    , which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the amount of estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement by $     million. In addition, each 1.0% increase (decrease) in the assumed tax withholding rates would increase (decrease) the amount of estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement by $     million. Pro forma adjustments in the footnotes above and the related information in the balance sheet data are illustrative only and may differ from actual amounts based on the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing, the actual tax withholding rates, as well as the actual amount of RSUs settled in connection with this offering.
(4)

Working capital is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities.

Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the measures presented in our consolidated financial statements, we use the following key business metrics and non-GAAP financial measures, among others, to help us evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our performance, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions. See the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures” included elsewhere in this prospectus for our definitions of these metrics.

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
     (in thousands)  
        

Total Activated Policies

     72       128       56       94  

Average Revenue Per Unit

   $   2.2     $   2.0         2.1         1.9  
     Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  
     (in millions, except percentages)  
        

Gross Profit

     154       248       115       181  

Gross Margin

     96 %      97     97 %      98

Contribution Profit(1)

     51       105       44       78  

Contribution Margin(1)

     32 %      41 %      37 %      43 % 

Net Income

     2       49       19       31  

Net Income Margin

     1 %      19 %      16 %      17 % 

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

     7       58       21       44  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1)

     4 %      23 %      18 %      24 % 

 

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(1)

Contribution Profit, Contribution Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or GAAP. For more information regarding our use of Contribution Profit, Contribution Margin, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin and a reconciliation of Contribution Profit to Gross Profit, Contribution Margin to Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to Net Income Margin, the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP, see the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

 

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RISK FACTORS

An investment in our common stock involves a high degree of risk. You should carefully consider the following risks, together with all of the other information contained in this prospectus, including our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus, before making a decision to invest in our common stock. Any of the following risks could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, operating results, or prospects and could cause the trading price of our common stock to decline, which could cause you to lose part or all of your investment. Our business, financial condition, operating results, or prospects could also be harmed by risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently do not believe are material.

Risks Related to Our Business

We have a history of losses, and while we have recently achieved profitability, we may not sustain it in the future.

We have historically incurred net losses since our inception in 2016 and only recently achieved profitability in the year ended December 31, 2023. There is no guarantee that we will maintain profitability as we continue to invest in our business. We expect to make significant investments to further develop and expand our business. In particular, we expect to continue to expend substantial financial and other resources on marketing and advertising as part of our strategy to increase the number of new policies activated on our platform and expand our agency relationships, carrier relationships, and product offerings. We also expect to expend financial and other resources on research and development to further enhance our technology platform and underwriting capabilities. The timing and magnitude of revenue growth from activating new policies may not align with the period in which we incur operating expenses. This timing difference may result in expenses exceeding revenue in certain periods, impacting margins, profitability, and cash flow. As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company. If we fail to increase revenue on the timeline that we expect or in an amount sufficient to offset these costs, we may not be able to sustain profitability. Moreover, if our revenue declines, we may be unable to reduce costs in a timely manner as many of our costs are fixed, at least in the short term. In addition, if we reduce variable costs to respond to losses, such as costs associated with marketing activities, this may negatively impact the number of policies activated, as well as agent sales through our platform.

In addition, following the closing of this offering, the stock-based compensation expense related to our RSUs will result in significant increases in our expenses in future periods, which may negatively impact our ability to maintain profitability. In particular, in the quarter in which this offering is completed, we will recognize approximately $    million of stock-based compensation expense associated with the satisfaction of the liquidity event-based condition for certain outstanding RSUs, for which the service-based conditions have been fully or partially satisfied prior to the closing of this offering, which will also negatively impact our cash flow for that quarter.

While we have demonstrated the ability to reach profitability, we may not maintain it in the future, and we may continue to incur significant losses.

We have a limited history operating our business at its current scale, scope, and complexity, which makes it difficult to plan for future operations and growth initiatives and predict future results.

We have limited experience operating our business at its current scale, scope, and complexity, particularly given the recent growth in our carrier and agency relationships. Our limited history and

 

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experience operating our current business may negatively impact our ability to accurately predict our future results and plan strategic investments and initiatives to further expand our business and offerings, including to support agencies and carriers with whom we work, certain of which may require changes to our liquidity strategy and cash flow management, as well as to maintain or improve efficiency in our operations and costs. For example, changes in observed persistency from unexpected termination trends have in the past resulted in and could in the future result in similar changes to persistency estimates, leading to in-period adjustments to our revenue as such changes are applied to previously activated policies and impact on revenue recognized for newly activated policies. Several factors have resulted in, and may in the future result in, such fluctuations in our persistency estimates, including when we begin working with new carriers or introduce new products, as we have limited historical data on policy terminations and resulting persistency in such cases to help inform our persistency estimates. Further, as we continue to scale our platform and increase the total number of activated policies at any given time, we may experience larger and more frequent in-period adjustments to revenue in respect of previously activated policies as well as greater variation in persistency estimates for newly activated policies, as a larger number of activated policies contribute to and impact observed persistency as well as persistency estimates. We also have limited experience with the post-issue audit and termination practices with new carriers. Policies and practices relating to carrier implementation of the results of our post-issue audits, and ensuing policy terminations by carriers, can differ across carriers or for the same carrier across periods for various factors that are outside of our control and over which we have limited to no visibility. If these carrier actions following our post-issue audits are delayed for any reason, or if carriers do not implement our recommendations as we expect, we have at times experienced and in the future may experience an outsized amount of policy terminations concentrated in certain periods when such carriers address their backlog of policy audits, impacting persistency and persistency estimates for the relevant periods and resulting in fluctuations in revenue growth. These dynamics have negatively impacted and may in the future negatively impact our ability to accurately predict future revenue and cash flows and may in future periods result in unexpected differences between actual results compared to our forecasts.

We also have limited experience with our third-party channel, which is becoming an increasingly significant portion of our total revenue and growth strategy. In particular, as we expand our agency relationships, we have faced and may continue to face increased pressure to offer higher agent compensation or incentives, which could harm our margins and profitability even if agent engagement on our platform is sustained or grows.

You should consider and evaluate our prospects in light of the risks and uncertainties frequently encountered by growing companies in rapidly evolving markets, in particular, markets that are or could be materially impacted by macroeconomic uncertainty such as the life insurance industry. If our assumptions regarding the risks and uncertainties that we consider in planning and operating our business are incorrect or change, or if we do not address these risks and uncertainties successfully, including due to the lack of historical data from and experience in operating our business at its current scale and scope of offerings, our results of operations could differ materially from our expectations, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

Our business could be harmed if we fail to manage our growth effectively.

While we have experienced rapid growth in recent periods, we may be unable to manage our growth successfully, and our recent growth rates may not be indicative of our future growth. The scalability and extensibility of our platform and our overall growth depends on the functionality of our technology and network infrastructure and its ability to handle increased traffic and demand for bandwidth, particularly as we expand our product offerings and agency relationships. The growth in consumers, agents, and carriers using our platform and the insurance product sales processed through our platform have increased the amount of data and requests that we process. Any problems with the

 

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transmission of increased data and requests could result in harm to our brand or reputation. Moreover, as our business grows, we will need to devote additional resources to improving our operational infrastructure and continuing to enhance its scalability in order to maintain the performance of our platform.

If we are unable to scale our support and operational processes effectively, the quality of the experience for consumers, agents, and agencies could suffer. This may negatively impact agent engagement and retention as well as our relationships with carriers and agencies, conversion rates, and consumer satisfaction.

As we expand our business, we may also face integration challenges as well as potential unknown liabilities and reputational concerns in connection with third-party agencies or carriers we work with, including challenges, liabilities, and concerns that may impact and cause fluctuations in our financial results. For example, when working with new carriers or new products with existing carriers, our limited historical experience and data may result in more frequent changes to persistency and resulting persistency estimates, which can result in more frequent adjustments to revenue in future periods. We intend to further expand our overall business but our revenue may not continue to grow. As part of that expansion, we expect to grow our team across various functions, which will increase our costs and the complexity of our operations and place additional demands on our management, systems, and infrastructure. If we are unable to manage operational and integration challenges, or suffer unknown liabilities and reputational damage, our business may be adversely affected.

As we grow, we will be required to continue to improve our financial controls and procedures, and we may not be able to do so effectively. For example risk of compliance failures may increase if our internal controls and systems do not keep pace with evolving regulatory requirements or increased transaction volumes. In addition, as the volume of personal and sensitive data we process increases, so does the importance of maintaining robust data privacy and security protections. We have been the subject of, and may in the future be exposed to, regulatory investigations and actions, which may result in reputational harm and a loss of trust among our consumers and counterparties.

Revenue we earn on the sale of insurance products is based on premiums set by carriers, and any meaningful change in these premiums, or any decrease in commission rates that we negotiate with our carriers based on such premiums, or actions by carriers seeking repayment of commissions, could adversely impact our revenue.

We derive revenue from commissions on the sale of insurance products that are paid by the carriers from whom our consumers purchase insurance. We negotiate commission rates with our carriers, which are a percentage of premiums that the carriers charge our consumers. Premiums vary by insurance product provided by carriers, and we do not set the insurance premiums on which our commissions are based. Our consumers’ eligibility for insurance products, as determined through our underwriting processes, impacts the selection of products available to consumers, and as a result, the product mix sold on our platform and for which we receive commissions. Average premiums and underwriting criteria may still change significantly in response to shifts in interest rates, mortality trends, other market or regulatory developments and macroeconomic conditions, as well as carrier pricing strategies. In addition, capacity could be reduced by carriers failing or withdrawing from writing certain coverages that we offer our consumers. Commission rates and premiums can change based on prevailing legislative, economic, and competitive factors that affect carriers. These factors, which are not within our control, include the capacity of carriers to place new business, underwriting and non-underwriting profits of carriers, consumer demand for insurance products, the availability of comparable products from other carriers at a lower cost, and the availability of alternative insurance products to consumers. Because we cannot predict or control these factors, our revenue, margins, and profitability may be volatile. These changes could reduce the volume of policies sold through our platform or our third-party channel and impact our ability to generate revenue.

 

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As carriers continue to refine their distribution strategies, they may seek to further minimize their expenses by reducing the commission rates payable to insurance agents, brokers, or platforms like ours. The reduction of these commission rates, along with fluctuations in life insurance premiums, may significantly affect our revenue growth, margins, and profitability. Because we do not determine the timing or extent of premium pricing changes, it may be difficult to precisely forecast changes in our revenue. As a result, we may have to adjust our budgets for future operational and capital expenditures and other expenditures to account for unexpected changes in revenue, and any changes in premium rates or reduction in commission rates may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Under certain of our carrier contracts, upon certain policy terminations, we are obligated to repay to our carriers or their affiliates all or a portion of the commissions received. Larger or more frequent than expected policy terminations result in changes to persistency and our persistency estimates, which may lead to adjustments to revenue in future periods. Reductions in revenue in such circumstances could negatively impact our results of operations and financial condition and decrease predictability and comparability across periods. In particular, when implementation of our post-issue audit results are delayed by carriers, the resulting terminations, if any, and related adjustments to our revenue will also be delayed and may not have been accounted for in our estimates of future performance. This dynamic negatively impacts the comparability of our results of operations across periods and may negatively impact investor perception of our financial performance. Additionally, upon the termination of policies sold through agents, we may not be able to fully or promptly recoup agent payments owed to us from the applicable agency or agent. This could negatively impact our cash flows and financial results and could adversely impact our ability to budget for future expenditures, particularly if we are also obligated to repay carriers’ commissions received upon any such policy terminations.

Our business may be harmed if we lose relationships with carriers, fail to maintain good relationships with carriers, become even more dependent upon a limited number of carriers or fail to develop new carrier relationships.

We enter into contractual producer and third-party administration relationships with carriers that are sometimes unique to Ethos but are generally non-exclusive and terminable on notice by either party for any reason. In many cases, carriers also have the ability to amend the terms of our agreements on short notice. Carriers may be unwilling to allow us to sell their existing or new insurance products or may amend our agreements with them, for a variety of reasons, including for competitive or regulatory reasons or because of a reluctance to distribute their products through our platform. In particular, if we experience greater terminations of policies, including due to broader industry, economic, or mortality trends, our carriers may seek to restructure or renegotiate their contractual terms with us, including reductions in commission rates, or may determine to leave our platform altogether. Any such restructurings, renegotiations, or departures may also harm our reputation, making it more difficult to secure future carrier relationships on favorable terms or at all. Carriers may also cease offering certain products that comprise a higher volume of our historical activated policies for various reasons, including due to such products’ actual or expected future return on investment for such carriers, which would harm our business, growth, and results of operations. Carriers may decide to rely on their own internal distribution channels, choose to exclude us from their most profitable or popular products, or decide not to distribute insurance products in individual markets in certain geographies or altogether. The termination or amendment of our relationship with a carrier could reduce the variety of insurance products we offer, which could negatively impact our revenue growth and also our relationships with agencies and engagement of their agents on our platform. Our ability to grow our business could also be harmed if we fail to develop new carrier relationships.

In addition, we have a significant amount of receivables from carriers for policies placed through our platform. If those carriers were to experience liquidity problems or other financial difficulties, we

 

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could encounter delays or defaults in payments owed to us, which could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. The potential for an insurer to cease writing insurance offered through our platform could negatively impact overall capacity in the industry, which in turn could reduce placement of certain lines of insurance and reduced revenue and profitability for us. Questions about a carrier’s perceived stability or financial strength may contribute to such insurer’s strategic decisions to focus on certain lines of insurance to the detriment of others. The failure of a carrier with which we place insurance could result in errors and omissions, or E&O, claims against us by our consumers, and the failure of our carriers could make the E&O insurance we rely upon cost prohibitive or unavailable, which could have a significant adverse impact on our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, if any carrier merges or if one of our large carriers fails or withdraws from offering certain lines of insurance, the insurance industry’s overall risk-taking capital capacity could be negatively affected, which could reduce our ability to place certain lines of insurance and, as a result, reduce our commissions and fees and profitability. Such failures or insurance withdrawals on the part of our carriers could occur for any number of reasons, including large, unexpected payouts resulting from a pandemic, elevated mortality rates, or other public health events. Any of these events could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We rely on a limited number of carriers, and if we are unable to maintain these relationships or diversify the carriers with whom we work, our business and results of operations could be harmed.

While we continue to expand our carrier relationships, a significant portion of our policy volume is attributable to a limited number of carriers. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, our top three carrier relationships, which are Ameritas, Legal & General America, and TruStage, represented approximately 98% and 98%, respectively, of our total revenue. As our business and the insurance industry evolve, it may become necessary for us to offer insurance products from a reduced number of carriers or to derive a greater portion of our revenue from a more concentrated number of carriers as our business and the insurance industry evolve. Should our dependence on a smaller number of carriers increase, whether as a result of the termination of carrier relationships, carrier consolidation or otherwise, we may become more vulnerable to adverse changes in our relationships with our carriers, particularly in states where we offer insurance products from a relatively small number of carriers or where a small number of carriers dominate the market. The termination, amendment or consolidation of our relationship with carriers could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

We rely on a limited number of agency counterparties, and if we are unsuccessful in maintaining relationships with these and new agencies, our results of operations will be harmed.

In addition to our DTC channel, we rely on our third-party channel, consisting primarily of contractual relationships with independent agents and agencies, to generate a significant and growing portion of our revenue. Our revenue from sales of policies on our platform through our third-party channel is driven by a limited number of agencies. In each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, approximately 17% and 25%, respectively, of our revenue was generated through three of our most significant agency relationships. We anticipate that we will continue to derive a significant portion of our revenue from sales of policies on our platform through agents from a limited number of agencies for the foreseeable future, and in some cases, the portion of our revenue attributable to certain agencies may increase in the future. We may not be able to maintain or increase revenue associated with such agencies for a variety of reasons, including if the agencies or affiliated agents no longer perceive our platform to be accretive to or cost-effective for activating new policies, or agents determine that alternative platforms, other methods of selling policies or products not offered by us are preferable. Our contractual arrangements with agencies have no minimum term or engagement

 

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commitments. As a result, the agencies with whom we work may disengage from or abandon use of our platform or services at any time at their discretion. We have in the past experienced, and may in the future experience, decreases or gaps in agent engagement with our platform, including as directed by agencies, for various reasons unrelated to Ethos or our platform or products.

These agencies facilitate our access to a broader consumer base, including those who prefer purchasing insurance through traditional advisory channels. If we are unable to attract, retain, or maintain productive relationships within this channel, or if agents choose to offer competing products instead of or in addition to ours, our revenue and growth could be adversely affected. Additionally, regulatory changes, shifts in consumer behavior, shifts in demand for particular product offerings, or increased competition from other similar platforms could further impact our ability to sustain these partnerships and maintain our revenue growth.

In recent years, private equity sponsors have acquired numerous independent insurance agencies, including certain of our current agency counterparties. This consolidation may continue or accelerate in the future, resulting in fewer independent agencies and more agencies under common ownership. In addition, while we maintain distinct contractual relationships with agencies, certain agencies are or may in the future be consolidated under common control. As a result, if we fail to maintain a positive relationship with the ultimate control parties for these agencies, we may experience loss of engagement from agents at such agencies or disengagement by such agencies from our platform. This shift towards consolidation could impact our ability to initiate new or maintain existing agency relationships and could also heighten the risks relating to agency and affiliated agent engagement with our platform described above.

We incur marketing and incentive expenses when onboarding a new agency or engaging with agents at an agency with whom we already work. The effectiveness of such marketing and incentive efforts, and as a result, their return on investment, may not materialize or be known for several quarters due to the time it takes for new agents to be fully ramped up on our platform. In addition, our agencies may seek to exert leverage to negotiate for higher compensation, which, if granted, could negatively affect our margins.

Maintaining and growing our agency relationships generally require us to continually improve our platform, which may involve significant technological and design challenges, and agencies have placed and are expected to continue to place considerable pressure on us to improve. Accordingly, we expect to devote a substantial amount of our resources to our agency relationships, which could detract from or delay other strategic initiatives. Moreover, it is possible that agencies with whom we work may develop their own infrastructure that may compete with our services or partner with a competitor’s infrastructure. In addition, while we maintain distinct contractual relationships with agencies, certain agencies are or may in the future be consolidated under common control. As a result, if we fail to maintain a positive relationship with the ultimate control parties for these agencies, we may experience loss of engagement from agents at such agencies or disengagement by such agencies from our platform. If we are unable to retain these key relationships or if agencies reduce their activity on our platform, our revenue would be adversely impacted and our business, operating results, financial condition, and future prospects would be materially and adversely affected.

Our success depends on individual agent adoption and engagement, and if agents do not engage with or adopt our platform, our results of operations will be harmed.

Our success depends on individual agent engagement. Agent-level adoption of our platform is not guaranteed and may vary significantly across agencies. If agents are slow to adopt our platform, choose to deprioritize it, or lack sufficient support or training, the anticipated benefits of a given agency or agent relationship may not materialize. Agent acceptance of our platform also depends on its

 

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perceived quality, effectiveness, and useability compared to alternative selling methods. Moreover, agent behavior can be affected by factors beyond our control, such as changes in agency compensation structures, internal agency incentives, or technical issues that disrupt agent workflows or compensation accuracy, which factors may be influenced or directed by agencies as part of their own competitive strategies. These dynamics have in the past, and may in the future, reduce agents’ platform engagement and impact the volume of policies sold.

Some of the agents that activate policies using our platform, or provide additional services on our platform, may have relationships with or influence over our consumers, and therefore we risk the loss of such consumers if agents choose not to engage with our platform or prioritize our products.

Our business depends in part on third-party data, technology, and infrastructure providers and failure to maintain these relationships or changes in their services could adversely affect our operations, revenue, and growth.

We anticipate that the growth of our business will continue to depend on third-party relationships, including key technology and service providers that support our platform, such as payment processors. We rely on third-party technology and infrastructure providers to support key aspects of our business, including cloud hosting, data processing, application performance, and core platform functionality. Many of these providers operate on a non-exclusive basis and may also support our competitors or offer competing services, which could impact our ability to differentiate or maintain performance. Identifying, negotiating, and documenting relationships with third parties requires significant time and resources as does integrating third-party content and technology into our platform and operations.

We also rely on certain third-party data sources to support policyholder underwriting and decision-making through our platform. These sources include credit-based insurance scores, driving records, prescription data, medical records, and other consumer information provided by unaffiliated vendors, and, in some cases, analysis and interpretation of such data. Third-party vendors of such information include, among others, Milliman, TransUnion and MIB Group. Access to this data is important to the speed, accuracy, and overall functionality of our platform. Before we obtain any such third-party data, consumers provide the necessary authorizations and consents directly through our platform, and we share underwriting data with carriers to the extent permitted by those authorizations. While we believe our platform is designed to obtain all relevant and necessary authorizations and consents before third-party data about consumers is obtained and shared, including with carriers, any challenges to or litigation or investigations regarding these processes could be costly, time-consuming, and distracting to management and may harm our business and results of operations. If we lose access to any of these data sources, including any analytics thereof, experience disruptions in availability, or encounter changes in pricing, usage terms, or regulatory constraints affecting access to or use of such data (or any analytics thereof), our ability to support underwriting could be impaired. In addition, if these vendors degrade service quality or if these data sources fail to meet evolving technical or compliance standards, or fail to meet standards of accuracy and acceptable ranges of mortality predictiveness of our present and future carrier partners, it could result in delays or friction in the application process for consumers and agents, and limit the ability of carriers to efficiently evaluate risk. Because our underwriting model does not involve traditional medical exams or laboratory testing, we rely on these alternative data sources to evaluate risk. While we believe these data sources are sufficient to support accurate and efficient underwriting, they may not provide the same depth or type of medical information as traditional processes. As a result, our ability to support certain products, including those that require more comprehensive medical evaluation, may be limited, and some carriers may be unwilling to underwrite policies using our approach. While we have not experienced limitations on the number of carriers that our platform’s decision-making can handle, we may encounter difficulties or challenges with our decision-making processes and capabilities, including due to factors impacting our third-party vendors that may be outside of our control, that impede our ability to satisfy

 

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our carriers’ underwriting standards and conditions and harm our reputation, business, and results of operations. Further, any of these developments could reduce the effectiveness of our platform, diminish adoption or satisfaction among carriers, agents, and applicants, and adversely affect our business and operating results. In addition, third-party service providers may not perform as expected under our agreements, and we or our carriers may in the future have disagreements or disputes with such providers, while our competitors may be effective in providing incentives to carriers to favor their products or services on competitors’ platforms or to prevent or reduce sales made through our platform. If we lose access to products from a particular carrier, or experience a significant disruption in the supply of products from a current carrier, especially a carrier offering a unique or popular insurance product, our business and operating results could be harmed.

In addition, changes in the availability, cost, permitted use, or quality of certain third-party underwriting data could disrupt our business operations and harm our business, growth, and results of operations. For example, if any laws or regulations were to prohibit the use of financial underwriting scores based on concerns of discriminatory impact, we could lose the ability to support rapid underwriting, which would negatively impact our consumer experience, conversion rates, revenue, and operating margins. Similarly, if providers of prescription and medical claims intelligence were to discontinue or limit their data offerings, and we were required to rely on raw data inputs, we would need to rapidly adapt our underwriting processes, which we are not currently equipped to do. Any of these developments could impair the functionality and competitiveness of our platform and negatively affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our business is subject to risks related to disputes, legal proceedings, and governmental inquiries.

We are subject to litigation, regulatory investigations, and claims arising in the normal course of our business operations. The risks associated with these matters often are difficult to assess or quantify and the existence and magnitude of potential claims often remain unknown for substantial periods of time. While we have insurance coverage for some of these potential claims, others may be subject to certain exclusions under our policy and/or not be otherwise covered by insurance, insurers may dispute coverage, or any ultimate liabilities may exceed our coverage limits.

We may be subject to actions and claims relating to the sale of insurance. Actions and claims may result in the rescission of such sales and consequently, carriers may seek to recoup commissions paid to us, which may lead to legal action against us. The outcome of such actions cannot be predicted, and such claims or actions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We are subject to numerous laws and regulations and may be subject to regulatory investigations from time to time. The insurance industry has been subject to a significant level of scrutiny by various regulatory bodies, including state attorneys general and insurance departments, concerning certain practices within the insurance industry. These practices include the marketing and sale of life insurance policies, denials of coverage, the suitability of insurance products and services, the use, handling, and disclosure of consumer information (including personal information), lead generation and data sharing and sales, and the handling of commissions and agent compensation. From time to time, we have received informational requests from governmental authorities and have been and may in the future be subject to investigations and enforcement actions, including lawsuits, injunctions, damages, and criminal and civil penalties related to disclosures of personal information, including certain types of sensitive health information.

These same laws sometimes also provide individuals with private rights of action. Therefore, in addition to regulatory investigations and actions, the insurance industry has been subject to consumer

 

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lawsuits, including class actions, brought under insurance and state and federal consumer protection laws.

There have been a number of revisions to existing, or proposals to modify or enact new laws and regulations regarding insurance agents, brokers, and distribution platforms. These actions have imposed or could impose additional obligations on us with respect to products sold on our platform.

We cannot predict the impact that any new laws, rules, or regulations may have on our business and financial results, and we may become subject to governmental inquiries, subpoenas, or lawsuits. Regulators may raise issues during investigations, examinations, or audits that could, if determined adversely, have a material impact on us. The interpretations of regulations by regulators may change and statutes may be enacted with retroactive impact. We could also be materially adversely affected by any new industry-wide regulations or practices that may result from these proceedings.

Our involvement in investigations and lawsuits have caused and may in the future cause us to incur additional legal and other costs, including fines and damages, some of which may be material in amount. Regardless of final costs, these matters could have a material adverse effect on us by exposing us to negative publicity, reputational damage, harm to consumer relationships, or diversion of personnel and management resources.

Our business strategy depends in part on expanding our third-party channel, which includes independent agencies and the agents who sell insurance products through our platform. Our third-party channel also increases our exposure to regulatory and compliance risks that we do not directly control. These agencies and agents operate independently and are responsible for their own sales practices, data privacy and security, personnel and compensation policies, and marketing activities. As the volume of activity through agencies and agents increases, so does the potential for noncompliance with applicable laws by such parties, including state insurance regulations, consumer protection laws, data privacy laws, and anti-fraud statutes, and for disputes with other parties, including agents, former agents, other agencies, and carriers, that could involve us or subject us to liability. For example, agents with which we have relationships have in the past, and may in the future, terminate policies issued by carriers we have relationships with and replace them with policies issued by carriers we do not contract with, which is a practice that we prohibit in our contractual arrangements with agencies. Our ability to monitor and influence their conduct is limited, and if any agency or agent fails to comply with applicable laws or engages in conduct that exposes them to liability, we could face reputational harm as well as other negative consequences, including regulatory scrutiny, government investigations, legal liability, or monetary penalties, and could incur significant costs, even if we were not directly involved in the conduct at issue. Any of these outcomes could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Competition in our industry is intense, and our inability to compete effectively may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The business of selling insurance products and services is highly competitive and fragmented, and we expect competition to intensify. We compete for consumers on the basis of reputation, customer service, product offerings, and our ability to innovate and tailor products and services to meet the specific needs of a consumer.

We actively compete with a number of companies, including agencies, brokerages, traditional carrier distribution channels, as well as companies with online and platform offerings similar to ours. Competition may reduce the fees that we can obtain for services provided, which would have an adverse effect on revenue and margins. Many of our competitors have greater financial and marketing resources than we do and may be able to offer products and services that we do not currently offer and

 

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may not offer in the future. As insurance carriers and financial services companies expand their digital distribution strategies, we may face increased competition from larger, well-capitalized entities offering a broader range of products directly to consumers. In addition, a number of carriers are engaged in the direct sale of insurance, primarily to individuals, and do not pay commissions to brokers or other market intermediaries. Furthermore, we compete with various other companies that provide risk-related services or alternatives to traditional insurance services, including other competing start-up companies, which are focused on using technology and innovation, including artificial intelligence, machine learning, and similar tools and technologies, or collectively, AI, digital platforms, data analytics, robotics and blockchain, to simplify and improve the customer experience, increase efficiencies, alter business models, and effect other potentially disruptive changes in the industries in which we operate. We also expect new entrants to offer competitive services and carriers may also seek to build their own solutions, including using advanced tools such as AI, and particularly in markets where development costs are lower. If we cannot compete successfully against current and future competitors, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be negatively impacted.

In addition, in recent years, private equity sponsors have invested tens of billions of dollars into the insurance sector, transforming existing players and creating new ones to compete with large brokers. These new competitors, alliances among competitors or mergers of competitors could emerge and gain significant market share, and some of our competitors may have or may develop a lower cost structure, adopt more aggressive pricing policies, or provide services that gain greater market acceptance than the services that we offer or develop. Competitors may be able to respond to the need for technological changes and innovate faster, or price their services more aggressively. They may also compete for skilled professionals, finance acquisitions, fund internal growth and compete for market share more effectively than we do. To respond to increased competition and pricing pressure, we may have to lower the cost of our services or decrease the level of service provided to consumers, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Similarly, any increase in competition due to new legislative or industry developments could adversely affect us. These developments include:

 

   

increased capital-raising by carriers, which could result in new capital in the industry, which in turn may lead to changes in insurance premiums and commissions;

 

   

carriers selling insurance directly to insureds without the involvement of a broker, agent or other intermediary;

 

   

changes in our business compensation model as a result of regulatory developments; and

 

   

increased competition from new market participants such as banks, accounting firms, consulting firms, and Internet or other technology firms offering risk management or insurance brokerage services, or new distribution channels for insurance such as payroll firms.

New competition as a result of these or other competitive or industry developments could cause the demand for our products and services to decrease, which could in turn adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Cyber attacks, data breaches, security incidents, systems failures, and resulting interruptions in the availability of our websites, mobile applications, platform, or services could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

It is critical to our success that consumers, agents, and carriers be able to access our platform at all times. Our systems, or those of third parties upon which we rely, may experience service interruptions or degradation or other performance problems because of data breaches or data security incidents (for additional information on this risk, see the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to

 

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Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Security—If our information technology systems or those of third parties with whom we work or our data, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including regulatory investigations or actions, litigation, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, reputational harm, loss of revenue or profits, loss of consumers or sales, and other adverse consequences”), infrastructure changes, human error, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires, other natural disasters, power losses, disruptions in telecommunications services, fraud, military or political conflicts, terrorist attacks, or other attempts to infiltrate or harm our systems or platform. It has become increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain and improve the performance of our systems and the availability of our platform, especially during peak usage times, as our operations grow and the usage of our platform increases. Some of our systems are not fully redundant, and our disaster recovery planning may not be sufficient for all eventualities.

We may experience system failures and other events or conditions that interrupt the availability or reduce or affect the speed or functionality of our platform. These events could result in significant losses of revenue and could harm our brand and reputation. Affected users could seek monetary recourse from us for their losses and such claims, even if unsuccessful, would likely be time-consuming and costly for us to address. In addition, such breaches have in the past required, and may in the future require notification to governmental agencies, the media, or individuals pursuant to various federal and state privacy and security laws and regulations. Further, we may not be able to identify the cause or causes of these performance problems within an acceptable period of time. A prolonged interruption in the availability or reduction in the availability, speed, or other functionality of our platform could adversely affect our business and reputation and could result in the loss of consumers. Our business interruption insurance may not be sufficient to cover all of our losses that may result from interruptions in our service as a result of system failures, cyber attacks, and similar events.

Our brand awareness and marketing efforts to help grow our business may not be effective.

Promoting awareness of our platform and maintaining and enhancing our reputation is important to our ability to grow our business, and attracting consumers, agents, agencies, and carriers can be costly. We believe that much of the growth in the number of consumers, agents, agencies, and carriers that utilize our platform is attributable to our paid marketing initiatives. Our marketing efforts have included referrals, affiliate programs, partnerships, display advertising, television, billboards, radio, video, social media, email, podcasts, search engine optimization, and keyword search campaigns. Our marketing initiatives may become increasingly expensive, and we may not generate a meaningful return on these initiatives. Even if we increase revenue as a result of our paid marketing efforts, it may not offset the additional marketing expenses we incur. If our marketing efforts to help grow our business are not successful or cost-effective, our business, financial condition, and results of operations could be adversely affected.

The successful promotion of our brand and the market’s awareness of our platform and product offerings will depend on a number of factors, including our marketing efforts, ability to continue to expand our product offerings, and ability to successfully differentiate our platform from competing channels. We expect to invest substantial resources to promote and maintain our brand, but there is no guarantee that our brand development strategies will enhance the recognition of our brand or lead to increased sales. Brand promotion activities may not yield increased revenue, and even if they do, the increased revenue may not offset the expenses we incur in promoting and maintaining our brand and reputation. If our efforts to cost-effectively promote and maintain our brand are not successful, our results of operations and our ability to attract and engage consumers, agencies, and agents may be

 

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adversely affected. Further, even if our brand recognition and consumer loyalty increase, this may not yield increased revenue for us.

Unfavorable publicity regarding our customer service, privacy, data security, data protection practices, and certain agencies with which we have a relationship could also harm our reputation and diminish confidence in, and the use of, our services. Fear of loss of consumers or lack of consumer adoption due to poor service quality or negative customer or shopper reviews or press may make agencies or agents reluctant to remain with us. The same negative network effects could occur as a result of trust and safety or fraud incidents as well as data breaches and other data security incidents. In addition, negative publicity related to agencies or carriers with whom we work may damage our reputation, even if the publicity is not directly related to us. If we fail to maintain, protect, and enhance our brand successfully or to maintain loyalty among consumers, agencies, and carriers, or if we incur substantial expenses in unsuccessful attempts to maintain, protect, and enhance our brand, we may fail to attract or increase the engagement of consumers, agencies, and carriers, and our business, financial condition, and results of operations may suffer.

We expect a number of factors to cause our results of operations and operating cash flows to fluctuate on a quarterly and annual basis, which may make it difficult to predict our future performance.

Our results of operations could vary significantly from quarter to quarter and year to year because of a variety of factors, many of which are outside of our control. As a result, comparing our results of operations on a period-to-period basis may not be meaningful. In addition to other risk factors discussed in this section, factors that may contribute to the variability of our quarterly and annual results include:

 

   

our ability to accurately predict revenue and appropriately plan our expenses;

 

   

levels of terminations that result in larger than expected changes in observed persistency and our persistency estimates;

 

   

macroeconomic pressures and challenges, including due to inflation, high interest rates, and tariffs;

 

   

additions or the loss of new agency and carrier relationships as well as introduction of new products or the loss of existing products on our platform;

 

   

growth or diminution in our third-party channel as well as future shifts in revenue contribution between our two channels;

 

   

the number of new policies activated;

 

   

the timing of the recoupment of agent payments;

 

   

the entry into agreements to sell a portion of our commissions receivable;

 

   

timing of strategic investments and expenditures;

 

   

fluctuations in operating expense as we seek to improve efficiencies, comply with changing regulatory requirements, and expand our business, offerings, and technologies;

 

   

changes to financial accounting standards and the interpretation of those standards, which may affect the way we recognize and report our financial results;

 

   

the effectiveness of our internal controls;

 

   

the impact of future public health threats on our business; and

 

   

the seasonality of our business.

 

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The impact of one or more of the foregoing and other factors may cause our results of operations to vary significantly. As such, quarter-to-quarter and year-over-year comparisons of our results of operations may not be meaningful and should not be unduly relied upon as an indication of future performance.

Changes in our accounting estimates and assumptions could negatively affect our financial position and operating results.

We prepare our consolidated financial statements in accordance with GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make assumptions, estimates or judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, and expenses in our consolidated financial statements. We are required to make certain judgments and estimates that affect the disclosed and recorded amounts of revenue and expenses related to accounting under Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, Topic 606 Reverse Recognition. For example, persistency estimates may be more variable early in the life cycle of a product or carrier relationship due to lack of relevant historical data to analyze. Lack of historical data as well as experience with post-issue audit practices of new carriers on our platform can result in greater fluctuations in future revenue and cash flows. We periodically evaluate our assumptions, estimates and judgment and conduct persistency assessments with outside advisors on a quarterly basis. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances. Such assumptions, estimates or judgments, however, are both subjective and could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed in our consolidated financial statements. Additionally, changes in accounting standards could increase costs to the organization and could have an adverse impact on our future financial position and results of operations.

Our ability to recoup payments from agents and the timing of those recouped payments may impact our business and operating results.

Upon termination of a policy within certain time periods of activation, we are entitled to recoup all or a portion of agent payments. We have historically experienced and may continue to experience delays in receiving recoupment payments from agents beyond contractually prescribed repayment periods. We have limited means to pursue repayments from individual agents, and actions we take to pursue repayments may be perceived negatively by applicable agencies, which may harm our relationships with such agencies. In addition, if we take, or are perceived to take, punitive action against certain highly productive agents who are delayed in paying recoupment amounts, it could negatively impact our business and results of operations. Delays in recoupment of agent repayments may negatively impact our ability to make commission repayments to carriers upon lapses of policies. Any delays in our commission repayments in connection with policy lapses may harm our reputation and relationship with carriers, which would negatively impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Non-compliance with or changes in laws, regulations or licensing requirements applicable to us could restrict our ability to conduct our business and impact our results of operations and financial condition.

The industry in which we operate is subject to extensive regulation. We are subject to regulation and supervision both federally and in each applicable local jurisdiction. In general, these regulations are designed to protect customers, policyholders and insureds, and to protect the integrity of the financial markets, rather than to protect stockholders or creditors. Our ability to conduct business in these jurisdictions depends on our compliance with the rules and regulations promulgated by federal regulatory bodies and other regulatory authorities, including requirements to maintain surety bonds in a number of states. Failure to comply with regulatory requirements, or changes in regulatory

 

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requirements or interpretations, could result in actions by regulators, potentially leading to fines and penalties, adverse publicity, and damage to our reputation in the marketplace. We may be unable to adapt effectively to any changes in law. Furthermore, in some areas of our businesses, we act on the basis of our own or the industry’s interpretations of applicable laws or regulations, which may conflict from state to state. In the event those interpretations eventually prove different from the interpretations of regulatory authorities, we may be penalized. In extreme cases, revocation of our authority to do business in one or more jurisdictions could result from failure to comply with regulatory requirements. In addition, we could face lawsuits by consumers (including class action lawsuits), insureds, and other parties for alleged violations of certain of these laws and regulations. It is difficult to predict whether changes resulting from new laws and regulations, as well as changes in interpretation of current laws and regulations, will affect the industry or our business and, if so, to what degree.

Insurance agents and their principals who engage in the solicitation, negotiation or sale of insurance, or provide certain other insurance services, generally are required to be licensed individually. Insurance laws and regulations govern whether licensees may share commissions with unlicensed entities and individuals. We believe that any payments we make to third parties are in compliance with applicable laws. However, should any regulatory agency take a contrary position and prevail, we will be required to change the manner in which we pay fees to such agents or principals or require entities receiving such payments to become registered or licensed.

State insurance laws grant supervisory agencies, including state insurance departments, broad administrative authority. State insurance regulators and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners continually review existing laws and regulations, some of which affect our business. These supervisory agencies regulate many aspects of the insurance business, including the licensing of insurance brokers and agents and other insurance intermediaries, the handling of third-party funds held in a fiduciary capacity, and trade practices, such as marketing, advertising and compensation arrangements entered into by insurance brokers and agents. These regulators are also increasingly focused on the use of AI in offering and underwriting consumer products. In addition, because we act as both a producer and a third-party administrator to support policy distribution and provide certain administrative services on behalf of carriers, we are required to maintain various state licenses to operate in these roles. Failure to obtain or maintain these licenses, or to comply with associated regulatory requirements, could impair our ability to operate in certain jurisdictions and adversely affect our business. This legal and regulatory oversight could reduce our profitability or limit our growth by increasing the costs of legal and regulatory compliance and by limiting or restricting the products or services we sell, the markets we serve or enter, the methods by which we sell our products and services, and the form of compensation we can accept from our consumers, carriers, and third parties.

We are also subject to U.S. federal and state laws governing marketing and consumer outreach. For example, certain outreach activities, such as marketing calls or text messages, may be subject to Telephone Consumer Protection Act, or TCPA, as interpreted and implemented by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC and U.S. courts, as well as similar state telemarketing laws, which regulate how and when such communications may be made and can impose significant restrictions on the use of telephone calls and text messages to residential and mobile telephone numbers as a means of communication when prior consent of the person being contacted has not been obtained. Violations of the TCPA may be enforced by the FCC or by individuals through litigation, as we have experienced in the past, including through costly class actions, of which numerous suits under federal and state laws have been filed in recent years against companies who conduct telemarketing and/or SMS texting programs, resulting in significant judgements or settlement awards to the plaintiffs. Further, any changes to the TCPA, its interpretation, or enforcement that further restricts the way we or our agents contact and communicate with potential consumers or generate leads could harm our business, financial condition, and result of operations. Additionally, CAN-SPAM establishes specific requirements for commercial email messages and specifies penalties for the transmission of commercial email. Although we have implemented compliance

 

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procedures and may rely on enterprise partners or vendors to manage these activities, we may still face, and have faced, regulatory scrutiny or claims regarding actual or perceived violations of these laws. Our uses of certain personal or health information for marketing and other purposes may also be restricted by federal and state laws and regulations. In addition, because we facilitate financial transactions in connection with the sale and servicing of insurance policies, and collect personal and financial data from applicants, we are subject to certain anti-money laundering and economic sanctions laws and regulations, including those administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC. Failure to comply with these requirements could result in significant penalties, regulatory investigations, reputational harm, or limitations on our ability to operate.

Additionally, federal, state, and other regulatory authorities have focused on, and continue to devote substantial attention to, the insurance industry as well as to the sale of products or services to seniors. Regulatory review or the issuance of interpretations of existing laws and regulations may result in the enactment of new laws and regulations that could adversely affect our operations or our ability to conduct business profitably. In addition, the growth of our product mix to include more complex or variable products further exposes us to risk and regulatory scrutiny of the sale of such products to seniors. For example, our platform now includes wills and estate planning services, which may subject us to additional legal and regulatory requirements, including those relating to the unauthorized practice of law, state-specific documentation standards, and marketing to seniors. We are unable to predict whether any such laws or regulations will be enacted and to what extent such laws and regulations would affect our business.

Fluctuations or an overall decline in economic activity, or any adverse trends in the life insurance industry, could have a material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations of our business.

Macroeconomic challenges, including adverse conditions resulting from uncertainty concerning tariffs, the volatility and strength of the capital markets, increased rates of inflation, high interest rates, government shutdowns, debt ceilings or funding, and public health emergencies can and have affected the life insurance industry. Life insurance trends have historically been impacted by changes in interest rates, employment levels, and median household income. The current macroecononic environment, characterized by elevated interest rates and heightened consumer price sensitivity, has impacted and may continue to impact the insurance industry, including by contributing to fluctuations in policy demand and pricing behavior across the industry. Downward fluctuations in the year-over-year insurance premiums charged by insurers to protect against the same risk could adversely affect our commission rates and our revenue growth and margins. Shifts in life insurance trends resulting from macroeconomic uncertainty or changes in mortality rates also harm our ability to accurately predict our business trends as well as our persistency assumptions, which can cause fluctuations in revenue and cash flow in future periods, including from policy cancellations. Insolvencies and consolidations associated with an economic downturn, especially insolvencies in the insurance industry, could adversely affect our business through the reduction in activity of or loss of carriers or agencies as well as a slowdown in the life insurance market. Also, some of our consumers or some agencies may experience liquidity problems or other financial difficulties in the event of a prolonged deterioration in macroeconomic conditions or a recession, which could result in our consumers becoming more price-sensitive to life insurance products and may reduce our ability to or impact the rate at which we recover the portion of agent payments due back to us from terminations. Shifts in consumer demand for product offerings away from those that we or our carriers offer may also negatively impact our revenue growth and margins. For all these reasons, a decline in economic activity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

 

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Our inability to successfully recover should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem could cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm or legal liability.

Our operations are dependent upon our ability to protect our personnel, offices, and technology infrastructure against damage from business continuity events that could have a significant disruptive effect on our operations. Should we or our critical third-party service providers experience a local or regional disaster or other business continuity problem, such as an earthquake, hurricane, terrorist attack, pandemic, protest or riot, security breach, cyberattack or other similar incident, power loss, telecommunications failure, or other natural or man-made disaster, our continued success will depend, in part, on the availability of personnel, office facilities, and the proper functioning of computer, telecommunication, and other related systems and operations. In events like these, while our operational size, the multiple locations from which we operate, our hybrid work model, and our existing backup systems provide us with some degree of flexibility, we still can experience near-term operational challenges in particular areas of our operations. We could potentially lose key executives, personnel, consumer data or experience material adverse interruptions to our operations or delivery of services to consumers in a disaster recovery scenario. We may experience additional disruption due to system upgrades, outages or an increase in remote work. Our inability to successfully recover, should we experience a disaster or other business continuity problem, could materially interrupt our business operations and cause material financial loss, loss of human capital, regulatory actions, reputational harm, damaged consumer relationships, or legal liability. Our insurance coverage with respect to natural disasters is limited and is subject to deductibles and coverage limits. Such coverage may not be adequate, or may not continue to be available at commercially reasonable rates and terms.

If we are unable to apply technology effectively in driving value for our consumers through technology-based solutions or gain internal efficiencies and effective internal controls through the application of technology and related tools, our operating results, consumer relationships, growth, and compliance programs could be adversely affected.

Our future success depends, in part, on our ability to anticipate and respond effectively to the threat of, and the opportunity presented by, digital disruption and other technology changes. These may include new applications or insurance-related services based on AI or machine learning technologies. We may be exposed to competitive risks related to the adoption and application of new technologies by established market participants (for example, through disintermediation) or new entrants such as technology companies, Insurtech start-up companies, and others. We must also develop and implement technology solutions and technical expertise among our employees that anticipate and keep pace with rapid and continuing changes in technology, industry standards, customer preferences and internal control standards. We may not be successful in anticipating or responding to these developments on a timely and cost-effective basis, and our ideas may not be accepted in the marketplace. Additionally, the effort to gain technological expertise and develop new technologies in our business requires us to incur significant expenses. Our technological development projects may also not deliver the benefits we expect once they are completed or may be replaced or become obsolete more quickly than expected, which could result in the accelerated recognition of expenses. If we cannot offer new technologies as quickly as our competitors, or if our competitors develop more cost-effective technologies or product offerings, we could experience a material adverse effect on our operating results, consumer relationships, growth, and compliance programs.

If we do not continue to innovate and further develop our platform, our platform developments do not perform, we do not successfully manage our platform strategy, or we are not able to keep pace with technological developments, we may not remain competitive and our business and results of operations could suffer.

 

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Our success depends in part on our ability to continue to innovate and further develop our platform. To remain competitive, we must continuously enhance and improve the functionality and features of our platform, including our website and mobile application and the suite of agent and other customer services that we offer through our platform. To compete effectively, we must also provide a convenient, efficient, and reliable customer experience on our platform, and we may be unable to effectively address customer needs or identify emerging customer trends.

In addition, any new features or functionalities for our platform that we develop may not be introduced in a timely or cost-effective manner, may contain errors or defects, or may not achieve broad market acceptance. Agents may delay adoption and use of new features or functionalities and compare them against potentially competitive products in the market. Further, we may make changes to our platform and platform strategy that consumers, agents, or carriers do not find useful, and we may discontinue certain features or functionalities that our consumers or agents have otherwise enjoyed. Failure to effectively manage our platform and platform strategy could lead to consumer, agent or carrier dissatisfaction, which could adversely affect our business and operating results. If existing and new consumers do not perceive the services provided by agents that utilize our platform or the products offered by carriers on our platform to be reliable, competitive, and affordable, or if we fail to offer new and relevant features and functionalities on our platform, we may not be able to attract consumers or to increase the number of policies activated on our platform, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Further, if competitors introduce new features, offerings, or technologies, or if new industry standards and practices or customer trends emerge, our existing technology, services, websites, and mobile application may become less popular or obsolete. In the event that our competitors’ technology is, or is perceived to be, superior to our or our partners’ technology, they may be able to leverage such technology to compete more effectively with us, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. Our future success could depend in large part on our ability to invest in, develop, and respond to technological advances and emerging industry standards and practices in a cost-effective and timely manner.

Our inability to retain or hire qualified employees, as well as the loss of any of our executive officers, could negatively impact our ability to retain existing business and generate new business.

Our success depends on our ability to attract and retain skilled and experienced personnel. There is significant competition from within the insurance industry and from businesses outside the industry for exceptional employees, especially in key positions. Our competitors may be able to offer a work environment with higher compensation or more opportunities than we can. Any new personnel we hire may not be or become as productive as we expect, as we may face challenges adequately or appropriately integrating them into our workforce culture. Our effort to retain and develop personnel may also result in significant additional expenses, which could adversely affect our profitability. If we are unable to successfully attract, retain, and motivate our employees, whether as a result of an insufficient number of qualified applicants, difficulty in recruiting new employees, or inadequate resources to train, integrate, and retain qualified employees, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and reputation could be materially and adversely affected.

If any of our key professionals were to join an existing competitor or form a competing company, some of our carriers, agency counterparties, and consumers could choose to use the services of that competitor instead of our services.

In addition, we could be adversely affected if we fail to adequately plan for the succession of our senior management, including our founders, executives, and key personnel. We currently do not

 

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maintain key person insurance on these individuals. Although we operate with a decentralized management system, the loss of our senior management or other key personnel in any circumstance, including any limitation on the performance of their duties or short- or long-term absence as a result of an acute illness, or our inability to continue to identify, recruit, and retain such personnel, could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. While we have employment contracts with members of senior management, as well as our key employees, they may terminate employment without notice and without cause or good reason. The members of our senior management are not subject to non-competition agreements. Accordingly, the adverse effect resulting from the loss of certain members of senior management could be compounded by our inability to prevent them from competing with us.

Any failure to offer high-quality support for our platform may harm our relationships with consumers, agents, and carriers and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Our ability to attract and retain consumers, agents, and carriers is dependent in part on our ability to provide high-quality support for our platform. Consumers, agents, agencies, and carriers depend on our support organization to resolve any issues relating to our platform. If we are unable to resolve issues in a timely and effective manner, whether raised by prospective or existing policyholders, or by agents and agencies, those users may lose trust in our platform, disengage from our offerings, or shift their business elsewhere. This could result in lower policy volume, reputational harm, and reduced commission revenue. As we continue to grow our business and expand our offerings, we will face challenges related to providing high-quality platform support services at scale. Any failure to maintain high-quality support for our platform, or a market perception that we do not maintain high-quality support, could harm our reputation and adversely affect our ability to scale our platform and business, our financial condition, and results of operations.

We use third-party cloud service providers to deliver our platform services. Any disruption of services from our cloud service providers could harm our business.

We currently manage our platform services and serve all of our consumers through third-party cloud computing services, such as Amazon Web Services. If, for any reason, we are required to migrate our computing to other cloud service providers, such a transition could require significant time and expense and our business could be adversely impacted.

Our third-party cloud service providers do not guarantee that access to our platform will be uninterrupted or error-free. Any damage to, or failure of, our providers’ systems could result in interruptions to our platform. Interruptions in our services would reduce our revenue, subject us to potential liability and adversely affect our ability to retain our consumers or attract new consumers and would also impact our relationships with carriers and agents using our platform. The performance, reliability, and availability of our platform is critical to our reputation and our ability to attract and retain consumers, agents, and carriers with whom we have a direct relationship. If service interruptions occur, consumers, agents, or carriers could share information about negative experiences on social media or via other channels, which could result in damage to our reputation and loss of future sales. In addition, the hosting costs for our cloud services have increased over time and may increase further if we continue to require more computing or storage capacity and such capacity may not be available on the same terms or with the same costs or at all. These costs could adversely impact our business and financial condition.

Our business, financial condition, and results of operations may be negatively affected by E&O claims.

 

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We are subject to claims and litigation in the ordinary course of business resulting from alleged and actual errors and omissions in placing insurance and rendering coverage advice. These activities involve substantial amounts of money. Since E&O claims against us may allege our liability for all or part of the amounts in question, claimants may seek large damage awards. These claims can involve significant defense costs. Errors and omissions could include failure, whether negligently or intentionally, to place coverage on behalf of consumers, to provide carriers with complete and accurate information relating to the risks being insured, or to appropriately apply funds that we hold on a fiduciary basis. It is not always possible to prevent or detect errors and omissions, and the precautions we take may not be effective in all cases.

We have errors and omissions insurance coverage to protect against the risk of liability resulting from our alleged and actual errors and omissions. Prices for this insurance and the scope and limits of the coverage terms available are dependent on our claims history as well as market conditions that are outside of our control. While we endeavor to purchase coverage that is appropriate to our assessment of our risk, we are unable to predict with certainty the frequency, nature or magnitude of claims for direct or consequential damages or whether our errors and omissions insurance will cover such claims.

In establishing liabilities for E&O claims, we utilize case level reviews by inside and outside counsel and an internal analysis to estimate potential losses. The liability is reviewed annually and adjusted as developments warrant. Given the unpredictability of E&O claims and of litigation that could flow from them, an adverse outcome in a particular matter could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, financial condition or cash flow in a given quarterly or annual period.

In connection with the implementation of our corporate strategies, we face risks associated with the acquisition or disposition of businesses, the entry into new lines of business, the integration of acquired businesses, and the growth and development of these businesses.

In pursuing our corporate strategy, we have in the past acquired, and may in the future acquire, other businesses or dispose of or exit businesses we currently own. The success of this strategy is dependent upon our ability to identify appropriate acquisition and disposition targets, negotiate transactions on favorable terms, complete transactions and, in the case of acquisitions, successfully integrate them into our existing businesses. If a proposed transaction is not consummated, the time and resources spent in researching it could adversely result in missed opportunities to locate and acquire other businesses. If we make acquisitions, we may not realize the anticipated benefits of such acquisitions, including revenue growth, operational efficiencies or expected synergies. If we dispose of or otherwise exit certain businesses, we may incur material disposition-related charges, or we may be unable to reduce overhead related to the divested assets.

From time to time, either through acquisitions or internal development, we may enter new lines of business or offer new products and services within existing lines of business. These new lines of business or new products and services may present additional risks, particularly in instances where the markets are not fully developed. Such risks include the investment of significant time and resources; the possibility that these efforts will not be successful; the possibility that the marketplace does not accept our products or services, or that we are unable to retain consumers that adopt our new products or services; and the risk of additional liabilities associated with these efforts. In addition, many of the businesses that we acquire and develop will likely have significantly smaller scales of operations prior to the implementation of our growth strategy. If we are not able to manage the growing complexity of these businesses, including improving, refining, or revising our systems and operational practices, and enlarging the scale and scope of the businesses, our business may be adversely affected. Other risks include developing knowledge of and experience in the new business, integrating the acquired business into our systems and culture, recruiting professionals, and developing and capitalizing on new

 

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relationships with experienced market participants. External factors, such as compliance with new or revised regulations, competitive alternatives and shifting market preferences may also impact the successful implementation of a new line of business. Failure to manage these risks in the acquisition or development of new businesses could materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.

If we fail to improve and enhance the functionality, performance, reliability, design, security, and scalability of our platform and innovate and introduce new solutions in a manner that responds to our consumers’ evolving needs, our business may be adversely affected.

The life insurance markets in which we compete are characterized by constant change and innovation and we expect them to continue to evolve rapidly. Our success has been based on our ability to identify and anticipate the needs of our consumers and design and maintain a platform that provides them with the tools they need to operate their businesses. Our ability to attract new consumers, earn renewal revenue, being commissions received from the carrier after the first term of a policy, from existing consumers and increase sales to both new and existing consumers will depend in large part on our ability to continue to improve and enhance the functionality, performance, reliability, design, security, and scalability of our platform and to innovate and introduce new solutions. If we fail to anticipate and address consumers’ rapidly changing needs and expectations or adapt to emerging trends, our reputation could be harmed and our business, operating results, and financial condition could suffer.

Furthermore, we expect adoption of our platform and solutions by carriers, agency counterparties, agents, and consumers to increase. As the number of carriers with greater product offerings increases, so does the need for us to offer increased functionality, performance, reliability, scalability, and support, which requires us to devote additional resources to such efforts. Furthermore, as adoption of our platform and solutions by carriers, agency counterparties, agents, and consumers increases, so does the scrutiny and audit requirements imposed on us by our partners, which may demand assurances regarding the security and compliance of our platform. We have in the past, and may in the future be required to undergo third-party audits or obtain industry certifications to validate the effectiveness of our controls. These audits and certifications can be costly and time-consuming. To the extent we are not able to enhance our platform’s functionality to satisfy these requirements, our business, operating results, reputation, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

We may experience difficulties with software development that could delay or prevent the development, introduction, or implementation of new solutions and enhancements. We must also continually update, test, and enhance our software platform. The continual improvement and enhancement of our platform requires significant investment and we may not have the resources to make such investment. We may make significant investments in new solutions or enhancements that may not achieve expected returns and such solutions or enhancements may not result in our ability to recoup our investments in a timely manner, or at all. The improvement and enhancement of the functionality, performance, reliability, design, security, and scalability of our platform is expensive and complex, and to the extent we are not able to execute on these efforts in a manner that responds to our consumers’ evolving needs, our business, operating results, and financial condition will be adversely affected.

Our results may be adversely affected by changes in the mode of compensation in the insurance industry.

In the past, state regulators have scrutinized the manner in which insurance brokers are compensated. For example, in 2004, the Attorney General of the State of New York brought charges against members of the insurance brokerage community. These actions have created uncertainty

 

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concerning longstanding methods of compensating insurance brokers. Given that the insurance brokerage industry has faced scrutiny from regulators in the past over its compensation practices, and the transparency and discourse to consumers regarding brokers’ compensation, it is possible that regulators may choose to revisit the same or other practices in the future. If they do so, compliance with new regulations along with any sanctions that might be imposed for past practices deemed improper could have an adverse impact on our future results of operations and inflict significant reputational harm on our business.

Internet search engines drive traffic to our platform and our new user growth could decline if we fail to appear prominently in search results.

Our success depends in part on our ability to attract consumers through Internet search results on search engines such as Google. The number of consumers we attract to our platform from search engines is due in large part to how and where our websites rank in unpaid search results. These rankings can be affected by a number of factors, many of which are not under our direct control and may change frequently. For example, a search engine may change its ranking algorithms, terms of service, methodologies, or design layouts. As a result, links to our websites may not be prominent enough to drive traffic to our websites, and we may not know how or otherwise be in a position to influence the results. In some instances, search engine companies may change these rankings in a way that promotes their own competing products or services or the products or services of one or more of our competitors. Search engines may also adopt a more aggressive auction-pricing system for keywords that would cause us to incur higher advertising costs or reduce our market visibility to prospective consumers. Any reduction in the number of consumers directed to our platform could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Damage to our reputation could have a material adverse effect on our business.

Our reputation is one of our key assets. Our ability to attract and retain consumers is highly dependent upon the external perceptions of our level of service, trustworthiness, business practices, financial condition, and other subjective qualities. If a carrier, agency or group of agents is not satisfied with our platform, we may incur additional costs to address the sources of dissatisfaction or lose the relationship altogether, which may negatively impact other carriers’, agencies’, or agents’ perception regarding us. Our success is also dependent on maintaining a good reputation with existing and potential employees, agents, investors, regulators, and the communities in which we operate. Negative perceptions or publicity regarding these or other matters, including our association with consumers or business partners who themselves have a damaged reputation, or from actual or alleged conduct by us or our employees, could damage our reputation. Any resulting erosion of trust and confidence among existing and potential consumers, existing or potential agents, regulators, and other parties important to the success of our business could make it difficult for us to attract new consumers and maintain existing ones, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Related to Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Security

We and the third parties with whom we work are subject to stringent and evolving U.S. laws, regulations, and rules, contractual obligations, industry standards, policies, and other obligations related to data privacy and security. Our actual or perceived failure (or that of the third parties with whom we work) to comply with such obligations could lead, and in certain cases has led, to regulatory investigations or actions, litigation (including class action claims) and mass arbitration demands, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, reputational harm, loss of revenue or profits, loss of consumers or sales, and other adverse business consequences.

 

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In the ordinary course of business, we collect, receive, store, process, generate, use, transfer, disclose, make accessible, protect, secure, dispose of, transmit, and share, or collectively, process, personal information (which may also be referred to as “personally identifiable information,” “personal data,” “individually identifiable health information,” “consumer health data,” or similar terms), including sensitive information, such as proprietary and confidential business data, trade secrets, intellectual property, sensitive personal information and sensitive third-party data, or collectively, sensitive data. For example, we process personal information (including sensitive data) of our current, prospective, and past customers, which includes health data, financial data, and other personal information and sensitive data (such as social security numbers) as disclosed in our public-facing privacy notices.

Our data collection and processing activities subject us to numerous data privacy and security obligations, such as various laws, regulations, guidance, industry standards, external and internal privacy and security policies, contractual requirements, and other obligations relating to data privacy and security. These requirements and obligations also apply to transfers of information among our affiliates, as well as to transactions we enter into with vendors and other third parties.

In the United States, federal, state, and local governments have enacted numerous data privacy and security laws, including data breach notification laws, comprehensive and sector-specific privacy laws and regulations, consumer protection laws (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act), and other similar laws (e.g., wiretapping laws). At the U.S. federal level, we are subject to, among other laws, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or GLBA, which requires financial institutions, including insurers, to, among other things, periodically disclose their privacy policies and practices relating to sharing “nonpublic personal information” and, in some cases, enables customers to opt out of the sharing of certain personal information with unaffiliated third parties. The GLBA also requires financial institutions to implement an information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information. We are also subject to the rules and regulations promulgated under the authority of the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, or FTC. The FTC and state regulators enforce a variety of data privacy and cybersecurity issues, such as misrepresentations in privacy policies or failures to appropriately protect information about individuals, as unfair or deceptive acts or practices in or affecting commerce in violation of the FTC Act or similar state laws. While we are not directly subject to the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, as amended, including as amended by the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health Act, or HITECH, and the regulations that implement such laws (collectively, HIPAA), HIPAA affects certain of our business operations. For example, we obtain individuals’ medical and health information from their medical providers and other entities, which we then use for the purposes of determining applicants’ eligibility for life insurance. Many medical providers and other entities cannot release such medical and health information to us unless the release authorizations signed by the individuals satisfy the applicable HIPAA requirements. We also represent in our contractual agreements with key vendors that we comply with HIPAA’s requirements for authorizations to disclose protected health information.

Numerous U.S. states have enacted comprehensive privacy laws that impose certain obligations on covered businesses, including providing specific disclosures in privacy notices and affording residents with certain rights concerning their personal information. As applicable, such rights may include the right to access, correct, or delete certain personal information, and to opt-out of certain data processing activities, such as targeted advertising, profiling, sales of personal information, and automated decision-making. The exercise of these rights may impact our business and ability to provide our products and services. Certain states also impose stricter requirements for processing certain personal information, including sensitive personal information, such as conducting data privacy impact assessments and requiring individual’s consent under certain circumstances. These state laws allow for statutory fines for noncompliance. For example, the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018, as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act of 2020, and all regulations thereto, or collectively,

 

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CCPA, applies to personal information of consumers, business representatives, employees, and others who are California residents, and requires businesses to provide specific disclosures in privacy notices and honor requests of such individuals to exercise certain privacy rights including the opt-out of “sales” and “sharing” (as such terms are defined by CCPA) of personal information. The CCPA provides for fines and allows private litigants affected by certain data breaches to recover significant statutory damages. The CCPA includes an exemption applicable to personal information collected, processed, sold or disclosed subject to the GLBA, and other comprehensive U.S. state privacy laws contain similar exemptions for GLBA-covered data or broader exemptions for GLBA-covered entities. However, these developments may further complicate compliance efforts, and increase legal risk and compliance costs for us and the third parties with whom we work. Similar laws have been passed and/or are being considered in additional states, as well as at the federal level, and we expect more states to pass similar laws in the future.

We are subject to various state financial privacy laws such as the California Financial Information Privacy Act. These laws require, among other things, providing either an opt-in or opt-out, depending on the state, to the sharing of non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties. They also require establishing a program of administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the security and confidentiality of customer information. Additionally, in response to the growing threat of cyber-attacks in the insurance industry, certain jurisdictions, including New York, have begun to consider new cybersecurity measures, including the adoption of cybersecurity regulations. In March 2017, the New York State Department of Financial Services, or NYDFS, promulgated Cybersecurity Requirements for Financial Services Companies, which require covered financial institutions to establish and maintain a cybersecurity program and implement and maintain cybersecurity policies and procedures that meet specific requirements; the NYDFS adopted amendments to the cybersecurity regulation in 2023, the majority of which became effective in 2024. Additionally, in October 2017, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, adopted its Insurance Data Security Model Law, intended to serve as model legislation for states to enact in order to govern cybersecurity and data protection practices of insurers, insurance agents, and other licensed entities registered under state insurance laws. Various states have adopted versions of the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law.

Several states have also enacted new laws and regulations governing the privacy and security of consumer health data. For example, Washington’s My Health My Data Act, or MHMDA, broadly defines consumer health data, places restrictions on collecting, processing, using, and sharing consumer health data (including imposing stringent requirements for affirmative consents), provides consumers certain rights with respect to their health data, and creates a private right of action to allow individuals to sue for violations of the law. While the MHMDA includes an exemption applicable to GLBA-covered data, and a similar law in Nevada also exempts GLBA-covered entities, other states are considering and may adopt consumer health data privacy laws in the future.

Additionally, under various privacy laws and other obligations, we may be required to obtain certain consents to process personal information. For example, some of our data processing practices have been and may in the future be subject to challenges or lawsuits under data privacy and communications laws, including for example under wiretapping laws, if we share consumer information with third parties through various methods, including chatbot and session replay providers, or via third-party marketing pixels, as has occurred. These practices may be subject to increased challenges by class action plaintiffs for violations of laws such as the California Invasion of Privacy Act and other similar laws. Our inability or failure to obtain consent for these practices could result, and in certain cases has resulted, in adverse consequences, including class action litigation and mass arbitration demands.

Regulators are increasingly scrutinizing the activities of third-party data suppliers, and laws in the United States (including the CCPA and California’s Delete Act) and other jurisdictions are likewise regulating such activity. These laws pose additional, material compliance risks to such data suppliers,

 

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and these suppliers may not be able to provide us with personal information in compliance with these laws. For example, some data suppliers are required to register as data brokers under certain state laws such as California law and file reports with regulators, which exposes them to increased scrutiny. Additionally, California’s Delete Act requires the California Privacy Protection Agency, or the CPPA, to establish by January 1, 2026 a mechanism to allow California consumers to submit a single, verifiable request to delete all of their personal information held by all registered data brokers and their service providers. Moreover, third-party data suppliers have recently been subject to increased litigation under

various claims of violating certain state privacy laws. These laws and challenges may make it so difficult for our suppliers to provide the data that the costs associated with the data materially increase or may materially decrease the availability of data that our data suppliers can provide to us.

In addition, we may face compliance risks and limitations on our ability to use certain data provided by our third-party suppliers if those suppliers have not complied with applicable privacy laws, provided appropriate notice to data subjects, obtained necessary consents, or established a legal basis for the transfer and processing of the data by us.

Additionally, as part of certain lead monetization efforts, we have begun providing lead information from individuals who start but do not complete the insurance application process on our platform to a limited number of third-party agencies. While we intend for this information to be used solely for insurance-related purposes and by agencies, once shared, we do not control how these agencies handle the data. As a result, this initiative may expose us to heightened privacy, data security, and reputational risks, particularly if these third parties fail to comply with applicable laws or consumer expectations regarding the handling of personal information.

We publish privacy policies, marketing materials, and other statements concerning data privacy, and security. Regulators in the United States are increasingly scrutinizing these statements, and if these policies, materials, or statements are found to be deficient, lacking in transparency, deceptive, unfair, misleading, or misrepresentative of our practices, we may be subject to investigation, enforcement actions by regulators, or other adverse consequences. We are also bound by contractual obligations related to data privacy and security, with which we may not fully comply and our efforts to comply with such obligations may not be successful. For example, certain privacy laws require us to undertake certain obligations with respect to data privacy and security or require us or our customers to impose specific contractual restrictions on our or their service providers.

Legal requirements and obligations related to data privacy and security (and consumers’ data privacy expectations) are quickly changing, becoming increasingly stringent, and creating uncertainty. Additionally, these obligations may be subject to differing applications and interpretations, which may be inconsistent or conflict among jurisdictions. Preparing for and complying with these obligations requires us to devote significant resources, which may necessitate changes to our services, information technologies, systems, and practices and to those of any third parties that process personal information on our behalf. In addition, these obligations may require us to change our business model in part because our business model depends on our ability to process personal information. As such, we are particularly exposed to the risks associated with the rapidly changing legal landscape, including with respect to data privacy laws and regulations. For example, we may be at heightened risk of regulatory scrutiny, and any changes in the regulatory framework could require us to fundamentally change our business model, which could adversely impact our business, financial condition and/or results of operations. In addition, we are and may become in the future contractually subject to self-regulatory standards adopted by industry groups. For example, we are subject to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard, or PCI DSS, a self-regulatory standard that requires companies that accept payment cards, or that process payment card information to implement certain cybersecurity measures and/or annually validate that required security controls are in place. Companies that accept payment cards but otherwise outsource payment card processing to a third

 

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party and do not process payment card information themselves, as we do, are subject to minimal requirements under the PCI DSS. If we or our payment processors fail to comply with the PCI DSS, we may incur significant fines or liability and lose access to major payment card systems.

We may at times fail (or be perceived to have failed) to comply with our data privacy and security obligations. Moreover, despite our efforts, our personnel or third parties with whom we work may fail to comply with such obligations, which could negatively impact and in certain cases has negatively impacted our business operations. If we or the third parties with whom we work fail, or are perceived to have failed, to address or comply with applicable data privacy and security obligations, we could face significant consequences, including: government enforcement actions (e.g., investigations, fines, penalties, audits, inspections, consent orders, injunctions, settlement, or resolution orders and similar); litigation (including class-action claims) and mass arbitration demands; additional reporting requirements and/or oversight and requirements to take remedial actions; bans or restrictions on processing personal information; and orders to destroy or not use personal information. In particular, plaintiffs have become increasingly more active in bringing privacy-related claims against companies, including class claims and mass arbitration demands. Some of these claims allow for the recovery of statutory damages on a per violation basis, and, if viable, carry the potential for monumental statutory damages, depending on the volume of data and the number of violations.

We have in the past received, and may in the future receive, inquiries and have been, and may again become, subject to investigations, proceedings, orders, or various government inquiries regarding our data privacy and security practices and processing and related litigation. For example, in 2022, we learned that threat actors had launched an attack against our website and obtained consumer personal information from a third-party integration. As a result, we were the subject of class action litigation that has since settled as well as inquiries and investigations from various state regulators, all of which have since settled. While we maintain policies, procedures, and technological safeguards designed to protect the security and privacy of this information, including those implemented to prevent access to consumer personal information, we cannot eliminate the risk of improper access to or disclosure of personal information nor the related costs we incur to mitigate the consequences from such events. Data privacy and cybersecurity laws, rules, and regulations are matters of growing public concern and are continuously changing in the jurisdictions in which we operate. The failure to adhere to or successfully implement adequate policies and procedures in response to evolving laws, rules, and regulations could result in legal liability or other adverse impacts on our business such as impairment to our reputation.

Any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our reputation, business, or financial condition, including: loss of consumers; interruptions or stoppages in our business operations; inability to process personal information; limited ability to develop or commercialize our products or services; expenditure of time and resources to defend any claim or inquiry; adverse publicity; or substantial changes to our business model or operations.

If our information technology systems or those of third parties with whom we work or our data, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including regulatory investigations or actions, litigation, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, reputational harm, loss of revenue or profits, loss of consumers or sales, and other adverse consequences.

Cyber-attacks, data breaches, malicious internet-based activity, online and offline fraud, and other similar activities and/or cybersecurity incidents threaten the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of our and our customers’ personal information (including sensitive data) and information technology systems, and those of the third parties with whom we work. Any such incidents may also compromise confidential business information, result in intellectual property or other confidential or

 

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proprietary information being accessed, disclosed, misused, lost, or stolen, including customer, employee or company data (including personal information and other sensitive or regulated data), which could harm our reputation, competitive position or otherwise adversely affect our business. Such threats are prevalent and continue to rise and evolve, are increasingly difficult to detect, and come from a variety of sources, including traditional computer “hackers,” threat actors, “hacktivists,” organized criminal threat actors, personnel (such as through theft or misuse), AI agents, sophisticated nation states, and nation-state-supported actors.

We and the third parties with whom we work are subject to a variety of evolving threats, including social-engineering attacks (including through deep fakes, which may be increasingly more difficult to identify as fake, and phishing attacks), malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks, credential stuffing attacks, credential harvesting, personnel misconduct or error, ransomware attacks, supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, adware, telecommunications failures, attacks enhanced or facilitated by AI, and other similar threats.

In particular, severe ransomware attacks are becoming increasingly prevalent and could lead to significant interruptions in our operations, ability to provide our products or services, loss of sensitive data and income, reputational harm, and diversion of funds. In certain cases, payments may alleviate the negative impact of a ransomware attack, but we may be unwilling or unable to make such payments due to, for example, applicable laws or regulations prohibiting such payments. And even if we do make any such payments, doing so does not guarantee that we will regain access to any impacted systems or data and does not absolve us of liability under any applicable legal frameworks such as data breach and data security laws and regulations. Further, some actors now engage and are expected to continue to engage in cyber-attacks, including without limitation nation-state actors for geopolitical reasons and in conjunction with military conflicts and defense activities. During times of war and other major conflicts, we, the third parties with whom we work, and our customers may be vulnerable to a heightened risk of these attacks, including retaliatory cyber-attacks, that could materially disrupt our systems and operations, supply chain, and ability to sell or provide our services. In addition, remote work has increased risks to our information technology systems and data, as our employees and others utilize network connections, computers and devices outside our premises or network, including working at home, while in transit, and in public locations.

Moreover, it may be difficult and/or costly to detect, investigate, mitigate, contain, and remediate a security incident or data breach, and our efforts to do so may not be successful. Any actions taken by us or the third parties with whom we work to detect, investigate, mitigate, contain, and remediate a security incident or data breach could result in outages, data losses, and disruptions of our business among other risks and issues. Threat actors may also gain access to other networks and systems after a compromise of our networks and systems.

There are many additional factors that could expose us to cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities. For example, future or past business transactions (such as acquisitions or integrations) could expose us to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities, as our systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in acquired or integrated entities’ systems and technologies. Furthermore, we may discover security issues that were not found during due diligence of such acquired or integrated entities, and it may be difficult to integrate companies into our information technology environment and security program.

We also rely on third parties to operate critical business systems to process sensitive data in a variety of contexts including, without limitation, cloud-based infrastructure, data center facilities, encryption and authentication technology, employee email, content delivery to customers, and other functions. Our ability to monitor these third parties’ information security practices is limited, and these

 

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third parties may not have adequate information security measures in place despite any statements or representations they might make. If the third parties with whom we work experience a security incident or other interruption, we could experience adverse consequences. While we may be entitled to damages if the third parties with whom we work fail to satisfy their privacy or security-related obligations to us, any award may be insufficient to cover our damages, or we may be unable to recover such award. In addition, supply-chain attacks have increased in frequency and severity, and at any given moment third parties’ infrastructure in our supply chain or that of the third parties with whom we work could be compromised.

While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents and data breaches, there can be no assurance that these measures will be effective. We take steps designed to detect, mitigate, and remediate vulnerabilities in our information systems (such as our hardware and/or software, including that of third parties with whom we work). However, we have not and will not in the future be able to detect and remediate all such vulnerabilities including on a timely basis. Further, we have and may in the future experience delays in developing and deploying remedial measures and patches designed to address identified vulnerabilities. Any existing and/or unidentified vulnerabilities could be exploited and result in a security incident or data breach at any time.

Any of the previously identified or similar threats have in the past and may in the future cause a security incident or other interruption that have in the past and may in the future result in unauthorized, unlawful, or accidental acquisition, modification, destruction, loss, alteration, encryption, disclosure of, or access to our confidential or sensitive data or our information technology systems, or those of the third parties with whom we work. For example, and as described above, in 2022, we learned that threat actors had launched attacks against our website and obtained consumer personal information from a third-party integration. While we maintain policies, procedures, and technological safeguards designed to protect the security and privacy of this information, including those implemented to prevent access to consumer personal information, we cannot eliminate the risk of improper access to or disclosure of personal information nor the related costs we incur to mitigate the consequences from such events. A data breach, security incident or other interruption could disrupt, and in certain cases has disrupted, our ability (and that of third parties with whom we work) to provide our services. We may expend significant resources or modify our business activities to try to protect against security incidents. Further, certain data privacy and security obligations have required us to implement and maintain specific security measures or industry-standard or reasonable security measures to protect our information technology systems and sensitive data.

Furthermore, federal laws, laws in all 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories can require businesses to provide notice to consumers whose personal information has been disclosed as a result of a data breach. Applicable data privacy and security obligations may require us, or we may voluntarily choose, to notify relevant stakeholders, including affected individuals, customers, regulators, and investors, of security incidents or data breaches, or to take other actions, such as providing credit monitoring and identity theft protection services, and we have done so in the past. Such disclosures and related remedial actions can be costly, and the disclosure or the failure to comply with such applicable requirements could lead to adverse consequences. If we (or a third party with whom we work) experience a security incident or data breach or are perceived to have experienced a security incident or data breach, we may experience, and have in the past experienced, material adverse consequences, such as government enforcement actions (for example, investigations, fines, penalties, audits, and inspections); additional reporting requirements and/or oversight; restrictions on processing personal information (including sensitive data); litigation (including class action claims); indemnification obligations; negative publicity; reputational harm; monetary fund diversions; diversion of management attention; interruptions in our operations (including availability of data); financial loss; and other similar harms. Security incidents and attendant material consequences may prevent or cause customers to stop using our services, deter new customers from using our services, and negatively impact our ability to grow and operate our business.

 

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Furthermore, our contracts may not contain limitations of liability, and even where they do, the limitations of liability in our contracts may not be sufficient to protect us from liabilities, damages, or claims related to our data privacy and security obligations. In addition, we cannot be sure that our insurance coverage will be adequate or sufficient to protect us from or to mitigate liabilities arising out of any issues with our privacy and security practices or any data breaches or other security incidents, that such coverage will continue to be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or that such coverage will pay future claims. Any of the foregoing risks could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We utilize artificial intelligence in connection with our business, which may expose us to regulatory, operational, or reputational risk.

We utilize artificial intelligence, machine learning, and similar tools and technologies, or collectively, AI, that collect, aggregate, analyze or generate data or other materials or content in connection with our business, including ancillary and operational functions, such as customer support, lead targeting, agent fraud detection, and development tooling. The use of AI technologies involves inherent risks which may also increase if our use of AI evolves and expands to other areas of our business. For example, AI tools may be flawed, insufficient, of poor quality, reflect unwanted forms of bias, or contain other errors or inadequacies, any of which may not be easily detectable; AI has been known to produce false or “hallucinatory” inferences or outputs; AI can present ethical issues and may subject us to new or heightened legal, regulatory, ethical, or other challenges; and inappropriate or controversial data practices by developers and end-users, or other factors adversely affecting public opinion of AI, could impair the acceptance of AI solutions, including those incorporated in our products and services. If the AI tools that we use are deficient, inaccurate or controversial, we could incur operational inefficiencies, competitive harm, legal liability, brand or reputation harm, or other adverse impacts on our business and financial results. If we do not have sufficient rights to use the data or other material or content or if the data we are using as inputs for AI is not permitted to be further disclosed under state laws or contractual arrangements on which the AI tools we use rely, or the output of such AI tools, we also may incur liability through the violation of applicable laws and regulations, third-party intellectual property, privacy or other rights, or contracts to which we are a party.

Use of AI technologies could include the input of our confidential information (including non-public information and personal information) by third parties in contravention of non-disclosure agreements or by our personnel or other related parties in contravention of our policies and procedures and, in each case, could result in such confidential information becoming part of a dataset that is generally accessible by AI technologies, applications, and users. The misuse or misappropriation of our data could have an adverse impact on our reputation and could subject us to legal and regulatory investigations and/or actions. Further, the use of AI technologies could be affected by claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property, including based on the use of large datasets used to train AI technologies or the use of output generated by AI technologies, in either case which contain or are substantially similar to material protected by intellectual property, including patents, copyrights or trademarks. Similar claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violations of intellectual property could be made against providers of AI technologies, and affecting users of such AI technologies, which are considered to have substantial similarities to other, pre-existing AI technologies. Moreover, AI technologies will likely be competitive with certain business practices, or increase the obsolescence of certain organizations’ products or services (which might include competitiveness with, or causing the obsolescence of, other AI technologies). Any such developments could affect any use of our or related third parties’ AI technologies and adversely impact, whether directly or indirectly, the success of our business.

AI technologies may also be more susceptible to cybersecurity threats in part given the volume of data they utilize, which, in turn, could make us more susceptible to cybersecurity threats (such as those described under “—Risks Related to Our Business—Cyber attacks, data breaches, security incidents, systems failures, and resulting interruptions in the availability of our websites, mobile applications, platform, or services could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results

 

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of operations”) to the extent we rely on AI technologies. Further, we could be exposed to risks to the extent our third-party service providers or other partners use AI technologies in their business activities notwithstanding any preventative policies aimed at governing or restricting the use of such AI technologies. We are not able to control the way third-party products or services are developed, trained or maintained or the way third-party services utilizing AI technologies are provided to us.

The legal and regulatory frameworks within which AI technologies operate continue to rapidly evolve, and it is impossible to predict the full extent of current or future risks related thereto. The technologies underlying AI and its uses are subject to a variety of laws and regulations, including intellectual property, data privacy and cybersecurity, customer protection, competition, and equal opportunity laws, and are expected to be subject to increased regulation and new laws or new applications of existing laws and regulations. AI is the subject of ongoing review by various U.S. governmental and regulatory agencies, and various U.S. states are applying, or are considering applying, their platform moderation, data privacy and cybersecurity laws and regulations to AI or are considering general legal frameworks for AI. For example, the Colorado Department of Insurance has issued regulations requiring life insurers to establish risk-based governance and management frameworks designed to determine whether algorithms and predictive modeling potentially result in unfair discrimination. Additionally, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners issued a model bulletin on the use of AI that has been adopted in some form by more than 20 states. The bulletins generally describe regulators’ expectations that insurance industry participants develop governance frameworks and risk management protocols designed to prevent unfair or discriminatory practices in connection with the use of AI. We may be required to devote additional resources to comply with new or evolving AI-related regulations, and we may not always be able to anticipate or adapt quickly to such changes.

Furthermore, because AI technology itself is highly complex and rapidly developing, it is not possible to predict all of the legal, operational or technological risks that may arise relating to any use of AI in our business. In particular, AI technologies could significantly disrupt our industry and the markets in which we operate and subject us to increased competition, legal and regulatory risks, and compliance costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Failure to obtain, maintain, protect, defend or enforce our intellectual property rights, the infringement, misappropriation, or other violation of our intellectual property by third parties, or allegations that we have infringed, misappropriated or otherwise violated the intellectual property rights of others, could harm our reputation, ability to compete effectively, financial condition, and business.

Our success and ability to compete depends in part on our ability to obtain, maintain, protect, defend, and enforce our intellectual property. To protect our intellectual property rights, we rely on a combination of trademark and copyright laws, trade secret protection, confidentiality agreements, and other contractual arrangements with our affiliates, employees, consumers, strategic partners, and others. However, such measures provide only limited protection and the steps that we take to protect our intellectual property rights may be inadequate to deter infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property or proprietary information by others. Further, the failure to protect our domain names could also adversely affect our reputation and brand and make it more difficult for subscribers to find our products and services. We may be unable, without significant cost or at all, to prevent third parties from acquiring domain names that are similar to, infringe upon or otherwise decrease the value of our trademarks and other proprietary rights.

Moreover, while we take precautions designed to protect our intellectual property, competitors, and other unauthorized third parties may copy our technology and use our proprietary brand, content,

 

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and information to create or enhance competing solutions and products, which could adversely affect our competitive position in our rapidly evolving and highly competitive industry.

In addition, we may be unable to detect the unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights. Policing unauthorized use of our intellectual property is difficult, expensive, and time-consuming, and we may be required to spend significant resources to monitor and protect our intellectual property rights. Further, currently we do not own any U.S. trademark registrations for our brand names “Ethos” or “Ethos Technologies” that cover the services of our business, though we believe we have established common law rights through usage of such trademarks in commerce. Our lack of a U.S. federal trademark registration for our main brand may limit our ability to enforce such trademarks and expose us to claims from third parties that we have infringed, misappropriated, or otherwise violated their trademarks and/or allow competitors to register similar trademarks, potentially causing consumer confusion and/or harming our reputation. In the event that we opt to rebrand and/or are required to cease using any of our trademarks, we could incur significant costs and risks associated with any rebrand.

Failure to protect our intellectual property adequately could harm our reputation and affect our ability to compete effectively in our industry. In addition, even if we initiate litigation against third parties, such as lawsuits alleging infringement, misappropriation or other violation of our intellectual property, we may not prevail. Litigation brought to protect and enforce our intellectual property rights could be costly, time-consuming, and distracting to management. Our efforts to enforce our intellectual property rights may be met with defenses, counterclaims, and countersuits attacking the validity and enforceability of our intellectual property rights. Additionally, because of the substantial amount of discovery required in connection with intellectual property litigation, there is a risk that some of our confidential information could be compromised by disclosure during this type of litigation. An adverse determination of any litigation proceedings could put our intellectual property at risk of being invalidated or interpreted narrowly and could put our related intellectual property at risk of not issuing or being cancelled. There could also be public announcements of the results of hearings, motions, or other interim proceedings or developments. If securities analysts or investors perceive these results to be negative, it could have a material adverse effect on the price of our Class A common stock. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We also cannot guarantee that the operation of our business does not and will not infringe, misappropriate, or otherwise violate the rights of third parties. Third parties may assert intellectual property-related claims against us, including claims of infringement, misappropriation or other violation of their intellectual property, which may be costly to defend, could require the payment of damages, legal fees, settlement payments, royalty payments, and other costs or damages, including treble damages if we are found to have willfully infringed certain types of intellectual property, and could limit our ability to use or offer certain technologies, products or other intellectual property. Additionally, our competitors and other third parties hold numerous trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets and, other intellectual property rights related to technology used in our industry and may hold or obtain trademarks, patents, copyrights, trade secrets and other intellectual property rights that could prevent, limit or interfere with our ability to make, use, develop, sell, or market our products and services, which could make it more difficult for us to operate our business. Any intellectual property claims, with or without merit, could be expensive, take significant time, and divert management’s resources, time, and attention from other business concerns. Moreover, other companies, including our competitors, may have the capability to dedicate substantially greater resources to enforce their intellectual property rights and to defend claims that may be brought against them. Successful challenges against us could require us to modify or discontinue our use of technology or business processes where such use is found to infringe, misappropriate or otherwise violate the rights of others, or require us to purchase costly licenses from third parties, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. Even if a license is available to us, it could be non-exclusive thereby giving our competitors and

 

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other third parties access to the same technologies licensed to us, and we may be required to pay significant upfront fees, milestone payments, or royalties, which would increase our operating expenses. Any of the foregoing could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

We employ third-party licensed software for use in our business, and the inability to maintain these licenses or errors in the software we license could result in increased costs or reduced service levels, which would adversely affect our business.

Our business relies on certain third-party software obtained under licenses from other companies. We anticipate that we will continue to rely on such third-party software in the future. Although we believe that there are commercially reasonable alternatives to the third-party software we currently license, this may not always be the case, or it may be difficult or costly to replace. In addition, integration of new third-party software may require significant work and require substantial investment of our time and resources. Our use of additional or alternative third-party software would require us to enter into license agreements with third parties, which may not be available on commercially reasonable terms or at all. Many of the risks associated with the use of third-party software cannot be eliminated, and these risks could negatively affect our business.

Our platform contains third-party open source software components, and failure to comply with the terms of the underlying open source software licenses could restrict our ability to provide our platform and services and subject us to costly litigation or other disputes.

We have in the past incorporated and may in the future incorporate certain open source software into our platform. Open source software is licensed by its authors or owners under open source licenses, which in some instances may subject us to certain unfavorable conditions. Use and distribution of open source software may entail greater risks than use of third-party commercial software, as open source licensors generally do not provide support, warranties, indemnification, or other contractual protections regarding infringement claims or the quality of the code. In addition, the public availability of such software may make it easier for others to compromise our platform.

Some open source licenses contain requirements that may, depending on how the licensed software is distributed, conveyed, used or modified, require that we make available source code for modifications or derivative works we create based upon the licensed open source software, authorize further modification and redistribution of that source code, make that source code available at little or no cost, or grant other licenses to our intellectual property. If we combine our proprietary software with open source software in a certain manner, we could be required under certain open source licenses to release the source code of our proprietary software under the terms of an open source software license. This could enable our competitors to create similar offerings with lower development effort and time and ultimately could result in a loss of our competitive advantages. To avoid the release of the affected portions of our source code, we could be required to purchase additional licenses and expend substantial time and resources to re-engineer some or all of our software or cease use or distribution of some or all of our software until we can adequately address the concerns.

Although we have certain policies and procedures in place to monitor our use of open source software that are designed to avoid subjecting our proprietary source code to conditions we do not intend, those policies and procedures may not be effective to detect or address all such conditions. In addition, the terms of many open source licenses have not been interpreted by U.S. or non-U.S. courts, and there is a risk that these licenses could be construed in a way that could impose unanticipated conditions or restrictions on our ability to provide or distribute our platform. There have been claims challenging the ownership of open source software against companies that incorporate open source software into their offerings. As a result, we could be subject to lawsuits by parties claiming ownership of what we believe to be open source

 

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software. If we are held to have breached or failed to fully comply with all the terms and conditions of an open source software license, we could face infringement or other liability, or be required to seek costly licenses from third parties to continue providing our platform on terms that are not economically feasible, to re-engineer our platform, to discontinue or delay the provision of our platform if re-engineering could not be accomplished on a timely basis, or to make generally available, in source code form, our proprietary code, any of which could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Related to Ownership of Our Common Stock

The dual class structure of our common stock as described in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation has the effect of concentrating voting control with those stockholders who held our stock prior to the closing of this offering and limiting your ability to influence corporate matters, which could adversely affect the trading price of our Class A common stock.

Our Class B common stock has 20 votes per share, and our Class A common stock, which is the stock we and the selling stockholders are offering in this initial public offering, has one vote per share. Following the closing of this offering, stockholders who hold shares of Class B common stock, including our co-founders, entities affiliated with Accel, and entities affiliated with Sequoia Capital, will together hold approximately  % of the voting power of our outstanding capital stock following the closing of this offering. As a result, our co-founders, Accel, and Sequoia Capital will have significant influence over our management and affairs and over all matters requiring stockholder approval, including election of directors and significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of the company or our assets, for the foreseeable future.

In addition, the holders of Class B common stock collectively will continue to be able to control all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval even if their stock holdings represent less than 50% of the outstanding shares of our common stock. Because of the 20-to-1 voting ratio between our Class B common stock and Class A common stock, the holders of our Class B common stock collectively will continue to control a majority of the combined voting power of our common stock even when the shares of Class B common stock represent as little as  % of the outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock. This concentrated control will limit your ability to influence corporate matters for the foreseeable future, and, as a result, the market price of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

Future transfers by holders of shares of Class B common stock will generally result in those shares converting to shares of Class A common stock, which will have the effect, over time, of increasing the relative voting power of those holders of Class B common stock who retain their shares in the long term. Certain permitted transfers, as specified in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering, will not result in shares of Class B common stock automatically converting to shares of Class A common stock, such as, transfers by our co-founders whereby one of our co-founders retains or is granted exclusive voting control over such shares of Class B common stock.

In addition, each outstanding share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into a share of Class A common stock upon the earliest to occur following the closing of this offering: (i) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering that the number of shares of our Class B common stock, and any shares of Class B common stock underlying equity securities, held by our co-founders, certain immediate family members and their permitted entities and permitted transferees, is less than 20% of the number of shares of Class B common stock held by our

 

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co-founders, certain immediate family members and their permitted entities at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering; (ii) the last trading day of the fiscal year following the tenth anniversary of the closing of this offering; (iii) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering that the second of our co-founders experiences a Triggering Event (as defined below, and other than death or disability); or (iv) the date that is 12 months after the second of our co-founders experiences a Triggering Event that is death or disability.

A “Triggering Event” is the first to occur of any of the following with respect to each of our co-founders:

 

   

(1) such co-founder is no longer providing services to us as an officer or employee, and (2) such co-founder is no longer a member of our board of directors as a result of a voluntary resignation by such co-founder or as a result of a request of or agreement with such co-founder not to be renominated as a director at a meeting of stockholders;

 

   

such co-founder’s employment with us is terminated for cause; or

 

   

the death or disability of such co-founder.

If only one of our co-founders has experienced such a Triggering Event, then a proxy will automatically be granted over all of the shares of Class B common stock held by such co-founder, certain immediate family members and their related permitted entities and permitted transferees to the other co-founder, referred to as the Founder Voting Proxy, such that one co-founder will have exclusive voting control over all shares of Class B common stock held by both co-founders, certain immediate family members and their related permitted entities and permitted transferees. As a result of the Founder Voting Proxy, one co-founder would then be able to significantly influence or determine any action requiring approval of stockholders in his sole discretion, including all matters referred to above. For information about our multi-class structure, see the section titled “Description of Capital Stock.”

FTSE Russell does not allow most newly public companies utilizing dual or multi-class capital structures to be included in their indices, including the Russell 2000. Also, in 2017, MSCI, a leading stock index provider, opened public consultations on its treatment of no-vote and multi-class structures and temporarily barred new multi-class listings from certain of its indices; however, in October 2018, MSCI announced its decision to include equity securities “with unequal voting structures” in its indices and to launch a new index that specifically includes voting rights in its eligibility criteria. Under the announced policies, our dual class capital structure would make us ineligible for inclusion in certain indices, and as a result, mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, and other investment vehicles that attempt to passively track these indices will not be investing in our stock. In addition, we cannot assure you that other stock indices will not take similar actions. Given the sustained flow of investment funds into passive strategies that seek to track certain indices, exclusion from certain stock indices would likely preclude investment by many of these funds and would make our Class A common stock less attractive to other investors. As a result, the trading price, volume, and liquidity of our Class A common stock could be adversely affected.

Our stock price may be volatile, and the value of our Class A common stock may decline.

The market price of our Class A common stock may be highly volatile and may fluctuate or decline substantially as a result of a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control, including:

 

   

actual or anticipated fluctuations in our financial condition or results of operations;

 

   

variance in our financial performance from our forecasts or the expectations of securities analysts;

 

   

changes in commission rates;

 

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changes in our projected operating and financial results;

 

   

changes in laws or regulations applicable to the life insurance industry;

 

   

announcements by us or our competitors of significant business developments or acquisitions;

 

   

our involvement in litigation;

 

   

future sales of our Class A common stock by us or our stockholders, as well as the anticipation of lock-up releases;

 

   

changes in senior management or key personnel;

 

   

the trading volume of our Class A common stock;

 

   

changes in the anticipated future size and growth rate of our market;

 

   

changes in demand for life insurance products;

 

   

rumors and market speculation involving us or other companies in our industry;

 

   

overall performance of the equity markets; and

 

   

general political, social, economic, and market conditions, in both domestic and our foreign markets, including effects of increased interest rates, inflationary pressures, bank failures, and macroeconomic uncertainty and challenges.

In addition, technology stocks have historically experienced high levels of volatility. In the past, companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of their securities have been subject to securities class action litigation. We may be the target of this type of litigation in the future, which could result in substantial expenses and divert our management’s attention.

No public market for our Class A common stock currently exists, and an active public trading market may not develop or be sustained following the closing of this offering.

No public market for our Class A common stock currently exists. An active public trading market for our Class A common stock may not develop following the closing of this offering or, if developed, it may not be sustained. The lack of an active market may impair your ability to sell your shares at the time you wish to sell them or at a price that you consider reasonable. The lack of an active market may also reduce the fair value of your shares. An inactive market may also impair our ability to raise capital to continue to fund operations by selling shares and may impair our ability to acquire other companies or technologies by using our shares as consideration.

We will have broad discretion in the use of the net proceeds to us from this offering and may not use them effectively.

We will have broad discretion in the application of the net proceeds to us from this offering, including for any of the purposes described in the section titled “Use of Proceeds,” and you will not have the opportunity as part of your investment decision to assess whether the net proceeds are being used appropriately. Because of the number and variability of factors that will determine our use of the net proceeds from this offering, our ultimate use may vary substantially from our currently intended use. Investors will need to rely on the judgment of our management with respect to the use of proceeds. Pending use, we may invest the net proceeds from this offering in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities, such as money market funds, corporate notes and bonds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government that may not generate a high yield for our stockholders. If we do not use the net proceeds that we receive in this offering effectively, our business, financial condition, results of operations, and growth prospects could be harmed, and the market price of our Class A common stock could decline.

 

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Future sales of our Class A common stock in the public market could cause the market price of our Class A common stock to decline.

Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock in the public market following the closing of this offering, or the perception that these sales might occur, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock and could impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Many of our existing equity holders have substantial unrecognized gains on the value of the equity they hold based upon the price of this offering, and therefore, they may take steps to sell their shares or otherwise secure the unrecognized gains on those shares. We are unable to predict the timing of or the effect that such sales may have on the prevailing market price of our Class A common stock.

All of our directors, executive officers, selling stockholders and the holders of substantially all of our common stock outstanding and securities exercisable for or convertible into our common stock, will enter into lock-up agreements with the underwriters and/or agreements with market stand-off provisions that will restrict our and their ability to sell or transfer shares of our capital stock and securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for shares of our capital stock, for a period of 180 days from the date of this prospectus, provided that,

 

   

with respect to our current employees or other service providers, or Current Employees, former employees or service providers, or Former Employees (but excluding in all cases our directors, “officers” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act), or any of our affiliates (as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act), or Affiliates), and our non-Affiliates, or Non-Affiliates, and, together with Current Employees and Former Employees, the Eligible Holders, if the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring after the date we publicly announce our earnings for the second completed fiscal quarterly period following the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements are included in this prospectus, or the Initial Post-Offering Earnings Date), out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, then beginning at the opening of trading on the first trading day, or the Tier 1 Release Date, after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period, 25% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock and any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Class A common stock held by Eligible Holders as of November 15, 2025, or Eligible Securities, will be automatically released from the lock-up restrictions, or the Tier 1 Release, and may be sold into the public market, subject to exceptions; provided, further, that the Tier 1 Release will expire for applicable Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy upon the commencement of the next occurring quarterly trading blackout period under our insider trading policy; and

 

   

with respect to Eligible Holders, if the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring on or after March 3, 2026) out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, then beginning at the opening of trading on the first trading day, or the Tier 2 Release Date, after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period, 25% of Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders will be automatically released from the lock-up restrictions, or the Tier 2 Release, and may be sold into the public market, subject to exceptions; provided, further, that the Tier 2 Release will expire for applicable Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy upon the commencement of the next occurring quarterly trading blackout period under our insider trading policy.

 

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For the avoidance of doubt, in the event both the Tier 1 Release and the Tier 2 Release are triggered, the amount of Eligible Securities released will not exceed 50% of the total Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders.

In addition,   will have the ability to release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time, subject to the applicable notice requirements. See the sections titled “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” and “Underwriting” for a discussion of such exceptions and of the provisions that may allow for sales during the Lock-up Period. If not earlier released, all of the shares of Class A common stock not sold in this offering will become eligible for sale upon expiration of the Lock-up Period, except for any shares held by our affiliates as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.

In addition, there were   shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of options and   restricted stock units, or RSUs, to be settled in shares of our Class A common stock as of the date of this prospectus, of which     shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock at the election of our co-founders upon settlement. We intend to register all of the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options, the vesting and settlement of outstanding RSUs, and other equity incentives we may grant in the future, for public resale under the Securities Act. The shares of common stock will become eligible for sale in the public market to the extent such options are exercised or RSUs are vested and settled, subject to the lock-up agreements described above comply with applicable securities laws.

Further, based on shares outstanding as of June 30, 2025, holders of approximately 38,344,565 shares of our Class A and Class B common stock, or  % of our shares outstanding after the closing of this offering, will have rights, subject to some conditions, to require us to file registration statements covering the sale of their shares or to include their shares in registration statements that we may file for ourselves or other stockholders.

We anticipate incurring substantial tax obligations on the initial settlement of certain RSUs in connection with this offering. The manner in which we fund these tax liabilities may have an adverse effect on our financial condition and may further dilute our stockholders.

In light of the number of RSUs that will initially settle in connection with this offering, we anticipate that we will expend substantial funds to satisfy tax withholding and remittance obligations. The majority of the RSUs granted prior to the date of this prospectus vest upon the satisfaction of service-based and liquidity event-based conditions. The service-based condition is generally satisfied over a period of four years. The liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied as of the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. As a result, such RSUs that have previously satisfied the service-based condition will vest in connection with the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. In connection with the settlement of these RSUs, we plan to withhold certain shares underlying RSUs and remit income taxes on behalf of the holders of such RSUs at applicable statutory tax withholding rates based on the initial public offering price per share in this offering. See the section titled “Use of Proceeds.” For RSUs that will vest after the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part and prior to the expiration of the lock-up and/or market stand-off period, we will have discretion to net settle or sell-to-cover shares underlying these RSUs and also to delay settlement of these RSUs following vesting until the expiration of the lock-up and/or market stand-off period.

Based on the number of RSUs for which the service-based condition was fully or partially satisfied on or before the date of this prospectus, and assuming (i) that the value of our Class A common stock at the time of settlement was equal to the initial public offering price of $    per share and (ii) an assumed    % tax withholding rate for the RSUs, we estimate that our tax

 

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liability on the settlement date for these RSUs will be approximately $    million in the aggregate. Accordingly, we would expect to deliver an aggregate of approximately    million shares of our Class A common stock to RSU holders after withholding an aggregate of approximately    million shares of our Class A common stock. The amount of these tax liabilities and withholdings could be higher or lower, depending on, among other things, the actual price of shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering, the actual tax withholding rates, and the actual number of RSUs for which the service-based condition has been satisfied on the settlement or vesting date (after accounting for forfeitures prior to the settlement or vesting date). As a result, depending on these factors, we may need to use existing cash, cash equivalents, and investments to fund a portion of these tax withholding and remittance obligations.

We may require additional capital to support the growth of our business, and this capital might not be available on acceptable terms, if at all.

We have funded our operations since inception primarily through equity and debt financings as well as cash generated from operations. We cannot be certain our operations will continue to generate sufficient cash to fully fund our ongoing operations or the growth of our business. We intend to continue to make investments to support our business, which may require us to engage in equity financings to secure additional funds. For example, in December 2024, we sold a portion of our commissions receivable to an unaffiliated third party re-insurer for upfront cash, as further described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We may consider entering into such arrangements in the future depending on our capital and business needs. The terms of any such arrangements may be less favorable to us in the future, and such arrangements may result in variability in our cash flows, which may complicate our financial planning and period-over-period comparisons. If our use of such arrangements increases, any disruption in our ability to execute such transactions, or changes in their terms, could negatively impact our liquidity and financial condition. Additional financing may not be available on terms favorable to us, if at all. If adequate funds are not available on acceptable terms, we may be unable to invest in future growth opportunities, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition. If we incur additional debt, the debt holders would have rights senior to holders of Class A common stock to make claims on our assets, and the terms of any debt could restrict our operations, including our ability to pay dividends on our Class A common stock. Furthermore, if we issue additional equity securities, including in connection with merger and acquisition transactions, stockholders will experience dilution. In addition, new equity securities could have rights senior to those of our Class A common stock.

The trading prices for technology companies have been highly volatile, especially recently due to rising interest rates, inflation, and the uncertain macroeconomic environment, which may reduce our ability to access capital on favorable terms or at all. In addition, a recession, depression, or other sustained adverse market event could adversely affect the value of our Class A common stock as well as our business, financial condition, results of operations, and prospects. Because our decision to issue securities or engage in other financing arrangements in the future will depend on numerous considerations, including factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing, or nature of any future issuances of debt or equity securities or other financing arrangements. As a result, our stockholders bear the risk of future issuances of debt or equity securities or other financing arrangements reducing the value of our Class A common stock and diluting their interests.

You will experience immediate and substantial dilution in the net tangible book value of the shares of common stock you purchase in this offering.

The initial public offering price of our Class A common stock is substantially higher than the pro forma net tangible book value per share of our Class A common stock immediately after the closing of this offering. If you purchase shares of our Class A common stock in this offering, you will suffer

 

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immediate dilution of $    per share, representing the difference between our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after giving effect to the sale of Class A common stock in this offering, the RSU Net Settlement, after withholding      shares to satisfy estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations of $     million (based on the assumed initial offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed   % tax withholding rate), and the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus. See the section titled “Dilution.”

We do not intend to pay dividends for the foreseeable future and, as a result, your ability to achieve a return on your investment will depend on appreciation in the price of our Class A common stock.

We have never declared or paid any cash dividends on our capital stock, and we do not intend to pay any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any determination to pay dividends in the future will be at the discretion of our board of directors. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be further restricted by agreements we may enter into in the future. Accordingly, you may need to rely on sales of our Class A common stock after price appreciation, which may never occur, as the only way to realize any future gains on your investment.

We are an “emerging growth company,” and the reduced reporting and disclosure requirements applicable to emerging growth companies could make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors.

We are an “emerging growth company,” as defined in the JOBS Act, and we may take advantage of certain exemptions from various reporting requirements that are applicable to other public companies that are not “emerging growth companies,” including the auditor attestation requirements of Section 404, reduced disclosure obligations regarding executive compensation in our periodic reports and proxy statements, and exemptions from the requirements of holding a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and stockholder approval of any golden parachute payments not previously approved. Pursuant to Section 107 of the JOBS Act, as an emerging growth company, we have elected to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. As a result, our consolidated financial statements may not be comparable to the financial statements of issuers who are required to comply with the effective dates for new or revised accounting standards that are applicable to public companies, which may make our Class A common stock less attractive to investors. In addition, if we cease to be an emerging growth company, we will no longer be able to use the extended transition period for complying with new or revised accounting standards.

We will remain an emerging growth company until the first to occur of: (i) the last day of the year following the fifth anniversary of the closing of this offering; (ii) the last day of the first year in which our annual gross revenue is $1.235 billion or more; (iii) the date on which we have, during the previous rolling three-year period, issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities; and (iv) the date we qualify as a “large accelerated filer,” with at least $700 million of equity securities held by non-affiliates.

We cannot predict if investors will find our Class A common stock less attractive if we choose to rely on these exemptions. For example, if we do not adopt a new or revised accounting standard, our future results of operations may not be as comparable to the results of operations of certain other companies in our industry that adopted such standards. If some investors find our Class A common stock less attractive as a result, there may be a less active trading market for our Class A common stock, and our stock price may be more volatile.

 

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We will incur increased costs as a result of operating as a public company, and our management will be required to devote substantial time to compliance with our public company responsibilities and corporate governance practices.

As a public company, we will incur significant legal, accounting, and other expenses that we did not incur as a private company, which we expect to further increase after we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” The Sarbanes-Oxley Act, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the listing requirements of the securities exchange on which our Class A common stock trades, and other applicable securities rules and regulations impose various requirements on public companies. Our management and other personnel will devote a substantial amount of time to compliance with these requirements. Moreover, these rules and regulations will increase our legal and financial compliance costs and will make some activities more time-consuming and costly. We cannot predict or estimate the amount of additional costs we will incur as a public company or the specific timing of such costs.

Anti-takeover provisions in our charter documents and under Delaware law could make an acquisition of our company more difficult, limit attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management, and limit the market price of our Class A common stock.

Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, as they will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering, may have the effect of preventing a change of control or changes in our management. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws will include provisions that:

 

   

authorize our board of directors to issue, without further action by the stockholders, shares of undesignated preferred stock with terms, rights, and preferences determined by our board of directors that may be senior to our Class A common stock;

 

   

following the date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than a majority of the total voting power of our then-outstanding shares, require that any action to be taken by our stockholders be effected at a duly called annual or special meeting and not by written consent;

 

   

specify that special meetings of our stockholders can be called only by our board of directors, the chairperson of our board of directors, our chief executive officer, or our president (in the absence of a chief executive officer);

 

   

establish an advance notice procedure for stockholder proposals to be brought before an annual meeting, including proposed nominations of persons for election to our board of directors;

 

   

establish that our board of directors is divided into three classes, with each class serving three-year staggered terms;

 

   

prohibit cumulative voting in the election of directors;

 

   

provide that our directors may be removed for cause only upon the vote of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding shares of voting stock;

 

   

provide that vacancies on our board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of directors then in office, even though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director; and

 

   

require the approval of our board of directors or the holders of at least 66 2/3% of our outstanding shares of voting stock to amend our bylaws and certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation.

 

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These provisions may frustrate or prevent any attempts by our stockholders to replace or remove our current management by making it more difficult for stockholders to replace members of our board of directors, which is responsible for appointing the members of our management. In addition, because we are incorporated in Delaware, we are governed by the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which generally, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any of a broad range of business combinations with any “interested” stockholder for a period of three years following the date on which the stockholder became an “interested” stockholder. Any of the foregoing provisions could limit the price that investors might be willing to pay in the future for shares of our Class A common stock, and they could deter potential acquirers of our company, thereby reducing the likelihood that you would receive a premium for your shares of our Class A common stock in an acquisition.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will designate the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and the federal district courts of the United States of America as the exclusive forums for certain disputes between us and our stockholders, which will restrict our stockholders’ ability to choose the judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or employees.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, will provide that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) is the sole and exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (ii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our current or former directors, officers, or other employees to us or our stockholders, or any action asserting a claim for aiding and abetting such breach of fiduciary duty; (iii) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers or other employees arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the Delaware General Corporation Law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; (iv) any action or proceeding to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws (including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (v) any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (vi) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any of our current or former directors, officers, or other employees that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court’s having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This provision would not apply to suits brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. In addition, to prevent having to litigate claims in multiple jurisdictions and the threat of inconsistent or contrary rulings by different courts, among other considerations, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering will provide that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision is intended to benefit and may be enforced by us, our officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering. However, as Section 22 of the Securities Act creates concurrent jurisdiction for federal and state courts over all suits brought to enforce any duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations

 

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thereunder, there is uncertainty as to whether a court would enforce such provision. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, will further provide that any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions. Investors also cannot waive compliance with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

These choice of forum provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers, or other employees. While the Delaware courts have determined that such choice of forum provisions are facially valid, a stockholder may nevertheless seek to bring such a claim arising under the Securities Act against us, our directors, officers, or other employees in a venue other than in the federal district courts of the United States of America. In such instance, we would expect to vigorously assert the validity and enforceability of the exclusive forum provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. This may require significant additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions and we cannot assure you that the provisions will be enforced by a court in those other jurisdictions. If a court were to find either exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur further significant additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, all of which could harm our business.

If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or publish unfavorable or inaccurate research about our business, the market price and trading volume of our Class A common stock could decline.

The market price and trading volume of our Class A common stock following the closing of this offering will be heavily influenced by the way analysts interpret our financial information and other disclosures. We do not have control over these analysts. If few securities analysts commence coverage of us, or if industry analysts cease coverage of us, our stock price would be negatively affected. If securities or industry analysts do not publish research or reports about our business, downgrade our Class A common stock, or publish negative reports about our business, our stock price would likely decline. If one or more of these analysts cease coverage of us or fail to publish reports on us regularly, demand for our Class A common stock could decrease, which might cause our stock price to decline and could decrease the trading volume of our Class A common stock.

General Risks

We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting. If we are unable to demonstrate the effectiveness of our remediation measures, or if we identify additional material weaknesses in the future, our ability to produce timely and accurate financial statements or comply with applicable laws and regulations could be adversely affected.

We identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, as described below. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our financial statements would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Specifically, our accounting policies did not appropriately evaluate the accounting implications of the sale of commissions receivable, which transaction was complex and non-routine from an accounting perspective. We have since modified our accounting policies and procedures to properly reflect the accounting implications of such transaction; however, if those policies and related procedures are not effective, we may be subject to similar risks in the future with respect to accounting for similar complex, non-routine transactions.

 

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While we have implemented remediation measures, including by modifying certain accounting policies and procedures described above and documenting internal controls related to such transactions, we must demonstrate sustained effectiveness of these controls over time before the material weakness can be considered fully remediated.

There can be no assurance that our remediation efforts will be successful in all respects, or that additional material weaknesses will not be identified in the future. If we fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting, it could impair our ability to manage our business effectively, delay our financial reporting, and potentially result in a loss of investor confidence, which could negatively impact the trading price of our Class A common stock and our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

As a result of being a public company, we are obligated to develop and maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting, and any failure to maintain the adequacy of these internal controls may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our Class A common stock.

We are required, pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act to furnish a report by management on, among other things, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting for the year ending December 31, 2027. This assessment will need to include disclosure of any material weaknesses identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm will be required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in our first annual report required to be filed with the SEC following the date we are no longer an “emerging growth company.” We have recently commenced the costly and challenging process of compiling the system and processing documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or Section 404, but we may not be able to complete our evaluation, testing, and any required remediation in a timely fashion once initiated. Our compliance with Section 404 will require that we incur substantial expenses and expend significant management efforts. Although we currently have an internal audit group, we will need to hire additional accounting and financial staff with appropriate public company experience and compile the system and process documentation necessary to perform the evaluation needed to comply with Section 404 and to remediate our material weakness described above.

During the evaluation and testing process of our internal controls, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to certify that our internal control over financial reporting is effective. We may identify material weaknesses or significant deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. Any failure to maintain internal control over financial reporting could severely inhibit our ability to accurately report our financial condition or results of operations. If we are unable to conclude that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm determines we have a material weakness or significant deficiency in our internal control over financial reporting, or if we are unable to remediate our material weakness described above, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our Class A common stock could decline, and we could be subject to sanctions or investigations by the SEC or other regulatory authorities. Failure to remedy any material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting, or to implement or maintain other effective control systems required of public companies, could also restrict our future access to the capital markets.

We and our employees have and may continue to be subject to claims alleging violations of our employees’ contractual obligations to their prior employers. These claims may be costly to defend, and if we do not successfully do so, our business could be harmed.

Many of our employees were previously employed at current or potential competitors. Although we have processes to ensure that our employees do not use proprietary information or disclose

 

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confidential information from their prior employer in their work for us or otherwise violate their contractual post-employment obligations such as customer and employee non-solicits, we or our employees may still in the future become subject to claims alleging such violations. Litigation may be necessary to defend against these claims. If we fail in defending such claims, in addition to paying monetary damages, we may lose valuable intellectual property rights or personnel. A loss of key personnel or their work product could negatively impact our business. Even if we are successful in defending against these claims, litigation efforts are costly, time-consuming, and a significant distraction to management.

Our ability to use our net operating losses to offset future taxable income may be subject to certain limitations.

As of December 31, 2024, we had net operating loss, or NOL, carryforwards for U.S. federal and state income tax purposes of $255,959 and $146,636, respectively, which may be available to offset taxable income in the future, and portions of which expire in various years beginning in 2036 for U.S. federal purposes and 2030 for state purposes if not utilized. Under current law, U.S. federal NOLs incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017 may be carried forward indefinitely, but such federal NOLs are permitted to be used in any taxable year to offset only up to 80% of taxable income in such year. A lack of future taxable income would adversely affect our ability to utilize certain of these NOLs before they expire. In addition, under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, a corporation that undergoes an “ownership change” (as defined under Section 382 of the Code and applicable Treasury Regulations; generally a greater than 50 percentage point change (by value) in its equity ownership by certain stockholders over a three-year period) is subject to limitations on its ability to utilize its pre-change NOLs to offset future taxable income. We have experienced ownership changes under Section 382 of the Code in the past, and we may experience additional ownership changes in the future (including, potentially, in connection with this initial public offering) which could affect our ability to utilize our NOLs to offset our income. Similar provisions of state tax law may also apply. Furthermore, our ability to utilize NOLs of companies that we have acquired or may acquire in the future also may be subject to limitations. There is also a risk that due to regulatory changes, such as suspensions on the use of NOLs or other unforeseen reasons, our existing NOLs could expire or otherwise be unavailable to reduce future income tax liabilities, including for state tax purposes. For these reasons, we may not be able to utilize a material portion of the NOLs reflected on our balance sheet, which could potentially result in increased future tax liability to us and could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

We may be subject to additional tax liabilities, including as a result of changes in tax laws or regulations, which could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

We are subject to taxes in U.S. federal, state, local, and non-U.S. jurisdictions. The amount of taxes we pay in different jurisdictions depends on the application of the relevant tax laws to our business activities, the relative amounts of income before taxes in the various jurisdictions in which we operate, the application of new or revised tax laws, the interpretation of existing tax laws and policies, the outcome of current and future tax audits, examinations, or administrative appeals, our ability to realize our deferred tax assets, and our ability to operate our business in a manner consistent with our corporate structure and intercompany arrangements.

The tax regimes to which we are subject or under which we operate, including income and non-income taxes, are unsettled in certain respects and may be subject to significant change. Changes in tax laws or regulations, or changes in interpretations of existing laws and regulations, could materially affect our financial condition and results of operations. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, or the Tax Act, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and the Inflation Reduction Act made many significant changes to the U.S. tax laws. Effective January 1, 2022, the Tax

 

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Act eliminated the option to deduct research and development expenses for tax purposes in the year incurred and instead requires taxpayers to capitalize and subsequently amortize such expenses over five years for research activities conducted in the United States and over 15 years for research activities conducted outside the United States. In recent years, many such changes have been made, and changes are likely to continue to occur in the future. It cannot be predicted whether, when, in what form or with what effective dates tax laws, regulations, and rulings may be enacted, promulgated or issued, which could result in an increase in our or our shareholders’ tax liability or require changes in the manner in which we operate in order to minimize or mitigate any adverse effects of changes in tax law.

The determination of our overall provision for income and other taxes is inherently uncertain because it requires significant judgment with respect to complex transactions and calculations. As a result, fluctuations in our tax liabilities may differ materially from amounts recorded in our financial statements and could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations in the periods for which such determination is made.

Our management team has limited experience managing a public company.

Most members of our management team have limited experience managing a publicly traded company, interacting with public company investors, and complying with the increasingly complex laws pertaining to public companies. Our management team may not successfully or efficiently manage our transition to being a public company that is subject to significant regulatory oversight and reporting obligations under the federal securities laws and the continuous scrutiny of securities analysts and investors. These new obligations and constituents will require significant attention from our senior management and could divert their attention away from the day-to-day management of our business, which could harm our business, results of operations, and financial condition.

Climate risks, including the risk of an economic crisis, risks associated with the physical effects of climate change, and disruptions caused by the transition to a low-carbon economy, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.

Concerns regarding the effects of climate change on the global environment have led governmental bodies to adopt laws and regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other measures to mitigate the impact of climate change. As a result, the global business community has increased its political and social awareness surrounding the issue. At various times, the U.S. Congress, state legislatures, and federal and state regulatory agencies have adopted or proposed legal requirements and other initiatives to combat climate change. Climate change legislation or regulation could cause us to incur increased costs and capital expenditures to comply, which may impact our financial condition and operating performance.

In addition, the U.S. Federal Reserve has in the past identified climate change as a potential risk to the stability of the financial system. It also reported that a gradual change in investor sentiment regarding climate risk introduces the possibility of abrupt tipping points or significant swings in sentiment, which could create unpredictable follow-on effects in financial markets. If this occurred, not only would we be negatively impacted by the general economic decline, but a drop in the stock market affecting our stock price could negatively impact our ability to grow through mergers and acquisitions financed using our common stock.

Moreover, if our carriers fail or withdraw from offering certain lines of insurance because of large payouts related to climate change, overall risk-taking capital capacity could be negatively affected, which could reduce our ability to place certain lines of insurance and, as a result, reduce our revenue and profitability.

 

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SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements about us and our industry that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this prospectus, including statements regarding our future financial condition or results of operations, business strategy and plans, and objectives of management for future operations are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “target,” “toward,” “will,” “would,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions. These forward-looking statements include statements concerning the following:

 

   

our expectations regarding the premiums set by carriers and commission rates negotiated with carriers;

 

   

the growth rate of the markets in which we compete;

 

   

our business plan and our ability to effectively manage our growth and associated investments;

 

   

anticipated trends, growth rates, and challenges in our business, our industry, and in the markets in which we operate;

 

   

our ability to continue to grow across our current markets and expand into new markets;

 

   

our ability to sustain or improve our profitability;

 

   

future investments in our business, our anticipated capital expenditures, and our estimates regarding our capital requirements;

 

   

effectiveness of our brand awareness and marketing efforts;

 

   

our beliefs and objectives for future operations and growth initiatives and ability to predict future results;

 

   

our ability to increase the number of activated policies on our platform;

 

   

our ability to maintain our relationships with agency counterparties and to develop relationships with new agencies and increase agent engagement on our platform;

 

   

our ability to maintain and expand our relationships with carriers, and to diversify the carriers with whom we work;

 

   

our ability and expectations to continue to innovate and enhance our platform and product offerings, and to keep pace with technological developments;

 

   

our reliance on key personnel and our ability to identify, recruit, and retain skilled personnel;

 

   

our ability to obtain, maintain, protect, and enforce our intellectual property rights and any costs associated therewith;

 

   

our ability to successfully defend disputes, legal proceedings and governmental inquiries brought against us;

 

   

our ability to operate our business during fluctuations or an overall decline in economic activity, or any adverse trends in the life insurance industry;

 

   

our ability to compete effectively with existing competitors and new market entrants;

 

   

our ability to comply or remain in compliance with laws and regulations that currently apply or become applicable to our business;

 

   

potential volatility in our stock price and a possible decline in the value of our Class A common stock;

 

   

the effectiveness of our use of the net proceeds from this offering;

 

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the other factors discussed under “Risk Factors”; and

 

   

other factors beyond our control.

We caution you that the foregoing list may not contain all of the forward-looking statements made in this prospectus.

You should not rely on forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations. The outcome of the events described in these forward-looking statements is subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors described in the section titled “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this prospectus. Moreover, we operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all risks and uncertainties that could have an impact on the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus. The results, events, and circumstances reflected in the forward-looking statements may not be achieved or occur, and actual results, events, or circumstances could differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements.

In addition, statements that “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 of this prospectus. While we believe such information provides a reasonable basis for these statements, such 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 investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

The forward-looking statements made in this prospectus relate only to events as of the date on which the statements are made. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this prospectus to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this prospectus or to reflect new information, actual results, revised expectations, or the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law. We may not actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any future acquisitions, mergers, dispositions, joint ventures, or investments.

 

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MARKET, INDUSTRY, AND OTHER DATA

This prospectus contains statistical data, estimates, forecasts, and information concerning our industry, including the market size and growth of the markets in which we participate, that are based on independent industry publications or other publicly available information, as well as other information based on our internal sources. While we believe the industry and market data included in this prospectus are reliable and are based on reasonable assumptions, these data involve many assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and other publicly available information. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.” These and other factors could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in the projections and estimates made by the independent third parties and us.

The sources of certain statistical data, estimates, and forecasts contained in this prospectus include:

 

   

American Council of Life Insurers, Life Insurers Fact Book 2024, March 2024.

 

   

Deloitte Consulting, L&A Product Development Study, 2023.

 

   

LIMRA and Life Happens, 2024 Insurance Barometer Study, Report 1: The Generational Shift Has Arrived - The Path Forward for Life Insurers, January 2024.

 

   

LIMRA, U.S. Individual Life Insurance Yearbook 2023 Data, August 2024.

 

   

LIMRA, U.S. Retail Individual Life Insurance Sales Survey Q4 2024, January 2025.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

We estimate that we will receive net proceeds from this offering of approximately $     million (or approximately $     million if the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares is exercised in full) based on an assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We will not receive any proceeds from sales of shares of Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.

The principal purposes of this offering are to increase our capitalization and financial flexibility, create a public market for our Class A common stock and facilitate an orderly distribution of shares for the selling stockholders. We intend to use a portion of the net proceeds we received from this offering to pay $    million of our anticipated tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement. In connection with the RSU Net Settlement, assuming (i) the fair market value of our Class A common stock at the time of settlement will be equal to the assumed initial public offering price per share of $     , the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and (ii) an assumed      % tax withholding rate, we estimate that these tax withholding and remittance obligations on the RSU Net Settlement will be $     million in the aggregate.

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $     million, assuming the number of shares offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Similarly, each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) the net proceeds to us from this offering by approximately $     million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price per share of $     , which is the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, assuming no change in the assumed settlement date or applicable tax withholding rate, would increase (decrease) the amount we would be required to pay to satisfy our tax withholding and remittance obligations described above by approximately $     million. In addition, each 1.0% increase (decrease) in the tax withholding rate, assuming no change in the assumed initial public offering price per share, would increase (decrease) the amount of tax withholding and remittance obligations described above by approximately $     million.

We also intend to use the remaining net proceeds we receive from this offering for general corporate purposes, including working capital, operating expenses, and capital expenditures. We cannot specify with certainty all of the particular uses for the remaining net proceeds to us from this offering. We may also use a portion of the remaining net proceeds for the acquisitions of, or strategic investments in, complementary businesses, products, services, or technologies. However, we do not have any agreements or commitments to enter into any material acquisitions or investments at this time. We will have broad discretion over how we use the net proceeds from this offering. Pending the use of the proceeds from this offering as described above, we intend to invest the net proceeds from the offering that are not used as described above in investment-grade, interest-bearing instruments such as money market funds, corporate notes and bonds, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, and guaranteed obligations of the U.S. government.

 

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DIVIDEND POLICY

We have never declared or paid cash dividends on our capital stock. We currently intend to retain all available funds and future earnings, if any, to fund the development and expansion of our business, and we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. Any future determination regarding the declaration and payment of dividends, if any, will be at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on then-existing conditions, including our financial condition, results of operations, contractual restrictions, capital requirements, business prospects, and other factors our board of directors may deem relevant. Additionally, our ability to pay dividends may be further restricted by agreements we may enter into in the future.

 

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CAPITALIZATION

The following table sets forth our cash, cash equivalents, and investments and our capitalization as of June 30, 2025 on:

 

   

an actual basis;

 

   

a pro forma basis, to reflect (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock; (ii) the Preferred Conversion (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, (iv) stock-based compensation expense of $    million related to RSUs subject to the RSU Net Settlement, reflected as an increase to additional paid-in capital and accumulated deficit, as further described in Notes 2 and 12 of our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus; (v) the net issuance of     shares of Class A common stock in connection with the RSU Net Settlement, after withholding    shares to satisfy estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations of $     million (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed    % tax withholding rate); (vi) the $     million increase in liabilities and corresponding decrease in additional paid-in capital resulting from the share withholding for the tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement; and (vii) the filing and effectiveness of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which will occur immediately prior to the closing of this offering; and

 

   

a pro forma as adjusted basis, to reflect (i) the adjustments described in the preceding bullet above; (ii) our receipt of $     million in estimated net proceeds from the sale and issuance by us of    shares of Class A common stock in this offering, at an assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us; and (iii) the use of net proceeds from this offering, together with existing cash and cash equivalents, if necessary, to satisfy the estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations reflected in the pro forma adjustments described in the preceding bullet.

The pro forma as adjusted information below is illustrative only, and our capitalization following the closing of this offering will be adjusted based on, among other things, the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering determined at pricing, the actual tax withholding rates, as well as the actual amount of RSUs settled in connection with this offering. You should read this information together with the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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     June 30, 2025  
     Actual     Pro
Forma(1)
     Pro Forma
as
Adjusted(1)
 
     (in thousands, except share and per
share amounts)
 

Cash, cash equivalents, and investments

   $ 80,284     $            $        
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share;     shares authorized,     issued, and outstanding, actual; no shares authorized, issued, or outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

       

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity:

       

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share; no shares authorized, issued and outstanding, actual;   shares authorized,     issued and     outstanding, pro forma;   shares authorized,   issued and   outstanding, pro forma as adjusted;

     403,997       

Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; no shares authorized, issued, or outstanding, actual;     shares authorized, no shares issued or     outstanding, pro forma;     authorized,     shares issued and outstanding, pro forma as adjusted

     2       

Class B common stock, par value $0.0001 per share; no shares authorized, issued, or outstanding, actual;     shares authorized,     shares issued and outstanding, pro forma and pro forma as adjusted

           

Additional paid-in capital

     78,356       

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss)

     (417     

Accumulated deficit

     (142,949     
  

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ (deficit) equity

   $ (65,008   $            $        
  

 

 

 

Total capitalization

   $ 419,273     $            $        
  

 

 

 
 
(1)

Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the amount of pro forma as adjusted cash, cash equivalents, and investments, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and total capitalization by $    million, assuming the number of shares offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. We may also increase (decrease) the number of shares we are offering. An increase (decrease) of 1.0 million in the number of shares we are offering would increase or decrease the amount of pro forma as adjusted cash, cash equivalents, and investments, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and total capitalization by $    million, assuming the assumed initial public offering price per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. In addition, each 1.0% increase (decrease) in the tax withholding rate would increase (decrease) the amount of tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement and increase (decrease) cash, cash equivalents, and investments, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and total capitalization by $    million, assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, that the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus,

 

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  remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering. Each $1.0 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) the amount of tax withholding and remittance obligations related to the RSU Net Settlement and increase (decrease) cash, cash equivalents, and investments, additional paid-in capital, total stockholders’ (deficit) equity, and total capitalization by $     million, assuming that the tax withholding rate remains the same, that the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us in connection with this offering.

The number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding after the closing of this offering is based on      shares of our Class A common stock and      shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 after giving effect to (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iv) the RSU Net Settlement, and excludes:

 

   

1,197,629 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025 under our 2016 Plan with a weighted-average exercise price of $3.23 per share;

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of RSUs outstanding as of the date of this prospectus subject to service-based and liquidity event-based conditions, for which (i) the service-based condition was not satisfied as of such date and (ii) the liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, of which      shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock at the election of our co-founders upon settlement;

 

   

1,130,794 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2016 Plan as of June 30, 2025, which shares will cease to be available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part;

 

   

580,579 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Class A common stock as of June 30, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.21 per share;

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Plan plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Equity Incentive Plan,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; and

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 ESPP plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Our 2025 Plan and 2025 ESPP provide for annual automatic increases in the number of shares reserved thereunder. See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” for additional information.

 

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DILUTION

If you invest in our Class A common stock in this offering, your ownership interest will be immediately diluted to the extent of the difference between the initial public offering price per share of Class A common stock and the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share of Class A common stock immediately after the closing of this offering.

Our historical net tangible book deficit as of June 30, 2025 was $    million, or $    per share of common stock. Historical net tangible book deficit represents the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities and redeemable convertible preferred stock, divided by the number of shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025.

Our pro forma net tangible book deficit as of June 30, 2025 was $    million, or $    per share. Pro forma net tangible book value per share represents the amount of our total tangible assets less our total liabilities, divided by the number of shares of our common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025, after giving effect to (i) the Preferred Conversion (ii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iii) the RSU Net Settlement (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed    % tax withholding rate).

After giving further effect to (i) our receipt of $    million in estimated net proceeds from the sale and issuance by us of shares of Class A common stock in this offering at an assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us, and (ii) the use of proceeds and existing cash and cash equivalents to satisfy the assumed tax withholding and remittance obligations described above, our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value as of June 30, 2025 would have been $     million, or $    per share. This amount represents an immediate increase in pro forma net tangible book value of $    per share to our existing stockholders and immediate dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value of approximately $    per share to new investors purchasing shares of Class A common stock in this offering.

Dilution per share to new investors is determined by subtracting pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering from the initial public offering price per share paid by new investors. The following table illustrates this dilution (without giving effect to any exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares):

 

Assumed initial public offering price per share

      $        

Historical net tangible book deficit per share as of June 30, 2025

   $           

Increase per share attributable to the pro forma adjustments described above

     

Pro forma net tangible book value per share as of June 30, 2025, before giving effect to this offering

     

Increase in pro forma net tangible book value per share attributable to investors purchasing shares in this offering

     

Pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the closing of this offering

     

Dilution in pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors in this offering

      $    

 

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The dilution information discussed above is illustrative only and may change based on, among other things, the actual initial public offering price and other terms of this offering, the actual tax withholding rates, as well as the actual amount of RSUs settled in connection with this offering. Each $1.00 increase (decrease) in the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after this offering by approximately $    per share, and increase (decrease) the dilution in the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share to new investors by approximately $    per share, in each case, assuming that the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders, as set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, remains the same and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us. Each increase (decrease) of 1.0 million shares in the number of shares of Class A common stock offered by us would increase (decrease) our pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value per share after the closing of this offering by approximately $    per share and increase (decrease) the dilution to investors participating in this offering by approximately $    per share, in each case assuming that the assumed initial public offering price remains the same, and after deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, the pro forma as adjusted net tangible book value after the offering would be $    per share and the dilution per share to new investors would be $    per share, in each case assuming an initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus.

The following table summarizes, on the pro forma as adjusted basis described above, as of June 30, 2025, the differences between the number of shares of our Class B common stock purchased from us by our existing stockholders and our Class A common stock purchased from us by new investors purchasing shares in this offering, the total consideration paid to us in cash, the average price per share paid by existing stockholders for shares of common stock issued prior to the closing of this offering, and the price to be paid by new investors for shares of Class A common stock in this offering. The calculation below is based on the assumed initial public offering estimated price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of the prospectus, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable by us.

 

     Shares Purchased     Total Consideration     Average
Price
per
Share
 
     Number      Percent     Amount
(in millions)
     Percent  

Existing stockholders

               $                    $       

New investors

        $          $    

Total

        100   $          100   $    

Sales by the selling stockholders in this offering will cause the number of shares held by existing stockholders before this offering to be reduced to    shares, or   % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering, and will increase the number of shares held by new investors to    shares, or   % of the total number of shares of our common stock outstanding immediately after the completion of this offering.

If the underwriters exercise their option to purchase additional shares in full, our existing stockholders would own    %, and the investors purchasing shares of our common stock in this offering would own    % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering.

 

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The number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock that will be outstanding after this offering is based on      shares of our Class A common stock and      shares of our Class B common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 after giving effect to (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iv) the RSU Net Settlement (each as defined below), and excludes:

 

   

1,197,629 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of stock options outstanding as of June 30, 2025 under our 2016 Plan with a weighted-average exercise price of $3.23 per share;

 

   

9,793,587 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the vesting and settlement of RSUs outstanding as of the date of this prospectus subject to service-based and liquidity event-based conditions, for which (i) the service-based condition was not satisfied as of such date and (ii) the liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, of which 3,708,269 shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock at the election of our co-founders upon settlement;

 

   

1,130,794 shares of Class A common stock reserved for future issuance under our 2016 Plan as of June 30, 2025, which shares will cease to be available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part;

 

   

580,579 shares of our Class A common stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding warrants to purchase Class A common stock as of June 30, 2025, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.21 per share;

 

   

    shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Plan, plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Equity Incentive Plan,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part; and

 

   

     shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 ESPP, plus any future increases in the number of shares of Class A common stock reserved for issuance thereunder, as more fully described in the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plan,” which will become available for issuance upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

Our 2025 Plan and 2025 ESPP provide for annual automatic increases in the number of shares reserved thereunder. See the section titled “Executive Compensation—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans” for additional information.

To the extent any outstanding options are exercised, or any outstanding RSUs settle, or new stock options or RSUs are issued under our equity incentive plans, or we issue additional equity or convertible debt securities in the future, there will be further dilution to investors participating in this offering. If all outstanding options and RSUs under our 2016 Plan as of the date of this prospectus were exercised or settled, then our existing stockholders, including the holders of these securities would own approximately    % and our new investors would own approximately    % of the total number of shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock outstanding on the closing of this offering. In addition, we may choose to raise additional capital because of market conditions or strategic considerations, even if we believe that we have sufficient funds for our current or future operating plans. If we raise additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the issuance of these securities could result in further dilution to our stockholders.

 

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MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the section titled “Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus. Some of the information contained in this discussion and analysis includes forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. You should review the sections titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and “Risk Factors” for a discussion of forward-looking statements and important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results described in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in the following discussion and analysis.

Overview

Ethos is a technology company transforming the life insurance industry. We have built a vertically integrated technology platform that makes life insurance accessible, affordable, and transparent for everyone. Since inception, we have activated over 450,000 policies, and as of June 30, 2025, we had over 10,000 active selling agents and several active carriers on our platform. Through our three-sided technology platform, we serve a growing ecosystem of consumers, agents, and carriers, each of which benefits from the scale, ease-of-use, and efficiency of our platform. This creates strong network effects that drive our continued growth. We serve the following constituents through our digital platform:

 

   

Consumers: We remove the friction from buying life insurance with a 100% digital application and underwriting process that includes transparent pricing, a few health questions driven by our proprietary underwriting engine instead of lengthy and invasive medical exams, and decisions in minutes for almost all consumers.

 

   

Agents: Our platform is designed to enable agents to sell more policies and get paid quickly across a broad portfolio of products. We provide agents with an Agent OS that streamlines quoting, application submission, and policy management. Agents generate their own leads and refer customers to our platform, either through agent-assisted applications or dedicated microsites or links, and all Ethos policies sold through agents are ultimately activated on our platform. This reduces case management work and streamlines payments infrastructure, all of which substantially increase an agent’s time available to prospect and sell.

 

   

Carriers: We help life insurance carriers expand their consumer and agent reach in a manner designed to optimize risk selection and profitability, as carriers assume the insurance risk of the underlying policies. We do not assume balance sheet risk for the policies on our platform.

Our technology platform is fully digital and vertically integrated. We simplify the insurance value chain from distribution to underwriting, activation, payments, and administration. Combining key elements of the insurance sales and administrative process into a singular platform enables us to build insurance products quickly, dynamically adjust underwriting and pricing, and rapidly iterate to deliver a delightful consumer and agent experience.

Our platform makes the application process faster and more accessible for consumers and agents while reducing errors, including by validating disclosures against third-party data in real-time. Our proprietary underwriting engine leverages predictive and real-time data acquired with the consent of the applicant to create a bespoke information graph that allows us to instantly assess risk and deliver quick, competitively priced policies with high approval rates. Once issued, our cloud-native policy administration system provides consumers with seamless servicing and billing. The unified, end-to-end nature of our platform enables us to collect and analyze granular data across the entire consumer and agent journey. We then identify patterns across cohorts to continuously optimize our underwriting and improve conversion and platform usability.

 

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Our technology platform is extensible, demonstrated by our ability to launch and scale new life insurance and estate planning products. This has enabled us to expand our offerings from just one product in 2019 to ten as of December 31, 2024. We have launched multiple Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance products, and an Indexed Universal Life Insurance product, as well as Wills & Estate Planning. As a result, we have achieved significant scale with broad demographic and geographic distribution. We have activated over 450,000 policies, and these consumers come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, income levels, and ages, consistent with our mission of democratizing access to life insurance. Our technology platform continuously improves as we scale and collect data, which further refines underwriting accuracy, pricing efficiency, and our platform engagement strategy to create durable network effects.

While we are in the early stages of capturing our market opportunity, we have made substantial progress in revolutionizing life insurance. Our key milestones include:

 

 

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We have balanced our portfolio with products that accommodate a broad range of applicants, spanning various ages, health classifications, and policy sizes, enabling us to serve a wide segment of the U.S. population, and others that allow us to address a variety of consumer needs. Our products also have different financial profiles, given they offer different coverage amounts and are designed to serve different user demographics across various age, health, and wealth bands. We aim to drive further growth by expanding the breadth and diversity of our product portfolio, which represents a key value proposition for both consumers and agents.

Our products may be sold through our DTC or third-party channels, and we offer most of our products through both channels. Our DTC channel does not involve any third-party selling efforts, such as through agency partners. Consumers who purchase products through our DTC channel engage with our platform directly. We leverage our two channels to drive continued growth by capturing an increasingly broad set of consumer use cases and preferences. As a result, our product mix across our channels also fluctuates over time, and we expect it will continue to do so as we expand the breadth and diversity of our product portfolio to drive overall growth in activated policies.

Our Financial Model

We generate substantially all of our revenue from the expected lifetime commissions for activated policies. We receive such commission payments from the issuing carrier. After a policy is activated, we have no material additional or recurring performance obligations to the carrier.

 

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Our commissions for an activated policy are based on the commission rate, which is a percentage of the policy’s annual premium. Commission rates primarily vary by insurance product, policy duration, and product risk class. They are defined in our carrier contracts and reviewed by carriers on an annual basis. Commission rates have generally been stable or have increased as we have scaled, driven in part by the value we provide carriers by helping them efficiently acquire consumers, manage risk, and administer activated policies.

We generally receive commissions over the life of an activated policy. Carriers pay us the majority of a policy’s lifetime commissions in the first year following activation, after which we generally receive commission payments monthly for the life of the policy. However, we recognize as revenue the expected lifetime value of commissions upfront at the time the policy is activated.

We adjust the amount of lifetime expected commission revenue recognized at the time of a policy’s activation using a persistency estimate, which refers to a percentage estimating the likelihood that the policy will remain active throughout its term. We derive the persistency estimate for the policy using our observed persistency data applicable to that policy as well as relevant industry persistency data. Because persistency estimates are based on observed persistency data, such estimates differ by product type and based on whether a policy is sold directly to the consumer or through our third-party channel. Persistency estimates are reviewed by our actuarial, finance, and accounting teams, as well as externally by third-party experts, including our financial auditors, and are adjusted as needed on a quarterly basis based on changes to observed persistency data and, where applicable, industry persistency data.

If we adjust our persistency estimates for an activated policy during the policy term, we recognize an adjustment to revenue previously recorded for that difference. Observed persistency for policies of a particular product type changes over time as activated policies are terminated prior to the end of their terms. Policy terminations are primarily driven by either the consumer’s failure to pay or voluntary customer cancellations. From time to time, terminations may also result from findings in post-issue audits that we perform to validate digital underwriting information. Persistency has generally been stable or has improved on an individual product basis as we have enhanced our product experience and policy recommendation. However, we expect our persistency estimates to fluctuate in the future, including as we expand our product offerings, grow our carrier and agency relationships, and increase our activated policies.

 

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For policies that are sold on our platform directly to consumers, we incur marketing as well as underwriting costs, and for policies that are sold through a third-party channel on our platform, we incur the costs of agent payments, as well as underwriting-related costs.

GAAP Revenue vs. Cash Commissions

Carriers pay us the majority of a policy’s lifetime commissions in the first year following activation, after which we generally receive commission payments monthly for the life of the policy. If a policy is terminated within the first year, all or a portion of the commission received is repaid to the carrier. This results in a difference between the timing of revenue recognition and operating cash inflows from commission payments, as illustrated in the diagram below, which is subject to change based on factors such as product mix. On average, roughly 77% of expected lifetime commissions associated with an activated policy are collected as cash during the first year following policy activation, while 89% are collected as cash by the fifth year following activation.

 

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We expect the percentage of lifetime commissions collected as cash in the first year following policy activation to fluctuate over time as we grow our activated policies and scale our business. See the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—We have a limited history operating our business at its current scale, scope, and complexity, which makes it difficult to plan for future operations and growth initiatives and predict future results” for a discussion of certain factors that may impact the timing of our cash flows from commissions.

Agent Payments

For a policy sold through an agent, the total agent payment is a percentage of the policy’s first year premium. We generally pay such amount the day after the policy is activated, and agents are not entitled to payments after the first year. If the policy terminates within the first year following activation, we are entitled to recover all or a portion of the total agent payment. If a policy terminates after the first year, we are generally not entitled to recover any portion of the agent payment.

Despite the actual timing of such agent payments, we recognize total agent payments in sales and marketing expense in the period of policy activation, net of the estimated amount that we expect to recover from agents in the first year after activation due to termination. We apply the same persistency used to recognize revenue for the policy in estimating this recovery amount. This may result in a difference between the timing of expense recognition for agent payments and the payment to or recoupment of cash associated with such agent payments. In a particular quarter during which a policy is activated, cash outflows for agent payments exceed expense recognized for those payments, since we receive any recouped cash amount of

 

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agent payments on a delayed basis. In addition, as with commission revenue, we similarly recognize adjustments to our operating expenses from time to time upon adjustments to estimated persistency for policies sold through agents.

We also offer agents production-based incentives and rewards that we may elect to use from time to time, which we also recognize in sales and marketing expense. These expenses primarily relate to loyalty programs that reward agents for high volumes of business with strong persistency characteristics, agency incentive programs, and limited promotional campaigns recognizing top-performing agents.

Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the measures presented in our consolidated financial statements, we use the following key business metrics and non-GAAP financial measures to help us evaluate our business, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans, and make strategic decisions.

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
     (in thousands)  

Total Activated Policies

     72       128       56       94  

Average Revenue Per Unit

   $ 2.2     $ 2.0     $ 2.1     $ 1.9  
         
     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months
Ended June 30,
 
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  
     (in millions, except percentages)  

Gross Profit

     154       248       115       181  

Gross Margin

     96     97     97     98

Contribution Profit(1)

     51       105       44       78  

Contribution Margin(1)

     32     41     37     43

Net Income

     2       49       19       31  

Net Income Margin

     1     19     16     17

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

     7       58       21       44  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin(1)

     4     23     18     24
 
(1)

Contribution Profit, Contribution Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin are not calculated in accordance with GAAP. See below for more information regarding our use of Contribution Profit, Contribution Margin, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin and a reconciliation of Contribution Profit to Gross Profit, Contribution Margin to Gross Margin, Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to Net Income Margin, the most directly comparable financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Activated Policies. We define activated policies as the number of policies issued on our platform over a given period of measurement. Activated policies have increased over time as we have expanded our DTC and third-party channels and added product offerings with existing and new carriers.

 

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The total number of activated policies in the year ended December 31, 2024 was 127,623, a 77% increase compared to the same period in 2023. The total number of activated policies in the year ended December 31, 2023 was 72,018. The total number of activated policies in the six months ended June 30, 2025 was 94,405, a 70% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The total number of activated policies in the six months ended June 30, 2024 was 55,656.

 

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Average Revenue Per Unit. We define average revenue per unit, or ARPU, as our total GAAP revenue for a given period, divided by the total number of activated policies during the period.

ARPU varies by channel, and relatedly by product, due to differences in premium amounts, negotiated commission rates, and persistency estimates. Premiums are influenced by factors such as coverage amount, policy duration, and risk level, all of which differ by product. Our third-party channel historically has a higher mix of our Whole Life insurance products, which typically have lower ARPU due to lower coverage amounts and commission rates. While ARPU fluctuates by channel and by product, we use total ARPU to evaluate our performance across channels and our overall growth.

The DTC channel generated revenue of $119 million and $174 million, accounting for 75% and 68% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The third-party channel generated revenue of $41 million and $81 million, accounting for 25% and 32% of our total revenue for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively. The DTC channel generated revenue of $91 million and $112 million, accounting for 77% and 61% of our total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025, respectively. The third-party channel generated revenue of $27 million and $72 million, accounting for 23% and 39% of our total revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025, respectively. For additional information on revenue, see Note 3 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

ARPU for the DTC channel increased by 3% in 2024 compared to 2023, while ARPU for the third-party channel decreased by 14% over the same period. ARPU for the DTC channel increased by 5% in the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024, while ARPU for the third-party channel increased by 9% over the same period. ARPU for the third-party channel accounted for a higher portion of total ARPU over these periods as we continued the scaling of our third-party channel and due to the third-party channel’s increasing contribution to overall revenue over these periods compared to the DTC channel.

 

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ARPU in the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1,997, compared to $2,218 in the prior year. ARPU in the six months ended June 30, 2025 was $1,946, compared to $2,131 in the prior period.

 

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Contribution Profit. We define Contribution Profit as our gross profit less sales and marketing expense, which includes agent payments and underwriting costs for non-activated policies, plus stock-based compensation related to our employees and overhead costs allocated to sales and marketing expense. Gross profit is defined as revenue less cost of revenue. Cost of revenue primarily consists of underwriting costs associated with activated policies. Overhead costs allocated to sales and marketing expense include professional fees, technology expenses, and other related costs. Contribution Margin is calculated by dividing Contribution Profit for a period by revenue for the same period.

Contribution Profit is primarily impacted by revenue as well as marketing costs, which consists of advertising spend on our website and agent payments for policies sold through our third-party channel. Both ARPU and marketing costs are impacted by changes in product and distribution channel mix. As a result, we expect Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin to fluctuate over time as we expand our product offerings and experience changes in distribution channel mix across periods.

Contribution Profit increased from $51 million to $105 million from 2023 to 2024, representing a Contribution Margin improvement from 32% to 41%. Contribution Profit increased from $44 million to $78 million from the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 2025, representing a Contribution Margin improvement from 37% to 43%. The increase in Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin from 2023 to 2024, and from the six months ended June 30, 2024 to the same period in 2025, was primarily due to higher revenue and gross profit as well as lower sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue.

Within sales and marketing expense, agent payments increased by 120%, or from $25.1 million in 2023 to $55.1 million in 2024, resulting in agent payments as a percentage of third-party revenue increasing by six percentage points, from 62% in 2023 to 68% in 2024. Advertising expenses increased by only 13%, or from $55.9 million in 2023 to $63.4 million in 2024. As a result, advertising expense as a percentage of DTC revenue decreased by 11 percentage points, from 47% in 2023 to 36% in 2024, contributing to lower overall sales and marketing expense as a percentage of revenue in 2024 compared to 2023 and improvements in Contribution Margin.

Agent payments increased by 66%, or from $24.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $41.1 million for the same period in 2025, resulting in agent payments as a percentage of third-party revenue decreasing by 34 percentage points, from 91% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to

 

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57% for the same period in 2025. Advertising expenses increased by 38%, or from $33.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $45.4 million for the same period in 2025, resulting in advertising expenses as a percentage of DTC revenue increasing by 4%, from 36% for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 40% for the same period in 2025. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the decrease in agent payments as a percentage of third-party revenue along with the higher contribution of third-party revenue to total revenue resulted in overall improvements in Contribution Margin compared with the six months ended June 30, 2024.

We expect Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin to fluctuate in the near term as we continue to invest in the growth of our business, and improve over the long term as we achieve greater scale and drive efficiency through operational improvements.

We use Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin to evaluate our operating performance. We believe that Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin provide useful information to investors about our business and financial performance because they offer insight into how efficiently we activate new policies and ultimately revenue by accounting for the direct expenses associated with those activated policies.

Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin should not be considered as alternatives to gross profit and gross margin, or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin rather than gross profit and gross margin, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures. They do not reflect our financial results in accordance with GAAP as they do not include the impact of certain expenses that are reflected in our consolidated statements of operations. In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Contribution Profit differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure. For these reasons, our Contribution Profit and Contribution Margin should be considered alongside, not as substitutes for or in isolation from, GAAP-based financial measures.

The following table provides a reconciliation of gross profit to Contribution Profit:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
     (in millions)  

Gross Profit

   $ 154     $ 248     $ 115     $ 181  

Less: Sales and Marketing

     (108     (149     (73     (108

Add: Stock-based Compensation Allocated to Sales and Marketing(1)

     1       1             2  

Add: Professional Fees Allocated to Sales and Marketing

     1       1             1  

Add: Technology Expenses Allocated to Sales and Marketing

     2       2       1       1  

Add: Other Expenses Allocated to Sales and Marketing

     1       1       1       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Contribution Profit

   $ 51     $ 105     $ 44     $ 78  
 
(1)

Such expenses relate to our employees.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as our net income excluding interest expense, interest income net, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, and stock-based compensation expense as set forth in the table below. Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA for a period by revenue for the same period. We use Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to assess performance, to inform the preparation of our annual operating budget and quarterly forecasts, to evaluate the effectiveness of our business strategies, and to assist our board of directors in monitoring our business and financial performance. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin provide useful information to investors about our business and financial performance, enhance their overall understanding of our past performance and future prospects, including by providing consistency and comparability with our past financial performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to measures used by our management in their financial and operational decision making. In addition, we believe Adjusted EBITDA is widely used by investors, securities analysts, and other parties in evaluating companies in our industry as a measure of operational performance.

 

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Adjusted EBITDA increased from $7 million to $58 million from 2023 to 2024, representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin improvement from 4% to 23%. Adjusted EBITDA increased from $21 million to $44 million from the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 2025, representing an Adjusted EBITDA Margin improvement from 18% to 24%. The increase in Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin from 2023 to 2024 and from the six months ended June 30, 2024 to the six months ended June 30, 2025 was primarily due to the growth in net income. We expect Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to fluctuate in the near term as we continue to invest in our business and improve over the long term as we achieve greater scale in our business and efficiencies in our operating expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should not be considered as alternatives to net income and net income as a percentage of revenue, or any other measure of financial performance calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. There are a number of limitations related to the use of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin rather than net income and net income as a percentage of revenue, which are the most directly comparable GAAP measures.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income for the periods presented:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023      2024      2024      2025  
     (in thousands)  

Net income

   $ 1,689      $ 48,832      $ 18,697      $ 30,716  

Interest expense

     723        595        312        1,619  

Interest income

     (5,792      (5,599      (2,794      (3,062

Income tax expense

     586        5,104        418        2,166  

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 5,713      $ 5,438      $ 2,769      $ 2,743  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

EBITDA

     2,919        54,370        19,402        34,182  

Stock-based compensation

     3,607        3,166        1,600        10,292  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

   $ 6,526      $ 57,536      $ 21,002      $ 44,474  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

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In addition, other companies, including companies in our industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, our Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin should be considered in addition to, not as substitutes for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

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Key Factors Affecting our Performance

Cost-Effectively Activating New Policies. Our continued growth is dependent on cost-effectively activating new policies. We reach consumers by investing in direct marketing and agent payments. Our direct marketing is diversified and includes affiliate marketing, search engine marketing, social media advertising, TV advertising, and others. We dynamically adjust our direct marketing on a daily basis to optimize our acquisition strategy. Spending to activate a new policy is governed by our

 

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payback period, which we define as the number of months it takes for the cash commissions received to offset advertising spend and agent payments, as well as underwriting, sales team and payment processing costs. As of June 30, 2025, our average payback period was within two months.

We assess the effectiveness of agents by monitoring their sales productivity over time. The chart below reflects the cumulative policies sold per agent by cohort, with each cohort consisting of all agents who sold their first policy on our platform in a given fiscal quarter. In turn, cohorts include agents who have ceased selling policies on our platform. Overall, agents within each cohort consistently become more productive, as demonstrated by the increase in cumulative activated policies sold per agent by cohort over time. Since 2022, the number of agents on our platform has grown at an annual rate of 35% net of agent departures, or churn, while revenue per agent has increased at an annual rate of 27% over the same time period.

 

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Agent Recruitment and Retention. We onboard new agents to our platform primarily through our network of agencies. As such, it is critical that we maintain strong relationships with existing agencies, establish new relationships, and enhance the productivity of agents to support agent retention. We intend to continue investing in our platform to make it increasingly attractive to agencies and their agents, primarily by adding features and functionalities that help agencies recruit more agents, enhance agent efficiency, boost overall productivity, and improve the consumer experience.

Life Insurance Pricing. Life insurance pricing impacts purchasing and agent selling behavior. Pricing is primarily influenced by factors such as health, lifestyle, coverage amount, and policy type. Carriers may adjust pricing in response to shifts in mortality assumptions, interest rates, capital markets, reinsurance costs, inflation, and regulatory changes. We mitigate pricing risk through a diversified product portfolio and a broad mix of carriers, enabling us to offer competitive rates across a wide range of consumer profiles.

 

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Evolving Channel and Product Mix. We leverage our two distribution channels to optimize for increased demand on our platform. Consumer demand through each channel is impacted by multiple factors, including product mix, which we evaluate holistically when implementing this channel strategy. In addition, though we prioritize overall expansion of our product portfolio, our product mix impacts our growth and results of operations. Our revenue and ARPU are impacted by premium amounts, commission rates, and persistency estimates, all of which differ by product. Certain of our products, such as Whole Life Insurance, tend to have lower coverage amounts and commission rates, resulting in lower ARPU.

Further, because we offer most of our products through both channels, including Term Life Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, and Indexed Universal Life Insurance, our strategy and shifts in consumer insurance purchasing patterns and trends also drive fluctuations in product mix by channel, which impacts our results of operations. Certain of our products, such as Whole Life Insurance, have historically been sold primarily through our third-party channel due to various factors, including preferences and demographics of the target consumers for such products as well as sales strategies and priorities of our agency partners. In addition, our sales and marketing expense and Contribution Margin are impacted by our channel mix, as described further under the section titled “—Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures–Contribution Profit.”

As a result, we expect revenue, activated policies, and profitability to continue to be impacted by our evolving channel and product mix.

Strategic Carrier Relationships. Maintaining our active carrier relationships and establishing new carrier relationships are critical for our continued growth. For our top three carriers by distribution, who are also our longest tenured carriers, we were their largest source of life distribution in 2024. However, we still have significant opportunities to increase our share, as we accounted for a minority of these top three carriers’ life insurance premiums in 2024. Our existing carriers have a significant growth opportunity, as the life insurance market remains highly fragmented, with numerous carriers competing for market share. Beyond our current relationships, we intend to selectively work with new carriers, primarily to facilitate new product introductions and further diversify our positions within our existing carrier base.

Increasing Products on Our Platform. The breadth and diversity of our existing products are a key value proposition for both consumers and agents. Moreover, our platform is extensible, as demonstrated by our successful track record in launching and scaling new insurance and estate planning products. Our growing expertise in product launches, informed by our growing experience through numerous past product launches and continuous improvements in our third-party channel, has enhanced our efficiency. For instance, while it initially took 24 months to reach $20 million in run-rate annual premium with our Term Life Insurance product launched in 2019, a more recent product achieved the same milestone in just 15 months. We intend to continue investing in new product development, leveraging our increasing efficiency to drive further growth.

Persistency.  Our results of operations, including our revenue growth trends, are impacted by changes in our persistency estimates. Several factors have resulted in, and may in the future result in, fluctuations in our persistency estimates, including growth in activated policies, new carrier relationships, introductions of new products on our platform, changes in our product mix, and changes in observed persistency in the life insurance industry.

Operating Leverage. Our platform benefits from operating leverage, allowing our business to scale efficiently as we increase policy activations and launch new products. Several of our costs, including our general and administrative costs, are not directly tied to the number of activated policies in a given period. As a result, we generate more revenue relative to our cost base as we grow. Each incremental product launch also becomes more cost-effective, leveraging our robust underwriting capabilities, digital platform, and established distribution channels with minimal additional overhead.

 

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Investment in Technology Platform.We have prioritized investments in automation, our data moat, and data analytics to optimize policy approvals and pricing while enriching the customer journey. Our commitment to digitizing the life insurance process is evident in our continued development of digital infrastructure, such as enhancing features on our website and in our agent portal. Our significant investment in proprietary technology is key to advancing our underwriting capabilities and may cause our operating results to fluctuate.

Seasonality.Seasonality can impact our activated policies patterns, influencing acquisition volume, costs, and conversion rates. The three months ended March 31 have historically been our strongest quarter of activated policies, as consumer demand for life insurance is elevated by factors such as annual financial planning cycles that typically occur post-New Year. During this period, digital marketing costs tend to be lower relative to other periods, allowing us to efficiently invest more in direct marketing.

Macroeconomic and Regulatory Trends. Macroeconomic factors, including a high interest rate environment, equity market returns, and a tight labor market impact the financial services and life insurance industries. Moreover, changes in the tax code (demand for insurance for tax planning purposes) or on capital reserving requirements (such as the approval of the principles-based reserving regime in 2017) impact the demand for the life insurance products we offer and the profitability of the carriers with whom we work. These macroeconomic and regulatory factors have the potential to affect demand for our underwriting and distribution services.

Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

We primarily generate revenue through commissions paid by carriers from policies activated and sold through our platform as well as from our provision of third-party administrator, or TPA, services for such policies. Our commission revenue is recognized upfront upon delivering new policyholders to carriers, and we have no material additional obligations post-sale. Our revenue for an activated policy includes both the first-year commission and renewal commissions, both of which require significant judgment in applying a persistency estimate. In future periods following policy activation, we recognize in-period adjustments in revenue as the applicable persistency estimates are updated.

Cost and Expenses

Our costs and expenses consist of sales and marketing, general and administrative expenses, technology costs, cost of revenue, and depreciation and amortization.

In the quarter in which this offering is completed, we expect to recognize approximately $    of stock-based compensation expense associated with the satisfaction of the liquidity event-based vesting condition for outstanding RSUs, for which the service-based vesting conditions have been fully or partially satisfied on or before the pricing of this offering. As such, we expect to incur a net loss for the quarter and year in which this offering is completed, primarily as a result of recognition of this stock-based compensation amount.

We also expect to incur additional stock-based compensation expense in future periods across certain of the costs and expenses categories below as additional RSUs meet their service-based vesting conditions, calculated using the accelerated attribution method for RSUs with a liquidity event-based vesting condition and using the straight-line method for RSUs granted following the closing of this offering and without a liquidity event-based vesting condition.

 

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Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses primarily consists of our advertising expenses, agent payments, underwriting costs for non-activated policies, and overhead costs allocated on a headcount basis. Sales and marketing expenses also consist of salaries, stock-based compensation expense, employee benefits, bonuses, and commissions for sales and marketing employees and contractors.

We expect sales and marketing expenses to increase on an absolute dollar basis and vary from period to period as a percentage of revenue as we increase our sales and marketing personnel and continue to expand our customer engagement.

General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses consist of salaries, stock-based compensation expense, employee benefits, and bonuses for executive, finance, accounting, legal, human resources, actuarial, and administrative support. General and administrative expenses also include legal, accounting, other third-party professional services, other miscellaneous expenses, and overhead costs allocated on a headcount basis.

We expect general and administrative expenses to increase on an absolute dollar basis and vary from period to period as a percentage of revenue as we grow our operations and incur additional expenses associated with operating as a public company.

Technology (Exclusive of Amortization)

Technology (exclusive of amortization) expenses primarily consist of salaries, stock-based compensation expense, employee benefits, and bonuses for salaried employees and contractors engaged in the design, development, maintenance, and testing of our platform including our websites, mobile applications and other products. Technology expenses also include overhead costs allocated on a headcount basis but do not include amortization of capitalized website and software development costs.

We expect technology expenses to continue to increase on an absolute dollar basis and vary from period to period as a percent of revenue as we continue investing in our technology platform to support future growth.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue represents the direct costs associated with fulfilling our obligations to our carriers for the activation of insurance policies and primarily consists of underwriting costs incurred by activated policies in the application process.

We expect that cost of revenue will increase on an absolute dollar basis for the foreseeable future as we continue to grow and be relatively consistent period to period as a percentage of revenue.

Depreciation and Amortization

Depreciation and amortization expenses relate to property and equipment, website and software development costs, as well as acquisition-related and other acquired intangible assets. We record depreciation and amortization using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the assets.

Interest Expense

Interest expense consists of interest costs associated with the sale of commissions receivable. For a portion of our policies, we have at times entered into arrangements in which we sell the rights to a portion of future commissions in exchange for upfront cash payments to unaffiliated entities. The cost

 

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of these arrangements, or the difference between the purchase price and the foregone future commissions for years sold, is recorded as a Loss on Sale in the period in which the policies are sold. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we only used this arrangement for one of our Term Life Insurance products as described further in “—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates—Liabilities Related to Sale of Commissions Receivable” and in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements. We impute interest on the unamortized portion of the liability for the sale of commissions receivable using the effective interest method, which is based on forecasted payments expected to be made over the term of the agreements.

Interest Income

Interest income consists of income earned on our short-term investments included in cash and cash equivalents and marketable securities.

Other Income, net

Other Income, net consists of income from subleasing office space along with income from credit card rewards.

Income Tax Expense

Provision for income taxes consists of federal and state income taxes in the United States and income taxes in certain foreign jurisdictions, deferred income taxes reflecting the net tax effects of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, and the realization of net operating loss carryforwards.

We account for uncertain tax positions in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 740-10, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes. We recognize the tax effects of an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not to be sustained based solely on its technical merits as of the reporting date and only in an amount more likely than not to be sustained upon review by the tax authorities. Interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions are classified in the consolidated financial statements as income tax expense.

Results of Operations

The following tables set forth our results of operations for the periods presented in dollars and as a percentage of our revenue:

     Year Ended
December 31,
     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2023     2024      2024      2025  
                  (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Revenue:

          

Commission

   $ 159,754     $ 254,926      $ 118,575      $ 183,737  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

     159,754       254,926        118,575        183,737  

Costs and expenses:

          

Sales and marketing

     107,531       148,664        73,009        108,131  

General and administrative

     21,231       22,417        11,713        21,543  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

     22,288       23,133        10,991        16,942  

Cost of revenue

     5,902       6,527        3,538        2,997  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,713       5,438        2,769        2,743  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     162,665       206,179        102,020        152,356  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     (2,911     48,747        16,555        31,381  

 

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     Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     (723     (595     (312     (1,619

Interest income

     5,792       5,599       2,794       3,062  

Other income, net

     117       185       78       58  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     5,186       5,189       2,560       1,501  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before provision for income taxes

     2,275       53,936       19,115       32,882  

Income tax expense

     (586     (5,104     (418     (2,166
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 1,689     $ 48,832     $ 18,697     $ 30,716  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months
Ended
June 30,
 
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  

Revenue:

        

Commission

     100     100     100     100
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

     100       100       100       100  

Costs and expenses:

        

Sales and marketing

     67       58       62       59  

General and administrative

     13       9       10       12  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

     14       9       9       9  

Cost of revenue

     4       3       3       2  

Depreciation and amortization

     4       2       2       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

     102       81       86       83  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

     (2     19       14       17  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest expense

     0       0       0       (1

Interest income

     4       2       2       2  

Other income, net

     0       0       0       0  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     3       2       2       1  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before provision for income taxes

     1       21       16       18  

Income tax expense

     (0     (2     (0     (1
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

     1     19     16     17
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

*Certain figures may not sum due to rounding

        
        

Comparison of the Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2025

Revenue

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,         
       2024          2025        % Change  
     (in thousands)         

DTC channel revenue.

   $ 91,477      $ 112,305        23

Third-party channel revenue

   $ 27,098      $ 71,432        164
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Revenue

   $ 118,575      $ 183,737        55

 

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Revenue increased by $65.2 million, or 55%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by a 70% increase in activated policies across both the DTC and third-party channels. DTC channel revenue grew by $20.7 million, or 23%, whereas the third-party channel revenue grew by $44.4 million, or 164%. Third-party channel revenue grew at a faster rate, primarily due to the accelerated growth of our Whole Life Insurance products, which were primarily sold through the third-party channel. These products had relatively lower coverage amounts, driving a 9% decrease in ARPU over the same period.

Costs and Expenses:

Sales and Marketing

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Sales and marketing

   $ 73,009     $ 108,131       48

Percentage of revenues

     62     59  

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $35.1 million, or 48%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. This increase was primarily driven by a $28.6 million increase in agent payments and advertising spend, as we continued to scale both our DTC and third-party channels by driving lead growth through direct marketing and brand awareness campaigns and compensating agents for volume growth. Agent payments increased by 66%, from $24.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $41.1 million for the same period in 2025, and advertising spend increased by 38%, from $33.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 to $45.4 million for the same period in 2025. Other key drivers were an increase of $1.8 million in stock-based compensation associated with a tender offer to employees we facilitated in March 2025, or the 2025 Tender Offer, and an increase of $1.4 million in personnel-related expenses as we increased headcount to support revenue growth. As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing expenses were 59% for the six months ended June 30, 2025, decreasing from 62% for the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by improved efficiency in lead generation and policy conversion.

General and Administrative

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

General and administrative

   $ 11,713     $ 21,543       84

Percentage of revenues

     10     12  

General and administrative expenses increased by $9.8 million, or 84%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $4.8 million in stock-based compensation associated with the 2025 Tender Offer, $2.2 million in personnel-related compensation expenses due to increased headcount, and $1.4 million in professional and outside services costs.

 

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Technology (Exclusive of Amortization)

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

   $ 10,991     $ 16,942       54

Percentage of revenues

     9     9  

Technology expenses increased by $6.0 million, or 54%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $2.1 million in stock-based compensation associated with the 2025 Tender Offer, an increase of $2.1 million in personnel-related compensation expenses due to headcount growth, an increase of $0.6 million in hosting fees, and an increase of $0.5 million in software and web services to support both the maintenance and expansion of our product suite and technology infrastructure.

Cost of Revenue

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Cost of revenue

   $ 3,538     $ 2,997       (15 )% 

Percentage of revenues

     3     2  

Cost of revenue expenses decreased by $0.5 million, or 15%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The decrease was primarily attributable to a $0.8 million decrease in evidence provider costs.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 2,769     $ 2,743       (1 )% 

Percentage of revenues

     2     1  

Depreciation and amortization expenses were relatively consistent between the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024 due to a $0.1 million increase in depreciation expense offsetting a $0.1 million decrease in capitalized software amortization.

Other Income (Expense):

Interest Expense

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Interest expense

   $ (312   $ (1,619     419

Percentage of revenues

     0     (1 )%   

 

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Interest expense increased by $1.3 million, or 419%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was driven by an increase in liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable in December 2024, partially offset by a reduction in previous liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable.

Interest Income

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Interest income

   $ 2,794     $ 3,062       10

Percentage of revenues

     2     2  

Interest income increased by $0.3 million, or 10%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily attributable to a higher average short-term investment and cash equivalents balance.

Income Tax Expense

 

     Six Months Ended June 30,        
       2024         2025       % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Income tax expense

   $ (418   $ (2,166     418

Percentage of revenues

     0     (1 )%   

Income tax expense increased by $1.7 million, or 418%, for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. The increase was primarily driven by an increase to the valuation allowance related to changes in temporary differences.

Comparison of the Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2024

Revenue

 

     Year Ended December 31,         
     2023      2024      % Change  
     (in thousands)         

DTC channel revenue

   $ 119,141      $ 173,736        46

Third-party channel revenue

   $ 40,613      $ 81,189        100
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total revenue

   $ 159,754      $ 254,926        60

Revenue increased by $95.2 million, or 60%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by a 77% increase in activated policies as well as a larger commission revenue adjustment from improved persistency estimates compared to the prior year period. DTC channel revenue grew by $54.6 million, or 46%, whereas third-party channel revenue grew by $40.6 million, or 100%. Third-party channel revenue grew at a faster rate primarily due to the accelerated growth of our Whole Life Insurance and Indexed Universal Life Insurance products, which were mainly sold through the third-party channel. In particular, the growth in our third-party revenue reflects increased revenue from the launch of Indexed Universal Life Insurance in September 2023 and positive agent and consumer reactions to customer experience enhancements that we made in 2024 for certain of our existing products that are primarily sold through our third-party

 

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channel. We expect that the rate of revenue growth in our DTC and third-party channels may fluctuate in future periods, depending on the frequency and timing of additional product introductions on our platform and whether such products are sold through both distribution channels. These products sold in 2024 had relatively lower coverage amounts and commission rates, driving a 10% decrease in ARPU over the same period.

Costs and Expenses:

Sales and Marketing

 

     Year Ended December 31,    

 

 
     2023     2024     % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Sales and marketing

   $ 107,531     $ 148,664       38

Percentage of revenue

     67     58  

Sales and marketing expenses increased by $41.1 million, or 38%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily driven by a $37.4 million increase in agent payments and advertising spend, as we continued to scale both our direct to consumer and third-party channels by driving lead growth through direct marketing and brand awareness campaigns and compensating agents for volume growth. Agent payments increased by 120% from $25.1 million in 2023 to $55.1 million in 2024, and advertising spend increased by 13% from $55.9 million in 2023 to $63.4 million in 2024. The increase in agent payments was primarily attributable to continued scaling of our third-party distribution channel, rather than an increase in per-policy agent payments. The second key driver was a $1.7 million increase in personnel-related expenses as we increased headcount to support growth. As a percentage of revenue, sales and marketing expenses were 58% in the year ended December 31, 2024, decreasing from 67% in the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in sales and marketing expenses as a percentage of revenue was primarily driven by improved efficiency in lead generation and policy conversion.

General and Administrative

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
     2023     2024     % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

General and administrative

   $ 21,231     $ 22,417       6

Percentage of revenue

     13     9  

General and administrative expenses increased by $1.2 million, or 6%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily attributable to an increase of $1.8 million in professional and outside services costs, $0.6 million in personnel-related compensation expenses due to increased headcount, and $0.6 million in payment processing and other general and administrative costs. These increases were in part offset by the reversal of a prior accrual of a $2.0 million loss contingency associated with a cyber incident.

Technology (Exclusive of Amortization)

 

     Year Ended December 31,         
     2023      2024      % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
        

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

   $ 22,288      $ 23,133        4

Percentage of revenue

     14%        9%     

 

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Technology expenses increased by $0.8 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.8 million increase in software and web services costs, driven in part by investments in cybersecurity, and a $0.6 million increase in professional and outside services costs to support both the maintenance and expansion of our product suite and technology infrastructure. These increases were in part offset by a $1.0 million reduction in personnel-related expenses.

Cost of Revenue

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
     2023     2024     % Change  
     (in thousands, except
percentages)
       

Cost of revenue

   $ 5,902     $ 6,527       11

Percentage of revenue

     4     3  

Cost of revenue expenses increased by $0.6 million, or 11%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily attributable to a $0.6 million increase in underwriting costs driven by growth in application and activated policy volume.

Depreciation and Amortization

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
      2023       2024      % Change  
     (in thousands,
except percentages)
       

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 5,713     $ 5,438       (5 )% 

Percentage of revenue

     4     2  

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased by $0.3 million, or 5%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by acquired intangible assets that were fully amortized during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Other Income (Expense):

Interest Expense

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
      2023       2024      % Change  
     (in thousands,
except percentages)
       

Interest expense

   $ (723   $ (595     (18 )% 

Percentage of revenue

     (0 )%      (0 )%   

Interest expense decreased by $0.1 million, or 18%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was driven by a reduction in previous liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable, partially offset by an increase in liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable in December 2024.

Interest Income

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
      2023       2024      % Change  
     (in thousands,
except percentages)
       

Interest income

   $ 5,792     $ 5,599       (3 )% 

Percentage of revenue

     4     2  

 

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Interest income decreased by $0.2 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily attributable to a lower average short-term investment and cash equivalents balance.

Income Tax Expense

 

     Year Ended December 31,        
      2023       2024      % Change  
     (in thousands,
except percentages)
       

Income tax expense

   $ (586   $ (5,104     771

Percentage of revenue

     0     (2 )%   

Income tax expense increased by $4.5 million, or 771%, for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase was primarily driven by changes to the valuation allowance as a result of increases to deferred tax liabilities associated with revenue recognition.

Quarterly Results of Operations and Other Data

The following tables set forth our unaudited quarterly statements of operations data for each of the eight quarters ended June 30, 2025, as well as the percentage of revenue that each line item represents for each quarter. The unaudited quarterly statements of operations data set forth below have been prepared on the same basis as our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and, in the opinion of management, reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that are necessary for the fair statement of such data. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected in the future, and the results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other period. The following quarterly financial data should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and, in each case, the related notes included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 
    (in thousands)  

Revenue:

               

Commission

  $ 45,315     $ 40,018     $ 62,191     $ 56,384     $ 69,827     $ 66,524     $ 94,888     $ 88,849  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    45,315       40,018       62,191       56,384       69,827       66,524       94,888       88,849  

Costs and expenses:

               

Sales and marketing

    24,920       27,143       38,666       34,343       35,569       40,086       56,383       51,748  

General and administrative

    5,516       6,350       5,870       5,843       5,961       4,743       13,396       8,147  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

    5,143       5,372       5,442       5,549       5,776       6,366       9,658       7,284  

Cost of revenue

    1,807       1,757       2,097       1,441       1,431       1,558       1,575       1,422  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,474       1,566       1,425       1,344       1,400       1,269       1,337       1,406  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

    38,860       42,188       53,500       48,520       50,137       54,022       82,349       70,007  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

    6,455       (2,170     8,691       7,864       19,690       12,502       12,539       18,842  

Other income (expense):

               

Interest expense

    (179     (170     (160     (152     (145     (138     (973     (646

Interest income

    1,587       1,519       1,389       1,405       1,483       1,322       1,513       1,549  

Other income (expense), net

    (52     33       15       63       83       24       32       26  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

    1,356       1,382       1,244       1,316       1,421       1,208       572       929  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

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    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 
    (in thousands)  

Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes

    7,811       (788     9,935       9,180       21,111       13,710       13,111       19,771  

Income tax (expense)

    (146     (147     (191     (227     (524     (4,162     (864     (1,302
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

  $ 7,665     $ (935   $ 9,744     $ 8,953     $ 20,587     $ 9,548     $ 12,247     $ 18,469  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Quarterly Trends in Revenue

Quarterly commissions increased in each period when compared to the results of the same period in the prior year due to steady growth across both our DTC and third-party channels.

Historically, commissions from our DTC channel have exhibited seasonality, most prominently in the first quarter of each calendar year due to an increase in marketing efficiency driven by seasonally strong consumer demand and relatively low advertising costs per impression.

Quarterly Trends in Expenses

Sales and marketing expenses fluctuate on a quarterly basis as we leverage our data platform to optimize the timing and magnitude of marketing campaigns across channels.

Total costs and expenses as a percentage of revenue has generally decreased for the periods presented with the exception of the three months ended March 31, 2025, which increased due to stock-based compensation expense from the 2025 Tender Offer. The expense was allocated across our Sales and marketing, General and administrative, and Technology expenses proportional to the personnel in each category.

Quarterly interest expense increased in 2025 due to an arrangement entered into in the fourth quarter of 2024 to sell a portion of our future commissions receivable in exchange for an upfront cash payment.

Quarterly Percentage of Revenue Data

The following table sets forth our unaudited consolidated statements of operations data expressed as a percentage of revenue for each of the quarterly periods presented:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 
    (in millions, except percentages)  

Revenue:

               

Commission

    100     100     100     100     100     100     100     100

Costs and expenses:

               

Sales and marketing

    55       68       62       61       51       60       59       58  

General and administrative

    12       16       9       10       9       7       14       9  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

    11       13       9       10       8       10       10       8  

Cost of revenue

    4       4       3       3       2       2       2       2  

Depreciation and amortization

    3       4       2       2       2       2       1       2  

Total costs and expenses

    86       105       86       86       72       81       87       79  

Income (loss) from operations

    14       (5     14       14       28       19       13       21  

 

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    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 
    (in millions, except percentages)  

Other income (expense):

               

Interest expense

    (0     (0     (0     (0     (0     (0     (1     (1

Interest income

    4       4       2       2       2       2       2       2  

Other income (expense), net

    (0     0       0       0       0       0       0       0  

Total other income (expense), net

    3       3       2       2       2       2       1       1  

Net income (loss) before provision for income taxes

    17       (2     16       16       30       21       14       22  

Income tax benefit (expense)

    (0     (0     (0     (0     (1     (6     (1     (1

Net income (loss)

    17     (2 %)      16     16     29     14     13     21

Quarterly Trends in Gross Profit, Net Income and Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and Related Margins:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 
    (in millions, except percentages)  

Gross Profit

  $  44     $  38     $  60     $  55     $  68     $  65     $  93     $  87  

Gross Margin

    96     96     97     97     98     98     98     98

Net Income (Loss)

  $ 8     $ (1   $ 10     $ 9     $ 21     $ 10     $ 12     $ 18  

Net Income (Loss) Margin

    17     (2 %)      16     16     29     14     13     21

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 9     $ 0     $ 11     $ 10     $ 22     $ 15     $ 24     $ 21  

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    19     1     18     18     31     22     25     23

Non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin

A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin is presented below:

 

    Three Months Ended  
    September 30,
2023
    December 31,
2023
    March 31,
2024
    June 30,
2024
    September 30,
2024
    December 31,
2024
    March 31,
2025
    June 30,
2025
 

Net income (loss)

  $ 7,665     $ (935   $ 9,744     $ 8,953     $ 20,587     $ 9,548     $ 12,247     $ 18,469  

Interest income

    (1,587     (1,519     (1,389     (1,405     (1,483     (1,322     (1,513     (1,549

Interest expense

    179       170       160       152       145       138       973       646  

Income tax expense (benefit)

    146       147       191       227       524       4,162       864       1,302  

Depreciation and amortization

    1,474       1,566       1,425       1,344       1,400       1,269       1,337       1,406  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

EBITDA

    7,877       (571     10,131       9,271       21,173       13,795       13,908       20,274  

Stock-based compensation expense

    866       824       817       783       669       897       9,814       478  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 8,743     $ 253     $ 10,948     $ 10,054     $ 21,842     $ 14,692     $ 23,722     $ 20,752  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA Margin

    19     1     18     18     31     22     25     23

 

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

Since our inception, we have financed our operations primarily through net proceeds from the issuance of our redeemable convertible preferred stock and commissions received from the sale of our products. As of June 30, 2025, our principal sources of liquidity were cash, cash equivalents, and investments of $160.8 million and working capital of $125.2 million. Cash and cash equivalents are comprised of cash held in demand deposit accounts and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Marketable securities are comprised primarily of commercial paper and investment grade U.S. and non-U.S.-issued corporate debt securities. Our principal use of cash has been to fund our operations and invest in technology to support our growth.

We have generated significant losses from operations and negative cash flows from operating activities in the past as reflected in our accumulated deficit of $142.9 million as of June 30, 2025. Our future cash flows from operating activities may fluctuate as a result of investments we continue to make across our organization. As a result, we may require additional capital resources to execute strategic initiatives to grow our business.

We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents will be sufficient to meet our working capital requirements for at least the next twelve months. However, our liquidity assumptions may prove to be incorrect, and we could utilize our available financial resources sooner than we currently expect. Our future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including our growth rate, accuracy of persistency estimates, expansion of sales and marketing activities, expansion of carrier and agency relationships, investments in technology enhancements, continued market adoption of our platform and services, and timing and amount of sales of commissions receivable. In addition, we may enter into agreements to acquire or invest in complementary businesses, products, teams, and technologies, including intellectual property rights, which could increase our cash requirements. As a result of these and other factors, we may be required to seek additional financing sooner than we currently anticipate. However, we may not be able to secure additional financing to meet our operating requirements or growth strategies on acceptable terms, or at all.

In particular, recent volatility in the global financial markets, including due to heightened inflation, rising interest rates, tariffs, and other macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical events, such as the ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and in the Middle East, and disruptions in access to bank deposits or lending commitments due to bank failures could reduce our ability to access capital and negatively affect our liquidity in the future. If we raise additional funds by issuing equity or equity-linked securities, the ownership of our existing stockholders will be diluted. If we raise additional financing by the incurrence of indebtedness, we will be subject to increased fixed payment obligations and could also be subject to restrictive covenants, such as limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, and other operating restrictions that could adversely impact our ability to conduct our business. If we are unable to obtain needed additional funds, we will have to reduce our operating costs, which would impair our growth prospects and could otherwise negatively impact our business.

 

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Cash Flows

Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 and 2025

The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the periods presented:

 

     Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2024     2025  
     (in thousands,
unaudited)
 

Net cash provided by / (used in) operating activities

   $ (8,037   $ 24,034  

Net cash provided by investing activities

     7,330       21,215  

Net cash used in financing activities

     (786     (39

Cash Flows Provided by / (Used In) Operating Activities

For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net cash provided by operating activities was $24.0 million. This was driven primarily by net income of $30.7 million, non-cash expenses of $2.7 million related to depreciation and amortization, $1.6 million related to deferred taxes, $1.6 million related to interest expense and $10.3 million related to stock-based compensation, in addition to non-cash income of $0.6 million related to the amortization of discounts and premiums of investments. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2025, significant changes in our operating assets and liabilities resulted from the following:

 

   

Increase in commissions receivable of $31.1 million due to an increase in the commissions owed to us by the insurance carriers.

 

   

Increase in prepaid and other assets of $10.7 million due primarily to growth in expected clawbacks from payments made to agents for policies sold.

 

   

Increase in accounts receivable of $8.2 million due primarily to 70% growth in activated policies.

 

   

Increase in accounts payable of $22.6 million due primarily to increase in expected commissions to be paid to carriers as a result of clawbacks.

 

   

Increase in accrued expenses of $6.1 million due primarily to an increase in accrued agent payments driven by 164% growth in third-party revenue.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, cash used in operating activities was $8.0 million. This was driven primarily by net income of $18.7 million, non-cash expenses of $2.8 million related to depreciation and amortization and $1.6 million related to stock-based compensation in addition to non-cash income of $1.8 million related to the amortization of discounts and premiums of investments. In addition, during the six months ended June 30, 2024, significant changes in our operating assets and liabilities resulted from the following:

 

   

Increase in commissions receivable of $31.2 million due to an increase in the commissions owed to us by the insurance carriers.

 

   

Increase in accounts receivable of $5.9 million due primarily to 49% growth in activated policies.

 

   

Increase in accounts payable of $9.0 million due primarily to increase in expected commissions to be paid to carriers as a result of clawbacks.

 

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Cash Flows Provided By Investing Activities

Our primary investing activities during the periods presented included purchases, sales and maturities of short-term and long-term investments.

For the six months ended June 30, 2025, net cash provided by investing activities was $21.2 million. This was primarily due to proceeds from maturity and sale of investments of $45.8 million, partially offset by purchases of investments of $22.2 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, net cash provided by investing activities was $7.3 million. This was primarily due to proceeds from maturity and sale of investments of $80.9 million, partially offset by purchases of investments of $71.3 million.

Cash Flows Used In Financing Activities

Our financing activities during the periods presented consisted primarily of proceeds or repayments related to liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable as well as payments of deferred offering costs.

For the six months ended June 30, 2025, cash used in financing activities was less than $0.1 million, which primarily consisted of payments of deferred offering costs of $1.1 million and repayments of the liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable of $4.7 million, partially offset by the sale of commissions receivable of $5.0 million and proceeds from exercise of stock options of $0.8 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2024, cash used in financing activities was $0.8 million, which primarily consisted of repayments of the liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable.

Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2024

The following table sets forth certain cash flow information for the periods presented:

 

     As of December 31,  
     2023     2024  
     (in thousands)  

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (37,124   $ (10,908

Net cash used in investing activities

     (9,159     (896

Net cash provided by / (used in) financing activities

     (1,642     21,857  

Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities

For the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash used in operating activities was $10.9 million. This was driven primarily by net income of $48.8 million, non-cash expenses of $5.4 million related to depreciation and amortization, $3.9 million related to deferred taxes, and $3.2 million related to stock-based compensation, in addition to non-cash income of $3.1 million related to the amortization of discounts and premiums of investments. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2024, significant changes in our operating assets and liabilities resulted from the following:

 

   

Increase in long-term commissions receivable of $53.9 million due to an increase in the commissions owed to us by the insurance carriers.

 

   

Increase in prepaid and other assets of $23.9 million due primarily to growth in expected clawbacks from payments made to agents for policies sold.

 

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Increase in accounts receivable of $13.6 million due primarily to 77% growth in activated policies.

 

   

Increase in accounts payable of $12.7 million due primarily to increase in expected commissions to be paid to carriers as a result of clawbacks.

 

   

Increase in other current liabilities of $12.4 million due primarily to a reclassification of contract asset balances to contract liabilities.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $37.1 million. This was driven primarily by net income of $1.7 million, non-cash expenses of $5.7 million related to depreciation and amortization, an increase in commissions receivable of $29.1 million relating to an increase in volume of activated policies sold in the year ended December 31, 2023, $3.6 million related to stock-based compensation, and non-cash income of $3.6 million related to the amortization of discounts and premiums of investments.

Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities

Our primary investing activities during the periods presented included purchases, sales and maturities of short-term and long-term investments.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, net cash used in investing activities was $0.9 million. This was primarily due to purchases of investments of $154.7 million offset by proceeds from maturity and sale of investments of $158.4 million.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, net cash used in investing activities was $9.2 million. This was primarily due to purchases of investments of $154.2 million offset by proceeds from maturity and sale of investments of $149.9 million.

Cash Flows Provided By / (Used In) Financing Activities

Our financing activities during the periods presented consisted primarily of proceeds or repayments related to liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by financing activities was $21.9 million, which primarily consisted of proceeds from the sale of commissions receivable of $23.6 million, offset by repayments of the liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable of $1.9 million. In December 2024, we sold a portion of our commissions receivable to an unaffiliated third party re-insurer for upfront cash, as further described in Note 11 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. We may consider entering into such arrangements in the future depending on our capital and business needs.

For the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in financing activities was $(1.6) million, which primarily consisted of repayments of the liabilities related to the sale of commissions receivable.

Contractual Obligations and Commitments

Our operating lease commitments primarily include corporate offices. As of June 30, 2025, we had fixed lease payment obligations of $2.6 million, with $0.9 million to be paid within 12 months and the remainder thereafter. For additional discussion on our operating leases, see Note 10 to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus.

 

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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

We are exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of our business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact our financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Our market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates.

Interest Rate Risk

We did not have any long-term borrowings as of June 30, 2025.

We invest our excess cash primarily in commercial paper and money market accounts. Our current investment strategy seeks first to preserve principal, second to provide liquidity for our operating and capital needs and third to maximize yield without putting our principal at risk.

Our investments are exposed to market risk due to the fluctuation of prevailing interest rates that may reduce the yield on our investments or their fair value. We do not believe an immediate 10% increase in interest rates would have a material effect on the fair market value of our portfolio, and therefore we do not expect our results of operations or cash flows to be materially affected to any degree by a sudden change in market interest rates.

Foreign Currency Exchange Risk

The functional currencies of our foreign subsidiaries are the respective local currencies. Substantially all of our sales are denominated in U.S. dollars, and therefore our revenue is not currently subject to any significant foreign currency risk. Our operating expenses are denominated in the currencies of the countries in which our operations are located, which are primarily in the United States, Singapore and India. Our consolidated results of operations and cash flows are, therefore, subject to fluctuations due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates and may be adversely affected in the future due to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. To date, we have not entered into any hedging arrangements with respect to foreign currency risk or other derivative financial instruments. We do not believe a hypothetical 10% increase or decrease in the relative value of the U.S. dollar to other currencies would have a material effect on our operating results.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Management’s discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations is based on our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue, costs, and expenses and related disclosures. Our estimates are based on our historical experience and on various other factors that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities and the amount of revenue and expenses that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions, and any such differences may be material. We believe that of our significant accounting policies, which are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus, the following accounting policies involve a greater degree of judgment and complexity. Accordingly, these are the policies we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our consolidated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

 

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Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer, in the amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

Our revenue comes in the form of commissions paid to us by insurance carriers for the provision of placement and TPA services. We recognize revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and recognizes an amount that reflects the consideration that an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. We apply the following five step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the contract with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.

Our primary customers are the insurance carriers that it contracts with to provide placement and/or TPA services through direct and indirect sales channels, related to consumers and partnerships with insurance agencies, respectively. We earn commissions for first year and renewal policies from the insurance carriers for both placement and TPA services. The contracts with the insurance carriers are non-exclusive and can typically be terminated unilaterally by either party. We review individual contracts to determine our legal and enforceable rights to renewal commissions upon contract termination when determining variable consideration.

We review each contract with customers to determine what promises we must deliver and which of these promises are capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract. The delivery of new policyholders to the insurance carriers is the only material promise specified within the contracts. After a policy is sold, we have no material additional or recurring obligations to the policyholder or the insurance carrier.

Our contracts do not include downstream policyholder activities such as claims support or payment collection services. While the primary promise is the sale of policies, some contracts include the promise to provide TPA services to policyholders on behalf of the insurance carrier such as responding to policyholder inquiries regarding coverage or providing proof of insurance. We have reviewed and do not have any material ongoing costs for the provision of insurance placement or TPA services. As a result, for a given policy, our performance obligation to insurance carriers is met upon the issuance and activation of an insurance policy.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration we expect to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The transaction price is identified as the first year commission due upon the initial sale of a policy as well as an estimate of renewal commissions. The estimates of renewal commissions are considered variable consideration and require significant judgment including determining the number of periods in which a renewal will occur and the value of those renewal commissions to be received if renewed.

For renewal commissions, we utilize the expected value approach. This approach is based on persistency to estimate renewal commissions at the time of policy activations considering historical data and performance, and we recognize adjustments in revenue for differences in actual commissions received versus persistency estimates. Our persistency estimates incorporate a combination of historical lapse and performance of the placed policy, available insurance carrier experience data, historical payment data by distribution channel, and insurance carrier to estimate forecasted renewal consideration and constrain revenue recognized to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The uncertainty associated

 

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with the variable consideration related to each periodic policy renewal is subsequently resolved when the policy renews, and adjustments in variable consideration are recognized in the period incurred.

We recognize all commissions expected to be received over the expected life of the insurance policy at the policy effective date which is when it has completed its performance obligation for both placement and TPA services. At the policy effective date, we apply its management estimate of policyholder persistency; the attrition rate of policy holders who cease to maintain their insurance policy, due to cancellation or mortality, and accrues a churn reserve based on industry data and our experience in the industry and with different carriers.

We continuously evaluate the assumptions and inputs into its calculation of renewal commissions. As a result of these continuous evaluations, we recognize adjustments for revenue from prior periods when the cash collections are different from the estimated constrained renewal commissions. These adjustments are a result of a change in estimate of expected cash collections when actual cash collections differ from the estimated constrained renewal commissions for the revenue recognized at the time of approval. These adjustments can be positive or negative and are recognized using actual experience from policy renewals.

Commissions Receivable

The estimated variable consideration related to performance obligations that have been satisfied but for which payment is not yet due is classified as commissions receivable. Commissions receivable are contract assets and are reclassified as accounts receivable when the rights to payment become unconditional (upon renewal of the underlying policy). Commissions receivable represent the variable consideration for policies that have not renewed yet and therefore are subject to the same assumptions, judgments, and estimates used when recognizing revenue as noted above.

Liabilities Related to Sale of Commissions Receivable

From time to time, we enter into agreements to sell a portion of our commissions receivable. We account for the sale of future rights to commissions from insurance carriers as debt, amortized under the effective interest method. We have elected to use the prospective method in the calculation of the effective interest rate and will update this calculation quarterly when there are changes in the projected cash flows. The amortization of the liabilities is based on our current estimates of future commission payments, which represents the variable consideration for policies that have not renewed yet and therefore are subject to the same assumptions, judgments and estimates used when recognizing revenue as noted above.

Stock-Based Compensation

We measure and recognize our stock-based compensation expense for stock options based on the estimated fair value of the award. We use the Black-Scholes-Merton pricing model to determine the grant date fair value of stock options. For awards with service conditions only, stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the awards, which is generally the vesting period. For awards with both a time and liquidity event condition, stock-based compensation expense is recognized using the accelerated-attribution method over the estimated vesting period of the awards if and when we conclude that it is probable that the liquidity event condition will be achieved. We reassess the probability of vesting at each reporting period for awards with liquidity event conditions and adjust compensation expense based on its probability assessment. We account for forfeitures as they occur.

We measure and recognize our stock-based compensation expense for RSUs based on the estimated fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Our RSUs vest upon the

 

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satisfaction of both a time and liquidity event condition. We recognize compensation expense for awards with both a time and liquidity event condition on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each separately vesting portion of the award and, for awards with liquidity event conditions, when we conclude it is probable that the liquidity event condition will be achieved. We reassess the probability of vesting at each balance sheet date and adjust compensation expense based on the probability assessment.

We continue to use judgment in evaluating the expected volatility and expected term utilized in our stock-based compensation expense calculation on a prospective basis. As we continue to accumulate additional data related to our common stock, we may refine our estimates of expected volatility and expected term, which could materially impact our future stock-based compensation expense.

As of June 30, 2025, total unrecognized stock-based compensation cost related to unvested RSUs was $115,674 million, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.07 years. Following the completion of this offering, stock-based compensation expense related to our RSUs will result in increases in our expenses in future periods, in particular the quarter in which this offering is completed for RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be fully or partially satisfied and for which the liquidity event condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

After the closing of this offering, based on RSUs outstanding as of June 30, 2025, we expect that approximately     ,     , and     RSUs will satisfy their service-based vesting conditions by each of      ,      , and     , respectively, assuming no forfeitures. We may delay the settlement of certain of these vested RSUs until after the expiration of lock-up agreements and market stand-off provisions described elsewhere in this prospectus.

Common Stock Valuations

Since June 2018, we have obtained periodic valuation analyses prepared by independent third-party valuation firms to assist us with the determination of the fair value of our common stock. The valuation firms utilized approaches and methodologies consistent with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as Compensation and information provided by our management, including historical and projected financial statements, prospects and risks, our performance, various corporate documents, capitalization, and economic and financial market conditions. The third-party valuation firms also utilized other economic, industry, and market information obtained from other resources considered reliable. The valuation analyses were reviewed by management and the board of directors in conjunction with stock-based compensation grants. Management and our board of directors have considered these valuation analyses and other qualitative and quantitative factors to determine the best estimate of the fair value of our common stock at each stock option, RSU, or warrant grant date. These factors included:

 

   

the results of contemporaneous valuations of our common stock at periodic intervals, performed by independent third-party specialists;

 

   

the prices, right, preferences, and privileges of our redeemable convertible preferred stock relative to those of our common stock;

 

   

the prices paid for redeemable convertible preferred stock sold to third-party investors by our Company and prices paid in secondary transactions for shares repurchased by us in arm’s-length transactions, including any tender offers;

 

   

the lack of marketability of our common stock;

 

   

our actual operating and financial results;

 

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our current business conditions and projections;

 

   

the hiring of key personnel and the experience of our management;

 

   

our stage of development;

 

   

operational, financial, and market performance of companies considered comparable to our Company;

 

   

likelihood of achieving certain liquidity events, such as a sale or merger or initial public offering, or IPO, given prevailing market conditions; and

 

   

the U.S. and global capital market conditions.

The valuation analyses employed market and income approaches to estimate our enterprise value and allocated our enterprise value among our various equity classes utilizing option pricing, or OPM, and probability-weighted expected return, or PWERM, methods. The valuation analyses were based on contemporaneous information as of each respective valuation date.

Under the income approach, specifically the discounted cash flow, or DCF method, forecast cash flows are discounted to the present value at a risk-adjusted discount rate. The valuation analyses determine discrete free cash flows over several years based on forecast financial information provided by our management and a terminal value for the residual period beyond the discrete forecast, which are discounted at our estimated weighted average cost of capital to estimate our enterprise value.

Under the market approach, the guideline public company method and subject company transaction method were considered. The guideline public company method involves selecting publicly traded companies with similar financial and operating characteristics as us and calculating valuation multiples based on the guideline public company’s financial information and market data. Based on the observed valuation multiples, an appropriate multiple was selected to apply to our financial statistics. The same set of guideline public companies was utilized for both the common stock valuation and the expected volatility estimate for the valuation of the stock-based compensation awards. The subject company transaction method involves the utilization of a company’s own relevant stock transactions, such as a preferred stock issuance, to calculate the enterprise value based on the transaction price of the stock.

After determining an estimate of the fair value of the enterprise, the valuation analyses allocated the enterprise value among the equity classes outstanding at each valuation date utilizing the OPM, specifically the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. The OPM requires inputs for the exercise price, term, expected volatility, and risk-free rate. The exercise prices were calculated based on the enterprise values at which the equity classes either begin or stop participating in the next incremental enterprise value, which were determined based on the liquidation preferences and conversion rights of each equity class. The term was the estimated time to a liquidity event, such as a sale or merger or IPO, which was determined based on information provided by our management and outside research. The expected volatility for the enterprise was estimated based on a historical analysis of publicly traded companies with similar financial and operating characteristics as us and consideration of the relative differences between us and the selected comparable companies, such as stage of development, earning margins, leverage, and other risk factors. The risk-free rates were based on U.S. treasury securities with terms to maturity consistent with the estimated time to a liquidity event.

The PWERM was utilized starting on May 31, 2024, which was determined to be appropriate given the expectation of a liquidity event in the near-term (approximately zero to two years) and a more discrete distribution of likely liquidity events. Under the PWERM, the fair value of common stock is estimated based on likely liquidity event scenarios. For each identified liquidity scenario, it is necessary to estimate the timing to a liquidity event, future enterprise value, probability of occurrence, and risk-adjusted discount rate. The valuation analyses estimated the future enterprise values utilizing the

 

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guideline public company method and information provided by our management. The timing to each liquidity event and the probability of occurrence were estimated based on information provided by our management and outside research. The risk-adjusted discount rates were estimated based on market data and outside research of required rates of return for companies at a similar stage of development and risk factors. The future enterprise values under each scenario were allocated to the various equity classes based on the liquidation preferences and conversion rights of each equity class. The future values for each equity class under each scenario were discounted to a present value at the selected risk-adjusted discount rate. The present values under each scenario were probability-weighted to determine the value of common stock before applicable discounts.

After obtaining the value allocated to the common stock under either the OPM or PWERM, a discount was considered to adjust for the fact that a share of common stock is a minority, non-marketable interest. The discounts are determined based on qualitative and quantitative analyses.

We derived the estimated fair value per share as of each grant date by applying a linear proration of fair values between the valuation performed immediately prior to each set of grants and the valuation performed after each set of grants.

As of June 30, 2025, total unrecognized compensation expense, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested awards was $116,001 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.06 years.

Based upon an estimated offering price of $    per share, which is the midpoint of the offering price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, the options and warrants would have an intrinsic value of approximately $    million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus for a description of recently adopted accounting pronouncements and recently issued accounting pronouncements not yet adopted.

 

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BUSINESS

Company Overview

Our Mission

Our mission is to protect families by democratizing access to life insurance and empowering agents at scale.

To achieve this mission, we built Ethos, a three-sided technology platform that transforms the buying, selling, and risk management experience of life insurance for consumers, agents, and carriers alike.

The Problem with the Legacy Life Insurance Process

Life insurance is a pillar of financial security. It provides individuals and their families peace of mind and financial protection against unforeseen events.

While technology has transformed almost every important personal and financial experience, from education to buying a home, banking, or investing, the experience of purchasing, selling, and administering life insurance has not meaningfully improved in several decades:

 

   

Consumers: Consumers today face slow, complex, and opaque application processes that often discourage them from obtaining the coverage they need.

 

   

Agents: Agents are required to navigate complex underwriting guidelines and rely on legacy, disparate technology applications that distract from insurance sales, create long sales cycles, and make case management labor-intensive.

 

   

Carriers: Carriers rely on analog underwriting processes and siloed data, which limits the speed and scale at which they can distribute policies.

As a result, there is a significant need for a new approach to life insurance in the United States. In 2024, 42% of American adults recognized they needed life insurance coverage but did not purchase it due to multiple reasons, notably the complexity of the products, perceived cost, and other financial priorities, according to the Life Insurance Marketing and Research Association, or LIMRA, a leading research organization for insurance and financial services companies.

Value Proposition to Consumers, Agents, and Carriers

Through our three-sided technology platform, we serve a growing ecosystem of consumers, agents, and carriers, each of which benefits from the scale, ease-of-use, and efficiency of our platform. This creates strong network effects that drive our continued growth.

Since inception, we have activated over 450,000 policies, and as of June 30, 2025, we had over 10,000 active selling agents and several active carriers on our platform.

 

   

Consumers: We remove the friction from buying life insurance with a 100% digital application and underwriting process that includes transparent pricing, a few health questions driven by our proprietary underwriting engine instead of lengthy and invasive medical exams, and decisions in minutes for almost all consumers.

 

   

Agents: Our platform is designed to enable agents to sell more policies and get paid quickly across a broad portfolio of products. We provide agents with an all-in-one agent operating system, or Agent OS, that streamlines quoting, application submission, and policy management. This reduces case management work and streamlines payments infrastructure, all of which substantially increase an agent’s time available to prospect and sell.

 

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Carriers: We help life insurance carriers expand their consumer and agent reach in a manner designed to optimize risk selection and profitability, as carriers assume the insurance risk of the underlying policies. We do not assume balance sheet risk for the policies on our platform.

Our Platform

Our technology platform is fully digital and vertically integrated. We simplify the insurance value chain from distribution to underwriting, activation, payments, and administration. Combining key elements of the insurance sales and administrative process into a singular platform enables us to build insurance products quickly, dynamically adjust underwriting and pricing, and rapidly iterate to deliver a delightful consumer and agent experience.

Our platform makes the application process faster and more accessible for consumers and agents while reducing errors, including by validating disclosures against third-party data in real-time. Our proprietary underwriting engine leverages predictive and real-time data acquired with the consent of the applicant to create a bespoke information graph that allows us to instantly assess risk and deliver quick, competitively priced policies with high approval rates. Once issued, our cloud-native policy administration system provides consumers with seamless servicing and billing. The unified, end-to-end nature of our platform enables us to collect and analyze granular data across the entire consumer and agent journey. We then identify patterns across cohorts to continuously optimize our underwriting and improve conversion and platform usability.

Our technology platform is extensible, demonstrated by our ability to launch and scale new life insurance and estate planning products. This has enabled us to expand our offerings from just one product in 2019 to ten as of December 31, 2024. We have launched multiple Term Life Insurance and Whole Life Insurance products, and an Indexed Universal Life Insurance product, as well as Wills & Estate Planning. As a result, we have achieved significant scale with broad demographic and geographic distribution. We have activated over 450,000 policies, and these consumers come from a wide range of educational backgrounds, income levels, and ages, consistent with our mission of democratizing access to life insurance. Our technology platform continuously improves as we scale and collect data, which further refines underwriting accuracy, pricing efficiency, and our platform engagement strategy to create durable network effects.

Our Business Model

Our business model is capital and asset light and highly scalable. In contrast to a traditional carrier model, we do not assume balance sheet risk for the policies sold on our platform. We power the technology, distribution, digital underwriting, and consumer experience while our insurance carriers assume the underlying insurance risk of the policies.

We have achieved significant scale and rapid growth, and have expanded our margins since inception. The number of activated policies on our platform increased by 77% from 72,018 in the year ended December 31, 2023 to 127,018 in the year ended December 31, 2024, and increased by 70% from 55,656 in the six months ended June 30, 2024 to 94,405 in the six months ended June 30, 2025. Our revenue for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2023 and 2024 was $104 million, $160 million and $255 million, respectively, representing increases of 53% and 60%. Over the same period, we also increased our gross profit margin from 96% to 97%, respectively, and Contribution Margin from 32% to 41%, respectively. Our revenue for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 was $119 million and $184 million, respectively, representing an increase of 55%. Over the same period, we also increased our gross profit margin from 97% to 98%, respectively, and Contribution Margin from 37% to 43%, respectively. In the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, our net income margin was 1% and 19%, and our Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased from 4% to 23%. In the six months ended June 30, 2024 and

 

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2025, our net income margin was 16% and 17% and our Adjusted EBITDA Margin increased from 18% to 24%. For more information about Contribution Margin and Adjusted EBITDA Margin, including the limitations of such measures and a reconciliation of each metric to its most directly comparable financial measure under GAAP, see the section titled “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations–Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”

The Ethos Platform

We operate a vertically integrated platform transforming how life insurance is bought and sold through end-to-end distribution, underwriting, and policy administration. Our platform is natively built on a unified data infrastructure and our technology allows for continuous platform improvement, creating network effects as we scale.

 

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Vertically Integrated

Our vertical integration yields comprehensive data and insights across the value chain, enabling us to deliver superior value to consumers, agents, and carriers, while continuously improving our platform. By integrating multiple carriers on our unified platform, we are also able to offer a wider array of products tailored to various consumer profiles, creating a significant competitive advantage that compounds over time and helps us achieve our mission of democratizing access to life insurance.

Distribution

We believe we have transformed distribution for constituents in the life insurance value chain, simplifying and improving the policy experience for consumers, agents, and carriers alike.

We serve consumers by unifying the direct-to-consumer, or DTC, and third-party distribution channels on a single digital platform. This integrated model creates powerful flywheel effects: consumer marketing drives brand visibility and inbound interest from agents leading to higher sales and data captured from both channels that collectively improve our platform.

Our data engine and machine learning models identify patterns from historical consumer cohorts and use that data to predict purchase behavior, consumer lifetime values, and underwriting outcomes early in the funnel, improving our targeting while offering consumers an experience that is personalized to their needs.

 

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Our platform also integrates with third-party channels such as fintech companies via application programming interfaces, or APIs, allowing these companies to quote, process, and activate policies within their own platform. This further expands our reach and reinforces our distribution.

Underwriting

Our proprietary underwriting engine leverages real-time, sophisticated data analytics designed to deliver faster decision-making and higher approval rates at competitive prices compared to traditional models.

Traditional underwriting often requires in-person blood tests, urine analysis, and medical exams, as well as time-intensive, static, fillable forms. Such processes can take several weeks and subsequently can result in denial of coverage. With our digital technology platform, the majority of applicants receive a decision within ten minutes of starting their application. We leverage the services of reputable third-party vendors to efficiently obtain necessary medical information for our underwriting system to provide carriers with the information they need to approve policy issuances. These vendors include, among others, Milliman, TransUnion, and MIB Group, and they source data including credit-based insurance scores, driving records, prescription data, medical records, and other consumer information. When applicants first engage with our platform through any channel, they answer a few questions regarding their life insurance goals and medical history. Applicants then provide the necessary authorizations and consents directly through our platform before we obtain any third-party information regarding the applicant. Once such consents are obtained, our underwriting engine collects relevant third-party data from our third-party vendors and combines that data with consumer-submitted application information to generate a holistic information graph for carriers, supporting their individualized risk assessments and allowing them to rapidly arrive at an underwriting decision. Our underwriting engine is designed to share this information with carriers only to the extent permitted by the applicants’ authorizations. As we grow in scale and collect more data, we continue to refine and improve our underwriting system’s decision-making accuracy, allowing us to maintain our approval speeds while staying within our carriers’ acceptable ranges of mortality predictiveness. For example, our large and growing volume of policy applications gives us differentiated insights into decision-making accuracy across multiple risk dimensions, providing pricing adjustment insights and refinements to product-market fit, in addition to fueling the speed of approvals. We also work with our carriers to mitigate accuracy issues further through customer post-issue audits.

Our underwriting engine ingests up to 250,000 data points per application, including prescription history, credit-based insurance scores, historical underwriting outcomes and motor vehicle records. Importantly, it is designed to intelligently determine which data is most relevant for each individual consumer, which minimizes both cost and friction in the process. Our underwriting engine then combines such relevant third-party data with consumer-submitted application data to create a proprietary information graph that allows us to identify and assess risk instantly in an individualized manner. This scale of data integration and evaluation is difficult to achieve and is powered by our proprietary technology. When paired with our comprehensive product suite spanning a broad array of risk profiles, 95% of applicants receive decisions instantly based on internal data compared to four to eight weeks on average for traditional underwriting processes.

As a testament to our capabilities, many of our carriers entrust us with underwriting administration and execution. In these arrangements, we administer underwriting pursuant to certain standards that we develop and modify as necessary pursuant to carrier-specific requirements. The final standards, as agreed to by carriers, are set forth in carrier-specific manuals or guidelines. These standards are specific to each carrier and also vary by product, and address matters such as persistency, mortality, and post-issue audits. These standards generally apply consistently regardless of whether a policy is activated on our platform through our DTC channel or third-party channel, including APIs. These standards provide

 

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the framework within which our underwriting engine operates. Our underwriting engine continuously improves with each application processed, refining logic-based rules for risk selection, optimizing pricing, and enhancing approval rates, which drives better unit economics for us and our carriers.

Policy Administration

Our cloud-native policy administration system is able to automate significant portions of the full policy lifecycle, from issuance to servicing and policyholder payments. These services include dynamic contract generation, payment processing and reinstatements, endorsements (policy changes such as coverage amount or beneficiary updates), full servicing workflows (including consumer self-service), and structured data pipelines for auditing and compliance reporting. Owning our own policy administration stack allows us to deploy new product features, pricing updates, and carrier configurations in days, not quarters. This reduces unnecessary integration with, and reliance on, legacy carrier systems, which tend to be less flexible and therefore slower to iterate or improve.

Platform Extensibility

Our integrated distribution, underwriting, and policy administration capabilities enable us to efficiently develop and scale new products. We leverage ongoing feedback from agents, which is grounded in their understanding of consumer demand, to help guide product development. We also collaborate with carriers to introduce additional offerings that expand their distribution reach and broaden our product suite on our platform.

We continue to remain active in product development, including launching Indexed Universal Life Insurance in September 2023 and enhancing the consumer experience for certain of our existing products in 2024. We believe that our ability to rapidly develop and launch new products sets us apart. For example, we launched one of our most recent Term Life Insurance products in less than half of the industry average product development time based on average timelines cited in a 2023 Deloitte study.

 

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Network Effects

Our technology platform benefits from three key network effects:

 

   

Data Advantage: Because we vertically integrate the distribution, underwriting and administration of policies, we are able to gather and utilize data across the entire consumer journey. As more consumers apply for policies through our platform, our machine-learning

 

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driven consumer intelligence engine strengthens and adapts, resulting in optimized targeting in marketing, better consumer experiences, and improved conversion, allowing us to scale efficiently. As we underwrite more policies, our underwriting engine leverages these insights to optimize our risk assessment, which improves the unit economics for us and our carriers.

 

   

Platform Engagement: Our data advantage, increasing scale, and risk-management expertise lead to more carriers joining our platform for incremental growth. As we add new carriers, our existing agents have a broader and more competitive suite of products to sell. This broader offering enables us to attract more agents and agencies onto our platform and strengthens our consumer value proposition and marketing efficiency.

 

   

Economies of Scale: As more agents engage with our platform, we can more efficiently leverage the fixed costs associated with building our platform across a larger agent base. This more efficient cost structure allows us to invest more heavily in improving our agent experience and agent incentives. These improvements help attract new agencies and grow our agent base, which further compounds our scale.

 

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Our Ecosystem — Who We Serve

Our platform connects thousands of consumers and agents, and multiple agencies and carriers daily.

Why Consumers Choose Ethos: Life Insurance Reimagined for the Digital Age

We aim to make buying life insurance as seamless and intuitive as any modern e-commerce experience—fast, transparent, and entirely online. We believe we have revolutionized the application process, enabling consumers to apply and receive decisions in minutes, not weeks. The consumer experience on the Ethos platform eliminates the cumbersome medical exams and extensive paperwork of traditional processes. Our NPS score is 70, compared to the carrier industry average of 14.

We also believe in transparency and value. Consumers have traditionally faced an opaque and confusing array of policy options. Our consumers benefit from competitive pricing from the start,

 

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ensuring confidence in their coverage. We streamline life insurance selection with precision, recommending the optimal policy available on our platform for each consumer at a risk-adjusted price and ensuring clarity, confidence and the right coverage without unnecessary complexity or hidden surprises.

Why Agents Choose Ethos: Empowering Growth and Efficiency

Without Ethos, agents rely on antiquated technology with multiple logins, consumer relationship management, or CRM, platforms, contracting and compensation systems, and quoting tools that lead to fragmented and tedious consumer outreach and case management. Our operating system empowers agents to improve the efficiency of their outreach and increase conversion while making it easier to manage their business. Our end-to-end digital platform streamlines carrier contracting, quoting, applications, and policy management, freeing agents to focus on what they do best: selling policies, rather than administrative work. Additionally, we have added features and functionalities to our platform that help agencies recruit more agents, enhance agent efficiency, and boost overall productivity—delivering better outcomes for agencies, agents, carriers, and us.

With our agent platform, agents can enroll in minutes, acquire high-intent leads, sell a policy the same day, and get paid as early as the next day. Our CRM capabilities enable continuous and efficient engagement with current and prospective consumers. We believe our proprietary underwriting engine leads to faster approvals, helping agents close more policies in less time. Real-time tracking of consumer application status and automated payouts help agents optimize their cash flow, all while avoiding administrative burdens. Additionally, we enhance the agent experience through incentives and a structured loyalty program that rewards performance, encourages engagement, and fosters long-term retention. By making the sales process more rewarding and interactive, we help agents boost their productivity and stay motivated to grow their business with us.

Why Carriers Succeed with Us: Expanding Reach and Optimizing Risk

Our carriers are integral to our success. We are dedicated to helping carriers expand their consumer base through additional distribution, underwriting, and policy administration, as well as to bring new products to market quickly. For our top three carriers by distribution, who are also our longest tenured carriers and include Ameritas, Legal & General America, and TruStage, we were their largest source of life insurance premiums in 2024.

Carriers often still rely heavily on decades-old technology infrastructure. As a result, sales and underwriting cycles remain long and inefficient. Our platform provides carriers new growth opportunities by reaching digital-first consumers and a growing network of tech-enabled agents, with higher underwriting efficiencies. Our proprietary underwriting model uses real-time data to optimize risk assessment while maintaining strong risk controls. Our commitment to carriers is a top priority, and we take extensive steps to assess and improve the efficacy of our digital underwriting process. For example, we have performed over 100,000 post-issue audits on activated policies (approximately 25% of activated policies to date) to validate digital underwriting information. We also provide carriers with full-service policy administration, which minimizes their internal resource requirements and simplifies the path to distribution at scale. Our carriers enjoy seamless integration with our data infrastructure, which connects with existing systems for rapid deployment and value creation.

Our Opportunity

There is a Significant Coverage Gap for Life Insurance Today

Life insurance represents a vast market opportunity in the United States, driven by millions of life events each year that heighten the demand for comprehensive coverage. Welcoming a new child,

 

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purchasing a home, saving for higher education, reaching retirement age, or experiencing the loss of a loved one are examples of key life milestones that drive this demand. In 2024, 3.6 million children were born in America according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 5.0 million Americans purchased homes according to the U.S. Census Bureau and the National Association of Realtors, 19.3 million enrolled for college in the United States according to College Enrollment & Student Demographic Statistics, 4.1 million Americans reached the age of 65 according to Alliance for Lifetime Income, and 12.5 million Americans mourned the loss of a loved one according to the Recovery Village Grief Statistics.

These recurring life events result in a persistent annual influx of new consumers seeking life insurance. Despite this demand, a significant need gap persists. According to LIMRA, 42% of American adults in 2024 recognized a need for life insurance but were deterred by the perceived cost and complexity of the products. The industry’s lack of innovation and reliance on traditional methods create an opportunity for technology-driven solutions. Our platform leverages technology and network effects to increase our market share.

The cumbersome nature of legacy life insurance processes has led insurers and agents to increasingly focus on the high net worth segment, where the complexity and cost of servicing are offset by larger premiums and higher lifetime commission value. We believe this focus has left a significant untapped opportunity in the mass affluent and middle market segments, where there is a growing demand for simplified and accessible life insurance solutions. We are well positioned to address this gap by offering streamlined, technology-driven solutions that cater to a broader market segment, thereby expanding our reach and impact.

Ethos Addresses a Large and Growing Market Opportunity

Ethos effectively bridges the life insurance need gap by offering accessible coverage and underwriting 95% of applicants instantly based on internal data. Term Life Insurance, Whole Life Insurance, and Indexed Universal Life Insurance, each offered on our platform, represented an aggregate of $12.6 billion of annual new policy premiums in the industry for the year ended December 31, 2024. The markets for these products have demonstrated consistent demand through economic cycles, with an average of approximately 10 million individuals purchasing new policies annually over the past decade, according to the American Council of Life Insurers. As we expand into new products, such as Variable Universal Life and Fixed Indexed Annuities, our market opportunity could grow to over $140 billion of new premiums a year.

Limitations Burden Existing Carriers Today

Traditional life insurers face challenges in bridging the life insurance need gap due to outdated infrastructure and the substantial investment required for modernization. With all of the top 20 carriers being over 100 years old, these insurers often focus on maintaining third-party provided legacy systems given the complexity associated with transitioning to new systems. Legacy processes often rely on human underwriters who manually review data, resulting in slow, inconsistent decision-making that limits scalability. Consequently, modern third-party provided systems lack the sophistication of our natively built platform and instead typically store data in disparate, inaccessible, poorly structured formats, complicating integration and analysis.

Over the last decade, the life insurance industry has been transitioning from captive agents tied to a single carrier to independent agents offering products from multiple insurers. This trend is driven by consumer demand for choice, price transparency, and tailored coverage. According to LIMRA, independent agents distributed 53% of premiums in 2023, up 8% from 2013. This shift presents operational challenges for carriers, who must now compete in a broker-driven environment without a

 

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dedicated agent salesforce. Consequently, carriers need to invest in agent-friendly tools, simplify underwriting, and offer competitive products to attract independent agents and agencies focused on consumer value rather than brand loyalty.

Consumer Demand for DTC Sales Positions Ethos for Success

According to LIMRA, approximately 90% of life insurance premiums are sold through agents. We believe DTC sales will continue to gain traction as consumers increasingly expect a digital end-to-end experience. The United States auto insurance sector has demonstrated this preference shift: Progressive wrote 56% of its personal auto premiums through DTC channels for the year ended December 31, 2024 according to company filings. Life insurance is undergoing a similar transformation, and we believe Ethos is positioned to lead and benefit from this transition with its modern, technology-first platform.

Our Competitive Strengths

Extensible Platform Drives Growth and Efficiency

Our technology platform is extensible, enabling us to scale more rapidly and more efficiently than traditional carriers. Built on a unified data infrastructure, our digitally native platform can launch products quickly, enhance product design, and update pricing in real-time. This allows us to leverage platform development costs across a broad base of products and distribution, maximizing efficiency and return on investment. For example, we migrated an existing Whole Life Insurance product from a carrier purchase experience to our digitally native platform in during three months ended March 31, 2024. As a result, total policy activations for this product grew 314% in 2024 compared to 163% in 2023. In addition, we believe our platform compares favorably to other non-traditional insurance companies in our industry. While many non-traditional insurance companies have implemented elements of automated underwriting to some degree, we believe our platform’s underwriting engine is competitively differentiated in its ability to ingest and analyze a wide range of data sources and identify which data points are most relevant to each individual applicant, both at scale. For example, we are able to deliver underwriting decisions for the majority of applicants within ten minutes, and deliver instant decisions for 95% of applicants based on internal data. Our platform’s scale enhances our underwriting engine and results by continuously generating additional data points that support ongoing refinement of our underwriting model. Further, because our platform is fully native, unlike many non-traditional insurance companies, we can analyze data across the entire ecosystem, from the application engine, underwriting engine, payments and commissions, and marketing infrastructure, allowing us to continuously improve our platform.

Multi-Carrier Relationship Model Delivers Value to Consumers and Agents

Unlike traditional insurers that typically focus on specific market segments and risk classes, our business model encompasses a wide range of products and risk categories within the life insurance sector. We work with multiple carriers, including a range of established national insurers with varied underwriting capabilities and product strengths, selected based on how well their capabilities align with a product’s design, underwriting needs, and intended risk and customer profile. These carriers vary in their strengths across product types, such as Term Life Insurance, Whole Life, and Indexed Universal Life Insurance.

When evaluating a new product opportunity, we engage with multiple carriers to assess their interest level, underwriting capabilities, growth capacity, and willingness to support specific product characteristics, such as pricing structure, risk profile, and underwriting requirements. This approach enables us to select the carrier or carriers best positioned to support the product’s distribution, underwriting, and performance

 

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objectives. The optimal carrier partner may vary by product based on the factors above, and in some cases we also engage with multiple carriers for a particular product type. However, in all cases, we aim to select the carrier or carriers best suited to support our goals for each product on our platform.

This flexible model allows us to offer diverse products with the most suitable carrier, driving strong demand from targeted consumer profiles. By maintaining multiple carrier relationships across product categories, we are able to expand our offerings to reach a broader range of consumer profiles and aim to better match applicants with the most suitable policies. This strategy is reflected in our product overview table set forth under “—Our Products” below, which demonstrates the breadth of our carrier relationships across the Ethos platform and sets out our specific product categories, their risk characteristics, and the related carriers issuing such products.

Diverse Go-to-Market Channels

By leveraging both our DTC digital platform and extensive third-party channel, Ethos captures a wide array of consumer use cases and preferences, allowing us to evolve our platform in response to market demands and reinforce our data moat. We cater both to consumers who prefer the personalized agent experience and others who opt for the convenience of DTC. This diverse go-to-market approach allows us to reach a broader range of consumers across multiple geographies and income levels. Both strategies offer comprehensive advantages: the DTC channel provides direct consumer feedback, enabling us to refine interfaces and product features, while the third-party channel offers valuable market and product insights, informing our product and distribution roadmap.

Significant Data Moat

As a vertically integrated platform, Ethos collects extensive data and insights from consumer interactions and third-party data providers. Our closed-loop data system, which integrates consumer disclosures with reflexive application questions, continually refines our underwriting models. With over 450,000 cumulative policies activated since inception, Ethos has built a robust data moat that enhances accuracy, efficiency, and pricing as more consumer data flows through the platform. Given the complexity of life insurance underwriting, where rare conditions have an incidence rate of <0.01%, this scale and diversity of data is crucial for enhancing our underwriting engine. Additionally, by integrating this data into our consumer acquisition engine, Ethos fine-tunes targeting, optimizes ad spend, and improves conversion rates. This comprehensive data integration translates into superior unit economics and competitive pricing across the ecosystem, Ethos, consumers, agents, and carriers, representing a notable barrier for new entrants.

Early Mover Advantage

Ethos holds a powerful early mover advantage as one of the only scaled technology platforms in the life insurance industry. Our early market entry in 2018 has allowed us to forge long-standing strategic relationships with leading insurance carriers that share our commitment to digitization. Building relationships with carriers is a challenging task, as carriers set a high bar for entrusting a platform like ours with underwriting policies and managing risk on their behalf.

This foundation has been further strengthened by significant technological advancements, particularly in our underwriting engine, which now instantly processes 95% of applications as of June 30, 2025, up from 73% in 2021 and 12% in 2019 based on internal data. Our cumulative investment since 2020 of over $650 million in sales, marketing, and research and development, or R&D, has established a strong brand and technological edge. Central to these achievements is our

 

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carefully assembled team, whose specialized domain expertise has been instrumental in modernizing this antiquated, highly regulated sector. Together, these elements create a substantial barrier for potential entrants, positioning us well for continued growth.

Proven Track Record with Industry Leading Carriers

Ethos has consistently demonstrated its ability to deliver exceptional value to our carriers. Our three longest tenured, active carriers, who are also our top carriers by distribution, have grown at an average compound annual growth rate, or CAGR, of 64% in annual premiums activated through Ethos from 2021 to 2024. For each of these carriers, we were their largest source of life insurance premiums in 2024. We believe that our track record in driving value for the carriers with whom we work not only helps us retain our existing carriers but also positions us as an attractive choice for new carrier relationships.

Our Growth Strategies

Attract More Consumers: We continue to attract more consumers by leveraging our rapidly growing data advantage, which strengthens as we scale. As our consumer base expands, our platform benefits from enhanced data and machine learning, enabling us to offer personalized interactions with our platform, more accurate underwriting, competitive pricing, and higher approval rates. This broadens our appeal and creates a virtuous cycle, where the influx of new consumers generates additional data, further enhancing customer satisfaction and attracting even more consumers to Ethos.

Recruit More Agents and Increase Ethos’ Share of Our Agents’ Sales: We have a strong network of over 10,000 active selling agents on our platform as of December 31, 2024 and we are committed to expanding this network. We believe by providing agents with essential tools and offering a streamlined experience, we boost their productivity and effectiveness, positioning Ethos as a preferred choice for agents. Additionally, we intend to continue investing in incentives that encourage agents to join and continue managing their business on our platform.

Enhance Agent Productivity: We have achieved significant success by equipping agents with our comprehensive digital platform, and there are more enhancements to come. We will continue to invest in platform features to streamline the sales process and boost agent productivity to attract more agents and drive growth.

Expand Our Product Portfolio: Ethos has expanded from one product in 2019 to ten products as of December 31, 2024. We intend to continue broadening the product offerings available on our platform and plan to launch two additional products, Cancer Insurance and Accumulation Indexed Universal Life Insurance, by the end of 2025. These new products are expected to be launched without the need for additional financing.

Our Products

Ethos offers a comprehensive range of life-insurance and adjacent products:

Term Life Insurance

Term Life Insurance policies offer coverage for a specified period, with a benefit paid to the designated beneficiary or beneficiaries if the insured passes away during the policy term. Our diverse portfolio of Term Life Insurance products accommodates a broad range of applicants—spanning various ages, health classifications, and policy sizes—enabling us to serve a wide segment of the U.S. population.

Whole Life Insurance

Our Whole Life Insurance simplifies coverage for individuals of a wide range of backgrounds, including older consumers or those with health considerations. The benefit is permanent and, so long

 

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as consumers continue paying premium payments, can help cover expenses such as funeral costs, medical bills, and other expenses. With benefit amounts ranging from $5,000 to $100,000, we provide lifelong coverage at a secured rate.

Indexed Universal Life Insurance

Indexed Universal Life Insurance products allow consumers to utilize market-linked returns to help fund permanent life insurance coverage, providing potentially lower premiums for protection and/or the ability to achieve tax-advantaged accumulation. With benefit amounts up to $1.0 million, Indexed Universal Life Insurance provides a versatile solution for those seeking security, financial growth, or both.

Wills & Estate Planning

Wills and other estate planning tools help to ensure assets are properly distributed to provide loved ones with a financial safety net. We offer the optionality to seamlessly bundle will and estate planning tools with eligible policies sold through our platform. Additionally, both will creation and estate planning tools may be purchased separately. Our will creation service facilitates the designation of guardians and asset distribution, providing peace of mind. For estate planning, we cover everything from finances to caregiving, including the tools to create a will, trust, power of attorney, advanced medical directive, and more. We provide a simple, self-guided platform for quick and easy setup with no attorney required, saving both time and money.

 

Product Type1

  Carriers   Our Role   Number of
Products
  Description
Term Life Insurance  

Legal & General

 

Ameritas

 

Protective

 

TruStage

 

John Hancock2

  Distribution3, Underwriting Administration, and Policy Administration   5  

Each Term Life Insurance product was designed to serve a particular consumer risk profile and has differentiated features (such as coverage amounts and term length options) as well as risk-adjusted pricing, as set out below:

 

10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, and 40 year terms

 

$5,000 - $3,000,000 coverage range

 

Return of Premium feature for John Hancock2 product

 

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Product Type

  Carriers   Our Role   Number of
Products
  Description

Whole Life

Insurance

  TruStage   Distribution   2  

Whole Life product provides up to $100,000 of coverage and builds cash value.

 

Guaranteed Whole Life product offers up to $25,000 of coverage and is available regardless of health status.

 

Generally, our Whole Life Insurance products have the following features:

 

$5,000 - $100,000 coverage range

 

Product offering covering broad demographics

Indexed

Universal Life

Insurance

  Ameritas   Distribution and Underwriting Administration   1  

$25,000 - $1,000,000 coverage range

Wills & Estate

Planning

  Proprietary   Distribution and Service Provider   1  

Add-on to Life Insurance or standalone

 

Wills & Estate Planning tools

1 Our product offerings and the carriers offering such products are presented as of the date of this prospectus and are subject to change from time to time.

2 The Term Life Insurance product with John Hancock is expected to be offered through October 2025.

3 Ethos only serves as distributor for both the John Hancock (through October 2025) and TruStage Term Life Insurance products.

Our Go-to-Market Strategy

We have a diverse go-to-market model that combines the benefits of a digitally native solution with essential insights from the traditional third-party agent model. Our platform encompasses both our consumer-facing website and our dedicated portal of tools for independent agents, as well as other third-party integrations, and delivers personalized policies to applicants regardless of the channel through which they engage with us.

 

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LOGO

Direct-to-Consumer

Our platform provides consumers with a seamless, fully digital experience for purchasing life insurance online, similar to other frictionless and digital experiences to which consumers have grown accustomed. We optimize the consumer acquisition funnel by enhancing lead targeting and conversion. Our approach involves identifying high-potential leads using intent, demographic, and behavioral data. We then predict lead engagement, including expected conversion paths and underwriting class, and personalize the application experience to maximize conversion likelihood.

To maximize efficiency and capitalize on emerging opportunities, Ethos evaluates and refines its marketing spend across over 25 channels and over 100 partners daily. By having a sophisticated data infrastructure that provides a deep understanding of consumer intent, willingness to pay, and underwriting eligibility, we are able to allocate marketing spend more strategically. Data-driven marketing spend allocation allows Ethos to optimize its marketing mix for maximum impact, promoting sustained growth in consumer acquisition.

Our largest channels include marketing affiliates, organic traffic, and paid search. Notably, our organic channel, our largest marketing channel, generated 18% of DTC activated policies in 2024 and 19% of the DTC activated policies in the six months ended June 30, 2025, underscoring the strength of the Ethos brand and consumer value proposition.

Third-Party Channel

Ethos has established a robust third-party network, which includes agents and fintech companies. We onboard new agents to our platform through our network of agencies. This channel enables us to access trusted advisor relationships and reach diverse consumer segments that prefer purchasing life insurance through an agent. Ethos distributes policies through an extensive network of independent agents at enterprise-level agencies and small-to-medium agency networks. In addition, while activated policies through fintech companies have not historically been material to our third-party channel revenue and results of operations, we intend to continue developing our relationships with fintech companies to further expand our reach and reinforce our distribution.

 

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Agents selling through Ethos have the flexibility to distribute policies through either an agent-assisted application process or by sharing personalized referral links with consumers, providing multiple avenues for engagement. The agent-assisted application is seamlessly integrated within the Agent OS, enabling agents to collaborate with consumers in real time to complete the application. Alternatively, the referral agent can provide a unique, personalized URL link that allows consumers to independently navigate and complete the application process at their convenience.

To drive participation and performance, we offer flexible payment methods and next-day payments (compared to the industry standard of multiple weeks). Ethos enhances the agent experience through incentives and a structured loyalty program that motivates agents to achieve their goals. In addition, Ethos provides productivity tools, including co-branded websites, marketing and lifecycle tools, the ability to purchase leads, business quality oversight, and agency management tools such as downline performance management and chargeback management. These strategic incentives empower agents to scale and accelerate their business, which is mutually beneficial for Ethos as we continue to expand our third-party channel.

Our Technology

We have rebuilt the traditional insurance technology stack to improve efficiency, speed, and consumer access, using structured rule-based automation, unified data infrastructure, and modern, extensible software systems. This platform supports seamless experiences for consumers, enables superior productivity for agents, and drives sustainable growth for carriers.

 

 

LOGO

Application Engine

Our application engine is designed to intelligently engage consumers by utilizing thousands of approved questions to gain a comprehensive understanding of their health. The engine tailors its questioning strategy to align with natural interactions, creating an accurate and user-friendly experience. Key components include:

 

   

Intelligent probing to dynamically adjust the interaction based on consumer responses.

Underwriting Engine

Our proprietary rules-based underwriting engine is powered by a dynamic consumer information graph that is generated from our application engine. This graph connects and structures health, behavioral, and other predictive data to evaluate risk precisely, consistently, and transparently while

 

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providing clear, traceable, auditable, and explainable underwriting decisions. It ingests self-reported health data, prescription history, electronic health records, and more, enabling:

 

   

Instant decisions for most applicants.

 

   

Adaptive rule selection.

 

   

High approval rates with reduced friction and faster decision-making.

The consumer information graph continuously evolves as new applications are processed. Outcomes are used to refine rule relevance, enhance risk segmentation, and improve pricing precision.

Automated Policy Administration

Our cloud-native policy administration system is able to automate significant portions of the policy lifecycle from issuance to servicing and policyholder payments. This includes:

 

   

Dynamic policy contract generation.

 

   

Billing, payment processing, retries, and reinstatements.

 

   

Endorsements (policy changes such as coverage amount or beneficiary updates).

 

   

Full policy servicing workflows, including consumer self-service options.

 

   

Structured data pipelines for supporting carriers in claims, auditing, and compliance reporting.

Owning our own policy administration stack allows us to deploy new product features, pricing updates, and carrier configurations in days, not quarters, significantly improving responsiveness and reducing external dependencies.

Agent OS

Ethos provides agents with a comprehensive operating system to sell and manage life insurance policies. Our Agent OS functionality includes:

 

   

Rapid agent onboarding and agent eligibility checks.

 

   

Quoting tools and near real-time application tracking.

 

   

CRM integrations and marketing automation.

 

   

Agent payment dashboards and next-day payments.

 

   

Performance analytics and agent performance insights.

This system improves agent productivity while reducing manual effort and enabling agents to focus on client engagement.

Embedded Distribution Infrastructure

Our APIs and software development kits, or SDKs, enable agent networks, fintechs, and others to embed insurance directly into their workflows. These parties can:

 

   

Quote, process, and activate policies within their own platforms.

 

   

Track performance and conversion metrics via real-time dashboards.

 

   

Customize product routing while relying on Ethos for compliance, servicing, and underwriting.

 

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This infrastructure has allowed us to scale these relationships quickly and deepen integration, driving a compounding advantage as distribution partners grow.

Applied Machine Learning and Operational Intelligence

While our underwriting is rule-based, we deploy machine learning in key operational areas, including:

 

   

Fraud detection: Use behavioral analytics and identity verification APIs help flag anomalies and ensure secure transactions.

 

   

Agent quality scoring: Evaluate agent behavior, compliance, and conversion.

 

   

Marketing optimization: Optimize advertising spend, targeting, and creative testing.

 

   

Policy audit prioritization: Rank and sample decisioned policies for human review for effective auditing and accelerated learning.

These machine learning applications are subject to strong governance and bias mitigation, and improve our ability to scale efficiently across operations, growth, and compliance.

Data Platform and Intelligence Layer

We have built a modern data infrastructure that serves as the intelligence backbone of the business. Our architecture supports:

 

   

A unified journey model, linking anonymous and logged-in user behavior for experimentation and funnel analysis.

 

   

Cohort-based profit tracking, surfacing Contribution Margin and persistency dynamics across products and acquisition sources.

 

   

Advanced experimentation, supporting dozens of simultaneous A/B tests across our platform.

Scalable Architecture and Security by Design

Ethos is built on a modular, cloud-native architecture optimized for performance, extensibility, and resilience. Core attributes include:

 

   

Microservices deployed on secure, modular infrastructure.

 

   

A modern frontend platform using industry-leading technologies.

 

   

Unified observability, role based access control, and logging integrated across services.

 

   

End-to-end encryption, KBA/SMS-based authentication, and SOC 2 Type II certification.

Our platform enables rapid development, continuous deployment, and strict adherence to data privacy and regulatory standards.

Competition

The business of selling insurance products and services is highly competitive and fragmented. While we believe we are well positioned to execute our business model and transform the life insurance industry, we actively compete with a number of companies, including agencies, brokerages, and traditional carrier distribution channels, as well as companies with online and platform offerings similar to ours. As insurance carriers and financial services companies expand their digital distribution

 

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strategies, we may face increased competition from larger, well-capitalized entities offering a broader range of products directly to consumers. In addition, a number of carriers are engaged in the direct sale of insurance, primarily to individuals, and do not pay commissions to brokers or other market intermediaries.

Furthermore, we compete with various other companies that provide risk-related services or alternatives to traditional insurance services, including other competing start-up companies, which are focused on using technology and innovation, including AI, machine learning, digital platforms, data analytics, robotics, and blockchain, to simplify and improve the customer experience, increase efficiencies, alter business models and effect other potentially disruptive changes in the industries in which we operate. We also expect new entrants to offer competitive services and carriers may also seek to build their own solutions, including using advanced tools such as AI, and particularly in markets where development costs are lower. In addition, in recent years, private equity sponsors have invested tens of billions of dollars into the insurance sector, transforming existing players and creating new ones to compete with large brokers.

We compete for consumers on the basis of reputation, customer service, program and product offerings, and our ability to innovate and tailor products and services to meet the specific needs of a customer. We believe we compete favorably across many of these factors with our fully digital and vertically integrated platform that simplifies the insurance value chain from distribution to underwriting, activation, payments, and administration. Our growing ecosystem of consumers, agents, and carriers benefits from the scale, easy-of-use, and efficiency of our platform, which creates strong network effects that drive our continued growth. For additional information about the risks to our business related to competition, see the section titled “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business—Competition in our industry is intense, and our inability to compete effectively may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.”

Our Employees and Culture

At Ethos, our employees are the driving force behind our mission to democratize access to life insurance, protecting families and empowering agents at scale. Our culture is rooted in empathy, innovation and a commitment to meaningful impact, and the values that define our organization are as follows:

 

   

Serve Our Families: We are driven by a deep sense of responsibility to serve and delight the families that depend on us.

 

   

Intellectual Rigor: We challenge assumptions and hold ourselves to the highest standards of analytical excellence, making objective decisions informed by data and logic.

 

   

Bias for Impact: We prioritize outcomes over optics, empowering our teams to move quickly and decisively while always putting in the extra effort.

 

   

Speak Your Mind: We foster a culture of candor and trust, where open dialogue and diverse perspectives drive better outcomes.

Our employees are located in the global technology hubs of San Francisco and Bengaluru, India, as well as remotely across the United States and in select additional countries such as Singapore. Employees in San Francisco support core corporate, product, and go-to-market functions. Our operations in Bengaluru are focused primarily on engineering and customer success, supported by local administrative and human resources personnel. We believe this global yet concentrated distribution of employees provides us access to high quality and diverse technology talent. Our digital-first company culture empowers collaboration and innovation across time zones. Through employee referrals, campus recruiting, and target job postings, we aim to attract exceptional talent to drive our mission of reimagining life insurance. As of June 30, 2025, we had 493 full-time employees globally.

 

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Our Intellectual Property

Our intellectual property is an important aspect of our business and helps us to maintain our competitive position in our industry. To establish and protect our proprietary rights, we rely upon a combination of trade secret, copyright, and trademark laws and contractual restrictions such as confidentiality agreements, licenses, and intellectual property assignment agreements.

We control access to our intellectual property and confidential information through internal and external controls. We maintain a policy requiring our employees, contractors, consultants, and other third parties to enter into confidentiality and proprietary rights agreements to control access to and non-disclosure of our proprietary information.

We also are the registered holder of a variety of domain names that include “ethos,” “ethoslife,” and similar variations; however, we do not own a U.S. federal trademark registration for our main brand “Ethos” or “Ethos Technologies,” and instead rely on common law protection for these trademarks. Further, we currently do not own any patents and instead, rely on copyright law and trade secret protection for our software and other proprietary technology.

Data Privacy and Security

In the ordinary course of our business, we process personal information (including sensitive personal information and medical records). Accordingly, we are subject to numerous data privacy and security requirements and obligations, including federal, state, and local laws, regulations, guidance, and industry standards. Such obligations may include, without limitation, data breach notification laws, comprehensive privacy laws, consumer protection laws (e.g., Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission Act), and other similar laws (e.g., wiretapping laws). At the federal level, we are subject to, among other laws, the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, or GLBA, which requires financial institutions, including insurers, among other things, periodically disclose their privacy policies and practices relating to sharing “nonpublic personal information” and, in some cases, enables customers to opt out of the sharing of certain personal information with unaffiliated third parties. The GLBA also requires financial institutions to implement an information security program that includes administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to ensure the security and confidentiality of customer records and information.

Numerous U.S. states have enacted comprehensive privacy laws that impose certain obligations on covered businesses, including providing specific disclosures in privacy notices and affording residents with certain rights concerning their personal information, including health information. Certain states also impose stricter requirements for processing certain personal information, including sensitive information, such as conducting data privacy impact assessments. These state laws allow for statutory fines for noncompliance. For example, the CCPA applies to personal information of consumers, business representatives, employees, and others who are California residents, and requires businesses to provide specific disclosures in privacy notices and honor requests of such individuals to exercise certain privacy rights. The CCPA provides for fines and allows private litigants affected by certain data breaches to recover significant statutory damages. The CCPA includes an exemption applicable to personal information collected, processed, sold or disclosed subject to the GLBA, and other comprehensive U.S. state privacy laws contain similar exemptions for GLBA-covered data or broader exemptions for GLBA-covered entities. However, these developments may further complicate compliance efforts and increase legal risk and compliance costs for us and the third parties with whom we work.

We are also subject to various state financial privacy laws such as the California Financial Information Privacy Act. These laws require, among other things, providing either an opt-in or opt-out, depending on the state, to the sharing of non-public personal information with unaffiliated third parties.

 

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Additionally, in response to the growing threat of cyber-attacks in the insurance industry, certain jurisdictions, including New York, have begun to consider new cybersecurity measures, including the adoption of cybersecurity regulations. In October 2017, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC, adopted its Insurance Data Security Model Law, intended to serve as model legislation for states to enact in order to govern cybersecurity and data protection practices of insurers, insurance agents, and other licensed entities registered under state insurance laws. Various states have adopted versions of the NAIC Insurance Data Security Model Law.

Furthermore, we and the third parties with whom we work are subject to a variety of evolving cybersecurity threats, including social-engineering attacks (including through deep fakes, which may be increasingly more difficult to identify as fake, and phishing attacks), malicious code (such as viruses and worms), malware (including as a result of advanced persistent threat intrusions), denial-of-service attacks, credential stuffing attacks, credential harvesting, personnel misconduct or error, ransomware attacks, supply-chain attacks, software bugs, server malfunctions, software or hardware failures, loss of data or other information technology assets, adware, telecommunications failures, earthquakes, fires, floods, attacks enhanced or facilitated by AI, and other similar threats. While we have implemented security measures designed to protect against security incidents and data breaches, these measures may not be effective. For information on risks associated with our information technology systems, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Intellectual Property, Data Privacy, and Security—If our information technology systems or of those third parties with whom we work or our data, are or were compromised, we could experience adverse consequences resulting from such compromise, including regulatory investigations or actions, litigation, fines and penalties, disruptions of our business operations, reputational harm; loss of revenue or profits, loss of consumers or sales, and other adverse consequences.”

Regulatory

We are also subject to extensive regulations at the state and federal level. These laws and regulations are designed to protect consumers, policyholders, and insureds and to protect the integrity of the financial markets.

The regulatory regimes applicable to our business vary by state but generally require individual and company licensing to act as producers, agents, and third-party administrators. We hold producer licenses in 49 states and the District of Columbia and third-party administrator licenses in the 38 states that require a separate license to act as a third-party administrator. We do not operate in New York. These laws are administered and enforced by state insurance regulators as well as state attorneys general. State insurance regulators have broad authority to grant, renew, suspend, and terminate the company and individual licenses required to do business in their respective states. The conditions for maintaining these licenses in good standing include complying with reporting requirements, maintaining liability insurance policies and surety bonds, completing continuing education, and generally complying with the insurance laws and regulations of each state. Certain state insurance laws also require notification to state regulators of certain corporate changes, including changes of address, name, officers or directors, and ownership information or corporate structure. We operate as a licensed producer and administrator in 49 states.

State insurance laws govern whether licensees may share commissions with unlicensed entities and individuals and in some cases prohibit the payment, directly or indirectly, of any compensation or valuable consideration in exchange for referring, soliciting, or negotiating an insurance contract. Third-party administrators are also subject to state insurance law requirements governing the receipt and payment of premiums. These funds are held in a fiduciary capacity and generally may not be invested or withdrawn except in accordance with the written agreement with the carrier. Producers, agents, and third-party administrators are also subject to insurance laws governing marketing, advertisements, and

 

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representations made regarding the terms, conditions, costs, and other features of insurance products. State insurance regulators and state attorneys generally enforce these laws and have authority to take action against a licensee’s license, to impose civil money penalties and fines, and to require remedial or corrective action for violations. Disciplinary action by one state regulator may also trigger requirements to notify other state regulators that supervise the company’s other state licenses.

In addition to state insurance laws and regulations, we are subject to federal and state laws governing marketing and consumer outreach, including the federal TCPA, the Controlling the Assault of Non-Solicited Pornography and Marketing Act, or CAN-SPAM, and its state equivalents. These laws restrict telemarketing calls, text messages, and the use of automatic dialers and similar technology, and may limit when and how we can contact consumers. We are also subject to anti-money laundering, or AML, and economic sanctions laws and regulations, including those administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Asset Control, or OFAC, that prohibit issuing policies to certain sanctioned persons, entities, jurisdictions, or business sectors and may require reporting of certain information and transactions to OFAC. We must also cooperate with carriers with whom we work in providing them with information necessary for those partners to maintain effective AML programs.

Our Agreements with Carriers

We enter into standard contractual arrangements with our carriers, many of which do not have a fixed term and others of which are structured as annual contracts with automatic renewal. These agreements typically permit either party to terminate for convenience with advance written notice, including some with notice periods of up to 18 months. Our carrier agreements also permit termination for cause in the event of a material breach, regulatory non-compliance, or other specified circumstances. Upon termination of a carrier agreement, we generally continue to receive commissions on policies that were active as of the termination date, for so long as we remain the agent of record for servicing those policies, until such policies are no longer active. Our carrier agreements generally do not impose minimum volume or policy commitments. Our carrier agreements include commission recoupment provisions that require us to repay a portion of commissions received if a policy is terminated within a specified period, typically between six- and 12 months following policy issuance, on a pro rata basis based on premiums received. These agreements generally include mutual indemnification obligations, confidentiality and data security provisions, and require us to maintain errors and omissions insurance.

Our Agreements with Agencies and Other Third-Parties

We enter into standard contractual agreements with agencies that allow their affiliated agents to access and use our platform to sell products offered on our platform. These agreements generally have one-year terms and renew automatically unless either party provides notice of non-renewal at least 30 days prior to the end of the then-current term. Generally, either party may also terminate the agreement earlier for convenience with advance written notice, typically ranging from 30 to 90 days, or for cause, including material breach, following a short cure period. The agreements do not impose any minimum production or engagement commitments. Recoupment provisions generally require the repayment to us by agents of all agent payments for policies that are terminated within the first six months following activation and the repayment of any unearned agent payments for policies that terminate after six months.

We prohibit certain conduct under our agency agreements, including soliciting insurance without proper licensure, acting outside the scope of contractual authority, promoting competing life insurance products sold primarily online, and attempting to induce policyholders to surrender, lapse, or replace in-force coverage. Agencies and their affiliated agents are also prohibited from certain activities, such as engaging in deceptive or unethical trade practices, violating digital and social media marketing

 

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regulations, contacting consumers on “Do Not Call” registries, or using consumer data without appropriate consent. While we do not directly supervise individual agents and are not required to do so under applicable laws and regulations, our contractual arrangements are designed to ensure that agencies are responsible for supervising their affiliated agents, and agents have their own obligations to comply with applicable laws and avoid impermissible activities within the agency’s supervisory framework. Agents also face the risk of license loss through carrier-reported misconduct or mis-selling, a process we support when appropriate. In addition, agents must complete an annual compliance certification to access our platform, and we issue periodic compliance reminders. Despite these safeguards, our ability to monitor and influence agency and agent conduct is limited due to a variety of factors, including those described in the sections titled “Risk Factors–Risks Related to Our Business–Our business is subject to risks related to disputes, legal proceedings, and governmental inquiries.”

We also maintain relationships with select third-party fintech companies that refer potential consumers through their own digital channels via customized partner links to our platform. These entities typically operate through affiliated licensed agencies whose agents are eligible to receive agent payments for new policies activated by referred consumers. In addition, we compensate the applicable fintech company in connection with referred customers who activate a new policy. For certain established relationships, we may also provide API access to enable integration, subject to regulatory compliance

Facilities

Our principal executive offices are in San Francisco, California, where we occupy approximately 9,000 square feet of office space pursuant to a lease expiring in November 2028. As of June 30, 2025, we also lease office space internationally in Bengaluru, India and Singapore. We believe that our current facilities are adequate to meet our current needs.

Legal Proceedings

From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings arising from activities in the normal course of business. We are not presently a party to any litigation the outcome of which, we believe, if determined adversely to us, would individually or taken together have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows.

Defending any legal proceedings is costly and can impose a significant burden on management and employees. The results of any current or future litigation cannot be predicted with certainty, and regardless of the outcome, litigation can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources, and other factors.

 

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MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information for our executive officers and directors as of September 26, 2025:

 

Name

  

Age

  

Position

Executive Officers

     

Peter Colis

   36    Chief Executive Officer and Chair of our Board of Directors

Lingke Wang

   35    President and Director

Christopher Capozzi

   48    Chief Financial Officer

Erin Lantz

   46    Chief Revenue Officer

Kunal Mehta

   44    Senior Vice President, Finance

Vipul Sharma

   46    Chief Technology Officer

Non-Employee Directors

     

Roelof Botha(1)*

   52    Director

Priscilla Hung(2)

   58    Director

John Kunze(1)(2)

   62    Director

Nathan J. Niparko(3)

   38    Director

Khozema Shipchandler(1)

   51    Director

William J. Wheeler(3)

   64    Director
 
(1)

Member of the audit committee.

(2)

Member of the compensation committee.

(3)

Member of the nominating and corporate governance committee.

*

Lead Independent Director.

Executive Officers

Peter Colis. Mr. Colis is our co-founder and has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chair of our board of directors since July 2016. Prior to co-founding Ethos, Mr. Colis served as the Chief Executive Officer of Ovid Corp., an insurance auction platform that was acquired in 2019. Mr. Colis holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from University of Colorado, Boulder and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Colis was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ethos as well as his extensive experience with advising and leading technology companies.

Lingke Wang. Mr. Wang is our co-founder and has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2016. Mr. Wang has served as our President since July 2021 and previously served as our Chief Technology Officer from July 2016 to July 2021. Prior to co-founding Ethos, Mr. Wang co-founded and served as the Chief Product and Chief Technology Officer of Ovid Corp., an insurance auction platform that was acquired in 2019, and started his career at Morgan Stanley as an investment banking analyst. Mr. Wang holds a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics, Economics and Mechanical Engineering from Brown University and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Wang was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his experience as co-founder and President of Ethos as well as his extensive experience in the insurance technology field and in finance.

Christopher Capozzi. Mr. Capozzi has served as our Chief Financial Officer since April 2025. Prior to Ethos, Mr. Capozzi served as a Partner and Chief Financial Officer at Quiet Capital, an investment management company, from January 2021 to April 2025, where he was responsible for financial oversight, strategic planning and risk management. Previously, Mr. Capozzi served as Advisor

 

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and Former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Achieve, a leading digital personal finance company, from January 2017 to July 2021, and in various executive roles, including Chief Risk Officer, at General Electric from 1999 to 2016, including as the company’s Chief Risk Officer. Mr. Capozzi holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Boston College and a Master of Business Administration from Columbia Business School.

Erin Lantz. Ms. Lantz has served as our Chief Revenue Officer since April 2020. Prior to joining Ethos, Ms. Lantz led the Mortgages business at Zillow Group from July 2010 through October 2019 where she oversaw several functions including product, engineering, sales, marketing, operations and compliance. Earlier, she was a Senior Vice President at Bank of America and an Associate Consultant at the Boston Consulting Group. Ms. Lantz has served on the board of directors of Blend Labs (NYSE: BLND), an origination platform for digital banking, where she chairs the compensation committee and has been a member of the audit committee, since January 2023. She also has served on the board of directors of Meritage Homes Corporation (NYSE: MTH), an energy-efficient residential construction company, where she has been a member of the audit committee, since October 2024. Previously, Ms. Lantz served on the board of directors of TrueCar, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRUE), a digital automotive marketplace, from November 2016 to May 2024, and for Shelter Acquisition Corp (Nasdaq: SHQA), a special-purpose acquisition company focused on the property technology industry from July 2021 to December 2022. Ms. Lantz holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Philosophy, and Economics from University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Kunal Mehta. Mr. Mehta has served as our Senior Vice President, Finance since April 2025, our Chief Financial Officer from March 2023 to April 2025 and our Vice President, Finance and Corporate Strategy from September 2021 to March 2023. Prior to Ethos, Mr. Mehta held senior leadership roles at Adobe, a global leader in digital media and marketing solutions, from March 2017 to September 2021, where he most recently led GTM sales strategy for Adobe’s digital media enterprise business, and at DocuSign, a cloud-based platform that simplifies the process of signing, sending, and managing documents electronically, from July 2014 to March 2017, where he scaled corporate strategy, M&A and business operations functions. His career began at Intuit, Deutsche Bank and PwC. Mr. Mehta holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from University of California, Los Angeles and a Master of Business Administration from Tuck School of Business of Dartmouth College.

Vipul Sharma. Mr. Sharma has served as our Chief Technology Officer since July 2021 and previously served as Vice President of Engineering from January 2019 to June 2021. Prior to Ethos, Mr. Sharma held engineering leadership positions at Indeed.com, an internet job search and recruiting platform, and Eventbrite, an online ticketing platform, and founded Simppler, an employee referral platform that was later acquired. Mr. Sharma holds a Bachelor’s in Computer Science from College of Engineering Roorkee and a Master of Science in Computer Science from University of Houston.

Each executive officer serves at the discretion of our board of directors and holds office until his or her successor is duly appointed and qualified or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

Non-Employee Directors

Roelof Botha. Mr. Botha has served on our board of directors since October 2018. Mr. Botha has been with Sequoia Capital, a venture capital firm, since 2003, and has been a managing member of Sequoia Capital Operations, LLC since 2007. From 2000 to 2003, Mr. Botha served in various positions at PayPal, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYPL), an online payments company, including as the chief financial officer. Mr. Botha has served on the board of directors of MongoDB (Nasdaq: MDB) since December 2013, where he serves on the audit committee, Block, Inc. (NYSE: XYZ) (formerly Square, Inc.), a technology company and financial services provider since January 2011, where he serves as the lead independent director and a member of the audit and risk committee and compensation committee,

 

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Natera Inc. (Nasdaq: NTRA), a public genetic testing company, since June 2007, where he serves as the lead independent director and a member of the nominating, corporate governance and compliance committee, and Unity Software (NYSE: U), a public video game software development company, since 2009, where he serves on the audit committee, and a number of privately held companies. Mr. Botha previously served on the boards of directors of 23andMe, Inc. (Nasdaq: ME), a personal genetics company, from September 2017 to September 2024, Bird Global, Inc. (NYSE: BRDS), an electric vehicle ridesharing company, from June 2018 to December 2022, and Eventbrite, Inc. (NYSE: EB), a global platform for live experiences, from October 2009 to June 2022. Mr. Botha received his Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, Economics, and Statistics from University of Cape Town and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford Graduate School of Business. Mr. Botha was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his experience serving on the boards of public companies as well as his expertise with venture capital and technology companies.

Priscilla Hung. Ms. Hung has served as a member of our board of directors since April 2021. Ms. Hung previously served as a Senior Advisor at Guidewire Software, Inc., a provider of cloud-based software for the property and casualty insurance industry from January 2024 to June 2025. Prior to becoming a Senior Advisor, Ms. Hung held multiple executive roles at Guidewire since 2005, including president and chief operating officer, chief administrative officer, senior vice president of corporate development, vice president of operations, and vice president of corporate development. Prior to joining Guidewire, Ms. Hung held multiple management positions at SAP Ariba, a software and information technology services company, Sun Microsystems, Inc., a manufacturer of computer workstations, servers, and software, and Oracle Corporation, a database and enterprise management company. Ms. Hung has served on the board of Xerox Holdings Corporation (Nasdaq: XRX), a global leader in office systems and production print technology, since May 2024, where she serves on the corporate governance committee and finance committee, Veeva Systems Inc. (NYSE: VEEV), a provider of cloud-based software for the global life sciences industry, since January 2022, where she serves on the audit committee, and Waystar Holding Corp. (Nasdaq: WAY), a leading enterprise healthcare payments company, since February 2024, where she serves on the audit, compliance, and risk committee and talent and compensation committee. Ms. Hung previously served on the board of Vonage Holdings Corp., a cloud communications provider, from 2019 until 2022, when it was acquired by Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Ms. Hung holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Mills College and a Master of Engineering in Operation Research & Industrial Engineering from Cornell University. Ms. Hung was selected to serve on our board of directors because of her experience serving on the boards of financial technology companies as well as her corporate management experience.

John Kunze. Mr. Kunze has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2019. Previously, Mr. Kunze served in various roles at PayPal, Inc. (Nasdaq: PYPL), an online payments company from 2015 to 2023, including most recently as its Senior Vice President, Global Consumer Product and Technology from June 2019 to April 2023. Mr. Kunze served as the Chief Executive Officer of Xoom Corporation, a global online payments service, until its acquisition by PayPal in 2015. Mr. Kunze holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Franklin & Marshall College. Mr. Kunze was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his extensive management experience with financial technology companies.

Nathan J. Niparko. Mr. Niparko has served as a member of our board of directors since October 2018. Since 2011, Mr. Niparko has served as a partner at Accel, a venture capital firm. He also serves on the boards of directors of various private companies. Mr. Niparko holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Engineering from Dartmouth College, and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University Graduate School of Business. Mr. Niparko was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his experience advising financial technology, cloud, and software services companies.

 

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Khozema Shipchandler. Mr. Shipchandler has served as a member of our board of directors since July 2021. Mr. Shipchandler has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Twilio, Inc. (NYSE: TWLO), a leading cloud communications company, since January 2024. Prior to that, Mr. Shipchandler served as Twilio’s President from March 2023 to January 2024, as Chief Operating Officer from 2021 to 2023, and as Chief Financial Officer from 2018 to 2021. From 2015 to 2018, Mr. Shipchandler served as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Development at GE Digital, an operational technology and infrastructure software company that is a division of General Electric, a multinational conglomerate. From 1996 to 2015, Mr. Shipchandler served in various executive roles at General Electric, including as Chief Financial Officer, Middle East, North Africa and Turkey from 2011 to 2013. Mr. Shipchandler previously served on the board of directors of Smartsheet Inc., an enterprise software company, from June 2023 to January 2025. Mr. Shipchandler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology and English from Indiana University Bloomington. Mr. Shipchandler was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his management experience at multiple global technology companies.

William J. Wheeler. Mr. Wheeler has served on our board of directors since July 2025. Mr. Wheeler has served on the board of directors of Evercore Inc. (NYSE: EVR), a premier global independent investment banking advisory firm, since February 2015, where he serves as chair of the audit committee and as a member of the compensation committee. Mr. Wheeler previously served as the Vice Chairman of Athene Holding Ltd. (NYSE: ATH-PA), a leading retirement services company and a subsidiary of Apollo Global Management, Inc., from April 2022 to February 2025 and as President from September 2015 to March 2022. Prior to joining Athene, Mr. Wheeler was President of the Americas group for MetLife Inc. (NYSE: MET) from September 2011 to August 2015, where he oversaw the insurance and retirement business in the United States and Latin America. Previously, Mr. Wheeler had been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at MetLife. Prior to joining MetLife, Mr. Wheeler was an investment banker at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. Mr. Wheeler holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Wabash College, where he is the Chairman of its board of trustees, and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. Mr. Wheeler was selected to serve on our board of directors because of his deep expertise across insurance, retirement services and investment banking.

Family Relationships

There are no family relationships among any of our executive officers or directors.

Composition of Our Board of Directors

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors. Pursuant to our certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated voting agreement in effect prior to the closing of this offering, our directors were elected as follows:

 

   

Mr. Botha was elected as the designee nominated by holders of our Series A redeemable convertible preferred stock;

 

   

Mr. Niparko was elected as the designee nominated by holders of our Series B convertible redeemable preferred stock; and

 

   

Messrs. Colis, Wang, Kunze, Shipchandler and Wheeler and Ms. Hung were elected as the independent designees nominated by holders of our common stock.

Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our amended and restated voting agreement will terminate, our certificate of incorporation, along with our bylaws, will be amended and restated, and none of our stockholders will have any special rights regarding the election or designation of members of our board of directors. After the closing of this offering, the number of directors will be fixed by our

 

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board of directors, subject to the terms of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws. Each of our current directors will continue to serve as a director until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or until his or her earlier death, resignation, or removal.

In accordance with our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering, immediately after the closing of this offering, our board of directors will be divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms. At each annual meeting of stockholders, the successors to directors whose terms then expire will be elected to serve from the time of election and qualification until the third annual meeting following election. Our directors will be divided among the three classes as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors will be Peter Colis and Priscilla Hung and their terms will expire at our first annual meeting of stockholders following this offering;

 

   

the Class II directors will be Lingke Wang, Nathan J. Niparko, and William J. Wheeler and their terms will expire at our second annual meeting of stockholders following this offering; and

 

   

the Class III directors will be Roelof Botha, John Kunze, and Khozema Shipchandler and their terms will expire at our third annual meeting of stockholders following this offering.

We expect that any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one third of the directors. The division of our board of directors into three classes with staggered three-year terms may delay or prevent a change of our management or a change in control.

Director Independence

Our board of directors has undertaken a review of the independence of each director. Based on information provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment, and affiliations, our board of directors has determined that Roelof Botha, Priscilla Hung, John Kunze, Nathan J. Niparko, Khozema Shipchandler, and William J. Wheeler do not have relationships that would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director and that each of these directors is “independent” as that term is defined under Nasdaq listing standards. In making these determinations, our board of directors considered the current and prior relationships that each non-employee director has with our company and all other facts and circumstances our board of directors deemed relevant in determining their independence. In addition, our board of directors considered the beneficial ownership of our shares held by each non-employee director and the transactions described in the section titled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Lead Independent Director

Upon the closing of this offering, our corporate governance guidelines will provide that one of our independent directors will serve as our Lead Independent Director. Our board of directors has appointed Roelof Botha to serve as our Lead Independent Director. The Lead Independent Director will be responsible for presiding over each executive session of non-management directors in which those directors meet without management participation and perform other duties as our board of directors may determine from time to time.

Committees of Our Board of Directors

Our board of directors has established an audit committee and a compensation committee, and will establish a nominating and corporate governance committee before the closing of this offering. The composition and responsibilities of each of the committees of our board of directors are described

 

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below. Members serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Our board of directors may establish other committees as it deems necessary or appropriate from time to time.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee consists of Khozema Shipchandler, Roelof Botha and John Kunze. The chairperson of our audit committee is Mr. Shipchandler. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our audit committee satisfies the independence requirements under the listing standards of Nasdaq and Rule 10A-3(b)(1) under the Exchange Act. Our board of directors has determined that Mr. Shipchandler is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of SEC regulations. Each member of our audit committee can read and understand fundamental financial statements in accordance with applicable requirements. In arriving at these determinations, our board of directors has examined each audit committee member’s scope of experience and the nature of their employment.

The primary purpose of our audit committee is to discharge the responsibilities of our board of directors with respect to our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes, systems of internal control and financial statement audits, and to oversee our independent registered public accounting firm. Specific responsibilities of our audit committee include:

 

   

helping our board of directors oversee our corporate accounting and financial reporting processes;

 

   

managing the selection, engagement, compensation, qualifications, independence, and performance of a qualified firm to serve as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our financial statements and the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, when required;

 

   

discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm, and reviewing, with management and the independent accountants, our interim and year-end results of operations;

 

   

developing procedures for employees to submit concerns anonymously about questionable accounting or audit matters;

 

   

reviewing and approving any material related party transactions;

 

   

reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our guidelines and policies on risk assessment and risk management, including financial risk, cybersecurity risk, and any other identified operational risks;

 

   

approving or, as permitted, pre-approving, audit, review, and attest services and permissible non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm and the related fees; and

 

   

preparing the audit committee report that the SEC requires in our annual proxy statement.

Our audit committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable listing standards of Nasdaq.

Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee consists of John Kunze and Priscilla Hung. The chairperson of our compensation committee is Mr. Kunze. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our compensation committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq, and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act.

 

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The primary purpose of our compensation committee is to discharge the responsibilities of our board of directors in overseeing our compensation policies, plans, and programs, and to review and determine or recommend to our board of directors for approval, as applicable, the compensation to be paid to our executive officers, directors, and other senior management, as appropriate. Specific responsibilities of our compensation committee include:

 

   

reviewing and recommending to the independent members of our board of directors the compensation of our chief executive officer and approving the compensation of other senior executives that may be designated by our board of directors for review by our compensation committee;

 

   

in consultation with our chief executive officer, reviewing and approving the compensation of our other executive officers;

 

   

reviewing and recommending to our board of directors the compensation of our non-employee directors;

 

   

administering our equity incentive plans and other benefit programs;

 

   

reviewing, interpreting, adopting, amending, and terminating our incentive compensation and equity plans, severance agreements, bonus plans, change of control protections, and any other compensatory arrangements for our executive officers and other senior management; and

 

   

reviewing and establishing general policies and programs relating to compensation and benefits of our employees, including our overall compensation philosophy.

Our compensation committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable listing standards of Nasdaq.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of William J. Wheeler and Nathan J. Niparko. The chairperson of our nominating and corporate governance committee is Mr. Wheeler. Our board of directors has determined that each member of our nominating and corporate governance committee is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.

Specific responsibilities of our nominating and corporate governance committee include:

 

   

identifying and evaluating candidates, including the nomination of incumbent directors for reelection and nominees recommended by stockholders, to serve on our board of directors;

 

   

considering and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding the composition and chairpersons of the committees of our board of directors;

 

   

developing and making recommendations to our board of directors regarding corporate governance guidelines and matters; and

 

   

overseeing periodic evaluations of the board of directors’ performance, including committees of the board of directors.

Our nominating and corporate governance committee operates under a written charter that satisfies the applicable listing standards of Nasdaq.

Code of Conduct

We have adopted a code of conduct that applies to our directors, officers, and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer, or controller, or persons performing similar functions. Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our

 

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code of conduct will be available under the corporate governance section of our website at www.ethos.com. In addition, we intend to post on our website all disclosures that are required by law or the listing standards of Nasdaq concerning any amendments to, or waivers from, any provision of our code of conduct. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is only as an inactive textual reference.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

None of the members of our compensation committee are currently or has been at any time one of our officers or employees. None of our executive officers currently serves, or has served during the last year, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

Non-Employee Director Compensation

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we did not pay any compensation to our non-employee directors for their service on our board of directors. We have reimbursed and will continue to reimburse all of our non-employee directors for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending board of directors and committee meetings.

Messrs. Colis and Wang also served on our board of directors during the year ended December 31, 2024, but did not receive any additional compensation for their service as directors. See the section titled “Executive Compensation” for additional information regarding the compensation earned by Mr. Colis.

As of December 31, 2024, the aggregate number of shares of common stock underlying outstanding stock awards and options under our 2016 Plan held by each of our non-employee directors was as follows:

 

Name   Number of
Shares
Underlying
Stock
Awards
     Number of
Shares
Underlying
Options
 

Roelof Botha

            

Priscilla Hung

    21,877        32,879  

John Kunze

    22,806        49,319  

Nathan J. Niparko

            

Khozema Shipchandler

    15,714        9,566  

Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy

Prior to the closing of this offering, we did not have an established plan or policy with regard to compensation of our non-employee directors. In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt a non-employee director compensation policy, or the Director Compensation Policy, that will become effective upon the execution and delivery of the underwriting agreement related to this offering and will be applicable to all of our non-employee directors. The Director Compensation Policy provides that each such non-employee director will receive the following compensation for service on our board of directors:

 

   

an annual service retainer in the form of RSUs covering a number of shares that results in a value of $35,000, vesting over a one-year period in equal quarterly installments;

 

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an additional annual service retainer in the form of RSUs covering a number of shares that results in a value of $35,000 for service as non-employee chair of the board of directors or $15,000 for service as lead independent director, vesting over a one-year period in equal quarterly installments;

 

   

an additional annual service retainer in the form of RSUs covering a number of shares that results in a value of $10,000, $7,000 and $4,000 for service as a non-chair member of the audit committee, compensation committee, and the nominating and corporate governance committee, respectively, vesting over a one-year period in equal quarterly installments;

 

   

an additional annual service retainer in the form of RSUs covering a number of shares that results in a value of $20,000, $15,000 and $8,000 for service as chair of the audit committee, chair of the compensation committee, and chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee, respectively (in lieu of the committee member retainer above), vesting over a one-year period in equal quarterly installments;

 

   

an initial RSU grant to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock that results in a value of $360,000, vesting over three years in 12 equal quarterly installments;

 

   

an additional initial service retainer in the form of RSUs covering a number of shares that results in a value of $35,000, vesting over three years in 12 equal quarterly installments.

 

   

an annual RSU grant to purchase a number of shares of our Class A common stock That results in a value of $180,000, vesting over a one-year period in equal quarterly installments following the date of grant, provided that the last quarter of the annual RSU grant will be fully vested on the earlier of (i) the first anniversary of the date of grant and (ii) the date of the next annual meeting of shareholders, provided that newly elected non-employee directors who join the board on a date other than the date of our annual meeting will receive their first of annual grant on the date of the second annual stockholder meeting following such non-employee director first joining the Board.

Each of the RSU grants described above will be granted under our 2025 Plan, the terms of which are described in more detail below under “Executive Compensation—Equity Benefit and Stock Plans—2025 Equity Incentive Plan.” Each such award will vest and become exercisable subject to the non-employee director’s continuous service with us through each applicable vesting date, provided that each award will vest in full upon a change in control (as defined in the 2025 Plan) of the company, subject to the director’s continuous service through immediately prior to the change in control. Our compensation committee may, in its discretion and in accordance with any non-qualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement, allow our non-employee directors to elect to defer the delivery of shares upon settlement of the RSU grants.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Our named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2024, consisting of our principal executive officer and the next two most highly compensated executive officers, were:

 

   

Peter Colis, our Chief Executive Officer;

 

   

Erin Lantz, our Chief Revenue Officer; and

 

   

Kunal Mehta, our Senior Vice President, Finance.

Summary Compensation Table

The following table presents all of the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2024.

 

Name    Salary
($)
     Bonus
($)
    Stock Awards
($)(1)
     Non-Equity
Incentive Plan
Compensation
($)(2)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
     Total
($)
 

Peter Colis

Chief Executive Officer

     300,000                                   300,000  

Erin Lantz

Chief Revenue Officer

     300,000                     209,169               509,169  

Kunal Mehta

Senior Vice President, Finance

     394,792        5,000 (3)             108,738               508,530  
 
(1)

Amounts reported represent the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted to our executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2024, under our 2016 Plan, computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation, or ASC Topic 718, excluding the effect of estimated forfeitures. The assumptions used in calculating the grant date fair value of the stock awards reported in these columns are set forth in the notes to our audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this prospectus. These amounts will not reflect the actual economic value that may be realized by the named executive officers.

(2)

Amounts reported in this column represent total cash bonuses earned by our named executive officers based on achievement of corporate performance goals as determined by our compensation committee for the year ended December 31, 2024, as described below under “—Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table—Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity.”

(3)

Represents a one-time discretionary cash bonus in recognition of Mr. Mehta’s contributions to the Company.

Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table

Historically, our board of directors has been responsible for overseeing all aspects of our executive compensation programs. In making compensation determinations, we consider compensation for comparable positions in the market, the historical compensation levels of our executives, individual performance as compared to our expectations and objectives, our desire to motivate our employees to achieve short- and long-term results that are in the best interests of our stockholders and a long-term commitment to our company.

Our board of directors has historically determined our executive officers’ compensation and has typically reviewed and discussed management’s proposed compensation with our Chief Executive

 

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Officer for all executives other than our Chief Executive Officer. Based on those discussions and its discretion, our board of directors has then approved the compensation of each executive officer.

Annual Base Salary

Base salaries for our executive officers are initially established through arm’s-length negotiations at the time of the executive officer’s hiring, taking into account such named executive officer’s experience, qualifications, scope of responsibilities, and competitive market compensation paid by other companies for similar positions within the industry and geography. Base salaries are reviewed periodically, and adjusted from time to time to realign salaries with market levels after taking into account individual responsibilities, performance, and experience.

The 2024 annual base salaries for our named executive officers are set forth in the table below.

 

Name    Base Salary
($)
 

Peter Colis

     300,000  

Erin Lantz

     300,000  

Kunal Mehta

     400,000 * 
 
*

Effective March 16, 2024, Mr. Mehta’s salary increased from $375,000 to $400,000.

Annual Performance-Based Bonus Opportunity

In addition to base salaries, our named executive officers, other than Mr. Colis, are eligible to receive performance-based cash bonuses, which are designed to provide appropriate incentives to our executives to achieve defined performance goals and to reward our executives for individual achievement towards these goals. The performance-based bonus each executive officer is eligible to receive is generally based on the extent to which we achieve the corporate goals that our board of directors or compensation committee establishes.

For the year ended December 31, 2024, Ms. Lantz and Mr. Mehta were each eligible to receive a bonus at an annual target of $200,000 and $100,000, respectively. Our corporate performance objectives for the year ended December 31, 2024 related to the achievement of certain financial metrics.

In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt the Employee Incentive Compensation Plan, or the Bonus Plan. The Bonus Plan will provide for the grant of such performance-based cash bonuses to our named executive officers going forward.

Equity-Based Incentive Awards

Our equity award program is the primary vehicle for offering long-term incentives to our executives. We believe that equity awards provide our executives with a strong link to our long-term performance, create an ownership culture, and help to align the interests of our executives and our stockholders. We believe that our equity awards are an important retention tool for our executives as well as for our other employees.

While no equity awards were granted to our named executive officers during the year ended December 31, 2024, in May 2025, our Chief Executive Officer was granted an RSU award covering 1,854,134 shares of our common stock under the 2016 Plan. Vesting of the RSU award is subject to satisfaction of both a service-based vesting requirement and a liquidity event vesting condition. The service-based vesting requirement is satisfied as to 50% of the RSUs on the date of grant, and 3.125%

 

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of the RSUs vest on each quarterly vesting date thereafter, subject to Mr. Colis’ continued service to us through each applicable vesting date. The liquidity event requirement will be satisfied with respect to any then-outstanding RSUs upon the earliest to occur of: (i) the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act for the sale of the our common stock to the public, whether pursuant to an initial public offering of our common stock or by a direct listing of the our common stock, or (ii) immediately prior to the closing of a corporate transaction, as defined in our 2016 Plan. The liquidity event requirement will be satisfied in connection with the closing of this offering.

Historically, we have granted RSU awards and stock option awards subject to service-based, liquidity event-based, and/or market-based conditions. Grants to our executives and other employees are made at the discretion of our compensation committee and are not made at any specific time period during a year. Prior to the closing of this offering, all of the equity awards we granted were made pursuant to our 2016 Plan, the terms of which are described below under “—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans.” The terms of equity awards granted to our named executive officers in the year ended December 31, 2024 are described below under “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End.”

Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers

We intend to enter into confirmatory offer letters with each of our named executive officers, which provide for an annual base salary, bonus opportunity, and standard employee benefits generally available to our employees. Each of our named executive officers is employed at-will. Additionally, each of our named executive officers entered into participation agreements under the Ethos Technologies Inc. Severance Plan, or the Severance Plan, providing for severance benefits as discussed below under “—Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control.”

Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change in Control

Regardless of the manner in which a named executive officer’s service terminates, each named executive officer is entitled to receive amounts earned during his or her term of service, including unpaid salary and unused vacation.

Each of our named executive officers is eligible to receive benefits under the terms of our Severance Plan, which was approved on May 23, 2025 and amended on September 22, 2025. The Severance Plan provides for severance benefits to the named executive officers upon certain terminations of employment.

Upon a covered termination (as defined below), each of our named executive officers is entitled to a lump sum payment equal to a portion of their base salary (12 months for Mr. Colis and 6 months for each of Ms. Lantz and Mr. Mehta).

Upon a covered CIC termination (as defined below), each of our named executive officers is entitled to a lump sum payment equal to a portion of their base salary (18 months for Mr. Colis and 12 months for each of Ms. Lantz and Mr. Mehta), a lump sum payment equal to a percentage of their annual target cash bonus (150% for Mr. Colis and 100% for each of Ms. Lantz and Mr. Mehta), payment of COBRA premiums (18 months for Mr. Colis and 12 months for each of Ms. Lantz and Mr. Mehta) and accelerated vesting of their equity awards that are to vest based solely on continuous service as if they had continued providing services for a number of months following such termination, equal to the number of months the executive had been employed with the Company measured from the date the executive first commenced employment with the Company through the date of termination and receiving credit for a full month for any partial month of employment. All severance benefits under the Severance Plan are subject to the executive’s execution of an effective release of claims against us.

 

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For purposes of the Severance Plan, a “covered termination” is an involuntary termination without “cause” (as defined in the Severance Plan) (and not as a result of death or disability), and a “covered CIC termination” is an involuntary termination without “cause” (and not as a result of death or disability) or a resignation for “good reason” (as defined in the Severance Plan), in any case that occurs during the period of time beginning three months prior to, and ending 12 months following, a “change in control,” as defined in the Severance Plan.

Each of our named executive officers’ equity awards is further subject to the terms of our 2016 Plan and the applicable award agreement thereunder. A description of the termination and change in control provisions in our 2016 Plan and awards granted thereunder is provided below under “—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans,” and a description of the vesting provisions of each equity award held by our named executive officers which is outstanding and unvested as of December 31, 2024 is provided below under “—Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End.”

Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year End

The following table presents the outstanding equity awards held by each named executive officer as of December 31, 2024.

 

                 Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name and Principal
Position

   Grant Date(1)     Vesting
Commencement
Date
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
Exercisable
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Option (#)
Unexercisable
    Option
Exercise
Price ($)
    Option Expiration
Date
    Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Number of
Unearned Shares,
Units or Other
Rights That Have
Not Vested (#)
    Equity Incentive
Plan Awards:
Market or Payout
Value of Unearned
Shares, Units or
Other Rights That
Have Not Vested(2)
 

Peter Colis

Chief Executive Officer

                                            

Erin Lantz

Chief Revenue Officer

     7/6/2020       4/2/2020       447,030             2.975       07/05/2030              
     5/2/2023       2/15/2023                               66,113 (3)      2,355,590.92  
     11/02/2023       2/15/2024                               302,790 (3)      10,788,407.70  

Kunal Mehta

Senior Vice President, Finance

     6/20/2022       2/15/2022                               57,143 (3)      2,036,000.00  
     8/5/2022       8/15/2021                               86,786 (4)      3,092,175.00  
     8/29/2022       8/15/2022                               28,571 (3)      1,018,000.00  
     5/2/2023       2/15/2023                               113,214 (3)      4,033,825.00  
     11/2/2023       8/15/2023                               211,953 (3)      7,551,885.39  
 
(1)

All equity awards listed in this table were granted pursuant to our 2016 Plan, the terms of which are described below under “—Employee Benefit and Stock Plans—2016 Equity Incentive Plan.” The equity awards are subject to acceleration upon certain events as described in the section titled “—Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table—Potential Payments and Benefits upon Termination or Change of Control.”

(2)

Amounts reported represent the fair value of our common stock of $35.63 per share as of December 31, 2024 as determined by our compensation committee in good faith, pursuant to authority from our board of directors.

(3)

The RSUs vest on the first date upon which both a service-based condition and liquidity event-based condition are satisfied. The service-based condition is satisfied as to 6.25% of the RSUs on the three-month anniversary of the vesting commencement date, and the remaining RSUs vest in 15 equal quarterly installments thereafter, subject to the named executive officer’s continued service to us through each applicable vesting date. The liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied in connection with the closing of this offering.

(4)

The RSUs vest on the first date upon which both a service-based condition and a liquidity event-based condition are satisfied. The service-based condition is satisfied as to 25% of the RSUs, measured on August 15, 2022, and the remaining RSUs vest in 12 equal quarterly installments thereafter, subject to the named executive officer’s continued service to us through each applicable vesting date. The liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied in connection with the closing of this offering.

 

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Emerging Growth Company Status

We are an emerging growth company, as defined in the JOBS Act. As an emerging growth company, we will be exempt from certain requirements related to executive compensation, including the requirements to hold a nonbinding advisory vote on executive compensation and to provide information relating to the ratio of total compensation of our Chief Executive Officer to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees, each as required by the Investor Protection and Securities Reform Act of 2010, which is part of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.

Other Compensation and Benefits; Perquisites

All of our named executive officers are eligible to participate in our employee benefit plans, including our medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and accidental death and dismemberment insurance plans, in each case, on the same basis as all of our other employees. We do not provide perquisites or personal benefits to our named executive officers.

Pension Benefits

Our named executive officers did not participate in, or otherwise receive any benefits under, any pension or retirement plan sponsored by us during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Nonqualified Deferred Compensation

Our named executive officers did not participate in, or earn any benefits under, any nonqualified deferred compensation plan sponsored by us during the year ended December 31, 2024.

401(k) Plan

We maintain a 401(k) plan that provides eligible U.S. employees with an opportunity to save for retirement on a tax advantaged basis. Eligible employees are able to make pre-tax and after-tax contributions of eligible compensation up to certain Code limits, which are updated annually. We have the ability to make matching and discretionary contributions to the 401(k) plan. The 401(k) plan is intended to be qualified under Section 401(a) Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code, with the related trust intended to be tax exempt under Section 501(a) of the Code. As a tax-qualified retirement plan, contributions to the 401(k) plan are deductible by us when made and pre-tax contributions and earnings on pre-tax and after-tax contributions are not generally taxable to the employees until withdrawn or distributed from the 401(k) plan.

Clawback Policy

In connection with this offering, we intend to adopt a compensation recovery policy that is compliant with the SEC rules and applicable stock exchange listing rules, as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010, to be effective upon the closing of this offering.

Employee Benefit and Stock Plans

2025 Equity Incentive Plan

In      , 2025, our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, our 2025 Plan. The 2025 Plan will become effective upon the execution of the underwriting agreement for this offering. Our 2025 Plan came into existence upon its adoption by our board of directors, but no grants will be made under our 2025 Plan prior to its effectiveness. Our 2025 Plan is a successor to and

 

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continuation of our 2016 Plan (referred to in the 2025 Plan as our Prior Plan). Once our 2025 Plan becomes effective, no further grants will be made under our 2016 Plan.

Types of Awards. Our 2025 Plan provides for the grant of incentive stock options, or ISOs to employees, including employees of any parent or subsidiary, and for the grant of nonstatutory stock options, NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, performance awards, and other forms of stock awards to employees, directors, and consultants, including employees and consultants of our affiliates.

Authorized Shares. Initially, the maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued under our 2025 Plan after it becomes effective will not exceed      shares, which is the sum of (i)     new     shares, plus (ii) up to     shares of our common stock subject to outstanding stock awards granted under our 2016 Plan that, on or after the 2025 Plan becomes effective, expire or otherwise terminate prior to exercise or settlement; are not issued because the stock award is settled in cash; are forfeited or repurchased because of the failure to vest; or are reacquired or withheld to satisfy a tax withholding obligation or the purchase or exercise price if any, as such shares becomes available from time to time. In addition, the number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under our 2025 Plan will automatically increase on    of each calendar year, starting on January 1, 2026 (assuming the 2025 Plan becomes effective in 2025) through    , 2035, in an amount equal to    % of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on the last day of the calendar month before the date of each automatic increase, or a lesser number of shares determined by our board of directors. The maximum number of shares of our common stock that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs under our 2025 Plan is     .

Shares subject to stock awards granted under our 2025 Plan that expire or terminate without being exercised in full, or that are paid out in cash rather than in shares, do not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under our 2025 Plan. Additionally, shares become available for future grant under our 2025 Plan if they were issued stock awards under our 202 Plan and we repurchase them or they are forfeited. This includes shares used to pay the exercise price of a stock award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to a stock award.

Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors, will administer our 2025 Plan. Our board of directors may delegate concurrent authority to administer our 2025 Plan to our compensation committee under the terms of our compensation committee’s charter. We sometimes refer to our board of directors, or the applicable committee with the power to administer our equity incentive plans, as the administrator. The administrator may also delegate to one or more persons or bodies the authority to (i) designate employees (other than officers) to receive specified awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares subject to such awards. Such persons or bodies may not grant a stock award to themselves and neither our board nor any committee may delegate authority to any person or body (who is not a member of our board or such body that is not comprised solely of members of our board) the authority to determine the fair market value of our common stock for purposes of the 2025 Plan.

The administrator has the authority to determine the terms of awards, including recipients, the exercise, purchase or strike price of awards, if any, the number of shares subject to each award, the fair market value of a share of common stock, the vesting schedule applicable to the awards, together with any vesting acceleration, and the form of consideration, if any, payable upon exercise or settlement of the award and the terms of the award agreements for use under our 2025 Plan.

In addition, subject to the terms of the 2025 Plan, the administrator also has the power to modify outstanding awards under our 2025 Plan, including the authority to reprice any outstanding option or stock appreciation right, cancel and re-grant any outstanding option or stock appreciation right in

 

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exchange for new stock awards, cash or other consideration, or take any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles, with the consent of any materially adversely affected participant.

Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted under stock option agreements adopted by the administrator. The administrator determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the 2025 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2025 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the administrator.

Tax Limitations on ISOs. The aggregate fair market value, determined at the time of grant, of our common stock with respect to ISOs that are exercisable for the first time by an optionholder during any calendar year under all of our stock plans may not exceed $100,000. Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit will generally be treated as NSOs. No ISO may be granted to any person who, at the time of the grant, owns or is deemed to own stock possessing more than 10% of our total combined voting power or that of any of our affiliates unless (i) the option exercise price is at least 110% of the fair market value of the stock subject to the option on the date of grant; and (ii) the option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards. RSUs are granted under restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the administrator. RSUs may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. An RSU may be settled by cash, delivery of stock, a combination of cash and stock as deemed appropriate by the administrator, or in any other form of consideration set forth in the restricted stock unit agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a restricted stock unit. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, restricted stock units that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant’s continuous service ends for any reason.

Restricted Stock Awards. Restricted stock awards are granted under restricted stock award agreements adopted by the administrator. A restricted stock award may be awarded in consideration for cash, check, bank draft or money order, past services to us, or any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. The administrator determines the terms and conditions of restricted stock awards, including vesting and forfeiture terms. If a participant’s service relationship with us ends for any reason, we may receive any or all of the shares of our common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.

Stock Appreciation Rights. Stock appreciation rights are granted under stock appreciation grant agreements adopted by the administrator. The administrator determines the purchase price or strike price for a stock appreciation right, which generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant. A stock appreciation right granted under the 2025 Plan vests at the rate specified in the stock appreciation right agreement as determined by the administrator.

Performance Awards. The 2025 Plan permits the grant of performance-based stock and cash awards. The administrator may structure awards so that the shares of our stock, cash, or other property will be issued or paid only following the achievement of certain pre-established performance goals during a designated performance period. The performance criteria that will be used to establish such performance goals may be based on any one of, or combination of, the following as determined by the administrator: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes, and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total

 

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stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; share price; margin (including gross margin); income (before or after taxes); operating income; operating income after taxes; pre-tax profit; operating cash flow; sales or revenue targets; increases in revenue or product revenue; expenses and cost reduction goals; improvement in or attainment of working capital levels; economic value added (or an equivalent metric); market share; cash flow; cash flow per share; share price performance; debt reduction; customer satisfaction; stockholder’s equity; capital expenditures; debt levels; operating profit or net operating profit; workforce diversity; growth of net income or operating income; billings; financing; regulatory milestones; stockholder liquidity; corporate governance and compliance; intellectual property; personnel matters; progress of internal research; progress of partnered programs; partner satisfaction; budget management; partner or collaborator achievements; internal controls, including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002; investor relations, analysts, and communication; implementation or completion of projects or processes; employee retention; number of users, including unique users; strategic partnerships or transactions (including in-licensing and out-licensing of intellectual property); establishing relationships with respect to the marketing, distribution, and sale of our products; supply chain achievements; co-development, co-marketing, profit sharing, joint venture, or other similar arrangements; individual performance goals; corporate development and planning goals; and other measures of performance selected by the administrator.

The performance goals may be based on a company-wide basis, with respect to one or more business units, divisions, affiliates, or business segments, and in either absolute terms or relative to the performance of one or more comparable companies or the performance of one or more relevant indices. Unless specified otherwise (i) in the award agreement at the time the award is granted or (ii) in such other document setting forth the performance goals at the time the goals are established, we will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of performance goals as follows: (a) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (b) to exclude exchange rate effects; (c) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (d) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (e) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (f) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (g) to assume that any business divested by us achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a performance period following such divestiture; (h) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of our common stock by reason of any stock dividend or split, stock repurchase, reorganization, recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares or other similar corporate change, or any distributions to common stockholders other than regular cash dividends; (i) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under our bonus plans; (j) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (k) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, we retain the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of the goals. The performance goals may differ from participant to participant and from award to award.

Other Stock Awards. The administrator may grant other awards based in whole or in part by reference to our common stock. The administrator will set the number of shares under the stock award and all other terms and conditions of such awards.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid to any non-employee director with respect to any calendar year that begins after December 31, 2025, including stock awards granted and cash fees paid by us to such non-employee director, will not exceed $750,000 in total value, or in the event such non-employee director is first appointed or elected

 

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to the board during such calendar year, $1,000,000 in total value (in each case, calculating the value of any such stock awards based on the grant date fair value of such stock awards for financial reporting purposes).

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event there is a specified type of change in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split, or recapitalization, appropriate adjustments will be made to (i) the class and maximum number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2025 Plan, (ii) the class and maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year, (iii) the class and maximum number of shares that may be issued on the exercise of ISOs, and (iv) the class and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions. The following applies to stock awards under the 2025 Plan in the event of a corporate transaction, unless otherwise provided in a participant’s stock award agreement or other written agreement with us or one of our affiliates or unless otherwise expressly provided by the administrator at the time of grant.

In the event of a corporate transaction, any stock awards outstanding under the 2025 Plan may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to the stock award may be assigned to the successor (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume, continue or substitute for such stock awards, then with respect to any such stock awards that are held by participants whose continuous service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the transaction, or current participants, the vesting (and exercisability, if applicable) of such stock awards will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of the transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the transaction), and such stock awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the transaction). With respect to performance awards with multiple vesting levels depending on performance level, unless otherwise provided by an award agreement or by the administrator, the award will accelerate at 100% of target. If the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume, continue or substitute for such stock awards, then with respect to any such stock awards that are held by persons other than current participants, such awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the effective time of the transaction, except that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us with respect to such stock awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the transaction. The administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions of stock awards in the same manner and is not obligated to take the same actions with respect to all participants.

In the event a stock award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a transaction, the administrator may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such stock award may not exercise such stock award but instead will receive a payment equal in value to the excess (if any) of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received upon the exercise of the stock award over (ii) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

Under our 2025 Plan, a corporate transaction is defined to include the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events: (i) a sale or disposition of all or substantially all of our assets; (ii) a sale or disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction where we do not survive the transaction; and (iv) a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, unless otherwise provided in an award agreement or other written agreement between us and the award holder.

 

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Change in Control. In the event of a change in control, as defined under our 2025 Plan, awards granted under our 2025 Plan will not receive automatic acceleration of vesting and exercisability, although this treatment may be provided for in an award agreement.

Under the 2025 Plan, a change in control is defined to include: (i) the acquisition by any person or company of more than 50% of the combined voting power of our then outstanding stock; (ii) a consummated merger, consolidation or similar transaction in which our stockholders immediately before the transaction do not own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity (or the parent of the surviving entity); (iii) a consummated sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets other than to an entity more than 50% of the combined voting power of which is owned by our stockholders; and (iv) an unapproved change in the majority of the board of directors.

Transferability. A participant may not transfer stock awards under our 2025 Plan other than by will, the laws of descent and distribution, or as otherwise provided under our 2025 Plan.

2025 Plan Amendment or Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate our 2025 Plan, provided that such action does not materially impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. No ISOs may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the date our board of directors adopted our 2025 Plan. No stock awards may be granted under our 2025 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated.

2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Our board of directors adopted, and our stockholders approved, our 2025 ESPP in      . The 2025 ESPP will become effective immediately prior to the execution of the underwriting agreement for this offering. The purpose of the 2025 ESPP is to secure and retain the services of new employees, to retain the services of existing employees, and to provide incentives for such individuals to exert maximum efforts toward our success and that of our affiliates. Our 2025 ESPP will include two components. One component will be designed to allow eligible U.S. employees to purchase our shares of Class A common stock in a manner that may qualify for favorable tax treatment under Section 423 of the Code. The other component will permit the grant of purchase rights that do not qualify for such favorable tax treatment in order to allow deviations necessary to permit participation by eligible employees who are foreign nationals or employed outside of the U.S. while complying with applicable foreign laws.

Share Reserve. Following the closing of this offering, the 2025 ESPP authorizes the issuance of shares of our Class A common stock under purchase rights granted to our employees or to employees of any of our designated affiliates. The number of shares of our Class A common stock reserved for issuance will automatically increase on January 1 of each calendar year for a period of up to ten years beginning on January 1, 2026 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2035, by the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of our capital stock outstanding on the last day of the calendar month before the date of the automatic increase, and (ii)   shares; provided that before the date of any such increase, our board of directors may determine that such increase will be less than the amount set forth in clauses (i) and (ii). As of the date hereof, no shares of our Class A common stock have been purchased under the 2025 ESPP.

Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee thereof, will administer our 2025 ESPP. Our board may delegate concurrent authority to administer the 2025 ESPP to our compensation committee under the terms of the compensation committee’s charter. The 2025 ESPP is implemented through a series of offerings under which eligible employees are granted

 

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purchase rights to purchase shares of our common stock on specified dates during such offerings. Under the 2025 ESPP, we may specify offerings with durations of not more than 27 months and may specify shorter purchase periods within each offering. Each offering will have one or more purchase dates on which shares of our common stock will be purchased for employees participating in the offering. An offering under the 2025 ESPP may be terminated under certain circumstances.

Payroll Deductions. Generally, all regular employees, including executive officers, employed by us or by any of our designated affiliates, will be eligible to participate in the 2025 ESPP and to contribute, normally through payroll deductions, up to a maximum percentage of their earnings (as defined in the 2025 ESPP) or up to a set dollar amount for the purchase of our common stock under the 2025 ESPP. Unless otherwise determined by our board of directors, common stock will be purchased for the accounts of employees participating in the 2025 ESPP at a price per share that is at least the lesser of (i) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the first date of an offering; or (ii) 85% of the fair market value of a share of our common stock on the date of purchase.

Limitations. Employees may have to satisfy one or more of the following service requirements before participating in the 2025 ESPP, as determined by our board of directors, including: (i) customary employment with us or one of our affiliates for more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year; or (ii) continuous employment with us or one of our affiliates for a minimum period of time (not to exceed two years). No employee may purchase shares under the 2025 ESPP at a rate in excess of $25,000 worth of our common stock based on the fair market value per share of our common stock at the beginning of an offering for each year such a purchase right is outstanding. Finally, no employee will be eligible for the grant of any purchase rights under the 2025 ESPP if immediately after such rights are granted, such employee has voting power over 5% or more of our outstanding capital stock measured by vote or value under Section 424(d) of the Code.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event that there occurs a change in our capital structure through such actions as a stock split, merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or similar transaction, the board of directors will make appropriate adjustments to: (i) the number of shares reserved under the 2025 ESPP; (ii) the maximum number of shares by which the share reserve may increase automatically each year; (iii) the number of shares and purchase price of all outstanding purchase rights; and (iv) the number of shares that are subject to purchase limits under ongoing offerings.

Corporate Transactions. In the event of certain significant corporate transactions, including the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events: (i) a sale of all or substantially all of our assets; (ii) a sale or disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities; (iii) a merger or consolidation where we do not survive the transaction; and (iv) a merger or consolidation where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction, any then-outstanding rights to purchase our stock under the 2025 ESPP may be assumed, continued or substituted for by any surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company). If the surviving or acquiring entity (or its parent company) elects not to assume, continue, or substitute for such purchase rights, then the participants’ accumulated payroll contributions will be used to purchase shares of our common stock within ten business days before such corporate transaction, and such purchase rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.

2025 ESPP Amendment or Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend or terminate our 2025 ESPP, provided that except in certain circumstances such amendment or

 

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termination may not materially impair any outstanding purchase rights without the holder’s consent. We will obtain stockholder approval of any amendment to our 2025 ESPP as required by applicable law or listing requirements.

2016 Equity Incentive Plan

Our board of directors and stockholders adopted the 2016 Plan in July 2016. It was most recently amended in October 2023. The 2016 Plan provides for the grant of ISOs to employees, including employees of any parent or subsidiary, and for the grant of NSOs, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, and other forms of stock awards to employees, directors and consultants, including employees and consultants of our affiliates. Once the 2025 Plan becomes effective, no further grants will be made under the 2016 Plan. Any outstanding stock awards granted under the 2016 Plan will remain subject to the terms of the 2016 Plan and applicable award agreements.

As of June 30, 2025, stock options to purchase 1,197,629 shares of our common stock remained outstanding under the 2016 Plan and 1,130,794 shares of our common stock remained available for future issuance under the 2016 Plan. In the event that an outstanding stock option or other stock award for any reason expires or is canceled, the shares allocable to such stock award will be added to the number of shares then available for issuance under the 2025 Plan. Further, we expect that any shares remaining available for issuance under the 2016 Plan when the 2025 Plan becomes effective will become available for issuance under the 2025 Plan.

Plan Administration. Our board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of our board of directors to which the board delegates its administrative authority, administers the 2016 Plan and is referred to as the “plan administrator” herein. Under the 2016 Plan, the plan administrator has the authority to, among other things, determine who will be granted stock awards, to determine the terms and conditions of each stock award (including the number of shares subject to the stock award, when the stock award will vest and, as applicable, become exercisable), to accelerate the time(s) at which a stock award may vest or be exercised, and to construe and interpret the terms of the 2016 Plan and stock awards granted thereunder.

Under the 2016 Plan, the plan administrator also generally has the authority to effect, with the consent of any adversely affected participant, (i) the reduction of the exercise, purchase, or strike price of any outstanding stock award; (ii) the cancellation of any outstanding stock award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new stock award, cash, or other consideration; or (iii) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

Stock Options. ISOs and NSOs are granted under stock option agreements adopted by the plan administrator. The plan administrator determines the exercise price for stock options, within the terms and conditions of the 2016 Plan, provided that the exercise price of a stock option generally cannot be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant (or 110% of the fair market value for certain significant stockholders). Options granted under the 2016 Plan vest at the rate specified in the stock option agreement as determined by the plan administrator.

The plan administrator determines the term of stock options granted under the 2016 Plan, up to a maximum of ten years (or five years, for certain significant stockholders). Unless the terms of an optionholder’s stock option agreement provide otherwise, if an optionholder’s service relationship with us, or any of our affiliates, ceases for any reason other than disability, death or cause, the optionholder may generally exercise any vested options for a period of three months following the cessation of service. This period may be extended in the event that exercise of the option is prohibited by applicable securities laws or the sale of stock acquired upon exercise of the option would violate our insider

 

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trading policy. If an optionholder’s service relationship with us or any of our affiliates ceases due to disability or death, or an optionholder dies within a certain period following cessation of service, the optionholder or a beneficiary may generally exercise any vested options for a period of 12 months in the event of disability and 18 months in the event of death. In the event of a termination for cause, options generally terminate immediately upon the termination of the individual for cause. In no event may an option be exercised beyond the expiration of its term.

Acceptable consideration for the purchase of our Class A common stock issued upon the exercise of a stock option will be determined by the plan administrator and may include (i) cash, check, bank draft, or money order payable to us, (ii) a broker-assisted cashless exercise, (iii) by delivery to us (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Class A common stock, (iv) a net exercise of the option if it is an NSO, (v) a deferred payment arrangement, or (vi) other legal consideration approved by the plan administrator and specified in the applicable stock option agreement.

Unless the plan administrator provides otherwise, options generally are not transferable except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. Subject to approval of the plan administrator (i) an option may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement, or other divorce or separation instrument and (ii) an optionholder may designate a beneficiary who may exercise the option following the optionholder’s death.

The plan administrator may grant options that can be exercised before the shares subject to the option have vested. If a participant exercises unvested shares subject to an option, the participant will receive unvested (i.e. restricted) shares subject to a right of repurchase in favor of us that will lapse over the original vesting schedule for the option while the participant remains in continuous service. If a participant’s service relationship with us ends for any reason, we may receive any or all of the shares of our common stock held by the participant that have not vested as of the date the participant terminates service with us through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right.

Restricted Stock Unit Awards. RSU awards are granted under restricted stock unit award agreements adopted by the plan administrator. RSU awards may be granted in consideration for any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to our board of directors and permissible under applicable law. An RSU award may be settled by cash, delivery of shares of our common stock, a combination of cash and shares of our common stock as determined by the plan administrator, and as set forth in the RSU agreement. Additionally, dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares covered by a RSU. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable award agreement, or other written agreement between us and the participant, restricted stock unit awards that have not vested will be forfeited once the participant’s continuous service ends for any reason.

Changes to Capital Structure. In the event of certain changes in our capital structure, such as a stock split, reverse stock split, or recapitalization, appropriate and proportionate adjustments will be made to the class(es) and number of shares and exercise price, strike price, or purchase price, if applicable, of all outstanding stock awards.

Corporate Transactions. The 2016 Plan provides that in the event of a “corporate transaction,” unless otherwise provided in an award agreement or other written agreement between us and the award holder or unless otherwise expressly provided by our board of directors at the time of grant of a stock award, our board of directors may take one or more of the following actions with respect to such stock awards:

 

   

arrange for the assumption, continuation, or substitution of a stock award by a surviving or acquiring corporation;

 

   

arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us to the surviving or acquiring corporation;

 

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accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the stock award and provide for its termination if not exercised (if applicable) at or before the effective time of the corporate transaction;

 

   

arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by us;

 

   

cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the stock award, to the extent not vested or not exercised before the effective time of the corporate transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration (including no consideration) as our board of directors, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

 

   

make a payment equal to the excess, if any, of (i) the value of the property the participant would have received on exercise of the stock award immediately before the effective time of the corporate transaction, over (ii) any exercise price payable by the participant in connection with the exercise.

The plan administrator is not obligated to treat all stock awards or portions of stock awards in the same manner and is not obligated to treat all participants in the same manner.

Under the 2016 Plan, a “corporate transaction” is generally defined as the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events: (i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (ii) the sale or other disposition of more than 50% of our outstanding securities, (iii) a merger or consolidation or similar transaction where we do not survive the transaction, or (iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction where we do survive the transaction but the shares of our common stock outstanding immediately before such transaction are converted or exchanged into other property by virtue of the transaction.

2016 Plan Amendment or Termination. Our board of directors has the authority to amend, suspend, or terminate the 2016 Plan at any time, provided that such action does not impair the existing rights of any participant without such participant’s written consent. Certain material amendments also require the approval of our stockholders. Unless terminated sooner, the 2016 Plan will automatically terminate on July 4, 2026. No stock awards may be granted under the 2016 Plan while it is suspended or after it is terminated. Once the 2025 Plan is effective, no further grants will be made under the 2016 Plan.

Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters

Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation will contain provisions that limit the liability of our current and former directors for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Delaware law allows a corporation to provide that its directors will not be personally liable for monetary damages for any breach of fiduciary duties as directors, except liability for:

 

   

any breach of the director’s duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;

 

   

any act or omission not in good faith or that involves intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law;

 

   

unlawful payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions; or

 

   

any transaction from which the director derived an improper personal benefit.

Such limitation of liability does not apply to liabilities arising under federal securities laws and does not affect the availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering will authorize us to indemnify our directors, officers, employees, and other

 

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agents to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Our amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering will provide that we are required to indemnify our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and may indemnify our other employees and agents. Our amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering will also provide that, on satisfaction of certain conditions, we will advance expenses incurred by a director or officer in advance of the final disposition of any action or proceeding, and permit us to secure insurance on behalf of any director, officer, employee, or other agent for any liability arising out of his or her actions in that capacity regardless of whether we would otherwise be permitted to indemnify him or her under the provisions of Delaware law. We have entered into, or will enter into in connection with this offering, agreements to indemnify our directors and executive officers. With certain exceptions, these agreements provide for indemnification for related expenses including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines, and settlement amounts incurred by any of these individuals in connection with any action, proceeding, or investigation. We believe that our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and these amended and restated bylaw provisions and indemnification agreements are necessary to attract and retain qualified persons as directors and officers. We also maintain customary directors’ and officers’ liability insurance.

The limitation of liability and indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and officers as required by these indemnification provisions.

Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted for directors, executive officers, or persons controlling us, we have been informed that, in the opinion of the SEC, such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is therefore unenforceable.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Other than compensation arrangements for our directors and executive officers, which are described elsewhere in this prospectus, below we describe transactions since January 1, 2022 and each currently proposed transaction in which:

 

   

we have been or are to be a participant;

 

   

the amounts involved exceeded or will exceed $120,000; and

 

   

any of our directors, executive officers, or holders of more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, or any immediate family member of, or person sharing the household with, any of these individuals or entities had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

We believe the terms obtained or consideration that we paid or received, as applicable, in connection with the transactions described below were comparable to terms available or the amounts that would be paid or received, as applicable in arm’s length transactions.

Tender Offer

We facilitated a tender offer in March 2025, whereby certain of our employees sold shares of our common stock to a new investor, or the 2025 Tender Offer. Three of our executive officers, Erin Lantz, Kunal Mehta, and Vipul Sharma, each sold shares of our common stock in the 2025 Tender Offer for a purchase price of $3,316,440.96, $1,504,287.36, and $4,425,966.72, respectively.

Investors’ Rights Agreement

We are party to an amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, or the IRA, which provides, among other things, that certain our redeemable convertible preferred stock, including entities affiliated with Accel Growth Fund IV L.P., GV 2019, L.P., and Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P., each of which holds more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, have the right to demand that we file a registration statement or request that their shares of our capital stock be included on a registration statement that we are otherwise filing. The IRA also provides certain of these stockholders with information rights, which will terminate upon the closing of this offering, and a right of first refusal with regard to certain issuances of our capital stock, which will not apply to, and will terminate upon, the closing of this offering. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights” for additional information regarding these registration rights.

Right of First Refusal

Pursuant to our equity compensation plans and certain agreements with our stockholders, including an amended and restated right of first refusal and co-sale agreement with certain holders of our capital stock, including entities affiliated with Accel Growth Fund IV L.P., GV 2019, L.P., and Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P., each of which holds more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, Peter Colis, our Chief Executive Officer and member of our board of directors, and Lingke Wang, our President and member of our board of directors, we or our assignees have a right to purchase shares of our capital stock which certain stockholders propose to sell to other parties. This right under the right of first refusal and co-sale agreement will terminate upon the consummation of this offering.

Voting Agreement

We are party to an amended and restated voting agreement under which certain holders of our capital stock, including entities affiliated with Accel Growth Fund IV L.P., GV 2019, L.P., and Sequoia

 

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Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P., each of which holds more than 5% of our outstanding capital stock, Peter Colis, our Chief Executive Officer and member of our board of directors, and Lingke Wang, our President and member of our board of directors, have agreed as to the manner in which they will vote their shares of our capital stock on certain matters, including with respect to the election of directors. The voting agreement will terminate upon the closing of this offering, and none of our stockholders will have any special rights regarding the election or designation of members of our board of directors.

Employment Agreements

We intend to enter into confirmatory offer letters with each of our named executive officers, which provide for an annual base salary, bonus opportunity, and standard employee benefits generally available to our employees. For a description of these agreements, see the section titled “Executive Compensation—Narrative to the Summary Compensation Table—Agreements with Our Named Executive Officers.”

Indemnification Agreements

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering will contain provisions limiting the liability of directors, and our amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect on the closing of this offering will provide that we will indemnify each of our directors and officers to the fullest extent permitted under Delaware law. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect on the closing of this offering will also provide our board of directors with discretion to indemnify our employees and other agents when determined appropriate by the board. In addition, we will enter into an indemnification agreement with each of our directors and executive officers, which requires us to indemnify them in certain circumstances. For more information regarding these agreements, see the section titled “Executive Compensation—Limitations of Liability and Indemnification Matters.”

Policies and Procedures for Related Person Transactions

Our board of directors intends to adopt a related person transactions policy setting forth the policies and procedures for the identification, review, and approval or ratification of related person transactions.

 

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PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information with respect to the beneficial ownership of our capital stock as of June 30, 2025, and as adjusted to reflect the sale of Class A common stock offered by us and the selling stockholders in this offering assuming no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, for:

 

   

each of our named executive officers;

 

   

each of our directors;

 

   

all of our executive officers and directors as a group;

 

   

each person or group of affiliated persons known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our Class A common stock and/or Class B common stock; and

 

   

each selling stockholder.

We have determined beneficial ownership in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, and the information is not necessarily indicative of beneficial ownership for any other purpose. Except as indicated by the footnotes below, we believe, based on information furnished to us, that the persons and entities named in the table below have sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares that they beneficially own, subject to applicable community property laws.

Applicable percentage ownership before the offering is based on    shares of Class A common stock and      shares of Class B common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025, assuming (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iv) the RSU Net Settlement. Applicable percentage ownership after the offering is based on    shares of Class A common stock and    shares of Class B common stock outstanding immediately after the closing of this offering, assuming no exercise by the underwriters of their option to purchase additional shares.

In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of such person, we deemed to be outstanding all shares subject to options held by the person that are currently exercisable, or exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025 or issuable pursuant to RSUs that are subject to vesting and settlement conditions expected to occur within 60 days of June 30, 2025, including the liquidity event-based condition, which will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, and after giving effect to the RSU Net Settlement, after withholding      shares to satisfy estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations of $     million (based on the assumed initial offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed   % tax withholding rate). However, except as described above, we did not deem such shares outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. In addition, the actual share withholding or repurchase and cancellation amounts, as applicable, and related tax withholding rates will fluctuate based on, among other things, the actual initial public offering price per share in this offering. As a result, the number of shares beneficially owned by any holder included in the table below, as well as the shares of common stock to be sold by certain of our selling stockholders who are offering shares underlying stock options and/or RSUs, may fluctuate based on the actual initial public offering price per share in this offering.

 

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Unless otherwise indicated, the address of each beneficial owner listed below is c/o Ethos Technologies Inc., 90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105.

 

    Shares Beneficially Owned Prior to this
Offering
    Shares of Class A
Common Stock
Being Offered
    Shares Beneficially Owned
Following this Offering
 
    Class A
common stock
    Class B
common stock
    % of
Total
Voting
Power†
    Class A
common stock
    Class B
common stock
    % of
Total
Voting
Power†
 

Name of
Beneficial Owner

  Shares     %     Shares     %     Shares     %     Shares     %  

5% or greater stockholders:

                     

Entities affiliated with Sequoia Capital(1)

                     

Entities affiliated with Accel(2)

                     

Peter Colis(3)

                     

Entities affiliated with GV(4)

                     

Lingke Wang(5)

                     

Named executive officers and directors:

                     

Peter Colis(3)

                     

Erin Lantz(6)

                     

Kunal Mehta(7)

                     

Lingke Wang(5)

                     

Roelof Botha(8)

                     

Priscilla Hung(9)

                     

John Kunze(10)

                     

Nate J. Niparko(11)

                     

Khozema Shipchandler(12)

                     

William J. Wheeler

                     

All current executive officer and directors as a group (12 persons)(13)

                     
 
*

Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1%.

Represents the voting power with respect to all shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock, voting as a single class. Each share of Class A common stock will be entitled to one vote per share, and each share of Class B common stock will be entitled to votes per share. The Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together on all matters (including

 

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  the election of directors) submitted to a vote of stockholders, except under limited circumstances described in “Description of Capital Stock—Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock—Voting Rights.”
(1)

Consists of (i)    shares held of record by Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Partners Fund XV, L.P.; (ii)    shares held of record by Sequoia Capital U.S. Growth Fund VIII, L.P., or GFVIII; (iii)    shares held of record by Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture XV Principals Fund, L.P.; (iv)    shares held of record by Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Partners Fund XV (Q), L.P.; (v)     shares held of record by Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P.; (vi)    shares held of record by Spelunker Channel Holdings, LLC, or Spelunker; and (vii)    shares held of record by Nalrena, L.L.C, or Nalrena. SC US (TTGP), Ltd. is (i) the general partner of Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture XV Management, L.P., which is the general partner of Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P., Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund Partners Fund XV, L.P., Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture XV Principals Fund, L.P. and Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Partners Fund XV (Q), L.P., or collectively, XV Funds, and (ii) the general partner of SC U.S. Growth VIII Management, L.P., which is the general partner of GFVIII. SC US SSF 2013 (TTGP), L.L.C. is the general partner of SC U.S. Scout Seed Fund 2013 Management, L.P., which is the general partner of Sequoia Capital U.S. Scout Seed Fund 2013, L.P., which is the managing member of Sequoia Capital U.S. Scout Fund IV, L.L.C., which is the sole member of Spelunker and Nalrena. Mr. Botha, one of our directors, is a managing member of SC US (TTGP), Ltd. and SC US SSF 2013 (TTGP), L.L.C., and as a result may be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares held by the XV Funds, GFVIII, Spelunker and Nalrena. Mr. Botha expressly disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by such Sequoia Capital entities. The address for each of the Sequoia Capital entities identified in this footnote is 2800 Sand Hill Rd., Suite 101, Menlo Park, CA 94025.

(2)

Consists of (i)    shares held of record by Accel Growth Fund IV L.P. (“AGF4”); (ii)    shares held of record by Accel Growth Fund Investors 2016 L.L.C. (“AGFI16”); and (iii)    shares held of record by Accel Growth Fund IV Strategic Partners L.P. (“AGF4SP”). Accel Growth Fund IV Associates L.L.C. (“AGF4A”) is the general partner of AGF4 and AGF4SP and has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares held of record by AGF4 and AGF4SP. Andrew G. Braccia, Sameer K. Gandhi, Ping Li, Ryan J. Sweeney and Richard P. Wong are the managing members of AGF4A and share such powers. Messrs. Braccia, Gandhi, Li, Sweeney and Wong also are the managing members of AGFI16 and share voting and investment power with respect to the shares held of record by AGFI16. The managing members disclaim Section 16 beneficial ownership over the securities reported herein except to the extent of their pecuniary interest therein. The address for each of these entities is 500 University Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94301.

(3)

Consists of      shares held of record by Mr. Colis.

(4)

Consists of (i)    shares held of record by GV 2017, L.P.; (ii)    shares held of record by GV 2019, L.P.; and (iii)    shares held of record by GV 2021, L.P. Regarding GV 2017, L.P.: GV 2017 GP, L.P. (the general partner of GV 2017, L.P.), GV 2017 GP, L.L.C. (the general partner of GV 2017 GP, L.P.), Alphabet Holdings LLC (the sole member of GV 2017 GP, L.L.C.), XXVI Holdings Inc. (the sole member of Alphabet Holdings LLC), and Alphabet Inc. (the controlling stockholder of XXVI Holdings Inc.) may each be deemed to share power to vote or dispose of the shares held directly by GV 2017, L.P. Regarding GV 2019, L.P.: GV 2019 GP, L.P. (the general partner of GV 2019, L.P.), GV 2019 GP, L.L.C. (the general partner of GV 2019 GP, L.P.), Alphabet Holdings LLC (the sole member of GV 2019 GP, L.L.C.), XXVI Holdings Inc. (the sole member of Alphabet Holdings LLC), and Alphabet Inc. (the controlling stockholder of XXVI Holdings Inc.) may each be deemed to share power to vote or dispose of the shares held directly by GV 2019, L.P. Regarding GV 2021, L.P.: GV 2021 GP, L.P. (the general partner of GV 2021, L.P.), GV 2021 GP, L.L.C. (the general partner of GV 2021 GP, L.P.), Alphabet Holdings LLC (the sole member of GV 2021 GP, L.L.C.), XXVI Holdings Inc. (the sole member of Alphabet Holdings LLC), and Alphabet Inc. (the controlling stockholder of XXVI Holdings Inc.) may each be deemed

 

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  to share power to vote or dispose of the shares held directly by GV 2021, L.P. The address for each of these entities is 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043.
(5)

Consists of     shares held of record by Mr. Wang.

(6)

Consists of (i)    shares held of record by Ms. Lantz; (ii)    shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025; and (iii)    shares issuable pursuant to RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be satisfied within 60 days of June 30, 2025 and the liquidity event-based vesting condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

(7)

Consists of (i)    shares held of record by Mr. Mehta; (ii)    shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025; and (iii)    shares issuable pursuant to RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be satisfied within 60 days of June 30, 2025 and the liquidity event-based vesting condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

(8)

Consists of the shares listed in footnote 1 above held of record by entities affiliated with Sequoia Capital. Mr. Botha disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares held by the Sequoia Capital entities.

(9)

Consists of (i)    shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025; and (ii)    shares issuable pursuant to RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be satisfied within 60 days of June 30, 2025 and the liquidity event-based vesting condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

(10)

Consists of (i)    shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025; and (ii)    shares issuable pursuant to RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be satisfied within 60 days of June 30, 2025 and the liquidity event-based vesting condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

(11)

Consists of the shares listed in footnote 2 above held of record by entities affiliated with Accel.

(12)

Consists of (i)    shares subject to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of June 30, 2025; and (ii)    shares issuable pursuant to RSUs for which the service-based vesting condition will be satisfied within 60 days of June 30, 2025 and the liquidity event-based vesting condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part.

(13)

For more information on our current directors and executive officers, see the sections titled “Management—Executive Officers” and “Management—Non-Employee Directors.”

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

General

The following is a summary of the rights of our capital stock and some of the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and amended and restated bylaws, which will each become effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our amended and restated investor rights agreement and relevant provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law. The descriptions herein are qualified in their entirety by our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, and investor rights agreement, copies of which have been filed as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, as well as the relevant provisions of Delaware General Corporation Law.

Immediately prior to the closing of this offering, our authorized capital stock will consist of    shares, all with a par value of $0.0001 per share, of which:

 

   

    shares are designated as Class A common stock;

 

   

    shares are designated as Class B common stock; and

 

   

    shares are designated as preferred stock.

As of June 30, 2025, we had      shares of Class A common stock,      shares of Class B common stock and no shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding, after giving effect to (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, and (iv) the RSU Net Settlement.

Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock

All issued and outstanding shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, and non-assessable. All authorized but unissued shares of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be available for issuance by our board of directors without any further stockholder action, except as required by the listing standards of Nasdaq. The rights of our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are identical, except with respect to voting, conversion, and transfer rights.

Voting Rights

The Class A common stock is entitled to one vote per share on any matter that is submitted to a vote of our stockholders. Holders of our Class B common stock are entitled to 20 votes per share on any matter submitted to our stockholders. Holders of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will vote together as a single class on all matters (including the election of directors) submitted to a vote of stockholders, unless otherwise required by Delaware law.

Under Delaware law, holders of our Class A common stock or Class B common stock would be entitled to vote as a separate class if a proposed amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares of such class, increase or decrease the par value of the shares of such class, or alter or change the powers, preferences, or special rights of the shares of such class so as to affect them adversely. As a result, in these limited instances, the holders of a majority of the Class A common stock could defeat any amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. For example, if a proposed amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provided for the Class A common stock to rank junior to the Class B common stock with respect to (1) any dividend or distribution, (2) the distribution of proceeds to be acquired, or (3) any other right, Delaware law would require the vote of the Class A common stock. In this instance, the holders of a majority of Class A common stock could defeat that amendment to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation.

 

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Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering does not provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors.

Economic Rights

Except as otherwise will be expressly provided in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering or required by applicable law, all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will have the same rights and privileges and rank equally, share ratably, and be identical in all respects for all matters, including those described below.

Dividends and Distributions

Subject to preferences that may apply to any shares of preferred stock outstanding at the time, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be entitled to share equally, identically, and ratably, on a per share basis, with respect to any dividend or distribution of cash or property paid or distributed by the company, unless different treatment of the shares of the affected series is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such affected series, voting separately as a series. See the section titled “Dividend Policy” for additional information.

Liquidation Rights

On our liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up, the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be entitled to share equally, identically, and ratably in all assets remaining after the payment of any liabilities, liquidation preferences, and accrued or declared but unpaid dividends, if any, with respect to any outstanding preferred stock, unless a different treatment is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of such affected series, voting separately as a series; provided that the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock may receive different or disproportionate consideration in connection with our liquidation, if the only difference in the per share consideration to the holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock is that any securities distributed to the holders of Class B common stock have 20 times the voting power of any securities distributed to the holders of Class A common stock.

Change of Control Transactions

The holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be treated equally and identically with respect to shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock owned by them, unless different treatment of the shares of each series is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the series treated differently, voting separately as a series, on (a) the closing of the sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of our assets, (b) the consummation of a consolidation, merger, or reorganization which results in our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction (or the voting securities issued with respect to our voting securities outstanding immediately before the transaction) representing less than a majority of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the company or the surviving or acquiring entity, or (c) the closing of the transfer (whether by merger, consolidation, or otherwise), in one transaction or a series of related transactions, to a person or group of affiliated persons of securities of the company if, after closing, the transferee person or group would hold 50% or more of the outstanding voting power of the company (or the surviving or acquiring entity). However, consideration to be paid or received by a holder of common stock in connection with any such assets sale, consolidation, merger, or reorganization under any employment, consulting, severance, or other compensatory arrangement will be disregarded for the purposes of determining whether holders of common stock are treated equally and identically.

 

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Subdivisions and Combinations

If we subdivide or combine in any manner outstanding shares of Class A common stock or Class B common stock, the outstanding shares of the other class will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner.

No Preemptive or Similar Rights

Our Class A common stock and Class B common stock are not entitled to preemptive rights, and are not subject to conversion, redemption, or sinking fund provisions, except for the conversion provisions with respect to the Class B common stock described below and to the extent that such a right may from time to time be set forth in a written agreement between us and a stockholder.

Conversion of Class B Common Stock

Each outstanding share of Class B common stock is convertible at any time at the option of the holder into one share of Class A common stock. In addition, each share of Class B common stock will convert automatically into one share of Class A common stock upon any transfer, whether or not for value, which occurs after the completion of this offering, except for certain permitted transfers set forth in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, including transfers to certain trusts for estate planning purposes and entities under common control with or controlled by such holder of our Class B common stock. Once converted into Class A common stock, the Class B common stock will not be reissued.

All of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock will convert automatically into shares of Class A common stock upon the earliest to occur following this offering:

(i) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering that the number of shares of our Class B common stock, and any shares of Class B common stock underlying equity securities, held by our co-founders, certain immediate family members and their permitted entities and permitted transferees, in the aggregate, is less than 20% of the number of shares of Class B common stock held by our co-founders, certain immediate family members and their permitted entities at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering (provided that if no such date is fixed by our board of directors, it shall be the 180th date following the first time after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering);

(ii) the last trading day of the fiscal year following the tenth anniversary of the closing of this offering;

(iii) the date fixed by our board of directors that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the closing date of this offering that the second of our co-founders experiences a Triggering Event (other than death or disability); or

(iv) the date that is 12 months after the second of our co-founders experiences a Triggering Event that is death or disability.

A “Triggering Event” is the first to occur of any of the following with respect to each of our co-founders:

 

   

(1) such co-founder is no longer providing services to us as an officer or employee, and (2) such co-founder is no longer a member of our board of directors as a result of a voluntary resignation by such co-founder or as a result of a request of or agreement with such co-founder not to be renominated as a director at a meeting of stockholders;

 

   

such co-founder’s employment with us is terminated for cause; or

 

   

the death or disability of such co-founder.

 

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Founder Voting Proxy

At the time of this offering, Mr. Colis and Mr. Wang will each enter into a voting proxy in favor of the other such that, upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event with respect to either Mr. Colis or Mr. Wang, a voting proxy will automatically be granted to the co-founder who has not experienced such Triggering Event over all of the shares of Class B common stock held by the co-founder who has experienced the Triggering Event (together with certain of his immediate family members, his related permitted entities and permitted transferees). Pursuant to such proxy, the co-founder who has not experienced the Triggering Event will have exclusive voting control over those shares.

Fully Paid and Non-Assessable

In connection with this offering, our legal counsel will opine that the shares of our Class A common stock to be issued under this offering will be fully paid and non-assessable.

Anti-Takeover Effects of Delaware Law and Our Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws

Some provisions of Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws contain provisions that could make the following transactions more difficult: an acquisition of us by means of a tender offer, a proxy contest, or otherwise; or the removal of our incumbent officers and directors. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish or could deter transactions that stockholders may otherwise consider to be in their best interest or in our best interests, including transactions which provide for payment of a premium over the market price for our shares.

These provisions, summarized below, are intended to discourage coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids. These provisions are also designed to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to first negotiate with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of the increased protection of our potential ability to negotiate with the proponent of an unfriendly or unsolicited proposal to acquire or restructure us outweigh the disadvantages of discouraging these proposals because negotiation of these proposals could result in an improvement of their terms.

Stockholder Meetings

Our amended and restated bylaws provide that a special meeting of stockholders may be called by our board of directors and our secretary upon the request of a majority of our board of directors then in office.

Requirements for Advance Notification of Stockholder Nominations and Proposals

Our amended and restated bylaws establish advance notice procedures with respect to stockholder proposals to be brought before a stockholder meeting and the nomination of candidates for election as directors, other than nominations made by or at the direction of the board of directors, or a committee of the board of directors.

Staggered Board

Our board of directors is divided into three classes. The directors in each class serve for a three-year term, one class being elected each year by our stockholders by a plurality of the votes cast. For more information on the classified board, see the section titled “Management—Composition of Our Board of Directors.” This system of electing and removing directors may tend to discourage a third-party from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us, because it generally makes it more difficult for stockholders to replace a majority of the directors.

 

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Removal of Directors

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that no member of our board of directors may be removed from office by our stockholders except for cause and, in addition to any other vote required by law, upon the approval of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock then entitled to vote in the election of directors.

Stockholders Not Entitled to Cumulative Voting

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes in the election of directors. Accordingly, the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to vote in any election of directors can elect all of the directors standing for election, if they choose, other than any directors that holders of our preferred stock (if any) may be entitled to elect.

Choice of Forum

Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering provides that the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware and any appellate court therefrom (or, if and only if the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware lacks subject matter jurisdiction, any state court located within the State of Delaware or, if and only if all such state courts lack subject matter jurisdiction, the federal district court for the District of Delaware) is the sole and exclusive forum for the following types of actions or proceedings under Delaware statutory or common law: (1) any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf; (2) any action or proceeding asserting a breach of fiduciary duty; (3) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us under the Delaware General Corporation Law; (4) any action or proceeding regarding our amended and restated certificate of incorporation or our amended and restated bylaws; (5) any action or proceeding as to which the Delaware General Corporation Law confers jurisdiction to the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; or (6) any action or proceeding asserting a claim against us or any current or former director, officer or other employee that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

This choice of forum provision would not apply to claims brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering further provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America will be the exclusive forum for resolving any complaint asserting a cause or causes of action arising under the Securities Act In addition, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be effective immediately prior to the closing of this offering will provide that any person or entity holding, owning or otherwise acquiring any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to these provisions.

Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation Provisions

The amendment of any of the above provisions, except for the provision making it possible for our board of directors to issue preferred stock, would require approval by holders of at least 66 2/3% of the total voting power of all of our outstanding capital stock.

The provisions of Delaware law, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, and our amended and restated bylaws could have the effect of discouraging others from attempting hostile takeovers and, as a consequence, they may also inhibit temporary fluctuations in the market price of our Class A common stock that often result from actual or rumored hostile takeover attempts. These

 

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provisions may also have the effect of preventing changes in the composition of our board and management. It is possible that these provisions could make it more difficult to accomplish transactions that stockholders may otherwise deem to be in their best interests.

Preferred Stock

Pursuant to the provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation,      outstanding shares of redeemable convertible preferred stock will automatically be converted into 37,296,105 of shares of our Class A common stock immediately prior to the completion of this offering, of which 19,127,200 shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock at the election of Accel and Sequoia Capital, respectively.

Upon the closing of this offering, our board of directors may, without further action by our stockholders, fix the rights, preferences, privileges, and restrictions of up to an aggregate of      shares of preferred stock in one or more series and authorize their issuance. These rights, preferences, and privileges could include dividend rights, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, liquidation preferences, sinking fund terms, and the number of shares constituting any series or the designation of such series, any or all of which may be greater than the rights of our common stock. The issuance of our preferred stock could adversely affect the voting power of holders of our common stock, and the likelihood that such holders will receive dividend payments and payments upon liquidation. In addition, the issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring, or preventing a change of control or other corporate action. Upon the closing of this offering, no shares of preferred stock will be outstanding, and we have no present plan to issue any shares of preferred stock.

Options

As of June 30, 2025, there were options to purchase an aggregate of 1,197,629 shares of Class A common stock outstanding under our equity compensation plans, with a weighted-average exercise price of $3.23 per share.

Restricted Stock Units

As of June 30, 2025, there were 9,793,587 RSUs for shares of Class A common stock outstanding, of which 3,708,268 shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock at the election of our co-founders. In connection with this offering, we will issue a number of new shares of Class A common stock in connection with the vesting and settlement of certain outstanding RSUs subject to service-based and liquidity event-based conditions for which the service-based condition was or will be fully or partially satisfied prior to this offering and the liquidity event-based condition will be satisfied upon the effectiveness of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, after giving effect to the net issuance of      shares of our Class A common stock, of which      shares will be exchangeable for an equal number of shares of Class B common stock pursuant to the Equity Exchange Right, in connection with the RSU Net Settlement, after withholding      shares to satisfy estimated tax withholding and remittance obligations (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $     per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed     % tax withholding rate). All remaining RSUs will become an equivalent number of shares of Class A common stock subject to outstanding RSUs under our 2016 Plan immediately prior to the closing of this offering.

Warrants

As of June 30, 2025, we had outstanding warrants to purchase an aggregate 580,579 shares of our Class A common stock, with a weighted-average exercise price of $12.21 per share.

 

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In connection with a financing arrangement, we issued warrants to purchase 85,962 shares of our Class A common stock to Silicon Valley Bank, which remain outstanding as of the date of this prospectus. Additionally, from time to time, we have issued, and may in the future issue, warrants to third parties in connection with commercial arrangements.

Registration Rights

Our amended and restated investors’ rights agreement provides that certain holders of our redeemable convertible preferred stock have certain registration rights as set forth below. The registration of shares of our common stock by the exercise of registration rights described below would enable the holders to sell these shares without restriction under the Securities Act when the applicable registration statement is declared effective. We will pay the registration expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions and not to exceed $50,000, of one counsel for the selling holders of the shares registered by the demand, piggyback, and Form S-3 registrations described below.

Generally, in an underwritten offering, the managing underwriter, if any, has the right, subject to specified conditions, to limit the number of shares such holders may include. The demand, piggyback, and Form S-3 registration rights described below will expire five years after the closing of this offering, or with respect to any particular stockholder, such time after the closing of this offering that such stockholder can sell all of its shares entitled to registration rights under Rule 144 of the Securities Act during any 90-day period.

Demand Registration Rights

The holders of an aggregate of 38,344,565 shares of our common stock will be entitled to certain demand registration rights. At any time beginning six months after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, certain holders of these shares may request that we register all or a portion of the registrable shares. We are obligated to effect only two such registrations. Such request for registration must cover at least that number of registrable shares as would have an anticipated aggregate offering price of at least $7.5 million.

Piggyback Registration Rights

In connection with this offering, the holders of an aggregate of 38,344,565 shares of our common stock were entitled to, and the necessary percentage of holders waived, their rights to notice of this offering and to include their shares of registrable securities in this offering. After this offering, in the event that we propose to register any of our securities under the Securities Act, either for our own account or for the account of other security holders, the holders of these shares will be entitled to certain piggyback registration rights allowing the holder to include their shares in such registration, subject to certain marketing and other limitations. As a result, whenever we propose to file a registration statement under the Securities Act, other than with respect to (i) a registration relating to the demand registration rights set forth above, (ii) a registration relating solely to the issuance of securities by us or a subsidiary pursuant to a stock option, stock purchase, or similar plan, (iii) a registration relating to a corporate reorganization or transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, (iv) a registration on any form that does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the shares held by the holders, or (v) a registration in which the only common stock being registered is common stock issued upon conversion of debt securities that are also being registered, the holders of these shares are entitled to notice of the registration, and have the right to include their shares in the registration, subject to limitations that the underwriters may impose on the number of shares included in the offering.

 

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Form S-3 Registration Rights

The holders of an aggregate of 38,344,565 shares of common stock will be entitled to certain Form S-3 registration rights. At any time after the effective date of the registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part, the holders of these shares can make a request that we register their shares on Form S-3 if we are qualified to file a registration statement on Form S-3 and if the anticipated aggregate price of the shares offered would be at least $1.0 million, subject to exceptions set forth in the amended and restated investors’ rights agreement. We will not be required to effect more than two registrations on Form S-3 within any 12-month period.

Transfer Agent and Registrar

The transfer agent and registrar for our Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be Computershare Trust Company, N.A. The transfer agent and registrar’s address is 150 Royall Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021.

Exchange Listing

Our common stock is currently not listed on any securities exchange. We have applied to list our Class A common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “LIFE.”

 

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SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE

Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for our Class A common stock. Future sales of substantial amounts of Class A common stock in the public market, or the perception that such sales may occur, could adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock. Although we have applied to list our Class A common stock on Nasdaq, we cannot assure you an active public market for our Class A common stock will develop.

Following the closing of this offering, based on the number of shares of our Class A common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2025 and assuming (i) the reclassification of our outstanding common stock as Class A common stock, (ii) the Preferred Conversion, (iii) the Class B Stock Exchange, (iv) the RSU Net Settlement (based on the assumed initial public offering price of $    per share, the midpoint of the price range set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, and an assumed    % tax withholding rate); and (v) no exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares, we will have outstanding an aggregate of approximately    shares of Class A common stock and    shares of Class B common stock.

Of these shares, all shares of Class A common stock sold in this offering will be freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the Securities Act, except for any shares purchased by our “affiliates,” as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. Shares purchased by our affiliates would be subject to the Rule 144 resale restrictions described below, other than the holding period requirement.

The remaining outstanding shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock will be, and shares underlying outstanding RSUs and shares subject to stock options and RSUs will be upon issuance, deemed “restricted securities” as defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act. These restricted securities are eligible for public sale only if they are registered under the Securities Act or if they qualify for an exemption from registration under Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act, each of which is summarized below. Substantially all of these shares will be subject to a lock-up period under the lock-up agreements and market stand-off agreements described below.

As a result of the lock-up agreements and market stand-off provisions described below, and subject to the provisions of Rule 144 or Rule 701 under the Securities Act and of our insider trading policy, the earliest these restricted securities may be available for sale in the public market is as follows:

 

   

beginning on the date of this prospectus, all      shares of our Class A common stock sold in this offering will be immediately available for sale in the public market;

 

   

beginning on the date of the Tier 1 Release, up to      shares of our Class A common stock (including any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Class A common stock) will become eligible for sale in the public market, subject in some cases to the restrictions of Rule 144;

 

   

beginning on the date of the Tier 2 Release, up to      shares of our Class A common stock (including any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Class A common stock) will become eligible for sale in the public market, subject in some cases to the restrictions of Rule 144; and

 

   

beginning on the date that is 180 days following the date of this prospectus, all remaining shares of our Class A common stock (including shares of Class A common stock issuable upon conversion of Class B common stock) will become eligible for sale in the public market, subject in some cases to the volume and other restrictions of Rule 144.

 

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In addition, after this offering, up to 10,991,216 shares of Class A common stock may be issued upon exercise of outstanding stock options or vesting and settlement of outstanding RSUs as of the date of this prospectus, and    shares of Class A common stock are available for future issuance under our 2025 Plan and our 2025 ESPP.

Lock-Up Agreements

We and all of our directors, executive officers, selling stockholders and the holders of substantially all of our common stock and securities exercisable for or convertible into our common stock outstanding immediately prior to the completion of this offering, have agreed, or will agree, with the underwriters that, until 180 days after the date of this prospectus, subject to certain exceptions, we and they will not, without the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, offer, sell, contract to sell, pledge, grant any option to purchase, lend, or otherwise dispose of any shares of our common stock, or any options or warrants to purchase any shares of our common stock, or any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of our common stock.

The following table summarizes the termination dates of the lock-up period with respect to our current employees or other service providers, or Current Employees, our former employees or service providers, or Former Employees (but excluding in all cases our directors, “officers” (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) under the Exchange Act) or any of our affiliates (as defined under Rule 144 under the Securities Act), or Affiliates), and our non-Affiliates, or Non-Affiliates, and, together with Current Employees and Former Employees, Eligible Holders:

 

Type of Release

  

Release Date

  

Shares Released

  

Release
Termination Date

Tier 1 Release for Eligible Holders    If the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring after the date we publicly announce our earnings for the second completed fiscal quarterly period following the most recent fiscal period for which financial statements are included in this prospectus, or the Initial Post-Offering Earnings Date) out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, beginning at the opening of trading on the first trading day after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period    Up to      shares, representing 25% of the aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock and any securities convertible into, exchangeable for or that represent the right to receive shares of Class A common stock held by Eligible Holders as of November 15, 2025, or Eligible Securities   

Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy:

Commencement of our next occurring quarterly trading backout period under our insider trading policy

 

Former Employees: N/A

 

Non-Affiliates: N/A

 

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Type of Release

  

Release Date

  

Shares Released

  

Release
Termination Date

Tier 2 Release for Eligible Holders    If the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring on or after March 3, 2026) out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, beginning at the opening of trading on the first trading day after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period    Up to     shares, representing 25% of Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders   

Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy: Commencement of our next occurring quarterly trading blackout period under our insider trading policy

 

Former Employees: N/A

 

Non-Affiliates: N/A

For the avoidance of doubt, in the event both the Tier 1 Release and the Tier 2 Release are triggered, the amount of Eligible Securities released will not exceed 50% of the total Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders.

We will announce the anticipated date of each of the Tier I Release Date and the Tier 2 Release Date through a major news service, or on a Form 8-K, at least one trading day in advance of the Tier 1 Release Date or the Tier 2 Release Date, as applicable.

The restrictions described above and contained in the lock-up agreements between the underwriters and our directors, executive officers, selling stockholders and the holders of substantially all of our common stock do not apply, subject in certain cases to various conditions, to certain transactions, including (a) transfers of lock-up securities: (i) as one or more bona fide gifts or charitable contributions, or for bona fide estate planning purposes, (ii) upon death by will, testamentary document or intestate succession, (iii) if the lock-up party is a natural person, to any member of the lock-up party’s immediate family member or to any trust for the direct or indirect benefit of the lock-up party or immediate family member of the lock-up party, or if the lock-up party is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or the estate of a beneficiary of such trust, (iv) to a partnership, limited liability company or other entity of which the lock-up party and its immediate family members are the legal and beneficial owner of all of the outstanding equity securities or similar interests, (v) to a nominee or custodian of a person or entity to whom a disposition or transfer would be permissible under clauses (a)(i) through (a)(iv) above, (vi) in the case of a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other business entity that is an affiliate of the lock-up party, or to any investment fund or other entity which fund or entity is controlled or managed by the lock-up party or its affiliates, or (B) as part of a distribution by the lock-up party to its stockholders, partners, members or other equityholders or to the estate of any such stockholders, partners, members or other equityholders, (vii) by operation of law, such as pursuant to a qualified domestic order, divorce settlement, divorce decree or separation agreement, (viii) to us from an employee upon death, disability or termination of employment of such employee, (ix) if the lock-up party is not an officer or director of the Company, in connection with a sale of the lock-up party’s lock-up securities acquired (A) from the underwriters in this offering or (B) in open market transactions after the completion of this offering, (x) to us in connection with the vesting,

 

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settlement or exercise of restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights to purchase shares of common stock (including, in each case, by way of “net” or “cashless” exercise) that are scheduled to expire or automatically vest during the lock-up period, including any transfer to us for the payment of tax withholdings or remittance payments due as a result of the vesting, settlement or exercise of such restricted stock units, options, warrants or other rights, or in connection with the conversion of convertible securities, in all such cases pursuant to equity awards granted under a stock incentive plan or other equity award plan, or pursuant to the terms of convertible securities, provided that any securities received upon such vesting, settlement, exercise or conversion will be subject to the terms of the lock-up agreement or (xi) with the prior written consent of Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, provided that (A) in the case of clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v) and (a)(vi), such transfer or distribution will not involve a disposition for value, (B) in the case of clauses (a)(i), (a)(ii), (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v), (a)(vi) and (a)(vii), it will be a condition to the transfer or distribution that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee, as the case may be, sign and deliver the lock-up agreement, (C) in the case of clauses (a)(ii), (a)(iii), (a)(iv), (a)(v) and (a)(vi), no filing by any party (including, without limitation, any donor, donee, devisee, transferor, transferee, distributor or distributee) under the Exchange Act, or other public filing, report or announcement reporting a reduction in beneficial ownership of securities subject to the lock-up agreement will be required or will be voluntarily made in connection with such transfer or distribution, and (D) in the case of clauses (a)(i), (a)(vii), (a)(viii), (a)(ix) and (a)(x), no filing under the Exchange Act or other public filing, report or announcement will be voluntarily made, and if any such filing, report or announcement will be legally required during the lock-up period, such filing, report or announcement will clearly indicate in the footnotes thereto (A) the circumstances of such transfer or distribution and (B) in the case of a transfer or distribution pursuant to clauses (a)(i) or (a)(vii), that the donee, devisee, transferee or distributee has agreed to be bound by a lock-up agreement, (b) entry into a written plan under Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act, provided that such plan does not provide for the transfer, sale or other disposition of lock-up securities during the restricted period, and (c) transfers pursuant to a bona-fide third-party tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction that is approved by our board of directors and made to all holders of our capital stock involving a change of control, provided that if such tender offer, merger, consolidation or other similar transaction is not completed, the lock-up party’s securities will remain subject to the provisions of the lock-up agreement.

These agreements are described in the section titled “Underwriting.” Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC may, in their sole discretion, release any of the securities subject to these lock-up agreements at any time.

In addition to the restrictions contained in the lock-up agreements described above, we have entered into agreements, including our amended and restated investors’ rights agreement, with certain of our security holders that contain market stand-off provisions imposing restrictions on the ability of such security holders to offer, sell, or transfer our equity securities for a period of 180 days following the date of this prospectus.

Rule 144

Affiliate Resales of Restricted Securities

In general, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person who is an affiliate of ours, or who was an affiliate at any time during the 90 days before a sale, who has beneficially owned shares of our capital stock for at least six months, would be entitled to sell in “broker’s transactions” or certain “riskless principal transactions” or to market makers, a number of shares within any three-month period that does not exceed the greater of:

 

   

1% of the number of shares of Class A common stock then outstanding, which will equal approximately    shares immediately after this offering; or

 

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the average weekly trading volume in Class A common stock on Nasdaq during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a notice on Form 144 with respect to such sale.

Affiliate resales under Rule 144 are also subject to the availability of current public information about us. In addition, if the number of shares being sold under Rule 144 by an affiliate during any three-month period exceeds 5,000 shares or has an aggregate sale price in excess of $50,000, the seller must file a notice on Form 144 with the SEC concurrently with either the placing of a sale order with the broker or the execution of a sale directly with a market maker.

Non-Affiliate Resales of Restricted Securities

In general, once we have been subject to the public company reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act for at least 90 days, a person who is not an affiliate of ours at the time of sale, and has not been an affiliate at any time during the three months preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned shares of our capital stock for at least six months but less than a year, is entitled to sell such shares subject only to the availability of current public information about us. If such person has held our shares for at least one year, such person can resell under Rule 144(b)(1) without regard to any Rule 144 restrictions, including the 90-day public company requirement and the current public information requirement.

Non-affiliate resales are not subject to the manner of sale, volume limitation, or notice filing provisions of Rule 144.

Rule 701

Rule 701 generally allows a stockholder who was issued shares under a written compensatory plan or contract and who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of our company during the immediately preceding 90 days, to sell these shares in reliance on Rule 144, but without being required to comply with the public information, holding period, volume limitation, or notice provisions of Rule 144. Rule 701 also permits affiliates of our company to sell their Rule 701 shares under Rule 144 without complying with the holding period requirements of Rule 144. All holders of Rule 701 shares, however, are required by that rule to wait until 90 days after the date of this prospectus before selling those shares under Rule 701, subject to the expiration of the lock-up agreements described above.

Form S-8 Registration Statement

We intend to file one or more registration statements on Form S-8 under the Securities Act to register all shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock subject to outstanding stock options and RSUs and common stock issued or issuable under our 2025 Plan, 2025 ESPP, and our 2016 Plan, as applicable. We expect to file the registration statement covering shares offered pursuant to these stock plans shortly after the date of this prospectus, permitting the resale of such shares by non-affiliates in the public market without restriction under the Securities Act and the sale by affiliates in the public market subject to compliance with the resale provisions of Rule 144.

Registration Rights

As of June 30, 2025, holders of up to 38,344,565 shares of our common stock, which includes all of the shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the automatic conversion of our redeemable convertible preferred stock immediately prior to the closing of this offering, or their transferees, will be entitled to various rights with respect to the registration of these shares under the Securities Act upon the closing of this offering and the expiration of lock-up agreements. Registration of these shares under the Securities Act would result in these shares becoming fully tradable without restriction under the

 

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Securities Act immediately upon the effectiveness of the registration, except for shares purchased by affiliates. See the section titled “Description of Capital Stock—Registration Rights” for additional information. Shares covered by a registration statement will be eligible for sale in the public market upon the expiration or release from the terms of the lock-up agreement.

 

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MATERIAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES TO NON-U.S. HOLDERS OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK

The following summary describes the material U.S. federal income tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of our Class A common stock acquired in this offering by Non-U.S. Holders (as defined below). This discussion is not a complete analysis of all potential U.S. federal income tax consequences relating thereto, does not deal with non-U.S., state, and local tax consequences that may be relevant to Non-U.S. Holders in light of their particular circumstances, and does not address U.S. federal tax consequences other than income tax consequences. For example, it does not address estate and gift taxes, the alternative minimum tax, the Medicare contribution tax on net investment income, or the application of special tax accounting rules under Section 451(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. Special rules different from those described below may apply to certain Non-U.S. Holders that are subject to special treatment under the Code, such as banks, financial institutions, investment funds, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, tax-qualified retirement plans, governmental organizations, broker-dealers and traders in securities, U.S. expatriates, “controlled foreign corporations,” “passive foreign investment companies,” corporations that accumulate earnings to avoid U.S. federal income tax, corporations organized outside of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia that are nonetheless treated as U.S. taxpayers for U.S. federal income tax purposes, persons that hold our Class A common stock as part of a “straddle,” “hedge,” “conversion transaction,” “synthetic security,” or integrated investment or other risk reduction strategy, persons who acquire our Class A common stock through the exercise of an option or otherwise as compensation, “qualified foreign pension funds” as defined in Section 897(l)(2) of the Code and entities all of the interests of which are held by qualified foreign pension funds, partnerships, and other pass-through entities or arrangements and investors in such pass-through entities or arrangements, persons that own, or have owned, actually or constructively, more than 5% of our common stock at any time; persons deemed to sell our Class A common stock under the constructive sale provisions of the Code, and persons that own, or are deemed to own, our Class B common stock. Such Non-U.S. Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local, and other tax consequences that may be relevant to them. Furthermore, the discussion below is based upon the provisions of the Code and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, published rulings and administrative pronouncements or the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, and judicial decisions, each as of the date hereof, and such authorities may be repealed, revoked, or modified, perhaps retroactively, so as to result in U.S. federal income tax consequences different from those discussed below. We have not requested a ruling from the IRS with respect to the statements made and the conclusions reached in the following summary, and there can be no assurance that the IRS will agree with such statements and conclusions. This discussion assumes that the Non-U.S. Holder holds our Class A common stock as a “capital asset” within the meaning of Section 1221 of the Code (generally, property held for investment).

THIS DISCUSSION IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE. PERSONS CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO THIS OFFERING SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE U.S. FEDERAL INCOME, GIFT, ESTATE, AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES OF ACQUIRING, OWNING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK IN LIGHT OF THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES AS WELL AS ANY CONSEQUENCES ARISING UNDER THE LAWS OF ANY OTHER TAXING JURISDICTION, INCLUDING ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR NON-U.S. TAX CONSEQUENCES, OR UNDER ANY APPLICABLE INCOME TAX TREATY.

For the purposes of this discussion, a “Non-U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that is neither a U.S. Holder (as defined below) nor a partnership (or other entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes regardless of its place of organization or

 

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formation). A “U.S. Holder” means a beneficial owner of our Class A common stock that is for U.S. federal income tax purposes any of the following:

 

   

an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States;

 

   

a corporation (or other entity treated as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof, or the District of Columbia;

 

   

an estate, the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or

 

   

a trust if it (1) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more United States persons (within the meaning of Section 7701(a)(30) of the Code) have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (2) has a valid election in effect under applicable U.S. Treasury Regulations to be treated as a United States person.

Distributions

As described in the section titled “Dividend Policy,” we do not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future. However, if we do make distributions of cash or property on our Class A common stock to a Non-U.S. Holder, such distributions, to the extent made out of our current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined under U.S. federal income tax principles), generally will constitute dividends for U.S. tax purposes and will be subject to withholding tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty, subject to the discussions below regarding effectively connected income, backup withholding, and foreign accounts. To obtain a reduced rate of withholding under a treaty, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will be required to provide us with a properly executed IRS Form W-8BEN (in the case of individuals) or IRS Form W-8BEN-E (in the case of entities), or other appropriate form, certifying the Non-U.S. Holder’s entitlement to benefits under that treaty. We do not intend to adjust our withholding unless such certificates are provided to us or our paying agent before the payment of dividends and are updated as may be required by the IRS. In the case of a Non-U.S. Holder that is an entity, Treasury Regulations and the relevant tax treaty provide rules to determine whether, for purposes of determining the applicability of a tax treaty, dividends will be treated as paid to the entity or to those holding an interest in that entity. If a Non-U.S. Holder holds our Class A common stock through a financial institution or other agent acting on the holder’s behalf, the holder will be required to provide appropriate documentation to such agent. The holder’s agent will then be required to provide certification to us or our paying agent, either directly or through other intermediaries. If you are eligible for a reduced rate of U.S. federal withholding tax under an income tax treaty and you do not timely file the required certification, you may be able to obtain a refund or credit of any excess amounts withheld by timely filing an appropriate claim for a refund with the IRS.

We generally are not required to withhold tax on dividends paid to a Non-U.S. Holder that are effectively connected with the Non-U.S. Holder’s conduct of a trade or business within the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, are attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States) if a properly executed IRS Form W-8ECI, stating that the dividends are so connected, is furnished to us (or, if our Class A common stock is held through a financial institution or other agent, to such agent). In general, such effectively connected dividends will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net income basis at the regular rates applicable to U.S. persons. A corporate Non-U.S. Holder receiving effectively connected dividends may also be subject to an additional “branch profits tax,” which is imposed, under certain circumstances, at a rate of 30% (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable treaty) on the corporate Non-U.S. Holder’s effectively connected earnings and profits, subject to certain adjustments. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

 

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To the extent distributions on our Class A common stock, if any, exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, they will first reduce the Non-U.S. Holder’s adjusted basis in our Class A common stock, but not below zero, and then will be treated as gain to the extent of any excess amount distributed, and taxed in the same manner as gain realized from a sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock as described in the next section.

Gain on Disposition of Our Class A Common Stock

Subject to the discussions below regarding backup withholding and foreign accounts, a Non-U.S. Holder generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax with respect to gain realized on a sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless (a) the gain is effectively connected with a trade or business of such holder in the United States (and, if required by an applicable income tax treaty, is attributable to a permanent establishment or fixed base that such holder maintains in the United States), (b) the Non-U.S. Holder is a nonresident alien individual and is present in the United States for 183 or more days in the taxable year of the disposition and certain other conditions are met, or (c) we are or become a “United States real property holding corporation” within the meaning of Section 897(c)(2) of the Code at any time within the shorter of the five-year period preceding such disposition or such holder’s holding period in our Class A common stock. In general, we would be a United States real property holding corporation if the fair market value of our U.S. real property interests equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market value of our worldwide real property interests plus our other assets used or held for use in a trade or business. We believe that we are not currently, and do not anticipate becoming, a United States real property holding corporation. Even if we are treated as a United States real property holding corporation, gain realized by a Non-U.S. Holder on a disposition of our Class A common stock will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax so long as (1) the Non-U.S. Holder owned, directly, indirectly, and constructively, no more than 5% of our Class A common stock at all times within the shorter of (i) the five-year period preceding the disposition or (ii) the holder’s holding period in our Class A common stock and (2) our Class A common stock is “regularly traded,” as defined by applicable Treasury Regulations, on an established securities market. There can be no assurance that our Class A common stock will qualify as regularly traded on an established securities market for purposes of these rules. If any gain on your disposition is taxable because we are a United States real property holding corporation and your ownership of our Class A common stock exceeds 5%, you will be taxed on such disposition generally in the manner as gain that is effectively connected with the conduct of a U.S. trade or business (subject to the provisions under an applicable income tax treaty), except that the branch profits tax generally will not apply.

If you are a Non-U.S. Holder described in (a) above, you will be required to pay tax on a net income basis at the U.S. federal income tax rates applicable to U.S. Holders, and corporate Non-U.S. Holders described in (a) above may be subject to the additional branch profits tax at a 30% rate or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty. If you are a Non-U.S. Holder described in (b) above, you will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at a flat 30% rate (or such lower rate as may be specified by an applicable income tax treaty) on the net gain derived from the disposition, which gain may be offset by certain U.S.-source capital losses (even though you are not considered a resident of the United States), provided that the Non-U.S. Holder has timely filed U.S. federal income tax returns with respect to such losses. Non-U.S. Holders should consult their tax advisors regarding any applicable income tax treaties that may provide for different rules.

Information Reporting Requirements and Backup Withholding

Information returns are required to be filed with the IRS and provided to Non-U.S. Holders in connection with payments of distributions on our Class A common stock. This information also may be made available under an applicable treaty or agreement with the tax authorities in the country in which the non-U.S. holder resides or is established. You may be subject to backup withholding on payments

 

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on our Class A common stock or on the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of our Class A common stock unless you comply with certification procedures to establish that you are not a U.S. person or otherwise establish an exemption. Your provision of a properly executed applicable IRS Form W-8 certifying your non-U.S. status will permit you to avoid backup withholding. Amounts withheld under the backup withholding rules are not additional taxes and may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.

Foreign Accounts

Sections 1471 through 1474 of the Code (commonly referred to as FATCA) impose a U.S. federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments paid to a foreign financial institution (as specifically defined by applicable rules) unless such institution enters into an agreement with the U.S. government to withhold on certain payments and to collect and provide to the U.S. tax authorities substantial information regarding U.S. account holders of such institution (which includes certain equity holders of such institution, as well as certain account holders that are foreign entities with U.S. owners). FATCA also generally imposes a federal withholding tax of 30% on certain payments to a non-financial foreign entity unless such entity provides the withholding agent with either a certification that it does not have any substantial direct or indirect U.S. owners or provides information regarding substantial direct and indirect U.S. owners of the entity. An intergovernmental agreement between the United States and an applicable foreign country may modify these requirements. The withholding tax described above will not apply if the foreign financial institution or non-financial foreign entity otherwise qualifies for an exemption from the rules. Under certain circumstances, a non-U.S. holder might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

FATCA withholding currently applies to payments of dividends. The U.S. Treasury Department has released proposed regulations which, if finalized in their present form, would eliminate the federal withholding tax of 30% that would be applicable to the gross proceeds of a disposition of our Class A common stock. In its preamble to such proposed regulations, the U.S. Treasury Department stated that taxpayers may generally rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. Non-U.S. Holders are encouraged to consult with their own tax advisors regarding the possible implications of FATCA on their investment in our Class A common stock.

EACH PROSPECTIVE INVESTOR SHOULD CONSULT ITS OWN TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF PURCHASING, HOLDING, AND DISPOSING OF OUR CLASS A COMMON STOCK, INCLUDING THE CONSEQUENCES OF ANY RECENT OR PROPOSED CHANGE IN APPLICABLE LAW.

 

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UNDERWRITING

We, the selling stockholders, and the underwriters named below have entered into an underwriting agreement with respect to the shares of our Class A common stock being offered. Subject to certain conditions, each underwriter has severally agreed to purchase the number of shares indicated in the following table. Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC are the representatives of the underwriters.

 

Underwriters

   Number of
Shares
 

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC

  

J.P. Morgan Securities LLC

           

BofA Securities, Inc.

  

Barclays Capital Inc.

  

Citigroup Global Markets Inc.

  

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc.

  

Citizens JMP Securities, LLC

  

William Blair & Company, L.L.C.

  

Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated

  
  

 

 

 

Total

  
  

 

 

 

The underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares of our Class A common stock being offered, if any are taken, other than the shares covered by the option described below unless and until this option is exercised.

The underwriters have an option to buy up to an additional     shares of our Class A common stock from us to cover sales by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than the total number set forth in the table above. They may exercise that option for 30 days. If any shares are purchased pursuant to this option, the underwriters will severally purchase shares in approximately the same proportion as set forth in the table above.

The following table shows the per share and total underwriting discounts and commissions to be paid to the underwriters by us. Such amounts are shown assuming both no exercise and full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase     additional shares of our Class A common stock.

 

Paid by the Company

   No
Exercise
     Full
Exercise
 

Per Share

   $           $       

Total

   $        $    

Shares of our Class A common stock sold by the underwriters to the public will initially be offered at the initial public offering price set forth on the cover of this prospectus. Any shares sold by the underwriters to securities dealers may be sold at a discount of up to $  per share from the initial public offering price. After the initial offering of the shares, the representatives may change the offering price and the other selling terms. The offering of the shares by the underwriters is subject to receipt and acceptance and subject to the underwriters’ right to reject any order in whole or in part. All of our directors, executive officers, and the holders of substantially all of our common stock outstanding and securities exercisable for or convertible into our common stock.

We and our executive officers, directors, the selling stockholders, and the holders of substantially all of our common stock and securities exercisable for or convertible into our common stock have agreed with the underwriters, subject to certain exceptions, not to dispose of or hedge any of our

 

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Class A common stock or securities convertible into or exchangeable for shares of Class A common stock during the period from the date of this prospectus continuing through the date 180 days after the date of this prospectus, except with the prior written consent of    . This agreement does not apply to any existing employee benefit plans. See the section titled “Shares Eligible for Future Sale” for a discussion of certain transfer restrictions, including the lock-up agreements with the underwriters and the market standoff provisions with us, and certain exceptions to these restrictions.

Notwithstanding the foregoing,

 

   

with respect to Eligible Holders, if the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring the Initial Post-Offering Earnings Date) out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, then beginning at the opening of trading on the Tier 1 Release Date after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period, 25% of the Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders will be automatically released from the lock-up restrictions and may be sold into the public market, subject to exceptions; provided, further, that the Tier 1 Release will expire for applicable Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy upon the commencement of the next occurring quarterly trading blackout period under our insider trading policy; and

 

   

with respect to Eligible Holders, if the closing price per share of the Class A common stock on Nasdaq for any five trading days (one of which must be a trading day occurring on or after March 3, 2026) out of ten consecutive trading days is at least 25% greater than the initial public offering price set forth on the cover page of this prospectus, then beginning at the opening of trading on the Tier 2 Release Date after the applicable ten consecutive trading day period, 25% of Eligible Securities held by Eligible Holders will be automatically released from the lock-up restrictions and may be sold into the public market, subject to exceptions; provided, further, that the Tier 2 Release will expire for applicable Current Employees subject to quarterly trading blackout periods under our insider trading policy upon the commencement of the next occurring quarterly trading blackout period under our insider trading policy.

Prior to the offering, there has been no public market for the shares of our Class A common stock. The initial public offering price has been negotiated among us, the selling stockholders, and the representatives. Among the factors to be considered in determining the initial public offering price of the shares of our Class A common stock, in addition to prevailing market conditions, will be our historical performance, estimates of our business potential and earnings prospects, an assessment of our management, and the consideration of the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related businesses.

We have applied to list the common stock on Nasdaq under the symbol “LIFE.”

In connection with the offering, the underwriters may purchase and sell shares of our Class A common stock in the open market. These transactions may include short sales, stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover positions created by short sales. Short sales involve the sale by the underwriters of a greater number of shares than they are required to purchase in the offering, and a short position represents the amount of such sales that have not been covered by subsequent purchases. A “covered short position” is a short position that is not greater than the amount of additional shares for which the underwriters’ option described above may be exercised. The underwriters may cover any covered short position by either exercising their option to purchase additional shares or purchasing shares in the open market. In determining the source of shares to cover the covered short position, the underwriters will consider, among other things, the price of shares available for purchase in the open market as compared to the price at which they may purchase additional shares pursuant to the option described above. “Naked” short sales are any short sales that

 

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create a short position greater than the amount of additional shares for which the option described above may be exercised. The underwriters must cover any such naked short position by purchasing shares in the open market. A naked short position is more likely to be created if the underwriters are concerned that there may be downward pressure on the price of the Class A common stock in the open market after pricing that could adversely affect investors who purchase in the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of various bids for or purchases of Class A common stock made by the underwriters in the open market prior to the completion of the offering.

The underwriters may also impose a penalty bid. This occurs when a particular underwriter repays to the underwriters a portion of the underwriting discount received by it because the representatives have repurchased shares sold by or for the account of such underwriter in stabilizing or short covering transactions.

Purchases to cover a short position and stabilizing transactions, as well as other purchases by the underwriters for their own accounts, may have the effect of preventing or retarding a decline in the market price of our Class A common stock, and together with the imposition of the penalty bid, may stabilize, maintain, or otherwise affect the market price of the Class A common stock. As a result, the price of the Class A common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market. The underwriters are not required to engage in these activities and may end any of these activities at any time. These transactions may be effected on the      , in the over-the-counter market or otherwise.

We estimate that our share of the total expenses of the offering, excluding underwriting discounts and commissions will be approximately $   million.

We and the selling stockholders have agreed to indemnify the several underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

The underwriters and their respective affiliates are full service financial institutions engaged in various activities, which may include sales and trading, commercial and investment banking, advisory, investment management, investment research, principal investment, hedging, market making, brokerage, and other financial and non-financial activities and services. Certain of the underwriters and their respective affiliates have provided, and may in the future provide, a variety of these services to us and to persons and entities with relationships with us, for which they received or will receive customary fees and expenses. In addition, the underwriters and their respective affiliates may also provide risk management products to us or any parties related to us or them in connection with the offering for which they could receive payment(s), earn a profit and/or suffer or avoid a loss contingent on the closing of the offering (and the quantum of such amounts may potentially be significantly in excess of the fees earned by the relevant underwriter for its services acting as underwriter in connection with the offering).

In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the underwriters and their respective affiliates, officers, directors, and employees may purchase, sell, or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade securities, derivatives, loans, commodities, currencies, credit default swaps and other financial instruments for their own account and for the accounts of their customers, and such investment and trading activities may involve or relate to assets, securities, and/or instruments of ours (directly, as collateral securing other obligations or otherwise) and/or of persons and entities with relationships with us. The underwriters and their respective affiliates may also communicate independent investment recommendations, market color, or trading ideas and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such assets, securities, or instruments and may at any time

 

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hold, or recommend to clients that they should acquire, long and/or short positions in such assets, securities, and instruments.

Selling Restrictions

European Economic Area

In relation to each Member State of the European Economic Area, or a Relevant Member State, no shares of Class A common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in that Relevant Member State prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of Class A common stock which has been approved by the competent authority in that Relevant Member State, all in accordance with the EU Prospectus Regulation, except that the shares of Class A common stock may be offered to the public in that Relevant Member State at any time:

 

   

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation;

 

   

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined under the EU Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the representatives for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation,

provided that no such offer of the shares of Class A common stock shall result in a requirement for us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to Article 3 of the EU Prospectus Regulation or a supplemental prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the EU Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any shares of Class A common stock or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, warranted, and agreed to and with each of the underwriters and us that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2 of the EU Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares of Class A common stock being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 1(4) of the EU Prospectus Regulation, each financial intermediary will also be deemed to have represented, warranted, and agreed that the shares of Class A common stock acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares of Class A common stock to the public, other than their offer or resale in a Relevant Member State to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

We, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, and agreements. Notwithstanding the above, a person who is not a “qualified investor” and who has notified the underwriters of such fact in writing may, with the prior consent of the underwriters, be permitted to acquire shares of Class A common stock in the offer.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of Class A common stock in any Relevant Member State means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of Class A common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares of Class A common stock, and the expression “EU Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129, as amended, and includes any relevant implementing measure in Relevant Member State.

United Kingdom

No shares of Class A common stock have been offered or will be offered pursuant to the offering to the public in the U.K. prior to the publication of a prospectus in relation to the shares of Class A

 

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common stock which has been approved by the Financial Conduct Authority, or FCA, except that the shares of Class A common stock may be offered to the public in the U.K. at any time:

 

   

to any legal entity which is a “qualified investor” as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation;

 

   

to fewer than 150 natural or legal persons (other than “qualified investors” as defined under Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation), subject to obtaining the prior consent of the underwriters for any such offer; or

 

   

in any other circumstances falling within section 86 of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000, as amended, or the FSMA,

provided that no such offer of shares of Class A common stock shall require us or any underwriter to publish a prospectus pursuant to section 85 of the FSMA or supplement a prospectus pursuant to Article 23 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation and each person who initially acquires any shares of Class A common stock or to whom any offer is made will be deemed to have represented, warranted, and agreed to and with each of us and the underwriters that it is a qualified investor within the meaning of Article 2 of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation.

In the case of any shares of Class A common stock being offered to a financial intermediary as that term is used in Article 1(4) of the U.K. Prospectus Regulation, each financial intermediary will also be deemed to have represented, warranted and agreed that the shares of Class A common stock acquired by it in the offer have not been acquired on a non-discretionary basis on behalf of, nor have they been acquired with a view to their offer or resale to, persons in circumstances which may give rise to an offer of any shares of Class A common stock to the public, other than their offer or resale in the U.K. to qualified investors as so defined or in circumstances in which the prior consent of the underwriters has been obtained to each such proposed offer or resale.

We, the underwriters and their affiliates will rely upon the truth and accuracy of the foregoing representations, warranties, and agreements. Notwithstanding the above, a person who is not a “qualified investor” and who has notified the underwriters of such fact in writing may, with the prior consent of the underwriters, be permitted to acquire shares of Class A common stock in the offer.

For the purposes of this provision, the expression an “offer to the public” in relation to any shares of Class A common stock in the U.K. means the communication in any form and by any means of sufficient information on the terms of the offer and any shares of Class A common stock to be offered so as to enable an investor to decide to purchase or subscribe for any shares of Class A common stock, and the expression “U.K. Prospectus Regulation” means Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 as it forms part of the domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018.

This prospectus is only being distributed to and is only directed at: (a) persons who are outside the U.K.; or (b) qualified investors (as defined in the U.K. Prospectus Regulation) who are also (i) investment professionals falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or the Order, (ii) high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc. falling within Article 49(2)(a) to (d) of the Order, or (iii) other persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated (all such persons falling within (B)(i) to (iii) together being referred to as relevant persons). In the U.K., the shares of Class A common stock are only available to, and any invitation, offer, or agreement to subscribe, purchase, or otherwise acquire the shares of Class A common stock will be engaged in only with, relevant persons. Any person who is not a relevant person should not act or rely on this prospectus or any of its contents.

 

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Canada

The Class A common stock may be sold in Canada only to purchasers purchasing, or deemed to be purchasing, as principal that are accredited investors, as defined in National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus Exemptions, and are permitted clients, as defined in National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations. Any resale of the Class A common stock must be made in accordance with an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the prospectus requirements of applicable securities laws.

Securities legislation in certain provinces or territories of Canada may provide a purchaser with remedies for rescission or damages if this prospectus (including any amendment thereto) contains a misrepresentation; provided that the remedies for rescission or damages are exercised by the purchaser within the time limit prescribed by the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory. The purchaser should refer to any applicable provisions of the securities legislation of the purchaser’s province or territory for particulars of these rights or consult with a legal advisor.

Pursuant to section 3A.3 (or, in the case of securities issued or guaranteed by the government of a non-Canadian jurisdiction, section 3A.4) of National Instrument 33-105 Underwriting Conflicts (NI 33-105), the underwriters are not required to comply with the disclosure requirements of NI 33-105 regarding underwriter conflicts of interest in connection with the offering.

Hong Kong

The shares of Class A common stock may not be offered or sold in Hong Kong by means of any document other than (i) in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public within the meaning of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance (Cap. 32 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, or which do not constitute an invitation to the public within the meaning of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Cap. 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong), or the Securities and Futures Ordinance, or (ii) to “professional investors” as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder, or (iii) in other circumstances which do not result in the document being a “prospectus” as defined in the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance, and no advertisement, invitation, or document relating to the shares of Class A common stock may be issued or may be in the possession of any person for the purpose of issue (in each case whether in Hong Kong or elsewhere), which is directed at, or the contents of which are likely to be accessed or read by, the public in Hong Kong (except if permitted to do so under the securities laws of Hong Kong) other than with respect to shares of Class A common stock which are or are intended to be disposed of only to persons outside Hong Kong or only to “professional investors” in Hong Kong as defined in the Securities and Futures Ordinance and any rules made thereunder.

Singapore

This prospectus has not and will not be lodged or been registered as a prospectus with the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Accordingly, this prospectus and any other document or material in connection with the offer or sale, or invitation for subscription or purchase, of the shares of Class A common stock may not be circulated or distributed, nor may the shares of Class A common stock be offered or sold, or be made the subject of an invitation for subscription or purchase, whether directly or indirectly, to persons in Singapore other than (i) to an institutional investor (as defined under Section 4A of the Securities and Futures Act, Chapter 289 of Singapore, or the SFA) under Section 274 of the SFA, (ii) to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA) pursuant to Section 275(1) of the SFA, or any person pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, and in accordance with the conditions specified in Section 275 of the SFA or (iii) otherwise pursuant to, and in accordance with the conditions of, any other applicable provision of the SFA, in each case subject to conditions set forth in the SFA.

 

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Where the shares of Class A common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a corporation (which is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) the sole business of which is to hold investments and the entire share capital of which is owned by one or more individuals, each of whom is an accredited investor, the securities (as defined in Section 239(1) of the SFA) of that corporation shall not be transferable for six months after that corporation has acquired the shares of Class A common stock under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer in that corporation’s securities pursuant to Section 275(1A) of the SFA, (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32 of the Securities and Futures (Offers of Investments) (Shares and Debentures) Regulations 2005 of Singapore, or Regulation 32.

Where the shares of Class A common stock are subscribed or purchased under Section 275 of the SFA by a relevant person which is a trust (where the trustee is not an accredited investor (as defined in Section 4A of the SFA)) whose sole purpose is to hold investments and each beneficiary of the trust is an accredited investor, the beneficiaries’ rights and interest (howsoever described) in that trust shall not be transferable for six months after that trust has acquired the shares of Class A common stock under Section 275 of the SFA except: (1) to an institutional investor under Section 274 of the SFA or to a relevant person (as defined in Section 275(2) of the SFA), (2) where such transfer arises from an offer that is made on terms that such rights or interest are acquired at a consideration of not less than S$200,000 (or its equivalent in a foreign currency) for each transaction (whether such amount is to be paid for in cash or by exchange of securities or other assets), (3) where no consideration is or will be given for the transfer, (4) where the transfer is by operation of law, (5) as specified in Section 276(7) of the SFA, or (6) as specified in Regulation 32.

Japan

The Class A common stock have not been and will not be registered under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act of Japan (Act No. 25 of 1948 of Japan, as amended), or the FIEA. The Class A common stock may not be offered or sold, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan (which term as used herein means any person resident in Japan, including any corporation or other entity organized under the laws of Japan), or to others for re-offering or resale, directly or indirectly, in Japan or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of Japan, except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of, and otherwise in compliance with, the FIFA and any other applicable laws, regulations, and ministerial guidelines of Japan.

Brazil

The offer and sale of the Class A common stock have not been and will not be registered with the Brazilian Securities Commission (Comissão de Valores Mobiliários, or CVM), and, therefore, will not be carried out by any means that would constitute a public offering in Brazil under CVM Resolution No 160, dated July 13, 2022, as amended, or unauthorized distribution under Brazilian laws and regulations. The Class A common stock will be authorized for trading on organized non-Brazilian securities markets and may only be offered to Brazilian professional investors (as defined by the applicable CVM regulation), who may only acquire the Class A common stock through a non-Brazilian account, with settlement outside Brazil in non-Brazilian currency. The trading of the Class A common stock on regulated securities markets in Brazil is prohibited.

 

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LEGAL MATTERS

The validity of the shares of Class A common stock being offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California. The underwriters have been represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Palo Alto, California and New York, New York. As of the date of this prospectus, GC&H Investments, LLC, an entity comprised of partners and associates of Cooley LLP, beneficially owns 84,917 shares of Class A common stock issuable upon the conversion of our convertible preferred stock.

EXPERTS

The consolidated financial statements of Ethos Technologies Inc. at December 31, 2023 and 2024, and for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as set forth in their report thereon appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report given on the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

WHERE YOU CAN FIND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form S-1, including exhibits and schedules, under the Securities Act, with respect to the shares of Class A common stock being offered by this prospectus. This prospectus, which constitutes part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the information in the registration statement and its exhibits. For further information with respect to us and the Class A common stock offered by this prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement and its exhibits. Statements contained in this prospectus as to the contents of any contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, we refer you to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to the registration statement. Each of these statements is qualified in all respects by this reference.

You can read our SEC filings, including the registration statement, over the internet at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Upon the closing of this offering, we will be subject to the information reporting requirements of the Exchange Act and we will file reports, proxy statements, and other information with the SEC. These reports, proxy statements, and other information will be available for inspection and copying at the website of the SEC referred to above. We also maintain a website at www.ethos.com, at which, following the closing of this offering, you may access these materials free of charge as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the SEC. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not a part of this prospectus, and the inclusion of our website address in this prospectus is only as an inactive textual reference.

 

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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Ethos Technologies Inc.

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Ethos Technologies Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes and financial statement schedules (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits, we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2020.

San Francisco, California

June 11, 2025, except for the effects of the reverse stock split as described in Note 17, as to which the date is September 26, 2025

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

    As of December 31,     As of
June 30,
 
    2023     2024     2025  
          (unaudited)  
    (in thousands)  

Assets

     

Current assets:

     

Cash and cash equivalents

  $ 25,020     $ 35,075     $ 80,284  

Short-term investments

    103,957       68,279       48,740  

Accounts receivable, net

    11,817       30,303       33,468  

Commissions receivable-current, net

    5,913       15,079       24,005  

Prepaid and other assets

    2,168       26,070       39,861  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

    148,875       174,806       226,358  

Long-term assets:

     

Commissions receivable, net

    119,245       173,096       195,300  

Property and equipment, net

    8,327       7,424       7,376  

Operating lease right-of-use assets

    759       2,536       2,316  

Goodwill

    2,238       2,238       2,238  

Acquired intangible assets, net of amortization

    30       221       196  

Long-term investments

          35,002       31,751  

Other long-term assets

    180       558       697  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term assets

    130,779       221,075       239,874  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

  $ 279,654     $ 395,881     $ 466,232  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, redeemable preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

     

Current liabilities:

     

Accounts payable

  $ 11,751     $ 24,303     $ 48,290  

Accrued expenses

    11,919       19,217       25,857  

Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-current

    1,307       9,382       12,267  

Operating lease liabilities-current

    549       753       782  

Other current liabilities

    1,567       13,945       13,971  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

    27,093       67,600       101,167  

Long-term liabilities:

     

Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-non-current

    4,995       24,163       18,186  

Operating lease liabilities-non-current

    249       1,864       1,616  

Deferred tax liability

          3,907       5,524  

Other long-term liabilities

    2,500       1,500       750  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total long-term liabilities

    7,744       31,434       26,076  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

    34,837       99,034       127,243  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 10)

     

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.0001 – 37,228 shares authorized, issued, and outstanding (liquidation preference of $404,801) as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

    403,997       403,997       403,997  

Stockholders’ deficit:

     

Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 62,390, 62,390, and 62,390 shares authorized, 15,959, 16,032, and 16,555 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), respectively

    2       2       2  

Additional paid-in capital

    63,473       66,991       78,356  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

    (158     (478     (417

Accumulated deficit

    (222,497     (173,665     (142,949
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

    (159,180     (107,150     (65,008
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

  $ 279,654     $ 395,881     $ 466,232  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

    Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
    2023     2024     2024     2025  
          (unaudited)  
    (in thousands)  

Revenue:

       

Commission

  $ 159,754     $ 254,926     $ 118,575     $ 183,737  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total revenue

    159,754       254,926       118,575       183,737  

Costs and expenses:

       

Sales and marketing

    107,531       148,664       73,009       108,131  

General and administrative

    21,231       22,417       11,713       21,543  

Technology (exclusive of amortization)

    22,288       23,133       10,991       16,942  

Cost of revenue

    5,902       6,527       3,538       2,997  

Depreciation and amortization

    5,713       5,438       2,769       2,743  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total costs and expenses

    162,665       206,179       102,020       152,356  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income (loss) from operations

    (2,911     48,747       16,555       31,381  

Other income (expense):

       

Interest expense

    (723     (595     (312     (1,619

Interest income

    5,792       5,599       2,794       3,062  

Other income, net

    117       185       78       58  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

    5,186       5,189       2,560       1,501  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income before provision for income taxes

    2,275       53,936       19,115       32,882  

Income tax expense

    (586     (5,104     (418     (2,166
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

    1,689       48,832       18,697       30,716  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income (loss):

       

Change in unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities

    955       (121     (106     195  

Unrealized foreign currency translation loss

    (88     (199     (77     (134
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

    867       (320     (183     61  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net other comprehensive income

  $ 2,556     $ 48,512     $ 18,514     $ 30,777  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Per share data:

       

Basic net income per share

  $ 0.11     $ 3.05     $ 1.17     $ 1.87  

Diluted net income per share

  $ 0.03     $ 0.85     $ 0.33     $ 0.52  

Shares used in computing basic net income per share

    15,926       16,007       15,987       16,402  

Shares used in computing diluted net income per share

    54,723       57,600       56,933       58,778  

See accompanying notes.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(In Thousands)

 

    Redeemable
Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Common Stock     Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
 
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Balance, December 31, 2022

    37,228     $ 403,997       15,846     $ 2     $ 59,307     $ (1,025   $ (224,186   $ (165,902

Issuance of common stock

                113             331                   331  

Stock-based compensation expense

                            3,835                   3,835  

Comprehensive income

                                  867             867  

Net income

                                        1,689       1,689  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2023

    37,228     $ 403,997       15,959     $ 2     $ 63,473     $ (158   $ (222,497   $ (159,180

Issuance of common stock

                73             209                   209  

Stock-based compensation expense

                            3,309                   3,309  

Comprehensive loss

                                  (320           (320

Net income

                                        48,832       48,832  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2024

    37,228     $ 403,997       16,032     $ 2     $ 66,991     $ (478   $ (173,665   $ (107,150
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

    Redeemable
Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Common Stock
    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares
    Amount     Shares
    Amount  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Balance, December 31, 2023

    37,228     $ 403,997       15,959     $ 2     $ 63,473     $ (158   $ (222,497   $ (159,180

Issuance of common stock (unaudited)

                64             181                   181  

Stock-based compensation expense (unaudited)

                            1,675                   1,675  

Comprehensive loss (unaudited)

                                  (183           (183

Net income (unaudited)

                                        18,697       18,697  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2024 (unaudited)

    37,228     $ 403,997       16,023     $ 2     $ 65,329     $ (341   $ (203,800   $ (138,810
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

(In Thousands)

 

    Redeemable
Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Common Stock
    Additional
Paid-In

Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

Income (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’

Deficit
 
    Shares
    Amount     Shares
    Amount  
    (in thousands, except share data)  

Balance, December 31, 2024

    37,228     $ 403,997       16,032     $ 2     $ 66,991     $ (478   $ (173,665   $ (107,150

Issuance of common stock (unaudited)

                523             790                   790  

Stock-based compensation expense (unaudited)

                            10,575                   10,575  

Comprehensive income (unaudited)

                                  61             61  

Net income (unaudited)

                                        30,716       30,716  
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

    37,228     $ 403,997       16,555     $ 2     $ 78,356     $ (417   $ (142,949   $ (65,008
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In Thousands)

 

     Year Ended
December 31,
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
     2023     2024     2024     2025  
                 (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Cash flows from operating activities

        

Net income

   $ 1,689     $ 48,832     $ 18,697     $ 30,716  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash used in operating activities:

        

Loss on disposal of fixed assets

     104                    

Deferred taxes

           3,907             1,617  

Depreciation and amortization

     5,713       5,438       2,769       2,743  

Non-cash interest expense

     723       595       312       1,619  

Accretion (amortization) of discounts and premium, investments

     (3,602     (3,133     (1,802     (639

Stock-based compensation

     3,607       3,166       1,600       10,292  

Operating lease right-of-use asset amortization

     16       42       (1     412  

Unrealized foreign currency translation

     (87     (199     (77     (134

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

        

Prepaid and other assets

     (221     (23,902     (1,462     (10,727

Other long-term assets

     12       (378     (277     (139

Accounts payable

     (4,651     12,691       8,980       22,634  

Accounts receivable

     (3,617     (13,626     (5,931     (8,165

Commissions receivable

     (3,772     (9,166     (5,831     (8,926

Long-term commissions receivable

     (29,055     (53,851     (25,320     (22,204

Accrued expenses

     1,861       7,298       652       6,070  

Other current liabilities

     (8,344     12,378       154       (385

Other long-term liabilities

     2,500       (1,000     (500     (750
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

     (37,124     (10,908     (8,037     24,034  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities 

        

Purchase of property and equipment

     (323     (776     (240     (578

Purchase of domain name

           (250     (250      

Purchase of investments

     (154,196     (154,675     (71,315     (22,210

Proceeds from maturity of investments

     140,008       145,003       67,573       45,800  

Sales of investments

     9,937       13,360       13,360        

Investment in software development costs

     (4,585     (3,558     (1,798     (1,797
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

     (9,159     (896     7,330       21,215  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

        

Proceeds from liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

           23,550             5,000  

Repayment of liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

     (1,973     (1,902     (967     (4,711

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

     331       209       181       790  

Payment of deferred offering costs

                       (1,118
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     (1,642     21,857       (786     (39
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (47,925     10,053       (1,493     45,210  

Effect of exchange rates on cash

     (2     2       (1     (1

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

     72,947       25,020       25,020       35,075  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

   $ 25,020     $ 35,075     $ 23,526     $ 80,284  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash items:

        

Capitalized property and equipment costs in accounts payable at year end

   $ 74     $ 44     $ 95     $ 69  

Cash paid for income taxes

   $ 487     $ 517     $ 219     $ 1,418  

Operating lease liabilities arising from obtaining operating lease right-of-use assets

   $ 1,090     $ 2,663     $     $ 190  

Stock-based compensation capitalized as software development costs

   $ 227     $ 143     $ 75     $ 283  

Deferred offering costs in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $     $     $     $ 1,946  

Amounts related to the sale of commissions receivable

   $     $ 5,000     $     $  

See accompanying notes.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

1. Organization

Ethos Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively referred to as the Company) is a technology-driven, direct-to-consumer platform that makes life insurance accessible and easy to apply for. Through its advanced digital underwriting, data analytics, and proprietary technology, the Company provides a streamlined process for consumers to explore, compare, and purchase life insurance policies entirely online. The Company contracts with top-rated insurance carriers to offer life insurance to families throughout the United States through the use of multi-channel marketing and advertising campaigns and independent third-party agents. The Company is a licensed agent in 49 states and serves as a third-party administrator (TPA). The streamlined application process is achieved through the Company’s full stack technology and predictive modeling platform which simplifies and automates the underwriting process allowing families to obtain same-day coverage. The Company primarily earns revenue in the form of commission payments from the contracted insurance carriers. Commission payments are received both when the initial policy is sold (first year) and when the underlying policyholder renews their policy in subsequent years.

2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation

The Company’s consolidated financial statements were prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP). The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the wholly owned subsidiary, Ethos Singapore Pte Ltd (Ethos SGP), the wholly owned subsidiary, Ethos Estate Planning, LLC, and the wholly owned subsidiary, Ethos Life Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd (Ethos India). All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements

The accompanying interim consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2025, the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), consolidated statements of redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit, and consolidated statements of cash flows for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025, and the related notes to such interim consolidated financial statements are unaudited.

These unaudited interim consolidated financial statements are presented in accordance with the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and do not include all disclosures normally required in annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in the consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted. In the opinion of management, the interim consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. The results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of future results.

Reverse Stock Split

On September 25, 2025, a seven-for-one reverse stock split of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock, common stock, stock options, restricted stock units, and common stock warrants was effected without any changes to the par value. All information related to the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock, common stock, stock options, restricted stock units, and

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

common stock warrants, as well as all per share data included in these financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the seven-for-one reverse stock split for all periods presented.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the related disclosures at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the periods presented. These estimates, judgments and assumptions take into account historical and forward-looking factors that the Company believes are reasonable. Significant items subject to such estimates, judgments, and assumptions include revenue recognition, commissions receivable, liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable, website and software development costs, stock-based compensation, and income taxes. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments, or assumptions and actual results, the Company’s consolidated financial statements will be affected.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash includes demand deposits with banks or financial institutions. Cash equivalents include short-term, highly liquid investments that are both readily convertible to known amounts of cash, and that are so near their maturity that they present minimal risk of changes in value because of changes in interest rates. The Company’s cash equivalents include only investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company regularly maintains cash in excess of federally insured limits at financial institutions.

Marketable Securities

Marketable securities consist primarily of commercial paper and investment grade debt securities. The Company invests in a diversified portfolio of marketable securities and limits the concentration of its investment in any particular security. Marketable securities with original maturities of three months or less are included in cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities with original maturities greater than three months, but less than one year, are included in short term investments, and marketable securities with maturities greater than one year, are included in long term investments in the consolidated balance sheets.

The Company determines the appropriate classification of its investments in marketable securities at the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation at each balance sheet date. The Company has classified and accounted for its marketable securities as available-for-sale. The investments are adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts to maturity. After consideration of the Company’s capital preservation objectives, as well as its liquidity requirements, the Company may sell securities prior to their stated maturities.

If an available-for-sale debt security’s fair value declines below its amortized cost basis, the Company evaluates whether it intends to sell the security, or whether it more-likely-than-not will be required to sell the security before the recovery of its amortized cost basis. If either condition is met, the Company records an allowance for credit loss on the security. If neither condition is met, the Company evaluates whether the decline is the result of credit-related factors, in which case the Company records the credit-related portion of the allowance for credit loss. There was no allowance for credit loss for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

Accumulated other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gain (loss) on marketable securities. The financial statements of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are translated from their functional currency into U.S. dollars. Assets and liabilities are translated at period end rates of exchange, and revenue and expenses are translated using average rates of exchange. The resulting gain or loss is included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in the consolidated balance sheets.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are recorded at cost and depreciated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The useful lives are as follows:

 

     Estimated Useful Life

Computer equipment

   2 years

Developed software

   3 years

Furniture and fixtures

   7 years

Leasehold improvements

   Shorter of expected useful life or lease term

Maintenance and repair costs are charged to expenses as incurred. Major improvements, which extend the useful life of the related asset, are capitalized. Upon disposal of a fixed asset, the Company records a gain or loss based on the difference between the proceeds received and the net book value of the disposed asset.

Accounts Receivable and Commissions Receivable, Net

See Note 3, Revenue, below for a description of the Company’s accounts and commissions receivable accounting policy.

Advertising Costs

Advertising costs are generally expensed as incurred in connection with the requisite service period. Certain advertising production costs are capitalized and expensed when the advertisement first takes place. Advertising expenses were approximately $55,933 and $63,366 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and approximately $32,985 and $45,311 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively. Advertising costs are recorded in sales and marketing expense in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

Stock-Based Compensation

The Company measures compensation expense for all share-based awards based on the estimated fair value of the award on the grant date. The Company’s equity incentive plan provides for the granting of stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards to employees, consultants, officers, and directors. Stock-based compensation expense is recognized on a straight-line basis over the period during which an employee is required to provide services in exchange for the award (generally the vesting period of the award).

The Company determines the fair value of stock options issued to employees on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model which is impacted by the estimated fair value of the Company’s common stock, as well as changes in assumptions regarding a number of highly complex and subjective variables.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

These variables are summarized as follows:

 

   

Fair value of common stock – Due to the absence of an active market for the Company’s common stock, the fair value of the common stock underlying the Company’s share-based awards is determined by the Company’s board of directors, with input from management and the assistance of a third-party valuation firm. Because there is no public market for the Company’s stock, the independent third-party valuations have generally been performed annually in accordance with the guidance outlined in the AICPA Practice Aid, Valuation of Privately-Held-Company Equity Securities Issued as compensation (AICPA’s Practice Aid). In conducting the valuations, the independent third-party valuation specialist considered all objective and subjective factors that it believed to be relevant for each valuation conducted in accordance with AICPA’s Practice Aid, including the price paid by investors for the Company’s common and redeemable convertible preferred stock, actual and forecasted operating and financial performance, market conditions, performance of comparable publicly traded companies and transactions of comparable companies, developments and milestones within the Company, the rights, preferences, and privileges of the Company’s common and redeemable convertible preferred stock, and the likelihood and timing of achieving a liquidity event. In determining the fair value of the Company’s common stock, the fair value of the Company’s business was determined using various valuation methods, including combinations of the income approach (discounted cash flow method) and the market approach (public company market-multiple method) with input from the Company. The income approach involves applying an appropriate risk-adjusted discount rate to projected cash flows based on forecasted revenue and costs. The market approach estimates value based on a comparison of the Company to comparable public companies in a similar line of business.

From the comparable companies, a representative market-value multiple was determined, which was applied to the Company’s operating results to estimate the enterprise value of the Company. Once the enterprise value was determined under the market approach, the Company derived the equity value of the Company and used the option-pricing model to allocate that value across the various classes of securities to arrive at the fair value of the common stock.

 

   

Expected volatility – Expected volatility is a measure of the amount by which the stock price is expected to fluctuate. Since the Company does not have sufficient trading history of its common stock, it estimates the expected volatility of its stock options at their grant date by taking the weighted-average historical volatility of a group of comparable publicly traded companies over a period equal to the expected life of the options.

 

   

Expected term – Expected term represents the period over which the Company anticipates share-based awards to be outstanding. For awards with the standard 90-day exercise period, the Company uses the simplified method to calculate the expected term estimate based on the options’ vesting term and contractual terms. Under the simplified method, the expected life is equal to the average of the share-based award’s weighted-average vesting period and its contractual term. For those awards with an extended post-termination exercise period, the Company calculates the expected term based on the options’ vesting term, tenure of the employee upon grant, and contractual terms.

 

   

Risk-free interest rate – The risk-free interest rate used is based on the implied yield in effect at the time of grant of U.S. Treasury securities with maturities similar to the expected term of the stock options.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

   

Expected dividend yield – The dividend yield is zero as the Company has not declared or paid any dividends to date and does not currently expect to do so in the future.

The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur.

See Note 13, Stock-Based Compensation, for the weighted-average assumptions used to estimate the fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

Common Stock Warrants

The Company accounts for warrants as either equity-classified or liability-classified instruments based on an assessment of the warrant’s specific terms and applicable authoritative guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (ASC 480), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, and ASC 815, Derivatives and Hedging. The Company has issued common stock warrants which are equity classified and are recorded at fair value upon the issuance. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which incorporates assumptions and estimates, to value the common stock warrants. Stock volatility is estimated based on the historical volatility of publicly traded peer companies for a term equal to the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The risk-free interest rate is determined by reference to the U.S. Treasury yield curve for time periods approximately equal to the remaining contractual term of the warrants. The dividend yield is estimated at 0% based on the expected dividend yield as the Company does not anticipate paying any cash dividends in the foreseeable future.

Income Tax Expense

Income tax expense is determined using the liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using the enacted tax rates that are applicable in a given year. The utilization of deferred tax assets is limited by the amount of taxable income expected to be generated within the allowable carryforward period and other factors. Management also considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized.

As of December 31, 2023 and 2024, a valuation allowance of $(50,302) and $(39,699), respectively, was recorded in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. See Note 14, Income Taxes, for additional information. Adjustments to the valuation allowance are recognized as benefit (expense) in the period in which such determination is made. The calculation of income tax liabilities involves judgment in estimating the impact of uncertainties and complex tax laws. In addition, the Company’s tax returns are subject to audit by various U.S. and foreign tax authorities. Resolution of these uncertainties in a manner inconsistent with our expectations could have a material impact on the Company’s financial position and results of operations.

The Company utilizes a two-step approach to recognizing and measuring uncertain tax positions (tax contingencies). The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount which is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. The

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Company considers many factors when evaluating and estimating its tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments, and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes.

The Company includes interest and penalties related to tax contingencies in the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of operations. There was no such expense recorded during 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets with finite useful lives are amortized using the straight-line method over their useful lives and are reviewed for impairment. The Company evaluates intangible assets with finite and indefinite useful lives and other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or circumstances indicate that they may not be recoverable, or at least annually. Recoverability of finite and other long-lived assets is measured by comparing the carrying amount of an asset group to the future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by that asset group. The amount of impairment to be recognized for finite and indefinite-lived intangible assets and other long-lived assets is calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value of the asset group, generally measured by discounting estimated future cash flows. There were no impairment indicators present during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

Website and Software Development Costs

The costs incurred in the preliminary stages of website and software development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental and deemed by management to be significant, are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the application. Capitalized website and software development costs are included in property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheets. Maintenance and enhancement costs, including those costs in the post-implementation stages, are typically expensed as incurred, unless such costs relate to substantial upgrades and enhancements to the website or software that result in added functionality, in which case the costs are capitalized and amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated remaining useful lives. Amortization expense related to capitalized website and software development costs is included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations. The Company capitalized website and software development costs of $4,585 and $3,558 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and $1,798 and $1,797 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively.

Fair Value

Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards also establish a fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. See Note 5, Fair Value Measurement, for details of the fair value hierarchy and the related inputs used by the Company.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Financial instruments which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist principally of accounts and commissions receivable. The Company believes the potential for

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

collection issues with any of its customers is minimal as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and as of June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited) based on the lack of collection issues in the past and high financial standards the Company requires of its customers. The Company does not require collateral to secure trade receivable balances. For the year ended December 31, 2023, two insurance carrier customers accounted for 60% and 24% of total revenue. As of December 31, 2023, two insurance carrier customers accounted for 76% and 16% of total accounts and commissions receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2024, three insurance carrier customers accounted for 54%, 25% and 19% of total revenue. As of December 31, 2024, three insurance carrier customers accounted for 63%, 19% and 11% of total accounts and commissions receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 (unaudited), three insurance carrier customers accounted for 57%, 21% and 19% of total revenue. As of June 30, 2024 (unaudited), two insurance carrier customers accounted for 15% and 78% of total accounts and commissions receivable. For the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited), three insurance carrier customers accounted for 39%, 34% and 15% of total revenue. As of June 30, 2025 (unaudited), two insurance carrier customers accounted for 73% and 14% of total accounts and commissions receivable.

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

The Company applied the guidance in ASC Topic 480-10-S99-3A, SEC Staff Announcement: Classification and Measurement of Redeemable Securities and therefore classified the redeemable convertible preferred stock (Note 12), as temporary equity. The redeemable convertible preferred stock was recorded outside of stockholders’ deficit because it includes a redemption provision upon a change of control, which is a deemed liquidation event that is considered outside the Company’s control. The redeemable convertible preferred stock was recorded at its original issue price, net of issuance costs. The Company did not adjust the carrying values to the liquidation price associated with a change of control because a change of control of the Company was not considered probable at the measurement dates. Subsequent adjustments to increase or decrease the carrying values to their respective liquidation prices were to be made only if and when it became probable that such a change of control will occur.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the future economic benefits arising from assets acquired in a business combination that are not individually identified and separately recognized. Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level, which is defined as an operating segment or one level below, and the test is performed annually, or more frequently if circumstances indicate an impairment may have occurred. See Note 16, Goodwill for additional information about the Company’s goodwill.

The impairment assessment involves an option to first assess qualitative factors to determine whether events or circumstances exist that lead to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount. If the qualitative assessment is not performed, or after assessing the totality of the events or circumstances, we determine it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, a quantitative assessment for potential impairment is performed.

In reviewing goodwill, the Company performed the qualitative assessment, and determined that it is not necessary to perform a more detailed assessment, as it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is greater than its carrying amount.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Revenue Recognition

See Note 3, Revenue, below for a description of the Company’s revenue recognition policy.

Liabilities Related to Sale of Commissions Receivable

The Company accounts for the sale of future rights to commissions from insurance carriers as debt under ASC 470, Debt, amortized under the effective interest method as discussed further in Note 11, Liabilities Related to Sale of Commissions Receivable. The Company has elected to use the prospective method in its calculation of its effective interest rate and will update this calculation quarterly when there are changes in the projected cash flows. The amortization of the liabilities related to the future rights to commissions is based on our current estimates of future commission payments. Payments made will be recorded as a reduction of the liabilities when paid. The debt is allocated on the balance sheet as current and non-current, and the current portion represents amounts estimated to be paid over the next twelve months.

Prepaids and Other Assets

Prepaids and other current assets consist of prepayments on consulting services, prepaid insurance expenses, and amounts expected to be recovered from agent advances.

Lease Obligations

Under ASC Topic 842 Leases, the Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception of a contract. Leases with an initial term of 12 months or less are not recorded in the balance sheet. Non-lease components associated with lease components in the Company’s lease contracts are treated as a single lease component. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. The operating lease right-of-use assets also include any lease payments made prior to commencement and are recorded net of any lease incentives received. Because the rate implicit in each lease is not readily determinable, the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate to determine the present value of the lease payments. To determine the incremental borrowing rate, the Company uses information including the risk-free interest rate for the remaining lease term, the Company’s implied credit rating, and interest rates of similar debt instruments of entities with comparable credit ratings. The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, which is allocated on a headcount basis to sales and marketing, technology (exclusive of amortization), and general and administrative costs and expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.

Segment Reporting

The Company has one reportable segment, which has been identified based on how the chief operating decision maker (CODM), manages the business, makes operating decisions and evaluates operating performance. The Company’s CODM is the Chief Executive Officer. The CODM reviews the Company’s revenue, expenses and net income as reported under GAAP, which is the primary measure of segment profit or loss. While the Company’s CODM also reviews the revenue streams attributable to individual products, operations are managed, resources are allocated, and financial performance is evaluated on a consolidated basis.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Deferred Offering Costs (unaudited)

Deferred offering costs, consisting of legal, accounting, and other fees and costs relating to the Company’s planned initial public offering (“IPO”) are capitalized within prepaid and other assets on the consolidated balance sheets. The deferred offering costs will be offset against the proceeds received by the Company upon the closing of the planned IPO. In the event the planned IPO is terminated, all of the deferred offering costs will be expensed within operating loss. The Company had deferred $3,064 of planned IPO costs as of June 30, 2025 (unaudited).

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Adopted

In November 2023, the FASB issued ASU No. 2023-07, Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures, which is intended to improve reportable segment disclosure requirements, primarily through enhanced disclosures about significant segment expenses, allowing financial statement users to better understand the components of a segment’s profit or loss to assess potential future cash flows for each reportable segment and the entity as a whole. The amendments expand a public entity’s segment disclosures by requiring disclosure of significant segment expenses that are regularly provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), clarifying when an entity may report one or more additional measures to assess segment performance, requiring enhanced interim disclosures, providing new disclosure requirements for entities with a single reportable segment, and requiring other new disclosures. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024. The Company adopted this guidance beginning January 1, 2024, and the adoption did not have a significant impact to the Company’s required disclosures.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. ASU 2016-13 replaces the incurred loss impairment methodology in current U.S. GAAP with a methodology that reflects expected credit losses and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. For trade receivables, loans, and other financial instruments, the ASU requires a forward-looking expected loss model rather than the incurred loss model for recognizing credit losses which reflects losses that are probable. Credit losses relating to available-for-sale debt securities will also be recorded through an allowance for credit losses, with the amount of the allowance limited to the amount by which fair value is below amortized cost. The Company adopted ASU 2016-13 on January 1, 2023, which resulted in immaterial impact to the consolidated financial statements.

3. Revenue

Revenue is recognized when control of the promised goods or services is transferred to the customer, in the amount that reflects the consideration the Company expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services.

The Company’s revenue comes in the form of commissions paid to the Company by insurance carriers for the provision of placement and TPA services. The Company recognizes revenue when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services and recognizes an amount that reflects the consideration that an entity expects to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company applies the following five-step model in order to determine this amount: (i) identification of the contract with a customer; (ii) identification of the performance obligations in the contract, including whether they

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measurement of the transaction price, including the constraint on variable consideration; (iv) allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and (v) recognition of revenue when (or as) the Company satisfies each performance obligation.

The Company’s primary customers are the insurance carriers that it contracts with to provide placement and/or TPA services through direct and indirect sales channels, related to consumers and partnerships with insurance agencies, respectively. The Company earns commissions for first year and renewal policies from the insurance carriers for both placement and TPA services. The contracts with the insurance carriers are non-exclusive and can typically be terminated unilaterally by either party. The Company reviews individual contracts to determine the Company’s legal and enforceable rights to renewal commissions upon contract termination when determining variable consideration.

The Company reviews each contract with customers to determine what promises the Company must deliver and which of these promises are capable of being distinct and are distinct in the context of the contract. The delivery of new policyholders to the insurance carriers is the only material promise specified within the contracts. After a policy is sold, the Company has no material additional or recurring obligations to the policyholder or the insurance carrier.

The Company’s contracts do not include downstream policyholder activities such as claims support or payment collection services. While the primary promise is the sale of policies, some contracts include the promise to provide TPA services to policyholders on behalf of the insurance carrier such as responding to policyholder inquiries regarding coverage or providing proof of insurance. The Company has reviewed and does not have any material ongoing costs for the provision of insurance placement or TPA services. As a result, for a given policy, the Company’s performance obligation to insurance carriers is met upon the issuance and activation of an insurance policy.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration the Company expects to be entitled to in exchange for transferring promised goods or services to a customer. The transaction price is identified as the first year commission due upon the initial sale of a policy as well as an estimate of renewal commissions. The estimates of renewal commissions are considered variable consideration and require significant judgment including determining the number of periods in which a renewal will occur and the value of those renewal commissions to be received if renewed.

For renewal commissions, the Company utilizes the expected value approach. This approach incorporates a combination of historical lapse and performance of the placed policy, available insurance carrier experience data, historical payment data by distribution channel and insurance carrier to estimate forecasted renewal consideration and constrain revenue recognized to the extent that it is probable that a significant reversal in the amount of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur. The uncertainty associated with the variable consideration related to each periodic policy renewal is subsequently resolved when the policy renews, and adjustments in variable consideration are recognized in the period incurred.

The Company recognizes all commissions expected to be received over the expected life of the insurance policy at the policy effective date which is when it has completed its performance obligation for both placement and TPA services. At the policy effective date, the Company applies its management estimate of policyholder persistency; the attrition rate of policy holders who cease to maintain their insurance policy, due to cancellation or mortality, and accrues a persistency reserve based on industry data and our experience in the industry and with different carriers.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

The Company continuously evaluates the assumptions and inputs into its calculation of renewal commissions. As a result of these continuous evaluations, the Company recognizes adjustments for revenue from prior periods when the cash collections are different from the estimated constrained renewal commissions. These adjustments are a result of a change in estimate of expected cash collections when actual cash collections differ from the estimated constrained renewal commissions for the revenue recognized at the time of approval. These adjustments can be positive or negative and are recognized using actual experience from policy renewals.

The table below presents revenue disaggregated by product:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
      2023        2024         2024          2025    
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Commission revenue

           

Term life insurance

   $ 147,490      $ 204,301      $ 101,375      $ 124,146  

Other products

     12,264        50,625        17,200        59,591  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total commission revenue

   $ 159,754      $ 254,926      $ 118,575      $ 183,737  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable represents either first year or renewal commissions expected to be received on policies that have already been sold or renewed that has been earned but not received from the insurance carrier. Typically, the Company receives commission payments as the insurance carriers receive payments from the underlying policyholders. As these can be on various payment terms such as monthly or quarterly, a receivable is recorded to account for the commission payments where the company has an unconditional right to cash, but has yet to be received from the insurance carriers. The balances of allowance for credit losses were not material as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and the changes in allowance for credit losses were not material for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024.

Accounts Receivable balances are summarized as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Accounts Receivable

  

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $  8,200  

Additions from commissions receivable

     124,141  

Other additions(1)

     3,360  

Collections

     (123,755

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

     (129
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 11,817  
  

 

 

 

Additions from commissions receivable

     188,684  

Other additions(1)

     5,434  

Collections

     (180,677

Accounts receivable from the sale of commissions(2)

     5,000  

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

     45  
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $  30,303  
  

 

 

 
 
(1)

Other additions is primarily comprised of amounts arising from revenue that does not flow through commission receivable along with other partnership related amounts.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

(2)

Refer to Footnote 11 for additional discussion.

Accounts Receivable balances for the six months ended June 30, 2025 are summarized as follows (unaudited):

 

     (in thousands)  

Accounts Receivable

  

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 30,303  

Additions from commissions receivable

     149,127  

Other additions(1)

     6,752  

Collections

     (152,412

Change in allowance for doubtful accounts

     (302
  

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   $ 33,468  
  

 

 

 
 
(1)

Other additions is primarily comprised of amounts arising from revenue that does not flow through commissions receivable along with other partnership related amounts.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, the change in accounts receivable presented in the cash flow statement is a net cash outflow of $13.6 million. The change in accounts receivable from December 31, 2023 to December 31, 2024 represents an increase (or net cash outflow) of $18.5 million, which included a non-cash increase of $5.0 million related to the sale of commissions receivable.

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the change in accounts receivable presented in the cash flow statement is a net cash outflow of $3.6 million. The change in accounts receivable from December 31, 2022 to December 31, 2023 represents an increase (or net cash outflow) of $3.6 million.

For the six months ended June 30, 2025, the change in accounts receivable presented in the cash flow statement is a net cash outflow of $8.2 million. The change in accounts receivable from December 31, 2024 to June 30, 2025 represents an increase (or net cash outflow) of $3.2 million, which included a cash inflow of $5.0 million related to the sale of commissions receivable which was received in the six months ended June 30, 2025.

Commissions Receivable, Net

Commissions receivable are contract assets that represent estimated variable consideration for performance obligations that have been satisfied but payment is not due as the underlying policy has not renewed yet. The current portion of commissions receivable are future renewal commissions expected to be renewed within one year, while the non-current portion of commissions receivable are expected to be renewed beyond one year. Contract assets are reclassified as accounts receivable when the rights to the renewal commissions become unconditional, which is primarily upon renewal of the underlying policy.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Commissions receivable activities (current and long-term) are summarized as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 92,332  

Commission revenue from activated policies during the period

   $ 149,100  

Net Commission Revenue from activated policies in prior periods(1)

   $ 7,867  

Amounts recognized as accounts receivable

   $ (124,141
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 125,158  

Commission revenue from activated policies during the period

   $ 246,268  

Net Commission Revenue from activated policies in prior periods(1)

   $ 5,433  

Amounts recognized as accounts receivable

   $ (188,684
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 188,175  
  

 

 

 
 
(1)

These amounts reflect our revised estimates of cash collections for certain activated policies prior to the relevant reporting period that are recognized as adjustments to revenue within the relevant reporting period. The net commission revenue from activated policies in prior periods, or the net adjustment revenue, includes both increases as well as reductions in revenue for certain prior period cohorts.

Commissions receivable activities (current and long-term) during the six months ended June 30, 2025 are summarized as follows (unaudited):

 

     (in thousands)  

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 188,175  

Commission revenue from activated policies during the period

     181,988  

Net Commission Revenue from activated policies in prior periods(1)

     (1,731

Amounts recognized as accounts receivable

     (149,127
  

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   $ 219,305  
  

 

 

 
 
(1)

These amounts reflect our revised estimates of cash collections for certain activated policies prior to the relevant reporting period that are recognized as adjustments to revenue within the relevant reporting period. The net commission revenue from activated policies in prior periods, or the net adjustment revenue, includes both increases as well as reductions in revenue for certain prior period cohorts.

Contract Balances

After a policy is sold, the Company has no material additional or recurring obligations to the policyholder or the insurance carrier. As such, there are no contract liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets.

4. Marketable Securities

The Company invests surplus cash in short-term and long-term investments to generate a return until the cash is required to fund the Company’s ongoing operations. As of December 31, 2023, the Company held investments of $114,093, of which $103,957 were classified as short-term investments with $10,136 classified as cash and cash equivalents. As of December 31, 2024, the Company held

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

investments of $103,873, of which $68,279 were classified as short-term investments and $35,002 were classified as long-term investments with $592 classified as cash and cash equivalents. As of June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company held investments of $91,558, of which $48,740 were classified as short-term investments and $31,751 were classified as long-term investments with $11,067 classified as cash and cash equivalents. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), the Company generated $5,792, $5,599, $2,794 and $3,062, respectively, in interest income. The Company has classified these investments as available for sale and has reported the investments at fair value.

The cost or amortized cost and estimated fair value of debt securities was as follows:

 

     Cost or
Amortized
Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
     Allowance
for Credit
Loss
     Estimated
Fair

Value
 

December 31, 2023

   Gains      Losses  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 68,576      $ 53      $ (19)      $      $ 68,610  

Corporate debt securities

     32,327        47         (21)          —        32,353  

Agency bond

     3,000               (6)               2,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 103,903      $ 100      $ (46)      $      $ 103,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Cost or
Amortized

Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
     Allowance
for Credit

Loss
     Estimated
Fair

Value
 

December 31, 2024

   Gains      Losses  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 32,564      $ 12      $ (12)      $      $ 32,564  

Corporate debt securities

     48,400        19        (67)               48,352  

Agency bond

     18,405        1        (18)               18,388  

Municipal bond

     3,978               (1)               3,977  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 103,347      $ 32      $ (98)      $      $ 103,281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     Cost or
Amortized

Cost
     Gross
Unrealized
     Allowance
for Credit

Loss
     Estimated
Fair

Value
 

June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   Gains      Losses  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 7,983      $      $ (1)      $      $ 7,982  

Corporate debt securities

     47,664        100        (5)               47,759  

Agency bond

     24,749        19        (18)               24,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 80,396      $ 119      $ (24)      $      $ 80,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company examined the securities in question at each balance sheet date to determine if there was a need to recognize an allowance for credit loss pertaining to these securities. Upon review of all holdings, it was concluded that the unrealized losses on the fixed maturity securities were chiefly attributable to the interest rate environment, rather than the credit quality of the issuers. The Company has no plans to offload these investments, and it is unlikely for a necessary sale to occur before the recovery of their amortized cost basis. Hence, no allowance for credit loss was recognized as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and as of June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

The gross unrealized losses and estimated fair values on investments aggregated by investment category and length of time that the individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position were as follows:

 

     12 months or greater      Less than 12 months  

December 31, 2023

   Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $     $      $ (19   $ 23,540  

Corporate debt securities

                  (21     23,100  

Agency bond

                  (6     2,994  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $     $      $ (46   $ 49,634  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     12 months or greater      Less than 12 months  

December 31, 2024

   Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $     $      $ (12   $ 16,184  

Corporate debt securities

                  (67     32,852  

Agency bond

                  (18     16,139  

Municipal bond

                  (1     3,977  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $     $      $ (98   $ 69,152  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     12 months or greater      Less than 12 months  

June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
     Unrealized
Losses
    Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $     $      $ (1   $ 7,982  

Corporate debt securities

                  (5     9,186  

Agency bond

     (14     9,772        (4     4,974  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ (14   $ 9,772      $ (10   $ 22,142  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments are a function of the difference between the amount received by us on the sale of a security and the security’s cost-basis, mark-to-market adjustments, credit losses recognized in earnings, and unrealized gains and losses on equity securities. Unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities are recognized as a component of other comprehensive income and do not impact our net income.

 

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Table of Contents

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

The estimated fair value of debt securities as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), by contractual maturity, were as follows:

 

December 31, 2023

   Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Due in one year or less

   $ 103,903      $ 103,957  

Due after one year through five years

             
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 103,903      $ 103,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2024

   Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Due in one year or less

   $ 68,276      $ 68,279  

Due after one year through five years

     35,071        35,002  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 103,347      $ 103,281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   Amortized
Cost
     Estimated
Fair Value
 
     (in thousands)  

Due in one year or less

   $ 48,730      $ 48,740  

Due after one year through five years

     31,666        31,751  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 80,396      $ 80,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

5. Fair Value Measurement

Certain assets and liabilities are required to be recorded at fair value on a recurring basis.

The accounting guidance for fair value measurements prioritizes valuation methodologies based on the reliability of the inputs in the following three-tier value hierarchy:

Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.

Level 2 Assets and liabilities valued based on observable market data for similar instruments, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities.

Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity; instruments valued based on the best available data, some of which is internally developed, and considers risk premiums that a market participant would require.

The Company applied the following methods and assumptions in estimating its fair value measurements. The Company’s investments in U.S. Government bonds are classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy given that they are valued based on quoted market prices for identical assets in active markets. Agency bonds, municipal bonds, and corporate bonds are classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy because they are valued using inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are observable directly or indirectly. Accounts receivable and accounts payable balances approximate fair value due to their generally short-term maturities.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Financial instruments measured at fair value are as follows (in thousands):

 

December 31, 2023

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 68,610      $      $      $ 68,610  

Corporate debt securities

            32,353               32,353  

Agency bond

            2,994               2,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis

   $ 68,610      $ 35,347      $      $ 103,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

December 31, 2024

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 32,564      $      $      $ 32,564  

Corporate debt securities

            48,352               48,352  

Municipal bond

            3,977               3,977  

Agency bond

            18,388               18,388  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 32,564      $ 70,717      $   —      $ 103,281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  
     (in thousands)  

U.S. Government bonds

   $ 7,982      $      $      $ 7,982  

Corporate debt securities

            47,759               47,759  

Agency bond

            24,750               24,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total investments

   $ 7,982      $ 72,509      $      $ 80,491  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

6. Prepaid and Other Assets

The Company’s prepaid and other assets recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023          2024          2025    
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Agent advances

   $      $ 22,527      $ 31,457  

Other assets

     2,168        3,543        5,340  

Deferred offering costs

                   3,064  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total prepaid and other assets

   $ 2,168      $ 26,070      $ 39,861  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other assets consist of various other assets with no individual item accounting for more than 5% of the total current assets as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited).

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

7. Accrued Expenses

The Company’s accrued expenses recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023          2024          2025    
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Accrued sales and marketing expenses

   $ 5,642      $ 14,083      $ 19,912  

Accrued underwriting expenses

     1,195        1,577        1,486  

Accrued payroll and compensation

     1,015        1,451        1,893  

Accrued legal expenses

     2,928        129        741  

Other accrued expenses

     1,139        1,977        1,825  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total accrued expenses

   $  11,919      $  19,217      $ 25,857  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other accrued expenses consist of various accrued expenses with no individual item accounting for more than 5% of the total current liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited).

8. Other Current Liabilities

The Company’s other current liabilities recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023          2024          2025    
            (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Persistency reserve liability

   $ 767      $ 12,170      $ 12,995  

Taxes payable

     778        1,709        773  

Other current liabilities

     22        66        203  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other current liabilities

   $  1,567      $  13,945      $ 13,971  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other current liabilities consist of various other current liabilities with no individual item accounting for more than 5% of the total current liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited). The persistency reserve liability represents amounts received in excess of revenue recognized related to certain insurance carriers.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

9. Property and Equipment, Net

The components of the Company’s property and equipment, net as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023         2024         2025    
           (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Developed software

   $  15,071     $  18,141     $ 20,024  

Computer equipment

     1,655       2,360       2,935  

Furniture and fixtures

     44       53       53  

System consulting

     86       141       141  

Leasehold improvements

     25       1       4  

Domain and intellectual property

     1              
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Property and equipment

     16,882       20,696       23,157  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (8,555     (13,272     (15,781
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total property and equipment, net

   $ 8,327     $ 7,424     $ 7,376  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company recorded depreciation and amortization expense related to property and equipment, net, excluding developed software, of $632 and $436 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and $254 and $362 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively.

The Company capitalized developed software costs of $4,781 and $3,070 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and $1,890 and $2,080 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively. Amortization expense related to developed software costs, included in depreciation and amortization in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss), was $4,175 and $5,002 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, respectively, and $2,515 and $2,381 for the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively.

10. Commitments and Contingencies

Leases

As of December 31, 2024 and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company had operating lease agreements for its office facilities in San Francisco, California, as well as in India, which expire at various dates through November 2028. For its primary operating leases, the Company has the option to extend the lease terms.

In September 2023, Ethos Life Technologies (India) Pvt. Ltd. entered into a lease agreement in Bangalore, Karnataka, India. The lease agreement was canceled as of November 2024 and replaced with a new agreement that expires November 2026. The new agreement may be cancelled after August 2026 and contains an option to extend the lease term. The terms of the lease agreement provide for fixed rental payments on a graduated basis.

In May 2024, the Company entered into a lease agreement in San Francisco, CA. The lease was for the same space leased in 2022, which consisted of 9,079 square feet of office space. The terms of the lease agreement provides for fixed rental payments on a graduated basis and contains an option to extend the terms of the lease.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

As of December 31, 2024, the Company recognized in its consolidated balance sheets operating lease right-of-use assets of $2,536 that represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and current and noncurrent operating lease liabilities of $753 and $1,864 respectively, that represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments.

As of June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company recognized in its consolidated balance sheets operating lease right-of-use assets of $2,316 that represent the Company’s right to use an underlying asset during the lease term and current and noncurrent operating lease liabilities of $782 and $1,616 respectively, that represent the Company’s obligation to make lease payments.

The components of lease costs, which consist of rent expense for leased office space, during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023         2024         2024          2025    
           (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Fixed operating lease cost

   $ 747     $ 668     $ 352      $ 480  

Short-term lease cost

     100       83       15        39  

Variable lease cost

                         

Sublease income

     (34     (14             
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total lease cost

   $  813     $  737     $  367      $  519  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information related to the Company’s operating leases as well as the weighted-average lease term and discount rate as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,     Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023         2024         2024         2025    
           (unaudited)  
     (in thousands)  

Cash paid for operating lease liabilities

   $ 731     $ 613     $ 324     $ 482  

Operating lease assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease obligations

   $  1,090     $  2,663     $     $ 190  

Weighted-average remaining lease term (years)

     1.05       3.26       1.11       2.86  

Weighted-average discount rate

     6.00     6.00     6.00     6.00

Future lease payments under the Company’s operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2024 were as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

2025

   $ 883  

2026

     965  

2027

     534  

2028

     503  
  

 

 

 

Total future lease payments

     2,885  

Less interest

     (268
  

 

 

 

Present value of lease liabilities

   $  2,617  
  

 

 

 

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Future lease payments under the Company’s operating lease agreements as of June 30, 2025 (unaudited) were as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Remaining portion of 2025

   $ 400  

2026

     1,006  

2027

     704  

2028

     503  
  

 

 

 

Total future lease payments

     2,613  

Less interest

     (215
  

 

 

 

Present value of lease liabilities

   $ 2,398  
  

 

 

 

Rent expense under ASC Topic 842, for leased office space under the operating lease commitments for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited) was approximately $747, $659, $352 and $480, respectively, and is included in sales and marketing, general and administrative, and technology expenses in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss).

During 2022 the Company experienced a cyber incident related to its website. The Company did not identify any unauthorized access to or exfiltration of customer data stored on its systems. As of December 31, 2024, the Company reversed a prior accrual of a $2,000 loss contingency related to costs, fees, and potential fines associated with the incident, as prior civil litigation has been resolved and it is more likely than not that no regulatory fine will result.

Letter of Credit (unaudited)

As of June 30, 2025, we had an unsecured letter of credit of $30.0 million with Citizens Bank in favor of two carrier partners. The line of credit cannot be drawn upon in the normal course of business and will only be drawn upon automatically to fund the letter of credit obligation if the carrier partner calls on the letter of credit. If there is a draw on the letter of credit, the Company must reimburse the bank in cash, in immediately available funds, within one business day following notice of such draw from the lender. The letter of credit expires in June 2026. As of the date of this report, there were no borrowings outstanding under the senior unsecured letter of credit or the unsecured line of credit.

11. Liabilities Related to Sale of Commissions Receivable

From time to time, the Company has entered into agreements to sell a portion of its commissions receivable. These transactions are accounted for as debt. In December 2024, the Company entered into an agreement with an unaffiliated third-party to sell a portion of its commissions receivable. Specifically, the Company sold the cash flows associated with one carrier that were expected to be collected during renewals years two through ten for policies placed between January 2023 and October 2024 that were in-force as of the date of the sale. If the buyer receives cash payments that satisfy an internal rate of return established in the agreement, the Company has the right to repurchase the remaining commissions receivable. At the time of execution, the transaction was considered a sale of future revenue under U.S. GAAP, and as such, the proceeds of $28,550 were recorded as liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable, with $8,043 recorded in liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-current and $20,507 recorded in liabilities related to sale of commissions

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

receivable-non-current in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets. From the total proceeds, $23,550 was received during the year ended December 31, 2024, and the remaining $5,000 was recorded as accounts receivable within the balance sheet and was received during January 2025.

The aggregate future estimated payments less proceeds received will be recognized as interest expense over the life of the agreement. The Company’s estimated effective annual interest rate was 10.25%, 8.64%, 10.26% and 8.63% for the year ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively.

The table below shows the activity of the liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024:

 

     (in thousands)  

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $ 7,552  

Non-cash interest expense

     723  

Repayment of liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

     (1,973
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 6,302  

Proceeds from liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

     28,550  

Non-cash interest expense

     595  

Repayment of liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

     (1,902
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 33,545  
  

 

 

 

Less: Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-current

     9,382  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-non-current

   $ 24,163  
  

 

 

 

The table below shows the activity of the liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited):

 

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 33,545  

Proceeds from liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

      

Non-cash interest expense

      1,619  

Repayment of liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable

     (4,711
  

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2025

   $ 30,453  
  

 

 

 

Less: Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-current

     12,267  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities related to sale of commissions receivable-non-current

   $ 18,186  
  

 

 

 

12. Stockholders’ Deficit

As of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company was authorized to issue two classes of stock: common stock and redeemable convertible preferred stock. The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue at December 31, 2023, is 62,390 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 and 37,228 of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue at December 31, 2024, is 62,390 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 and 37,228 of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001. The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue at June 30, 2025 (unaudited), is 62,390 shares of common stock with a par value of $0.0001 and 37,228 shares of preferred stock with a par value of $0.0001.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

The Company has reserved shares of common stock for issuance for the following purposes at December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited):

 

     December 31,
2023
     December 31,
2024
     June 30,
2025
 
                   (unaudited)  

Series A-1 preferred stock

     1,996        1,996        1,996  

Series A-2 preferred stock

     3,156        3,156        3,156  

Series A preferred stock

     7,361        7,361        7,361  

Series B preferred stock

     10,371        10,371        10,371  

Series C preferred stock

     6,576        6,576        6,576  

Series D preferred stock

     5,576        5,576        5,576  

Series D-1 preferred stock

     2,192        2,192        2,192  

Warrants to purchase common stock

     86        86        581  

Options to purchase common stock

     6,532        6,977        10,993  

Shares available for grant under Equity Plan

     1,901        1,385        1,129  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     45,747        45,676        49,931  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Common Stock

Each holder of common stock has one vote per share of common stock held on all matters that are submitted for stockholder vote. At December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), 15,959, 16,032 and 16,555 shares of authorized common stock were issued and outstanding, respectively. The majority of the outstanding common stock has been issued as founder’s stock. Holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to dividends if and when declared by the Board of Directors. The Company did not hold any shares as treasury shares as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited).

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

A summary of the redeemable convertible preferred stock shares authorized, issued, and outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited) is as follows:

 

     Shares
Authorized
     Shares
Issued and
Outstanding
     Carrying
Value
     Liquidation
Value
 

Balance at December 31, 2023

     37,228        37,228      $ 4      $ 404,801  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2024

     37,228        37,228      $ 4      $ 404,801  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

     37,228        37,228      $ 4      $ 404,801  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Dividends

Holders of the redeemable convertible preferred stock, in preference to the holders of common stock, shall be entitled to receive, but only out of funds that are legally available therefore, cash dividends at the rate of 6% of the applicable original issue price per annum on each outstanding share of preferred stock. The original issue price for Series A-1 is $0.302295 per share, Series A-2 is $0.665315 per share, Series A is $0.782705 per share, Series B is $3.310895 per share, Series C is $9.124325 per share, Series D $36.2236 per share, and Series D-1 $45.6162 per share. Such dividends shall be payable only when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors and shall be non-cumulative. As of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), no dividends have been declared.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Liquidation Preference

Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (a Liquidation Event), before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any common stock, the holders of redeemable convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution (or the consideration received by the Company or its stockholders in an acquisition) for each share of redeemable convertible preferred stock held by them, an amount per share of redeemable convertible preferred stock equal to the applicable original issue price plus all declared and unpaid dividends on the redeemable convertible preferred stock. If, upon any such liquidation event, the assets of the Company shall be insufficient to make payment in full to all holders of redeemable convertible preferred stock of the liquidation preference set forth above, then such assets (or consideration) shall be distributed among the holders of redeemable convertible preferred stock at the time outstanding, ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

Voting Rights

The holders of redeemable convertible preferred stock are entitled to vote on all corporate matters together with the holders of common stock. Each holder of redeemable convertible preferred stock shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of common stock into which such redeemable convertible preferred stock could then be converted.

Conversion Rights

Each share of redeemable convertible preferred stock shall be convertible, at the option of the holder thereof, into such number of fully paid non-assessable shares of common stock as determined by multiplying the series preferred conversion rate then in effect by the number of shares of series preferred being converted. The conversion rate shall be obtained by dividing the original issue price of the series preferred by the series preferred conversion price. The series preferred conversion price shall initially be the original issue price.

Redemption Rights

The holders of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock have no voluntary rights to redeem shares. A liquidation or winding up of the Company, a change in control, or a sale of substantially all of the Company’s assets would constitute a redemption event, which may be outside of the Company’s control. Accordingly, these shares are considered contingently redeemable and are classified as temporary equity in the consolidated balance sheets.

13. Stock-Based Compensation

The Board of Directors has authorized the 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the Plan). Under the Plan, the Board of Directors may grant incentive stock awards to employee, and non-statutory stock options to employees, directors and consultants. The Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, and other stock-related and performance awards that may be settled in cash, stock, or other property. During 2023, the plan was amended to allow for a maximum of 12,351, shares of unauthorized or unissued common stock to be available.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

For all stock options outstanding as of December 31, 2023 and 2024, and June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the exercise price of the stock options equals the fair value of the stock option on the grant date. The stock options and restricted stock units vest over different lengths of time, but generally over four years, and are subject to forfeiture upon termination of employment prior to vesting. The maximum term for stock options issued to employees under the 2016 Plan is ten years (five years for incentive stock options granted to stockholders owning greater than 10% of all classes.), and they expire ten years from the date of grant. Compensation expense for stock options, restricted stock units, and restricted stock awards is recognized ratably over the vesting period.

Ethos Technologies Inc. has granted Participant Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) under the Plan, as per the terms specified in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant, the Plan, and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. The conditions for vesting include a service-based requirement and a liquidity event requirement, both of which must be met or the RSUs will lapse without cost to the Company. Under the service-based requirement, RSUs start vesting from the first year anniversary of the vesting commencement date, provided that the participant’s continuous service status is intact, and if terminated, unvested RSUs are forfeited without cost to the Company. The liquidity event requirement is satisfied on the occurrence of the effective date of a Company registration statement for public sale or immediately prior to the closing of a corporate transaction. Upon vesting, the Company will issue one share of common stock for each vested RSU according to a set schedule. The rights granted to the recipient of a restricted stock unit generally accrue over the vesting period. Participants holding restricted stock units are not entitled to any ordinary cash dividends paid by the Company with respect to such shares. The Company does not expect to pay any dividends in the foreseeable future.

Excess tax benefits reflect the total realized value of the Company’s tax deductions from individual stock option exercise transactions and the vesting of restricted stock awards and restricted stock units in excess of the deferred tax assets that were previously recorded. During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, the Company recognized excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation of $108 and $0, respectively, within income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) and within cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.

The Company capitalized stock-based compensation expense as website and software development costs of $227, $143, $75 and $283 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively.

Stock Options

The fair value of each stock option award was estimated based on the assumptions below as of the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton option pricing model. Expected volatility is based on the historical and implied volatilities of the Company’s own common stock. Separate groups of employees that have similar historical exercise behavior are considered separately for valuation purposes. The expected term calculation for option awards considers a combination of the Company’s historical and estimated future exercise behavior. The risk-free rate for the period within the contractual life of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant.

The Company did not grant any stock options during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited).

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Stock option awards as of December 31, 2023 and 2024 and changes during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, were as follows:

 

     Options     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
     Aggregate
Instric Value
    Weighted-
Average
Exercise Term
(Years)
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

     1,874     $ 3.46      $ 13,695       7.44  

Forfeited

     (184     5.24        NM     NM

Exercised

     (113     2.94        679        
  

 

 

        

Outstanding at December 31, 2023

     1,577     $ 3.29      $ 11,284       6.38  

Forfeited

     (39     7.15        NM       NM  

Exercised

     (72     2.88        1,250        
  

 

 

        

Outstanding at December 31, 2024

     1,466     $ 3.21      $ 47,531       5.34  
  

 

 

        

Vested and expected to vest at December 31, 2024

     1,466     $ 3.21      $ 47,531       5.34  

Exercisable at December 31, 2024

     1,453     $ 3.16      $ 47,195       5.34  

 

*

NM — not meaningful

Stock option awards as of June 30, 2025 and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2025, were as follows (unaudited):

 

     Options     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Price
     Aggregate
Instric Value
     Weighted-
Average
Exercise Term
(Years)
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2024

     1,466     $ 3.21      $ 47,531        5.34  

Forfeited

     (12     2.98        NM        NM  

Exercised

     (256     3.09        9,531         
  

 

 

         

Outstanding at June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

     1,198     $ 3.23      $ 45,170        4.90  
  

 

 

         

Vested and expected to vest at June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

     1,198     $ 3.23      $ 45,170        4.90  

Exercisable at June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

     1,197     $ 3.22      $ 45,149        4.90  

 

*

NM — not meaningful

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between the fair value of the common stock and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their in-the-money options on each date. This amount will change in future periods based on the fair value of the Company’s stock and the number of options outstanding. The aggregate intrinsic value of awards exercised during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited) was $679, $1,250 and $9,531, respectively.

The Company recorded compensation expense for stock options of $3,309 and $3,833, $1,675 and $10,575 for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, and the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), respectively. As of December 31, 2024, total unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock options was $3,845 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.34 years.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

As of June 30, 2025 (unaudited), total unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to non-vested stock options was $327 and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.25 years.

Restricted Stock Units

Non-vested restricted stock units as of December 31, 2023 and 2024 and changes during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 were as follows:

 

     Shares     Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2022

     3,689     $ 12.28  

Granted

     2,850       9.53  

Forfeited

     (1,585     12.46  

Vested

            
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2023

     4,954     $ 10.64  

Granted

     1,047       23.75  

Forfeited

     (491     15.19  

Vested

            
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at December 31, 2024

     5,510     $ 12.73  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-vested restricted stock units as of June 30, 2025 and changes during the six months ended June 30, 2025 were as follows (unaudited):

 

     Shares     Weighted-
Average Grant
Date Fair Value
 

Outstanding at December 31, 2024

     5,510     $ 12.73  

Granted

     4,644       40.89  

Forfeited

     (91     21.33  

Vested

     (268     10.76  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Outstanding at June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

     9,795     $ 26.05  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

There was no compensation expense related to restricted stock units for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 due to the related performance triggers not having been met. Had the performance triggers been met, compensation expense related to restricted stock units would have been $40,682 for the year ended December 31, 2024, with $22,381 of total unrecognized compensation cost to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.84 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted during the year ended December 31, 2024 was $23.75, which was determined based on the Company’s stock price at the grant date and assuming no expected dividend payments during the vesting period.

In February 2025, the performance triggers were lifted for 268 RSUs, the awards were vested and $7,964 was recognized as compensation expense. For the remaining restricted stock units, had the performance triggers been met, compensation expense related to restricted stock units would have been $133,267 for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited), with $115,674 of total

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

unrecognized compensation cost to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.07 years. The weighted-average grant date fair value of restricted stock granted for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited) was $40.89, which was determined based on the Company’s stock price at the grant date and assuming no expected dividend payments during the vesting period.

Common Stock Warrants

April 2024 Warrant

In April 2024, the Company issued warrants to a third party to purchase an aggregate of up to 385 shares of Common Stock at an exercise price of $10.15 per share (“April 2024 Warrant”). The April 2024 Warrant expires in 2027, and 21 warrants vested during the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited). The remainder of the shares underlying the April 2024 Warrant may vest and become exercisable over the contractual term, contingent upon the achievement of certain performance conditions. For the year ended December 31, 2024 and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), the Company recognized $200, $0 and $54, respectively, related to the issuance of the April 2024 Warrant.

January 2025 Warrant (unaudited)

In January 2025, the Company issued fully vested warrants to a third party to purchase an aggregate of up to 32 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $0.07 per share (“January 2025 Warrant”). The January 2025 Warrant expires in 2030. For the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company recognized $1,292, related to the issuance of the January 2025 Warrant.

April 2025 Warrant (unaudited)

In April 2025, the Company issued warrants to a third party to purchase an aggregate of up to 77 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $40.32 per share (“April 2025 Warrant”). The April 2025 Warrant expires in 2027 and 4 warrants vested during the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited). The remainder of the shares underlying the April 2025 Warrant may vest and become exercisable over the contractual term, contingent upon the achievement of certain performance conditions. For the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited), the Company recognized $46, related to the issuance of the April 2025 Warrant.

The grant date fair value of the April 2024 Warrant, January 2025 Warrant, and April 2025 Warrant were determined using the Black-Scholes option pricing model using the following assumptions:

 

     April 2024
Warrant
    January 2025
Warrant
    April 2025
Warrant
 
           (unaudited)     (unaudited)  

Expected volatility

     68.0     63.6     64.2

Expected risk-free interest rate

     4.8     4.3     3.7

Expected term (in years)

     2.69       2.50       1.73  

Expected dividend yield

     N/A       N/A       N/A  

Fair value

   $ 12.65     $ 40.25     $ 14.14  

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

Secondary Sale of Stock (unaudited)

In February 2025, the Company completed a secondary sale of 496 shares of common stock from employees to new investors. The secondary sale price was based on an independent appraisal of Company’s fair market value. There was no stock-based compensation expense related to this transaction.

14. Income Taxes

The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal, Singapore, India and various state jurisdictions. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, the Company has recorded current tax expense of $586 and $1,197 and deferred tax expense of $0 and $3,907, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited), the Company has recorded current tax expense of $418 and $549 and deferred tax expense of $0 and $1,617, respectively.

Income before provision for income taxes for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2023        2024   
     (in thousands)  

Domestic source

   $ 805      $ 52,414  

Foreign source

     1,470        1,522  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income before provision for income taxes

   $ 2,275      $ 53,936  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes computed at the U.S. federal statutory rate to the income taxes reported in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss) for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
       2023         2024    
     (in thousands)  

Book income before tax

   $ 2,275     $ 53,936  

Federal tax at statutory rate

     21.0     21.0

Stock-based compensation

     5.3     0.1

Change in valuation allowance

     74.2     -18.5

State taxes

     10.8     2.3

Research and development credits

     -97.4     2.8

Non-deductible expenses and other

     0.0     0.1

Prior year true ups

     11.9     1.6

Tax expense

   $ 586     $ 5,104  

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

The tax effects of temporary differences giving rise to deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2023 and 2024 were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
       2023         2024    
     (in thousands)  

Deferred tax assets:

    

Accruals and reserves

   $ 180     $ 21  

Net operating loss carryforwards

     41,539       62,001  

Asset basis differences

     4,997       7,358  

Lease liability

     199       670  

Settlements

     862       577  

Credit carryforwards

     3,435       2,480  

Equity based compensation

     2,092       2,794  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     53,304       75,901  

Valuation allowance

     (50,302     (39,699
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance

     3,002       36,202  

Deferred tax liabilities:

    

Other prepaids

     (352     (432

Right-of-use asset

     (190     (650

Commission receivable

     (2,460     (39,027
  

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (3,002     (40,109
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net deferred tax liabilities

   $     $ (3,907
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The Company records a valuation allowance to reduce deferred tax assets to the amount management believes is more likely than not to be realized. The utilization of deferred tax assets is limited by the amount of taxable income expected to be generated within the allowable carryforward period and other factors. Management also considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities, projected future taxable income, and tax planning strategies in making this assessment. The net increase in the total valuation allowance for the year ending December 31, 2023 was $1,270, primarily from net operating losses generated. The net decrease in the total valuation allowance for the year ending December 31, 2024 is $10,603, primarily from changes in temporary differences as well as the generation of research and development credits.

The Company had the following tax loss and credit carryforwards as of December 31, 2023 and 2024:

 

     2023      Beginning
Year of
Expiration
 
     (in thousands)         

U.S. federal loss carryforwards

   $  173,783        2036  

U.S. state and local loss carryforwards

     121,637        2030  

Federal research and development credit

     4,966        2037  

State research and development credit

     1,801        Indefinite  

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

     2024      Beginning
Year of
Expiration
 
     (in thousands)         

U.S. federal loss carryforwards

   $  255,959        2036  

U.S. state and local loss carryforwards

     146,636        2030  

Federal research and development credit

     3,653        2037  

State research and development credit

     1,778        Indefinite  

Certain tax attributes are subject to an annual limitation under Internal Revenue Code Section 382 due to changes in ownership. As a result, $2,600 of gross net operating losses and $1,200 of research and development credits are expected to expire.

The Company’s tax returns are subject to the normal statute of limitations, three years from the filing date for federal income tax purposes. The federal and state statute of limitations generally remain open for years in which tax losses are generated until three years from the year those losses are utilized. Under these rules, the 2016 and later year NOLs of Ethos Technologies Inc. are still subject to audit by the IRS and state and local jurisdictions. The December 31, 2021 and later period Singapore returns of Ethos Singapore Pte Ltd. are subject to exam by the Singapore tax authorities.

The following table summarizes the Company’s unrecognized tax benefit activity during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024, excluding the related accrual for interest:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
       2023          2024    
     (in thousands)  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ 260      $ 3,383  

Additions (reductions) for tax positions taken in prior years

     1,956      $ (515

Additions for tax positions taken in the current year

     1,167        134  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ 3,383      $ 3,002  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company records interest and penalties, if any, as a component of its income tax expense in the consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income (loss). No interest expense or penalties were recognized during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 and the six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2025 (unaudited). There are no positions for which it is reasonably possible that the total amounts of unrecognized tax benefits will significantly increase or decrease within 12 months of the reporting date. None of the unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate if reversed due to the valuation allowance.

15. Net Income Per Share Attributable to Common Stockholders

Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period without consideration for common stock equivalents. Diluted net income per share attributable to common stockholders is computed by dividing net income by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period and potentially dilutive common stock equivalents. For periods of net loss, basic and diluted earnings per share are the same as the effect of potential common stock is anti-dilutive.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

A reconciliation of the denominator used in the calculation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows (in thousands):

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023          2024          2024          2025    
                   (unaudited)  
     (in thousands, except share and per share data)  

Basic net income per share:

           

Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator)

   $ 1,689      $
 
 
48,832
 
 
   $ 18,697      $ 30,716  

Less: Net income attributable to participating securities

                           
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

     1,689        48,832        18,697        30,716  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Shares used in computation (denominator):

           

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     15,926        16,007        15,987        16,402  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Basic net income per share

   $ 0.11      $ 3.05      $ 1.17      $ 1.87  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
           

Diluted net income per share:

           

Net income attributable to common stockholders (numerator)

   $ 1,689      $
 
 
48,832
 
 
   $ 18,697      $ 30,716  

Shares used in computation (denominator):

           

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

     15,926        16,007        15,987        16,402  

Effect of dilutive securities:

           

Stock options

     1,022        1,274        1,234        1,183  

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

     37,296        37,296        37,296        27,296  

Warrants

     79        110        82        147  

Restricted stock units

     400        2,913        2,334        3,750  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Weighted-average diluted shares

     54,723        57,600        56,933        58,778  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share

   $ 0.03      $ 0.85      $ 0.33      $ 0.52  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

The weighted-average impact of potentially dilutive securities that were not included in the diluted per share calculations because they would be anti-dilutive was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,      Six Months Ended June 30,  
       2023          2024          2024          2025    
                   (unaudited)  

Common stock options

     59               22         

Restricted stock units

     787        122        251        4,228  

Warrants

                   343         

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Data)

 

16. Goodwill

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2024 are as follows:

 

     (in thousands)  

Balance as of December 31, 2022

   $  2,238  

Goodwill acquired

      
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2023

   $ 2,238  

Goodwill acquired

      
  

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2024

   $ 2,238  

Goodwill acquired

      
  

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2025 (unaudited)

   $ 2,238  
  

 

 

 

17. Subsequent Events (unaudited)

The Company evaluated subsequent events from June 30, 2025 through August 26, 2025, the date the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements were available to be issued. There were no other events or transactions requiring disclosure in the accompanying consolidated financial statements.

On September 25, 2025, a seven-for-one reverse stock split of the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock, common stock, stock options, restricted stock units, and common stock warrants was effected without any changes to the par value. All information related to the Company’s redeemable convertible preferred stock, common stock, stock options, restricted stock units, and common stock warrants, as well as all per share data included in these financial statements have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the seven-for-one reverse stock split for all periods presented.

 

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LOGO

 

 

 


Table of Contents

PART II

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

Item 13. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution.

The following table indicates the expenses to be incurred in connection with the offering described in this registration statement, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, all of which will be paid by us. All amounts are estimated except the SEC registration fee, the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., or FINRA, filing fee, and the exchange listing fee.

 

    Amount  

SEC registration fee

  $ 15,310  

FINRA filing fee

    15,500  

Exchange listing fee

    *    

Accounting fees and expenses

    *    

Legal fees and expenses

    *    

Printing and engraving expenses

    *    

Transfer agent and registrar fees

    *    

Miscellaneous expenses

    *    
 

 

 

 

Total expenses

  $ *    
 
*

To be filed by amendment.

Item 14. Indemnification of Directors and Officers.

Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes a court to award, or a corporation’s board of directors to grant, indemnity to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities, including reimbursement for expenses incurred, arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering permits indemnification of our directors, officers, employees, and other agents to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law, and our amended and restated bylaws that will be in effect immediately prior to the closing of this offering provide that we will indemnify our directors and officers and permit us to indemnify our employees and other agents, in each case to the maximum extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law.

Upon the closing of this offering, we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with our directors and executive officers, whereby we have agreed to indemnify our directors and executive officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, including indemnification against expenses and liabilities incurred in legal proceedings to which the director or executive officer was, or is threatened to be made, a party by reason of the fact that such director or executive officer is or was a director, executive officer, employee, or agent of ours, provided that such director or executive officer acted in good faith and in a manner that the director or officer reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed to, our best interest.

The indemnification provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, amended and restated bylaws, and the indemnification agreements that we intend to enter into with our directors and executive officers may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors and executive officers for breach of their fiduciary duties. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and executive officers, even though an action, if successful, might benefit us and other stockholders. Further, a stockholder’s investment may be adversely affected to the extent that we pay the costs of settlement and damage awards against directors and executive officers

 

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as required by these indemnification provisions. At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a director or officer of ours regarding which indemnification is sought, nor is the registrant aware of any threatened litigation that may result in claims for indemnification.

We will maintain insurance policies that indemnify our directors and officers against various liabilities arising under the Securities Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that might be incurred by any director or officer in his or her capacity as such.

Certain of our non-employee directors may, through their relationships with their employers, be insured and/or indemnified against certain liabilities incurred in their capacity as members of our board of directors.

The proposed form of underwriting agreement to be filed as Exhibit 1.1 to this registration statement provides for indemnification by the underwriters of us and our directors and executive officers for certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act or otherwise.

Item 15. Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities.

Since January 1, 2022, we have made the following sales of unregistered securities:

Equity Plan-Related Issuances

 

  1.

Since January 1, 2022, we have issued to our directors, officers, employees, consultants and other service providers an aggregate of    shares of our common stock at per share purchase prices ranging from $    to $    pursuant to exercises of options under our 2016 Plan.

 

  2.

Since January 1, 2022, we have granted to our directors, officers, employees, consultants and other service providers options to purchase    shares of our common stock with per share exercise prices ranging from $    to $     under our 2016 Plan.

 

  3.

Since January 1, 2022, we have granted to our directors, officers, employees, consultants and other service providers restricted stock units to purchase    shares of our common stock under our 2016 Plan.

None of the foregoing transactions involved or will involve any underwriters, underwriting discounts or commissions, or any public offering. Unless otherwise stated, the sales of the above securities were or will be deemed to be exempt from registration under the Securities Act in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act (and Regulation D or Regulation S promulgated thereunder) or Rule 701 promulgated under Section 3(b) of the Securities Act as transactions by an issuer not involving any public offering or pursuant to benefit plans and contracts relating to compensation as provided under Rule 701. The recipients of the securities in each of these transactions represented their intentions to acquire the securities for investment only and not with a view to or for sale in connection with any distribution thereof, and appropriate legends were placed on the share certificates issued in these transactions. All recipients had adequate access, through their relationships with us, to information about us. The sales of these securities were made without any general solicitation or advertising.

Item 16. Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules.

(a) Exhibits.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

1.1*    Form of Underwriting Agreement.
3.1    Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, as amended, as currently in effect.

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description of Exhibit

3.2*    Form of Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant, to be effective upon the closing of this offering.
3.3    Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as currently in effect.
3.4*    Form of Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, to be effective upon the closing of this offering.
4.1*    Form of Class A Common Stock Certificate of the Registrant.
4.2    Amended and Restated Investors’ Rights Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2021, by and among the Registrant and certain investors of the Registrant.
4.3^    Form of Common Stock Warrant for Silicon Valley Bank.
4.4^    Form of Common Stock Warrant.
5.1*    Opinion of Cooley LLP.
10.1+    2016 Equity Incentive Plan and forms of agreements thereunder.
10.2+*    2025 Equity Incentive Plan and forms of agreements thereunder.
10.3+*    2025 Employee Stock Purchase Plan and forms of agreements thereunder.
10.4+    Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.
10.5+    Severance and Change in Control Plan.
10.6+    Form of Indemnity Agreement entered into by and between the Registrant and each director and executive officer.
10.7+*    Confirmatory Offer Letter, dated    , 2025 by and between the Registrant and Peter Colis.
10.8+*    Confirmatory Offer Letter, dated    , 2025, by and between the Registrant and Erin Lantz.
10.9+*    Confirmatory Offer Letter, dated    , 2025, by and between the Registrant and Kunal Mehta.
10.10†    Office Lease, dated as of May 3, 2024, by and between the Registrant and 90 New Montgomery Partners.
10.11*    Form of Exchange Agreement between the Registrant, and each of Peter Colis, Lingke Wang, Accel, and Sequoia Capital.
10.12*    Form of Equity Exchange Right Agreement between the Registrant, and each of Peter Colis and Lingke Wang.
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of Registrant.
23.1    Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, independent registered public accounting firm.
23.2*    Consent of Cooley LLP (included in Exhibit 5.1).
24.1    Power of Attorney (included on signature page to the initial filing of this registration statement).
107    Filing Fee Table.
 
*

To be filed or submitted by amendment.

+

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan.

Portions of this exhibit (indicated by asterisks) have been redacted in compliance with Regulation S-K Item 601(b)(10)(iv) because the Registrant has determined that the information is both not material and is of the type that the Registrant treats as private or confidential.

^

The Registrant has omitted schedules and exhibits pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. The Registrant agrees to furnish supplementally a copy of the omitted schedules and exhibits to the SEC upon request.

 

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(b) Financial Statement Schedules.

All financial statement schedules are omitted because the information required to be set forth therein is not applicable or is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the notes thereto.

Item 17. Undertakings.

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to provide to the underwriters at the closing specified in the underwriting agreement certificates in such denominations and registered in such names as required by the underwriters to permit prompt delivery to each purchaser.

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

The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

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

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant has duly caused this registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of San Francisco, State of California, on September 26, 2025.

 

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

By:

 

/s/ Peter Colis

 

Peter Colis

 

Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL PERSONS BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints Peter Colis, Christopher Capozzi, and Porter Nolan, and each one of them, as his or her true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in their name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this registration statement, and to sign any registration statement for the same offering covered by this registration statement that is to be effective on filing pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all post-effective amendments thereto, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in connection therewith, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

 

/s/ Peter Colis

Peter Colis

  

Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of Directors

(Principal Executive Officer)

  September 26, 2025

/s/ Lingke Wang

Lingke Wang

   President and Director   September 26, 2025

/s/ Christopher Capozzi

Christopher Capozzi

  

Chief Financial Officer

(Principal Financial Officer)

  September 26, 2025

/s/ Brandt Kucharski

Brandt Kucharski

  

Chief Accounting Officer

(Principal Accounting Officer)

  September 26, 2025

/s/ Roelof Botha

Roelof Botha

   Director   September 26, 2025

/s/ Priscilla Hung

Priscilla Hung

   Director   September 26, 2025


Table of Contents

Signature

  

Title

 

Date

/s/ John Kunze

John Kunze

   Director   September 26, 2025

/s/ Nathan J. Niparko

Nathan J. Niparko

   Director   September 26, 2025

/s/ Khozema Shipchandler

Khozema Shipchandler

   Director   September 26, 2025

/s/ William J. Wheeler

William J. Wheeler

   Director   September 26, 2025
EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

Peter Colis hereby certifies that:

ONE: The original name of this corporation is Ethos Insurance Corporation and the date of filing the original Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware was July 5, 2016.

TWO: He is the duly elected and acting Chief Executive Officer of Ethos Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation.

THREE: The Certificate of Incorporation of this corporation is hereby amended and restated to read as follows:

I.

The name of this corporation is ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”).

II.

The address of the registered office of this Company in the State of Delaware is 251 Little Falls Drive, City of Wilmington, County of New Castle, Zip Code 19808, and the name of the registered agent of this Company in the State of Delaware at such address is Corporation Service Company.

III.

The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

IV.

The Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 1,077,400,000 shares, of which (A) 1,040,000,000 shares shall be a class of Common Stock divided into two series with (i) 1,000,000,000 shares of the Common Stock being a series designated as Class A Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class A Common Stock”) and (ii) 40,000,000 shares of the Common Stock being a series designated as Class B Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Class B Common Stock”); and (B) 37,400,000 shares shall be a class of Preferred Stock, par value $0.0001 per share.

The number of authorized shares of Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Company entitled to vote (voting together as a single class on an as-if-converted basis) irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the General Corporation Law.

 

1.


7,400,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series A Preferred Stock,” 2,000,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series A-1 Preferred Stock,” 3,200,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series A-2 Preferred Stock,” 10,400,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series B Preferred Stock,” 6,600,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series C Preferred Stock,” 5,600,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series D Preferred Stock” and 2,200,000 of the authorized shares of Preferred Stock are hereby designated “Series D-1 Preferred Stock” (collectively, the “Series Preferred”).

Effective upon the effectiveness of the filing of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation first setting forth this sentence (the “Effective Time”):

Automatically and without any further action on the part of the Company or the holder of any such shares of capital stock and whether or not the certificates representing such shares of capital stock are surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent, (i) each seven (7) shares of the Company’s Common Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Class A Common Stock; (ii) each seven (7) shares of Series A Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series A Preferred Stock; (iii) each seven (7) shares of Series A-1 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series A-1 Preferred Stock; (iv) each seven (7) shares of Series A-2 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series A-2 Preferred Stock; (v) each seven (7) shares of Series B Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series B Preferred Stock; (vi) each seven (7) shares of Series C Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series C Preferred Stock; (vii) each seven (7) shares of Series D Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series D Preferred Stock; and (viii) each seven (7) shares of Series D-1 Preferred Stock issued and outstanding (or held as treasury stock) immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be combined and reclassified as one (1) share of Series D-1 Preferred Stock (the foregoing (i) through (viii), the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split shall also apply to any outstanding securities or rights convertible into, or exchangeable or exercisable for, Common Stock or Preferred Stock of the Company. The Reverse Stock Split shall be effected on a certificate-by-certificate basis and each certificate share number will then be rounded down to the nearest whole number. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the Reverse Stock Split. In lieu of any fractional shares to which the holder would otherwise be entitled, the Company shall pay an amount of cash equal to the product of (i) the fractional share to which the holder would otherwise be entitled and (ii) the then fair value of a share as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors (the “Board”). The statements of the rights, powers, preferences and privileges (and the qualifications, limitations and restrictions thereof) of the Common Stock and Preferred Stock contained in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation reflect the Reverse Stock Split (that is, all numeric references, share numbers, prices per share and other provisions in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation have already given effect to, and no further adjustment shall be made on account of, the Reverse Stock Split). Any stock certificate that immediately prior to the Effective Time represented shares of (a) Common Stock or (b) Preferred Stock shall from and after the Effective Time be deemed to represent the number of shares of (a) Class A Common Stock or (b) the applicable series of Preferred Stock, respectively, into which the shares represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split without the need for surrender or exchange thereof; provided, however, that each holder of any stock certificate that represented shares of (a) Common Stock or (b) Preferred Stock immediately prior to the Effective Time shall be entitled to receive, upon surrender of such certificate, one or more certificates evidencing and representing the number of shares of (a) Class A Common Stock or (b) the applicable series of Preferred Stock, respectively, into which the shares represented by such certificate shall have been reclassified pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split.

 

2.


The rights, preferences, privileges, restrictions and other matters relating to the each class of capital stock are as follows:

A. COMMON STOCK.

The voting, dividend and liquidation rights of the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock are subject to and qualified by the rights, powers and privileges of the holders of the Preferred Stock set forth herein. Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Sections” in this Part A of this Article IV refer to sections of this Part A.

1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Acquisition” means (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the shares of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization continue to represent a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned subsidiary, its Parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization (provided that, for the purpose of this Section 1(a), all stock, options, warrants, purchase rights or other securities exercisable for or convertible into Common Stock outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation shall be deemed to be outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation and, if applicable, converted or exchanged in such merger or consolidation on the same terms as the actual outstanding shares of capital stock are converted or exchanged); or (ii) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which shares of the Company are transferred such that in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred; provided that an Acquisition shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof.

(b) “Asset Transfer” means a sale, lease, exchange, transfer, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company.

(c) “Cause” means, with respect to a Founder, the termination of such Founder’s employment with the Company as a result of (i) fraud or embezzlement by such Founder in connection with his employment with the Company, (ii) a willful act of material dishonesty by such Founder in connection with his employment with the Company that results in or would reasonably be expected to result in material loss to the Company, or (iii) such Founder’s conviction of, or plea of guilty to, a felony that results in or would reasonably be expected to result in material loss to the Company.

(d) “Disability” means, with respect to any Founder, the permanent and total disability of such Founder such that he is unable to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment which can be expected to result in death within 12 months or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months as determined by a licensed medical practitioner jointly selected by a majority of the Independent Directors and such Founder. If such Founder is incapable of selecting a licensed medical practitioner, then such Founder’s spouse shall make the selection on behalf of such Founder, or, in the absence or incapacity of such Founder’s spouse, such Founder’s adult children by majority vote shall make the selection on behalf of such Founder, or, in the absence of adult children of such Founder or their inability to act by majority vote, a natural person then acting as the successor trustee of a revocable living trust which was created by such Founder and which holds in the aggregate more shares of all classes of capital stock of the Company than any other revocable living trust created by such Founder shall make the selection on behalf of such

 

3.


Founder, or, in the absence of any such successor trustee, the legal guardian or conservator of the estate of such Founder shall make the selection on behalf of such Founder. In the event of a dispute as to whether a Founder has suffered a Disability, no Disability of such Founder shall be deemed to have occurred unless and until an affirmative ruling regarding such Disability has been made by a court of competent jurisdiction, and such ruling has become final and non-appealable.

(e) “Effective Date” means the date of closing of the Qualified IPO.

(f) “Family Member” means, with respect to any Founder, the spouse, domestic partner, parents, grandparents, lineal descendants, siblings and lineal descendants of siblings of such Founder (including adopted persons, step children, step parents and step siblings of such Founder).

(g) “Final Conversion Date” means the earliest to occur following the Effective Date of:

(i) the date fixed by the Board that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time (the “Ownership Trigger Time”) after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date that the number of Threshold Shares held by the Founders, their Permitted Entities, Family Members and Permitted Transferees, in the aggregate, is less than 20% of the number of shares of Class B Common Stock held by the Founders, their Permitted Entities and Family Members at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that if no such date is fixed by the Board, the Final Conversion Date for purposes of this clause shall be the 180th date following the Ownership Trigger Time);

(ii) the last Trading Day of the fiscal year following the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Effective Date;

(iii) the date fixed by the Board that is no less than 61 days and no more than 180 days following the first time (the “Service Trigger Time”) after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date that the last remaining Non-Triggering Founder is no longer providing services to the Company as an officer, employee, or director (provided, for the avoidance of doubt, that if no such date is fixed by the Board, the Final Conversion Date for purposes of this clause shall be the 180th date following the Service Trigger Time); or

(iv) the date that is twelve (12) months after the death or Disability of the last remaining Non-Triggering Founder.

(h) “Founder” means each of Peter Colis and Lingke Wang, and together, the “Founders”.

(i) “Founder Voting Proxy” means a voting proxy granted by each Founder in favor of the other Founder, which proxy shall become effective only upon such Founder granting the proxy becoming a Triggering Founder, and shall confer exclusive Voting Control over all shares of Class B Common Stock held by such Triggering Founder and such Triggering Founder’s Permitted Entities, Family Members, and Permitted Transferees to the Non-Triggering Founder (if any) for so long as such Non-Triggering Founder retains such status, as such proxy may be amended from time to time.

(j) “Independent Directors” means the members of the Board designated as independent directors in accordance with the Listing Standards.

 

4.


(k) “Liquidation Event” means any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary, or any Acquisition or Asset Transfer.

(l) “Listing Standards” means (i) the requirements of any national stock exchange under which the Company’s equity securities are listed for trading that are generally applicable to companies with common equity securities listed thereon or (ii) if the Company’s equity securities are not listed for trading on a national stock exchange, the requirements of the Nasdaq Global Select Market generally applicable to companies with equity securities listed thereon.

(m) “Non-Triggering Founder” means any Founder other than a Triggering Founder.

(n) “Parent” of an entity means any entity that directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting power of the voting securities of such entity.

(o) “Permitted Entity” means, (A) with respect to any Founder, (i) any trust for the exclusive benefit of such Founder or one or more Family Members of such Founder or any other Permitted Entity of such Founder, (ii) any trust or estate planning vehicle for the benefit of any other person not listed in clause (A)(i), for bona fide estate planning purposes of a Founder , (iii) any general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity exclusively owned by such Founder, one or more Family Members of such Founder or any other Permitted Entity of such Founder, (iv) any charitable organization, foundation or similar entity established by a Founder, one or more Family Members of such Founder or any other Permitted Entity of such Founder, and (v) any Individual Retirement Account, as defined in Section 408(a) of the Internal Revenue Code, or a pension, profit sharing, stock bonus or other type of plan or trust of which such Founder is a participant or beneficiary and which satisfies the requirements for qualification under Section 401 of the Internal Revenue Code, and (B) with respect to a holder that is an institutional, private equity, hedge, venture capital or other private investment fund, any fund which is controlled by or under common control with one or more general partners of such holder, any fund that is managed and governed by the same management company as such holder, any fund that controls such holder or any fund that is controlled by, under common control with, managed or advised by the same management company or registered investment advisor that controls, is under common control with, manages or advises the fund that controls such holder.

(p) “Permitted Transfer” means:

(i) (1) with respect to any Founder, any Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock from a Founder, from a Founder’s Permitted Entities, from a Founder’s Family Member or from a Founder’s Permitted Transferees, to any Founder, to any Family Member of any Founder, to the estate of any Founder or Family Member of a Founder, or to any Permitted Entity of any Founder, and (2) any Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock from a holder to such holder’s affiliates with the prior written approval of the Board, which Transfer does not otherwise qualify as a Permitted Transfer pursuant to clause (1) above; provided that, if the transferee of such share of Class B Common Stock is not a Non-Triggering Founder, then such Transfer shall qualify as a Permitted Transfer only if a Non-Triggering Founder shall have exclusive Voting Control with respect to such share of Class B Common Stock following such Transfer (whether by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise, it being understood that such proxy or voting agreement may be executed promptly following, and in no event later than ten (10) days after, such Transfer), and

(ii) with respect to an institutional, private equity, hedge, venture capital or other private investment fund, any Transfer of a share of Class B Common Stock from such fund or a Permitted Entity of such fund to such fund or a Permitted Entity of such fund.

 

5.


Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Section 1(p), in the event that a Non-Triggering Founder does not have exclusive Voting Control (whether by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise) with respect to any share of Class B Common Stock following any Transfer described in Section 1(p)(i)(1) and after the time periods for a proxy, voting agreement or other similar instrument to be executed as set forth in this Section 1(p) or otherwise established pursuant to Section 6, such share of Class B Common Stock purported to be transferred shall automatically, and with no further action by the holder or the Company, convert into one fully-paid and non-assessable share of Class A Common Stock. A Non-Triggering Founder shall be deemed to have “exclusive” Voting Control with respect to any share of Class B Common Stock if either (a) such Non-Triggering Founder has exclusive Voting Control with respect to such share or (b) such Non-Triggering Founder, together with any other any general partnership, limited liability company, corporation or other entity directly or indirectly controlled by such Non-Triggering Founder, has exclusive Voting Control with respect to such share.

(q) “Permitted Transferee” means a transferee of shares of Class B Common Stock, or rights or interests therein, received in a Transfer that constitutes a Permitted Transfer.

(r) “Threshold Shares” means, with respect to any person as of any time, the sum of (without duplication): (i) any shares of Class B Common Stock held by such person as of such time and (ii) any shares of Class B Common Stock underlying any securities (including restricted stock units, options, or other convertible instruments) held by such person as of such time, so long as such securities were also held by such person at the Effective Date, whether such securities are vested or unvested, earned or unearned, convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable as of such time or in the future.

(s) “Trading Day” means any day on which The Nasdaq Stock Market and the New York Stock Exchange are open for trading.

(t) “Transfer” of a share of Class B Common Stock means any sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other disposition of such share or any legal or beneficial interest in such share, whether or not for value and whether voluntary or involuntary or by operation of law (including by merger, consolidation or otherwise) after 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date, or the transfer of, or entering into a binding agreement with respect to the transfer of, Voting Control (as defined below) over such share by proxy or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the following will not be considered a “Transfer”:

(i) any grant of a proxy to (including any grant of a proxy pursuant to Section 1(p) or entry into a support or voting agreement or similar agreement or arrangement with, any Non-Triggering Founder for such Non-Triggering Founder to exercise Voting Control of shares of Class B Common Stock, or the exercise of Voting Control pursuant to such proxy, support or voting agreement or similar agreement or arrangement by such Non-Triggering Founder;

(ii) any grant by any holder of shares of Class B Common Stock of a revocable proxy to (A) officers or directors or agents of the Company at the request of the Board in connection with (1) actions to be taken at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by stockholder consent or (2) any other action of the stockholders permitted by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, or (B) any other person with specific direction to vote such shares of Class B Common Stock as directed by the holders of such shares, without discretion, in connection with actions to be taken at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders or by stockholder consent;

(iii) any pledge of shares of Class B Common Stock by a stockholder that creates a mere security interest in such shares pursuant to a bona fide loan or other indebtedness transaction for so long as such stockholder continues to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares or a Non-Triggering Founder holds a proxy to exercise Voting Control over such pledged shares; provided, that a foreclosure on such shares or other similar action by the pledgee will constitute a “Transfer” unless such foreclosure or similar action qualifies as a “Permitted Transfer” at such time;

 

6.


(iv) any grant of a proxy to, or the exercise of Voting Control by, the Secretary of the Company or such other person pursuant to Section 5(a);

(v) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy and, if a proxy is granted, whether a revocable or irrevocable proxy) solely with stockholders who are holders of Class B Common Stock that (A) is disclosed either in a Schedule 13D filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission or in writing to the Secretary of the Company, (B) either has a term not exceeding one (1) year or is terminable by the holder of the shares subject thereto at any time and (C) does not involve any payment of cash, securities, property or other consideration to the holder of the shares subject thereto other than the mutual promise to vote shares in a designated manner;

(vi) entering into a voting trust, agreement or arrangement (with or without granting a proxy and, if a proxy is granted, whether a revocable or irrevocable proxy) pursuant to a written agreement to which the Company is a party or that has been approved by the Board;

(vii) any entry into a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, with a broker or other nominee; provided, however, that a sale of such shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to such plan shall constitute a “Transfer” at the time of such sale;

(viii) any entry by a Non-Triggering Founder (or, if requested by a Non-Triggering Founder, entry by any holder of shares of Class B Common Stock) into a support, voting, tender or similar agreement, arrangement or understanding (with or without granting a proxy) in connection with a Liquidation Event or other proposal or consummating the actions or transactions contemplated therein (including, without limitation, tendering shares of Class B Common Stock or voting such shares in connection with a Liquidation Event or such other proposal, the consummation of a Liquidation Event or such other proposal or the sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other disposition of shares of Class B Common Stock or any legal or beneficial interest in shares of Class B Common Stock in connection with a Liquidation Event or such other proposal); provided that any sale, tender, assignment, transfer, conveyance, hypothecation or other disposition of Class B Common Stock or any legal or economic interest therein by such Non-Triggering Founder or such other holder pursuant to a Liquidation Event or such other proposal, or any grant of a proxy over Class B Common Stock by such Non-Triggering Founder or such other holder with respect to a Liquidation Event or such other proposal without specific instructions as to how to vote such Class B Common Stock, in each case, will constitute a “Transfer” of such Class B Common Stock unless such Liquidation Event or such other proposal was approved by the Board prior to the taking of such action;

(ix) any issuance or reissuance by the Company of a share of Class B Common Stock or any redemption, purchase or acquisition by the Company of a share of Class B Common Stock; and

(x) the fact that, as of the Effective Date or at any time after the Effective Date, the spouse of any holder of Class B Common Stock possesses or obtains an interest in such holder’s shares of Class B Common Stock arising solely by reason of the application of the community property laws of any jurisdiction; provided, that any transfer of shares by any holder of shares of Class B Common Stock to such holder’s spouse, including a transfer in connection with a divorce proceeding, domestic relations order or similar legal requirement, shall constitute a “Transfer” of such shares of Class B Common Stock unless otherwise exempt from the definition of Transfer.

 

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(u) “Triggering Event” means, with respect to a Founder, the first to occur of any of the following:

(i) the occurrence of both of the following: (1) such Founder is no longer providing services to the Company as an officer or employee, and (2) such Founder is no longer a director of the Company as a result of a voluntary resignation by such Founder from the Board or as a result of a request of or agreement with such Founder not to be renominated as a director of the Company at a meeting of stockholders;

(ii) such Founder’s employment with the Company is terminated for Cause; or

(iii) the death or Disability of such Founder.

(v) “Triggering Founder” means a Founder who has experienced a Triggering Event.

(w) “Voting Control” means, with respect to a share of capital stock or other security, the power (whether exclusive or shared) to vote or direct the voting of such security, including by proxy, voting agreement or otherwise.

(x) “Voting Threshold Date” means the first date after 11:59 p.m., Eastern Time, on the Effective Date on which the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock represent less than a majority of the total voting power of the then-outstanding shares of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

2. IDENTICAL RIGHTS. Except as otherwise provided in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or required by applicable law, shares of Common Stock shall have the same rights and powers, rank equally (including as to dividends and distributions, and any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company but excluding voting and other matters as described in Section 3 below), share ratably and be identical in all respects as to all matters, including:

(a) Subject to the prior rights of holders of all classes and series of stock at the time outstanding having prior rights as to dividends, the holders of the Common Stock shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board, out of any assets of the Company legally available therefor, such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board. Any dividends paid to the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis, unless different treatment of the shares of any such series thereof is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of such applicable series of Common Stock treated adversely, voting separately as a series.

(b) The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any other distribution to the holders of Common Stock payable in securities of the Company unless the same dividend or distribution with the same record date and payment date shall be declared and paid on all shares of Common Stock; provided, however, that (i) dividends or other distributions payable in shares of Class A Common Stock or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock may be declared and paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock without the same dividend or distribution being declared and paid to the holders of the Class B Common Stock if, and only if, a dividend payable in shares of Class B Common Stock, or rights to acquire shares of Class B Common Stock, are declared and paid to the holders of Class

 

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B Common Stock at the same rate and with the same record date and payment date; and (ii) dividends or other distributions payable in shares of Class B Common Stock or rights to acquire shares Class B Common Stock may be declared and paid to the holders of Class B Common Stock without the same dividend or distribution being declared and paid to the holders of the Class A Common Stock if, and only if, a dividend payable in shares of Class A Common Stock, or rights to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock, are declared and paid to the holders of Class A Common Stock at the same rate and with the same record date and payment date; and provided, that nothing in the foregoing shall prevent the Company from declaring and paying dividends or other distributions payable in shares of one series of Common Stock or rights to acquire one series of Common Stock to holders of all series of Common Stock, or, with the approval of holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a series, from providing for different treatment of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock.

(c) If the Company in any manner subdivides or combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock or Class B Common Stock, then the outstanding shares (and shares held as treasury stock) of all Common Stock will be subdivided or combined in the same proportion and manner, unless different treatment of the shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of each of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a series. This Section 2(c) shall only be in effect following the Effective Date.

3. VOTING RIGHTS.

(a) Common Stock.

(i) Class A Common Stock. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by applicable law, each holder of shares of Class A Common Stock will be entitled to one (1) vote for each share thereof held at the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters.

(ii) Class B Common Stock. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or required by appliable law, each holder of shares of Class B Common Stock will be entitled to twenty (20) votes for each share thereof held at the record date for the determination of the stockholders entitled to vote on such matters.

(b) General. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein or as required by law, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock will vote together and not as separate series. Except as otherwise required by applicable law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock) that relates solely to the terms of one or more outstanding series of Preferred Stock if the holders of such affected series of Preferred Stock are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other affected series of Preferred Stock, to vote thereon pursuant to applicable law or the Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

(c) Election of Directors. Subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, prior to the Final Conversion Date, the holders of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, voting together as a single class, shall be entitled to elect and remove all directors of the Company. Upon and following the Final Conversion Date, subject to any rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect directors under specified circumstances, the holders of Class A Common Stock shall be entitled to elect and remove all directors of the Company. This Section 3.3(c) shall only be in effect following the Effective Date.

 

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4. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS. In the event of a Liquidation Event in connection with which the Board has determined to effect a distribution of assets of the Company to any holder or holders of Common Stock, then, subject to the rights of any Preferred Stock that may then be outstanding, the assets of the Company legally available for distribution to stockholders shall be distributed on an equal priority, pro rata basis to the holders of Common Stock, unless different treatment of the shares of each series thereof is approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock, each voting separately as a series; provided, however, that for the avoidance of doubt, consideration to be paid or received by a holder of Common Stock in connection with any Liquidation Event pursuant to any employment, consulting, severance or similar services arrangement shall not be deemed to be a “distribution to stockholders” for the purpose of this Section 4; provided, further, that holders of shares of a series of Common Stock may receive, or have the right to elect to receive, different or disproportionate consideration in connection with any such consolidation, merger or other transaction if the only difference in the per share consideration to the holders of the Class A Common Stock and Class B Common Stock is that any securities distributed to the holder of a share of Class B Common Stock have twenty (20) times the voting power of any securities distributed to the holder of a share of Class A Common Stock.

5. CONVERSION OF THE CLASS B COMMON STOCK. The Class B Common Stock will be convertible into Class A Common Stock as follows:

(a) Each share of Class B Common Stock will automatically convert into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock on the Final Conversion Date. During the period commencing on the death or Disability of the last remaining Non-Triggering Founder and ending on the 12-month anniversary of such death or Disability, a person designated by such non-Triggering Founder and approved by the Board (or, if there is no such person, then the Secretary of the Company in office from time to time) shall exercise Voting Control over all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock (i) held by such last remaining Non-Triggering Founder or his Permitted Entities, Family Members, Permitted Transferees, or the estate of such Non-Triggering Founder or any Family Member and (ii) over which such last remaining Non-Triggering Founder has exclusive Voting Control.

(b) With respect to any holder of Class B Common Stock, each share of Class B Common Stock held by such holder will automatically be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock, as follows:

(i) on the affirmative written election of such holder to convert such share of Class B Common Stock or, if later, at the time or the happening of a future event specified in such written election (which election may be revoked by such holder prior to the date on which the automatic conversion would otherwise occur unless otherwise specified by such holder); or

(ii) on the occurrence of a Transfer of such share of Class B Common Stock to any person or entity that is not a Permitted Transferee of such holder.

(c) In the event that a Founder becomes a Triggering Founder, with respect to shares of Class B Common Stock held by such Triggering Founder, his Permitted Entities, his Family Members, and his Permitted Transferees, each share of Class B Common Stock held by such holders will automatically be converted into one fully paid and nonassessable share of Class A Common Stock upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event; provided, however, that such conversion shall not occur so long as such shares are subject to the Founder Voting Proxy or a substantially similar voting proxy whereby the non-Triggering Founder is granted exclusive Voting Control upon the occurrence of the Triggering Event.

 

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6. PROCEDURES. The Company may, from time to time, establish such policies and procedures relating to the conversion of the Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock and the general administration of this multi-class stock structure, including the issuance of stock certificates with respect thereto, as it may deem necessary or advisable, and may from time to time request that holders of shares of Class B Common Stock furnish certifications, affidavits or other proof to the Company as it deems necessary to verify the ownership of Class B Common Stock and to confirm that a conversion to Class A Common Stock has not occurred. A determination by the Company as to whether or not a Transfer has occurred and results in a conversion to Class A Common Stock shall be conclusive and binding.

7. IMMEDIATE EFFECT. In the event of and upon a conversion of shares of Class B Common Stock to shares of Class A Common Stock pursuant to Section 5, such conversion(s) shall be deemed to have been made (a) at the time that the Transfer of shares, death, Disability, or Triggering Event occurred, (b) on the date of the delivery of the written election of a holder of such shares of Class B Common Stock pursuant to Section 5(b)(i) (unless otherwise specified therein, in which case, such conversion(s) shall be deemed to have been made at the time or the happening of a future event specified therein, unless otherwise revoked prior thereto in accordance with Section 5(b)(i)) or (c) immediately upon the Final Conversion Date, as applicable, subject in all cases to any transition periods specifically provided for in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Upon any conversion of Class B Common Stock to Class A Common Stock in accordance with this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, all rights of the holder of such shares of Class B Common Stock shall cease and the person or persons in whose names or names the certificate or certificates representing the shares of Class A Common Stock are to be issued shall be treated for all purposes as having become the record holder or holders of such shares of Class A Common Stock.

8. RESERVATION OF STOCK ISSUABLE UPON CONVERSION. The Company will at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Class B Common Stock, such number of its shares of Class A Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock; and if at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock will not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then-outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Class A Common Stock to such number of shares as will be sufficient for such purpose.

9. PREEMPTIVE RIGHTS. Reserved.

10. CLASS B PROTECTIVE PROVISIONS. After 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the Effective Date, and prior to the Final Conversion Date, the Company shall not, without the prior affirmative vote (either at a meeting or by written consent) of the holders of two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Class B Common Stock, voting as a separate series, in addition to any other vote required by applicable law or this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation:

(a) directly or indirectly, whether by amendment, or through merger, recapitalization, consolidation or otherwise, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate inconsistent with, or otherwise alter, any provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation relating to the voting, conversion or other rights, powers, preferences, privileges or restrictions of the Class B Common Stock or increase or decrease the number of authorized shares of the Class B Common Stock;

 

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(b) reclassify any outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into shares having rights as to dividends or liquidation that are senior to the Class B Common Stock or, in the case of Class A Common Stock, the right to have more than one (1) vote for each share thereof;

(c) issue any shares of Class B Common Stock (other than shares of Class B Common Stock over which one or more Non-Triggering Founders shall have Voting Control or which shall be subject to a voting proxy substantially similar to the Founder Voting Proxy); or

(d) authorize, or issue any shares of, any class or series of capital stock of the Company (other than Class B Common Stock) having the right to more than (1) vote for each share thereof.

B. PREFERRED STOCK.

The following rights, powers and privileges, and restrictions, qualifications and limitations, shall apply to the Preferred Stock. Unless otherwise indicated, references to “Sections” in this Part B of this Article IV refer to sections of this Part B.

1. DIVIDEND RIGHTS.

(a) Holders of Series Preferred, in preference to the holders of Common Stock, shall be entitled to receive, but only out of funds that are legally available therefor, cash dividends at the rate of six percent (6%) of the applicable Original Issue Price (as defined below) per annum on each outstanding share of Series Preferred. Such dividends shall be payable only when, as and if declared by the Board and shall be non-cumulative.

(b) The “Original Issue Price” of the Series A Preferred Stock shall be $0.782705 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the “Original Issue Price” of the Series A-1 Preferred Stock shall be $0.302295 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the “Original Issue Price” of the Series A-2 Preferred Stock shall be $0.665315 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the “Original Issue Price” of the Series B Preferred Stock shall be $3.310895 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the “Original Issue Price” of the Series C Preferred Stock shall be $9.124325 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the “Original Issue Price” of the Series D Preferred Stock shall be 36.2236 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof) and the “Original Issue Price” of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall be $45.6162 (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof).

(c) So long as any shares of Series Preferred are outstanding, the Company shall not pay or declare any dividend (whether in cash or property), or make any other distribution on the Common Stock, or purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire for value any shares of Common Stock, until all dividends as set forth in Section 1(a) above on the Series Preferred shall have been paid or declared and set apart, except for:

(i) acquisitions of Common Stock by the Company pursuant to agreements that permit the Company to repurchase such shares at no more than cost upon termination of services to the Company;

 

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(ii) acquisitions of Common Stock in exercise of the Company’s right of first refusal to repurchase such shares that are approved by the Board, including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors (as defined below); or

(iii) distributions to holders of Common Stock in accordance with Section 3.

(d) In the event dividends are paid on any share of Common Stock, the Company shall pay an additional dividend on all outstanding shares of Series Preferred in a per share amount equal (on an as-if-converted to Class A Common Stock basis) to the amount paid or set aside for each share of Class A Common Stock.

(e) The provisions of Sections 1(c) and 1(d) shall not apply to a dividend payable solely in Common Stock to which the provisions of Section 4(f) hereof are applicable, or any repurchase of any outstanding securities of the Company that is approved by (i) the Board and (ii) the Series Preferred as may be required by this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

(f) Where a distribution to the Company’s shareholders is being made pursuant to Section 1(c)(i) or Section 1(c)(ii) above or approved pursuant to Section 2(b)(v) below, such distribution may be made without regard to the preferential dividends arrears amount or any preferential rights amount (each as determined under applicable law).

2. VOTING RIGHTS.

(a) General Rights. Each holder of shares of the Series Preferred shall be entitled to the number of votes equal to the number of shares of Class A Common Stock into which such shares of Series Preferred could be converted (pursuant to Section 4 hereof) immediately after the close of business on the record date fixed for such meeting or the effective date of such written consent and shall have voting rights and powers equal to the voting rights and powers of the Class A Common Stock and shall be entitled to notice of any stockholders’ meeting in accordance with the Bylaws of the Company. Except as otherwise provided herein or as required by law, the Series Preferred shall vote together with the Class A and Class B Common Stock at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders and not as a separate class, and may act by written consent in the same manner as the Common Stock.

(b) Separate Vote of Series Preferred. For so long as at least 5,746,580 shares of Series Preferred (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof) remain outstanding, in addition to any other vote or consent required herein or by law, the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series Preferred, voting together as a class on an as-if-converted into Class A Common Stock basis, shall be necessary for effecting or validating the following actions (whether by merger, recapitalization or otherwise), and any such act or transaction entered into without such consent or vote shall be null and void ab initio, and of no further force or effect:

(i) Effecting any Liquidation Event, Asset Transfer or Acquisition (each as defined in Section 3 hereof);

(ii) Any amendment, alteration, or repeal of any provision of the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company;

 

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(iii) Any increase or decrease in the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock;

(iv) Any authorization or any designation, whether by reclassification or otherwise, of any new class or series of stock or any other securities convertible into a new class or series of stock of the Company ranking on a parity with or senior to any series of the Series Preferred in right of redemption, liquidation preference, voting or dividend rights or any increase in the authorized or designated number of any such class or series;

(v) Any redemption, repurchase, payment or declaration of dividends or other distributions with respect to Common Stock or Preferred Stock other than dividends required pursuant to Section 1 hereof (except for acquisitions of Common Stock by the Company permitted by Section 1(c)(i) and (ii) hereof);

(vi) Any creation or authorization of the creation of any debt security, or the incurrence of any other indebtedness for borrowed money;

(vii) Any creation of, or holding capital stock in, any subsidiary that is not wholly owned (either directly or through one or more other subsidiaries) by the Company, or permitting any subsidiary to create, or authorize the creation of, or issue or obligate itself to issue, any shares of any class or series of capital stock, or sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of any capital stock of any direct or indirect subsidiary of the Company, or permit any direct or indirect subsidiary to sell, lease, transfer, exclusively license or otherwise dispose (in a single transaction or series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of such subsidiary;

(viii) Any increase or decrease in the authorized number of members of the Board;

(ix) Entering into any transaction with any officer or director of the Company that is not in the ordinary course of business;

(x) Any (i) reclassification, alteration or amendment of any existing security of the Company that is pari passu with the Series Preferred in respect of the distribution of assets on the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the payment of dividends or rights of redemption, if such reclassification, alteration or amendment would render such other security senior to Series Preferred in respect of any such right, preference, or privilege or (ii) reclassification, alteration or amendment of any existing security of the Company that is junior to Series Preferred in respect of the distribution of assets on the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, the payment of dividends or rights of redemption, if such reclassification, alteration or amendment would render such other security senior to or pari passu with the Series Preferred in respect of any such right, preference or privilege; or

(xi) Any sale, issuance, sponsorship, creation or distribution of any digital tokens, cryptocurrency or other blockchain-based assets (collectively, “Tokens”) by the Company or any of its subsidiaries, related nonprofits, affiliates, foundations, or officers, including through a pre-sale, initial coin offering, token distribution event or crowdfunding, or through the issuance of any instrument convertible into or exchangeable for Tokens.

 

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(c) Election of Board of Directors.

(i) For so long as at least 3,299,868 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock collectively remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the holders of Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock and Series A-2 Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class and on an as-converted to Common Stock basis, shall be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Board (the “Series A Preferred Director”) at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such director in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such director.

(ii) For so long as at least 2,446,711 shares of Series B Preferred Stock remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the holders of Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Board (the “Series B Preferred Director”) at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such director in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such director.

(iii) For so long as at least 1,643,956 shares of Series C Preferred Stock remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the holders of Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Board (the “Series C Preferred Director”) at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such director in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such director.

(iv) For so long as at least 1,394,118 shares of Series D Preferred Stock remain outstanding (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like with respect to such shares after the filing date hereof), the holders of Series D Preferred Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect one (1) member of the Board (the “Series D Preferred Director” and together with the Series A Preferred Director, the Series B Preferred Director and the Series C Preferred Director, the “Series Preferred Directors”) at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such director in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such director.

(v) The holders of Common Stock, voting as a separate class, shall be entitled to elect five (5) members of the Board (the “Common Directors”) at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such directors in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such directors.

(vi) The holders of Common Stock and Series Preferred, voting together as a single class on an as-if-converted basis, shall be entitled to elect all remaining members of the Board at each meeting or pursuant to each consent of the Company’s stockholders for the election of directors, and to remove from office such directors in accordance with applicable law and to fill any vacancy caused by the resignation, death or removal of such directors.

(vii) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 223(a)(1) and 223(a)(2) of the DGCL, any vacancy, including newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the authorized number of directors or amendment of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and vacancies created by removal or resignation of a director, may be filled by a majority of

 

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the directors then in office, though less than a quorum, or by a sole remaining director, and the directors so chosen shall hold office until the next annual election and until their successors are duly elected and shall qualify, unless sooner displaced; provided, however, that where such vacancy occurs among the directors elected by the holders of a class or series of stock, the holders of shares of such class or series may override the Board’s action to fill such vacancy by (i) voting for their own designee to fill such vacancy at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders or (ii) written consent, if the consenting stockholders hold a sufficient number of shares to elect their designee at a meeting of the stockholders in which all members of such class or series are present and voted. Any director may be removed during his or her term of office without cause, by, and only by, the affirmative vote of the holders of the shares of the class or series of stock entitled to elect such director or directors, given either at a special meeting of such stockholders duly called for that purpose or pursuant to a written consent of stockholders, and any vacancy thereby created may be filled by the holders of that class or series of stock represented at the meeting or pursuant to written consent. At any meeting held for the purpose of electing a director, the presence in person or by proxy of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the class or series entitled to elect such director shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of electing such director.

(viii) No person entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such person is entitled unless required by applicable law at the time of such election. During such time or times that applicable law requires cumulative voting, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder desires. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (A) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (B) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

(ix) For a period of 12 months from the Original Issue Date (as defined below), at all such times during such period that Peter Colis is both a director of the Company and the Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Peter Colis shall have that number of votes on all matters to be voted on by the Board that equals one plus the number of vacancies in the Common Director seats, but, at all times that Peter Colis is a director of the Company, if either (i) Peter Colis is not the Chief Executive Officer of the Company or (ii) the date is on or after July 13, 2022, Peter Colis shall have one vote on all matters to be voted upon by the Board, regardless of the number of vacancies in the Common Director seats. All other directors shall have one vote on all matters to be voted upon by the Board.

3. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS.

(a) Upon any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary (a “Liquidation Event”), before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of any Common Stock, the holders of Series Preferred shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Company legally available for distribution (or the consideration received by the Company or its stockholders in an Acquisition) for each share of Series Preferred held by them, an amount per share of Series Preferred equal to the applicable Original Issue Price plus all declared and unpaid dividends on the Series Preferred. If, upon any such Liquidation Event, the assets of the Company shall be insufficient to make payment in full to all holders of Series Preferred of the liquidation preference set forth in this Section 3(a), then such assets (or consideration) shall be distributed among the holders of Series Preferred at the time outstanding, ratably in proportion to the full amounts to which they would otherwise be respectively entitled.

 

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(b) After the payment of the full liquidation preference of the Series Preferred as set forth in Section 3(a) above, the remaining assets of the Company legally available for distribution (or the consideration received by the Company or its stockholders in an Acquisition), if any, shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the Common Stock.

(c) An Asset Transfer or Acquisition (each as defined below) shall be deemed a Liquidation Event.

The terms (i) “Acquisition” shall mean (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the shares of capital stock of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, continue to represent a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned subsidiary, its parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization, (provided that, for the purpose of this 3(c), all shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of options outstanding immediately prior to such consolidation or merger or upon conversion of Convertible Securities (as defined below) outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation shall be deemed to be outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation and, if applicable, converted or exchanged in such merger or consolidation on the same terms as the actual outstanding shares of capital stock are converted or exchanged); or (B) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the Company’s voting power is transferred; provided that an Acquisition shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof; and (ii) “Asset Transfer” shall mean a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company. The treatment of any transaction as an Asset Transfer or an Acquisition may be waived by the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series Preferred, voting together as a class on an as-if-converted basis; provided, however, that if such waiver would result in the holders of Series A Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock that is less than the Original Issue Price of the Series A Preferred Stock (exclusive of any Additional Consideration), then such waiver as to the Series A Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class; provided further, that if such waiver would result in the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series B Preferred Stock that is less than the Original Issue Price of the Series B Preferred Stock (exclusive of any Additional Consideration), then such waiver as to the Series B Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a class; provided further, that if such waiver would result in the holders of Series C Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series C Preferred Stock that is less than the Original Issue Price of the Series C Preferred Stock (exclusive of any Additional Consideration), then such waiver as to the Series C Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a class; provided further, that if such waiver would result in the holders of Series D Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series D Preferred Stock that is less than the Original Issue Price of the Series D Preferred Stock (exclusive of any Additional Consideration), then such waiver as to the Series D Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series D Preferred Stock, voting as a class (the “Series D Requisite Majority”); and provided further, that if such waiver would result in the holders of Series D-1 Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series D-1 Preferred Stock that is less than the Original Issue Price of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock (exclusive of any Additional Consideration), then such waiver as to the Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series D-1 Preferred Stock, voting as a class (the “Series D-1 Requisite Majority”).

 

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(i) In any Acquisition or Asset Transfer, if the consideration to be received is securities of a corporation or other property other than cash, its value will be deemed its fair market value as determined in good faith by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors) on the date such determination is made.

(ii) The Company shall not have the power to effect an Acquisition or Asset Transfer unless the definitive agreement for such transaction (the “Agreement”) provides that the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Company in connection therewith shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Company in accordance with this Section 3.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing, upon any Liquidation Event, (including an Acquisition or Asset Transfer), each holder of Series Preferred shall be entitled to receive, for each share of each series of Series Preferred then held, out of the proceeds available for distribution, the greater of (i) the amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would be entitled to receive with respect to such shares in a Liquidation Event pursuant to Section 3(a) and 3(b) (without giving effect to this Section 3(d)) or (ii) the amount of cash, securities or other property to which such holder would be entitled to receive in a Liquidation Event with respect to such shares if such shares had been converted to Common Stock immediately prior to such Liquidation Event or Acquisition or Asset Transfer, giving effect to this Section 3(d) with respect to all series of Preferred Stock simultaneously.

(e) In the event of a Liquidation Event, (including an Acquisition or Asset Transfer), if any portion of the consideration payable to the stockholders of the Company is payable only upon satisfaction of contingencies (the “Additional Consideration”), the Agreement shall provide that (a) the portion of such consideration that is not Additional Consideration (such portion, the “Initial Consideration”) shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Company in accordance with Sections 3(a) and 3(b) as if the Initial Consideration were the only consideration payable in connection with such Liquidation Event; and (b) any Additional Consideration which becomes payable to the stockholders of the Company upon satisfaction of such contingencies shall be allocated among the holders of capital stock of the Company in accordance with Sections 3(a) and 3(b) after taking into account the previous payment of the Initial Consideration as part of the same transaction. For the purposes of this Section 3(e), consideration placed into escrow or retained as a holdback to be available for satisfaction of indemnification or similar obligations in connection with such Liquidation Event shall be deemed to be Additional Consideration.

4. CONVERSION RIGHTS.

The holders of the Series Preferred shall have the following rights with respect to the conversion of the Series Preferred into shares of Common Stock (the “Conversion Rights”):

(a) Optional Conversion. Subject to and in compliance with the provisions of this Section 4, any shares of Series Preferred may, at the option of the holder, be converted at any time into fully-paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock. The number of shares of Common Stock to which a holder of Series Preferred shall be entitled upon conversion shall be the product (rounded down to the nearest whole share) obtained by multiplying the “Series Preferred Conversion Rate” then in effect (determined as provided in Section 4(b)) by the number of shares of Series Preferred being converted.

(b) Series Preferred Conversion Rate. The conversion rate in effect at any time for conversion of a series of the Series Preferred (each, a “Series Preferred Conversion Rate”) shall be the quotient (rounded down to the sixth decimal point) obtained by dividing the Original Issue Price of the Series Preferred by the “Series Preferred Conversion Price,” calculated as provided in Section 4(c).

 

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(c) Series Preferred Conversion Price. The conversion price for (i) the Series B Preferred Stock shall initially be $3.30365, (ii) the Series A Preferred Stock shall initially be $0.779345, (iii) the Series A-2 Preferred Stock shall initially be $0.662445 and (iv) all other series of the Series Preferred (including the Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series D-1 Preferred Stock) shall initially be the applicable Original Issue Price of the Series Preferred (each of (i) through (iv), a “Series Preferred Conversion Price”). Such initial Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Section 4. All references to a Series Preferred Conversion Price herein shall mean such Series Preferred Conversion Price as so adjusted.

(d) Mechanics of Optional Conversion. Each holder of Series Preferred who desires to convert the same into shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Section 4 shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly endorsed, at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for the Series Preferred, and shall give written notice to the Company at such office that such holder elects to convert the same. Such notice shall state the number of shares of Series Preferred being converted. Thereupon, the Company shall promptly issue and deliver at such office to such holder a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock to which such holder is entitled and shall promptly pay (i) in cash or, to the extent sufficient funds are not then legally available therefor, in Common Stock (at the Common Stock’s fair market value determined by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors) as of the date of such conversion), any declared and unpaid dividends on the shares of Series Preferred being converted and (ii) in cash (at the Common Stock’s fair market value determined by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors) as of the date of conversion) the value of any fractional share of Common Stock otherwise issuable to any holder of Series Preferred. Such conversion shall be deemed to have been made at the close of business on the date of such surrender of the certificates representing the shares of Series Preferred to be converted, and the person entitled to receive the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as the record holder of such shares of Common Stock on such date.

(e) Adjustment for Stock Splits and Combinations. If at any time or from time to time on or after the date of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the “Original Issue Date”) the Company effects a subdivision of the outstanding Class A Common Stock, each applicable Series Preferred Conversion Price in effect immediately before that subdivision shall be proportionately decreased. Conversely, if at any time or from time to time after the Original Issue Date the Company combines the outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, the Series Preferred Conversion Price in effect immediately before the combination shall be proportionately increased. Any adjustment under this Section 4(e) shall become effective at the close of business on the date the subdivision or combination becomes effective.

(f) Adjustment for Common Stock Dividends and Distributions. If at any time or from time to time on or after the Original Issue Date the Company pays to holders of Common Stock a dividend or other distribution in additional shares of Common Stock, each Series Preferred Conversion Price then in effect shall be decreased as of the time of such issuance, as provided below:

(i) Such Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be adjusted by multiplying such Series Preferred Conversion Price then in effect by a fraction equal to:

(A) the numerator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance, and

 

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(B) the denominator of which is the total number of shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the time of such issuance plus the number of shares of Common Stock issuable in payment of such dividend or distribution;

(ii) If the Company fixes a record date to determine which holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive such dividend or other distribution, each Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be fixed as of the close of business on such record date and the number of shares of Common Stock shall be calculated immediately prior to the close of business on such record date; and

(iii) If such record date is fixed and such dividend is not fully paid or if such distribution is not fully made on the date fixed therefor, each Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be recomputed accordingly as of the close of business on such record date and thereafter such Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be adjusted pursuant to this Section 4(f) to reflect the actual payment of such dividend or distribution.

(g) Adjustment for Reclassification, Exchange, Substitution, Reorganization, Merger or Consolidation. If at any time or from time to time on or after the Original Issue Date the Common Stock issuable upon the conversion of the Series Preferred is changed into the same or a different number of shares of any class or classes of stock, whether by recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise (other than an Acquisition as defined in Section 3 or a subdivision or combination of shares or stock dividend provided for elsewhere in this Section 4), in any such event each share of Series Preferred shall thereafter be convertible in lieu of the Class A Common Stock into which it was convertible prior to such event into the kind and amount of securities, cash or other property that a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company issuable upon conversion of one share of Series Preferred immediately prior to such recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or other transaction would have been entitled to receive pursuant to such transaction, all subject to further adjustment as provided herein or with respect to such other securities or property by the terms thereof. In any such case, appropriate adjustment shall be made in the application of the provisions of this Section 4 with respect to the rights of the holders of Series Preferred after the capital reorganization to the end that the provisions of this Section 4 (including adjustment of the Series Preferred Conversion Price then in effect and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the Series Preferred) shall be applicable after that event and be as nearly equivalent as practicable.

(h) Sale of Shares Below Series Preferred Conversion Price.

(i) If at any time or from time to time on or after the Original Issue Date the Company issues or sells, or is deemed by the express provisions of this Section 4(h) to have issued or sold, Additional Shares of Common Stock (as defined below), other than as provided in Section 4(e), 4(f) or 4(g) above, for an Effective Price (as defined below) less than a then effective Series Preferred Conversion Price (a “Qualifying Dilutive Issuance”), then and in each such case, such then existing Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be reduced, as of the opening of business on the date of such issue or sale, to a price determined by multiplying such Series Preferred Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such issuance or sale by a fraction:

(A) the numerator of which shall be (A) the number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding (as determined below) immediately prior to such issue or sale, plus (B) the number of shares of Common Stock that the Aggregate Consideration (as defined below) received or deemed received by the Company for the total number of Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued would purchase at such then-existing Series Preferred Conversion Price, and

 

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(B) the denominator of which shall be the number of shares of Common Stock deemed outstanding (as determined below) immediately prior to such issue or sale plus the total number of Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued.

For the purposes of the preceding sentence, the number of shares of Common Stock deemed to be outstanding as of a given date shall be the sum of (A) the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding, (B) the number of shares of Common Stock into which the then outstanding shares of Series Preferred could be converted if fully converted on the day immediately preceding the given date, and (C) the number of shares of Common Stock that are issuable upon the exercise or conversion of all other rights, options and convertible securities outstanding on the day immediately preceding the given date.

(ii) No adjustment shall be made to a Series Preferred Conversion Price in an amount less than $0.0001. Any adjustment otherwise required by this Section 4(h) that is not required to be made due to the first sentence of this subsection (ii) shall be included in any subsequent adjustment to such Series Preferred Conversion Price. Any adjustment required by this Section 4(h) shall be rounded up to the nearest $0.0001.

(iii) For the purpose of making any adjustment required under this Section 4(h), the aggregate consideration received by the Company for any issue or sale of securities (the “Aggregate Consideration”) shall be defined as: (A) to the extent it consists of cash, the gross amount of cash received by the Company before deduction of any underwriting or similar commissions, compensation or concessions paid or allowed by the Company in connection with such issue or sale and without deduction of any expenses payable by the Company, (B) to the extent it consists of property other than cash, the fair market value of that property as determined in good faith by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors), and (C) if Additional Shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities (as defined below) or rights or options to purchase either Additional Shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities are issued or sold together with other stock or securities or other assets of the Company for a consideration that covers both, the portion of the consideration so received that may be reasonably determined in good faith by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors) to be allocable to such Additional Shares of Common Stock, Convertible Securities or rights or options.

(iv) For the purpose of the adjustment required under this Section 4(h), if the Company issues or sells (x) Preferred Stock or other stock, options, warrants, purchase rights or other securities exercisable for or convertible into, Additional Shares of Common Stock (such convertible stock or securities being herein referred to as “Convertible Securities”) or (y) rights or options for the purchase of Additional Shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities and if the Effective Price of such Additional Shares of Common Stock is less than a Series Preferred Conversion Price, in each case the Company shall be deemed to have issued at the time of the issuance of such rights or options or Convertible Securities the maximum number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise or conversion thereof and to have received as consideration for the issuance of such shares an amount equal to the total amount of the consideration, if any, received by the Company for the issuance of such rights or options or Convertible Securities plus:

(A) in the case of such rights or options, the minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the exercise of such rights or options; and

(B) in the case of Convertible Securities, the minimum amounts of consideration, if any, payable to the Company upon the conversion thereof (other than by cancellation of liabilities or obligations evidenced by such Convertible Securities); provided that if the minimum amounts of such consideration cannot be ascertained, but are a function of antidilution or similar protective clauses, the Company shall be deemed to have received the minimum amounts of consideration without reference to such clauses.

 

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(C) If the minimum amount of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or conversion of rights, options or Convertible Securities is reduced over time or on the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified events other than by reason of antidilution adjustments, the Effective Price shall be recalculated using the figure to which such minimum amount of consideration is reduced; provided further, that if the minimum amount of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or conversion of such rights, options or Convertible Securities is subsequently increased, the Effective Price shall be again recalculated using the increased minimum amount of consideration payable to the Company upon the exercise or conversion of such rights, options or Convertible Securities.

(D) No further adjustment of a Series Preferred Conversion Price, as adjusted upon the issuance of such rights, options or Convertible Securities, shall be made as a result of the actual issuance of Additional Shares of Common Stock or the exercise of any such rights or options or the conversion of any such Convertible Securities. If any such rights or options or the conversion privilege represented by any such Convertible Securities shall expire without having been exercised, such Series Preferred Conversion Price as adjusted upon the issuance of such rights, options or Convertible Securities shall be readjusted to such Series Preferred Conversion Price that would have been in effect had an adjustment been made on the basis that the only Additional Shares of Common Stock so issued were the Additional Shares of Common Stock, if any, actually issued or sold on the exercise of such rights or options or rights of conversion of such Convertible Securities, and such Additional Shares of Common Stock, if any, were issued or sold for the consideration actually received by the Company upon such exercise, plus the consideration, if any, actually received by the Company for the granting of all such rights or options, whether or not exercised, plus the consideration received for issuing or selling the Convertible Securities actually converted, plus the consideration, if any, actually received by the Company (other than by cancellation of liabilities or obligations evidenced by such Convertible Securities) on the conversion of such Convertible Securities, provided that such readjustment shall not apply to prior conversions of Series Preferred.

(v) For the purpose of making any adjustment to a Series Preferred Conversion Price required under this Section 4(h), “Additional Shares of Common Stock” shall mean all shares of Common Stock issued by the Company or deemed to be issued pursuant to this Section 4(h) (including shares of Common Stock subsequently reacquired or retired by the Company), other than the following (collectively, the “Excluded Securities”):

(A) shares of Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion of the Series Preferred or conversion of the Class B Common Stock into Class A Common Stock;

(B) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued after the Original Issue Date to employees, officers or directors of, or consultants or advisors to the Company or any subsidiary pursuant to stock purchase or stock option plans or other arrangements that are approved by the Board, including, if approved after the Original Issue Date, by a majority of the Series Preferred Directors;

(C) shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to the exercise or conversion of Convertible Securities outstanding as of the Original Issue Date;

(D) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued for consideration other than cash pursuant to a merger, consolidation, acquisition, strategic alliance or similar business combination approved by the Board, including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors;

 

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(E) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued pursuant to any equipment loan or leasing arrangement, real property leasing arrangement or debt financing from a bank or similar financial or lending institution approved by the Board, including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors;

(F) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued to third-party service providers in exchange for or as partial consideration for services rendered to the Company as approved by the Board, including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors;

(G) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities issued in connection with strategic transactions involving the Company and other entities approved by the Board (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors), including without limitation joint ventures, manufacturing, marketing, distribution, technology transfer or development arrangements; and

(H) shares of Common Stock or Convertible Securities that the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Series Preferred elect in writing to exclude from the definition of “Additional Shares of Common Stock” for purposes of this Section 4, including from the Series A Anti-Dilution Majority (as defined below), Series B Anti-Dilution Majority (as defined below), Series C Anti-Dilution Majority (as defined below), Series D Requisite Majority and/or Series D-1 Requisite Majority if such shares would result in an adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock or Series D-1 Preferred Stock, respectively.

References to Common Stock in the subsections of this clause (v) above shall mean all shares of Common Stock issued by the Company or deemed to be issued pursuant to this Section 4(h). The “Effective Price” of Additional Shares of Common Stock shall mean the quotient determined by dividing the total number of Additional Shares of Common Stock issued or sold, or deemed to have been issued or sold by the Company under this Section 4(h), into the Aggregate Consideration received, or deemed to have been received by the Company for such issue under this Section 4(h), for such Additional Shares of Common Stock. In the event that the number of shares of Additional Shares of Common Stock or the Effective Price cannot be ascertained at the time of issuance, such Additional Shares of Common Stock shall be deemed issued immediately upon the occurrence of the first event that makes such number of shares or the Effective Price, as applicable, ascertainable.

(vi) In the event that the Company issues or sells, or is deemed to have issued or sold, Additional Shares of Common Stock in a Qualifying Dilutive Issuance (the “First Dilutive Issuance”), then in the event that the Company issues or sells, or is deemed to have issued or sold, Additional Shares of Common Stock in a Qualifying Dilutive Issuance other than the First Dilutive Issuance as a part of the same transaction or series of related transactions as the First Dilutive Issuance (a “Subsequent Dilutive Issuance”), then and in each such case upon a Subsequent Dilutive Issuance such Series Preferred Conversion Price shall be reduced to the Series Preferred Conversion Price that would have been in effect had the First Dilutive Issuance and each Subsequent Dilutive Issuance all occurred on the closing date of the First Dilutive Issuance.

The waiver of any adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series A Preferred Stock shall require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class (the “Series A Anti-Dilution Majority”). The waiver of any adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series B Preferred Stock shall require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a class (the “Series B Anti-Dilution Majority”). The waiver of any adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series C Preferred Stock shall require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the

 

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outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a class (the “Series C Anti-Dilution Majority”). The waiver of any adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series D Preferred Stock shall require the vote or written consent of the Series D Requisite Majority. The waiver of any adjustment to the Series Preferred Conversion Price of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall require the vote or written consent of the Series D-1 Requisite Majority.

(i) Certificate of Adjustment. In each case of an adjustment or readjustment of a Series Preferred Conversion Price for the number of shares of Common Stock or other securities issuable upon conversion of the Series Preferred, if the Series Preferred is then convertible pursuant to this Section 4, the Company, at its expense, shall compute such adjustment or readjustment in accordance with the provisions hereof and shall prepare a certificate showing such adjustment or readjustment, and shall mail such certificate, by first class mail, postage prepaid, to each registered holder of Series Preferred at the holder’s address as shown in the Company’s books. The certificate shall set forth such adjustment or readjustment, showing in detail the facts upon which such adjustment or readjustment is based, including a statement of (i) the consideration received or deemed to be received by the Company for any Additional Shares of Common Stock issued or sold or deemed to have been issued or sold, (ii) the applicable Series Preferred Conversion Price at the time in effect, (iii) the number of Additional Shares of Common Stock and (iv) the type and amount, if any, of other property that at the time would be received upon conversion of the Series Preferred. Failure to provide such notice shall have no effect on any such adjustment.

(j) Notices of Record Date. Upon (i) any taking by the Company of a record of the holders of any class of securities for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution, or (ii) any Acquisition (as defined in Section 3) or other capital reorganization of the Company, any reclassification or recapitalization of the capital stock of the Company, any merger or consolidation of the Company with or into any other corporation, or any Asset Transfer (as defined in Section 3), or any voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Company, the Company shall mail to each holder of Series Preferred at least ten (10) days prior to (x) the record date, if any, specified therein; or (y) if no record date is specified, the date upon which such action is to take effect (or, in either case, such shorter period approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series Preferred) a notice specifying (A) the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or distribution and a description of such dividend or distribution, (B) the date on which any such Acquisition, reorganization, reclassification, transfer, consolidation, merger, Asset Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up is expected to become effective, and (C) the date, if any, that is to be fixed as to when the holders of record of Common Stock (or other securities) shall be entitled to exchange their shares of Common Stock (or other securities) for securities or other property deliverable upon such Acquisition, reorganization, reclassification, transfer, consolidation, merger, Asset Transfer, dissolution, liquidation or winding up.

(k) Automatic Conversion.

(i) Each share of Series Preferred shall automatically be converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, based on the then-effective Series Preferred Conversion Price, (A) at any time upon the affirmative election of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of the Series Preferred, or (B) immediately upon the closing of a firmly underwritten public offering pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, covering the offer and sale of Common Stock listed for trading on Nasdaq or the New York Stock Exchange for the account of the Company in which the net cash proceeds to the Company (after underwriting discounts, commissions and fees) are at least $50,000,000 (a “Qualified IPO”). Upon such automatic conversion, any declared and unpaid dividends shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(d). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any automatic conversion of the Series A Preferred Stock is proposed to be effected pursuant to Section 4(k)(i)(A) of this paragraph in connection with an Acquisition or Asset Transfer and such

 

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conversion would result in the holders of Series A Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series A Preferred Stock in such Acquisition or Asset Transfer that is less than one times the Original Issue Price of the Series A Preferred Stock (assuming all Additional Consideration is paid), then such conversion as to the Series A Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series A Preferred Stock, voting as a class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any automatic conversion of the Series B Preferred Stock is proposed to be effected pursuant to Section 4(k)(i)(A) of this paragraph in connection with an Acquisition or Asset Transfer and such conversion would result in the holders of Series B Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series B Preferred Stock in such Acquisition or Asset Transfer that is less than one times the Original Issue Price of the Series B Preferred Stock (assuming all Additional Consideration is paid), then such conversion as to the Series B Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series B Preferred Stock, voting as a class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any automatic conversion of the Series C Preferred Stock is proposed to be effected pursuant to Section 4(k)(i)(A) of this paragraph in connection with an Acquisition or Asset Transfer and such conversion would result in the holders of Series C Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series C Preferred Stock in such Acquisition or Asset Transfer that is less than one times the Original Issue Price of the Series C Preferred Stock (assuming all Additional Consideration is paid), then such conversion as to the Series C Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the holders of a majority of the outstanding Series C Preferred Stock, voting as a class. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any automatic conversion of the Series D Preferred Stock is proposed to be effected pursuant to Section 4(k)(i)(A) of this paragraph in connection with an Acquisition or Asset Transfer and such conversion would result in the holders of Series D Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series D Preferred Stock in such Acquisition or Asset Transfer that is less than one times the Original Issue Price of the Series D Preferred Stock (assuming all Additional Consideration is paid), then such conversion as to the Series D Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the Series D Requisite Majority. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if any automatic conversion of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock is proposed to be effected pursuant to Section 4(k)(i)(A) of this paragraph in connection with an Acquisition or Asset Transfer and such conversion would result in the holders of Series D-1 Preferred Stock receiving an amount per share of Series D-1 Preferred Stock in such Acquisition or Asset Transfer that is less than one times the Original Issue Price of the Series D-1 Preferred Stock (assuming all Additional Consideration is paid), then such conversion as to the Series D-1 Preferred Stock shall also require the vote or written consent of the Series D-1 Requisite Majority.

(ii) Upon the occurrence of either of the events specified in Section 4(k)(i) above, the outstanding shares of Series Preferred shall be converted automatically (except as provided in Section 4(k)(i) above) without any further action by the holders of such shares and whether or not the certificates representing such shares are surrendered to the Company or its transfer agent; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to issue certificates evidencing the shares of Common Stock issuable upon such conversion unless the certificates evidencing such shares of Series Preferred are either delivered to the Company or its transfer agent as provided below, or the holder notifies the Company or its transfer agent that such certificates have been lost, stolen or destroyed and executes an agreement satisfactory to the Company to indemnify the Company from any loss incurred by it in connection with such certificates. Upon the occurrence of such automatic conversion of the Series Preferred, the holders of Series Preferred shall surrender the certificates representing such shares at the office of the Company or any transfer agent for the Series Preferred. Thereupon, there shall be issued and delivered to such holder promptly at such office and in its name as shown on such surrendered certificate or certificates, a certificate or certificates for the number of shares of Common Stock into which the shares of Series Preferred surrendered were convertible on the date on which such automatic conversion occurred, and any declared and unpaid dividends shall be paid in accordance with the provisions of Section 4(d).

 

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(l) Fractional Shares. No fractional shares of Class A Common Stock shall be issued upon conversion of Series Preferred. All shares of Common Stock (including fractions thereof) issuable upon conversion of more than one share of Series Preferred by a holder thereof shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share. If after the aforementioned aggregation the conversion would result in the issuance of any fractional share, the Company shall, in lieu of issuing any fractional share, pay cash equal to the product of such fraction multiplied by the fair market value of one share of Class A Common Stock (as determined by the Board, including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors) on the date of conversion.

(m) Reservation of Stock Issuable Upon Conversion. The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available out of its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock, solely for the purpose of effecting the conversion of the shares of the Series Preferred, such number of its shares of Common Stock as shall from time to time be sufficient to effect the conversion of all outstanding shares of the Series Preferred. If at any time the number of authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock shall not be sufficient to effect the conversion of all then outstanding shares of the Series Preferred, the Company will take such corporate action as may be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of Common Stock to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purpose.

(n) Notices. Any notice required by the provisions of this Section 4 shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by electronic transmission in compliance with the provisions of the DGCL if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business day, (iii) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with verification of receipt. All notices shall be addressed to each holder of record at the address of such holder appearing on the books of the Company.

(o) Payment of Taxes. The Company will pay all taxes (other than taxes based upon income) and other governmental charges that may be imposed with respect to the issue or delivery of shares of Common Stock upon conversion of shares of Series Preferred, excluding any tax or other charge imposed in connection with any transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the shares of Series Preferred so converted were registered.

5. NO REISSUANCE OF SERIES PREFERRED.

Any shares or shares of Series Preferred redeemed, purchased, converted or exchanged by the Company shall be cancelled and retired and shall not be reissued or transferred.

V.

A. The liability of the directors and officers of the Company for monetary damages shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law. If the DGCL or any other law of the State of Delaware is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article V, Paragraph A to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the liability of directors or officers, then the liability of a director or officer of the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL or other Delaware state law as so amended. Solely for purposes of this Article V, Paragraph A, “officer” shall have the meaning provided in Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL, as amended from time to time.

 

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B. The following indemnification provisions shall apply to the persons enumerated below.

(i) Right to Indemnification of Directors and Officers. The Company shall indemnify and hold harmless, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists or may hereafter be amended, any person (an “Indemnified Person”) who was or is made or is threatened to be made a party or is otherwise involved in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative (a “Proceeding”), by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was a director or officer of the Company or, while a director or officer of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such Indemnified Person in such Proceeding. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, the Company shall be required to indemnify an Indemnified Person in connection with a Proceeding (or part thereof) commenced by such Indemnified Person only if the commencement of such Proceeding (or part thereof) by the Indemnified Person was authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(ii) Prepayment of Expenses of Directors and Officers. The Company shall pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an Indemnified Person in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition, provided, however, that, to the extent required by law, such payment of expenses in advance of the final disposition of the Proceeding shall be made only upon receipt of an undertaking by the Indemnified Person to repay all amounts advanced if it should be ultimately determined that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to be indemnified under this Article V or otherwise.

(iii) Claims by Directors and Officers. If a claim for indemnification or advancement of expenses under this Article V is not paid in full within thirty (30) days after a written claim therefor by the Indemnified Person has been received by the Company, the Indemnified Person may file suit to recover the unpaid amount of such claim and, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid the expense of prosecuting such claim. In any such action the Company shall have the burden of proving that the Indemnified Person is not entitled to the requested indemnification or advancement of expenses under applicable law.

(iv) Indemnification of Employees and Agents. The Company may indemnify and advance expenses to any person who was or is made or is threatened to be made or is otherwise involved in any Proceeding by reason of the fact that such person, or a person for whom such person is the legal representative, is or was an employee or agent of the Company or, while an employee or agent of the Company, is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation or of a partnership, joint venture, limited liability company, trust, enterprise or nonprofit entity, including service with respect to employee benefit plans, against all liability and loss suffered and expenses (including attorneys’ fees) reasonably incurred by such person in connection with such Proceeding. The ultimate determination of entitlement to indemnification of persons who are non-director or officer employees or agents shall be made in such manner as is determined by the Board of Directors of the Company in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding the foregoing sentence, the Company shall not be required to indemnify a person in connection with a Proceeding initiated by such person if the Proceeding was not authorized in advance by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(v) Advancement of Expenses of Employees and Agents. The Company may pay the expenses (including attorneys’ fees) incurred by an employee or agent in defending any Proceeding in advance of its final disposition on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.

(vi) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Article V shall not be exclusive of any other rights which such person may have or hereafter acquire under any statute, provision of this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Bylaws of the Company, or any agreement, or pursuant to any vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

 

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(vii) Other Indemnification. The Company’s obligation, if any, to indemnify any person who was or is serving at its request as a director, officer or employee of another Company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise shall be reduced by any amount such person may collect as indemnification from such other Company, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, organization or other enterprise.

(viii) Insurance. The Board of Directors of the Company may, to the full extent permitted by applicable law as it presently exists, or may hereafter be amended from time to time, authorize an appropriate officer or officers to purchase and maintain at the Company’s expense insurance: (a) to indemnify the Company for any obligation which it incurs as a result of the indemnification of directors, officers and employees under the provisions of this Article Tenth; and (b) to indemnify or insure directors, officers and employees against liability in instances in which they may not otherwise be indemnified by the Company under the provisions of this Article V.

C. Any repeal or modification of this Article V shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director or officer under this Article V in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

D. The Company renounces any interest or expectancy of the Company in, or in being offered an opportunity to participate in, any Excluded Opportunity. An “Excluded Opportunity” is any matter, transaction or interest that is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or which otherwise comes into the possession of, (i) any director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or (ii) any holder of Series Preferred or any partner, member, director, stockholder, employee or agent of any such holder, other than someone who is an employee of this corporation or any of its subsidiaries (collectively, “Covered Persons”), unless in either case such matter, transaction or interest is presented to, or acquired, created or developed by, or otherwise comes into the possession of, a Covered Person expressly and solely in such Covered Person’s capacity as a director of the Company.

VI.

For the management of the business and for the conduct of the affairs of the Company, and in further definition, limitation and regulation of the powers of the Company, of its directors and of its stockholders or any class thereof, as the case may be, it is further provided that:

A. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in its Board. The number of directors that shall constitute the whole Board shall be fixed by the Board in the manner provided in the Bylaws, subject to any restrictions which may be set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

B. The Board is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company, subject to any restrictions that may be set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The stockholders shall also have the power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company, subject to any restrictions that may be set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation.

C. The directors of the Company need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws so provide.

D. Each director shall be entitled to the number of votes on each matter presented to the Board as set forth in this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, that, so long as the holders of Preferred Stock are entitled to elect a Series Preferred Director, the affirmative vote of a majority of the Series Preferred Directors shall be required for the authorization by the Board of the matters set forth in Sections 3.5 of the Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement entered into on or about the Original Issue Date, by and among the Company and the other parties thereto, as such agreement may be amended from time to time (the “IRA”) and each of the Series Preferred Directors shall be required for the authorization of the Board for the matters set forth in Section 3.7 of the IRA.

 

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VII.

A. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the Court of Chancery in the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for any stockholder (including a beneficial owner) to bring (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the Company to the Company or the Company’s stockholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim against the Company, its directors, officers or employees arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL or the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the Company, its directors, officers or employees governed by the internal affairs doctrine, except for, as to each of (i) through (iv) above, any claim as to which the Court of Chancery determines that there is an indispensable party not subject to the jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery (and the indispensable party does not consent to the personal jurisdiction of the Court of Chancery within ten (10) days following such determination), which is vested in the exclusive jurisdiction of a court or forum other than the Court of Chancery, or for which the Court of Chancery does not have subject matter jurisdiction. If any provision or provisions of this Article VII shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable as applied to any person or entity or circumstance for any reason whatsoever, then, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the validity, legality and enforceability of such provisions in any other circumstance and of the remaining provisions of this Article VII (including, without limitation, each portion of any sentence of this Article VII containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable that is not itself held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable) and the application of such provision to other persons or entities and circumstances shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

B. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, to the fullest extent permitted by law, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall be the exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint. For the avoidance of doubt, this provision is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Company, its officers and directors, the underwriters to any offering giving rise to such complaint, and any other professional entity whose profession gives authority to a statement made by that person or entity and who has prepared or certified any part of the documents underlying the offering.

* * * *

FOUR: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly approved by the Board.

FIVE: This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation was approved by the holders of the requisite number of shares of said corporation in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL. This Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation has been duly adopted in accordance with the provisions of Sections 242 and 245 of the DGCL by the stockholders of the Company.

[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. has caused this Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to be signed by its Chief Executive Officer as of September 25, 2025.

 

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Signature:   /s/ Peter Colis
Print Name: Peter Colis
Title: Chief Executive Officer
EX-3.3

Exhibit 3.3

AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

OF

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

Amended and restated as of July 13, 2021

 


ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of the corporation in the State of Delaware shall be 9 E. Loockerman Street, Suite 311, City of Dover, County of Kent, 19901 or in such other location as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation shall also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, and may also have offices at such other places, both within and without the State of Delaware, as the Board of Directors may from time to time determine or the business of the corporation may require.

ARTICLE II

CORPORATE SEAL

Section 3. Corporate Seal. The Board of Directors may adopt a corporate seal. Said seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile thereof to be impressed or affixed or reproduced or otherwise.

ARTICLE III

STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

Section 4. Place of Meetings. Meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be held at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware, as may be determined from time to time by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that the meeting shall not be held at any place, but may instead be held solely by means of remote communication as provided under the Delaware General Corporation Law (“DGCL”).

Section 5. Annual Meeting.

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may lawfully come before it, shall be held on such date and at such time as may be designated from time to time by the Board of Directors. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors of the corporation and the proposal of business to be considered by the stockholders may be made at an annual meeting of stockholders: (i) pursuant to the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders; (ii) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors; or (iii) by any stockholder of the corporation who was a stockholder of record at the time of giving of notice provided for in the following paragraph, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section.

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as shall have been properly brought before the meeting. For nominations or other business to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of paragraph (a) of this Section, (i) the stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in writing to the Secretary of the corporation, (ii) such other business must be a proper matter for stockholder action under the DGCL and applicable law, (iii) if the stockholder, or the beneficial owner on whose behalf any such proposal or nomination is made, has provided the corporation with a Solicitation Notice (as defined in this paragraph), such stockholder or beneficial owner must, in the case of a proposal, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to

 

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holders of at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry any such proposal, or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, have delivered a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a percentage of the corporation’s voting shares reasonably believed by such stockholder or beneficial owner to be sufficient to elect the nominee or nominees proposed to be nominated by such stockholder, and must, in either case, have included in such materials the Solicitation Notice, and (iv) if no Solicitation Notice relating thereto has been timely provided pursuant to this Section, the stockholder or beneficial owner proposing such business or nomination must not have solicited a number of proxies sufficient to have required the delivery of such a Solicitation Notice under this Section. To be timely, a stockholder’s notice shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 90th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than 30 days prior to or delayed by more than 30 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall the public announcement of an adjournment of an annual meeting commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above. Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each person whom the stockholder proposed to nominate for election or reelection as a director all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “1934 Act”), and Rule 14a-4(d) thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); (B) as to any other business that the stockholder proposes to bring before the meeting, a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting and any material interest in such business of such stockholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and (C) as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (i) the name and address of such stockholder, as they appear on the corporation’s books, and of such beneficial owner, (ii) the class and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by such stockholder and such beneficial owner, and (iii) whether either such stockholder or beneficial owner intends to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of, in the case of the proposal, at least the percentage of the corporation’s voting shares required under applicable law to carry the proposal or, in the case of a nomination or nominations, a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (an affirmative statement of such intent, a “Solicitation Notice”).

(c) Notwithstanding anything in the second sentence of paragraph (b) of this Section to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the corporation is increased and there is no public announcement naming all of the nominees for director or specifying the size of the increased Board of Directors made by the corporation at least 100 days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for any new positions created by such increase, if it shall be delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

(d) Only such persons who are nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section (or elected or appointed pursuant to Article IV of these Amended and Restated Bylaws (the “Bylaws”)) shall be eligible to serve as directors and only such business shall be conducted at a meeting of stockholders as shall have been brought before the meeting in accordance with the procedures set forth in this Section. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Chairman of the meeting shall have the power and

 

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duty to determine whether a nomination or any business proposed to be brought before the meeting was made, or proposed, as the case may be, in accordance with the procedures set forth in these Bylaws and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, to declare that such defective proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded.

(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the 1934 Act. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act.

(f) For purposes of this Section, “public announcement” shall mean disclosure in a press release reported by the Dow Jones News Service, Associated Press or comparable national news service or in a document publicly filed by the corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) pursuant to Section 13, 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act.

Section 6. Special Meetings.

(a) Special meetings of the stockholders of the corporation may be called, for any purpose or purposes, by (i) the Chairman of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by directors representing a quorum of the Board of Directors or (iv) by the holders of shares entitled to cast not less than 20% of the votes at the meeting, and shall be held at such place, on such date, and at such time as the Board of Directors shall fix. At any time or times that the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the California General Corporation Law (“CGCL”), stockholders holding 5% or more of the outstanding shares shall have the right to call a special meeting of stockholders as set forth in Section 18(b) of these Bylaws.

(b) If a special meeting is properly called by any person or persons other than the Board of Directors, the request shall be in writing, specifying the general nature of the business proposed to be transacted, and shall be delivered personally or sent by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested, or by telegraphic or other facsimile transmission to the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the Secretary of the corporation. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in such notice. The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place of such special meeting, which shall be held not less than 35 nor more than 120 days after the date of the receipt of the request. Upon determination of the time and place of the meeting, the officer receiving the request shall cause notice to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7 of these Bylaws. Nothing contained in this paragraph (b) shall be construed as limiting, fixing, or affecting the time when a meeting of stockholders called by action of the Board of Directors may be held.

Section 7. Notice of Meetings. Except as otherwise provided by law, notice, given in writing or by electronic transmission, of each meeting of stockholders shall be given not less than 10 nor more than 60 days before the date of the meeting to each stockholder entitled to vote at such meeting, such notice to specify the place, if any, date and hour, in the case of special meetings, the purpose or purposes of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxyholders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at any such meeting. If mailed, notice is given when deposited in the United States mail, postage prepaid, directed to the stockholder at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. Notice of the time, place, if any, and purpose of any meeting of stockholders may be waived in writing, signed by the person entitled to notice thereof or by electronic transmission by such person, either before or after such meeting, and will be waived by any stockholder by his or her attendance thereat in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy, except when the stockholder attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Any stockholder so waiving notice of such meeting shall be bound by the proceedings of any such meeting in all respects as if due notice thereof had been given.

 

 

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Section 8. Quorum. At all meetings of stockholders, except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation, or by these Bylaws, the presence, in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by proxy duly authorized, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. In the absence of a quorum, any meeting of stockholders may be adjourned, from time to time, either by the chairman of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the shares represented thereat, but no other business shall be transacted at such meeting. The stockholders present at a duly called or convened meeting, at which a quorum is present, may continue to transact business until adjournment, notwithstanding the withdrawal of enough stockholders to leave less than a quorum. Except as otherwise provided by statute, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of a majority of shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders. Except as otherwise provided by statute, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized at the meeting and entitled to vote generally on the election of directors. Where a separate vote by a class or classes or series is required, except where otherwise provided by the statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, a majority of the outstanding shares of such class or classes or series, present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy duly authorized, shall constitute a quorum entitled to take action with respect to that vote on that matter. Except where otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, the affirmative vote of the majority (plurality, in the case of the election of directors) of shares of such class or classes or series present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting shall be the act of such class or classes or series.

Section 9. Adjournment and Notice of Adjourned Meetings. Any meeting of stockholders, whether annual or special, may be adjourned from time to time either by the chairman of the meeting or by the vote of a majority of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy. When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, if any, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time and place, if any, thereof are announced at the meeting at which the adjournment is taken. At the adjourned meeting, the corporation may transact any business that might have been transacted at the original meeting pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation, these Bylaws or applicable law. If the adjournment is for more than 30 days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

Section 10. Voting Rights. For the purpose of determining those stockholders entitled to vote at any meeting of the stockholders, except as otherwise provided by law, only persons in whose names shares stand on the stock records of the corporation on the record date, as provided in Section 12 of these Bylaws, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote or execute consents shall have the right to do so either in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or by an agent or agents authorized by a proxy granted in accordance with Delaware law. An agent so appointed need not be a stockholder. No proxy shall be voted after three years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period.

 

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Section 11. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two or more persons have the same fiduciary relationship respecting the same shares, unless the Secretary is given written notice to the contrary and is furnished with a copy of the instrument or order appointing them or creating the relationship wherein it is so provided, their acts with respect to voting (including giving consent pursuant to Section 13) shall have the following effect: (a) if only one votes, his or her act binds all; (b) if more than one votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; (c) if more than one votes, but the vote is evenly split on any particular matter, each faction may vote the securities in question proportionally, or may apply to the Delaware Court of Chancery for relief as provided in the DGCL, Section 217(b). If the instrument filed with the Secretary shows that any such tenancy is held in unequal interests, a majority or even-split for the purpose of subsection (c) shall be a majority or even-split in interest.

Section 12. List of Stockholders. The Secretary shall prepare and make, at least 10 days before every meeting of stockholders, a complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote at said meeting, arranged in alphabetical order, showing the address of each stockholder and the number of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to the examination of any stockholder, for any purpose germane to the meeting, on a reasonably accessible electronic network, provided that the information required to gain access to such list is provided with the notice of the meeting, or during ordinary business hours, at the principal place of business of the corporation. In the event that the corporation determines to make the list available on an electronic network, the corporation may take reasonable steps to ensure that such information is available only to stockholders of the corporation. The list shall be open to examination of any stockholder during the time of the meeting as provided by law.

Section 13. Action Without Meeting.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, any action required by statute to be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, or any action that may be taken at any annual or special meeting of the stockholders, may be taken without a meeting, without prior notice and without a vote, if a consent in writing, or by electronic transmission setting forth the action so taken, shall be signed by the holders of outstanding stock having not less than the minimum number of votes that would be necessary to authorize or take such action at a meeting at which all shares entitled to vote thereon were present and voted.

(b) Every written consent or electronic transmission shall bear the date of signature of each stockholder who signs the consent, and no written consent or electronic transmission shall be effective to take the corporate action referred to therein unless, within 60 days of the earliest dated consent delivered to the corporation in the manner herein required, written consents or electronic transmissions signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action are delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested.

(c) Prompt notice of the taking of the corporate action without a meeting by less than unanimous written consent shall be given to those stockholders who have not consented in writing or by electronic transmission and who, if the action had been taken at a meeting, would have been entitled to notice of the meeting if the record date for such meeting had been the date that written consents signed by a sufficient number of stockholders to take action were delivered to the corporation as provided in Section 228(c) of the DGCL. If the action to which the stockholders consent is such as would have required the filing of a certificate under any section of the DGCL if such action had been voted on by stockholders at a meeting thereof, then the certificate filed under such section shall state, in lieu of any statement required by such section concerning any vote of stockholders, that written consent has been given in accordance with Section 228 of the DGCL.

 

 

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(d) An electronic mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission consenting to an action to be taken and transmitted by a stockholder or proxyholder, shall be deemed to be written, signed and dated for the purposes of this Section, provided that any such electronic mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission sets forth or is delivered with information from which the corporation can determine (i) that the electronic mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission was transmitted by the stockholder or proxyholder or by a person or persons authorized to act for the stockholder and (ii) the date on which such stockholder or proxyholder or authorized person or persons transmitted such electronic mail, facsimile or electronic transmission. The date on which such electronic mail, facsimile or electronic transmission is transmitted shall be deemed to be the date on which such consent was signed. No consent given by electronic mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission shall be deemed to have been delivered until such consent is reproduced in paper form and until such paper form shall be delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the state of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to a corporation’s registered office shall be made by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. Notwithstanding the foregoing limitations on delivery, consents given by electronic mail, facsimile or other electronic transmission may be otherwise delivered to the principal place of business of the corporation or to an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded if, to the extent and in the manner provided by resolution of the board of directors of the corporation. Any copy, facsimile or other reliable reproduction of a consent in writing may be substituted or used in lieu of the original writing for any and all purposes for which the original writing could be used, provided that such copy, facsimile or other reproduction shall be a complete reproduction of the entire original writing.

Section 14. Organization.

(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer is absent, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairman. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the Chief Executive Officer, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

(b) The Board of Directors shall be entitled to make such rules or regulations for the conduct of meetings of stockholders as it shall deem necessary, appropriate or convenient. Subject to such rules and regulations of the Board of Directors, if any, the chairman of the meeting shall have the right and authority to prescribe such rules, regulations and procedures and to do all such acts as, in the judgment of such chairman, are necessary, appropriate or convenient for the proper conduct of the meeting, including, without limitation, establishing an agenda or order of business for the meeting, rules and procedures for maintaining order at the meeting and the safety of those present, limitations on participation in such meeting to stockholders of record of the corporation and their duly authorized and constituted proxies and such other persons as the chairman shall permit, restrictions on entry to the meeting after the time fixed for the commencement thereof, limitations on the time allotted to questions or comments by participants and regulation of the opening and closing of the polls for balloting on matters that are to be voted on by ballot. The date and time of the opening and closing of the polls for each matter upon which the stockholders will vote at the meeting shall be announced at the meeting. Unless and to the extent determined by the Board of Directors or the chairman of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

 

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ARTICLE IV

DIRECTORS

Section 15. Number and Term of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed by the Board of Directors from time to time. Directors need not be stockholders unless so required by the Certificate of Incorporation. If for any cause, the directors shall not have been elected at an annual meeting, they may be elected as soon thereafter as convenient.

Section 16. Powers. The business and affairs of the corporation shall be managed by or under the direction of the Board of Directors, except as may be otherwise provided by statute or by the Certificate of Incorporation.

Section 17. Term of Directors.

(a) Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

(b) No person entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such person is entitled, unless, at the time of such election, the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL. During such time or times that the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, every stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate such stockholder’s votes and give one candidate a number of votes equal to the number of directors to be elected multiplied by the number of votes to which such stockholder’s shares are otherwise entitled, or distribute the stockholder’s votes on the same principle among as many candidates as such stockholder thinks fit. No stockholder, however, shall be entitled to so cumulate such stockholder’s votes unless (i) the names of such candidate or candidates have been placed in nomination prior to the voting and (ii) the stockholder has given notice at the meeting, prior to the voting, of such stockholder’s intention to cumulate such stockholder’s votes. If any stockholder has given proper notice to cumulate votes, all stockholders may cumulate their votes for any candidates who have been properly placed in nomination. Under cumulative voting, the candidates receiving the highest number of votes, up to the number of directors to be elected, are elected.

Section 18. Vacancies.

(a) Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any vacancies on the Board of Directors resulting from death, resignation, disqualification, removal or other causes and any newly created directorships resulting from any increase in the number of directors shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office, even though less than a quorum of the Board of Directors, or by a sole remaining director; provided, however, that whenever the holders of any class or classes of stock or series thereof are entitled to elect one or more directors by the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, vacancies and newly created directorships of such class or classes or series shall, unless the Board of Directors determines by resolution that any such vacancies or newly created directorships shall be filled by stockholders, be filled by a majority of the directors elected by such class or classes or series thereof then in office, or by a sole remaining director so elected. Any director elected in accordance with the preceding sentence shall hold office for the remainder of the full term of the director for which the vacancy was created or occurred and until such director’s successor shall have been elected and qualified. A vacancy in the Board of Directors shall be deemed to exist under this Bylaw in the case of the death, removal or resignation of any director.

 

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(b) At any time or times that the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, if, after the filling of any vacancy, the directors then in office who have been elected by stockholders shall constitute less than a majority of the directors then in office, then

(i) any holder or holders of an aggregate of 5% or more of the total number of shares at the time outstanding having the right to vote for those directors may call a special meeting of stockholders; or

(ii) the Superior Court of the proper county shall, upon application of such stockholder or stockholders, summarily order a special meeting of the stockholders, to be held to elect the entire board, all in accordance with Section 305(c) of the CGCL, the term of office of any director shall terminate upon that election of a successor.

Section 19. Resignation. Any director may resign at any time by delivering his or her notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Secretary, such resignation to specify whether it will be effective at a particular time, upon receipt by the Secretary or at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. If no such specification is made, it shall be deemed effective at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. When one or more directors shall resign from the Board of Directors, effective at a future date, a majority of the directors then in office, including those who have so resigned, shall have power to fill such vacancy or vacancies, the vote thereon to take effect when such resignation or resignations shall become effective, and each Director so chosen shall hold office for the unexpired portion of the term of the Director whose place shall be vacated and until his or her successor shall have been duly elected and qualified.

Section 20. Removal.

(a) Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law, the Board of Directors or any director may be removed from office at any time (i) with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally at an election of directors or (ii) without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the corporation, entitled to elect such director.

(b) During such time or times that the corporation is subject to Section 2115(b) of the CGCL, the Board of Directors or any individual director may be removed from office at any time without cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares entitled to vote on such removal; provided, however, that unless the entire Board is removed, no individual director may be removed when the votes cast against such director’s removal, or not consenting in writing to such removal, would be sufficient to elect that director if voted cumulatively at an election at which the same total number of votes were cast (or, if such action is taken by written consent, all shares entitled to vote were voted) and the entire number of directors authorized at the time of such director’s most recent election were then being elected.

Section 21. Meetings

(a) Regular Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, regular meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time or date and at any place within or without the State of Delaware that has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, including a voice-messaging system or other system designated to record and communicate messages, facsimile, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for a regular meeting of the Board of Directors.

 

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(b) Special Meetings. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation, special meetings of the Board of Directors may be held at any time and place within or without the State of Delaware whenever called by the Chairman of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), the President (if a director) or any director.

(c) Meetings by Electronic Communications Equipment. Any member of the Board of Directors, or of any committee thereof, may participate in a meeting by means of conference telephone or other communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting can hear each other, and participation in a meeting by such means shall constitute presence in person at such meeting.

(d) Notice of Special Meetings. Notice of the time and place of all special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice messaging system or other system or technology designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means, during normal business hours, at least 24 hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by US mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, postage prepaid at least three days before the date of the meeting. Notice of any meeting may be waived in writing or by electronic transmission at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends the meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

(e) Waiver of Notice. The transaction of all business at any meeting of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, however called or noticed, or wherever held, shall be as valid as though had at a meeting duly held after regular call and notice, if a quorum be present and if, either before or after the meeting, each of the directors not present who did not receive notice shall sign a written waiver of notice or shall waive notice by electronic transmission. All such waivers shall be filed with the corporate records or made a part of the minutes of the meeting.

Section 22. Quorum and Voting.

(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the total number of directors then serving; provided, however, that such number shall never be less than 1/3 of the total number of directors except that when one director is authorized, then one director shall constitute a quorum. At any meeting, whether a quorum be present or otherwise, a majority of the directors present may adjourn from time to time until the time fixed for the next regular meeting of the Board of Directors, without notice other than by announcement at the meeting. If the Certificate of Incorporation provides that one or more directors shall have more or less than one vote per director on any matter, every reference in this Section to a majority or other proportion of the directors shall refer to a majority or other proportion of the votes of the directors.

(b) At each meeting of the Board of Directors at which a quorum is present, all questions and business shall be determined by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors present, unless a different vote be required by law, the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws.

 

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Section 23. Action Without Meeting. Unless otherwise restricted by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, any action required or permitted to be taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or of any committee thereof may be taken without a meeting, if all members of the Board of Directors or committee, as the case may be, consent thereto in writing or by electronic transmission, and such writing or writings or transmission or transmissions are filed with the minutes of proceedings of the Board of Directors or committee. Such filing shall be in paper form if the minutes are maintained in paper form and shall be in electronic form if the minutes are maintained in electronic form.

Section 24. Fees and Compensation. Directors shall be entitled to such compensation for their services as may be approved by the Board of Directors, including, if so approved, by resolution of the Board of Directors, a fixed sum and expenses of attendance, if any, for attendance at each regular or special meeting of the Board of Directors and at any meeting of a committee of the Board of Directors. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to preclude any director from serving the corporation in any other capacity as an officer, agent, employee, or otherwise and receiving compensation therefor.

Section 25. Committees.

(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors. The Executive Committee, to the extent permitted by law and provided in the resolution of the Board of Directors, shall have and may exercise all the powers and authority of the Board of Directors in the management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers that may require it; but no such committee shall have the power or authority in reference to (i) approving or adopting, or recommending to the stockholders, any action or matter expressly required by the DGCL to be submitted to stockholders for approval, or (ii) adopting, amending or repealing any bylaw of the corporation.

(b) Other Committees. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, appoint such other committees as may be permitted by law. Such other committees appointed by the Board of Directors shall consist of one or more members of the Board of Directors and shall have such powers and perform such duties as may be prescribed by the resolution or resolutions creating such committees, but in no event shall any such committee have the powers denied to the Executive Committee in these Bylaws.

(c) Term. The Board of Directors, subject to any requirements of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock and the provisions of paragraphs (a) or (b) of this Section may at any time increase or decrease the number of members of a committee or terminate the existence of a committee. The membership of a committee member shall terminate on the date of his or her death or voluntary resignation from the committee or from the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may at any time for any reason remove any individual committee member and the Board of Directors may fill any committee vacancy created by death, resignation, removal or increase in the number of members of the committee. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of the committee, and, in addition, in the absence or disqualification of any member of a committee, the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously appoint another member of the Board of Directors to act at the meeting in the place of any such absent or disqualified member.

(d) Meetings. Unless the Board of Directors shall otherwise provide, regular meetings of the Executive Committee or any other committee appointed pursuant to this Section shall be held at such times and places as are determined by the Board of Directors, or by any such committee, and when notice thereof has been given to each member of such committee, no further notice of such regular meetings need be given thereafter. Special meetings of any such committee may be held at any place that has been determined from time to time by such committee, and may be called by any director who is a member of such committee, upon notice to the members of such committee of the time and place of such special meeting given in the manner provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the

 

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time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee may be waived in writing at any time before or after the meeting and will be waived by any director by attendance thereat, except when the director attends such special meeting for the express purpose of objecting, at the beginning of the meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened. Unless otherwise provided by the Board of Directors in the resolutions authorizing the creation of the committee, a majority of the authorized number of members of any such committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and the act of a majority of those present at any meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act of such committee.

Section 26. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairman has not been appointed or is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or if the Chief Executive Officer is not a director or is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is not a director or is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director) or, in the absence of any such person, a chairman of the meeting chosen by a majority of the directors present, shall preside over the meeting. The Secretary, or in his or her absence, any Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the Chief Executive Officer or President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 27. Officers Designated. The officers of the corporation shall include, if and when designated by the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer, all of whom shall be elected at the annual organizational meeting of the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also appoint a Controller; one or more Assistant Secretaries, Assistant Treasurers, Assistant Controllers; and such other officers and agents with such powers and duties as it shall deem necessary. The Board of Directors may assign such additional titles to one or more of the officers as it shall deem appropriate. Any one person may hold any number of offices of the corporation at any one time unless specifically prohibited therefrom by law. The salaries and other compensation of the officers of the corporation shall be fixed by or in the manner designated by the Board of Directors.

Section 28. Tenure and Duties of Officers.

(a) General. All officers shall hold office at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and until their successors shall have been duly elected and qualified, unless sooner removed. Any officer elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be removed at any time by the Board of Directors. If the office of any officer becomes vacant for any reason, the vacancy may be filled by the Board of Directors, or by the Chief Executive Officer or other officer if so authorized by the Board of Directors.

(b) Duties of Chairman of the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors, when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairman of the Board of Directors shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. If there is no Chief Executive Officer and no President, then the Chairman of the Board of Directors shall also serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the corporation and shall have the powers and duties prescribed in paragraph (c) of this Section.

 

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(c) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (if a director) at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. The Chief Executive Officer shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The Chief Executive Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(d) Duties of President. In the absence or disability of the Chief Executive Officer or if the office of Chief Executive Officer is vacant, the President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and (if a director) at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairman of the Board of Directors has been appointed and is present. If the office of Chief Executive Officer is vacant, the President shall be the chief executive officer of the corporation and shall, subject to the control of the Board of Directors, have general supervision, direction and control of the business and officers of the corporation. The President shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time.

(e) Duties of Vice Presidents. The Vice Presidents may assume and perform the duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President or whenever the office of President is vacant. The Vice Presidents shall perform other duties commonly incident to their office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the President shall designate from time to time.

(f) Duties of Secretary. The Secretary shall attend all meetings of the stockholders and of the Board of Directors and shall record all acts and proceedings thereof in the minute book of the corporation. The Secretary shall give notice in conformity with these Bylaws of all meetings of the stockholders and of all meetings of the Board of Directors and any committee thereof requiring notice. The Secretary shall perform all other duties provided for in these Bylaws and other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer may direct any Assistant Secretary to assume and perform the duties of the Secretary in the absence or disability of the Secretary, and each Assistant Secretary shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

(g) Duties of Chief Financial Officer. The Chief Financial Officer shall keep or cause to be kept the books of account of the corporation in a thorough and proper manner and shall render statements of the financial affairs of the corporation in such form and as often as required by the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Financial Officer, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Chief Financial Officer shall perform other duties commonly incident to his or her office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time. The Chief Executive Officer may direct the Treasurer or any Assistant Treasurer, or the Controller or any Assistant Controller to assume and perform the duties of the Chief Financial Officer in the absence or disability of the Chief Financial Officer, and each Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer and each Controller and Assistant Controller shall perform other duties commonly incident to the office and shall also perform such other duties and have such other powers as the Board of Directors or the Chief Executive Officer shall designate from time to time.

Section 29. Delegation of Authority. The Board of Directors may from time to time delegate the powers or duties of any officer to any other officer or agent, notwithstanding any provision hereof.

 

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Section 30. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission notice to the Board of Directors or to the Chief Executive Officer or to the President or to the Secretary. Any such resignation shall be effective when received by the person or persons to whom such notice is given, unless a later time is specified therein, in which event the resignation shall become effective at such later time. Unless otherwise specified in such notice, the acceptance of any such resignation shall not be necessary to make it effective. Any resignation shall be without prejudice to the rights, if any, of the corporation under any contract with the resigning officer.

Section 31. Removal. Any officer may be removed from office at any time, either with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors in office at the time, or by the unanimous written or electronic consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or superior officers upon whom such power of removal may have been conferred by the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE VI

EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING

OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

Section 32. Execution of Corporate Instruments. The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, determine the method and designate the signatory officer or officers, or other person or persons, to execute on behalf of the corporation any corporate instrument or document, or to sign on behalf of the corporation the corporate name, or to enter into contracts on behalf of the corporation, except where otherwise provided by law or these Bylaws, and such execution or signature shall be binding upon the corporation. All checks and drafts drawn on banks or other depositaries of funds to the credit of the corporation or on special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do. Unless authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or within the agency power of an officer, no officer, agent or employee shall have any power or authority to bind the corporation by any contract or engagement or to pledge its credit or to render it liable for any purpose or for any amount.

Section 33. Voting of Securities Owned by the Corporation. All stock and other securities of other corporations owned or held by the corporation for itself, or for other parties in any capacity, shall be voted, and all proxies with respect thereto shall be executed, by the person authorized so to do by resolution of the Board of Directors, or, in the absence of such authorization, by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.

ARTICLE VII

SHARES OF STOCK

Section 34. Form and Execution of Certificates. The shares of the corporation shall be represented by certificates, or shall be uncertificated. Certificates for the shares of stock, if any, of the corporation shall be in such form as is consistent with the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law. Every holder of shares of stock in the corporation represented by certificate shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, or the President or any Vice President and by the Treasurer or Assistant Treasurer or the Secretary or Assistant Secretary, certifying the number of shares owned by him or her in the corporation. Any or all of the signatures on the certificate may be facsimiles. In case any officer, transfer agent, or registrar who has signed or whose facsimile signature has been placed upon a certificate shall have ceased to be such officer, transfer agent, or registrar before such certificate is issued, it may be issued with the same effect as if he or she were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

 

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Section 35. Lost Certificates. A new certificate or certificates shall be issued in place of any certificate or certificates theretofore issued by the corporation alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed, upon the making of an affidavit of that fact by the person claiming the certificate of stock to be lost, stolen, or destroyed. The corporation may require, as a condition precedent to the issuance of a new certificate or certificates, the owner of such lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate or certificates, or the owner’s legal representative, to agree to indemnify the corporation in such manner as it shall require or to give the corporation a surety bond in such form and amount as it may direct as indemnity against any claim that may be made against the corporation with respect to the certificate alleged to have been lost, stolen, or destroyed.

Section 36. Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Subject to paragraph (g) of this Section, no holder of any of the shares of stock of the corporation may sell, transfer, assign, pledge, or otherwise dispose of or encumber any of the shares of stock of the corporation or any right or interest therein, whether voluntarily or by operation of law, or by gift or otherwise (each, a “Transfer”) without the prior written consent of the corporation, upon duly authorized action of its Board of Directors. The corporation may withhold consent for any legitimate corporate purpose, as determined by the Board of Directors. Examples of the basis for the corporation to withhold its consent include, without limitation, (i) if such Transfer to individuals, companies or any other form of entity identified by the corporation as a potential competitor or considered by the corporation to be unfriendly; or (ii) if such Transfer increases the risk of the corporation having a class of security held of record by 2,000 or more persons, or 500 or more persons who are not accredited investors (as such term is defined by the SEC), as described in Section 12(g) of the 1934 Act and any related regulations, or otherwise requiring the corporation to register any class of securities under the 1934 Act; or (iii) if such Transfer would result in the loss of any federal or state securities law exemption relied upon by the corporation in connection with the initial issuance of such shares or the issuance of any other securities; or (iv) if such Transfer is facilitated in any manner by any public posting, message board, trading portal, internet site, or similar method of communication, including without limitation any trading portal or internet site intended to facilitate secondary transfers of securities; or (v) if such Transfer is to be effected in a brokered transaction; or (vi) if such Transfer represents a Transfer of less than all of the shares then held by the stockholder and its affiliates or is to be made to more than a single transferee.

(b) If a stockholder desires to Transfer any shares, then the stockholder shall first give written notice thereof to the corporation. The notice shall name the proposed transferee and state the number of shares to be transferred, the proposed consideration, and all other terms and conditions of the proposed transfer. Any shares proposed to be transferred to which Transfer the corporation has consented pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section will first be subject to the corporation’s right of first refusal located in Section 37 of these Bylaws.

(c) At the option of the corporation, the stockholder shall be obligated to pay to the corporation a reasonable transfer fee related to the costs and time of the corporation and its legal and other advisors related to any proposed Transfer.

(d) Any Transfer, or purported Transfer, of shares not made in strict compliance with this Section shall be null and void, shall not be recorded on the books of the corporation and shall not be recognized by the corporation.

(e) The foregoing restriction on Transfer shall terminate upon the date securities of the corporation are first offered to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed with, and declared effective by, the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”).

 

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(f) The certificates representing shares of stock of the corporation shall bear on their face the following legend so long as the foregoing Transfer restrictions are in effect:

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A TRANSFER RESTRICTION, AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

(g) Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the transactions described in paragraph (f) of Section 37 shall be exempt from the transfer restrictions of this Section 36.

Section 37. Right of First Refusal. No stockholder shall Transfer any of the shares of stock of the corporation, except by a Transfer that meets the requirements set forth in this Section 37, in addition to any other restrictions or requirements set forth under applicable law or these Bylaws:

(a) If the stockholder desires to Transfer any of his or her shares of stock, then the stockholder shall first give written notice thereof to the corporation. The notice shall name the proposed transferee and state the number of shares to be transferred, the proposed consideration, and all other terms and conditions of the proposed transfer.

(b) For 30 days following receipt of such notice, the corporation shall have the option to purchase up to all the shares specified in the notice at the price and upon the terms set forth in such notice; provided, however, that, with the consent of the stockholder, the corporation shall have the option to purchase a lesser portion of the shares specified in said notice at the price and upon the terms set forth therein. In the event of a gift, property settlement or other Transfer in which the proposed transferee is not paying the full price for the shares, and that is not otherwise exempted from the provisions of this Section, the price shall be deemed to be the fair market value of the stock at such time as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors. In the event the corporation elects to purchase all of the shares or, with consent of the stockholder, a lesser portion of the shares, it shall give written notice to the transferring stockholder of its election and settlement for said shares shall be made as provided below in paragraph (d) of this Section.

(c) The corporation may assign its rights hereunder.

(d) In the event the corporation and/or its assignee(s) elect to acquire any of the shares of the transferring stockholder as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice, the Secretary of the corporation shall so notify the transferring stockholder and settlement thereof shall be made in cash within 30 days after the Secretary of the corporation receives said transferring stockholder’s notice; provided that if the terms of payment set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice were other than cash against delivery, the corporation and/or its assignee(s) shall pay for said shares on the same terms and conditions set forth in said transferring stockholder’s notice.

(e) In the event the corporation and/or its assignees(s) do not elect to acquire all of the shares specified in the transferring stockholder’s notice, said transferring stockholder may, subject to the corporation’s approval and all other restrictions on Transfer located in Section 36 of these Bylaws, within the 60-day period following the expiration or waiver of the option rights granted to the corporation and/or its assignees(s) herein, Transfer the shares specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice that were not acquired by the corporation and/or its assignees(s) as specified in said transferring stockholder’s notice. All shares so sold by said transferring stockholder shall continue to be subject to the provisions of this Bylaw in the same manner as before said Transfer.

 

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(f) Anything to the contrary contained herein notwithstanding, the following transactions shall be exempt from the right of first refusal in paragraph (a) of this Section:

(1) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all shares held either during such stockholder’s lifetime or on death by will or intestacy to such stockholder’s immediate family or to any custodian or trustee for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family or to any limited partnership of which the stockholder, members of such stockholder’s immediate family or any trust for the account of such stockholder or such stockholder’s immediate family will be the general or limited partner(s) of such partnership. “Immediate family” as used herein shall mean spouse, lineal descendant, father, mother, brother, or sister of the stockholder making such Transfer;

(2) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to the corporation;

(3) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to a person who, at the time of such Transfer, is an officer or director of the corporation;

(4) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of any merger, consolidation, reclassification of shares or capital reorganization of the corporate stockholder, or pursuant to a sale of all or substantially all of the stock or assets of a corporate stockholder;

(5) A corporate stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of its shares to any or all of its stockholders;

(6) A Transfer by a stockholder that is a limited or general partnership to any or all of its partners or former partners in accordance with partnership interests;

(7) A stockholder’s Transfer of any or all of such stockholder’s shares to, any other person or entity that, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such stockholder, including without limitation any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such stockholder, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners, managing members or investment adviser of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such stockholder; or

(8) Any other Transfer not included in paragraphs (1) though (7) above described in Section 3.1 of that certain Right of First Refusal and Co-Sale Agreement, entered into by and among the corporation and the parties thereto on or around July 26, 2021, and as may be amended and/or restated from time to time.

In any such case, the transferee, assignee, or other recipient shall receive and hold such stock subject to the provisions of this Section and any other restrictions set forth in these Bylaws, and there shall be no further Transfer of such stock except in accord with this Section and the other provisions of these Bylaws.

(g) The provisions of this Bylaw may be waived with respect to any Transfer either by the corporation, upon duly authorized action of its Board of Directors, or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the corporation (excluding the votes represented by those shares to be transferred by the transferring stockholder). This Bylaw may be amended or repealed either by a duly authorized action of the Board of Directors or by the stockholders, upon the express written consent of the owners of a majority of the voting power of the corporation.

 

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(h) Any Transfer, or purported Transfer, of securities of the corporation shall be null and void unless the terms, conditions, and provisions of this Bylaw are strictly observed and followed.

(i) The foregoing right of first refusal shall terminate upon the date securities of the corporation are first offered to the public pursuant to a registration statement filed with, and declared effective by, the SEC under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(j) The certificates representing shares of stock of the corporation that are subject to the right of first refusal in paragraph (a) of this Section shall bear on their face the following legend so long as the foregoing right of first refusal remains in effect:

“THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S), AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

(k) To the extent this Section conflicts with any written agreements between the corporation and the stockholder attempting to Transfer shares, such agreement shall control.

Section 38. Fixing Record Dates.

(a) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders or any adjournment thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which record date shall, subject to applicable law, not be more than 60 nor less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the Board of Directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall be at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day immediately preceding the day on which the meeting is held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting of stockholders shall apply to any adjournment of the meeting; provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting.

(b) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, the Board of Directors may fix a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors, and which date shall not be more than 10 days after the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted by the Board of Directors. Any stockholder of record seeking to have the stockholders authorize or take corporate action by written consent shall, by written notice to the Secretary, request the Board of Directors to fix a record date. The Board of Directors shall promptly, but in all events within 10 days after the date on which such a request is received, adopt a resolution fixing the record date. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors within 10 days of the date on which such a request is received, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting, when no prior action by the Board of Directors is required by applicable law, shall be the first date on which a signed written consent setting forth the action taken or proposed to be taken is delivered to the corporation by delivery to its registered office in the State of Delaware, its principal place of business or an officer or agent of the corporation having custody of the book in which proceedings of meetings of stockholders are recorded. Delivery made to the corporation’s registered office shall be by hand or by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested. If no record date has been fixed by the Board of Directors and prior action by the Board of Directors is required by law, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to consent to corporate action in writing without a meeting shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution taking such prior action.

 

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(c) In order that the corporation may determine the stockholders entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other distribution or allotment of any rights or the stockholders entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange of stock, or for the purpose of any other lawful action, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a record date, which record date shall not precede the date upon which the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be not more than 60 days prior to such action. If no record date is fixed, the record date for determining stockholders for any such purpose shall be at the close of business on the day on which the Board of Directors adopts the resolution relating thereto.

Section 39. Registered Stockholders. The corporation shall be entitled to recognize the exclusive right of a person registered on its books as the owner of shares to receive dividends, and to vote as such owner, and shall not be bound to recognize any equitable or other claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of any other person whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof, except as otherwise provided by the laws of Delaware.

ARTICLE VIII

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

Section 40. Execution of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 34 of these Bylaws), may be signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President or any Vice President, or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, and the corporate seal impressed thereon or a facsimile of such seal imprinted thereon and attested by the signature of the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, or the Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer; provided, however, that where any such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be authenticated by the manual signature, or where permissible facsimile signature, of a trustee under an indenture pursuant to which such bond, debenture or other corporate security shall be issued, the signatures of the persons signing and attesting the corporate seal on such bond, debenture or other corporate security may be the imprinted facsimile of the signatures of such persons. Interest coupons appertaining to any such bond, debenture or other corporate security, authenticated by a trustee as aforesaid, shall be signed by the Treasurer or an Assistant Treasurer of the corporation or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of Directors, or bear imprinted thereon the facsimile signature of such person. In case any officer who shall have signed or attested any bond, debenture or other corporate security, or whose facsimile signature shall appear thereon or on any such interest coupon, shall have ceased to be such officer before the bond, debenture or other corporate security so signed or attested shall have been delivered, such bond, debenture or other corporate security nevertheless may be adopted by the corporation and issued and delivered as though the person who signed the same or whose facsimile signature shall have been used thereon had not ceased to be such officer of the corporation.

ARTICLE IX

DIVIDENDS

Section 41. Declaration of Dividends. Dividends upon the capital stock of the corporation, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law, if any, may be declared by the Board of Directors pursuant to law at any regular or special meeting. Dividends may be paid in cash, in property, or in shares of the capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

 

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Section 42. Dividend Reserve. Before payment of any dividend, there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation available for dividends such sum or sums as the Board of Directors from time to time, in their absolute discretion, think proper as a reserve or reserves to meet contingencies, or for equalizing dividends, or for repairing or maintaining any property of the corporation, or for such other purpose as the Board of Directors shall think conducive to the interests of the corporation, and the Board of Directors may modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.

ARTICLE X

FISCAL YEAR

Section 43. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 44. Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents.

(a) Directors and Executive Officers. The corporation shall indemnify its directors and executive officers (for the purposes of this Article, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law; provided, however, that the corporation may modify the extent of such indemnification by individual contracts with its directors and executive officers; and, provided, further, that the corporation shall not be required to indemnify any director or executive officer in connection with any proceeding (or part thereof) initiated by such person unless (i) such indemnification is expressly required to be made by law, (ii) the proceeding was authorized by the Board of Directors of the corporation, (iii) such indemnification is provided by the corporation, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the corporation under the DGCL or any other applicable law or (iv) such indemnification is required to be made under paragraph (d) of this Section.

(b) Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents. The corporation shall have power to indemnify its other officers, employees and other agents as set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law. The Board of Directors shall have the power to delegate the determination of whether indemnification shall be given to any such person except executive officers to such officers or other persons as the Board of Directors shall determine.

(c) Expenses. The corporation shall advance to any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director or executive officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the corporation as a director or executive officer of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, prior to the final disposition of the proceeding, promptly following request therefor, all expenses incurred by any director or executive officer in connection with such proceeding, provided, however, that, if the DGCL requires, an advancement of expenses incurred by a director or officer in his or her capacity as a director or officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including,

 

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without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking, by or on behalf of such indemnitee, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall ultimately be determined by final judicial decision from which there is no further right to appeal that such indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified for such expenses under this Section or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined pursuant to paragraph (e) of this Section, no advance shall be made by the corporation to an executive officer of the corporation (except by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation, in which event this paragraph shall not apply) in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, if a determination is reasonably and promptly made (i) by a majority vote of a quorum consisting of directors who were not parties to the proceeding, even if not a quorum, or (ii) by a committee of such directors designated by a majority of such directors, even though less than a quorum, or (iii) if there are no such directors, or such directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, that the facts known to the decision-making party at the time such determination is made demonstrate clearly and convincingly that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation.

(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Section shall be deemed to be contractual rights and be effective to the same extent and as if provided for in a contract between the corporation and the director or executive officer. Any right to indemnification or advances granted by this Section to a director or executive officer shall be enforceable by or on behalf of the person holding such right in any court of competent jurisdiction if (i) the claim for indemnification or advances is denied, in whole or in part, or (ii) no disposition of such claim is made within 90 days of request therefor. The claimant in such enforcement action, if successful in whole or in part, shall be entitled to be paid also the expense of prosecuting the claim. In connection with any claim for indemnification, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense to any such action that the claimant has not met the standards of conduct that make it permissible under the DGCL or any other applicable law for the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed. In connection with any claim by an executive officer of the corporation (except in any action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that such executive officer is or was a director of the corporation) for advances, the corporation shall be entitled to raise as a defense as to any such action clear and convincing evidence that such person acted in bad faith or in a manner that such person did not believe to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, or with respect to any criminal action or proceeding that such person acted without reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was lawful. Neither the failure of the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in the DGCL or any other applicable law, nor an actual determination by the corporation (including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or its stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Section shall not be exclusive of any other right that such person may have or hereafter acquire under any applicable statute, provision of the Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action in his or her official capacity and as to action in another capacity while holding office. The corporation is specifically authorized to enter into individual contracts with any or all of its directors, officers, employees or agents respecting indemnification and advances, to the fullest extent not prohibited by the DGCL or any other applicable law.

 

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(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Section shall continue as to a person who has ceased to be a director or executive officer and shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

(g) Insurance. To the fullest extent permitted by the DGCL, or any other applicable law, the corporation, upon approval by the Board of Directors, may purchase insurance on behalf of any person required or permitted to be indemnified pursuant to this Section.

(h) Amendments. Any repeal or modification of this Section shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights under this Bylaw in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any action or omission to act that is the cause of any proceeding against any agent of the corporation.

(i) Saving Clause. If this Section or any portion hereof shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction, then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent not prohibited by any applicable portion of this Bylaw that shall not have been invalidated, or by any other applicable law. If this Section shall be invalid due to the application of the indemnification provisions of another jurisdiction, then the corporation shall indemnify each director and executive officer to the full extent under applicable law.

(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions shall apply:

(1) The term “proceeding” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, the investigation, preparation, prosecution, defense, settlement, arbitration and appeal of, and the giving of testimony in, any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative.

(2) The term “expenses” shall be broadly construed and shall include, without limitation, court costs, attorneys’ fees, witness fees, fines, amounts paid in settlement or judgment and any other costs and expenses of any nature or kind incurred in connection with any proceeding.

(3) The term the “corporation” shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a consolidation or merger that, if its separate existence had continued, would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers, and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under the provisions of this Section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as he would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate existence had continued.

(4) References to a “director,” “executive officer,” “officer,” “employee,” or “agent” of the corporation shall include, without limitation, situations where such person is serving at the request of the corporation as, respectively, a director, executive officer, officer, employee, trustee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise.

(5) References to “other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to an employee benefit plan; and references to “serving at the request of the corporation” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation that imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants, or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in the interest of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the corporation” as referred to in this Section.

 

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ARTICLE XII

NOTICES

Section 45. Notices.

(a) Notice to Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 of these Bylaws. Without limiting the manner by which notice may otherwise be given effectively to stockholders under any agreement or contract with such stockholder, and except as otherwise required by law, written notice to stockholders for purposes other than stockholder meetings may be sent by United States mail or nationally recognized overnight courier, or by facsimile, telegraph or telex or by electronic mail or other electronic means.

(b) Notice to Directors. Any notice required to be given to any director may be given by the method stated in paragraph (a) of this Section, or as provided for in Section 21 of these Bylaws. If such notice is not delivered personally, it shall be sent to such address as such director shall have filed in writing with the Secretary, or, in the absence of such filing, to the last known post office address of such director.

(c) Affidavit of Mailing. An affidavit of mailing, executed by a duly authorized and competent employee of the corporation or its transfer agent appointed with respect to the class of stock affected or other agent, specifying the name and address or the names and addresses of the stockholder or stockholders, or director or directors, to whom any such notice or notices was or were given, and the time and method of giving the same, shall in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein contained.

(d) Methods of Notice. It shall not be necessary that the same method of giving notice be employed in respect of all recipients of notice, but one permissible method may be employed in respect of any one or more, and any other permissible method or methods may be employed in respect of any other or others.

(e) Notice to Person with Whom Communication Is Unlawful. Whenever notice is required to be given, under any provision of law or of the Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the corporation, to any person with whom communication is unlawful, the giving of such notice to such person shall not be required and there shall be no duty to apply to any governmental authority or agency for a license or permit to give such notice to such person. Any action or meeting that shall be taken or held without notice to any such person with whom communication is unlawful shall have the same force and effect as if such notice had been duly given. In the event that the action taken by the corporation is such as to require the filing of a certificate under any provision of the DGCL, the certificate shall state, if such is the fact and if notice is required, that notice was given to all persons entitled to receive notice except such persons with whom communication is unlawful.

(f) Notice to Stockholders Sharing an Address. Except as otherwise prohibited under DGCL, any notice given under the provisions of DGCL, the Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws shall be effective if given by a single written notice to stockholders who share an address if consented to by the stockholders at that address to whom such notice is given. Such consent shall have been deemed to have been given if such stockholder fails to object in writing to the corporation within 60 days of having been given notice by the corporation of its intention to send the single notice. Any consent shall be revocable by the stockholder by written notice to the corporation.

 

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ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 46. Amendments. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal Bylaws of the corporation. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the corporation required by law or by the Certificate of Incorporation, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the corporation entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

ARTICLE XIV

LOANS TO OFFICERS

Section 47. Loans to Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited under applicable law, the corporation may lend money to, or guarantee any obligation of, or otherwise assist any officer or other employee of the corporation or of its subsidiaries, including any officer or employee who is a Director of the corporation or its subsidiaries, whenever, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such loan, guarantee or assistance may reasonably be expected to benefit the corporation. The loan, guarantee or other assistance may be with or without interest and may be unsecured, or secured in such manner as the Board of Directors shall approve, including, without limitation, a pledge of shares of stock of the corporation. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to deny, limit or restrict the powers of guaranty or warranty of the corporation at common law or under any statute.

ARTICLE XV

MISCELLANEOUS

Section 48. Annual Report.

(a) Subject to the provisions of paragraph (b) of this Section, the Board of Directors shall cause an annual report to be sent to each stockholder of the corporation not later than 120 days after the close of the corporation’s fiscal year. Such report shall include a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and an income statement and statement of changes in financial position for such fiscal year, accompanied by any report thereon of independent accountants or, if there is no such report, the certificate of an authorized officer of the corporation that such statements were prepared without audit from the books and records of the corporation. When there are more than 100 stockholders of record of the corporation’s shares, as determined by Section 605 of the CGCL, additional information as required by Section 1501(b) of the CGCL shall also be contained in such report, provided that if the corporation has a class of securities registered under Section 12 of the 1934 Act, the 1934 Act shall take precedence. Such report shall be sent to stockholders at least 15 days prior to the next annual meeting of stockholders after the end of the fiscal year to which it relates.

(b) If and so long as there are fewer than 100 holders of record of the corporation’s shares, the requirement of sending of an annual report to the stockholders of the corporation is hereby expressly waived.

 

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Section 49. Forum. Unless the corporation consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the corporation; (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any director, officer or other employee of the corporation to the corporation or the corporation’s stockholders; (iii) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation arising pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, the certificate of incorporation or the Bylaws of the corporation; or (iv) any action asserting a claim against the corporation or any director or officer or other employee of the corporation governed by the internal affairs doctrine.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

CERTIFICATE OF SECRETARY

I HEREBY CERTIFY THAT:

I am the duly elected and acting Secretary of ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”); and

Attached hereto is a complete and accurate copy of the Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company as duly adopted by the Board of Directors by Unanimous Written Consent and the stockholders by Unanimous Written Consent, each dated July 13, 2021 and said Amended and Restated Bylaws are presently in effect.

Signed on July 13, 2021.

 

/s/ Peter Colis

PETER COLIS
Secretary
EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is entered into as of July 26, 2021, by and among ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) and the investors listed on Exhibit A hereto, referred to hereinafter as the “Investors” and each individually as an “Investor.”

RECITALS

WHEREAS, certain of the Investors (the “Existing Investors”) hold shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), Series C Preferred Stock (the “Series C Preferred Stock”) and Series D Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) and possess registration rights, information rights, rights of first offer and other rights pursuant to that certain Amended and Restated Investor Rights Agreement dated as of April 30, 2021, by and among the Company and such Existing Investors, as amended (the “Prior Agreement”);

WHEREAS, the Existing Investors are holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities of the Company (as defined in the Prior Agreement), and desire to amend and restate the Prior Agreement in its entirety and to accept the rights and obligations created pursuant to this Agreement in lieu of the rights and obligations created pursuant to the Prior Agreement;

WHEREAS, certain of the Investors are parties to that certain Series D-1 Preferred Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 14, 2021, by and among the Company and such Investors (the “Purchase Agreement”), under which certain of the Company’s and such Investors’ obligations are conditioned upon the execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Investors and certain Existing Investors and the Company; and

WHEREAS, the parties desire to entire into this Agreement in order to grant registration rights, information rights and other rights to the Investors as set forth below.

NOW, THEREFORE, the Existing Investors hereby agree that the Prior Agreement shall be amended and restated in its entirety, and the parties to this Agreement further agree as follows:

SECTION 1. GENERAL.

1.1 Definitions. As used in this Agreement the following terms shall have the following respective meanings:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person who, directly or indirectly, controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person, including without limitation any general partner, managing member, officer, director or trustee of such Person, or any venture capital fund or registered investment company now or hereafter existing that is controlled by one or more general partners, managing members or investment adviser of, or shares the same management company or investment adviser with, such Person; provided that for the sake of clarity, with respect to SVF II Aggregator (DE) LLC (“SoftBank”) only, “Affiliate” shall also include any successor fund to SoftBank Vision Fund II-2 L.P. that is managed by an Affiliate of SoftBank including SB Investment Advisors (UK) Limited or SB Investment Advisors (US) Inc. For purposes of this definition, the terms “controlling,”

 

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“controlled by,” or “under common control with” shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of (a) the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract, or otherwise, or (b) the power to elect or appoint at least 50% of the directors, managers, general partners, or persons exercising similar authority with respect to such Person.

(b) “Certificate of Incorporation” means the Company’s Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as in effect on the date of this Agreement and as may be amended or restated from time to time.

(c) “Competitor” means a person or entity engaged, directly or indirectly (including through any partnership, limited liability company, corporation, joint venture or similar arrangement (whether now existing or formed hereafter)) in the business of the Company, but shall not include (i) any financial investment firm, venture capital firm or collective investment vehicle solely by virtue of its ownership (and/or its Affiliates’ ownership) of an equity interest in any Competitor held solely for investment purposes, (ii) GV 2017, L.P., GV 2019, L.P., GV 2021, L.P. or any of their affiliated funds (collectively, “GV”), solely as a result of any affiliation between such fund and Alphabet Inc. (including any Affiliate of Alphabet Inc.) or (iii) SoftBank or any of its Affiliates.

(d) Exchange Actmeans the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(e) Form S-3means such form under the Securities Act as in effect on the date hereof or any successor or similar registration form under the Securities Act subsequently adopted by the SEC which permits inclusion or incorporation of substantial information by reference to other documents filed by the Company with the SEC.

(f) Holdermeans any person owning of record Registrable Securities that have not been sold to the public or any assignee of record of such Registrable Securities in accordance with Section 2.9 hereof.

(g) Initial Offeringmeans the Company’s first firm commitment underwritten public offering of its Common Stock registered under the Securities Act.

(h) “Major Investor” means any Investor that, with its Affiliates, owns not less than 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like). For purposes of Sections 3.1(b) through (f) only, RGAx LLC shall be considered a Major Investor, to the extent it holds shares of capital stock in the Company.

(i) “Person” means an individual, firm, corporation, partnership, association, limited liability company, trust or any other entity.

(j) “Preferred Stock” means the shares of the Company’s Series A Preferred Stock, Series A-1 Preferred Stock, Series A-2 Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock and Series D-1 Preferred Stock, collectively.

(k) Register,” “registered, and registrationrefer to a registration effected by preparing and filing a registration statement in compliance with the Securities Act, and the declaration or ordering of effectiveness of such registration statement or document.

 

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(l) Registrable Securitiesmeans (a) Common Stock of the Company issuable or issued upon conversion of the Shares, (b) any Common Stock, or any Common Stock issued or issuable (directly or indirectly) upon conversion and/or exercise of any other securities of the Company, acquired by the Investors after the date hereof and pursuant to a transaction approved by the Board of Directors of the Company and (c) any Common Stock of the Company issued as (or issuable upon the conversion or exercise of any warrant, right or other security which is issued as) a dividend or other distribution with respect to, or in exchange for or in replacement of, such above-described securities. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Registrable Securities shall not include any securities (i) sold by a person to the public either pursuant to a registration statement or Rule 144 or (ii) sold in a private transaction in which the transferor’s rights under Section 2 of this Agreement are not assigned.

(m) Registrable Securities then outstandingshall be the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that are Registrable Securities and either (a) are then issued and outstanding or (b) are issuable pursuant to then exercisable or convertible securities.

(n) Registration Expensesshall mean all expenses incurred by the Company in complying with Sections 2.2, 2.3 and 2.4 hereof, including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, printing expenses, fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company, reasonable fees and disbursements not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars ($25,000) of a single special counsel for the Holders, blue sky fees and expenses and the expense of any special audits incident to or required by any such registration (but excluding the compensation of regular employees of the Company which shall be paid in any event by the Company).

(o) SEC or Commissionmeans the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(p) Securities Actshall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(q) Selling Expensesshall mean all underwriting discounts and selling commissions applicable to the sale.

(r) “Series Preferred Director” means any director of the Company that the holders of record of one or more series of the Preferred Stock are entitled to elect, exclusively and as a separate class, pursuant to the Certificate of Incorporation.

(s) “Sharesshall mean the Preferred Stock held from time to time by the Investors and their permitted assigns.

(t) Special Registration Statement shall mean (i) a registration statement relating to any employee benefit plan or (ii) with respect to any corporate reorganization or transaction under Rule 145 of the Securities Act, any registration statements related to the issuance or resale of securities issued in such a transaction or (iii) a registration related to stock issued upon conversion of debt securities.

 

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SECTION 2. REGISTRATION; RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER.

2.1 Restrictions on Transfer.

(a) Each Holder agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Shares or Registrable Securities unless and until:

(i) there is then in effect a registration statement under the Securities Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or

(ii) (A) the transferee has agreed in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement, (B) such Holder shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and shall have furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and (C) if reasonably requested by the Company, such Holder shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration of such shares under the Securities Act. It is agreed that the Company will not require opinions of counsel for transactions made pursuant to Rule 144, except in unusual circumstances. After its Initial Offering, the Company will not require any transferee pursuant to Rule 144 to be bound by the terms of this Agreement if the shares so transferred do not remain Registrable Securities hereunder following such transfer.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) above, no such restriction shall apply to a transfer by a Holder that is (A) a partnership transferring to its partners or former partners in accordance with partnership interests, (B) a corporation transferring to a wholly-owned subsidiary or a parent corporation that owns all of the capital stock of the Holder, (C) a limited liability company transferring to its members or former members in accordance with their interest in the limited liability company, (D) an individual transferring to the Holder’s family member or trust for the benefit of an individual Holder, or (E) an entity transferring to its Affiliates; provided that in each case the transferee will agree in writing to be subject to the terms of this Agreement to the same extent as if he were an original Holder hereunder.

(c) Each certificate representing Shares or Registrable Securities shall be stamped or otherwise imprinted with legends substantially similar to the following (in addition to any legend required under applicable state securities laws):

THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE “ACT”) AND MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED, ASSIGNED, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER THE ACT OR UNLESS THE COMPANY HAS RECEIVED AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY AND ITS COUNSEL THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A TRANSFER RESTRICTION, AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.

THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S), AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.

 

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THE SALE, PLEDGE, HYPOTHECATION OR TRANSFER OF THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE IS SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF A CERTAIN INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT BY AND BETWEEN THE STOCKHOLDER AND THE COMPANY. COPIES OF SUCH AGREEMENT MAY BE OBTAINED UPON WRITTEN REQUEST TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY.

(d) The Company shall be obligated to reissue promptly unlegended certificates at the request of any Holder thereof if the Company has completed its Initial Offering and the Holder shall have obtained an opinion of counsel (which counsel may be counsel to the Company) reasonably acceptable to the Company to the effect that the securities proposed to be disposed of may lawfully be so disposed of without registration, qualification and legend, provided that the second legend listed above shall be removed only at such time as the Holder of such certificate is no longer subject to any restrictions hereunder.

(e) Any legend endorsed on an instrument pursuant to applicable state securities laws and the stop-transfer instructions with respect to such securities shall be removed upon receipt by the Company of an order of the appropriate blue sky authority authorizing such removal.

2.2 Demand Registration.

(a) Subject to the conditions of this Section 2.2, if the Company shall receive a written request from the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities (the “Initiating Holders”) that the Company file a registration statement under the Securities Act covering the registration of at least forty percent (40%) of the Registrable Securities then outstanding (or a lesser percent if the anticipated aggregate offering price, net of underwriting discounts and commissions, would exceed $7,500,000), then the Company shall, within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof, give written notice of such request to all Holders, and subject to the limitations of this Section 2.2, effect, as expeditiously as reasonably possible, the registration under the Securities Act of all Registrable Securities that all Holders request to be registered.

(b) If the Initiating Holders intend to distribute the Registrable Securities covered by their request by means of an underwriting, they shall so advise the Company as a part of their request made pursuant to this Section 2.2 or any request pursuant to Section 2.4 and the Company shall include such information in the written notice referred to in Section 2.2(a) or Section 2.4(a), as applicable. In such event, the right of any Holder to include its Registrable Securities in such registration shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Initiating Holders (which underwriter or underwriters shall be reasonably acceptable to the Company). Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 2.2 or Section 2.4, if the underwriter advises the Company that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of securities to be underwritten (including Registrable Securities) then the Company shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated to the Holders of such Registrable Securities on a pro rata basis based on the number of Registrable Securities held by all such Holders (including the Initiating Holders); provided, however, that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting and registration shall not be reduced unless all other securities of the Company are first entirely excluded from the underwriting and registration. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be withdrawn from the registration.

 

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(c) The Company shall not be required to effect a registration pursuant to this Section 2.2:

(i) prior to the earlier of (A) the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (B) of the expiration of the restrictions on transfer set forth in Section 2.11 following the Initial Offering;

(ii) after the Company has effected two (2) registrations pursuant to this Section 2.2, and such registrations have been declared or ordered effective;

(iii) during the period starting with the date of filing of, and ending on the date one hundred eighty (180) days following the effective date of the registration statement pertaining to a public offering, other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement; provided that the Company makes reasonable good faith efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective;

(iv) if within thirty (30) days of receipt of a written request from Initiating Holders pursuant to Section 2.2(a), the Company gives notice to the Holders of the Company’s intention to file a registration statement for a public offering, other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement within ninety (90) days;

(v) if the Company shall furnish to Holders requesting a registration statement pursuant to this Section 2.2 a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such registration statement to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer such filing for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request of the Initiating Holders; provided that such right to delay a request shall be exercised by the Company not more than twice in any twelve (12) month period;

(vi) if the Initiating Holders propose to dispose of shares of Registrable Securities that may be immediately registered on Form S-3 pursuant to a request made pursuant to Section 2.4 below; or

(vii) in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance.

2.3 Piggyback Registrations. The Company shall notify all Holders of Registrable Securities in writing at least fifteen (15) days prior to the filing of any registration statement under the Securities Act for purposes of a public offering of securities of the Company (including, but not limited to, registration statements relating to secondary offerings of securities of the Company, but excluding Special Registration Statements) and will afford each such Holder an opportunity to include in such registration statement all or part of such Registrable Securities held by such Holder. Each Holder desiring to include in any such registration statement all or any part of the Registrable Securities held by it shall, within fifteen (15) days after the above-described notice from the Company, so notify the Company in writing. Such notice shall state the intended method of disposition of the Registrable Securities by such Holder. If a Holder decides not to include all of its Registrable Securities in any registration statement thereafter filed by the Company, such Holder shall nevertheless continue to have the right to include any Registrable Securities in any subsequent registration statement or registration statements as may be filed by the Company with respect to offerings of its securities, all upon the terms and conditions set forth herein.

 

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(a) Underwriting. If the registration statement of which the Company gives notice under this Section 2.3 is for an underwritten offering, the Company shall so advise the Holders of Registrable Securities. In such event, the right of any such Holder to include Registrable Securities in a registration pursuant to this Section 2.3 shall be conditioned upon such Holder’s participation in such underwriting and the inclusion of such Holder’s Registrable Securities in the underwriting to the extent provided herein. All Holders proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting shall enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the underwriter or underwriters selected for such underwriting by the Company. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, if the Company determines in good faith, based on consultation with the underwriter, that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, the number of shares that may be included in the underwriting shall be allocated, first, to the Company; second, to the Holders on a pro rata basis based on the total number of Registrable Securities held by the Holders; and third, to any stockholder of the Company (other than a Holder) on a pro rata basis; provided, however, that no such reduction shall reduce the amount of securities of the selling Holders included in the registration below thirty percent (30%) of the total amount of securities included in such registration, unless such offering is the Initial Offering and such registration does not include shares of any other selling stockholders, in which event any or all of the Registrable Securities of the Holders may be excluded in accordance with the immediately preceding clause. If any Holder disapproves of the terms of any such underwriting, such Holder may elect to withdraw therefrom by written notice to the Company and the underwriter, delivered at least ten (10) business days prior to the effective date of the registration statement. Any Registrable Securities excluded or withdrawn from such underwriting shall be excluded and withdrawn from the registration. For any Holder which is a partnership, limited liability company or corporation, the partners, retired partners, members, retired members and stockholders of such Holder, or the estates and family members of any such partners, retired partners, members and retired members and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing person shall be deemed to be a single “Holder,” and any pro rata reduction with respect to such “Holder” shall be based upon the aggregate amount of shares carrying registration rights owned by all entities and individuals included in such “Holder,” as defined in this sentence.

(b) Right to Terminate Registration. The Company shall have the right to terminate or withdraw any registration initiated by it under this Section 2.3 whether or not any Holder has elected to include securities in such registration, and shall promptly notify any Holder that has elected to include shares in such registration of such termination or withdrawal. The Registration Expenses of such withdrawn registration shall be borne by the Company in accordance with Section 2.5 hereof.

2.4 Form S-3 Registration. In case the Company shall receive from any Holder or Holders of Registrable Securities a written request or requests that the Company effect a registration on Form S-3 (or any successor to Form S-3) or any similar short-form registration statement and any related qualification or compliance with respect to all or a part of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holder or Holders, the Company will:

(a) promptly give written notice of the proposed registration, and any related qualification or compliance, to all other Holders of Registrable Securities; and

(b) as soon as practicable, effect such registration and all such qualifications and compliances as may be so requested and as would permit or facilitate the sale and distribution of all or such portion of such Holder’s or Holders’ Registrable Securities as are specified in such request, together with all or such portion of the Registrable Securities of any other Holder or Holders joining in such request as are specified in a written request given within fifteen (15) days after receipt of such written notice from the Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated to effect any such registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to this Section 2.4:

 

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(i) if Form S-3 is not available for such offering by the Holders, or

(ii) if the Holders, together with the holders of any other securities of the Company entitled to inclusion in such registration, propose to sell Registrable Securities and such other securities (if any) at an aggregate price to the public of less than one million dollars ($1,000,000), or

(iii) if within thirty (30) days of receipt of a written request from any Holder or Holders pursuant to this Section 2.4, the Company gives notice to such Holder or Holders of the Company’s intention to make a public offering within ninety (90) days, other than pursuant to a Special Registration Statement;

(iv) if the Company shall furnish to the Holders a certificate signed by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Company stating that in the good faith judgment of the Board of Directors of the Company, it would be seriously detrimental to the Company and its stockholders for such Form S-3 registration to be effected at such time, in which event the Company shall have the right to defer the filing of the Form S-3 registration statement for a period of not more than one hundred twenty (120) days after receipt of the request of the Holder or Holders under this Section 2.4; provided, that such right to delay a request shall be exercised by the Company not more than twice in any twelve (12) month period, or

(v) if the Company has, within the twelve (12) month period preceding the date of such request, already effected two (2) registrations on Form S-3 for the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.4, or

(vi) in any particular jurisdiction in which the Company would be required to qualify to do business or to execute a general consent to service of process in effecting such registration, qualification or compliance.

(c) Subject to the foregoing, the Company shall file a Form S-3 registration statement covering the Registrable Securities and other securities so requested to be registered as soon as practicable after receipt of the requests of the Holders. Registrations effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as demands for registration or registrations effected pursuant to Section 2.2.

2.5 Expenses of Registration. Except as specifically provided herein, all Registration Expenses incurred in connection with any registration, qualification or compliance pursuant to Section 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4 herein shall be borne by the Company, and the reasonable fees and disbursements, not to exceed $50,000, of one counsel for the selling Holders shall be borne and paid by the Company. All Selling Expenses incurred in connection with any registrations hereunder, shall be borne by the holders of the securities so registered pro rata on the basis of the number of shares so registered. The Company shall not, however, be required to pay for expenses of any registration proceeding begun pursuant to Section 2.2 or 2.4, the request of which has been subsequently withdrawn by the Initiating Holders unless (a) the withdrawal is based upon material adverse information concerning the Company of which the Initiating Holders were not aware at the time of such request or (b) the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities agree to deem such registration to have been effected as of the date of such withdrawal for purposes of determining whether the Company shall be obligated pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or 2.4(b)(5), as applicable, to undertake any subsequent registration, in which event such right shall be forfeited by all Holders. If the Holders are required to pay the Registration Expenses, such expenses shall be borne by the holders of securities (including Registrable Securities) requesting such registration in proportion to the number of shares for which registration was requested. If the Company is required to pay the Registration Expenses of a withdrawn offering pursuant to clause (a) above, then such registration shall not be deemed to have been effected for purposes of determining whether the Company shall be obligated pursuant to Section 2.2(c) or 2.4(b)(5), as applicable, to undertake any subsequent registration.

 

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2.6 Obligations of the Company. Whenever required to effect the registration of any Registrable Securities, the Company shall, as expeditiously as reasonably possible:

(a) prepare and file with the SEC a registration statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use all reasonable efforts to cause such registration statement to become effective, and, upon the request of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered thereunder, keep such registration statement effective for up to thirty (30) days or, if earlier, until the Holder or Holders have completed the distribution related thereto; provided, however, that at any time, upon written notice to the participating Holders and for a period not to exceed sixty (60) days thereafter (the “Suspension Period”), the Company may delay the filing or effectiveness of any registration statement or suspend the use or effectiveness of any registration statement (and the Initiating Holders hereby agree not to offer or sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to such registration statement during the Suspension Period) if the Company reasonably believes that there is or may be in existence material nonpublic information or events involving the Company, the failure of which to be disclosed in the prospectus included in the registration statement could result in a Violation (as defined below). In the event that the Company shall exercise its right to delay or suspend the filing or effectiveness of a registration hereunder, the applicable time period during which the registration statement is to remain effective shall be extended by a period of time equal to the duration of the Suspension Period. The Company may extend the Suspension Period for an additional consecutive sixty (60) days with the consent of the Holders of a majority of the Registrable Securities registered under the applicable registration statement, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld. If so directed by the Company, all Holders registering shares under such registration statement shall (i) not offer to sell any Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement during the period in which the delay or suspension is in effect after receiving notice of such delay or suspension; and (ii) use their best efforts to deliver to the Company (at the Company’s expense) all copies, other than permanent file copies then in such Holders’ possession, of the prospectus relating to such Registrable Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to file, cause to become effective or maintain the effectiveness of any registration statement other than a registration statement on Form S-3 that contemplates a distribution of securities on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act.

(b) Prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and supplements to such registration statement and the prospectus used in connection with such registration statement as may be necessary to comply with the provisions of the Securities Act with respect to the disposition of all securities covered by such registration statement for the period set forth in subsection (a) above.

(c) Furnish to the Holders such number of copies of a prospectus, including a preliminary prospectus, in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act, and such other documents as they may reasonably request in order to facilitate the disposition of Registrable Securities owned by them.

(d) Use its reasonable efforts to register and qualify the securities covered by such registration statement under such other securities or Blue Sky laws of such jurisdictions as shall be reasonably requested by the Holders; provided that the Company shall not be required in connection therewith or as a condition thereto to qualify to do business or to file a general consent to service of process in any such states or jurisdictions.

 

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(e) In the event of any underwritten public offering, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing underwriter(s) of such offering. Each Holder participating in such underwriting shall also enter into and perform its obligations under such an agreement.

(f) Notify each Holder of Registrable Securities covered by such registration statement at any time when a prospectus relating thereto 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 an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing. The Company will use reasonable efforts to amend or supplement such prospectus in order to cause such prospectus not to include any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of the circumstances then existing.

(g) Use its reasonable efforts to furnish, on the date that such Registrable Securities are delivered to the underwriters for sale, if such securities are being sold through underwriters, (i) an opinion, dated as of such date, of the counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such registration, in form and substance as is customarily given to underwriters in an underwritten public offering, addressed to the underwriters, if any, and (ii) a letter, dated as of such date, from the independent certified public accountants of the Company, in form and substance as is customarily given by independent certified public accountants to underwriters in an underwritten public offering addressed to the underwriters.

2.7 Delay of Registration; Furnishing Information.

(a) No Holder shall have any right to obtain or seek an injunction restraining or otherwise delaying any such registration as the result of any controversy that might arise with respect to the interpretation or implementation of this Section 2.

(b) It shall be a condition precedent to the obligations of the Company to take any action pursuant to Section 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4 that the selling Holders shall furnish to the Company such information regarding themselves, the Registrable Securities held by them and the intended method of disposition of such securities as shall be required to effect the registration of their Registrable Securities.

(c) The Company shall have no obligation with respect to any registration requested pursuant to Section 2.2 or Section 2.4 if the number of shares or the anticipated aggregate offering price of the Registrable Securities to be included in the registration does not equal or exceed the number of shares or the anticipated aggregate offering price required to originally trigger the Company’s obligation to initiate such registration as specified in Section 2.2 or Section 2.4, whichever is applicable.

2.8 Indemnification. In the event any Registrable Securities are included in a registration statement under Sections 2.2, 2.3 or 2.4:

(a) To the extent permitted by law, the Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Holder, the partners, members, officers and directors of each Holder, any underwriter (as defined in the Securities Act) for such Holder and each person, if any, who controls such Holder or underwriter within the meaning of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, against any losses, claims, damages, or liabilities (joint or several) to which they may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements, omissions or violations (collectively a “Violation”) by the Company: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement or incorporated reference therein, including any preliminary prospectus or final

 

10.


prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, any state securities law or any rule or regulation promulgated under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any state securities law in connection with the offering covered by such registration statement; and the Company will reimburse each such Holder, partner, member, officer, director, underwriter or controlling person for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.8(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Company, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, nor shall the Company be liable in any such case for any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action to the extent that it arises out of or is based upon a Violation which occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished expressly for use in connection with such registration by such Holder, partner, member, officer, director, underwriter or controlling person of such Holder.

(b) To the extent permitted by law, each Holder will, if Registrable Securities held by such Holder are included in the securities as to which such registration qualifications or compliance is being effected, indemnify and hold harmless the Company, each of its directors, its officers and each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Securities Act, any underwriter and any other Holder selling securities under such registration statement or any of such other Holder’s partners, directors or officers or any person who controls such Holder, against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities (joint or several) to which the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter or other such Holder, or partner, director, officer or controlling person of such other Holder may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or other federal or state law, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereto) arise out of or are based upon any of the following statements: (i) any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in such registration statement or incorporated reference therein, including any preliminary prospectus or final prospectus contained therein or any amendments or supplements thereto, (ii) the omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein, or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, or (iii) any violation or alleged violation by the Company of the Securities Act (collectively, a “Holder Violation”), in each case to the extent (and only to the extent) that such Holder Violation occurs in reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished by such Holder under an instrument duly executed by such Holder and stated to be specifically for use in connection with such registration; and each such Holder will reimburse any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company or any such director, officer, controlling person, underwriter or other Holder, or partner, officer, director or controlling person of such other Holder in connection with investigating or defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if it is judicially determined that there was such a Holder Violation; provided, however, that the indemnity agreement contained in this Section 2.8(b) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without the consent of the Holder, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld; provided further, that in no event shall the aggregate indemnity under this Section 2.8 exceed the net proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.

(c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 2.8 of notice of the commencement of any action (including any governmental action), such indemnified party will, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against any indemnifying party under this Section 2.8, deliver to the indemnifying party a written notice of the commencement thereof and the indemnifying party shall have the right to participate in, and, to the extent the indemnifying party so desires, jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly noticed, to assume the defense thereof with counsel mutually satisfactory to the parties; provided, however, that an indemnified party shall have the right to retain its own counsel, with

 

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the fees and expenses thereof to be paid by the indemnifying party, if representation of such indemnified party by the counsel retained by the indemnifying party would be inappropriate due to actual or potential differing interests between such indemnified party and any other party represented by such counsel in such proceeding. The failure to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party within a reasonable time of the commencement of any such action shall relieve such indemnifying party of any liability to the indemnified party under this Section 2.8 to the extent, and only to the extent, prejudicial to its ability to defend such action, but the omission so to deliver written notice to the indemnifying party will not relieve it of any liability that it may have to any indemnified party otherwise than under this Section 2.8.

(d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 2.8 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an indemnified party with respect to any losses, claims, damages or liabilities referred to herein, the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party thereunder, shall to the extent permitted by applicable law contribute to the amount paid or payable by such indemnified party as a result of such loss, claim, damage or liability in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party on the one hand and of the indemnified party on the other in connection with the Violation(s) or Holder Violation(s) that resulted in such loss, claim, damage or liability, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and of the indemnified party shall be determined by a court of law by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the indemnifying party or by the indemnified party and the parties’ relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission; provided, that in no event shall the contribution by a Holder hereunder when combined with the amounts paid or payable by such Holder pursuant to Subsection 2.8(b), exceed the proceeds from the offering received by such Holder.

(e) The obligations of the Company and Holders under this Section 2.8 shall survive completion of any offering of Registrable Securities in a registration statement and, with respect to liability arising from an offering to which this Section 2.8 would apply that is covered by a registration filed before termination of this Agreement, such termination. No indemnifying party, in the defense of any such claim or litigation, shall, except with the consent of each indemnified party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which 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.

2.9 Assignment of Registration Rights. The rights to cause the Company to register Registrable Securities pursuant to this Section 2 may be assigned by a Holder to a transferee or assignee of Registrable Securities (for so long as such shares remain Registrable Securities) that (a) is an Affiliate, subsidiary, parent, general partner, limited partner, retired partner, member or retired member, or stockholder of a Holder that is a corporation, partnership or limited liability company, (b) is a Holder’s family member or trust for the benefit of an individual Holder, or (c) acquires at least 500,000 shares of Registrable Securities (as adjusted for stock splits and combinations); or (d) is an entity affiliated by common control (or other related entity) with such Holder; provided, however, (i) the transferor shall, within ten (10) days after such transfer, furnish to the Company written notice of the name and address of such transferee or assignee and the securities with respect to which such registration rights are being assigned and (ii) such transferee shall agree to be subject to all restrictions set forth in this Agreement.

2.10 Limitation on Subsequent Registration Rights. Other than as provided in Section 5.10, after the date of this Agreement, the Company shall not enter into any agreement with any holder or prospective holder of any securities of the Company that would grant such holder rights to demand the registration of shares of the Company’s capital stock, or to include such shares in a registration statement that would reduce the number of shares includable by the Holders.

 

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2.11 Market Stand-Off Agreement. Each Holder hereby agrees that such Holder shall not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale, any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by such Holder held immediately before the effective date of the registration statement for such offering (other than those included in the registration) during the 180-day period following the effective date of the Initial Offering, provided, that all officers and directors of the Company and holders of at least one percent (1%) of the Company’s voting securities are bound by and have entered into similar agreements. Any discretionary waiver or termination of the restrictions of any or all of such agreements by the Company or the underwriters shall apply pro rata to all Company stockholders that are subject to such agreements, based on the number of shares subject to such agreements; provided however, that such release will not be applicable in connection with any primary and/or secondary follow-on public offering (a “Follow-on Offering”) of shares of Common Stock pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 that is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; provided further that the Holder has been given the opportunity to participate in such Follow-on Offering and otherwise on the same terms as any other equity holders participating in such Follow-on Offering.

2.12 Agreement to Furnish Information. Each Holder agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the managing underwriters that are consistent with the Holder’s obligations under Section 2.11 or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In addition, if requested by the Company or the representative of the underwriters of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company, each Holder shall provide, within ten (10) days of such request, such information as may be required by the Company or such representative in connection with the completion of any public offering of the Company’s securities pursuant to a registration statement filed under the Securities Act. The obligations described in Section 2.11 and this Section 2.12 shall not apply to a Special Registration Statement. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to such shares of Common Stock (or other securities) until the end of such period. Each Holder agrees that any transferee of any shares of Registrable Securities shall be bound by Sections 2.11 and 2.12. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of Sections 2.11 and 2.12 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

2.13 Rule 144 Reporting. With a view to making available to the Holders the benefits of certain rules and regulations of the SEC which may permit the sale of the Registrable Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to use its best efforts to:

(a) Make and keep public information available, as those terms are understood and defined in SEC Rule 144 or any similar or analogous rule promulgated under the Securities Act, at all times after the effective date of the first registration filed by the Company for an offering of its securities to the general public;

(b) File with the SEC, in a timely manner, all reports and other documents required of the Company under the Exchange Act; and

(c) So long as a Holder owns any Registrable Securities, furnish to such Holder forthwith upon request: a written statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of said Rule 144 of the Securities Act, and of the Exchange Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements); a copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company filed with the Commission; and such other reports and documents as a Holder may reasonably request in connection with availing itself of any rule or regulation of the SEC allowing it to sell any such securities without registration.

 

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2.14 Termination of Registration Rights. The right of any Holder to request registration or inclusion of Registrable Securities in any registration pursuant to Section 2.2, Section 2.3, or Section 2.4 hereof shall terminate upon the earlier of: (i) the date three (3) years following an initial public offering that results in the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred stock; or (ii) such time as such Holder, as reflected on the Company’s list of stockholders, holds less than 1% of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (treating all shares of Preferred Stock on an as converted basis), the Company has completed its Initial Offering and all Registrable Securities of the Company issuable or issued upon conversion of the Shares held by and issuable to such Holder (and its affiliates) may be sold pursuant to Rule 144 during any ninety (90) day period. Upon such termination, such shares shall cease to be “Registrable Securities” hereunder for all purposes.

SECTION 3. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

3.1 Basic Financial Information and Reporting.

(a) The Company will maintain true books and records of account in which full and correct entries will be made of all its business transactions pursuant to a system of accounting established and administered in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except as noted therein or as disclosed to the recipients thereof), and will set aside on its books all such proper accruals and reserves as shall be required under generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied.

(b) To the extent requested by a Major Investor, the Company will furnish such Major Investor, as soon as practicable after the end of each fiscal year of the Company, and in any event within one hundred twenty (120) days thereafter, a balance sheet of the Company, as at the end of such fiscal year, and a statement of income and a statement of cash flows of the Company, for such year, all prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except as noted therein or as disclosed to the recipients thereof) and setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous fiscal year, all in reasonable detail. Such financial statements shall be accompanied by a report and opinion thereon by independent public accountants selected by the Company’s Board of Directors and, beginning fiscal year 2021, all such financial statements shall be audited by an independent nationally recognized public accounting firm selected by the Company’s Board of Directors.

(c) To the extent requested by a Major Investor, the Company will furnish such Major Investor, as soon as practicable after the end of each quarterly accounting period in each fiscal year of the Company, and in any event within forty-five (45) days thereafter, a balance sheet of the Company as of the end of each such quarterly period, and a statement of income and a statement of cash flows of the Company for such period and for the current fiscal year to date, prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles consistently applied (except as noted therein or as disclosed to the recipients thereof), with the exception that no notes need be attached to such statements and year-end audit adjustments may not have been made.

(d) To the extent requested by a Major Investor, the Company will furnish such Major Investor, as soon as practicable, but in any event thirty (30) days before the end of each fiscal year, a budget and business plan for the next fiscal year, approved by the Board of Directors and prepared on a monthly basis, including balance sheets, income statements, and statements of cash flow for such months and, promptly after prepared, any other budgets or revised budgets prepared by the Company.

 

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(e) To the extent requested by a Major Investor, the Company will furnish such Major Investor, as soon as practicable, but in any event within forty-five (45) days after the end of each quarter of each fiscal year of the Company, a statement showing the number of shares of each class and series of capital stock and securities convertible into or exercisable for shares of capital stock outstanding at the end of the period, the Common Stock issuable upon conversion or exercise of any outstanding securities convertible or exercisable for Common Stock and the exchange ratio or exercise price applicable thereto, and the number of shares of issued stock options and stock options not yet issued but reserved for issuance, if any, all in sufficient detail as to permit the Major Investors to calculate their respective percentage equity ownership in the Company, and certified by the chief financial officer or chief executive officer of the Company as being true, complete, and correct.

(f) The Company will furnish each Major Investor such other information relating to the financial condition, business, prospects, or corporate affairs of the Company as such Major Investor may from time to time reasonably request; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated under this Subsection 3.1(f) to provide information (i) that the Company reasonably determines in good faith to be a trade secret or similarly confidential information (unless covered by an enforceable confidentiality agreement, in a form acceptable to the Company); or (ii) the disclosure of which would adversely affect the attorney-client privilege between the Company and its counsel.

(g) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be obligated to provide the information referenced in Sections 3.1(b) through (f) to a Major Investor that the Company determines is a Competitor.

3.2 Inspection Rights. Each Major Investor shall have the right to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Company or any of its subsidiaries with its officers, and to review such information as is reasonably requested all at such reasonable times and as often as may be reasonably requested; provided, however, that the Company shall not be obligated under this Section 3.2 with respect to a Competitor of the Company or with respect to information which the Board of Directors determines in good faith is confidential or attorney-client privileged and should not, therefore, be disclosed.

3.3 Confidentiality of Records. Each Investor agrees to use the same degree of care as such Investor uses to protect its own confidential information to keep confidential any information furnished to such Investor that the Company identifies as being confidential or proprietary (so long as such information is not in the public domain), except that such Investor may disclose such proprietary or confidential information (i) to any existing or prospective Affiliate, partner, subsidiary, or parent of such Investor as long as such Affiliate, partner, subsidiary, or parent is advised of and agrees or has agreed to be bound by the confidentiality provisions of this Section 3.3 or comparable restrictions; (ii) to any prospective purchaser of any Registrable Securities from such Investor, if such prospective purchaser agrees to be bound by the provisions of this Section 3.3, (iii) at such time as it enters the public domain through no fault of such Investor; (iv) that is communicated to it free of any obligation of confidentiality; (v) that is developed by Investor or its agents independently of and without reference to any confidential information communicated by the Company; (vi) as required by applicable law; or (vii) to its attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain their services in connection with monitoring its investment in the Company.

3.4 Reservation of Common Stock. The Company will at all times reserve and keep available, solely for issuance and delivery upon the conversion of the Preferred Stock, all Common Stock issuable from time to time upon such conversion.

3.5 Stock Vesting. Unless otherwise approved by the Board of Directors (including a majority of the Series Preferred Directors), all stock options and other stock equivalents issued after the date of this Agreement to employees, directors, consultants and other service providers shall be subject to vesting as follows: (a) twenty-five percent (25%) of such stock shall vest at the end of the first year following the earlier of the date of issuance or such person’s services commencement date with the Company, and (b) seventy-five percent (75%) of such stock shall vest monthly over the remaining three (3) years.

 

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3.6 Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement. The Company shall require all employees and consultants to execute and deliver a Proprietary Information and Inventions Agreement substantially in a form approved by the Company’s counsel or Board of Directors.

3.7 Directors Liability and Indemnification. The Company’s Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws shall provide (a) for elimination of the liability of director to the maximum extent permitted by law and (b) for indemnification of directors for acts on behalf of the Company to the maximum extent permitted by law. In addition, the Company shall enter into and use its best efforts to at all times maintain indemnification agreements with each of its directors to indemnify such directors to the maximum extent permissible under applicable law. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to cause its Directors and Officers liability insurance to be maintained until such time as the Board of Directors (including each of the Series Preferred Directors) determines that such insurance should be discontinued and such insurance shall be from financially sound and reputable insurers in an amount and on terms and conditions satisfactory to the Board of Directors (including each of the Series Preferred Directors). If the Company or any of its successors or assignees consolidates with or merges into any other person and is not the continuing or surviving corporation or entity of such consolidation or merger, then to the extent necessary, proper provision shall be made so that the successors and assignees of the Company assume the obligations of the Company with respect to indemnification of members of the Board of Directors as in effect immediately before such transaction, whether such obligations are contained in the Company’s Bylaws, the Certificate of Incorporation, or elsewhere, as the case may be.

3.8 Required Consent. The Company shall not, without the written consent of the Holders of at least a majority of the Registrable Securities, issue any Equity Security (as defined below) unless (i) such Equity Security is sold at a price per share not less than the then-applicable Original Issue Price of any outstanding series of Preferred Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), and (ii) such Equity Security and the holders thereof have rights, preferences and privileges that are pari passu with or junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock, Series C Preferred Stock, Series D Preferred Stock or Series D-1 Preferred Stock and the holders thereof (in each case other than director designation rights), in each case as set forth in the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws; provided that the term “Equity Security” as used in this Section 3.8 shall not include any security that comes within the definition of Excluded Securities (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation).

3.9 Right to Conduct Activities. The Company hereby agrees and acknowledges that each of Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P. and its affiliated funds (“Sequoia”), Accel Growth Fund IV L.P. and its affiliated funds (“Accel”), General Catalyst Group X – Endurance, L.P. (“General Catalyst”), Glade Brook Private Investors XXVIII LP and its affiliated funds (“Glade Brook”), GV and SoftBank and its affiliated funds is a professional investment organization, and as such reviews the business plans and related proprietary information of many enterprises, some of which may compete directly or indirectly with the Company’s business (as currently conducted or as currently propose to be conducted). The Company hereby agrees that, to the extent permitted under applicable law, each of Sequoia, Accel, GV, General Catalyst, Glade Brook and SoftBank shall not be liable to the Company for any claim arising out of, or based upon, (i) the investment by any of Sequoia, Accel, GV, General Catalyst, Glade Brook or SoftBank, respectively, in any entity competitive with the Company, or (ii) actions taken by any partner, officer, employee or other representative of any of Sequoia, Accel, GV, General Catalyst, Glade Brook or SoftBank, respectively, to assist any such competitive company, whether or not such action was taken as a member of the board of directors of such competitive company or otherwise, and whether or not such action has a detrimental effect on the Company; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not relieve (x) any of the Investors from liability associated with the disclosure of the Company’s confidential information obtained pursuant to this Agreement in violation of this Agreement, or (y) any director or officer of the Company from any liability associated with his or her fiduciary duties to the Company.

 

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3.10 Board Matters. The Company shall reimburse the nonemployee directors for all reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses incurred (consistent with the Company’s travel policy) in connection with attending meetings of the Board of Directors.

3.11 Indemnification Matters. The Company hereby acknowledges that one (1) or more of the directors nominated to serve on the Board of Directors by the Investors (each an “Investor Director”) may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of expenses and/or insurance provided by one or more of the Investors and certain of their Affiliates (collectively, the “Investor Indemnitors”). The Company hereby agrees (a) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to any such Investor Director are primary and any obligation of the Investor Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by such Investor Director are secondary), (b) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by such Investor Director and shall be liable for the full amount of all expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement by or on behalf of any such Investor Director to the extent legally permitted and as required by the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation or Bylaws of the Company (or any agreement between the Company and such Investor Director), without regard to any rights such Investor Director may have against the Investor Indemnitors, and, (c) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Investor Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Investor Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Investor Indemnitors on behalf of any such Investor Director with respect to any claim for which such Investor Director has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Investor Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of such Investor Director against the Company. The Investor Directors and the Investor Indemnitors are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 3.11 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions of this Section 3.11 as though they were a party to this Agreement.

3.12 FCPA. The Company represents that it shall not, and shall not permit any of its subsidiaries or Affiliates or any of its or their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents to, promise, authorize or make any payment to, or otherwise contribute any item of value, directly or indirectly, to any third party, including any non-U.S. official, in each case, in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, as amended (“FCPA”), the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. The Company further represents that it shall, and shall cause each of its subsidiaries and Affiliates to, cease all of its or their respective activities, as well as remediate any actions taken by the Company, its subsidiaries or Affiliates, or any of their respective directors, officers, managers, employees, independent contractors, representatives or agents in violation of the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law. The Company further represents that it shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, maintain systems of internal controls (including, but not limited to, accounting systems, purchasing systems and billing systems) to ensure compliance with the FCPA, the U.K. Bribery Act, or any other applicable anti-bribery or anti-corruption law.

3.13 Anti-Harassment Policy. The Company shall, within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date (as defined in the Purchase Agreement), adopt and thereafter maintain in effect (i) a Code of Conduct governing appropriate workplace behavior and (ii) an Anti-Harassment and Discrimination Policy prohibiting discrimination and harassment at the Company. Such policy shall be reviewed and approved by the Board of Directors.

 

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3.14 Termination of Covenants. All covenants of the Company contained in Section 3 of this Agreement (other than the provisions of Sections 3.3, 3.7 and 3.11) shall expire and terminate as to each Investor upon the earlier of (i) the effective date of the registration statement pertaining to an Initial Offering that results in the Preferred Stock being converted into Common Stock or (ii) upon an “Acquisition” as defined in the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, and with respect to GV, in the case of Section 3.1 and 3.2, only upon on Acquisition in which the holders of the Company’s capital stock receive cash, publicly traded securities or a combination thereof in exchange for their equity interests in the Company.

SECTION 4. RIGHTS OF FIRST REFUSAL.

4.1 Subsequent Offerings. Subject to applicable securities laws, each Major Investor shall have a right of first refusal to purchase its Pro Rata Amount (as defined below) of all Equity Securities that the Company may, from time to time, propose to sell and issue after the date of this Agreement, other than the Equity Securities excluded by Section 4.6 hereof. Each Investor’s “Pro Rata Amount” is equal to the ratio of (a) the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (including all shares of Common Stock issuable or issued upon conversion of the Shares or upon the exercise of outstanding warrants or options) of which such Investor is deemed to be a holder immediately prior to the issuance of such Equity Securities to (b) the total number of shares of the Company’s outstanding Common Stock (including all shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion of the Shares or upon the exercise of any outstanding warrants or options) immediately prior to the issuance of the Equity Securities. The term “Equity Securities” shall mean (i) any Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other security of the Company, (ii) any security convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for, with or without consideration, any Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other security (including any option to purchase such a convertible security), (iii) any security carrying any warrant or right to subscribe to or purchase any Common Stock, Preferred Stock or other security or (iv) any such warrant or right.

4.2 Exercise of Rights. If the Company proposes to issue any Equity Securities, it shall give each Major Investor written notice of its intention, describing the Equity Securities, the price and the terms and conditions upon which the Company proposes to issue the same. Each Major Investor shall have twenty (20) days from the giving of such notice to agree to purchase its Pro Rata Amount of the Equity Securities for the price and upon the terms and conditions specified in the notice by giving written notice to the Company and stating therein the quantity of Equity Securities to be purchased. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to offer or sell such Equity Securities to any Major Investor who would cause the Company to be in violation of applicable federal securities laws by virtue of such offer or sale.

4.3 Issuance of Equity Securities to Other Persons. If not all of the Major Investors elect to purchase their full Pro Rata Amount of the Equity Securities, then the Company shall promptly notify in writing the Major Investors who do so elect and shall offer such Major Investors the right to acquire such unsubscribed shares on a pro rata basis. The Major Investors shall have five (5) days after receipt of such notice to notify the Company of its election to purchase all or a portion thereof of the unsubscribed shares. The Company shall have ninety (90) days thereafter to sell the Equity Securities in respect of which the Major Investor’s rights were not exercised, at a price not lower and upon general terms and conditions not materially more favorable to the purchasers thereof than specified in the Company’s notice to the Major Investors pursuant to Section 4.2 hereof. If the Company has not sold such Equity Securities within ninety (90) days of the notice provided pursuant to Section 4.2, the Company shall not thereafter issue or sell any Equity Securities, without first offering such securities to the Major Investors in the manner provided above.

 

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4.4 Termination and Waiver of Rights of First Refusal. The rights of first refusal established by this Section 4 shall not apply to, and shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the effective date of the registration statement pertaining to the Company’s Initial Offering or (ii) an Acquisition. Notwithstanding Section 5.5 hereof, the rights of first refusal established by this Section 4 may be amended, or any provision waived with and only with the written consent of the Company and the Major Investors holding a majority of the Registrable Securities held by all Major Investors (the “Waiving Holders”), or as permitted by Section 5.5, provided that if one or more Waiving Holders who consented to such waiver is nevertheless permitted to purchase Equity Securities, then each Major Investor (excluding any Major Investor that owns less than 10,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock (as adjusted for any stock dividends, combinations, splits, recapitalizations and the like)) shall be entitled to purchase its Adjusted Pro Rata Amount (as defined below) of the Adjusted Equity Securities upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 4. For purposes of this Section 4.4, a Major Investor’s “Adjusted Pro Rata Amount” of the Adjusted Equity Securities shall be equal to (i) the proportion of the Pro Rata Amount (on a percentage basis) to the Pro Rata Amount of all Major Investors (on a percentage basis) multiplied by (ii) the Adjusted Equity Securities, provided that the aggregate number of Adjusted Equity Securities shall not be increased. For purposes of this paragraph, “Adjusted Equity Securities” means the Equity Securities to be purchased by the Waiving Holders in the applicable offering of Equity Securities.

4.5 Assignment of Rights of First Refusal. The rights of first refusal of each Major Investor under this Section 4 may be assigned to the same parties, subject to the same restrictions as any transfer of registration rights pursuant to Section 2.9.

4.6 Excluded Securities. The rights of first refusal established by this Section 4 shall have no application to Excluded Securities (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation).

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Delaware in all respects as such laws are applied to agreements among Delaware residents entered into and to be performed entirely within Delaware, without reference to conflicts of laws or principles thereof. The parties agree that any action brought by either party under or in relation to this Agreement, including without limitation to interpret or enforce any provision of this Agreement, shall be brought in, and each party agrees to and does hereby submit to the jurisdiction and venue of, any state or federal court located in the County of San Francisco, California.

5.2 Successors and Assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the provisions hereof shall inure to the benefit of, and be binding upon, the parties hereto and their respective successors, assigns, heirs, executors, and administrators and shall inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by each person who shall be a holder of Registrable Securities from time to time; provided, however, that prior to the receipt by the Company of adequate written notice of the transfer of any Registrable Securities specifying the full name and address of the transferee, the Company may deem and treat the person listed as the holder of such shares in its records as the absolute owner and holder of such shares for all purposes, including the payment of dividends or any redemption price.

5.3 Entire Agreement. Upon the effectiveness of this Agreement, the Prior Agreement shall be deemed amended and restated to read in its entirety as set forth in this Agreement. This Agreement, the Exhibits and Schedules hereto, the Purchase Agreement and the other documents delivered pursuant thereto constitute the full and entire understanding and agreement between the parties with regard to the subjects hereof and no party shall be liable or bound to any other in any manner by any oral or written representations, warranties, covenants and agreements except as specifically set forth herein and therein. Each party expressly represents and warrants that it is not relying on any oral or written representations, warranties, covenants or agreements outside of this Agreement.

 

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5.4 Severability. In the event one or more of the provisions of this Agreement should, for any reason, be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect, such invalidity, illegality, or unenforceability shall not affect any other provisions of this Agreement, and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained herein.

5.5 Amendment and Waiver.

(a) Except as otherwise expressly provided, this Agreement may be amended or modified, and the obligations of the Company and the rights of the Holders under this Agreement may be waived, only upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders of at least a majority of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities.

(b) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, (i) Section 3.8 shall not be amended without the prior written consent of Sequoia, Accel, GV, General Catalyst and SoftBank, (ii) the rights of Sequoia, Accel, GV, General Catalyst, Glade Brook or SoftBank under Section 3.9 may not be amended, waived or modified without Sequoia’s, Accel’s, GV’s, General Catalyst’s, Glade Brook’s or SoftBank’s prior written consent, as applicable, (iii) the proviso of the first sentence of Section 1.1(a) and Section 1.1(c) shall not be amended without the prior written consent of SoftBank and (iv) this Agreement may not be amended or terminated and the observance of any term of this Agreement may not be waived to the extent such amendment, termination or waiver on its face expressly treats one Investor differently from all other Investors without the written consent of such Investor.

(c) For the purposes of determining the number of Holders or Investors entitled to vote or exercise any rights hereunder, the Company shall be entitled to rely solely on the list of record holders of its stock as maintained by or on behalf of the Company.

5.6 Delays or Omissions. It is agreed that no delay or omission to exercise any right, power, or remedy accruing to any party, upon any breach, default or noncompliance by another party under this Agreement shall impair any such right, power, or remedy, nor shall it be construed to be a waiver of any such breach, default or noncompliance, or any acquiescence therein, or of any similar breach, default or noncompliance thereafter occurring. It is further agreed that any waiver, permit, consent, or approval of any kind or character on any party’s part of any breach, default or noncompliance under the Agreement or any waiver on such party’s part of any provisions or conditions of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to the extent specifically set forth in such writing. All remedies, either under this Agreement, by law, or otherwise afforded to any party, shall be cumulative and not alternative.

5.7 Notices. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given: (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by confirmed electronic mail or facsimile if sent during normal business hours of the recipient; if not, then on the next business day, (c) five (5) days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one (1) day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to the party to be notified at the address as set forth on the signature pages hereof or Exhibit A hereto or at such other address or electronic mail address as such party may designate by ten (10) days advance written notice to the other parties hereto.

5.8 Attorneys Fees. In the event that any suit or action is instituted under or in relation to this Agreement, including without limitation to enforce any provision in this Agreement, the prevailing party in such dispute shall be entitled to recover from the losing party all fees, costs and expenses of enforcing any right of such prevailing party under or with respect to this Agreement, including without limitation, such reasonable fees and expenses of attorneys and accountants, which shall include, without limitation, all fees, costs and expenses of appeals.

 

20.


5.9 Titles and Subtitles. The titles of the sections and subsections of this Agreement are for convenience of reference only and are not to be considered in construing this Agreement.

5.10 Additional Investors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if the Company shall issue additional shares of its Preferred Stock, any purchaser of such shares of Preferred Stock shall become a party to this Agreement by executing and delivering an additional counterpart signature page to this Agreement and shall be deemed an “Investor,” a “Holder” and a party hereunder.

5.11 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN 2000, e.g., www.docusign.com) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered shall be deemed to have been validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

5.12 Aggregation of Stock. All shares of Registrable Securities held or acquired by affiliated entities or persons or persons or entities under common management or control shall be aggregated together for the purpose of determining the availability of any rights under this Agreement.

5.13 Pronouns. All pronouns contained herein, and any variations thereof, shall be deemed to refer to the masculine, feminine or neutral, singular or plural, as to the identity of the parties hereto may require.

5.14 Termination. This Agreement shall terminate and be of no further force or effect upon the earlier of (i) an Acquisition; or (ii) the date three (3) years following the Closing of the Initial Offering that results in the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.

5.15 Amendment and Restatement. Pursuant to Subsection 5.5 of the Prior Agreement, effective and contingent upon execution of this Agreement by the Company and the Existing Investors holding at least a majority of the then-outstanding Registrable Securities (as defined in the Prior Agreement), the Prior Agreement is hereby amended and restated in its entirety to read as set forth in this Agreement, and the Company, and the Investors shall be bound by the provisions hereof as the sole agreement of the Company and the Investors with respect to the subject matter hereof.

5.16 Waiver of Right of First Offer under Prior Agreement. The undersigned Existing Investors that are Major Investors hereby waive, on behalf of themselves and all Major Investors, all rights pursuant to Section 4 of the Prior Agreement to participate in the sale of Series D-1 Preferred Stock under the Purchase Agreement and all rights to notice thereto.

[THIS SPACE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

21.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

COMPANY:
ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:   /s/ Peter Colis
Name:   Peter Colis
Title:   Chief Executive Officer
Address:   460 Bryant Street, 3rd Floor
  San Francisco, CA 94107

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
SVF II AGGREGATOR (DE) LLC
By:   /s/ Ian McLean
Name:   Ian McLean
Title:   Director
Address:   [Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
General Catalyst Group X – Endurance, L.P.
By: General Catalyst Partners X – Growth Venture, L.P.
its General Partner
By: General Catalyst GP X – Growth Venture, LLC
its General Partner
By:   /s/ Christopher McCain
Name:   Christopher McCain
Title:   Chief Legal Officer
Address:   [Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
GV 2017, L.P.
By: GV 2017 GP, L.P., its General Partner
By: GV 2017 GP, L.L.C., its General Partner
By:   /s/ Daphne Chang
Name:   Daphne M. Chang
Title:   Authorized Signatory
GV 2019, L.P.
By: GV 2019 GP, L.P., its General Partner
By: GV 2019 GP, L.L.C., its General Partner
By:   /s/ Daphne Chang
Name:   Daphne M. Chang
Title:   Authorized Signatory
GV 2021, L.P.
By: GV 2021 GP, L.P., its General Partner
By: GV 2021 GP, L.L.C., its General Partner
By:   /s/ Daphne Chang
Name:   Daphne M. Chang
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Attn:   [Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed the AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
ACCEL GROWTH FUND IV L.P.
By: Accel Growth Fund IV Associates L.L.C.
Its General Partner
By:   /s/ Tracy L. Sedlock
Attorney in Fact
ACCEL GROWTH FUND IV L.P. STRATEGIC PARTNERS L.P.
By: Accel Growth Fund IV Associates L.L.C.
Its General Partner
By:   /s/ Tracy L. Sedlock
Attorney in Fact
ACCEL GROWTH FUND INVESTORS 2016 L.L.C.
By:   /s/ Tracy L. Sedlock
Attorney in Fact
Addresses for notices:
[Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
SEQUOIA CAPITAL U.S. VENTURE FUND XV, L.P.,
SEQUOIA CAPITAL U.S. VENTURE XV PRINCIPALS FUND, L.P.,
SEQUOIA CAPITAL U.S. VENTURE PARTNERS FUND XV, L.P.,
SEQUOIA CAPITAL U.S. VENTURE PARTNERS FUND XV (Q), L.P.,
all Cayman Islands exempted limited partnerships
BY: SC U.S. VENTURE XV MANAGEMENT, L.P.,
a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, General Partner of Each
BY: SC US (TTGP), LTD.,
a Cayman Islands exempted company, its General Partner
By:   /s/ RFBotha
Name:   Roelof Botha
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Address:   [Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT as of the date set forth in the first paragraph hereof.

 

INVESTOR:
SEQUOIA CAPITAL U.S. GROWTH FUND VIII, L.P.,
for itself and as nominee
By: SC U.S. GROWTH VIII MANAGEMENT, L.P.,
a Cayman Islands exempted limited partnership, its General Partner
By: SC US (TTGP), LTD.,
a Cayman Islands exempted company, its General Partner
By:   /s/ RFBotha
Name:   Roelof Botha
Title:   Authorized Signatory
Address:   [Intentionally omitted]

AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTOR RIGHTS AGREEMENT

SIGNATURE PAGE


EXHIBIT A

SCHEDULE OF INVESTORS

Accel Growth Fund IV L.P.

Accel Growth Fund IV Strategic Partners L.P.

Accel Growth Fund Investors 2016 L.L.C.

Alexa von Tobel

Arrive GA Growth, LLC

Arrive I LLC

Arrive Opportunities Fund I LP

Assaf Wand

Bevcob Family Trust UID 9/25/14

Broad Street Principal Investments, L.L.C.

Craig Sherman

Detroit Venture Partners, L.P.

deWilde Family Trust U/A/D 6/21/90

Downey Ventures III, LLC

GC&H Investments

George P. Colis Exempt Trust

Glade Brook Private Investors XXVIII LP

General Catalyst Group X – Endurance, L.P.

Glynn Partners V, L.P.

GV 2017, L.P.

GV 2019, L.P.

GV 2021, L.P.

Heroic Ventures LP

Heroic Ventures SPV XI, LLC

Heroic Ventures SPV XIII, LLC

Konstantine Buhler

Meritech Capital Affiliates VI L.P.

Meritech Capital Entrepreneurs VI L.P.

Meritech Capital Partners VI L.P.

Nalrena, L.L.C.

NFX R2, LLC

Peterson Ethos Coinvest, LLC

Peterson Venture Partners II, LP

RGAx LLC

Sequoia Capital U.S. Growth Fund VIII, L.P., for itself and as nominee

Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Fund XV, L.P.

Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Partners Fund XV (Q), L.P.

Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture Partners Fund XV, L.P.

Sequoia Capital U.S. Venture XV Principals Fund, L.P.

Sheel Mohnot

Spelunker Channel Holdings, LLC

SV Angel VI, L.P.

SVF II Aggregator (DE) LLC

Tentpole Ventures

The Board of Trustees of The Leland Stanford Junior University (SBST)

The Durant Company

The Tanbark Trust

TTCER Partners, LLC

Vetamer Capital Master Fund, L.P.

EX-4.3

Exhibit 4.3

THIS WARRANT AND THE SHARES ISSUABLE HEREUNDER HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN SECTIONS 5.3 AND 5.4 BELOW, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR, IN THE OPINION OF LEGAL COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE COMPANY, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

Company: ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation

Number of Shares of Common Stock: As set forth in Paragraph A below

Warrant Price:

Issue Date:

Expiration Date: The 10th anniversary after the Issue Date; See also Section 5.1(b).

Credit Facility:   This Warrant to Purchase Common Stock (“Warrant”) is issued in connection with that certain Second Loan Modification Agreement, of even date herewith, to that certain Loan and Security Agreement dated July 2, 2018, between Silicon Valley Bank and the Company, as amended (collectively, and as may be further amended and/or modified and in effect from time to time, the “Loan Agreement”).

THIS WARRANT PROVIDES THAT, for good and valuable consideration, SILICON VALLEY BANK (together with any successor or permitted assignee or transferee of this Warrant or of any shares issued upon exercise hereof, “Holder”) is entitled to purchase up to the number of fully paid and non-assessable shares of the above-stated common stock (the “Common Stock”) of the above-named company (the “Company”) determined pursuant to Paragraph A below, at the above-stated Warrant Price, all as set forth above and as adjusted pursuant to Section 2 of this Warrant, subject to the provisions and upon the terms and conditions set forth in this Warrant. Reference is made to Section 5.4 of this Warrant whereby Silicon Valley Bank shall transfer this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group.

A. Number of Shares. This Warrant shall be exercisable for the Initial Shares, plus the Additional Shares, if any (collectively, and as may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant, the “Shares”).

(1) Initial Shares. As used herein, “Initial Shares” means ______ shares of Common Stock, subject to adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

(2) Additional Shares. Upon the making (if any) of the first 2020 Term Loan (as defined in the Loan Agreement) to the Company in any amount, this Warrant automatically shall become exercisable for ______ additional shares of Common Stock, as such number may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant (including, without limitation, adjustments in respect of events occurring on or after the Issue Date hereof and prior to the date, if any, on which this Warrant becomes exercisable for such additional shares as if they were “Shares” hereunder for such purpose at all times from and after the Issue Date).

 

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SECTION 1. EXERCISE.

1.1 Method of Exercise. Holder may at any time and from time to time exercise this Warrant, in whole or in part, by delivering to the Company this Warrant together with a duly executed Notice of Exercise in substantially the form attached hereto as Appendix 1 and, unless Holder is exercising this Warrant pursuant to a cashless exercise set forth in Section 1.2, a check, wire transfer of same-day funds (to an account designated by the Company), or other form of payment acceptable to the Company for the aggregate Warrant Price for the Shares being purchased. In no event shall an original ink-signed paper copy of this Warrant be required for any exercise of a Holder’s rights hereunder, nor shall this Warrant or any physical copy thereof be required to be physically surrendered at the time of any exercise hereof.

1.2 Cashless Exercise. On any exercise of this Warrant, in lieu of payment of the aggregate Warrant Price in the manner as specified in Section 1.1 above, but otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Section 1.1, Holder may elect to receive Shares equal to the value of this Warrant, or portion hereof as to which this Warrant is being exercised. Thereupon, the Company shall issue to the Holder such number of fully paid and non-assessable Shares as are computed using the following formula:

X = Y(A-B)/A

where:

 

X =    the number of Shares to be issued to the Holder;
Y =    the number of Shares with respect to which this Warrant is being exercised (inclusive of the Shares surrendered to the Company in payment of the aggregate Warrant Price);
A =    the Fair Market Value (as determined pursuant to Section 1.3 below) of one Share; and
B =    the Warrant Price.

1.3 Fair Market Value. If the Company’s Common Stock is then traded or quoted on a nationally recognized securities exchange, inter-dealer quotation system or over-the-counter market (a “Trading Market”), the fair market value of a Share shall be the closing price or last sale price of a share of Common Stock reported for the Business Day immediately before the date on which Holder delivers this Warrant together with its Notice of Exercise to the Company. If the Company’s Common Stock is not traded in a Trading Market, the Board of Directors of the Company shall determine the fair market value of a Share in its reasonable good faith judgment.

 

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1.4 Delivery of Certificate and New Warrant. Within a reasonable time after Holder exercises this Warrant in the manner set forth in Section 1.1 or 1.2 above, the Company shall deliver to Holder a certificate representing the Shares issued to Holder upon such exercise and, if this Warrant has not been fully exercised and has not expired, a new warrant of like tenor representing the Shares not so acquired.

1.5 Replacement of Warrant.

(a) Paper Original Warrant. On receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of this Warrant and, in the case of loss, theft or destruction, on delivery of an indemnity agreement reasonably satisfactory in form, substance and amount to the Company or, in the case of mutilation, on surrender of this Warrant to the Company for cancellation, the Company shall, within a reasonable time, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of this Warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount.

(b) Electronic Original Warrant. If at any time this Warrant is rejected by any person (including but not limited to, paying or escrow agents) or any such person fails to comply with the terms of this Warrant based on this Warrant being presented to such person as an electronic record, a printout thereof, or any signature hereto being in electronic form, the Company, shall, promptly upon Holder’s request without indemnity, execute and deliver to Holder, in lieu of electronic original versions of this warrant, a new warrant of like tenor and amount in paper form with original ink signatures.

1.6 Treatment of Warrant Upon Acquisition of Company.

(a) Acquisition. For the purpose of this Warrant, “Acquisition” means any transaction or series of related transactions involving: (i) the sale, lease, exclusive license, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company (ii) any merger or consolidation of the Company into or with another person or entity (other than a merger or consolidation effected exclusively to change the Company’s domicile), or any other corporate reorganization, in which the stockholders of the Company in their capacity as such immediately prior to such merger, consolidation or reorganization, own less than a majority of the Company’s (or the surviving or successor entity’s) outstanding voting power immediately after such merger, consolidation or reorganization; or (iii) any sale or other transfer by the stockholders of the Company of shares representing at least a majority of the Company’s then-total outstanding combined voting power.

 

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(b) Treatment of Warrant at Acquisition. In the event of an Acquisition in which the consideration to be received by the Company’s stockholders consists solely of cash, solely of Marketable Securities or a combination of cash and Marketable Securities (a “Cash/Public Acquisition”), and the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, and Holder has not exercised this Warrant pursuant to Section 1.1 above as to all Shares, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed to be Cashless Exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the consummation of a Cash/Public Acquisition. In connection with such Cashless Exercise, Holder shall be deemed to have restated each of the representations and warranties in Section 4 of the Warrant as of the date thereof and the Company shall promptly notify the Holder of the number of Shares (or such other securities) issued upon exercise. In the event of a Cash/Public Acquisition where the fair market value of one Share as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above would be less than the Warrant Price in effect immediately prior to such Cash/Public Acquisition, then this Warrant will expire immediately prior to the consummation of such Cash/Public Acquisition.

(c) Upon the closing of any Acquisition other than a Cash/Public Acquisition defined above, the acquiring, surviving or successor entity shall assume the obligations of this Warrant, and this Warrant shall thereafter be exercisable for the same securities and/or other property as would have been paid for the Shares issuable upon exercise of the unexercised portion of this Warrant as if such Shares were outstanding on and as of the closing of such Acquisition, subject to further adjustment from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant.

(d) As used in this Warrant, “Marketable Securities” means securities meeting all of the following requirements: (i) the issuer thereof is then subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and is then current in its filing of all required reports and other information under the Act and the Exchange Act; (ii) the class and series of shares or other security of the issuer that would be received by Holder in connection with the Acquisition were Holder to exercise this Warrant on or prior to the closing thereof is then traded in a Trading Market, and (iii) following the closing of such Acquisition, Holder would not be restricted from publicly re-selling all of the issuer’s shares and/or other securities that would be received by Holder in such Acquisition were Holder to exercise or convert this Warrant in full on or prior to the closing of such Acquisition, except to the extent that any such restriction (x) arises solely under federal or state securities laws, rules or regulations, and (y) does not extend beyond six (6) months from the closing of such Acquisition.

SECTION 2. ADJUSTMENTS TO THE SHARES AND WARRANT PRICE.

 

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2.1 Stock Dividends, Splits, Etc. If the Company declares or pays a dividend or distribution on the outstanding shares of the Common Stock payable in securities or property (other than cash), then upon exercise of this Warrant, for each Share acquired, Holder shall receive, without additional cost to Holder, the total number and kind of securities and property which Holder would have received had Holder owned the Shares of record as of the date the dividend or distribution occurred. If the Company subdivides the outstanding shares of the Common Stock by reclassification or otherwise into a greater number of shares, the number of Shares purchasable hereunder shall be proportionately increased and the Warrant Price shall be proportionately decreased. If the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are combined or consolidated, by reclassification or otherwise, into a lesser number of shares, the Warrant Price shall be proportionately increased and the number of Shares shall be proportionately decreased.

2.2 Reclassification, Exchange, Combinations or Substitution. Upon any event whereby all of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock are reclassified, exchanged, combined, substituted, or replaced for, into, with or by Company securities of a different class and/or series, then from and after the consummation of such event, this Warrant will be exercisable for the number, class and series of Company securities that Holder would have received had the Shares been outstanding on and as of the consummation of such event, and subject to further adjustment thereafter from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Warrant. The provisions of this Section 2.2 shall similarly apply to successive reclassifications, exchanges, combinations substitutions, replacements or other similar events.

2.3 Intentionally Omitted.

2.4 Intentionally Omitted.

2.5 No Fractional Share. No fractional Share shall be issuable upon exercise of this Warrant and the number of Shares to be issued shall be rounded down to the nearest whole Share. If a fractional Share interest arises upon any exercise of the Warrant, the Company shall eliminate such fractional Share interest by paying Holder in cash the amount computed by multiplying the fractional interest by (i) the fair market value (as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above) of a full Share, less (ii) the then-effective Warrant Price.

2.6 Notice/Certificate as to Adjustments. Upon each adjustment of the Warrant Price, Common Stock and/or number of Shares, the Company, at the Company’s expense, shall notify Holder in writing within a reasonable time setting forth the adjustments to the Warrant Price, class and/or number of Shares and facts upon which such adjustment is based. The Company shall, upon written request from Holder, furnish Holder with a certificate of its Chief Financial Officer, including computations of such adjustment and the Warrant Price, class and number of Shares in effect upon the date of such adjustment.

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

3.1 Representations and Warranties. The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, the Holder as follows:

(a) The initial Warrant Price referenced on the first page of this Warrant is not greater than the fair market value of a share of Common Stock as determined by the most recently completed valuation, approved or accepted by the Company’s Board of Directors, of a share of Common Stock for purposes of the Company’s compliance with Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

 

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(b) The number of Initial Shares first set forth above together with the number of Additional Shares first set forth above collectively represent not less than 0.050% of the Company’s total issued shares of capital stock, calculated on and as of the Issue Date hereof on a fully-diluted, common stock-equivalent basis assuming (i) the conversion into common stock of all outstanding securities and instruments (including, without limitation, securities deemed to be outstanding pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 3.1(b)) convertible by their terms into shares of common stock (regardless of whether such securities or instruments are by their terms now so convertible), (ii) the exercise in full of all outstanding options, warrants (including, without limitation, this Warrant) and other rights to purchase or acquire shares of common stock or securities exercisable for or convertible into shares of common stock (regardless of whether such options, warrants or other rights to purchase or acquire are by their terms now exercisable); and (iii) the inclusion of all shares of common stock reserved for issuance under all of the Company’s incentive stock and stock option plans and not now subject to outstanding grants or options.

(c) All Shares which may be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant, shall, upon issuance, be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable, and free of any liens and encumbrances except for restrictions on transfer provided for herein or under applicable federal and state securities laws. The Company covenants that it shall at all times cause to be reserved and kept available out of its authorized and unissued capital stock such number of securities as will be sufficient to permit the exercise in full of this Warrant.

(d) The capitalization table attached hereto as Schedule 1 is to the knowledge of the Company a true and complete representation of the Company’s capitalization table as of the Issue Date hereof.

3.2 Notice of Certain Events. If the Company proposes at any time to:

(a) declare any dividend or distribution upon the outstanding shares of the Company’s stock, whether in cash, property, stock, or other securities and whether or not a regular cash dividend;

(b) offer for subscription or sale pro rata to the holders of the outstanding shares of Common Stock any additional shares of any class or series of the Company’s stock (other than pursuant to contractual pre-emptive rights);

(c) effect any reclassification, exchange, combination, substitution, reorganization or recapitalization of the outstanding shares of the Common Stock;

(d) effect an Acquisition or to liquidate, dissolve or wind up; or

 

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(e) effect its initial, underwritten offering and sale of its securities to the public pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Act (the “IPO”);

then, in connection with each such event, the Company shall give Holder:

(1) in the case of the matters referred to in (a) and (b) above, at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the earlier to occur of the effective date thereof or the date on which a record will be taken for such dividend, distribution, or subscription rights (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the Common Stock will be entitled thereto) or for determining rights to vote, if any,

(2) in the case of the matters referred to in (c) and (d) above at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date when the same will take place (and specifying the date on which the holders of outstanding shares of the series or class will be entitled to exchange their shares for the securities or other property deliverable upon the occurrence of such event and such reasonable information as Holder may reasonably require regarding the treatment of this Warrant in connection with such event giving rise to the notice); and

(3) with respect to the IPO, at least seven (7) Business Days prior written notice of the date on which the Company proposes to file its registration statement in connection therewith.

Company will also provide information requested by Holder that is reasonably necessary to enable Holder to comply with Holder’s accounting or reporting requirements. Holder agrees that all information provided by Company to Holder pursuant to this Section 3.2 is subject to the confidentiality provisions set forth in Section 9 of the Loan Agreement.

SECTION 4. REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES OF THE HOLDER.

The Holder represents and warrants to the Company as follows:

4.1 Purchase for Own Account. This Warrant and the Shares to be acquired upon exercise of this Warrant by Holder are being acquired for investment for Holder’s account, not as a nominee or agent, and not with a view to the public resale or distribution within the meaning of the Act. Holder also represents that it has not been formed for the specific purpose of acquiring this Warrant or the Shares.

4.2 Disclosure of Information. Holder is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has received or has had full access to all the information it considers necessary or appropriate to make an informed investment decision with respect to the acquisition of this Warrant and its underlying securities. Holder further has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of this Warrant and its underlying securities and to obtain additional information (to the extent the Company possessed such information or could acquire it without unreasonable effort or expense) necessary to verify any information furnished to Holder or to which Holder has access.

 

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4.3 Investment Experience. Holder understands that the purchase of this Warrant and its underlying securities involves substantial risk. Holder has experience as an investor in securities of companies in the development stage and acknowledges that Holder can bear the economic risk of such Holder’s investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and has such knowledge and experience in financial or business matters that Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risks of its investment in this Warrant and its underlying securities and/or has a preexisting personal or business relationship with the Company and certain of its officers, directors or controlling persons of a nature and duration that enables Holder to be aware of the character, business acumen and financial circumstances of such persons.

4.4 Accredited Investor Status. Holder is an “accredited investor” within the meaning of Regulation D promulgated under the Act.

4.5 The Act. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise hereof have not been registered under the Act in reliance upon a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of the Holder’s investment intent as expressed herein. Holder understands that this Warrant and the Shares issued upon any exercise hereof are “restricted securities” under the applicable federal and state securities laws and must be held indefinitely unless subsequently registered under the Act and qualified under applicable state securities laws, or unless exemption from such registration and qualification are otherwise available. Holder is aware of the provisions of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

4.6 Market Stand-off Agreement. The Holder agrees that the Shares shall be subject to the Market Standoff provisions in Section 2.11 of the Investor Rights Agreement, dated July 9, 2019, by and among the Company and the other parties thereto.

4.7 No Voting Rights. Holder, as a Holder of this Warrant, will not have any voting rights until the exercise of this Warrant.

4.8 No Public Market. The Holder understands that no public market now exists for any of the securities issued by the Company, and that the Company has made no assurances that a public market will ever exists for the Shares.

SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS.

5.1 Term and Automatic Conversion Upon Expiration.

 

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(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 1.6 above, this Warrant is exercisable in whole or in part at any time and from time to time on or before 6:00 PM, Pacific time, on the Expiration Date and shall be void thereafter.

(b) Automatic Cashless Exercise upon Expiration. In the event that, upon the Expiration Date, the fair market value of one Share (or other security issuable upon the exercise hereof) as determined in accordance with Section 1.3 above is greater than the Warrant Price in effect on such date, then this Warrant shall automatically be deemed on and as of such date to be exercised pursuant to Section 1.2 above as to all Shares (or such other securities) for which it shall not previously have been exercised, and the Company shall, within a reasonable time, deliver a certificate representing the Shares (or such other securities) issued upon such exercise to Holder.

5.2 Legends. The Shares (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) shall be imprinted with a legend in substantially the following form:

THE SHARES EVIDENCED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATE AND, EXCEPT AS SET FORTH IN THAT CERTAIN WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK ISSUED BY THE ISSUER TO SILICON VALLEY BANK DATED SEPTEMBER 30, 2020, MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD, PLEDGED OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED UNLESS AND UNTIL REGISTERED UNDER SAID ACT AND LAWS OR IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER, SUCH OFFER, SALE, PLEDGE OR OTHER TRANSFER IS EXEMPT FROM SUCH REGISTRATION.

5.3 Compliance with Securities Laws on Transfer. This Warrant and the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (and the securities issuable, directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) may not be transferred or assigned in whole or in part except in compliance with applicable federal and state securities laws by the transferor and the transferee (including, without limitation, the delivery of investment representation letters and legal opinions reasonably satisfactory to the Company, as reasonably requested by the Company). The Company shall not require Holder to provide an opinion of counsel if the transfer is to SVB Financial Group (Silicon Valley Bank’s parent company) or any other affiliate of Holder, provided that any such transferee is an “accredited investor” as defined in Regulation D promulgated under the Act. Additionally, the Company shall also not require an opinion of counsel if there is no material question as to the availability of Rule 144 promulgated under the Act.

 

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5.4 Transfer Procedure. After receipt by Silicon Valley Bank of the executed Warrant, Silicon Valley Bank will transfer all of this Warrant to its parent company, SVB Financial Group. By its acceptance of this Warrant, SVB Financial Group hereby makes to the Company each of the representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 hereof and agrees to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant as if the original Holder hereof. Subject to the provisions of Section 5.3 and upon providing the Company with written notice, SVB Financial Group and any subsequent Holder may transfer all or part of this Warrant or the Shares issuable upon exercise of this Warrant (or the securities issuable directly or indirectly, upon conversion of the Shares, if any) to any transferee, provided, however, in connection with any such transfer, SVB Financial Group or any subsequent Holder will give the Company notice of the portion of the Warrant being transferred with the name, address and taxpayer identification number of the transferee and Holder will surrender this Warrant to the Company for reissuance to the transferee(s) (and Holder if applicable); and provided further, that any subsequent transferee other than SVB Financial Group shall agree in writing with the Company to be bound by all of the terms and conditions of this Warrant. Notwithstanding any contrary provision herein, at all times prior to the IPO, Holder may not, without the Company’s prior written consent, transfer this Warrant or any portion hereof, or any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, or any shares or other securities issued upon any conversion of any Shares issued upon any exercise hereof, to any person or entity who directly competes with the Company, except in connection with an Acquisition of the Company by such a direct competitor.

5.5 Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder from the Company to the Holder, or vice versa, shall be deemed delivered and effective (i) when given personally, (ii) on the third (3rd) Business Day after being mailed by first-class registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, (iii) upon actual receipt if given by electronic mail and such receipt is confirmed in writing by the recipient, or (iv) on the first Business Day following delivery to a reliable overnight courier service, courier fee prepaid, in any case at such address as may have been furnished to the Company or Holder, as the case may be, in writing by the Company or such Holder from time to time in accordance with the provisions of this Section 5.5. All notices to Holder shall be addressed as follows until the Company receives notice of a change of address in connection with a transfer or otherwise:

SVB Financial Group

Attn: [Intentionally omitted]

Telephone: [Intentionally omitted]

Email address: [Intentionally omitted]

Notice to the Company shall be addressed as follows until Holder receives notice of a change in address:

Ethos Technologies Inc.

Attn: [Intentionally omitted]

Telephone: [Intentionally omitted]

Email: [Intentionally omitted]

With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

Cooley LLP

Attn: [Intentionally omitted]

Telephone: [Intentionally omitted]

Email: [Intentionally omitted]

 

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5.6 Waiver. This Warrant and any term hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated (either generally or in a particular instance and either retroactively or prospectively) only by an instrument in writing signed by the party against which enforcement of such change, waiver, discharge or termination is sought.

5.7 Attorney’s Fees. In the event of any dispute between the parties concerning the terms and provisions of this Warrant, the party prevailing in such dispute shall be entitled to collect from the other party all costs incurred in such dispute, including reasonable attorneys’ fees.

5.8 Counterparts; Electronic Signatures; Status as Certificated Security. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, all of which together shall constitute one and the same agreement. Company, Holder and any other party hereto may execute this Warrant by electronic means and each party hereto recognizes and accepts the use of electronic signatures and records by any other party hereto in connection with the execution and storage hereof. To the extent that this Warrant or any agreement subject to the terms hereof or any amendment hereto is executed, recorded or delivered electronically, it shall be binding to the same extent as though it had been executed on paper with an original ink signature. The fact that this Warrant is executed, signed, stored or delivered electronically shall not prevent the transfer by any Holder of this Warrant pursuant to Section 5.4 or the enforcement of the terms hereof. This Warrant, and any copies hereof, shall NOT be deemed to be a “certificated security” within the meaning of section 8102(a)(4) of the California Commercial Code. Physical possession of the original of this Warrant or any paper copy thereof shall confer no special status to the bearer thereof.

5.9 Governing Law. This Warrant shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of California, without giving effect to its principles regarding conflicts of law.

5.10 Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning of any provision of this Warrant.

5.11 Business Days. “Business Day” is any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday or a day on which Silicon Valley Bank is closed.

[Remainder of page left blank intentionally]

[Signature page follows]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Warrant to Purchase Common Stock to be executed by their duly authorized representatives effective as of the Issue Date written above.

 

COMPANY
ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  
HOLDER
SILICON VALLEY BANK
By:  

 

Name:  
Title:  

 

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Appendices and Schedules

 

Appendix 1    Notice of Exercise
Schedule 1    Company Capitalization Table
EX-4.4

Exhibit 4.4

THIS WARRANT AND THE SECURITIES ISSUABLE UPON THE EXERCISE HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE TERMS OF THIS WARRANT, THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE ISSUER OF THESE SECURITIES MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

FORM OF WARRANT TO PURCHASE COMMON STOCK

This certifies that, for value received, ______________________, a ______________, with a principal office at the address set forth on the signature page hereto, or such person’s or entity’s permitted assigns (the “Holder”), is entitled to subscribe for and purchase from Ethos Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Exercise Shares at the Exercise Price (each subject to adjustment as provided herein).

1. Definitions. As used herein, the following terms have the following respective meanings:

(a)Change of Control” means (i) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other corporation or other entity or person, or any other corporate reorganization, other than any such consolidation, merger or reorganization in which the stockholders of the Company immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or reorganization, continue to hold at least a majority of the voting power of the surviving entity in substantially the same proportions (or, if the surviving entity is a wholly owned subsidiary, its parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization, (ii) any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is a party in which the stockholders of the Company transfer shares in excess of 50% of the Company’s then-outstanding combined voting power, provided that a Change of Control shall not include any transaction or series of transactions principally for bona fide equity financing purposes in which cash is received by the Company or any successor or indebtedness of the Company is cancelled or converted or a combination thereof, or (iii) a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; provided, however, notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation provides definitions of various analogous transactions that would be deemed a liquidation event for the Company, then such definition will apply as if it were the definition set forth herein.

(b)Date of Issue” means _________________.

(c)Exercise Period” means the period commencing on the Date of Issue, and ending ________________, unless sooner terminated as provided below.

(d)Exercise Price” means $_____ per Exercise Share, subject to adjustment pursuant to Section 7 below.

 

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(e)Exercise Shares” means _____________ shares of the Company’s Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share, issuable upon exercise of this Warrant, subject to adjustment as set forth herein.

(f)IPO” means an initial public offering of securities of the Company registered under the Act.

(g)Securities” means, collectively, this Warrant and the Exercise Shares.

2. Vesting. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, this Warrant shall only be exercisable with respect to those Exercise Shares which have vested as of the date of exercise. The Exercise Shares shall vest in accordance with Schedule 1 of this Warrant.

3. Exercise of Warrant.

3.1 Exercise. The rights represented by this Warrant may be exercised in whole or in part at any time during the Exercise Period, by delivery of the following to the Company at its address set forth on the signature page hereto (or at such other address as it may designate by notice in writing to the Holder):

(a) An executed Notice of Exercise in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A;

(b) Payment of the Exercise Price either (i) in cash or by check or wire transfer, or (ii) by cancellation of indebtedness, or (iii) solely in connection with a Change of Control or an IPO, by net exercise pursuant to Section 3.2; and

(c) This Warrant.

3.2 Net Exercise. Notwithstanding any provisions herein to the contrary, solely in connection with an IPO or a Change of Control, if the fair market value of one Exercise Share is greater than the Exercise Price (at the date of calculation as set forth below), in lieu of exercising this Warrant with payment of cash, check or wire transfer or by cancellation of indebtedness as provided in Section 3.1, the Holder may by surrender of this Warrant at the principal office of the Company together with the properly endorsed Notice of Exercise elect to receive the number of Exercise Shares computed using the following formula:

X = Y (A-B)

A 

Where  X =  the number of Exercise Shares to be issued to the Holder

 

  Y =

the number of Exercise Shares purchasable under this Warrant or, if only a portion of this Warrant is being exercised, that portion of this Warrant being exercised (at the date of such calculation)

 

  A =

the fair market value of one Exercise Share (at the date of such calculation)

 

  B =

Exercise Price (as adjusted to the date of such calculation)

 

2


For purposes of the above calculation, the fair market value of one Exercise Share shall be determined by the Company’s Board of Directors in good faith; provided, however, that if this Warrant is exercised pursuant to this Section 3.2 in connection with (a) an IPO, the fair market value per share shall be the per share offering price to the public in the IPO, or (b) a Change of Control, the fair market value per share shall be the value ascribed to the consideration to be paid in respect of one share of the Exercise Shares in the definitive agreement(s) relating to such Change of Control, or if no such value is set forth in the definitive agreements(s) relating to such Change of Control, as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors.

3.3 Mechanics of Exercise. Upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant, a certificate or certificates for the Exercise Shares so purchased, registered in the name of the Holder, shall be issued and delivered to the Holder within a reasonable time after the rights represented by this Warrant shall have been so exercised. If this Warrant is being exercised for less than all of the then-current number of Exercise Shares purchasable hereunder, the Company shall, concurrently with the issuance by the Company of the number of Exercise Shares for which this Warrant is then being exercised, issue a new Warrant exercisable for the remaining number of Exercise Shares purchasable hereunder. The Holder shall be deemed to have become the holder of record of such shares on the date on which this Warrant was surrendered and payment of the Exercise Price was made, irrespective of the date of delivery of such certificate or certificates, except that, if the date of such surrender and payment is a date when the stock transfer books of the Company are closed, the Holder shall be deemed to have become the holder of such shares at the close of business on the next succeeding date on which the stock transfer books are open.

4. Covenants of the Company.

4.1 Covenants as to Exercise Shares. The Company covenants and agrees that all Exercise Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant will, upon issuance, be validly issued and outstanding, fully paid and nonassessable, and free from all taxes, liens and charges with respect to the issuance thereof. The Company further covenants and agrees that the Company will at all times during the Exercise Period have authorized and reserved a sufficient number of shares of the series of equity securities comprising the Exercise Shares to provide for the exercise of the rights represented by this Warrant. The issuance of the Exercise Shares will not be subject to any preemptive rights that have not been properly complied with or waived. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, it is agreed and acknowledged that the Exercise Shares may be subject to a right of first refusal and certain restrictions on transfer set forth in the Company’s Bylaws, as in effect from time to time. If at any time during the Exercise Period the number of authorized but unissued shares of the Company’s Common Stock shall not be sufficient to permit exercise of this Warrant, the Company will take such corporate action as may, in the opinion of its counsel, be necessary to increase its authorized but unissued shares of such class and/or series of the Company’s equity securities to such number of shares as shall be sufficient for such purposes.

4.2 Notices of Record Date. In the event of any taking by the Company of a record of the holders of the class and/or series of equity securities constituting the Exercise Shares for the purpose of determining the holders thereof who are entitled to receive any dividend or other distribution, the Company shall give to the Holder, at least 10 days prior to the date specified herein, a notice specifying the date on which any such record is to be taken for the purpose of such dividend or distribution.

5. Representations of Holder. The Holder hereby represents and warrants to the Company as of the Date of Issue as follows:

5.1 Acquisition for Own Account. The Holder is acquiring the Securities solely for the Holder’s own account and beneficial interest for investment and not for sale or with a view to distribution of the Securities or any part thereof, has no present intention of selling (in connection with a distribution or otherwise), granting any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same, and does not presently have reason to anticipate a change in such intention.

 

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5.2 Information and Sophistication. The Holder hereby (a) acknowledges that the Holder has received all the information the Holder has requested from the Company and the Holder considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to acquire the Securities, (b) represents that the Holder has had an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers from the Company regarding the terms and conditions of the offering of the Securities and to obtain any additional information necessary to verify the accuracy of the information given the Holder, and (c) further represents that the Holder has such knowledge and experience in financial and business matters that the Holder is capable of evaluating the merits and risk of this investment.

5.3 Ability to Bear Economic Risk. The Holder acknowledges that investment in the Securities involves a high degree of risk, and represents that the Holder is able, without materially impairing the Holder’s financial condition, to hold the Securities for an indefinite period of time and to suffer a complete loss of the Holder’s investment.

5.4 Further Limitations on Disposition. Without in any way limiting the representations set forth above, the Holder further agrees not to make any disposition of all or any portion of the Securities unless and until:

(a) There is then in effect a registration statement under the Act covering such proposed disposition and such disposition is made in accordance with such registration statement; or

(b) The Holder shall have notified the Company of the proposed disposition and furnished the Company with a detailed statement of the circumstances surrounding the proposed disposition, and if reasonably requested by the Company, the Holder shall have furnished the Company with an opinion of counsel, reasonably satisfactory to the Company, that such disposition will not require registration under the Act or any applicable state securities laws; provided that no such opinion shall be required for dispositions in compliance with Rule 144 under the Act, except in unusual circumstances.

Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) above, no such registration statement or opinion of counsel shall be necessary for a transfer by the Holder to a partner (or retired partner) or member (or retired member) of the Holder in accordance with partnership or limited liability company interests, or transfers by gift, will or intestate succession to any spouse or lineal descendants or ancestors, if all transferees agree in writing to be subject to the terms hereof to the same extent as if the applicable party were the Holder hereunder.

5.5 Accredited Investor Status. The Holder is an “accredited investor” as such term is defined in Rule 501 under the Act.

5.6 No “Bad Actor” Disqualification. The Holder represents and warrants that neither (a) the Holder nor (b) any entity that controls the Holder or is under the control of, or under common control with, the Holder, is subject to any of the “bad actor” disqualifications described in Rule 506(d)(1)(i) through (viii), as modified by Rules 506(d)(2) and (d)(3), under the Act (“Disqualification Events”), except for Disqualification Events covered by Rule 506(d)(2)(ii) or (iii) or (d)(3) under the Act and disclosed in writing in reasonable detail to the Company. The Holder represents that the Holder has exercised reasonable care to determine the accuracy of the representation made by the Holder in this paragraph, and agrees to notify the Company if the Holder becomes aware of any fact that makes the representation given by the Holder hereunder inaccurate.

 

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5.7 Foreign Holder. If the Holder is not a United States person (as defined by Section 7701(a)(30) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended), the Holder hereby represents that the Holder it has satisfied itself as to the full observance of the laws of the Holder’s jurisdiction in connection with any invitation to subscribe for the Securities or any use of this Warrant, including (a) the legal requirements within the Holder’s jurisdiction for the purchase of the Securities, (b) any foreign exchange restrictions applicable to such purchase, (c) any governmental or other consents that may need to be obtained, and (d) the income tax and other tax consequences, if any, that may be relevant to the purchase, holding, redemption, sale or transfer of the Securities. The Holder’s subscription, payment for and continued beneficial ownership of the Securities will not violate any applicable securities or other laws of the Holder’s jurisdiction.

5.8 Forward-Looking Statements. With respect to any forecasts, projections of results and other forward-looking statements and information provided to the Holder, the Holder acknowledges that such statements were prepared based upon assumptions deemed reasonable by the Company at the time of preparation. There is no assurance that such statements will prove accurate, and the Company has no obligation to update such statements

6. Restrictive Legends. The Holder understands and agrees that all certificates evidencing the Exercise Shares may bear the following legends:

(a) “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE “ACT”), OR UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY STATES IN THE UNITED STATES. THESE SECURITIES ARE SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE TRANSFERRED OR RESOLD EXCEPT AS PERMITTED UNDER THE ACT AND THE APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS, PURSUANT TO REGISTRATION OR EXEMPTION THEREFROM. THE ISSUER OF THESE SHARES MAY REQUIRE AN OPINION OF COUNSEL IN FORM AND SUBSTANCE SATISFACTORY TO THE ISSUER TO THE EFFECT THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.”

(b) “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A RIGHT OF FIRST REFUSAL OPTION IN FAVOR OF THE CORPORATION AND/OR ITS ASSIGNEE(S) AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

(c) “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO A TRANSFER RESTRICTION, AS PROVIDED IN THE BYLAWS OF THE CORPORATION.”

(d) “THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS CERTIFICATE ARE SUBJECT TO CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE SECURITYHOLDERS’ AGREEMENTS SET FORTH IN AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE CORPORATION AND THE REGISTERED HOLDER, OR SUCH HOLDER’S PREDECESSOR IN INTEREST, A COPY OF WHICH IS ON FILE AT THE PRINCIPAL OFFICE OF THE CORPORATION.”

7. Adjustment of Exercise Price and Number of Exercise Shares; Fractional Shares.

7.1 Changes in Securities. In the event of changes in the class and/or series of equity securities of the Company comprising the Exercise Shares by reason of stock dividends, splits, recapitalizations, reclassifications, combinations or exchanges of shares, reorganizations, or other similar transactions, the number and class and/or series of Exercise Shares available under this Warrant in the aggregate and the Exercise Price shall be correspondingly adjusted to give the Holder of this Warrant, on

 

5


exercise for the same aggregate Exercise Price, the total number and class and/or series of shares as the Holder would have owned had this Warrant been exercised prior to the event and had the Holder continued to hold such shares until after the event requiring adjustment; provided, however, that such adjustment shall not be made with respect to, and this Warrant shall terminate if not exercised prior to, the events set forth in Section 8 below. The form of this Warrant need not be changed because of any adjustment in the number of Exercise Shares subject to this Warrant.

7.2 Fractional Shares. No fractional shares shall be issued upon the exercise of this Warrant as a consequence of any adjustment pursuant hereto. All Exercise Shares (including fractions) to be issued upon exercise of this Warrant shall be aggregated for purposes of determining whether the exercise would result in the issuance of any fractional share. If, after aggregation, the exercise would result in the issuance of a fractional share, the Company shall, in lieu of issuance of any fractional share, pay the Holder otherwise entitled to such fraction a sum in cash equal to the product resulting from multiplying the then current fair market value of one Exercise Share by such fraction.

8. Termination.

8.1 This Warrant shall terminate upon the earliest to occur of (a) immediately prior to the closing date of an IPO or Change of Control, in the event of a Liquidity Exercise Failure; (b) the Holder’s violation of any agreement between the Holder and the Company; (c) the termination of such agreement; (d) an act involving fraud, negligence, willful misconduct, and/or violation of any applicable law by the Holder, as determined in the Company’s sole discretion; or (e) an act by the Holder that is intended, or may reasonably be expected to harm the reputation, business, prospects or operations of the Company, its officers, directors, stockholders, or employees, as determined in the Company’s sole discretion [(the acts described in Subsections (b), (d) and (e) above, each to be referred to herein as a “Bad Actor Event”)]. A “Liquidity Exercise Failure” shall occur if, at any time during the Exercise Period, the Company provides to the Holder at least 10 days advance written notice of an IPO or Change of Control, and, unless exercised, this Warrant shall terminate immediately prior to the closing date of such IPO or Change of Control.

9. Market Standoff. To the extent requested by the Company or an underwriter of securities of the Company, the Holder and any permitted transferee thereof shall not, without the prior written consent of the managing underwriters in the IPO, offer, sell, make any short sale of, grant or sell any option for the purchase of, lend, pledge, otherwise transfer or dispose of (directly or indirectly), enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership (whether any such transaction is described above or is to be settled by delivery of Securities or other securities, in cash, or otherwise, [any such transaction, a “Transfer”]), any Securities or other shares of stock of the Company then owned by the Holder or any transferee thereof, or enter into an agreement to do any of the foregoing, for up to 180 days following the effective date of the registration statement of the IPO. For purposes of this Section 9, “Company” includes any wholly owned subsidiary of the Company into which the Company merges or consolidates. The Company may place restrictive legends on the certificates representing the shares subject to this Section 9 and may impose stop transfer instructions with respect to the Securities and such other shares of stock of the Holder and any transferee thereof (and the shares or securities of every other person subject to the foregoing restriction) until the end of such period. The Holder and any transferee thereof shall enter into any agreement reasonably required by the underwriters to the IPO to implement the foregoing within any reasonable timeframe so requested. The underwriters for any IPO are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9 and shall have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions of this Section 9 as though they were parties hereto. The provisions of this Section 9 shall survive any exercise of this Warrant.

 

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[In addition to any other restrictions set forth herein or otherwise applicable to the Exercise Shares, the Holder agrees that it will not effect any Transfers which in the aggregate constitute in excess of 15% of the Exercise Shares in any rolling 12-month period, unless otherwise approved in writing by the Company.

The Holder hereby grants to the Company the right (the “Repurchase Right”), exercisable at any time during the six-month period (the “Repurchase Period”) following the date on which the Company makes a determination that a Bad Actor Event has occurred to repurchase all or any portion of the Exercise Shares (a “Repurchase”). The Repurchase Right shall be exercisable by written notice delivered to the Holder prior to the expiration of the Repurchase Period. The notice shall indicate the number of shares of Exercise Shares to be repurchased from Holder and the date on which the Repurchase is to be effected, such date to be not later than thirty days following the last day of the Repurchase Period. On the date on which the Repurchase is to be effected, the Company and/or its assigns shall pay the Holder in cash an amount equal to the number of Exercise Shares subject to the Repurchase multiplied by the lesser of (a) the Exercise Price that the Holder paid for the Exercise Shares, (b) the then-current 409A valuation of the Common Stock of the Company, or (c) the then-prevailing market price of the Common Stock of the Company, if applicable. Upon such payment to the Holder by the Company and/or its assigns, the Company and/or its assigns shall become the legal and beneficial owner of the shares being so repurchased and all rights and interest thereon or related thereto, and the Company shall have the right to transfer to its own name or its assigns such number of shares being repurchased, without any further action required by the Holder. Without limiting the foregoing, to the extent the Company determines that in connection with its exercise of the Repurchase Right, any reasonable actions may be required by the Holder to give effect to its Repurchase Right, including, but not limited to, the execution of a Stock Assignment Separate from Certificate, the Holder agrees to take such actions so requested.]

10. No Stockholder Rights; Waiver of Statutory Information Rights. This Warrant in and of itself shall not entitle the Holder to any voting rights or other rights as a stockholder of the Company. In furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Holder hereby acknowledges and agrees that, except for such information as required to be delivered to the Holder by the Company pursuant to any other agreement by and between the Company and the Holder, the Holder has no right to receive any information from the Company by virtue of the Holder’s holding this Warrant, or exercise or ownership of the Exercise Shares, or as a result of the Holder now or hereafter being a holder of record of stock of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, Holder hereby waives Holder’s inspection rights under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and all such similar information and/or inspection rights that may be provided under the law of any jurisdiction, or any federal, state or foreign regulation, that are, or may become, applicable to the Company, the Company’s capital stock or the Exercise Shares (the “Inspection Rights”). The Holder hereby covenants and agrees never to directly or indirectly commence, voluntarily aid in any way, prosecute, assign, transfer, or cause to be commenced any claim, action, cause of action, or other proceeding to pursue or exercise the Inspection Rights. The foregoing waivers, covenants and agreements with respect to the Inspection Rights shall survive any exercise of this Warrant.

11. Transfer of Warrant. In addition to any other restrictions on transfer set forth in this Warrant, neither this Warrant nor any interest therein shall be transferred or assigned, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, without the prior written consent of the Company, and any attempted transfer or assignment without such consent shall be void. Subject to the foregoing restrictions, applicable laws and the restriction on transfer set forth on the first page of this Warrant, in connection with any transfer of this Warrant, the Holder shall deliver this Warrant and the form of assignment attached hereto as Exhibit B to the Company, and the transferee shall sign an investment representation letter in form and substance satisfactory to the Company.

 

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12. Agreement to Become Party to Additional Agreements. As a condition to the issuance of the Exercise Shares upon exercise of this Warrant, at the request of the Company, Holder shall execute and deliver any applicable securityholders’ agreement, investor rights agreement, voting agreement, drag along agreement, right of first refusal and co-sale agreement or similar agreement (or a joinder to any existing agreement) that the Company and/or the holders of its securities may enter into or that otherwise that may be in effect from time to time (and which may contain, among other provisions, additional restrictions on transfer).

13. Lost, Stolen, Mutilated or Destroyed Warrant. If this Warrant is lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed, the Company may, on such terms as to indemnity or otherwise as it may reasonably impose (which shall, in the case of a mutilated Warrant, include the surrender thereof), issue a new Warrant of like denomination and tenor as this Warrant so lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed. Any such new Warrant shall constitute an original contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the allegedly lost, stolen, mutilated or destroyed Warrant shall be at any time enforceable by anyone.

14. Cumulative Remedies. The rights and remedies provided in this Warrant are cumulative and are not exclusive of, and are in addition to and not in substitution for, any other rights or remedies available at law, in equity or otherwise.

15. Equitable Relief. Each of the Company and the Holder acknowledges that a breach or threatened breach by such party of any of its obligations under this Warrant would give rise to irreparable harm to the other party hereto for which monetary damages would not be an adequate remedy and hereby agrees that in the event of a breach or a threatened breach by such party of any such obligations, the other party hereto shall, in addition to any and all other rights and remedies that may be available to it in respect of such breach, be entitled to equitable relief, including a restraining order, an injunction, specific performance and any other relief that may be available from a court of competent jurisdiction.

16. Notices, etc. All notices required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be deemed effectively given (a) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (b) when sent by electronic transmission if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, if not, then on the next business day, (c) five days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (d) one day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications shall be sent to each of the Company and the Holder at the address listed on their respective signature pages hereto or at such other address as the Company or Holder may designate by ten days’ advance written notice to the other party.

17. Successor and Assigns. Subject to compliance with the restrictions on transfer set forth in this Warrant, this Warrant and the rights evidenced hereby shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and the successors of the Company and the successors and permitted assigns of the Holder, and such successors and/or permitted assigns of the Holder shall be deemed to be a Holder for all purposes hereunder.

18. No Third-Party Beneficiaries. This Warrant is for the sole benefit of the Company and the Holder and their respective successors and, in the case of the Holder, permitted assigns and nothing herein, express or implied, is intended to or shall confer upon any other Person any legal or equitable right, benefit or remedy of any nature whatsoever, under or by reason of this Warrant.

19. Headings. The headings in this Warrant are for reference only and shall not affect the interpretation of this Warrant.

 

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20. Amendment and Modification; Waiver. Except as otherwise provided herein, this Warrant may only be amended, modified or supplemented by an agreement in writing signed by the Company and the Holder. No waiver by the Company or the Holder of any of the provisions hereof shall be effective unless explicitly set forth in writing and signed by the party so waiving. No waiver by any party shall operate or be construed as a waiver in respect of any failure, breach or default not expressly identified by such written waiver, whether of a similar or different character, and whether occurring before or after that waiver. No failure to exercise, or delay in exercising, any rights, remedy, power or privilege arising from this Warrant shall operate or be construed as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any right, remedy, power or privilege hereunder preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, remedy, power or privilege.

21. Severability. If any term or provision of this Warrant is invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction, such invalidity, illegality or unenforceability shall not affect any other term or provision of this Warrant or invalidate or render unenforceable such term or provision in any other jurisdiction.

22. Acceptance. Receipt of this Warrant by the Holder shall constitute acceptance of and agreement to all of the terms and conditions contained herein.

23. Governing Law. This Warrant and all rights, obligations and liabilities hereunder shall be governed by and construed under the laws of the State of Delaware as applied to agreements among Delaware residents, made and to be performed entirely within the State of Delaware without giving effect to conflicts of laws principles.

24. Counterparts. This Warrant may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same agreement. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

[Signature pages follow]

 

9


The parties have caused this Warrant to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:
Ethos Technologies Inc.
By:  

 

  Name:
  Title:
Address:
Email:


The parties have caused this Warrant to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDER:

 

   
By:  

 

  Name:  

 

  Title:  

 

Email:  

 

Address:  

           

 
 

 

 


Exhibits and Schedules

 

Exhibit A    Notice of Exercise
Exhibit B    Assignment Form
Schedule 1    Vesting Terms

 

1

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: July 5, 2016

APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: July 5, 2016

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: June 15, 2017

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: June 20, 2017

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: April 26, 2018

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: April 26, 2018

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: October 10, 2018

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: October 10, 2018

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: April 15, 2019

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: April 15, 2019

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: July 9, 2019

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: July 9, 2019

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: December 11, 2020

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: April 29, 2021

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: April 29, 2021

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: July 13, 2021

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: July 13, 2021

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: August 29, 2022

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: August 29, 2022

AMENDED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: October 26, 2023

AMENDMENT APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: November 2, 2023

TERMINATION DATE: July 4, 2026

1. GENERAL.

(a) Eligible Stock Award Recipients. Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Stock Awards.

(b) Available Stock Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following types of Stock Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options, (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options, (iii) Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) Restricted Stock Awards, (v) Restricted Stock Unit Awards and (vi) Other Stock Awards.

(c) Purpose. The Plan, through the grant of Stock Awards, is intended to help the Company secure and retain the services of eligible award recipients, provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and provide a means by which the eligible recipients may benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock.

 

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2. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Administration by the Board. The Board will administer the Plan. The Board may delegate administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in Section 2(c).

(b) Powers of the Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine (A) who will be granted Stock Awards; (B) when and how each Stock Award will be granted; (C) what type of Stock Award will be granted; (D) the provisions of each Stock Award (which need not be identical), including when a person will be permitted to exercise or otherwise receive cash or Common Stock under the Stock Award; (E) the number of shares of Common Stock subject to, or the cash value of, a Stock Award; and (F) the Fair Market Value applicable to a Stock Award.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for administration of the Plan and Stock Awards. The Board, in the exercise of these powers, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Stock Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it will deem necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Stock Award fully effective.

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Stock Awards granted under it.

(iv) To accelerate, in whole or in part, the time at which a Stock Award may be exercised or vest (or the time at which cash or shares of Common Stock may be issued in settlement thereof).

(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair a Participant’s rights under the Participant’s then-outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent except as provided in subsection (viii) below.

(vi) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable, including, without limitation, by adopting amendments relating to Incentive Stock Options and certain nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code and/or bringing the Plan or Stock Awards granted under the Plan into compliance with the requirements for Incentive Stock Options or ensuring that they are exempt from, or compliant with, the requirements for nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A of the Code, subject to the limitations, if any, of applicable law. If required by applicable law or listing requirements, and except as provided in Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the Company will seek stockholder approval of any amendment of the Plan that (A) materially increases the number of shares of Common Stock available for issuance under the Plan, (B) materially expands the class of individuals eligible to receive Stock Awards under the Plan, (C) materially increases the benefits accruing to Participants under the Plan, (D) materially reduces the price at which shares of Common Stock may be issued or purchased under the Plan, (E) materially extends the term of the Plan, or (F) materially expands the types of Stock Awards available for issuance under the Plan. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or a Stock Award Agreement, no amendment of the Plan will materially impair a Participant’s rights under an outstanding Stock Award without the Participant’s written consent.

(vii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval, including, but not limited to, amendments to the Plan intended to satisfy the requirements of Section 422 of the Code regarding Incentive Stock Options.

(viii) To approve forms of Stock Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Stock Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that a Participant’s

 

2.


rights under any Stock Award will not be impaired by any such amendment unless (A) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (B) such Participant consents in writing. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (1) a Participant’s rights will not be deemed to have been impaired by any such amendment if the Board, in its sole discretion, determines that the amendment, taken as a whole, does not materially impair the Participant’s rights, and (2) subject to the limitations of applicable law, if any, the Board may amend the terms of any one or more Stock Awards without the affected Participant’s consent (A) to maintain the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (B) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option, if such change results in impairment of the Stock Award solely because it impairs the qualified status of the Stock Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (C) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Stock Award into compliance with, Section 409A of the Code; or (D) to comply with other applicable laws.

(ix) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as the Board deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and that are not in conflict with the provisions of the Plan or Stock Awards.

(x) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit participation in the Plan by Employees, Directors or Consultants who are foreign nationals or employed outside the United States (provided that Board approval will not be necessary for immaterial modifications to the Plan or any Stock Award Agreement that are required for compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

(xi) To effect, with the consent of any adversely affected Participant, (A) the reduction of the exercise, purchase or strike price of any outstanding Stock Award; (B) the cancellation of any outstanding Stock Award and the grant in substitution therefor of a new (1) Option or SAR, (2) Restricted Stock Award, (3) Restricted Stock Unit Award, (4) Other Stock Award, (5) cash and/or (6) other valuable consideration determined by the Board, in its sole discretion, with any such substituted award (x) covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock as the cancelled Stock Award and (y) granted under the Plan or another equity or compensatory plan of the Company; or (C) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Delegation to Committee. The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration of the Plan is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee of the Committee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references in this Plan to the Board will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable). Any delegation of administrative powers will be reflected in resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, adopted from time to time by the Board or Committee (as applicable). 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.

(d) Delegation to an Officer. The Board may delegate to one or more Officers the authority to do one or both of the following: (i) designate Employees who are not Officers to be recipients of Options and SARs (and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, other Stock Awards) and, to the extent permitted by applicable law, the terms of such Stock Awards, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Stock Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the Board resolutions regarding such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Stock Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant a Stock Award to himself or herself. Any such Stock Awards will be granted on the form of Stock Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Committee or the Board, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. The Board may not delegate authority to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) to determine the Fair Market Value pursuant to Section 13(t) below.

 

3.


(e) Effect of Boards Decision. 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.

3. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) Share Reserve.

(i) Subject to Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Stock Awards from and after the Effective Date will not exceed 86,456,026 shares (the “Share Reserve”).

(ii) For clarity, the Share Reserve in this Section 3(a) is a limitation on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the Plan. Accordingly, this Section 3(a) does not limit the granting of Stock Awards except as provided in Section 7(a).

(b) Reversion of Shares to the Share Reserve. If a Stock Award or any portion thereof (i) expires or otherwise terminates without all of the shares covered by such Stock Award having been issued or (ii) is settled in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than stock), such expiration, termination or settlement will not reduce (or otherwise offset) the number of shares of Common Stock that may be available for issuance under the Plan. If any shares of Common Stock issued pursuant to a Stock Award are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of the failure to meet a contingency or condition required to vest such shares in the Participant, then the shares that are forfeited or repurchased will revert to and again become available for issuance under the Plan. Any shares reacquired by the Company in satisfaction of tax withholding obligations on a Stock Award or as consideration for the exercise or purchase price of a Stock Award will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

(c) Incentive Stock Option Limit. Subject to the Share Reserve and Section 9(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will be a number of shares of Common Stock equal to three multiplied by the Share Reserve.

(d) Source of Shares. The stock issuable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market or otherwise.

4. ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Eligibility for Specific Stock Awards. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to employees of the Company or a “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” thereof (as such terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and 424(f) of the Code). Stock Awards other than Incentive Stock Options may be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants; provided, however, that Stock Awards may not be granted to Employees, Directors and Consultants who are providing Continuous Service only to any “parent” of the Company, as such term is defined in Rule 405, unless (i) the stock underlying such Stock Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A of the Code (for example, because the Stock Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction such as a spin off transaction), (ii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards are otherwise exempt from Section 409A of the Code, or (iii) the Company, in consultation with its legal counsel, has determined that such Stock Awards comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A of the Code.

 

4.


(b) Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder will not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant and the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant.

(c) Consultants.A Consultant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award if, at the time of grant, either the offer or sale of the Company’s securities to such Consultant is not exempt under Rule 701 because of the nature of the services that the Consultant is providing to the Company, because the Consultant is not a natural person, or because of any other provision of Rule 701, unless the Company determines that such grant need not comply with the requirements of Rule 701 and will satisfy another exemption under the Securities Act as well as comply with the securities laws of all other relevant jurisdictions.

5. PROVISIONS RELATING TO OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

Each Option or SAR will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board deems appropriate. All Options will be separately designated Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options at the time of grant, and, if certificates are issued, a separate certificate or certificates will be issued for shares of Common Stock purchased on exercise of each type of Option. If an Option is not specifically designated as an Incentive Stock Option, or if an Option is designated as an Incentive Stock Option but some portion or all of the Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the applicable rules, then the Option (or portion thereof) will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option. The provisions of separate Options or SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of 10 years from the date of its grant or such shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement.

(b) Exercise Price. Subject to the provisions of Section 4(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will be not less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Option or SAR on the date the Stock Award is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award if such Stock Award is granted pursuant to an assumption of or substitution for another option or stock appreciation right pursuant to a Corporate Transaction and in a manner consistent with the provisions of Section 409A of the Code and, if applicable, Section 424(a) of the Code. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents.

(c) Purchase Price for Options. The purchase price of Common Stock acquired pursuant to the exercise of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, by any combination of the methods of payment set forth below. The Board will have the authority to grant Options that do not permit all of the following methods of payment (or otherwise restrict the ability to use certain methods) and to grant Options that require the consent of the Company to use a particular method of payment. The permitted methods of payment are as follows:

(i) by cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

 

5.


(ii) pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the stock subject to the Option, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds;

(iii) by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of shares of Common Stock;

(iv) if an Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price; provided, however, that the Company will accept a cash or other payment from the Participant to the extent of any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by such reduction in the number of whole shares to be issued. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be subject to an Option and will not be exercisable thereafter to the extent that (A) shares issuable upon exercise are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (B) shares are delivered to the Participant as a result of such exercise, and (C) shares are withheld to satisfy tax withholding obligations;

(v) according to a deferred payment or similar arrangement with the Optionholder; provided, however, that interest will compound at least annually and will be charged at the minimum rate of interest necessary to avoid (A) the imputation of interest income to the Company and compensation income to the Optionholder under any applicable provisions of the Code, and (B) the classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes; or

(vi) in any other form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

(d) Exercise and Payment of a SAR. To exercise any outstanding SAR, the Participant must provide written notice of exercise to the Company in compliance with the provisions of the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement evidencing such SAR. The appreciation distribution payable on the exercise of a SAR will be not greater than an amount equal to the excess of (A) the aggregate Fair Market Value (on the date of the exercise of the SAR) of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents in which the Participant is vested under such SAR, and with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date, over (B) the aggregate strike price of the number of Common Stock equivalents with respect to which the Participant is exercising the SAR on such date. The appreciation distribution may be paid in Common Stock, in cash, in any combination of the two or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such SAR.

(e) Transferability of Options and SARs. The Board may, in its sole discretion, impose such limitations on the transferability of Options and SARs as the Board will determine. In the absence of such a determination by the Board to the contrary, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply:

(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution (or pursuant to subsections (ii) and (iii) below), and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant. The Board may permit transfer of the Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws. Except as explicitly provided in the Plan, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration.

 

6.


(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2). If an Option is an Incentive Stock Option, such Option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(iii) Beneficiary Designation. Subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, a Participant may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company (or the designated broker), designate a third party who, upon the death of the Participant, will thereafter be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, upon the death of the Participant, the executor or administrator of the Participant’s estate will be entitled to exercise the Option or SAR and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. However, the Company may prohibit designation of a beneficiary at any time, including due to any conclusion by the Company that such designation would be inconsistent with the provisions of applicable laws.

(f) Vesting Generally. The total number of shares of Common Stock subject to an Option or SAR may vest and therefore become exercisable in periodic installments that may or may not be equal. The Option or SAR may be subject to such other terms and conditions on the time or times when it may or may not be exercised (which may be based on the satisfaction of performance goals or other criteria) as the Board may deem appropriate. The vesting provisions of individual Options or SARs may vary. The provisions of this Section 5(f) are subject to any Option or SAR provisions governing the minimum number of shares of Common Stock as to which an Option or SAR may be exercised.

(g) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability), the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Stock Award as of the date of termination of Continuous Service) within the period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date three months following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the applicable Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than 30 days if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause) and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR (as applicable) within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR will terminate.

(h) Extension of Termination Date. If the exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause and other than upon the Participant’s death or Disability) would be prohibited at any time solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock would violate the registration requirements under the Securities Act, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of a total period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of such registration requirements, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement. In addition, unless otherwise provided in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, if the sale of any Common Stock received upon exercise of an Option or SAR following the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (other than for Cause) would violate the Company’s insider trading policy, then the Option or SAR will terminate on the earlier of (i) the expiration of the period of time (that need not be consecutive) equal to the applicable post-termination exercise period after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service during which the sale of the Common Stock received upon exercise of the Option or SAR would not be in violation of the Company’s insider trading policy, and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the applicable Stock Award Agreement.

 

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(i) Disability of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s Disability, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR (to the extent that the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of termination of Continuous Service), but only within such period of time ending on the earlier of (i) the date 12 months following such termination of Continuous Service (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of the Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after termination of Continuous Service, the Participant does not exercise his or her Option or SAR within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(j) Death of Participant. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Stock Award Agreement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company, if (i) a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates as a result of the Participant’s death, or (ii) the Participant dies within the period (if any) specified in the Stock Award Agreement for exercisability after the termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service (for a reason other than death), then the Option or SAR may be exercised (to the extent the Participant was entitled to exercise such Option or SAR as of the date of death) by the Participant’s estate, by a person who acquired the right to exercise the Option or SAR by bequest or inheritance or by a person designated to exercise the Option or SAR upon the Participant’s death, but only within the period ending on the earlier of (i) the date 18 months following the date of death (or such longer or shorter period specified in the Stock Award Agreement, which period will not be less than six months if necessary to comply with applicable laws unless such termination is for Cause), and (ii) the expiration of the term of such Option or SAR as set forth in the Stock Award Agreement. If, after the Participant’s death, the Option or SAR is not exercised within the applicable time frame, the Option or SAR (as applicable) will terminate.

(k) Termination for Cause. Except as explicitly provided otherwise in a Participant’s Stock Award Agreement or other individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Option or SAR will terminate immediately upon such Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising his or her Option or SAR from and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service.

(l) Non-Exempt Employees. If an Option or SAR is granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, the Option or SAR will not be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of the Option or SAR (although the Stock Award may vest prior to such date). Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, (i) if such non-exempt Employee dies or suffers a Disability, (ii) upon a Corporate Transaction in which such Option or SAR is not assumed, continued, or substituted, (iii) upon a Change in Control, or (iv) upon the Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Participant’s Stock Award Agreement, in another agreement between the Participant and the Company, or, if no such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines), the vested portion of any Options and SARs may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant. The foregoing provision is intended to operate so that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise or vesting of an Option or SAR will be exempt from his or her regular rate of pay. To the extent permitted and/or required for compliance with the Worker Economic Opportunity Act to ensure that any income derived by a non-exempt employee in connection with the exercise, vesting or issuance of any shares under any other Stock Award will be exempt from the employee’s regular rate of pay, the provisions of this Section 5(l) will apply to all Stock Awards and are hereby incorporated by reference into such Stock Award Agreements.

 

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(m) Early Exercise of Options. An Option may, but need not, include a provision whereby the Optionholder may elect at any time before the Optionholder’s Continuous Service terminates to exercise the Option as to any part or all of the shares of Common Stock subject to the Option prior to the full vesting of the Option. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), any unvested shares of Common Stock so purchased may be subject to a repurchase right in favor of the Company or to any other restriction the Board determines to be appropriate. Provided that the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l) is not violated, the Company will not be required to exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time required to avoid classification of the Option as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following exercise of the Option unless the Board otherwise specifically provides in the Option Agreement.

(n) Right of Repurchase. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), the Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to repurchase all or any part of the vested shares of Common Stock acquired by the Participant pursuant to the exercise of the Option or SAR.

(o) Right of First Refusal. The Option or SAR may include a provision whereby the Company may elect to exercise a right of first refusal following receipt of notice from the Participant of the intent to transfer all or any part of the shares of Common Stock received upon the exercise of the Option or SAR. Such right of first refusal will be subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l). Except as expressly provided in this Section 5(o) or in the Stock Award Agreement, such right of first refusal will otherwise comply with any applicable provisions of the bylaws of the Company.

6. PROVISIONS OF STOCK AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND SARS.

(a) Restricted Stock Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate. To the extent consistent with the Company’s bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock underlying a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until any restrictions relating to the Restricted Stock Award lapse; or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. A Restricted Stock Award may be awarded in consideration for (A) cash, check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company, (B) past services to the Company or an Affiliate, or (C) any other form of legal consideration (including future services) that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. Subject to the “Repurchase Limitation” in Section 8(l), shares of Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement may be subject to forfeiture to the Company in accordance with a vesting schedule to be determined by the Board.

(iii) Termination of Participant’s Continuous Service. If a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates, the Company may receive through a forfeiture condition or a repurchase right, any or all of the shares of Common Stock held by the Participant that have not vested as of the date of termination of Continuous Service under the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

 

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(iv) Transferability. Rights to acquire shares of Common Stock under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be transferable by the Participant only upon such terms and conditions as are set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement, as the Board will determine in its sole discretion, so long as Common Stock awarded under the Restricted Stock Award Agreement remains subject to the terms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement.

(v) Dividends. A Restricted Stock Award Agreement may provide that any dividends paid on Restricted Stock will be subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions as apply to the shares subject to the Restricted Stock Award to which they relate.

(b) Restricted Stock Unit Awards. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the will Board deem appropriate. The terms and conditions of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements may change from time to time, and the terms and conditions of separate Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreements need not be identical. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will conform to (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Agreement or otherwise) the substance of each of the following provisions:

(i) Consideration. At the time of grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board will determine the consideration, if any, to be paid by the Participant upon delivery of each share of Common Stock subject to the Restricted Stock Unit Award. The consideration to be paid (if any) by the Participant for each share of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award may be paid in any form of legal consideration that may be acceptable to the Board, in its sole discretion, and permissible under applicable law.

(ii) Vesting. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of the Restricted Stock Unit Award as it, in its sole discretion, deems appropriate.

(iii) Payment. A Restricted Stock Unit Award may be settled by the delivery of shares of Common Stock, their cash equivalent, any combination thereof or in any other form of consideration, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement.

(iv) Additional Restrictions. At the time of the grant of a Restricted Stock Unit Award, the Board, as it deems appropriate, may impose such restrictions or conditions that delay the delivery of the shares of Common Stock (or their cash equivalent) subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award to a time after the vesting of such Restricted Stock Unit Award.

(v) Dividend Equivalents. Dividend equivalents may be credited in respect of shares of Common Stock covered by a Restricted Stock Unit Award, as determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement. At the sole discretion of the Board, such dividend equivalents may be converted into additional shares of Common Stock covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award in such manner as determined by the Board. Any additional shares covered by the Restricted Stock Unit Award credited by reason of such dividend equivalents will be subject to all of the same terms and conditions of the underlying Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement to which they relate.

(vi) Termination of Participants Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the applicable Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement, such portion of the Restricted Stock Unit Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service.

 

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(vii) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth herein, any Restricted Stock Unit Award granted under the Plan that is not exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code shall contain such provisions so that such Restricted Stock Unit Award will comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. Such restrictions, if any, shall be determined by the Board and contained in the Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement evidencing such Restricted Stock Unit Award. For example, such restrictions may include, without limitation, a requirement that any Common Stock that is to be issued in a year following the year in which the Restricted Stock Unit Award vests must be issued in accordance with a fixed pre-determined schedule.

(c) Other Stock Awards. Other forms of Stock Awards valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, Common Stock, including the appreciation in value thereof (e.g., options or stock rights with an exercise price or strike price less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Common Stock at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Stock Awards provided for under Section 5 and the preceding provisions of this Section 6. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete authority to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Stock Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Stock Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Stock Awards.

7. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

(a) Availability of Shares. The Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy then-outstanding Stock Awards.

(b) Securities Law Compliance. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Stock Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise of the Stock Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Stock Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such Stock Award. If, after reasonable efforts and at a reasonable cost, the Company is unable to obtain from any such regulatory commission or agency the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Stock Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant will not be eligible for the grant of a Stock Award or the subsequent issuance of cash or Common Stock pursuant to the Stock Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any applicable securities law.

(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes. The Company will have no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Stock Award. Furthermore, the Company will have no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of a Stock Award or a possible period in which the Stock Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of a Stock Award to the holder of such Stock Award.

8. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Stock Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

(b) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Stock Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of a Stock Award to any Participant will be deemed completed as of the date of such corporate action, unless otherwise determined by the Board, regardless of when the instrument, certificate, or letter evidencing the Stock Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by,

 

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the Participant. 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 Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the papering of the Stock 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 Stock Award Agreement or related grant documents.

(c) Stockholder Rights. No Participant will be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, any shares of Common Stock subject to a Stock Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of, or the issuance of shares of Common Stock under, the Stock Award pursuant to its terms, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to the Stock Award has been entered into the books and records of the Company.

(d) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Stock Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Stock Award granted pursuant thereto will confer upon any Participant any right to continue to serve the Company or an Affiliate in the capacity in effect at the time the Stock Award was granted or will affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate (i) the employment of an Employee with or without notice and with or without cause, (ii) the service of a Consultant pursuant to the terms of such Consultant’s agreement with the Company or an Affiliate, or (iii) the service of a Director pursuant to the bylaws of the Company or an Affiliate, and any applicable provisions of the corporate law of the state in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be.

(e) Change in Time Commitment. In the event a Participant’s regular level of time commitment in the performance of his or her services for the Company and any Affiliates is reduced (for example, and without limitation, if the Participant is an Employee of the Company and the Employee has a change in status from a full-time Employee to a part-time Employee or takes an extended leave of absence) after the date of grant of any Stock Award to the Participant, the Board has the right in its sole discretion to (x) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares subject to any portion of such Stock 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 or payment schedule applicable to such Stock Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Stock Award that is so reduced or extended.

(f) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the time of grant) of Common Stock with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by any Optionholder during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Affiliates) exceeds $100,000 (or such other limit established in the Code) or otherwise does not comply with the rules governing Incentive Stock Options, the Options or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) or otherwise do not comply with such rules will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options, notwithstanding any contrary provision of the applicable Option Agreement(s).

(g) Investment Assurances. The Company may require a Participant, as a condition of exercising or acquiring Common Stock under any Stock Award, (i) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company as to the Participant’s knowledge and experience in financial and business matters and/or to employ a purchaser representative reasonably satisfactory to the Company who is knowledgeable and experienced in financial and business matters and that the Participant is capable of evaluating, alone or together with the purchaser representative, the merits and risks of exercising the Stock Award; and (ii) to give written assurances satisfactory to the Company stating that the Participant is acquiring Common Stock subject to the Stock Award for the Participant’s own account and not with any present intention of selling

 

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or otherwise distributing the Common Stock. The foregoing requirements, and any assurances given pursuant to such requirements, will be inoperative if (A) the issuance of the shares upon the exercise or acquisition of Common Stock under the Stock Award has been registered under a then currently effective registration statement under the Securities Act, or (B) as to any particular requirement, a determination is made by counsel for the Company that such requirement need not be met in the circumstances under the then applicable securities laws. The Company may, upon advice of counsel to the Company, place legends on stock certificates issued under the Plan as such counsel deems necessary or appropriate in order to comply with applicable securities laws, including, but not limited to, legends restricting the transfer of the Common Stock.

(h) Withholding Obligations. Unless prohibited by the terms of a Stock Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any federal, state or local tax withholding obligation relating to a Stock Award by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing the Participant to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to the Participant in connection with the Stock Award; provided, however, that no shares of Common Stock are withheld with a value exceeding the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lesser amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes); (iii) withholding cash from a Stock Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; or (v) by such other method as may be set forth in the Stock Award Agreement.

(i) Electronic Delivery. Any reference herein to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access).

(j) Deferrals. To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Board, in its sole discretion, may determine that the delivery of Common Stock or the payment of cash, upon the exercise, vesting or settlement of all or a portion of any Stock Award may be deferred and may establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by Participants will be made in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Consistent with Section 409A of the Code, the Board may provide for distributions while a Participant is still an employee or otherwise providing services to the Company. The Board is authorized to make deferrals of Stock Awards and determine when, and in what annual percentages, Participants may receive payments, including lump sum payments, following the Participant’s termination of Continuous Service, and implement such other terms and conditions consistent with the provisions of the Plan and in accordance with applicable law.

(k) Compliance with Section 409A of the Code. To the extent that the Board determines that any Stock Award granted hereunder is subject to Section 409A of the Code, the Stock Award Agreement evidencing such Stock Award shall incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code. To the extent applicable, the Plan and Stock Award Agreements shall be interpreted in accordance with Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan (and unless the Stock Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding a Stock Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A of the Code is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A of the Code, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A of the Code without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death, unless such distribution or payment can be made in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code, and any amounts so deferred will be paid in a lump sum on the day after such six month period elapses, with the balance paid thereafter on the original schedule.

 

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(l) Repurchase Limitation. The terms of any repurchase right will be specified in the Stock Award Agreement. The repurchase price for vested shares of Common Stock will be the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase. The repurchase price for unvested shares of Common Stock will be the lower of (i) the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the date of repurchase or (ii) their original purchase price. However, the Company will not exercise its repurchase right until at least six months (or such longer or shorter period of time necessary to avoid classification of the Stock Award as a liability for financial accounting purposes) have elapsed following delivery of shares of Common Stock subject to the Stock Award, unless otherwise specifically provided by the Board.

9. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

(a) Capitalization Adjustments. 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 that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 3(c), and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and price per share of stock subject to outstanding Stock Awards. The Board will make such adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Stock Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Stock Awards (other than Stock Awards consisting of vested and outstanding shares of Common Stock not subject to a forfeiture condition or the Company’s right of repurchase) will terminate immediately prior to the completion of such dissolution or liquidation, and the shares of Common Stock subject to the Company’s repurchase rights or subject to a forfeiture condition may be repurchased or reacquired by the Company notwithstanding the fact that the holder of such Stock Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may, in its sole discretion, cause some or all Stock Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such Stock Awards have not previously expired or terminated) before the dissolution or liquidation is completed but contingent on its completion.

(c) Corporate Transaction. The following provisions will apply to Stock Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the Stock Award or any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant or unless otherwise expressly provided by the Board at the time of grant of a Stock Award. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the Board may take one or more of the following actions with respect to Stock Awards, contingent upon the closing or completion of the Corporate Transaction:

(i) arrange for the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) to assume or continue the Stock Award or to substitute a similar stock award for the Stock Award (including, but not limited to, an award to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction);

(ii) arrange for the assignment of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to the Stock Award to the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company);

 

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(iii) accelerate the vesting, in whole or in part, of the Stock Award (and, if applicable, the time at which the Stock Award may be exercised) to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five days prior to the effective date of the Corporate Transaction), with such Stock Award terminating if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that the Board may require Participants to complete and deliver to the Company a notice of exercise before the effective date of a Corporate Transaction, which exercise is contingent upon the effectiveness of such Corporate Transaction;

(iv) arrange for the lapse, in whole or in part, of any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to the Stock Award;

(v) cancel or arrange for the cancellation of the Stock Award, to the extent not vested or not exercised prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, in exchange for such cash consideration (including no consideration) as the Board, in its sole discretion, may consider appropriate; and

(vi) make a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board equal to the excess, if any, of (A) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Stock Award immediately prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, over (B) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise. For clarity, this payment may be zero ($0) if the value of the property is equal to or less than the exercise price. Payments under this provision may be delayed to the same extent that payment of consideration to the holders of the Company’s Common Stock in connection with the Corporate Transaction is delayed as a result of escrows, earn outs, holdbacks or any other contingencies.

The Board need not take the same action or actions with respect to all Stock Awards or portions thereof or with respect to all Participants. The Board may take different actions with respect to the vested and unvested portions of a Stock Award.

(d) Change in Control. A Stock Award may be subject to additional acceleration of vesting and exercisability upon or after a Change in Control as may be provided in the Stock Award Agreement for such Stock Award or as may be provided in any other written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant, but in the absence of such provision, no such acceleration will occur.

10. PLAN TERM; EARLIER TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

(a) Plan Term. The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Unless terminated sooner by the Board, the Plan will automatically terminate on the day before the 10th anniversary of the earlier of (i) the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. No Stock Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

(b) No Impairment of Rights. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not impair rights and obligations under any Stock Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant or as otherwise permitted in the Plan.

11. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

This Plan will become effective on the Effective Date.

 

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12. CHOICE OF LAW.

The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Plan, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

13. DEFINITIONS.As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a) Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” of the Company, as such terms are defined in Rule 405. The Board will have the authority to determine the time or times at which “parent” or “majority-owned subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(b) Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(c) Capitalization Adjustment” means any change that is made in, or other events that occur with respect to, the Common Stock subject to the Plan or subject to any Stock Award after the Effective Date without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, reverse stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure, or any similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

(d) Cause will have the meaning ascribed to such term in any written agreement between the Participant and the Company defining such term and, in the absence of such agreement, such term means, with respect to a Participant, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) such Participant’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) such Participant’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) such Participant’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Participant and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) such Participant’s gross misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Company, in its sole discretion. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding Stock Awards held by such Participant will have no effect upon any determination of the rights or obligations of the Company or such Participant for any other purpose.

(e) Change in Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) any Exchange Act Person becomes the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities other than by virtue of a merger, consolidation or similar transaction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a Change in Control will not be deemed to occur (A) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company directly from the Company, (B) on account of the acquisition of securities of the Company by an investor, any affiliate thereof or any other Exchange Act Person that acquires the Company’s securities in a transaction or series of related transactions the primary purpose of which is to obtain financing for the Company through the issuance of equity securities or (C) solely because

 

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the level of Ownership held by any Exchange Act Person (the “Subject Person”) exceeds the designated percentage threshold of the outstanding voting securities as a result of a repurchase or other acquisition of voting securities by the Company reducing the number of shares outstanding, provided that if a Change in Control would occur (but for the operation of this sentence) as a result of the acquisition of voting securities by the Company, and after such share acquisition, the Subject Person becomes the Owner of any additional voting securities that, assuming the repurchase or other acquisition had not occurred, increases the percentage of the then outstanding voting securities Owned by the Subject Person over the designated percentage threshold, then a Change in Control will be deemed to occur;

(ii) there is consummated a merger, consolidation or similar transaction involving (directly or indirectly) the Company and, immediately after the consummation of such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, the stockholders of the Company immediately prior thereto do not Own, directly or indirectly, either (A) outstanding voting securities representing more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction or (B) more than 50% of the combined outstanding voting power of the parent of the surviving Entity in such merger, consolidation or similar transaction, in each case in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such transaction; or

(iii) there is consummated a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries, other than a sale, lease, license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries to an Entity, more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of which are Owned by stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of the outstanding voting securities of the Company immediately prior to such sale, lease, license or other disposition.

Notwithstanding the foregoing definition or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control will not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, and (B) the definition of Change in Control (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant will supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Stock Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Change in Control or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition will apply.

(f) Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(g) Committee” means a committee of one or more Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(h) Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(i) Company” means Ethos Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(j) Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, who is (i) engaged by the Company or an Affiliate to render consulting or advisory services and is compensated for such services, or (ii) serving as a member of the board of directors of an Affiliate and is compensated for such services. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such service, will not cause a Director to be considered a “Consultant” for purposes of the Plan.

 

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(k) Continuous Service” means that the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, whether as an Employee, Director or Consultant, is not interrupted or terminated. A change in the capacity in which the Participant renders service to the Company or an Affiliate as an Employee, Director or Consultant or a change in the Entity for which the Participant renders such service, provided that there is no interruption or termination of the Participant’s service with the Company or an Affiliate, will not terminate a Participant’s Continuous Service; provided, however, that if the Entity for which a Participant is rendering services ceases to qualify as an Affiliate, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, such Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered to have terminated on the date such Entity ceases to qualify as an Affiliate. For example, a change in status from an Employee of the Company to a Consultant of an Affiliate or to a Director will not constitute an interruption of Continuous Service. To the extent permitted by law, the Board or the chief executive officer of the Company, in that party’s sole discretion, may determine whether Continuous Service will be considered interrupted in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Board or chief executive officer, including sick leave, military leave or any other personal leave, or (ii) transfers between the Company, an Affiliate, or their successors. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a leave of absence will be treated as Continuous Service for purposes of vesting in a Stock Award only to such extent as may be provided in the Company’s leave of absence policy, in the written terms of any leave of absence agreement or policy applicable to the Participant, or as otherwise required by law.

(l) Corporate Transaction” means the consummation, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events:

(i) a sale or other disposition of all or substantially all, as determined by the Board in its sole discretion, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

(ii) a sale or other disposition of more than 50% of the outstanding securities of the Company;

(iii) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is not the surviving corporation; or

(iv) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction following which the Company is the surviving corporation but the shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately preceding the merger, consolidation or similar transaction are converted or exchanged by virtue of the merger, consolidation or similar transaction into other property, whether in the form of securities, cash or otherwise.

(m) Director” means a member of the Board.

(n) Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, the inability of such Participant to engage in any substantial gainful activity by reason of any medically determinable physical or mental impairment that can be expected to result in death or that has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than twelve (12) months as provided in Sections 22(e)(3) and 409A(a)(2)(c)(i) of the Code, and will be determined by the Board on the basis of such medical evidence as the Board deems warranted under the circumstances.

(o) Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the earlier of (i) the date that this Plan is first approved by the Company’s stockholders, and (ii) the date this Plan is adopted by the Board.

 

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(p) Employee” means any person employed by the Company or an Affiliate. However, service solely as a Director, or payment of a fee for such services, will not cause a Director to be considered an “Employee” for purposes of the Plan.

(q) Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(r) Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(s) Exchange Act Person means any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act), except that “Exchange Act Person” will not include (i) the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (ii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) an underwriter temporarily holding securities pursuant to a registered public offering of such securities, (iv) an Entity Owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their Ownership of stock of the Company; or (v) any natural person, Entity or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d) or 14(d) of the Exchange Act) that, as of the Effective Date, is the Owner, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities.

(t) Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined by the Board in compliance with Section 409A of the Code or, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option, in compliance with Section 422 of the Code.

(u) Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that is intended to be, and that qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(v) Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 5 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(w) Officer” means any person designated by the Company as an officer.

(x) Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(y) Option Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and an Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of an Option grant. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(z) Optionholder” means a person to whom an Option is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Option.

(aa) Other Stock Award” means an award based in whole or in part by reference to the Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(c).

(bb) Other Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Stock Award grant. Each Other Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(cc) Own,” “Owned,” “Owner,” “Ownership A person or Entity will be deemed to “Own,” to have “Owned,” to be the “Owner” of, or to have acquired “Ownership” of securities if such person or Entity, directly or indirectly, through any contract, arrangement, understanding, relationship or otherwise, has or shares voting power, which includes the power to vote or to direct the voting, with respect to such securities.

(dd) Participant” means a person to whom a Stock Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Stock Award.

(ee) Plan” means this 2016 Equity Incentive Plan.

(ff) Restricted Stock Award” means an award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(a).

(gg) Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(hh) Restricted Stock Unit Award means a right to receive shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 6(b).

(ii) Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Unit Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Unit Award grant. Each Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(jj) Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(kk) Rule 701” means Rule 701 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(ll) Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(mm) Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means a right to receive the appreciation on Common Stock that is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5.

(nn) Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a holder of a Stock Appreciation Right evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Appreciation Right grant. Each Stock Appreciation Right Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(oo) Stock Award” means any right to receive Common Stock granted under the Plan, including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a Restricted Stock Unit Award, a Stock Appreciation Right or any Other Stock Award.

(pp) Stock Award Agreement” means a written agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of a Stock Award grant. Each Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

 

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(qq) Subsidiary” means, with respect to the Company, (i) any corporation of which more than 50% of the outstanding capital stock having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of the board of directors of such corporation (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation will have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the time, directly or indirectly, Owned by the Company, and (ii) any partnership, limited liability company or other entity in which the Company has a direct or indirect interest (whether in the form of voting or participation in profits or capital contribution) of more than 50%.

(rr) Ten Percent Stockholder” means a person who Owns (or is deemed to Own pursuant to Section 424(d) of the Code) stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Affiliate.

 

21.


ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION AGREEMENT

(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. VESTING. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

(c) you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

 

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(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

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8. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

(c) 12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d)) below;

(d) 18 months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(f) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. EXERCISE.

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

 

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(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

(d) By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

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14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION AGREEMENT

(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. VESTING. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

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(c) you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

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8. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) provided you have accrued at least two years of Continuous Service as of the date of your termination of Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, the earlier of the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice or the day before the 7th anniversary of the Date of Grant;

(c) if you have not accrued at least two years of Continuous Service as of the date of your termination of Continuous Service, three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(e) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

(d) if you have not accrued at least two years of Continuous Service as of the date of your termination of Continuous Service, 12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(e)) below;

(e) if you have not accrued at least two years of Continuous Service as of the date of your termination of Continuous Service, 18 months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

(f) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(g) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

 

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9. EXERCISE.

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

(d) By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to

 

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effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

 

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13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION AGREEMENT

(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. VESTING. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

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(c) you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

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8. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) two years after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, subject to the Company’s ability to take any of the actions set forth in this Option Agreement and/or the Plan, including without limitation Sections 9(b) and 9(c) of the Plan;

(c) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(d) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. EXERCISE.

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

(d) By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the

 

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Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

 

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(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION AGREEMENT

(INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION OR NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Option Agreement, ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. VESTING. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

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(c) you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

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8. TERM. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) two years after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, subject to the Company’s ability to take any of the actions set forth in this Option Agreement and/or the Plan, including without limitation Sections 9(b) and 9(c) of the Plan; or

(c) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. EXERCISE.

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

 

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(d) By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

 

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12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

 

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15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

OPTION AGREEMENT

(NONSTATUTORY STOCK OPTION)

Pursuant to your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), this Option Agreement and including any special terms and conditions for your country set forth in the attached appendix (the “Appendix”), ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock indicated in your Grant Notice at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice. The option is granted to you effective as of the date of grant set forth in the Grant Notice (the “Date of Grant”). If there is any conflict between the terms in this Option Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Option Agreement or in the Grant Notice but defined in the Plan will have the same definitions as in the Plan.

The details of your option, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows:

1. VESTING. Your option will vest as provided in your Grant Notice. Vesting will cease upon the termination of your Continuous Service.

2. NUMBER OF SHARES AND EXERCISE PRICE. The number of shares of Common Stock subject to your option and your exercise price per share in your Grant Notice will be adjusted for Capitalization Adjustments.

3. EXERCISE RESTRICTION FOR NON-EXEMPT EMPLOYEES. If you are an Employee eligible for overtime compensation under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended (that is, a “Non-Exempt Employee”), and except as otherwise provided in the Plan, you may not exercise your option until you have completed at least six months of Continuous Service measured from the Date of Grant, even if you have already been an employee for more than six months. Consistent with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, you may exercise your option as to any vested portion prior to such six month anniversary in the case of (i) your death or disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which your option is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control or (iv) your termination of Continuous Service on your “retirement” (as defined in the Company’s benefit plans).

4. EXERCISE PRIOR TO VESTING (“EARLY EXERCISE”). If permitted in your Grant Notice (i.e., the “Exercise Schedule” indicates “Early Exercise Permitted”) and subject to the provisions of your option, you may elect at any time that is both (i) during the period of your Continuous Service and (ii) during the term of your option, to exercise all or part of your option, including the unvested portion of your option; provided, however, that:

(a) a partial exercise of your option will be deemed to cover first vested shares of Common Stock and then the earliest vesting installment of unvested shares of Common Stock;

(b) any shares of Common Stock so purchased from installments that have not vested as of the date of exercise will be subject to the purchase option in favor of the Company as described in the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement;

 

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(c) you will enter into the Company’s form of Early Exercise Stock Purchase Agreement with a vesting schedule that will result in the same vesting as if no early exercise had occurred; and

(d) if your option is an Incentive Stock Option, then, to the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined at the Date of Grant) of the shares of Common Stock with respect to which your option plus all other Incentive Stock Options you hold are exercisable for the first time by you during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and its Affiliates) exceeds $100,000, your option(s) or portions thereof that exceed such limit (according to the order in which they were granted) will be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options.

5. METHOD OF PAYMENT. You must pay the full amount of the exercise price for the shares you wish to exercise. You may pay the exercise price in cash or by check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company or in any other manner permitted by your Grant Notice, which may include one or more of the following:

(a) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of Common Stock, results in either the receipt of cash (or check) by the Company or the receipt of irrevocable instructions to pay the aggregate exercise price to the Company from the sales proceeds. This manner of payment is also known as a “broker-assisted exercise”, “same day sale”, or “sell to cover”.

(b) Provided that at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, by delivery to the Company (either by actual delivery or attestation) of already-owned shares of Common Stock that are owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, and that are valued at Fair Market Value on the date of exercise. “Delivery” for these purposes, in the sole discretion of the Company at the time you exercise your option, will include delivery to the Company of your attestation of ownership of such shares of Common Stock in a form approved by the Company. You may not exercise your option by delivery to the Company of Common Stock if doing so would violate the provisions of any law, regulation or agreement restricting the redemption of the Company’s stock.

(c) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, subject to the consent of the Company at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement pursuant to which the Company will reduce the number of shares of Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option by the largest whole number of shares with a Fair Market Value that does not exceed the aggregate exercise price. You must pay any remaining balance of the aggregate exercise price not satisfied by the “net exercise” in cash or other permitted form of payment. Shares of Common Stock will no longer be outstanding under your option and will not be exercisable thereafter if those shares (i) are used to pay the exercise price pursuant to the “net exercise,” (ii) are delivered to you as a result of such exercise, and (iii) are withheld to satisfy your tax withholding obligations.

6. WHOLE SHARES. You may exercise your option only for whole shares of Common Stock.

7. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. In no event may you exercise your option unless the shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise are then registered under the Securities Act or, if not registered, the Company has determined that your exercise and the issuance of the shares would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The exercise of your option also must comply with all other applicable laws and regulations governing your option, and you may not exercise your option if the Company determines that such exercise would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations (including any restrictions on exercise required for compliance with Treas. Reg. 1.401(k)-1(d)(3), if applicable).

 

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8. Term. You may not exercise your option before the Date of Grant or after the expiration of the option’s term. The term of your option expires, subject to the provisions of Section 5(h) of the Plan, upon the earliest of the following:

(a) immediately upon the termination of your Continuous Service for Cause;

(b) three months after the termination of your Continuous Service for any reason other than Cause, your Disability or your death (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d) below); provided, however, that if during any part of such three month period your option is not exercisable solely because of the condition set forth in the section above relating to “Securities Law Compliance,” your option will not expire until the earlier of the Expiration Date or until it has been exercisable for an aggregate period of three months after the termination of your Continuous Service; provided further, that if (i) you are a Non-Exempt Employee, (ii) your Continuous Service terminates within six months after the Date of Grant, and (iii) you have vested in a portion of your option at the time of your termination of Continuous Service, your option will not expire until the earlier of (x) the later of (A) the date that is seven months after the Date of Grant, and (B) the date that is three months after the termination of your Continuous Service, and (y) the Expiration Date;

(c) 12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability (except as otherwise provided in Section 8(d)) below;

(d) 18 months after your death if you die either during your Continuous Service or within three (3) months after your Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than Cause;

(e) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or

(f) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, note that to obtain the federal income tax advantages associated with an Incentive Stock Option, the Code requires that at all times beginning on the Date of Grant and ending on the day three months before the date of your option’s exercise, you must be an employee of the Company or an Affiliate, except in the event of your death or Disability. The Company has provided for extended exercisability of your option under certain circumstances for your benefit but cannot guarantee that your option will necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you continue to provide services to the Company or an Affiliate as a Consultant or Director after your employment terminates or if you otherwise exercise your option more than three months after the date your employment with the Company or an Affiliate terminates.

9. EXERCISE.

(a) You may exercise the vested portion of your option (and the unvested portion of your option if your Grant Notice so permits) during its term by (i) delivering a Notice of Exercise (in a form designated by the Company) or completing such other documents and/or procedures designated by the Company for exercise and (ii) paying the exercise price and any applicable withholding taxes to the Company’s Secretary, stock plan administrator, or such other person as the Company may designate, together with such additional documents as the Company may then require.

 

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(b) By exercising your option you agree that, as a condition to any exercise of your option, the Company may require you to enter into an arrangement providing for the payment by you to the Company of any tax withholding obligation of the Company arising by reason of (i) the exercise of your option, (ii) the lapse of any substantial risk of forfeiture to which the shares of Common Stock are subject at the time of exercise, or (iii) the disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise.

(c) If your option is an Incentive Stock Option, by exercising your option you agree that you will notify the Company in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the shares of the Common Stock issued upon exercise of your option that occurs within two years after the Date of Grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your option.

(d) By exercising your option you agree that you will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by you, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. You further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to your shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. You also agree that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by you will be bound by this Section 9(d). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 9(d) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

10. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, your option is not transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

(a) Certain Trusts. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may transfer your option to a trust if you are considered to be the sole beneficial owner (determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while the option is held in the trust. You and the trustee must enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(b) Domestic Relations Orders. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, and provided that you and the designated transferee enter into transfer and other agreements required by the Company, you may transfer your option pursuant to the terms of a domestic relations order, official marital settlement agreement or other divorce or separation instrument as permitted by Treasury Regulation 1.421-1(b)(2) that contains the information required by the Company to effectuate the transfer. You are encouraged to discuss the proposed terms of any division of this option with the Company prior to finalizing the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement to help ensure the required information is contained within the domestic relations order or marital settlement agreement. If this option is an Incentive Stock Option, this option may be deemed to be a Nonstatutory Stock Option as a result of such transfer.

 

4.


(c) Beneficiary Designation. Upon receiving written permission from the Board or its duly authorized designee, you may, by delivering written notice to the Company, in a form approved by the Company and any broker designated by the Company to handle option exercises, designate a third party who, on your death, will thereafter be entitled to exercise this option and receive the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise. In the absence of such a designation, your executor or administrator of your estate will be entitled to exercise this option and receive, on behalf of your estate, the Common Stock or other consideration resulting from such exercise.

11. OPTION NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your option is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your option will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue your employment. In addition, nothing in your option will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

12. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS.

(a) At the time you exercise your option, in whole or in part, and at any time thereafter as requested by the Company, you hereby authorize withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to you, and otherwise agree to make adequate provision for (including by means of a “same day sale” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board to the extent permitted by the Company), any sums required to satisfy the federal, state, local and foreign tax withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your option.

(b) If this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, then upon your request and subject to approval by the Company, and compliance with any applicable legal conditions or restrictions, the Company may withhold from fully vested shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable to you upon the exercise of your option a number of whole shares of Common Stock having a Fair Market Value, determined by the Company as of the date of exercise, not in excess of the minimum amount of tax required to be withheld by law (or such lower amount as may be necessary to avoid classification of your option as a liability for financial accounting purposes). If the date of determination of any tax withholding obligation is deferred to a date later than the date of exercise of your option, share withholding pursuant to the preceding sentence shall not be permitted unless you make a proper and timely election under Section 83(b) of the Code, covering the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock acquired upon such exercise with respect to which such determination is otherwise deferred, to accelerate the determination of such tax withholding obligation to the date of exercise of your option. Notwithstanding the filing of such election, shares of Common Stock shall be withheld solely from fully vested shares of Common Stock determined as of the date of exercise of your option that are otherwise issuable to you upon such exercise. Any adverse consequences to you arising in connection with such share withholding procedure shall be your sole responsibility.

(c) You may not exercise your option unless the tax withholding obligations of the Company and/or any Affiliate are satisfied. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your option when desired even though your option is vested, and the Company will have no obligation to issue a certificate for such shares of Common Stock or release such shares of Common Stock from any escrow provided for herein, if applicable, unless such obligations are satisfied.

13. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You hereby agree that the Company does not have a duty to design or administer the Plan or its other compensation programs in a manner that minimizes your tax liabilities. You will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from your option or your other compensation. In particular, you acknowledge that this option is exempt from Section 409A of the Code only if the exercise price per share specified in the Grant Notice is at least equal to the “fair market value” per share of the Common Stock on the Date of

 

5.


Grant and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the option. Because the Common Stock is not traded on an established securities market, the Fair Market Value is determined by the Board, perhaps in consultation with an independent valuation firm retained by the Company. You acknowledge that there is no guarantee that the Internal Revenue Service will agree with the valuation as determined by the Board, and you will not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates in the event that the Internal Revenue Service asserts that the valuation determined by the Board is less than the “fair market value” as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

14. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your option or the Plan will be given in writing (including electronically) and will be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by mail by the Company to you, five days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to you at the last address you provided to the Company. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and this option by electronic means or to request your consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting this option, you consent to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

15. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your option, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations, which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. If there is any conflict between the provisions of your option and those of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan will control.

 

6.


APPENDIX TO OPTION AGREEMENT

This Appendix includes special terms and conditions that govern the Stock Option granted to you under the Plan if you reside and/or work in one of the countries listed below.

The information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to your particular situation, and you are advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in your country may apply to your situation.

SINGAPORE

Securities and Futures Act. The option is offered to you solely in your capacity as an employee, director or consultant of the Company or an Affiliate, pursuant to Section 273(1)(i) read with Section 273(4)(a)(i) of the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) of Singapore.

Definition of Affiliate. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Plan, the Option Agreement, or the Grant Notice, the term “Affiliate” as used in the Plan, the Option Agreement or the Grant Notice means a “related corporation” of the Company as defined in the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) of Singapore and the Companies Act (Cap. 50) of Singapore.

Data Transfer. You explicitly and unambiguously consent to the collection, use, disclosure and transfer, in electronic or other form, of your personal data (as defined in the Personal Data Protection Act 2012 (No. 26 of 2012) of Singapore and as described in this document) by and among, as applicable, your employer, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan. You understand that the Company, its Affiliates and your employer hold your personal data, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of stock awarded, canceled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in your favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). You understand and consent that the Data may be transferred to any third parties assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in your country or elsewhere, in particular in the United States, and that the recipient country may have different data privacy laws providing less protections of your personal data than your country. You further consent to the collection, use and further disclosure of the Data by such third parties for the aforementioned purposes. You may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting Porter Nolan or the stock plan administrator at the Company (the “Stock Plan Administrator”). You authorize the recipients to receive, possess, process, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing your participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data, as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom you may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Stock Option. You understand that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage your participation in the Plan. You may, at any time, view the Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator in writing. You understand that refusing or withdrawing consent may affect your ability to participate in the Plan. For more information on the consequences of refusing to consent or withdrawing consent, you may contact the Stock Plan Administrator.

 

1.


Taxation Information. In the event that a Participant should be granted a Stock Option in connection with the Participant’s employment in Singapore, any gains or profits derived by the Participant arising from the vesting or exercise of such Stock Option will be taxable in Singapore as part of the Participant’s employment remuneration when the Stock Option is exercised, regardless of where the Participant is at the time the Stock Option is exercised. The Participant may, however, be eligible to enjoy deferment of the payment of tax, arising from Stock Option gains under incentive schemes operated by the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (“IRAS”) if the qualifying criteria relating thereto are met. Interest will be chargeable for the deferral of tax. If granted, the Participant can defer payment of tax on the Stock Option gains for any period of time up to a maximum of 5 years, subject to filing formalities to be made by the Participant. The Participant is advised to seek professional tax advice as to the Participant’s tax liabilities including, to the extent the Participant is a foreigner, how such gains or profits aforesaid will be taxed at the time the Participant ceases to work in Singapore.

All taxes (including income tax) arising from any option or the vesting or exercise of any Stock Option thereon shall be borne by the Participant.

Where the Participant is neither a Singapore citizen nor a Singapore Permanent Resident and is about to cease employment with the Employer (as defined below), the Employer may be required under the Income Tax Act, Chapter 134 of Singapore to deduct or withhold taxes arising from the vesting or exercise of the Stock Option from the Participant’s emoluments. The Employer is required to withhold all monies due to the Participant from the day the Employee notifies his/her intention to cease employment or when the Employer notifies the Employee of the termination of employment. An amount equal to the tax amount required to be deducted or withheld will have to be deducted or withheld by the Employer and paid to the IRAS. Emoluments include income from gains or profits from any employment, which includes any wages, salary, leave pay, fee, commission, bonus, gratuity, perquisite or allowance (other than certain types of allowance) paid or granted in respect of the employment whether in money or otherwise, and any gains or profits, directly or indirectly, derived by any person from a right or benefit to acquire shares in any company where such right or benefit is obtained by reason of any office or employment held by him or her. “Employer” shall mean the Company, a Singapore Subsidiary of the Company, other affiliated company or any other person paying such emoluments, whether on his or her account or on behalf of another person.

 

2.


ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan (as amended and/or restated as of the Date of Grant set forth below, the “Plan”), has granted to Optionholder an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). The Option is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Plan, the Stock Option Agreement, and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Stock Option Agreement, as applicable. If the Company uses an electronic capitalization table system (such as Carta or Shareworks) and the fields below are blank or the information is otherwise provided in a different format electronically, the blank fields and other information (such as exercise schedule and type of grant) shall be deemed to come from the electronic capitalization system and is considered part of this Grant Notice.

 

Optionholder:   

 

Date of Grant:   

 

Vesting Commencement Date:   

 

Number of Shares Subject to Option:   

 

Exercise Price (Per Share):   

 

Total Exercise Price:   

 

Expiration Date:   

 

Exercise Schedule:    [Same as Vesting Schedule] [Early Exercise Permitted]
Type of Grant1:    [Incentive Stock Option] [Nonstatutory Stock Option]
Vesting Schedule:   

 

Payment:  By one or a combination of the following items (described in the Option Agreement):

 

   

By cash, check, bank draft, electronic funds transfer or money order payable to the Company

 

   

Pursuant to a Regulation T Program if the shares are publicly traded, and subject to the Company’s consent at the time of exercise

 

   

By delivery of already-owned shares if the shares are publicly traded, and subject to the Company’s consent at the time of exercise

 

   

If and only to the extent this option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and subject to the Company’s consent at the time of exercise, by a “net exercise” arrangement

 
1 

If this is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options) cannot be first exercisable for more than $100,000 in value (measured by exercise price) in any calendar year. Any excess over $100,000 is a Nonstatutory Stock Option.


Optionholder Acknowledgements: By Optionholder’s signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, Optionholder understands and agrees that the Option is governed by this Stock Option Grant Notice, and the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement and the Notice of Exercise, all of which are made a part of this document. By accepting this Option, Optionholder consents to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, and any other Plan-related documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company. Optionholder represents that he or she has read and is familiar with the provisions of the Plan and the Stock Option Agreement. Optionholder acknowledges and agrees that this Grant Notice and the Stock Option Agreement (together, the “Option Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by Optionholder and a duly authorized officer of the Company. Optionholder further acknowledges that in the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control. Optionholder further acknowledges that the Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between Optionholder and the Company regarding the acquisition of Common Stock and supersedes all prior oral and written agreements, promises and/or representations on that subject with the exception of other equity awards previously granted to Optionholder and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and Optionholder in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this Option. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

 

Ethos Technologies Inc.       Optionholder:
By:  

 

            By:  

 

  (Signature)         (Signature)
Title:  

 

      Email:  

 

Date:  

 

      Date:  

 

Attachments: Option Agreement, 2016 Equity Incentive Plan and Notice of Exercise


ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

This constitutes notice to ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC. (the “Company”) under my stock option that I elect to purchase the below number of shares of Common Stock of the Company (the “Shares”) for the price set forth below. Use of certain payment methods is subject to Company and/or Board consent and certain additional requirements set forth in the Option Agreement and the Plan. If the Company uses an electronic capitalization table system (such as Carta or Shareworks) and the fields below are blank, the blank fields shall be deemed to come from the electronic capitalization system and is considered part of this Notice of Exercise.

 

Option Information   
Type of option (check one):   

IncentiveNonstatutory ☐

Stock option dated:   

 

Number of Shares as to which option is exercised:   

 

Certificates to be issued in name of:2   

 

Exercise Information   
Date of Exercise:   

 

Total exercise price:   

 

Cash:3

  

 

Regulation T Program (cashless exercise):4

  

 

Value of _________ Shares delivered with this notice:5

  

 

Value of _________ Shares pursuant to net exercise:6

  

 

By this exercise, I agree (i) to provide such additional documents as you may require pursuant to the terms of the 2016Equity Incentive Plan, (ii) to provide for the payment by me to you (in the manner designated by you) of your withholding obligation, if any, relating to the exercise of this option, and (iii) if this exercise relates to an incentive stock option, to notify you in writing within 15 days after the date of any disposition of any of the Shares issued upon exercise of this option that occurs within two years after the date of grant of this option or within one year after such Shares are issued upon exercise of this option. I further agree that this Notice of Exercise may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable law) or other transmission method and will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes.

I hereby make the following certifications and representations with respect to the number of Shares listed above, which are being acquired by me for my own account upon exercise of the option as set forth above:

I acknowledge that the Shares have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and are deemed to constitute “restricted securities” under Rule 701 and Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act. I warrant and represent to the Company that I have no present intention of distributing or selling said Shares, except as permitted under the Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws.

 
2 

If left blank, will be issued in the name of the option holder.

3 

Cash may be in the form of cash, check, bank draft, electronic funds transfer or money order payment.

4 

Subject to Company and/or Board consent and must meet the public trading and other requirements set forth in the Option Agreement.

5 

Subject to Company and/or Board consent and must meet the public trading and other requirements set forth in the Option Agreement.. Shares must be valued in accordance with the terms of the option being exercised, and must be owned free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests. Certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate.

6 

Subject to Company and/or Board consent and must be a Nonstatutory Option.


I further acknowledge and agree that, except for such information as required to be delivered to me by the Company pursuant to the option or the Plan (if any), I will have no right to receive any information from the Company by virtue of the grant of the option or the purchase of shares of Common Stock through exercise of the option, ownership of such shares of Common Stock, or as a result of my being a holder of record of stock of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, to the fullest extent permitted by law, I hereby waive all inspection rights under Section 220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law and all such similar information and/or inspection rights that may be provided under the law of any jurisdiction, or any federal, state or foreign regulation, that are, or may become, applicable to the Company or the Company’s capital stock (the “Inspection Rights”). I hereby covenant and agree never to directly or indirectly commence, voluntarily aid in any way, prosecute, assign, transfer, or cause to be commenced any claim, action, cause of action, or other proceeding to pursue or exercise the Inspection Rights.

I further acknowledge that I will not be able to resell the Shares for at least 90 days after the stock of the Company becomes publicly traded (i.e., subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) under Rule 701 and that more restrictive conditions apply to affiliates of the Company under Rule 144.

I further acknowledge that all certificates representing any of the Shares subject to the provisions of the option will have endorsed thereon appropriate legends reflecting the foregoing limitations, as well as any legends reflecting restrictions pursuant to the Company’s Certificate of Incorporation, Bylaws and/or applicable securities laws.

I further agree that, if required by the Company (or a representative of the underwriters) in connection with the first underwritten registration of the offering of any securities of the Company under the Securities Act, I will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act (or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2711 or NYSE Member Rule 472 or any successor or similar rule or regulation) (the “Lock-Up Period”). I further agree to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to securities subject to the foregoing restrictions until the end of such period.

 

       

Very truly yours,

 

   
 

(Signature)

 

   
 

Name (Please Print)

Address of Record:  

 

 

 

 

 

  Email:  

 


Liquidity Event– Need Not be Present; U.S. Recipients

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), has granted to Participant (as of the date indicated below) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and in the Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

Participant:  

 

          
Date of Grant:  

 

 
Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

 
Liquidity Event Deadline:  

 

 
Number of RSUs:  

 

 

Expiration Date: The Expiration Date for an RSU depends on whether the Service-Based Requirement (as defined below) has been satisfied with respect to that particular RSU. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has not been satisfied, the Expiration Date is the earlier of: (1) Liquidity Event Deadline or (2) the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has been satisfied in whole or in part, the Expiration Date is the Liquidity Event Deadline; provided, however, that, in the event Participant’s Continuous Service Status is terminated for Cause prior to the occurrence of the Liquidity Event Requirement, the Expiration Date is the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. If Participant’s service is suspended pending an investigation of whether Participant’s service will be terminated for Cause, all of Participant’s rights under the Award (including without limitation any continued ability to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement) will be suspended during the investigation period unless otherwise determined by the Board or an applicable Committee (as applicable, the “Administrator”).

Vesting: Participant will receive a benefit with respect to an RSU only if it vests. Except as explicitly set forth below, two vesting requirements must be satisfied on or before the applicable Expiration Date specified above in order for an RSU to vest — a time and service-based requirement (the “Service-Based Requirement”) and the “Liquidity Event Requirement” (each described below). An RSU will vest (and therefore becomes a “Vested RSU”) on the first date upon which both the Service-Based Requirement and the Liquidity Event Requirement are satisfied with respect to that particular RSU and, if applicable, thereafter pursuant to the Service-Based Requirement (any date on which vesting occurs, the “Vesting Date”). All RSUs that do not become Vested RSUs on or before the applicable Expiration Date will be immediately forfeited to the Company upon expiration at no cost to the Company.

Service-Based Requirement:

The Service-Based Requirement will be satisfied as to 25% of the Number of RSUs set forth above on the first Quarterly Date (as defined below) that occurs on or following the Vesting Commencement Date and as to 6.25% of the Number of RSUs set forth above on each Quarterly Date thereafter, subject to Participant’s Continuous Service through each such date. Any fraction of a share will not be issued. “Quarterly Date” means each of February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of a given calendar year.


For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status other than for Cause, any RSUs that have yet to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement and (ii) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them. However, Participant will retain any RSUs that have met the Service-Based Requirement as of the date that Participant’s Continuous Service Status ends for any reason other than for Cause until such RSUs either vest or expire. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Service-Based Requirement may change prospectively in the event that Participant’s service status changes (for example, during a leave of absence or a change from full-time to part-time status).

Liquidity Event Requirement: The Liquidity Event Requirement will be satisfied as to any then-outstanding RSUs on the earliest of the following: (1) the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock to the public, whether pursuant to an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock or by a direct listing of the Company’s Common Stock, or (2) immediately prior to the closing of a Corporate Transaction. For purposes of determining whether the Liquidity Event Requirement has been satisfied, Corporate Transaction has the same meaning as in the Plan, except that (a) any transaction involving a special purpose acquisition company (i.e., a SPAC transaction), including any follow on offering in connection therewith, will not constitute a Corporate Transaction, and (b) a transaction in which stockholders of the Company receive consideration in exchange for their shares of Common Stock that consists, in whole or in part, of something other than: (i) cash and/or (ii) securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other exchange or market of similar stature will not constitute a Corporate Transaction.

Settlement: If an RSU vests as provided for above, the Company will issue one share of Common Stock for each Vested RSU. The shares will be issued in accordance with the issuance schedule set forth in Section 5 of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan (together, the “Grant Documents”). Participant further acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly determined by the Administrator or pursuant to any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable laws, the Grant Documents set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, offer letters, promises and/or representations on that subject. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under the Grant Documents will not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges having received and read the Grant Documents and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Documents. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable laws) or other transmission method permitted by applicable laws and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. Furthermore, by accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

2


ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.        PARTICIPANT:
By:                                                                                                                           By:                                                                                                                      
  Signature                  Signature           
Name & Title:                                                                                                      Date:                                                                                                                   
Date:                                                                                                                        Address:                                                                                                            
Address:                                                                                                                

 

 

    Email:                                                                                                                

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment I: Restricted Stock Unit Agreement

Attachment II: 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

 

3


ATTACHMENT I

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Pursuant to the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”), Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) has granted to Participant Restricted Stock Units for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“RSUs”) indicated in the Grant Notice (the “Award”) under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The Award is granted to Participant effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement will have the same meanings given to them in the Plan or the Grant Notice, as applicable. The terms and conditions of the Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows.

1. NATURE OF THE AWARD. The Award represents the right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock as indicated in the Grant Notice upon the satisfaction of the terms set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company with respect to Participant’s receipt of the Award, the vesting of the RSUs or the issuance of the underlying shares of Common Stock.

2. VESTING. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Award will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status other than for Cause, any RSUs that have yet to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement and (ii) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them.

3. NUMBER OF SHARES.

(a) The number of RSUs subject to the Award may be adjusted from time to time for certain Capitalization Adjustments as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan.

(b) Any additional RSUs, shares, cash or other property that become subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3 if any, will be subject, in a manner determined by the Administrator, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of issuance as applicable to the shares covered by the Award.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock will be created pursuant to this Section 3. Any fraction of a share will not be issued.

4. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER COMPLIANCE. Participant may not be issued any shares under the Award unless either (a) the shares are registered under the Securities Act or (b) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Award also must comply with other applicable laws, and Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in compliance with applicable laws.

 

1


5. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the Tax-Related Items set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, in the event one or more RSUs vest, the Company will issue to Participant one (1) share of Common Stock for each RSU that vests on the applicable Vesting Date (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above) (such date, the “Original Issuance Date”). If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, the Original Issuance Date will instead be the next following business day. In addition, to the extent applicable at a Vesting Date when the Common Stock is registered under the Securities Act, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to Participant, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies, or (2) on a date when Participant is otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company’s policies (a “10b5-1 Arrangement”)), and

(ii) either (1) no Tax-Related Items apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Tax-Related Items by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to Participant under the Award, and (B) not to permit Participant to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit Participant to pay the Tax-Related Items in cash,

then the shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to Participant on the Original Issuance Date will not be issued on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as reasonably practicable after Participant is not prohibited from selling shares of Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than (a) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of Participant’s taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or (b) if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the year immediately following the year in which the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable on the Original Issuance Date are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d) (the last date in the foregoing clause (a) or (b), as applicable, the “Outside Date”).

(b) In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to the requirement to deliver Common Stock following vesting of one or more RSUs no later than the applicable Outside Date), no Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 as a result of the vesting of one or more RSUs will be delivered to Participant until any filings that may be required pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”) in connection with the issuance of such shares have been made and any required waiting period under the HSR Act has expired or been terminated (any such filings and/or waiting period required pursuant to HSR Act the “HSR Requirements”). If the HSR Requirements apply to the issuance of any Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 upon vesting of one or more RSUs, such shares will not be issued on the Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as reasonably practicable following the date when all such HSR Requirements are satisfied and when Participant is permitted to sell Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies; provided, however, that the issuance date for any Common Stock delayed under this Section 5(b) will in no event be later than the applicable Outside Date.

 

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(c) The form of such issuance (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares of Common Stock) will be determined by the Company. In all cases, the issuance of shares under the Award is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner.

6. DIVIDENDS. Participant will receive no benefit or adjustment to Participant’s RSUs with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution except as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation will not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to Participant in connection with Participant’s Award after such shares have been delivered to Participant.

7. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By acquiring shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the RSUs, Participant agrees that Participant will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by Participant, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. Participant further agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Participant’s shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. Participant also agrees that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by Participant will be bound by this Section 7. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

8. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

(a) Transfer Restrictions on RSUs. Participant may not transfer, which includes without limitation a transfer, assignment, granting of a lien or security interest in, pledging, hypothecating, encumbering, selling, donating, gifting or otherwise disposing of or granting any interest in (whether voluntarily or by operation of law) (“Transfer”) the Award or the shares of Common Stock issuable (but not yet issued) in respect of the Award, except that the Award is transferable by will and by the laws of descent and distribution.

(b) Transfer Restrictions on Shares. At any time prior to the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock to the public, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award, except with the prior written consent of, and subject to the terms and conditions reasonably required by, the Administrator (including without limitation any right of first refusal in favor of the Company), which such consent may be withheld, and which such terms and conditions may be specified, for any legitimate corporate purpose, as determined by the Administrator. In addition, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award at any time, except the Company’s Bylaws, the Company’s then current Insider Trading Policy or other policies, any other agreement to which the Company and Participant are a party, and applicable securities and other applicable laws. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Common Stock will be subject any transfer restrictions set forth in the Company’s Bylaws.

 

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(c) Transferee Obligations. Each person (other than the Company) to whom the Award or Common Stock, as applicable, or any interest therein are subject to Transfer must, as a condition precedent to the validity of such Transfer, acknowledge in writing to the Company that such person is bound by the provisions of the Grant Documents and that the transferred RSUs or Common Stock, as applicable, are subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above and the other restrictions, including without limitation restrictions on transferability, contained herein and in the Plan, to the same extent the applicable RSUs and/or Common Stock, as applicable, would be so subject if retained by Participant.

(d) Purported Transfers. All transferees of the Award, Common Stock or any interest therein will receive and hold such Award, Common Stock or interest subject to the provisions of the Grant Agreements, including, without limitation, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above. Any Transfer of will be void unless the provisions set forth in this Section 8 are satisfied.

9. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The shares of Common Stock issued in respect of Participant’s Award will be endorsed with appropriate legends as determined by the Company.

10. AWARD NOT AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT.

(a) The Award is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in the Award will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on Participant’s part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue Participant’s employment. In addition, nothing in the Award will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees or other service providers to continue any relationship that Participant might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

(b) By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Subsidiaries, Parents or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a “reorganization”). Participant further acknowledge and agree that such reorganization could result in the termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status and the loss of benefits available to Participant under the Award, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award.

11. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES.

(a) Participant acknowledge that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax (including U.S. federal, state, and local taxes and/or non-U.S. taxes), social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant or deemed by the Company in its discretion to be an appropriate charge to Participant even if legally applicable to the Company (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company.

(b) Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or Participant’s employer (if not the Company) to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company or its agent to satisfy its withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items, if any, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or Participant’s employer; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment; (iii) entering on Participant’s behalf (pursuant to this authorization without further consent) into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority

 

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(a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares to be issued under the Award to satisfy the Tax-Related Items and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Tax-Related Items directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates; (iv) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with the Award with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued to Participant or, if and as determined by the Company, the date on which the Tax-Related Items are required to be calculated) equal to the amount of such Tax-Related Items; or (v) any other method of withholding determined by the Company and permitted by applicable laws. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts (as determined by the Company) to facilitate the satisfaction of Tax-Related Items by Participant using one of the methods described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the preceding sentence. However, the Company does not guarantee that Participant will be able to satisfy any Tax-Related Items through any of such methods and in all circumstances Participant remains responsible for timely and fully satisfying the Tax-Related Items. Depending on the withholding method employed, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, in which case Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the equivalent in shares of Common Stock. In the event any under-withholding results from the application of minimum statutory or other withholding rates, Participant may be required to pay additional amounts to the tax authorities. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award, notwithstanding that a number of the shares of Common Stock are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

(c) Participant agrees to pay to the Company or Participant’s employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or Participant’s employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by any of the means previously described. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, if Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any Tax Related Items when due, Participant permanently will forfeit the RSUs on which the Tax-Related Items were not satisfied and will also permanently forfeit any right to receive shares of Common Stock thereunder. In that case, the RSUs will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company.

12. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. In connection with Participant’s acquisition of the Award and the Common Stock under the Award, Participant represent to the Company the following:

(a) Participant is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Common Stock. Participant is acquiring the Common Stock for investment for Participant’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

(b) Participant understands that the Common Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Participant’s investment intent as expressed in this Agreement.

(c) Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Common Stock must be held indefinitely unless the Common Stock is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Common Stock. Participant understands that the certificate evidencing the Common Stock will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the Common Stock unless the Common Stock is registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.

 

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(d) Participant is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, as in effect from time to time, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of issuance of the securities, such issuance will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be sold by Participant 90 days thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144 and the Lock-Up Period agreement described in Section 7 above.

(e) In the event that the sale of the Common Stock does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of issuance, then the Common Stock may be resold by Participant in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires, among other things: (i) the availability of certain public information about the Company; and (ii) the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144 after Participant has purchased, and made full payment of (within the meaning of Rule 144), the securities to be sold.

(f) Participant understands that at the time Participant wishes to sell the Common Stock there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the current public information requirements of Rule 144 or 701, and that, in such event, Participant would be precluded from selling the Common Stock under Rule 144 or 701 even if the minimum holding period requirement had been satisfied.

(g) Participant warrants and represents that Participant has either (i) preexisting personal or business relationships, with the Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons, or (ii) the capacity to protect Participant’s own interests in connection with the grant of the Award and the acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof by virtue of the business or financial expertise of Participant or of professional advisors to Participant who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated by the Company or any of its affiliates, directly or indirectly. Participant further warrants and represents that the grant of the Award and Participant’s acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof was not accomplished by the publication of any advertisement.

13. NO OBLIGATION TO MINIMIZE TAXES. Participant acknowledges that the Company is not making representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Award, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or any dividend equivalent payments. Further, Participant acknowledge that the Company does not have any duty or obligation to minimize Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items arising from the Award or to achieve any particular tax result and will not be liable to Participant for any Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award. If Participant becomes subject to taxation in more than one jurisdiction, the Company and/or Participant’s employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

14. NO ADVICE REGARDING GRANT. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. Participant is hereby advised to consult with Participant’s own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award and by accepting the Award, Participant has agreed that Participant has done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

 

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15. UNSECURED OBLIGATION. The Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, Participant will be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s obligation, if any, to issue shares pursuant to this Agreement. Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to Participant pursuant to Section 5 above. Upon such issuance, Participant will obtain full voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between Participant and the Company or any other person.

16. NOTICES. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed facsimile or by email if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (iii) five calendar days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the other party hereto at such party’s address hereinafter set forth on the signature page of the Grant Notice, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other party hereto. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and the Award by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

17. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) As a condition to the grant of the Award or to the Company’s issuance of any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement, the Company may require Participant to execute certain customary agreements entered into with the holders of capital stock of the Company, including without limitation, a right of first refusal and co-sale agreement and a stockholders agreement.

(b) The rights and obligations of the Company under the Award will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Company’s successors and assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Participant’s rights and obligations under the Award may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.

(c) Participant agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award.

(d) Participant acknowledges and agrees that Participant has reviewed the Grant Documents in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting the Award, and fully understands all provisions of the Grant Documents.

(e) This Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

 

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(f) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

(g) The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the Award and on any Award or shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Participant agrees to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing. Furthermore, Participant acknowledges that the laws of the country in which Participant is working at the time of grant, vesting and settlement of the Award or the acquisition of any Common Stock received pursuant to the Award (including any rules or regulations governing securities, foreign exchange, tax, labor, or other matters) may subject Participant to additional procedural or regulatory requirements that Participant is and will be solely responsible for and must fulfill.

18. CONFIDENTIALITY. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, Participant hereby agrees to keep confidential and not disclose or use (for any purpose other than that for which it was expressly provided) any information about the terms of the Award and any confidential information obtained in connection with or related to the Award, including, without limitation, any information, financial or otherwise, included in any Rule 701 disclosure packet made available to Participant from time to time; provided, that Participant may disclose such information (i) to Participant’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain legal, tax or financial planning advice in connection with the Award, provided that such persons agree to maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance herewith, and provided that Participant will remain responsible for any subsequent disclosure by any such advisor; or (ii) as may be required by applicable laws, provided that Participant promptly notifies the Company in advance of such disclosure and agrees to cooperate to take reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to take actions up to and including termination of the Award (including any vested portion thereof), upon the Company’s reasonable determination of a breach by Participant of the confidentiality obligations under this Section 18.

19. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. The Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of the Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the terms in the Grant Notice or this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

20. SEVERABILITY. If one or more provisions of the Grant Documents are held to be unenforceable under applicable laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision(s), then (i) such provision(s) will be excluded from such Grant Documents, (ii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

21. GOVERNING LAW. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of the Plan and the Award, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

 

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22. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating Participant’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

23. AMENDMENT. The Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Participant and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may be amended solely by the Administrator by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to Participant, and provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no such amendment materially and adversely affecting Participant’s rights hereunder may be made without Participant’s consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator reserves the right to change, by written notice to Participant, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant as a result of any change in applicable laws or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change will be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.

24. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. The Award is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, and if Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day after the date of the separation from service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of taxation on Participant in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a “separate payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, under no circumstances will the Company reimburse Participant for any taxes or other costs under Section 409A or any other tax law or rule. All such taxes and costs are solely Participant’s responsibility.

*   *   *

This Agreement will be deemed to be accepted by Participant upon the signing (which may be electronic) by Participant of the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant to which it is attached or by the deemed acceptance of this Agreement, as described in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant.

 

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ATTACHMENT II

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), has granted to Participant (as of the date indicated below) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and in the Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including any special terms and conditions for the Participant’s country set out in the attached appendix (the “Appendix” and together, the “Agreement”), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

Participant:  

 

          
Date of Grant:  

 

 
Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

 
Liquidity Event Deadline:  

 

 
Number of RSUs:  

 

 

Expiration Date: The Expiration Date for an RSU depends on whether the Service-Based Requirement (as defined below) has been satisfied with respect to that particular RSU. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has not been satisfied, the Expiration Date is the earlier of: (1) Liquidity Event Deadline or (2) the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has been satisfied in whole or in part, the Expiration Date is the Liquidity Event Deadline; provided, however, that, in the event Participant’s Continuous Service Status is terminated for Cause prior to the occurrence of the Liquidity Event Requirement, the Expiration Date is the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. If Participant’s service is suspended pending an investigation of whether Participant’s service will be terminated for Cause, all of Participant’s rights under the Award (including without limitation any continued ability to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement) will be suspended during the investigation period unless otherwise determined by the Board or an applicable Committee (as applicable, the “Administrator”).

Vesting: Participant will receive a benefit with respect to an RSU only if it vests. Except as explicitly set forth below, two vesting requirements must be satisfied on or before the applicable Expiration Date specified above in order for an RSU to vest — a time and service-based requirement (the “Service-Based Requirement”) and the “Liquidity Event Requirement” (each described below). An RSU will vest (and therefore becomes a “Vested RSU”) on the first date upon which both the Service-Based Requirement and the Liquidity Event Requirement are satisfied with respect to that particular RSU and, if applicable, thereafter pursuant to the Service-Based Requirement (any date on which vesting occurs, the “Vesting Date”). All RSUs that do not become Vested RSUs on or before the applicable Expiration Date will be immediately forfeited to the Company upon expiration at no cost to the Company.

Service-Based Requirement:

The Service-Based Requirement will be satisfied as to 25% of the Number of RSUs set forth above on the first Quarterly Date (as defined below) that occurs on or following the Vesting Commencement Date and as to 6.25% of the Number of RSUs set forth above on each Quarterly Date thereafter, subject to Participant’s Continuous Service through each such date. Any fraction of a share will not be issued.

 

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Quarterly Date” means each of February 15, May 15, August 15 and November 15 of a given calendar year.

For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status other than for Cause, any RSUs that have yet to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement and (ii) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them. However, Participant will retain any RSUs that have met the Service-Based Requirement as of the date that Participant’s Continuous Service Status ends for any reason other than for Cause until such RSUs either vest or expire. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Service-Based Requirement may change prospectively in the event that Participant’s service status changes (for example, during a leave of absence or a change from full-time to part-time status).

Liquidity Event Requirement: The Liquidity Event Requirement will be satisfied as to any then-outstanding RSUs on the earliest of the following: (1) the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock to the public, whether pursuant to an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock or by a direct listing of the Company’s Common Stock, or (2) immediately prior to the closing of a Corporate Transaction. For purposes of determining whether the Liquidity Event Requirement has been satisfied, Corporate Transaction has the same meaning as in the Plan, except that (a) any transaction involving a special purpose acquisition company (i.e., a SPAC transaction), including any follow on offering in connection therewith, will not constitute a Corporate Transaction, and (b) a transaction in which stockholders of the Company receive consideration in exchange for their shares of Common Stock that consists, in whole or in part, of something other than: (i) cash and/or (ii) securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other exchange or market of similar stature will not constitute a Corporate Transaction.

Settlement: If an RSU vests as provided for above, the Company will issue one share of Common Stock for each Vested RSU. The shares of Common Stock will be issued in accordance with the issuance schedule set forth in Section 5 of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan (together, the “Grant Documents”). Participant further acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly determined by the Administrator or pursuant to any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable laws, the Grant Documents set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, offer letters, promises and/or representations on that subject. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under the Grant Documents will not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges having received and read the Grant Documents and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Documents. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable laws) or other transmission method permitted by applicable laws and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. Furthermore, by accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.        PARTICIPANT:
By:                                                                                                                           By:                                                                                                                      
  Signature                  Signature           
Name & Title:                                                                                                      Name & Title:                                                                                                 
Date:                                                                                                                        Date:                                                                                                                   
Address:                                                                                                                 Address:                                                                                                            

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment I: Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (including the Appendix)

Attachment II: 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

 

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Liquidity Event– Need Not be Present; Non-U.S. Recipients

ATTACHMENT I

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Pursuant to the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”), the definition of which shall include any special terms and conditions for Participant’s country set out in the attached appendix (the “Appendix”)), Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) has granted to Participant Restricted Stock Units for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“RSUs”) indicated in the Grant Notice (the “Award”) under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The Award is granted to Participant effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement will have the same meanings given to them in the Plan or the Grant Notice, as applicable. The terms and conditions of the Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows.

1. NATURE OF THE AWARD. The Award represents the right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“shares of Common Stock”) as indicated in the Grant Notice upon the satisfaction of the terms set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company with respect to Participant’s receipt of the Award, the vesting of the RSUs or the issuance of the underlying shares of Common Stock.

2. VESTING. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Award will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status other than for Cause, any RSUs that have yet to satisfy the Service- Based Requirement and (ii) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them.

3. NUMBER OF SHARES.

(a) The number of RSUs subject to the Award may be adjusted from time to time for certain Capitalization Adjustments as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan.

(b) Any additional RSUs, shares, cash or other property that become subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3 if any, will be subject, in a manner determined by the Administrator, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of issuance as applicable to the shares of Common Stock covered by the Award.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock will be created pursuant to this Section 3. Any fraction of a share will not be issued.

4. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER COMPLIANCE. Participant may not be issued any shares of Common Stock under the Award unless either (a) the shares of Common Stock are registered under the Securities Act or (b) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. The Award also must comply with other applicable laws, and Participant will not receive such shares of Common Stock if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in compliance with applicable laws.

 

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5. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the Tax-Related Items set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, in the event one or more RSUs vest, the Company will issue to Participant one (1) share of Common Stock for each RSU that vests on the applicable Vesting Date (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above) (such date, the “Original Issuance Date”). If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, the Original Issuance Date will instead be the next following business day. In addition, to the extent applicable at a Vesting Date when the Common Stock is registered under the Securities Act, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to Participant, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies, or (2) on a date when Participant is otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company’s policies (a “10b5-1 Arrangement”)), and

(ii) either (1) no Tax-Related Items apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Tax-Related Items by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to Participant under the Award, and (B) not to permit Participant to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit Participant to pay the Tax-Related Items in cash,

then the shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to Participant on the Original Issuance Date will not be issued on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as reasonably practicable after Participant is not prohibited from selling shares of Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than (a) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of Participant’s taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or (b) if Participant is subject to taxation in the United States, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the year immediately following the year in which the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable on the Original Issuance Date are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d) (the last date in the foregoing clause (a) or (b), as applicable, the “Outside Date”).

(b) In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to the requirement to deliver Common Stock following vesting of one or more RSUs no later than the applicable Outside Date), no Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 as a result of the vesting of one or more RSUs will be delivered to Participant until any filings that may be required pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”) in connection with the issuance of such shares of Common Stock have been made and any required waiting period under the HSR Act has expired or been terminated (any such filings and/or waiting period required pursuant to HSR Act the “HSR Requirements”). If the HSR Requirements apply to the issuance of any Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 upon vesting of one or more RSUs, such shares of Common Stock will not be issued on the Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as reasonably practicable following the date when all such HSR Requirements are satisfied and when Participant is permitted to sell Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies; provided, however, that the issuance date for any Common Stock delayed under this Section 5(b) will in no event be later than the applicable Outside Date.

 

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(c) The form of such issuance (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares of Common Stock) will be determined by the Company. In all cases, if Participant is subject to taxation in the United States, the issuance of shares of Common Stock under the Award is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner.

6. DIVIDENDS. Participant will receive no benefit or adjustment to Participant’s RSUs with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution except as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation will not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to Participant in connection with Participant’s Award after such shares of Common Stock have been delivered to Participant.

7. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By acquiring shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the RSUs, Participant agrees that Participant will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by Participant, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. Participant further agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Participant’s shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. Participant also agrees that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by Participant will be bound by this Section 7. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

8. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

(a) Transfer Restrictions on RSUs. Participant may not transfer, which includes without limitation a transfer, assignment, granting of a lien or security interest in, pledging, hypothecating, encumbering, selling, donating, gifting or otherwise disposing of or granting any interest in (whether voluntarily or by operation of law) (“Transfer”) the Award or the shares of Common Stock issuable (but not yet issued) in respect of the Award, except that the Award is transferable to Participant’s personal representative on his or her death.

(b) Transfer Restrictions on Shares. At any time prior to the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act for the sale of the Company’s shares of Common Stock to the public, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award, except with the prior written consent of, and subject to the terms and conditions reasonably required by, the Administrator (including without limitation any right of first refusal in favor of the Company), which such consent may be withheld, and which such terms and conditions may be specified, for any legitimate corporate purpose, as determined by the Administrator. In addition, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award at any time, except the Company’s Bylaws, the Company’s then current Insider Trading Policy or other policies, any other agreement to which the Company and Participant are a party, and applicable securities and other applicable laws. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Common Stock will be subject any transfer restrictions set forth in the Company’s Bylaws.

 

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(c) Transferee Obligations. Each person (other than the Company) to whom the Award or Common Stock, as applicable, or any interest therein are subject to Transfer must, as a condition precedent to the validity of such Transfer, acknowledge in writing to the Company that such person is bound by the provisions of the Grant Documents and that the transferred RSUs or Common Stock, as applicable, are subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above and the other restrictions, including without limitation restrictions on transferability, contained herein and in the Plan, to the same extent the applicable RSUs and/or Common Stock, as applicable, would be so subject if retained by Participant.

(d) Purported Transfers. All transferees of the Award, Common Stock or any interest therein will receive and hold such Award, Common Stock or interest subject to the provisions of the Grant Agreements, including, without limitation, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above. Any Transfer of will be void unless the provisions set forth in this Section 8 are satisfied.

9. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The shares of Common Stock issued in respect of Participant’s Award will be endorsed with appropriate legends as determined by the Company.

10. AWARD NOT AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT.

(a) The Award is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in the Award will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on Participant’s part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue Participant’s employment. In addition, nothing in the Award will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees or other service providers to continue any relationship that Participant might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

(b) By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Subsidiaries, Parents or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a “reorganization”). Participant further acknowledge and agree that such reorganization could result in the termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status and the loss of benefits available to Participant under the Award, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award.

(c) By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

(i) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted under the Plan;

(ii) the grant of the Award is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of awards (whether on the same or different terms), or benefits in lieu of awards, even if awards have been granted in the past;

(iii) the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Award is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(iv) for the purposes of the Award, Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or one of its Affiliates (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is employed or the terms of Participant’s employment agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or determined by the Company, Participant’s right to vest in the Award under the Plan, if any, and the Board shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Award (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence); and

 

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(v) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of this Award resulting from the termination of Participant’s Continuous Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is employed or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of this Award to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company or any Affiliate, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Company and any Affiliate from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

11. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES.

(a) Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax (including U.S. federal, state, and local taxes and/or non-U.S. taxes), social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant or deemed by the Company in its discretion to be an appropriate charge to Participant even if legally applicable to the Company (“Tax- Related Items”) is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company.

(b) Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or Participant’s employer (if not the Company) to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company or its agent to satisfy its withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items, if any, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or Participant’s employer; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment; (iii) entering on Participant’s behalf (pursuant to this authorization without further consent) into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Award to satisfy the Tax-Related Items and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Tax-Related Items directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates; (iv) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with the Award with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued to Participant or, if and as determined by the Company, the date on which the Tax-Related Items are required to be calculated) equal to the amount of such Tax-Related Items; or (v) any other method of withholding determined by the Company and permitted by applicable laws. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts (as determined by the Company) to facilitate the satisfaction of Tax-Related Items by Participant using one of the methods described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the preceding sentence. However, the Company does not guarantee that Participant will be able to satisfy any Tax-Related Items through any of such methods and in all circumstances Participant remains responsible for timely and fully satisfying the Tax-Related Items. Depending on the withholding method employed, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, in which case Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the equivalent in shares of Common Stock. In the event any under-withholding results from the application of minimum

 

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statutory or other withholding rates, Participant may be required to pay additional amounts to the tax authorities. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award, notwithstanding that a number of the shares of Common Stock are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

(c) Participant agrees to pay to the Company or Participant’s employer any amount of Tax- Related Items that the Company or Participant’s employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by any of the means previously described. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, if Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any Tax Related Items when due, Participant permanently will forfeit the RSUs on which the Tax-Related Items were not satisfied and will also permanently forfeit any right to receive shares of Common Stock thereunder. In that case, the RSUs will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company.

12. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. In connection with Participant’s acquisition of the Award and the Common Stock under the Award, Participant represent to the Company the following:

(a) Participant is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Common Stock. Participant is acquiring the Common Stock for investment for Participant’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

(b) Participant understands that the Common Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Participant’s investment intent as expressed in this Agreement.

(c) Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Common Stock must be held indefinitely unless the Common Stock is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Common Stock. Participant understands that the certificate evidencing the Common Stock will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the Common Stock unless the Common Stock is registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.

(d) Participant is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, as in effect from time to time, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of issuance of the securities, such issuance will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be sold by Participant 90 days thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144 and the Lock-Up Period agreement described in Section 7 above.

(e) In the event that the sale of the Common Stock does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of issuance, then the Common Stock may be resold by Participant in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires, among other things: (i) the availability of certain public information about the Company; and (ii) the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144 after Participant has purchased, and made full payment of (within the meaning of Rule 144), the securities to be sold.

 

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(f) Participant understands that at the time Participant wishes to sell the Common Stock there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the current public information requirements of Rule 144 or 701, and that, in such event, Participant would be precluded from selling the Common Stock under Rule 144 or 701 even if the minimum holding period requirement had been satisfied.

(g) Participant warrants and represents that Participant has either (i) preexisting personal or business relationships, with the Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons, or (ii) the capacity to protect Participant’s own interests in connection with the grant of the Award and the acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof by virtue of the business or financial expertise of Participant or of professional advisors to Participant who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated by the Company or any of its affiliates, directly or indirectly. Participant further warrants and represents that the grant of the Award and Participant’s acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof was not accomplished by the publication of any advertisement.

13. NO OBLIGATION TO MINIMIZE TAXES. Participant acknowledges that the Company is not making representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Award, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or any dividend equivalent payments. Further, Participant acknowledge that the Company does not have any duty or obligation to minimize Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items arising from the Award or to achieve any particular tax result and will not be liable to Participant for any Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award. If Participant becomes subject to taxation in more than one jurisdiction, the Company and/or Participant’s employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

14. NO ADVICE REGARDING GRANT. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. Participant is hereby advised to consult with Participant’s own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award and by accepting the Award, Participant has agreed that Participant has done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

15. UNSECURED OBLIGATION. The Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, Participant will be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock pursuant to this Agreement. Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares of Common Stock to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares of Common Stock are issued to Participant pursuant to Section 5 above. Upon such issuance, Participant will obtain full voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between Participant and the Company or any other person.

16. NOTICES. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed

facsimile or by email if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (iii) five calendar days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one business day after deposit

 

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with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the other party hereto at such party’s address hereinafter set forth on the signature page of the Grant Notice, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other party hereto. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and the Award by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

17. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) As a condition to the grant of the Award or to the Company’s issuance of any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement, the Company may require Participant to execute certain customary agreements entered into with the holders of capital stock of the Company, including without limitation, a right of first refusal and co-sale agreement and a stockholders agreement.

(b) The rights and obligations of the Company under the Award will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Company’s successors and assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Participant’s rights and obligations under the Award may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.

(c) Participant agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award.

(d) Participant acknowledges and agrees that Participant has reviewed the Grant Documents in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting the Award, and fully understands all provisions of the Grant Documents.

(e) This Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

(f) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

(g) The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the Award and on any Award or shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Participant agrees to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing. Furthermore, Participant acknowledges that the laws of the country in which Participant is working at the time of grant, vesting and settlement of the Award or the acquisition of any Common Stock received pursuant to the Award (including any rules or regulations governing securities, foreign exchange, tax, labor, or other matters) may subject Participant to additional procedural or regulatory requirements that Participant is and will be solely responsible for and must fulfill.

 

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18. CONFIDENTIALITY. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, Participant hereby agrees to keep confidential and not disclose or use (for any purpose other than that for which it was expressly provided) any information about the terms of the Award and any confidential information obtained in connection with or related to the Award, including, without limitation, any information, financial or otherwise, included in any Rule 701 disclosure packet made available to Participant from time to time; provided, that Participant may disclose such information (i) to Participant’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain legal, tax or financial planning advice in connection with the Award, provided that such persons agree to maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance herewith, and provided that Participant will remain responsible for any subsequent disclosure by any such advisor; or (ii) as may be required by applicable laws, provided that Participant promptly notifies the Company in advance of such disclosure and agrees to cooperate to take reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to take actions up to and including termination of the Award (including any vested portion thereof), upon the Company’s reasonable determination of a breach by Participant of the confidentiality obligations under this Section 18.

19. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. The Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of the Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the terms in the Grant Notice or this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

20. SEVERABILITY. If one or more provisions of the Grant Documents are held to be unenforceable under applicable laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision(s), then (i) such provision(s) will be excluded from such Grant Documents, (ii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

21. GOVERNING LAW. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of the Plan and the Award, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

22. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms for any purpose including when calculating Participant’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides or when calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end- of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

23. AMENDMENT. The Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Participant and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may be amended solely by the Administrator by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to Participant, and provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no such amendment materially and adversely affecting Participant’s rights hereunder may be made without Participant’s consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator reserves the right to change, by written notice to Participant, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant as a result of any change in applicable laws or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change will be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.

 

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24. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This provision applies only to Participants who are subject to taxation in the United States. The Award is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, and if Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day after the date of the separation from service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of taxation on Participant in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a “separate payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, under no circumstances will the Company reimburse Participant for any taxes or other costs under Section 409A or any other tax law or rule. All such taxes and costs are solely Participant’s responsibility.

25. DATA PRIVACY.

Participant explicitly and unambiguously acknowledges and consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, Participant’s employer, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan. Participant understands that the Company, its Affiliates and his or her employer hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of Common Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of Common Stock awarded, canceled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). Participant understands that the Data may be transferred to any third parties, including [include stock plan service providers], selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company presently or in the future, assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in Participant’s country or elsewhere, in particular in the US, and that the recipient country may have different data privacy laws providing less protections of Participant’s personal data than his or her own country. Participant may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the stock plan administrator at the Company (the “Stock Plan Administrator”). Participant acknowledges that the recipients may receive, possess, process, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data, as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Award. Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage his or her participation in the Plan. Participant may, at any time, view the Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator in writing.

 

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26. LANGUAGE. Participant acknowledges that he or she is sufficiently proficient in the English language, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If Participant has received this Agreement, or any other document related to this Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

27. APPENDIX. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Award shall be subject to the special terms and conditions for Participant’s country set forth in the Appendix attached hereto. Moreover, if Participant relocates to one of the countries included therein, the terms and conditions for such country will apply to Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Agreement.

*   *   *

This Agreement will be deemed to be accepted by Participant upon the signing (which may be electronic) by Participant of the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant to which it is attached or by the deemed acceptance of this Agreement, as described in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant.

 

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APPENDIX

This Appendix includes special terms and conditions that govern the Award granted to Participant under the Plan if he or she resides and/or works in any country listed below.

This Appendix also includes notifications relating to exchange control, securities, and other issues which Participant should be aware with respect to his or her participation in the Plan. The information is based on the exchange control, securities and other laws in effect in the countries listed in this Appendix as of December 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that Participant not rely on the notifications herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be outdated when Participant vests in his or her RSUs or sells shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.

The information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to Participant’s particular situation, and Participant is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to his or her situation. If Participant is a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which he or she is currently working and/or residing, transfer employment and/or residency to another country after the date of grant, is a consultant, changes employment status to a consultant position, or is considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the Company shall, in its discretion, determine the extent to which the special terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to Participant. References to Participant’s “employer” shall include any entity that engages Participant’s services. References to “you” are to Participant.

 

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Liquidity Event– Need Not be Present; Non-U.S. Recipients

PART I. GLOBAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE U.S.

Terms and Conditions

1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES. The following provision supplements Section 11 of the Agreement:

If you are engaged by a third-party professional employer organization (“PEO”), which includes an employer of record, you acknowledge and authorize that the PEO may satisfy any withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items by using any method permitted by the Plan or the Agreement. Further, prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as applicable, you agree to make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or the PEO to satisfy all Tax-Related Items and understand that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the PEO.

In addition, you acknowledge that the Company and/or any Parent, Affiliate, or PEO may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering maximum applicable withholding rates, in which case if you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the share of Common Stock equivalent. Further, you agree to pay to the Company or any applicable Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO may be required to withhold as a result of your participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the shares of Common Stock or the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

2. SERVICE PROVIDER. Each Participant, including those engaged through an PEO is an individual service provider. A PEO will not be considered a service provider for purposes of the Agreement.

3. FOREIGN ASSET/ACCOUNT, EXCHANGE CONTROL AND TAX REPORTING. You may be subject to foreign asset/account, exchange control and/or tax reporting requirements as a result of the acquisition, holding and/or transfer of shares of Common Stock or cash (including dividends and the proceeds arising from the sale of shares of Common Stock) derived from your participation in the Plan in, to and/or from a brokerage/bank account or legal entity located outside the U.S. The applicable laws in your country may require that you report such accounts, assets and balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of your participation in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be compliant with such regulations and you are encouraged to consult with your personal legal advisor for any details.

4. FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONSIDERATIONS. You understand and agree that neither the Company nor any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the U.S. dollar that may affect the value of the Award, or of any amounts due to you under the Plan or as a result of vesting in your RSUs and/or the subsequent sale of any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan. You agree and acknowledge that you will bear any and all risk associated with the exchange or fluctuation of currency associated with your participation in the Plan. You acknowledge and agree that you may be responsible for reporting inbound transactions or fund transfers that exceed a certain amount. You are advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the exchange control regulations apply to your RSUs and your specific situation and understand that the relevant laws and regulations can change frequently and occasionally on a retroactive basis.

 

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5. INSIDER TRADING RESTRICTIONS/MARKET ABUSE LAWS. You understand and agree that you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions including, but not limited to, the United States and your country of residence, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell shares of Common Stock or rights to shares of Common Stock (e.g., the RSUs) under the Plan during such time as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders you place before you possessed inside information. Furthermore, you could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. You should keep in mind third parties includes fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable insider trading policy of the Company. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and should consult with your personal legal advisor on this matter.

6. NATURE OF GRANT. In accepting the Award, you acknowledge, understand, and agree that:

(a) if your RSUs vest and you acquire shares of Common Stock, the value of such shares of Common Stock may increase or decrease in value;

(b) for purposes of the Award, your status as a service provider will be considered terminated as of the date you no longer actively providing services to the Company, or Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are a service provider or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement (including by reference in the Grant Notice to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Company, (i) your right to vest in the RSUs under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., your period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are a service provider or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any, unless you are providing bona fide services during such time), and (ii) the period (if any) during which you may vest in your RSUs after such termination of your engagement as a service provider will commence on the date you cease to actively provide services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or terms of your engagement agreement, if any; the Company will have the exclusive discretion to determine when you are no longer actively providing services for purposes of the RSU grant (including whether you may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with local law); and

(c) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Award and the benefits evidenced by the Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the RSUs or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed-out, or substituted for, in connection with any company transaction affecting the shares of Common Stock.

 

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PART II. COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE U.S.

CANADA

Terms and Conditions

Authorization to Release Necessary Personal Information. You hereby authorize the Company, any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO and the Company’s (including its non-U.S. Affiliate’s) representatives to discuss with and obtain all relevant information from all personnel, professional or not, involved in the administration and operation of the Plan. You further authorize the Company and any non-U.S. Affiliate and the Company’s designated Plan broker(s) to disclose and discuss the Plan with their advisors.

Award Payable Only in Shares. The grant of the RSUs does not give you any right to receive a cash payment, and the RSUs are payable in shares of Common Stock only.

French Language Provisions. The following provisions will apply if you are a resident of Quebec:

The parties acknowledge that it is their express wish that the Agreement, as well as all documents, notices and legal proceedings entered into, given or instituted pursuant hereto or relating directly or indirectly hereto, be drawn up in English.

Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé la redaction en anglais de cette convention (“Agreement”), ainsi que de tous documents exécutés, avis donnés et procedures judiciaries intentées, directement ou indirectement, relativement à la présente convention.

Notifications

Tax Reporting. If you hold foreign property (including the RSUs granted under the Plan and the underlying shares of Common Stock) it must be reported annually on Form T1135 (Foreign Income Verification Statement) if the total value of such foreign property exceeds C$100,000 at any time during the year. The form must be filed by April 30 of the following year.

INDIA

Notifications

Foreign Asset/Account Reporting. You understand that you must declare foreign bank accounts and any foreign financial assets (including shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan held outside India) in your annual tax return (on Form Schedule FA of the Income Tax Return - Form ITR 2) by July 31.

Should you subsequently sell the shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, you acknowledge your obligation and agree to: (i) repatriate to India, any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan (or the receipt of any dividends to India) and convert the funds to local currency within 180 days of the date of sale; and (ii) obtain a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) from the bank in which you deposit the foreign currency and maintain the FIRC as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or your Employer requests proof of repatriation. It is your responsibility to comply with exchange control laws in India. Neither the Company nor the employer will be liable for any fines or penalties resulting from your failure to comply with any applicable laws.

 

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Further, the Plan and the corresponding documents have neither been delivered for registration nor are they intended to be registered with any regulatory authorities in India. These documents are not intended for distribution and are meant solely for the consideration of the person to whom they are addressed and should not be reproduced by you.

Responsibility for Taxes. You are responsible to pay taxes on subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock at the applicable rates prevailing at the time of sale. You also are responsible to pay taxes on dividend income at the applicable rates prevailing at the time of declaration/receipt. Neither the Company nor the employer are responsible for the tax payable by you on such subsequent sale. You agree that it is your responsibility to comply with the payment of taxes and compliance requirements and you shall consult your personal advisor in this regard.

SINGAPORE

Terms and Conditions

Securities Laws

The Award of the Restricted Stock Units is being made in reliance of section 273(1)(f) of the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) for which it is exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements under the SFA. You understand that the shares of Common Stock have not been registered with the SFA. Unless you sell any shares of Common Stock you acquired pursuant to the Plan via a public exchange outside of Singapore (e.g., NASDAQ, NYSE), you agree that you shall not, within six months of your acquisition of any shares of Common Stock, sell, transfer, gift, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer such shares of Common Stock within Singapore except as expressly approved by the Company in writing. The Company believes that a typical sale through a U.S. brokerage firm would not require the Company’s consent under these rules.

Director Notification Obligation

If you are a director, shadow director, or hold any similar position7 of a Singapore-incorporated company (each a “Singapore company”) (e.g., the Company, any Singapore Affiliate, or any Singapore subsidiary), you are subject to certain notification requirements under section 164 of the Singapore Companies Act to enable the Singapore company to comply with its obligations to maintain a register of director’s shareholdings. Among these requirements is an obligation to notify the Singapore company in writing of:

(a) shares of Common Stock in, debentures of, or participatory interests made available by, the Singapore company or its related corporation which are held by you;

(b) any interest that you have in shares of Common Stock in, debentures of, or participatory interests made available by, the Singapore company or its related corporation, and the nature and extent of that interest under Section 7 of the Singapore Companies Act (which provides for the circumstances under which a deemed interest in shares of Common Stock may arise);

 

 
7 

Under section 4(1) of the Singapore Companies Act, the term “director” includes any person occupying the position of director of a corporation by whatever name called.

 

16


(c) rights or options that you have in respect of the acquisition or disposal of shares of Common Stock in the Singapore company or its related corporation; and

(d) contracts to which you are a party or under which you are entitled to a benefit, being contracts under which a person has a right to call for or to make delivery of shares of Common Stock in the Singapore company or its related corporation.

You must notify the Singapore company in writing when there is any change in the particulars of your interests as mentioned above (including when you sell shares of Common Stock issued from the Plan).

You are deemed to hold or have an interest or a right in or over any shares of Common Stock or debentures, if:

(a) Your spouse (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer) holds or has an interest or a right in or over such shares of Common Stock or debentures; or

(b) Your child of less than 18 years of age, including stepson, stepdaughter, adopted son or adopted daughter (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer) holds or has an interest in such shares of Common Stock or debentures.

In addition, any contract, assignment or right of subscription shall be deemed to have been entered into or exercised or made by, or a grant shall be deemed as having been made to you if any contract, assignment or right of subscription is entered into, exercised or made by, or a grant is made to, members of your family as aforesaid (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer).

Particulars of your interests as mentioned above must be given within two business days after (i) the date on which you became a director of the Singapore company, or (ii) the date on which you became a registered holder of or acquired an interest as mentioned above, whichever last occurs. Particulars of any change in your interests also must be given within two business days of the change.

 

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Liquidity Event– Need Not be Present; Non-U.S. Recipients

ATTACHMENT II

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

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Liquidity Event– Need Not be Present; Non-U.S. Recipients

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT GRANT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”), has granted to Participant (as of the date indicated below) Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”). The Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth in this Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and in the Plan and the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, including any special terms and conditions for the Participant’s country set out in the attached appendix (the “Appendix” and together, the “Agreement”), both of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein will have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

 

Participant:                         
Date of Grant:                         
Vesting Commencement Date:                         
Liquidity Event Deadline:                         
Number of RSUs:                         

Expiration Date: The Expiration Date for an RSU depends on whether the Service-Based Requirement (as defined below) has been satisfied with respect to that particular RSU. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has not been satisfied, the Expiration Date is the earlier of: (1) Liquidity Event Deadline or (2) the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. Where the Service-Based Requirement for a particular RSU has been satisfied in whole or in part, the Expiration Date is the Liquidity Event Deadline; provided, however, that, in the event Participant’s Continuous Service Status is terminated for Cause prior to the occurrence of the Liquidity Event Requirement, the Expiration Date is the date of termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status. If Participant’s service is suspended pending an investigation of whether Participant’s service will be terminated for Cause, all of Participant’s rights under the Award (including without limitation any continued ability to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement) will be suspended during the investigation period unless otherwise determined by the Board or an applicable Committee (as applicable, the “Administrator”).

Vesting: Participant will receive a benefit with respect to an RSU only if it vests. Except as explicitly set forth below, two vesting requirements must be satisfied on or before the applicable Expiration Date specified above in order for an RSU to vest — a time and service-based requirement (the “Service-Based Requirement”) and the “Liquidity Event Requirement” (each described below). An RSU will vest (and therefore becomes a “Vested RSU”) on the first date upon which both the Service-Based Requirement and the Liquidity Event Requirement are satisfied with respect to that particular RSU and, if applicable, thereafter pursuant to the Service-Based Requirement (any date on which vesting occurs, the “Vesting Date”). All RSUs that do not become Vested RSUs on or before the applicable Expiration Date will be immediately forfeited to the Company upon expiration at no cost to the Company.

Service-Based Requirement:

The Service-Based Requirement will be satisfied in full as of the Date of Grant.

Upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them. However, Participant will retain any RSUs that have met the Service-Based Requirement as of the date that Participant’s Continuous Service Status ends for any reason other than for Cause until such RSUs either vest or expire.

 

 

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Liquidity Event Requirement: The Liquidity Event Requirement will be satisfied as to any then-outstanding RSUs on the earliest of the following: (1) the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock to the public, whether pursuant to an initial public offering of the Company’s Common Stock or by a direct listing of the Company’s Common Stock, or (2) immediately prior to the closing of a Corporate Transaction. For purposes of determining whether the Liquidity Event Requirement has been satisfied, Corporate Transaction has the same meaning as in the Plan, except that (a) any transaction involving a special purpose acquisition company (i.e., a SPAC transaction), including any follow on offering in connection therewith, will not constitute a Corporate Transaction, and (b) a transaction in which stockholders of the Company receive consideration in exchange for their shares of Common Stock that consists, in whole or in part, of something other than: (i) cash and/or (ii) securities that are listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market or any other exchange or market of similar stature will not constitute a Corporate Transaction.

Settlement: If an RSU vests as provided for above, the Company will issue one share of Common Stock for each Vested RSU. The shares will be issued in accordance with the issuance schedule set forth in Section 5 of the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement.

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Grant Notice, the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement and the Plan (together, the “Grant Documents”). Participant further acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly determined by the Administrator or pursuant to any compensation recovery policy that is adopted by the Company or is otherwise required by applicable laws, the Grant Documents set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the Award and supersede all prior oral and written agreements, offer letters, promises and/or representations on that subject. The failure by either party to enforce any rights under the Grant Documents will not be construed as a waiver of any rights of such party.

By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges having received and read the Grant Documents and agrees to all of the terms and conditions set forth in the Grant Documents. This Grant Notice may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument. Counterparts may be delivered via facsimile, electronic mail (including pdf or any electronic signature complying with the U.S. federal ESIGN Act of 2000, Uniform Electronic Transactions Act or other applicable laws) or other transmission method permitted by applicable laws and any counterpart so delivered will be deemed to have been duly and validly delivered and be valid and effective for all purposes. Furthermore, by accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or a third party designated by the Company.

 

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ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.     PARTICIPANT:
By:  

   

    By:  

   

Signature     Signature
Name & Title:  

 

    Name &Title:  

 

Date:  

 

    Date:  

 

Address:  

 

    Address:  

 

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment I: Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (including the Appendix)

Attachment II: 2016 Equity Incentive Plan

 

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ATTACHMENT I

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

RESTRICTED STOCK UNIT AGREEMENT

(2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Pursuant to the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant (the “Grant Notice”) and this Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (the “Agreement”), the definition of which shall include any special terms and conditions for Participant’s country set out in the attached appendix (the “Appendix”)), Ethos Technologies Inc. (the “Company”) has granted to Participant Restricted Stock Units for the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock (“RSUs”) indicated in the Grant Notice (the “Award”) under its 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “Plan”). The Award is granted to Participant effective as of the Date of Grant set forth in the Grant Notice. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement will have the same meanings given to them in the Plan or the Grant Notice, as applicable. The terms and conditions of the Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice and the Plan, are as follows.

1. NATURE OF THE AWARD. The Award represents the right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock as indicated in the Grant Notice upon the satisfaction of the terms set forth in the Grant Notice and this Agreement. Except as otherwise provided herein, Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company with respect to Participant’s receipt of the Award, the vesting of the RSUs or the issuance of the underlying shares of Common Stock.

2. VESTING. Subject to the limitations contained herein, the Award will vest in accordance with the vesting schedule provided in the Grant Notice. For the avoidance of doubt, (i) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status other than for Cause, any RSUs that have yet to satisfy the Service-Based Requirement and (ii) upon termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status for Cause, regardless of whether any RSUs have met all or any portion of the Service-Based Requirement, all RSUs will be, in either case, forfeited at no cost to the Company and Participant will have no further right, title or interest in or to such RSUs or the shares of Common Stock underlying them.

3. NUMBER OF SHARES.

(a) The number of RSUs subject to the Award may be adjusted from time to time for certain Capitalization Adjustments as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan.

(b) Any additional RSUs, shares, cash or other property that become subject to the Award pursuant to this Section 3 if any, will be subject, in a manner determined by the Administrator, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of issuance as applicable to the shares covered by the Award.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 3, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock will be created pursuant to this Section 3. Any fraction of a share will not be issued.

4. SECURITIES LAW AND OTHER COMPLIANCE. Participant may not be issued any shares under the Award unless either (a) the shares are registered under the Securities Act or (b) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.

 

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The Award also must comply with other applicable laws, and Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in compliance with applicable laws.

5. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) Subject to the satisfaction of the Tax-Related Items set forth in Section 11 of this Agreement, in the event one or more RSUs vest, the Company will issue to Participant one (1) share of Common Stock for each RSU that vests on the applicable Vesting Date (subject to any adjustment under Section 3 above) (such date, the “Original Issuance Date”). If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, the Original Issuance Date will instead be the next following business day. In addition, to the extent applicable at a Vesting Date when the Common Stock is registered under the Securities Act, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to Participant, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies, or (2) on a date when Participant is otherwise permitted to sell shares of Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market (including but not limited to under a previously established written trading plan that meets the requirements of Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act and was entered into in compliance with the Company’s policies (a “10b5-1 Arrangement”)), and

(ii) either (1) no Tax-Related Items apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Tax-Related Items by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to Participant under the Award, and (B) not to permit Participant to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer pursuant to Section 11 of this Agreement (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit Participant to pay the Tax-Related Items in cash,

then the shares of Common Stock that would otherwise be issued to Participant on the Original Issuance Date will not be issued on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as reasonably practicable after Participant is not prohibited from selling shares of Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than (a) December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of Participant’s taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or (b) if Participant is subject to taxation in the United States, if and only if permitted in a manner that complies with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the year immediately following the year in which the shares of Common Stock otherwise issuable on the Original Issuance Date are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d) (the last date in the foregoing clause (a) or (b), as applicable, the “Outside Date”).

(b) In addition and notwithstanding the foregoing (but subject to the requirement to deliver Common Stock following vesting of one or more RSUs no later than the applicable Outside Date), no Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 as a result of the vesting of one or more RSUs will be delivered to Participant until any filings that may be required pursuant to the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act of 1976, as amended (“HSR Act”) in connection with the issuance of such shares have been made and any required waiting period under the HSR Act has expired or been terminated (any such filings and/or waiting period required pursuant to HSR Act the “HSR Requirements”). If the HSR Requirements apply to the issuance of any Common Stock issuable to Participant under this Section 5 upon vesting of one or more RSUs, such shares will not be issued on the Original Issuance Date and will instead be issued as soon as

 

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reasonably practicable following the date when all such HSR Requirements are satisfied and when Participant is permitted to sell Common Stock on an established stock exchange or stock market, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policies; provided, however, that the issuance date for any Common Stock delayed under this Section 5(b) will in no event be later than the applicable Outside Date.

(c) The form of such issuance (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares of Common Stock) will be determined by the Company. In all cases, if Participant is subject to taxation in the United States, the issuance of shares under the Award is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner.

6. DIVIDENDS. Participant will receive no benefit or adjustment to Participant’s RSUs with respect to any cash dividend, stock dividend or other distribution except as provided in Section 9(a) of the Plan; provided, however, that the foregoing limitation will not apply with respect to any shares of Common Stock that are delivered to Participant in connection with Participant’s Award after such shares have been delivered to Participant.

7. LOCK-UP PERIOD. By acquiring shares of Common Stock upon settlement of the RSUs, Participant agrees that Participant will not sell, dispose of, transfer, make any short sale of, grant any option for the purchase of, or enter into any hedging or similar transaction with the same economic effect as a sale with respect to any shares of Common Stock or other securities of the Company held by Participant, for a period of 180 days following the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act or such longer period as the underwriters or the Company will request to facilitate compliance with FINRA Rule 2241 or any successor or similar rules or regulation (the “Lock-Up Period”); provided, however, that nothing contained in this section will prevent the exercise of a repurchase option, if any, in favor of the Company during the Lock-Up Period. Participant further agrees to execute and deliver such other agreements as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the underwriters that are consistent with the foregoing or that are necessary to give further effect thereto. In order to enforce the foregoing covenant, the Company may impose stop-transfer instructions with respect to Participant’s shares of Common Stock until the end of such period. Participant also agrees that any transferee of any shares of Common Stock (or other securities) of the Company held by Participant will be bound by this Section 7. The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 7 and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

8. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS.

(a) Transfer Restrictions on RSUs. Participant may not transfer, which includes without limitation a transfer, assignment, granting of a lien or security interest in, pledging, hypothecating, encumbering, selling, donating, gifting or otherwise disposing of or granting any interest in (whether voluntarily or by operation of law) (“Transfer”) the Award or the shares of Common Stock issuable (but not yet issued) in respect of the Award, except that the Award is transferable to Participant’s personal representative on his or her death.

(b) Transfer Restrictions on Shares. At any time prior to the effective date of a registration statement of the Company filed under the Securities Act for the sale of the Company’s Common Stock to the public, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award, except with the prior written consent of, and subject to the terms and conditions reasonably required by, the Administrator (including without limitation any right of first

 

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refusal in favor of the Company), which such consent may be withheld, and which such terms and conditions may be specified, for any legitimate corporate purpose, as determined by the Administrator. In addition, Participant will not Transfer the Common Stock or any interest in the Common Stock issued or otherwise acquired pursuant to the Award at any time, except the Company’s Bylaws, the Company’s then current Insider Trading Policy or other policies, any other agreement to which the Company and Participant are a party, and applicable securities and other applicable laws. Participant agrees and acknowledges that the Common Stock will be subject any transfer restrictions set forth in the Company’s Bylaws.

(c) Transferee Obligations. Each person (other than the Company) to whom the Award or Common Stock, as applicable, or any interest therein are subject to Transfer must, as a condition precedent to the validity of such Transfer, acknowledge in writing to the Company that such person is bound by the provisions of the Grant Documents and that the transferred RSUs or Common Stock, as applicable, are subject to the Company’s Bylaws, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above and the other restrictions, including without limitation restrictions on transferability, contained herein and in the Plan, to the same extent the applicable RSUs and/or Common Stock, as applicable, would be so subject if retained by Participant.

(d) Purported Transfers. All transferees of the Award, Common Stock or any interest therein will receive and hold such Award, Common Stock or interest subject to the provisions of the Grant Agreements, including, without limitation, the market stand-off provisions of Section 7 above. Any Transfer of will be void unless the provisions set forth in this Section 8 are satisfied.

9. RESTRICTIVE LEGENDS. The shares of Common Stock issued in respect of Participant’s Award will be endorsed with appropriate legends as determined by the Company.

10. AWARD NOT AN EMPLOYMENT OR SERVICE CONTRACT.

(a) The Award is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in the Award will be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on Participant’s part to continue in the employ of the Company or an Affiliate, or of the Company or an Affiliate to continue Participant’s employment. In addition, nothing in the Award will obligate the Company or an Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, officers or employees or other service providers to continue any relationship that Participant might have as a Director or Consultant for the Company or an Affiliate.

(b) By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges and agrees that the Company has the right to reorganize, sell, spin-out or otherwise restructure one or more of its businesses or Subsidiaries, Parents or Affiliates at any time or from time to time, as it deems appropriate (a “reorganization”). Participant further acknowledge and agree that such reorganization could result in the termination of Participant’s Continuous Service Status and the loss of benefits available to Participant under the Award, including but not limited to, the termination of the right to continue vesting in the Award.

(c) By accepting the Award, Participant acknowledges, understands and agrees that:

(i) the Plan is established voluntarily by the Company, it is discretionary in nature, and may be amended, suspended or terminated by the Company at any time, to the extent permitted under the Plan;

 

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(ii) the grant of the Award is voluntary and occasional and does not create any contractual or other right to receive future grants of awards (whether on the same or different terms), or benefits in lieu of awards, even if awards have been granted in the past;

(iii) the future value of the shares of Common Stock underlying the Award is unknown, indeterminable, and cannot be predicted with certainty;

(iv) for the purposes of the Award, Participant’s Continuous Service will be considered terminated as of the date Participant is no longer actively providing services to the Company or one of its Affiliates (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is employed or the terms of Participant’s employment agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement or determined by the Company, Participant’s right to vest in the Award under the Plan, if any, and the Board shall have the exclusive discretion to determine when Participant is no longer actively providing services for purposes of the Award (including whether Participant may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence); and

(v) no claim or entitlement to compensation or damages shall arise from forfeiture of this Award resulting from the termination of Participant’s Continuous Service (for any reason whatsoever, whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where Participant is employed or the terms of Participant’s employment or service agreement, if any), and in consideration of the grant of this Award to which Participant is otherwise not entitled, Participant irrevocably agrees never to institute any claim against the Company or any Affiliate, waives his or her ability, if any, to bring any such claim, and releases the Company and any Affiliate from any such claim; if, notwithstanding the foregoing, any such claim is allowed by a court of competent jurisdiction, then, by participating in the Plan, Participant shall be deemed irrevocably to have agreed not to pursue such claim and agrees to execute any and all documents necessary to request dismissal or withdrawal of such claim.

11. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES.

(a) Participant acknowledges that, regardless of any action taken by the Company, the ultimate liability for all income tax (including U.S. federal, state, and local taxes and/or non-U.S. taxes), social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to Participant’s participation in the Plan and legally applicable to Participant or deemed by the Company in its discretion to be an appropriate charge to Participant even if legally applicable to the Company (“Tax-Related Items”) is and remains Participant’s responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the Company.

(b) Prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, as applicable, Participant agrees to make adequate arrangements satisfactory to the Company and/or Participant’s employer (if not the Company) to satisfy all Tax-Related Items. In this regard, Participant authorizes the Company or its agent to satisfy its withholding obligations with regard to all Tax-Related Items, if any, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) withholding from any compensation otherwise payable to Participant by the Company or Participant’s employer; (ii) causing Participant to tender a cash payment; (iii) entering on Participant’s behalf (pursuant to this authorization without further consent) into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker dealer that is a member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (a “FINRA Dealer”) whereby Participant irrevocably elect to sell a portion of the shares to be issued under the Award to satisfy the Tax-Related Items and whereby the FINRA Dealer irrevocably commits to forward

 

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the proceeds necessary to satisfy the Tax-Related Items directly to the Company and/or its Affiliates; (iv) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to Participant in connection with the Award with a Fair Market Value (measured as of the date shares of Common Stock are issued to Participant or, if and as determined by the Company, the date on which the Tax-Related Items are required to be calculated) equal to the amount of such Tax-Related Items; or (v) any other method of withholding determined by the Company and permitted by applicable laws. The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts (as determined by the Company) to facilitate the satisfaction of Tax-Related Items by Participant using one of the methods described in clauses (iii) and (iv) of the preceding sentence. However, the Company does not guarantee that Participant will be able to satisfy any Tax-Related Items through any of such methods and in all circumstances Participant remains responsible for timely and fully satisfying the Tax-Related Items. Depending on the withholding method employed, the Company may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering applicable minimum statutory withholding rates or other applicable withholding rates, in which case Participant may receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the equivalent in shares of Common Stock. In the event any under-withholding results from the application of minimum statutory or other withholding rates, Participant may be required to pay additional amounts to the tax authorities. If the obligation for Tax-Related Items is satisfied by withholding in shares of Common Stock, for tax purposes, Participant is deemed to have been issued the full number of shares of Common Stock subject to the vested portion of the Award, notwithstanding that a number of the shares of Common Stock are held back solely for the purpose of paying the Tax-Related Items.

(c) Participant agrees to pay to the Company or Participant’s employer any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or Participant’s employer may be required to withhold or account for as a result of Participant’s participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by any of the means previously described. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, if Participant fails to make satisfactory arrangements for the payment of any Tax Related Items when due, Participant permanently will forfeit the RSUs on which the Tax-Related Items were not satisfied and will also permanently forfeit any right to receive shares of Common Stock thereunder. In that case, the RSUs will be returned to the Company at no cost to the Company.

12. INVESTMENT REPRESENTATIONS. In connection with Participant’s acquisition of the Award and the Common Stock under the Award, Participant represent to the Company the following:

(a) Participant is aware of the Company’s business affairs and financial condition and has acquired sufficient information about the Company to reach an informed and knowledgeable decision to acquire the Common Stock. Participant is acquiring the Common Stock for investment for Participant’s own account only and not with a view to, or for resale in connection with, any “distribution” thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act.

(b) Participant understands that the Common Stock has not been registered under the Securities Act by reason of a specific exemption therefrom, which exemption depends upon, among other things, the bona fide nature of Participant’s investment intent as expressed in this Agreement.

(c) Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Common Stock must be held indefinitely unless the Common Stock is subsequently registered under the Securities Act or an exemption from such registration is available. Participant further acknowledges and understands that the Company is under no obligation to register the Common Stock. Participant understands that the certificate evidencing the Common Stock will be imprinted with a legend that prohibits the transfer of the Common Stock unless the Common Stock is registered or such registration is not required in the opinion of counsel for the Company.

 

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(d) Participant is familiar with the provisions of Rules 144 and 701 under the Securities Act, as in effect from time to time, which, in substance, permit limited public resale of “restricted securities” acquired, directly or indirectly, from the issuer thereof (or from an affiliate of such issuer), in a non-public offering subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. Rule 701 provides that if the issuer qualifies under Rule 701 at the time of issuance of the securities, such issuance will be exempt from registration under the Securities Act. In the event the Company becomes subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the securities exempt under Rule 701 may be sold by Participant 90 days thereafter, subject to the satisfaction of certain of the conditions specified by Rule 144 and the Lock-Up Period agreement described in Section 7 above.

(e) In the event that the sale of the Common Stock does not qualify under Rule 701 at the time of issuance, then the Common Stock may be resold by Participant in certain limited circumstances subject to the provisions of Rule 144, which requires, among other things: (i) the availability of certain public information about the Company; and (ii) the resale occurring following the required holding period under Rule 144 after Participant has purchased, and made full payment of (within the meaning of Rule 144), the securities to be sold.

(f) Participant understands that at the time Participant wishes to sell the Common Stock there may be no public market upon which to make such a sale, and that, even if such a public market then exists, the Company may not be satisfying the current public information requirements of Rule 144 or 701, and that, in such event, Participant would be precluded from selling the Common Stock under Rule 144 or 701 even if the minimum holding period requirement had been satisfied.

(g) Participant warrants and represents that Participant has either (i) preexisting personal or business relationships, with the Company or any of its officers, directors or controlling persons, or (ii) the capacity to protect Participant’s own interests in connection with the grant of the Award and the acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof by virtue of the business or financial expertise of Participant or of professional advisors to Participant who are unaffiliated with and who are not compensated by the Company or any of its affiliates, directly or indirectly. Participant further warrants and represents that the grant of the Award and Participant’s acquisition of the Common Stock upon settlement thereof was not accomplished by the publication of any advertisement.

13. NO OBLIGATION TO MINIMIZE TAXES. Participant acknowledges that the Company is not making representations or undertakings regarding the treatment of any Tax-Related Items in connection with any aspect of the Award, including, but not limited to, the grant, vesting or settlement of the Award, the subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to such settlement and the receipt of any dividends and/or any dividend equivalent payments. Further, Participant acknowledge that the Company does not have any duty or obligation to minimize Participant’s liability for Tax-Related Items arising from the Award or to achieve any particular tax result and will not be liable to Participant for any Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award. If Participant becomes subject to taxation in more than one jurisdiction, the Company and/or Participant’s employer (or former employer, as applicable) may be required to withhold or account for Tax-Related Items in more than one jurisdiction.

 

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14. NO ADVICE REGARDING GRANT. The Company is not providing any tax, legal or financial advice, nor is the Company making any recommendations regarding Participant’s participation in the Plan, or Participant’s acquisition or sale of the underlying shares of Common Stock. Participant is hereby advised to consult with Participant’s own personal tax, financial and/or legal advisors regarding the Tax-Related Items arising in connection with the Award and by accepting the Award, Participant has agreed that Participant has done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

15. UNSECURED OBLIGATION. The Award is unfunded, and as a holder of a vested Award, Participant will be considered an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s obligation, if any, to issue shares pursuant to this Agreement. Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to the shares to be issued pursuant to this Agreement until such shares are issued to Participant pursuant to Section 5 above. Upon such issuance, Participant will obtain full voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company. Nothing contained in this Agreement, and no action taken pursuant to its provisions, will create or be construed to create a trust of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between Participant and the Company or any other person.

16. NOTICES. All notices required or permitted hereunder will be in writing and will be deemed effectively given: (i) upon personal delivery to the party to be notified, (ii) when sent by confirmed facsimile or by email if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, and if not during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the next business day, (iii) five calendar days after having been sent by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or (iv) one business day after deposit with a nationally recognized overnight courier, specifying next day delivery, with written verification of receipt. All communications will be sent to the other party hereto at such party’s address hereinafter set forth on the signature page of the Grant Notice, or at such other address as such party may designate by 10 days advance written notice to the other party hereto. The Company may, in its sole discretion, decide to deliver any documents related to participation in the Plan and the Award by electronic means or to request Participant’s consent to participate in the Plan by electronic means. By accepting the Award, Participant consents to receive such documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through an on-line or electronic system established and maintained by the Company or another third party designated by the Company.

17. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) As a condition to the grant of the Award or to the Company’s issuance of any shares of Common Stock under this Agreement, the Company may require Participant to execute certain customary agreements entered into with the holders of capital stock of the Company, including without limitation, a right of first refusal and co-sale agreement and a stockholders agreement.

(b) The rights and obligations of the Company under the Award will be transferable to any one or more persons or entities, and all covenants and agreements hereunder will inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by, the Company’s successors and assigns. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, Participant’s rights and obligations under the Award may not be assigned without the prior written consent of the Company.

(c) Participant agree upon request to execute any further documents or instruments necessary or desirable in the sole determination of the Company to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award.

(d) Participant acknowledges and agrees that Participant has reviewed the Grant Documents in their entirety, has had an opportunity to obtain the advice of counsel prior to executing and accepting the Award, and fully understands all provisions of the Grant Documents.

 

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(e) This Agreement will be subject to all applicable laws and to such approvals by any governmental agencies or national securities exchanges as may be required.

(f) All obligations of the Company under the Plan and this Agreement will be binding on any successor to the Company, whether the existence of such successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase, merger, consolidation, or otherwise, of all or substantially all of the business and/or assets of the Company.

(g) The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Participant’s participation in the Plan, on the Award and on any Award or shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with applicable laws or facilitate the administration of the Plan. Participant agrees to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing. Furthermore, Participant acknowledges that the laws of the country in which Participant is working at the time of grant, vesting and settlement of the Award or the acquisition of any Common Stock received pursuant to the Award (including any rules or regulations governing securities, foreign exchange, tax, labor, or other matters) may subject Participant to additional procedural or regulatory requirements that Participant is and will be solely responsible for and must fulfill.

18. CONFIDENTIALITY. To the extent permitted by applicable laws, Participant hereby agrees to keep confidential and not disclose or use (for any purpose other than that for which it was expressly provided) any information about the terms of the Award and any confidential information obtained in connection with or related to the Award, including, without limitation, any information, financial or otherwise, included in any Rule 701 disclosure packet made available to Participant from time to time; provided, that Participant may disclose such information (i) to Participant’s attorneys, accountants, consultants, and other professionals to the extent necessary to obtain legal, tax or financial planning advice in connection with the Award, provided that such persons agree to maintain the confidentiality of such information in accordance herewith, and provided that Participant will remain responsible for any subsequent disclosure by any such advisor; or (ii) as may be required by applicable laws, provided that Participant promptly notifies the Company in advance of such disclosure and agrees to cooperate to take reasonable steps to minimize the extent of any such required disclosure. The Company reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to take actions up to and including termination of the Award (including any vested portion thereof), upon the Company’s reasonable determination of a breach by Participant of the confidentiality obligations under this Section 18.

19. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. The Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of the Award, and is further subject to all interpretations, amendments, rules and regulations which may from time to time be promulgated and adopted pursuant to the Plan. In the event of any conflict between the terms in the Grant Notice or this Agreement and the Plan, the terms of the Plan will control.

20. SEVERABILITY. If one or more provisions of the Grant Documents are held to be unenforceable under applicable laws, the parties agree to renegotiate such provision in good faith. In the event that the parties cannot reach a mutually agreeable and enforceable replacement for such provision(s), then (i) such provision(s) will be excluded from such Grant Documents, (ii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be interpreted as if such provision were so excluded and (iii) the balance of the Grant Documents will be enforceable in accordance with their respective terms.

 

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21. GOVERNING LAW. The laws of the State of Delaware will govern all questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of the Plan and the Award, without regard to that state’s conflict of laws rules.

22. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement and any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan will not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms for any purpose including when calculating Participant’s benefits under any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate, except as such plan otherwise expressly provides or when calculating any severance, resignation, termination, redundancy, dismissal, end-of-service payments, bonuses, holiday pay, long-service awards, pension or retirement or welfare benefits or similar payments. The Company expressly reserves its rights to amend, modify, or terminate any of the Company’s or any Affiliate’s employee benefit plans.

23. AMENDMENT. The Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may not be modified, amended or terminated except by an instrument in writing, signed by Participant and by a duly authorized representative of the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Grant Notice and/or this Agreement may be amended solely by the Administrator by a writing which specifically states that it is amending this Agreement, so long as a copy of such amendment is delivered to Participant, and provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, no such amendment materially and adversely affecting Participant’s rights hereunder may be made without Participant’s consent. Without limiting the foregoing, the Administrator reserves the right to change, by written notice to Participant, the provisions of this Agreement in any way it may deem necessary or advisable to carry out the purpose of the grant as a result of any change in applicable laws or any future law, regulation, ruling, or judicial decision, provided that any such change will be applicable only to rights relating to that portion of the Award which is then subject to restrictions as provided herein.

24. COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 409A OF THE CODE. This provision applies only to Participants who are subject to taxation in the United States. The Award is intended to comply with the “short-term deferral” rule set forth in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if it is determined that the Award fails to satisfy the requirements of the short-term deferral rule and is otherwise deferred compensation subject to Section 409A, and if Participant is a “specified employee” (within the meaning set forth Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code) as of the date of Participant’s separation from service (within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(h)), then the issuance of any shares that would otherwise be made upon the date of the separation from service or within the first six months thereafter will not be made on the originally scheduled date(s) and will instead be issued in a lump sum on the date that is six months and one day after the date of the separation from service, with the balance of the shares issued thereafter in accordance with the original vesting and issuance schedule set forth above, but if and only if such delay in the issuance of the shares is necessary to avoid the imposition of taxation on Participant in respect of the shares under Section 409A of the Code. Each installment of shares that vests is intended to constitute a “separate payment” for purposes of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-2(b)(2). Notwithstanding any contrary provision of the Grant Documents, under no circumstances will the Company reimburse Participant for any taxes or other costs under Section 409A or any other tax law or rule. All such taxes and costs are solely Participant’s responsibility.

 

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25. DATA PRIVACY.

Participant explicitly and unambiguously acknowledges and consents to the collection, use and transfer, in electronic or other form, of his or her personal data as described in this document by and among, as applicable, Participant’s employer, the Company and its Affiliates for the exclusive purpose of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan. Participant understands that the Company, its Affiliates and his or her employer hold certain personal information about Participant, including, but not limited to, name, home address and telephone number, date of birth, social security number (or other identification number), salary, nationality, job title, any shares of Stock or directorships held in the Company, details of all options or any other entitlement to shares of Stock awarded, canceled, purchased, exercised, vested, unvested or outstanding in Participant’s favor for the purpose of implementing, managing and administering the Plan (“Data”). Participant understands that the Data may be transferred to any third parties selected by the Company and any other possible recipients which may assist the Company presently or in the future, assisting in the implementation, administration and management of the Plan, that these recipients may be located in Participant’s country or elsewhere, in particular in the US, and that the recipient country may have different data privacy laws providing less protections of Participant’s personal data than his or her own country. Participant may request a list with the names and addresses of any potential recipients of the Data by contacting the stock plan administrator at the Company (the “Stock Plan Administrator”). Participant acknowledges that the recipients may receive, possess, process, use, retain and transfer the Data, in electronic or other form, for the purposes of implementing, administering and managing Participant’s participation in the Plan, including any requisite transfer of such Data, as may be required to a broker or other third party with whom Participant may elect to deposit any shares of Common Stock acquired upon the vesting of the Award. Participant understands that Data will be held only as long as is necessary to implement, administer and manage his or her participation in the Plan. Participant may, at any time, view the Data, request additional information about the storage and processing of the Data, require any necessary amendments to the Data or refuse or withdraw the consents herein, in any case without cost, by contacting the Stock Plan Administrator in writing.

26. LANGUAGE. Participant acknowledges that he or she is sufficiently proficient in the English language, or has consulted with an advisor who is sufficiently proficient in English, so as to allow Participant to understand the terms and conditions of this Agreement. If Participant has received this Agreement, or any other document related to this Award and/or the Plan translated into a language other than English and if the meaning of the translated version is different than the English version, the English version will control.

27. APPENDIX. Notwithstanding any provisions in this Agreement, the Award shall be subject to the special terms and conditions for Participant’s country set forth in the Appendix attached hereto. Moreover, if Participant relocates to one of the countries included therein, the terms and conditions for such country will apply to Participant to the extent the Company determines that the application of such terms and conditions is necessary or advisable for legal or administrative reasons. The Appendix constitutes part of this Agreement.

*   *   *

This Agreement will be deemed to be accepted by Participant upon the signing (which may be electronic) by Participant of the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant to which it is attached or by the deemed acceptance of this Agreement, as described in the Notice of Restricted Stock Unit Grant.

 

11


APPENDIX

This Appendix includes special terms and conditions that govern the Award granted to Participant under the Plan if he or she resides and/or works in any country listed below.

This Appendix also includes notifications relating to exchange control, securities, and other issues which Participant should be aware with respect to his or her participation in the Plan. The information is based on the exchange control, securities and other laws in effect in the countries listed in this Appendix as of December 2021. Such laws are often complex and change frequently. As a result, the Company strongly recommends that Participant not rely on the notifications herein as the only source of information relating to the consequences of his or her participation in the Plan because the information may be outdated when Participant vests in his or her RSUs or sells shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.

The information contained herein is general in nature and may not apply to Participant’s particular situation, and Participant is advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the relevant laws in his or her country may apply to his or her situation. If Participant is a citizen or resident of a country other than the one in which he or she is currently working and/or residing, transfer employment and/or residency to another country after the date of grant, is a consultant, changes employment status to a consultant position, or is considered a resident of another country for local law purposes, the Company shall, in its discretion, determine the extent to which the special terms and conditions contained herein shall be applicable to Participant. References to Participant’s “employer” shall include any entity that engages Participant’s services. References to “you” are to Participant.

 

12


PART I. GLOBAL PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE U.S.

Terms and Conditions

1. RESPONSIBILITY FOR TAXES. The following provision supplements Section 11 of the Agreement:

If you are engaged by a third-party professional employer organization (“PEO”), which includes an employer of record, you acknowledge and authorize that the PEO may satisfy any withholding obligations for Tax-Related Items by using any method permitted by the Plan or the Agreement. Further, prior to any relevant taxable or tax withholding event, to the extent permitted by applicable law and as applicable, you agree to make arrangements satisfactory to the Company or the PEO to satisfy all Tax-Related Items and understand that the ultimate liability for all Tax-Related Items is and remains your responsibility and may exceed the amount actually withheld by the PEO.

In addition, you acknowledge that the Company and/or any Parent, Affiliate, or PEO may withhold or account for Tax-Related Items by considering maximum applicable withholding rates, in which case if you will receive a refund of any over-withheld amount in cash and will have no entitlement to the share of Common Stock equivalent. Further, you agree to pay to the Company or any applicable Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO any amount of Tax-Related Items that the Company or any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO may be required to withhold as a result of your participation in the Plan that cannot be satisfied by the means previously described. The Company may refuse to issue or deliver the shares of Common Stock or the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock if you fail to comply with your obligations in connection with the Tax-Related Items.

2. SERVICE PROVIDER. Each Participant, including those engaged through an PEO is an individual service provider. A PEO will not be considered a service provider for purposes of the Agreement.

3. FOREIGN ASSET/ACCOUNT, EXCHANGE CONTROL AND TAX REPORTING. You may be subject to foreign asset/account, exchange control and/or tax reporting requirements as a result of the acquisition, holding and/or transfer of shares of Common Stock or cash (including dividends and the proceeds arising from the sale of shares of Common Stock) derived from your participation in the Plan in, to and/or from a brokerage/bank account or legal entity located outside the U.S. The applicable laws in your country may require that you report such accounts, assets and balances therein, the value thereof and/or the transactions related thereto to the applicable authorities in such country. You also may be required to repatriate sale proceeds or other funds received as a result of your participation in the Plan to your country through a designated bank or broker within a certain time after receipt. You acknowledge that it is your responsibility to be compliant with such regulations and you are encouraged to consult with your personal legal advisor for any details.

4. FOREIGN EXCHANGE CONSIDERATIONS. You understand and agree that neither the Company nor any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO shall be liable for any foreign exchange rate fluctuation between your local currency and the U.S. dollar that may affect the value of the Award, or of any amounts due to you under the Plan or as a result of vesting in your RSUs and/or the subsequent sale of any shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan. You agree and acknowledge that you will bear any and all risk associated with the exchange or fluctuation of currency associated with your participation in the Plan. You acknowledge and agree that you may be responsible for reporting inbound transactions or fund transfers that exceed a certain amount. You are advised to seek appropriate professional advice as to how the exchange control regulations apply to your RSUs and your specific situation and understand that the relevant laws and regulations can change frequently and occasionally on a retroactive basis.

 

13


5. INSIDER TRADING RESTRICTIONS/MARKET ABUSE LAWS. You understand and agree that you may be subject to insider trading restrictions and/or market abuse laws in applicable jurisdictions including, but not limited to, the United States and your country of residence, which may affect your ability to acquire or sell shares of Common Stock or rights to shares of Common Stock (e.g., the RSUs) under the Plan during such time as you are considered to have “inside information” regarding the Company (as defined by the laws in the applicable jurisdictions). Local insider trading laws and regulations may prohibit the cancellation or amendment of orders you place before you possessed inside information. Furthermore, you could be prohibited from (i) disclosing the inside information to any third party and (ii) “tipping” third parties or causing them otherwise to buy or sell securities. You should keep in mind third parties includes fellow employees. Any restrictions under these laws or regulations are separate from and in addition to any restrictions that may be imposed under any applicable insider trading policy of the Company. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with any applicable restrictions and should consult with your personal legal advisor on this matter.

6. NATURE OF GRANT. In accepting the Award, you acknowledge, understand, and agree that:

(a) if your RSUs vest and you acquire shares of Common Stock, the value of such shares of Common Stock may increase or decrease in value;

(b) for purposes of the Award, your status as a service provider will be considered terminated as of the date you no longer actively providing services to the Company, or Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO (regardless of the reason for such termination and whether or not later found to be invalid or in breach of employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are a service provider or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any), and unless otherwise expressly provided in the Agreement (including by reference in the Grant Notice to other arrangements or contracts) or determined by the Company, (i) your right to vest in the RSUs under the Plan, if any, will terminate as of such date and will not be extended by any notice period (e.g., your period of service would not include any contractual notice period or any period of “garden leave” or similar period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are a service provider or the terms of your employment or service agreement, if any, unless you are providing bona fide services during such time), and (ii) the period (if any) during which you may vest in your RSUs after such termination of your engagement as a service provider will commence on the date you cease to actively provide services and will not be extended by any notice period mandated under employment laws in the jurisdiction where you are employed or terms of your engagement agreement, if any; the Company will have the exclusive discretion to determine when you are no longer actively providing services for purposes of the RSU grant (including whether you may still be considered to be providing services while on a leave of absence and consistent with local law); and

(c) unless otherwise provided in the Plan or by the Company in its discretion, the Award and the benefits evidenced by the Agreement do not create any entitlement to have the RSUs or any such benefits transferred to, or assumed by, another company nor be exchanged, cashed-out, or substituted for, in connection with any company transaction affecting the shares of Common Stock.

 

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PART II. COUNTRY-SPECIFIC PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO PARTICIPANTS IN ALL COUNTRIES OTHER THAN THE U.S.

CANADA

Terms and Conditions

Authorization to Release Necessary Personal Information. You hereby authorize the Company, any Parent, Affiliate, and/or PEO and the Company’s (including its non-U.S. Affiliate’s) representatives to discuss with and obtain all relevant information from all personnel, professional or not, involved in the administration and operation of the Plan. You further authorize the Company and any non-U.S. Affiliate and the Company’s designated Plan broker(s) to disclose and discuss the Plan with their advisors.

Award Payable Only in Shares. The grant of the RSUs does not give you any right to receive a cash payment, and the RSUs are payable in shares of Common Stock only.

French Language Provisions. The following provisions will apply if you are a resident of Quebec:

The parties acknowledge that it is their express wish that the Agreement, as well as all documents, notices and legal proceedings entered into, given or instituted pursuant hereto or relating directly or indirectly hereto, be drawn up in English.

Les parties reconnaissent avoir exigé la redaction en anglais de cette convention (“Agreement”), ainsi que de tous documents exécutés, avis donnés et procedures judiciaries intentées, directement ou indirectement, relativement à la présente convention.

Notifications

Tax Reporting. If you hold foreign property (including the RSUs granted under the Plan and the underlying shares of Common Stock) it must be reported annually on Form T1135 (Foreign Income Verification Statement) if the total value of such foreign property exceeds C$100,000 at any time during the year. The form must be filed by April 30 of the following year.

INDIA

Notifications

Foreign Asset/Account Reporting. You must comply at the time of vesting with applicable laws and regulations of India, including but not limited to the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999 of India and the rules, regulations and amendments made thereto (“FEMA”). Upon acquisition of shares of Common Stock under the Plan, you will not be required to immediately sell those shares of Common Stock. However, should you subsequently sell the shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, you acknowledge your obligation and agree to: (i) repatriate to India, any proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan (or the receipt of any dividends to India) within 90 days of the date of sale; and (ii) obtain a foreign inward remittance certificate (“FIRC”) from the bank in which you deposit the foreign currency and maintain the FIRC as evidence of the repatriation of funds in the event the Reserve Bank of India or your Employer requests proof of repatriation. It is your responsibility to comply with exchange control laws in India. Neither the Company nor the employer will be liable for any fines or penalties resulting from your failure to comply with any applicable laws.

 

15


Further, the Plan and the corresponding documents have neither been delivered for registration nor are they intended to be registered with any regulatory authorities in India. These documents are not intended for distribution and are meant solely for the consideration of the person to whom they are addressed and should not be reproduced by you.

Responsibility for Taxes. Indian residents who have received RSUs are liable to pay taxes when the shares of Common Stock are vested. The fair market value will be determined by the category—1 merchant banker duly registered with SEBI as on the date of allotment of shares of Common Stock as per the provisions of Income Tax in India. You hereby agree to pay taxes by any of the methods prescribed in Section 11 of the Agreement on the difference between fair market value and grant price, if any, paid by you. You also are responsible to pay taxes on subsequent sale of shares of Common Stock at the applicable rates prevailing at the time of sale. You also are responsible to pay taxes on dividend income at the applicable rates prevailing at the time of declaration/receipt. Neither the Company nor the employer are responsible for the tax payable by you on such subsequent sale. You agree that it is your responsibility to comply with the payment of taxes and compliance requirements and you shall consult your personal advisor in this regard.

SINGAPORE

Terms and Conditions

Securities Laws

The Award of the Restricted Stock Units is being made in reliance of section 273(1)(f) of the Securities and Futures Act (Cap. 289) (“SFA”) for which it is exempt from the prospectus and registration requirements under the SFA. You understand that the shares of Common Stock have not been registered with the SFA. Unless you sell any shares of Common Stock you acquired pursuant to the Plan via a public exchange outside of Singapore (e.g., NASDAQ, NYSE), you agree that you shall not, within six months of your acquisition of any shares of Common Stock, sell, transfer, gift, hypothecate, or otherwise transfer such shares of Common Stock within Singapore except as expressly approved by the Company in writing. The Company believes that a typical sale through a U.S. brokerage firm would not require the Company’s consent under these rules.

Director Notification Obligation

If you are a director, shadow director, or hold any similar position8 of a Singapore-incorporated company (each a “Singapore company”) (e.g., the Company, any Singapore Affiliate, or any Singapore subsidiary), you are subject to certain notification requirements under section 164 of the Singapore Companies Act to enable the Singapore company to comply with its obligations to maintain a register of director’s shareholdings. Among these requirements is an obligation to notify the Singapore company in writing of:

 

 
8 

Under section 4(1) of the Singapore Companies Act, the term “director” includes any person occupying the position of director of a corporation by whatever name called.

 

16


(a) shares of Common Stock in, debentures of, or participatory interests made available by, the Singapore company or its related corporation which are held by you;

(b) any interest that you have in shares of Common Stock in, debentures of, or participatory interests made available by, the Singapore company or its related corporation, and the nature and extent of that interest under Section 7 of the Singapore Companies Act (which provides for the circumstances under which a deemed interest in shares of Common Stock may arise);

(c) rights or options that you have in respect of the acquisition or disposal of shares of Common Stock in the Singapore company or its related corporation; and

(d) contracts to which you are a party or under which you are entitled to a benefit, being contracts under which a person has a right to call for or to make delivery of shares of Common Stock in the Singapore company or its related corporation.

You must notify the Singapore company in writing when there is any change in the particulars of your interests as mentioned above (including when you sell shares of Common Stock issued from the Plan).

You are deemed to hold or have an interest or a right in or over any shares of Common Stock or debentures, if:

(a) Your spouse (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer) holds or has an interest or a right in or over such shares of Common Stock or debentures; or

(b) Your child of less than 18 years of age, including stepson, stepdaughter, adopted son or adopted daughter (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer) holds or has an interest in such shares of Common Stock or debentures.

In addition, any contract, assignment or right of subscription shall be deemed to have been entered into or exercised or made by, or a grant shall be deemed as having been made to you if any contract, assignment or right of subscription is entered into, exercised or made by, or a grant is made to, members of your family as aforesaid (not being himself or herself a director or chief executive officer).

Particulars of your interests as mentioned above must be given within two business days after (i) the date on which you became a director of the Singapore company, or (ii) the date on which you became a registered holder of or acquired an interest as mentioned above, whichever last occurs. Particulars of any change in your interests also must be given within two business days of the change.

 

17


ATTACHMENT II

2016 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

 

18

EX-10.4

Exhibit 10.4

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

Each member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Ethos Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) who is not also serving as an employee of or consultant to the Company or any of its subsidiaries (each such member, an “Eligible Director”) will receive the compensation described in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy (this “Policy”) for their Board service upon and following the effective date of the registration statement in connection with the initial public offering of the Company’s common stock (the “Effective Date”). An Eligible Director may decline all or any portion of their compensation by giving notice to the Company prior to the date equity awards are to be granted, as the case may be.

Subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders on or prior to the Effective Date, this Policy is effective as of the Effective Date. Unless otherwise required by applicable law, following the approval, this Policy will not be subject to approval by the Company’s stockholders, including, for the avoidance of doubt, as a result of or in connection with an action taken with respect to this Policy as contemplated by the following paragraph.

This Policy may be amended, suspended, or terminated at any time in the sole discretion of the Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”); provided, however, that no amendment, suspension, or termination of this Policy will materially impair the rights of an Eligible Director with respect to compensation that already has been paid or awarded, unless otherwise mutually agreed between the Eligible Director and the Company.

Unless defined in this Policy, each capitalized term will have the meaning given to the term in the Company’s 2025 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or if that plan is no longer in place, the meaning given the term or any similar term in the equity plan then in place (in either case, the “Plan”). All Awards granted under this Policy will be automatic and nondiscretionary, and no person will have any discretion to select which members of the Board will be granted Awards under this Policy or to determine the number of shares of Company common stock to be covered by the Awards.

Annual Service Retainer

Each Eligible Director shall receive an automatic grant of an annual service retainer in the form of an RSU Award under the Plan covering a number of shares that results in the RSU Award having a Value (as defined below) of such Service Retainer(s), rounded down to the nearest whole share on the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company held after the Effective Date (each a “Service Retainer”). Each Service Retainer will vest in equal quarterly installments over a one-year period following the date of grant, subject to the Eligible Director’s continuous service in such role through each such vesting date.

 

1.

Annual Service Retainer for Board Membership:

 

  a.

All Eligible Directors: $35,000

 

  b.

Non-Executive Chair of the Board (in addition to Eligible Director Service Retainer): $35,000


  c.

Lead Independent Director (in addition to Eligible Director Service Retainer): $15,000

 

2.

Annual Service Retainer for Committee Chairs:

 

  a.

Chair of the Audit Committee: $20,000

 

  b.

Chair of the Compensation Committee: $15,000

 

  c.

Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $8,000

 

3.

Annual Service Retainer Committee Member (not applicable to Committee Chairs):

 

  a.

Member of the Audit Committee: $10,000

 

  b.

Member of the Compensation Committee: $7,000

 

  c.

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $4,000

There are no per-meeting attendance fees for attending meetings of the Board or a committee of the Board.

Expenses

The Company will reimburse Eligible Directors in cash for ordinary, necessary and reasonable out-of-pocket travel expenses to cover in-person attendance at and participation in Board and committee meetings; provided, that the Eligible Director must timely submit to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating the expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense policy, as in effect from time to time.

Annual Equity Grant

The equity compensation set forth below will be granted under the Plan, subject to the approval of the Plan by the Company’s stockholders.

1. Initial Grant: For each Eligible Director who is first elected or appointed to the Board following the Effective Date, on the date of the Eligible Director’s initial election or appointment to the Board (or, if that date is not a market trading day, the first market trading day thereafter), the Eligible Director will automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee, be granted an RSU Award covering a number of shares that results in the RSU Award having a Value of $360,000, rounded down to the nearest whole share (the “Initial Grant”), plus an RSU Award covering a number of shares that results in the RSU Award having a Value of $35,000 (the “Initial Service Retainer”). If an individual was a member of the Board and also an employee or consultant, becoming an Eligible Director due to termination of employment or service as a consultant will not entitle the Eligible Director to receive an Initial Grant. The RSUs subject to each Initial Grant and Initial Service Retainer will vest over a three-year period, with 1/12th of the RSUs subject to the Initial Grant vesting in equal quarterly installments following the date of grant, such that the Initial Grant is fully vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant, in each case subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service through each such vesting date.

 

2


2. Annual Grants: On the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company held after the Effective Date, each Eligible Director who continues to serve as a non-employee member of the Board following the stockholder meeting (excluding any Eligible Director who is first appointed or elected by the Board at the meeting) will automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee, be granted an RSU Award covering a number of shares that results in the RSU Award having a Value of $180,000, rounded down to the nearest whole share ( an “Annual Grant”). Each Annual Grant will vest over a one-year period, with 1/4th of the Annual Grant vesting in equal quarterly installments following the date of grant, provided that the last quarter of the Annual Grant shall be fully vested on the earlier of the first anniversary of the date of grant and the date of Company’s next annual stockholder meeting, in each case, subject to the Eligible Director’s Continuous Service through each such vesting date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Eligible Director who, following the Effective Date, is elected or appointed to the Board on a date other than the date of the Company’s annual stockholder meeting shall not receive an Annual Grant upon the Company’s first annual stockholder meeting following the Eligible Director’s first joining the Board, and shall instead receive their first Annual Grant on the date of the second annual stockholder meeting following the Eligible Director’s first joining the Board.

For purposes of this Policy, “Value” means the grant date fair value (determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles), or any other methodology the Board may determine prior to the grant of the Service Retainer, Initial Grant or Annual Grant becoming effective.

Deferral of RSU Awards

The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion and in accordance with any non-qualified deferred compensation plan or arrangement that may be established by the Compensation Committee, allow Eligible Directors to elect to defer the delivery of shares in settlement of any Service Retainer, Initial Service Retainer, Initial Grant and/or Annual Grant that is granted pursuant to this Policy and that would otherwise be delivered to such Eligible Director on or following the date such awards vest pursuant to the terms set forth in this Policy.

Change in Control

With respect to Awards granted to an Eligible Director while that individual was an Eligible Director, in the event of a Change in Control, the Eligible Director will fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Eligible Director’s outstanding Awards and, with respect to Awards with performance-based vesting, all performance goals or other vesting criteria will be deemed achieved at 100% of target levels and all other terms and conditions met, unless specifically provided otherwise under the applicable award agreement or other written agreement authorized by the Board between the Eligible Director and the Company or any of its Affiliates, as applicable.

Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director shall in no event exceed the limits set forth in the Plan.

 

3


Section 409A

In no event will cash compensation or expense reimbursement payments under this Policy be paid after the later of (i) the 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the Company’s taxable year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, or (ii) the 15th day of the 3rd month following the end of the calendar year in which the compensation is earned or expenses are incurred, as applicable, in compliance with the “short-term deferral” exception under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the final regulations and guidance thereunder, as may be amended from time to time (together, “Section 409A”). It is the intent of this Policy that all payments hereunder be exempt from or otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the compensation to be provided hereunder will be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be interpreted to be so exempt or comply. In no event will the Company have any liability or obligation to reimburse, indemnify, or hold harmless an Eligible Director (or any other person) for any taxes or costs that may be imposed on or incurred by an Eligible Director (or any other person) as a result of Section 409A.

 

4

EX-10.5

Exhibit 10.5

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SEVERANCE PLAN

AND

SUMMARY PLAN DESCRIPTION

APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: May 23, 2025,

AND AMENDED AND RESTATED BY THE BOARD OF

DIRECTORS: September 22, 2025

1. Introduction. The purpose of this Ethos Technologies, Inc. Severance Plan (“Plan”) is to provide specified severance benefits to eligible employees of the Company. This document constitutes both the written instrument under which the Plan is maintained and the required summary plan description for the Plan.

2. Definitions. For purposes of the Plan, the terms below are defined as follows:

2.1. “Administrator” means the Board or Compensation Committee prior to a Change in Control and the Representative upon and following a Change in Control, as applicable.

2.2. “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

2.3. “Cause” means, with respect to a Covered Employee, the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) a Covered Employee’s commission of any felony or any crime involving fraud, dishonesty or moral turpitude under the laws of the United States or any state thereof; (ii) a Covered Employee’s attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (iii) a Covered Employee’s intentional, material violation of any contract or agreement between the Covered Employee and the Company or of any statutory duty owed to the Company; (iv) a Covered Employee’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (v) a Covered Employee’s gross misconduct. The determination that a Covered Employee has experienced a Covered Termination will be made by the Compensation Committee, in its sole discretion.

2.4. “Change in Control” has the meaning ascribed to such term in the Equity Plan.

2.5. “Change in Control Period” means the time period beginning on the date three months prior to the date on which a Change in Control becomes effective and ending on the day that is twelve (12) months following the effective date of such Change in Control (except as otherwise set forth in a Participation Agreement).

2.6. “COBRA” means the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

2.7. “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

2.8. “Company” means Ethos Technologies, Inc. and any successor.

2.9. “Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

2.10. “Covered Employee” means an employee of the Company who (i) has been designated by the Administrator to participate in the Plan, (ii) has executed the Company’s standard confidentially and inventions assignment agreement, and (iii) has timely and properly executed and delivered a Participation Agreement to the Company.


2.11. “Covered Termination” means a Covered Employee’s termination of employment by the Company (or any parent or subsidiary of the Company) without Cause; provided, that, a Covered Termination shall not include a termination due to the Covered Employee’s death or disability.

2.12. “Covered CIC Termination” means, during the Change in Control Period, a Covered Employee’s termination of employment by the Company (or any parent or subsidiary of the Company) without Cause or as a result of a Covered Employee’s resignation for Good Reason; provided, that, a Covered Termination shall not include a termination due to the Covered Employee’s death or disability.

2.13. “Effective Date” means the date on which the Plan is approved by the Board

2.14. “Equity Plan” means the Company’s 2016 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time, or any successor thereto.

2.15. “ERISA” means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

2.16. “Good Reason” means any of the following actions taken by the Company without a Covered Employee’s consent (unless such action is taken in response to conduct by the Covered Employee that constitutes Cause): (1) material reduction of a Covered Employee’s base compensation, other than a reduction that applies generally to all executives and does not exceed 10%; (2) material reduction in a Covered Employee’s authority, duties or responsibilities; provided, however, that a change in job position (including a change in title) shall not be deemed a “material reduction” unless the Covered Employee’s new authority, duties or responsibilities are materially reduced from the prior authority, duties or responsibilities; or (3) the relocation of a Covered Employee’s principal place of employment that results in an increase in the Covered Employee’s one-way driving distance by more than 50 miles from the Covered Employee’s then current principal residence. In order to resign for Good Reason, a Covered Employee must provide written notice of the event giving rise to Good Reason to the Board within 90 days after the condition arises, allow the Company 30 days to cure such condition, and if the Company fails to cure the condition within such period, the Covered Employee’s resignation from all positions then held with the Company by the Covered Employee must be effective not later than 90 days after the end of the Company’s cure period.

2.17. “Participation Agreement” means an agreement between a Covered Employee and the Company in substantially the form of Appendix A attached hereto, which may include other terms as the Administrator deems necessary or advisable in the administration of the Plan.

2.18. “Representative” means one or more members of the Board, Compensation Committee, or other persons or entities designated by the Board or Compensation Committee prior to or in connection with a Change in Control that will have authority to administer and interpret the Plan upon and following a Change in Control as provided in Section 10.

2.19. “Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the final regulations and any guidance promulgated thereunder.

2.20. “Severance Benefits” means the compensation and other benefits the Covered Employee shall be provided pursuant to the Plan.

 

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2.21. “Termination Date” means the Covered Employee’s last day of employment with the Company.

3. Eligibility for Severance Benefits. An individual is eligible for Severance Benefits under the Plan, in the amounts set forth in the Plan, only if the individual is a Covered Employee on the date the individual experiences a Covered Termination or Covered CIC Termination.

4. Severance Benefits.

4.1. Covered Termination and Covered CIC Termination. If a Covered Employee experiences a Covered Termination or a Covered CIC Termination then, subject to the Covered Employee’s compliance with Section 5 and the conditions set forth in this Plan, the Covered Employee shall receive the following Severance Benefits from the Company:

4.1.1. Cash Severance Benefits. The Covered Employee shall receive cash severance in an amount equal to (i) for the number of months set forth in the Covered Employee’s Participation Agreement for the Covered Termination or Covered CIC Termination, as applicable (the “Severance Period”), (ii) for a Covered CIC Termination, a percentage of the annualized target cash bonus for the Covered Employee set forth in the Covered Employee’s Participation Agreement, and (iii) for a Covered CIC Termination any unpaid cash bonus for the year prior to the year of the Covered CIC Termination. The cash amount shall be paid in a lump sum, less applicable tax withholdings, as soon as practicable on or following the first payroll date following the effective date of the Release (the “Initial Payment Date”) and in no event more than 30 days following the Initial Payment Date.

4.1.2. Equity Award Acceleration. Except as otherwise provided in a Participation Agreement, each of the Covered Employee’s then-outstanding equity awards shall accelerate and become vested and exercisable as if the Covered Employee had remained employed for a number of months following the Covered CIC Termination equal the number of months the Covered Employee was employed with the Company measured from the date the Covered Employee first commenced employment with the Company prior to the Change in Control and receiving credit for a full month for any partial months of employment; provided, however, that the accelerated vesting provided in this paragraph shall not apply to any equity award granted to the Covered Employee that vests wholly or partially subject to the attainment of performance goals (but, for, the avoidance of doubt, will apply to an award that has satisfied a performance condition and that is vesting solely based on continued service). Subject to Section 5, the accelerated vesting described in this paragraph shall be effective as of the Termination Date. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, nothing in the Plan shall limit the Company’s ability to accelerate vesting and/or exercisability of outstanding equity awards pursuant to the terms of the applicable equity incentive plan of the Company.

4.1.3. COBRA Premiums. Provided the Covered Employee is eligible for and timely makes the necessary elections for continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA the Company shall pay the applicable premiums (inclusive of premiums for the Covered Employee’s dependents) for such coverage following the date of the Covered Employee’s Covered Termination or Covered CIC Termination, as applicable, for up to the number of months set forth in the Covered Employee’s Participation Agreement (such period of months, the “COBRA Payment Period”) (but in no event after such time as the Covered Employee is eligible for coverage under a health, dental or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or as the Covered Employee and the Covered Employee’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage). The Covered Employee shall notify the Company immediately if the Covered Employee becomes covered by a health, dental, or vision insurance plan of a subsequent employer or if the Covered Employee’s dependents are no longer eligible for COBRA coverage. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if at any time the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that it cannot provide the COBRA premium

 

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benefits without potentially incurring financial costs or penalties under applicable law (including, without limitation, Section 2716 of the Public Health Service Act), then in lieu of paying COBRA premiums on the Covered Employee’s behalf, the Company shall instead pay such Covered Employee on the last day of each remaining month of the COBRA Payment Period a Special Severance Payment to be made without regard to the Covered Employee’s election of COBRA coverage or payment of COBRA premiums and without regard to such Covered Employee’s continued eligibility for COBRA coverage during the COBRA Payment Period. Such Special Severance Payment shall end upon expiration of the COBRA Payment Period.

5. Conditions to Receipt of Severance.

5.1. Release Agreement. As a condition to receiving the Severance Benefits, a Covered Employee must sign a separation agreement containing among other provisions, a release of all claims in favor of the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates (the “Release”) in such form as may be provided by the Company. The Release must become effective in accordance with its terms, which must occur within sixty (60) days following the date of the Covered Employee’s Covered Termination or Covered CIC Termination, as applicable. In no event shall payment of any benefits under the Plan be made prior to a Covered Employee’s Termination Date or prior to the effective date of the Release. If the Company determines that any payments or benefits provided under the Plan constitute “deferred compensation” under Section 409A, and the Covered Employee’s Termination Date occurs at a time during the calendar year when the Release could become effective in the calendar year following the calendar year in which the Covered Employee’s “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A occurs, then regardless of when the Release is returned to the Company and becomes effective, the Release shall not be deemed effective any earlier than the latest permitted effective date; provided, that except to the extent that payments may be delayed in accordance with this paragraph, on the first regular payroll date following the effective date of a Covered Employee’s Release, the Company shall (i) pay the Covered Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of the Severance Benefits that the Covered Employee would otherwise have received through such payroll date but for the delay in payment related to the effectiveness of the Release and (ii) commence paying the balance, if any, of the Severance Benefits in accordance with the applicable payment schedule.

5.2. Other Requirements. A Covered Employee’s receipt of Severance Benefits pursuant to the Plan shall be subject to such Covered Employee’s continued material compliance with the terms of the Release, the Participation Agreement, the provisions set forth in a separation agreement provided by the Company, and any confidential information agreement, proprietary information and inventions agreement and any other agreement between the Covered Employee and the Company. Severance Benefits under this Plan shall terminate immediately for a Covered Employee if such Covered Employee is in material violation, at any time, of any legal or contractual obligation owed to the Company.

5.3. Section 280G. Any provision of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, if any payment or benefit a Covered Employee would receive from the Company and its subsidiaries or an acquiror pursuant to the Plan or otherwise (a “Payment”) would (i) constitute a “parachute payment” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) but for this sentence, be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then such Payment shall be equal to the Higher Amount. The “Higher Amount” shall be either (x) the largest portion of the Payment that would result in no portion of the Payment being subject to the Excise Tax or (y) the largest portion, up to and including the total, of the Payment, whichever amount, after taking into account all applicable federal, state and local employment taxes, income taxes, and the Excise Tax (all computed at the highest applicable marginal rate), results in Covered Employee’s receipt, on an after-tax basis, of the greater economic benefit notwithstanding that all or some portion of the Payment may be subject to the Excise Tax. If a reduction in payments or benefits constituting “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code is necessary so that the

 

4


Payment equals the Higher Amount, reduction shall occur in the manner that results in the greatest economic benefit for a Covered Employee and, to the extent applicable, complies with Section 409A. In no event shall the Company, any subsidiary or any stockholder be liable to any Covered Employee for any amounts not paid as a result of the operation of this paragraph. The Company shall appoint a nationally recognized accounting or law firm engaged to make the determinations hereunder to provide its calculations, together with detailed supporting documentation, to a Covered Employee and the Company. The Company shall bear all expenses with respect to the determinations by such accounting or law firm required to be made hereunder.

6. Non-Duplication of Benefits. Notwithstanding any other provision in the Plan to the contrary, the Severance Benefits provided to a Covered Employee are intended to be and are exclusive and in lieu of any other change in control severance benefits or payments to which such Covered Employee may otherwise be eligible, either at law, tort, or contract, in equity, or under the Plan, in the event of any termination of such Covered Employee’s employment. The Covered Employee shall be eligible to no change in control severance benefits or payments upon a termination of employment that constitutes a Covered CIC Termination other than those benefits expressly set forth herein and those benefits required to be provided by applicable law or as negotiated in accordance with applicable law (the Plan shall supersede any severance benefits that may be included in a severance agreement, employment agreement or similar contract between the Company or a subsidiary of the Company and the Covered Employee unless subsequently adopted following the Effective Date and intended to supersede the provisions of this Plan). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Covered Employee is eligible to any benefits other than the benefits under the Plan by operation of applicable law, such Covered Employee’s benefits under the Plan shall be provided only to the extent more favorable than such other arrangement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall have the authority to reduce or otherwise adjust a Covered Employee’s benefits under the Plan, in whole or in part, by any other severance benefits, pay and benefits in lieu of notice, or other similar benefits payable to such Covered Employee under the Plan that become payable in connection with the Covered Employee’s termination of employment pursuant to (i) any applicable legal requirement, including the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (the “WARN Act”), or any other similar state law, or (ii) any policy or practice of the Company providing for the Covered Employee to remain on payroll for a limited period of time after being given notice of termination. The benefits provided under the Plan are intended to satisfy, in whole or in part, any and all statutory obligations of the Company that may arise out of a Covered Employee’s termination of employment, and the Administrator shall so construe and implement the terms of the Plan.

7. Clawback; Recovery. All payments and Severance Benefits provided under the Plan shall be subject to recoupment in accordance with any clawback policy that the Company is required to adopt pursuant to the listing standards of any national securities exchange or association on which the Company’s securities are listed or as is otherwise required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act or other applicable law. In addition, the Administrator may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions as the Administrator determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of common stock of the Company or other cash or property upon the occurrence of a termination of employment for Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy shall be an event giving rise to a right to resign for Good Reason, constructive termination, or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.

8. Section 409A. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, no severance payments or benefits shall become payable until the Covered Employee has a “separation from service” within the meaning of Section 409A. Further, if some or all of the Covered Employee’s Severance Benefits are subject to Section 409A and such Covered Employee is a “specified employee” within the meaning of Section 409A at the time of such Covered Employee’s separation from service (other than due to death),

 

5


then such Severance Benefits otherwise due to such Covered Employee on or within the six-month period following such Covered Employee’s separation from service shall accrue during such six-month period and shall become payable in a lump sum payment (less applicable withholding taxes) on the date six months and one day following the date of the Covered Employee’s separation from service if necessary to avoid adverse taxation under Section 409A. All subsequent payments, if any, shall be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the Covered Employee dies following such Covered Employee’s separation from service but prior to the six-month anniversary of such Covered Employee’s date of separation, then any payments delayed in accordance with this paragraph shall be payable in a lump sum (less applicable withholding taxes) to the Covered Employee’s estate as soon as administratively practicable after the date of such Covered Employee’s death and all other benefits shall be payable in accordance with the payment schedule applicable to each payment or benefit. Each payment and benefit payable under the Plan is intended to constitute a separate payment for purposes of Section 409A. It is the intent of this Plan to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A so that none of the severance payments and benefits to be provided hereunder shall be subject to the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted to so comply. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company makes no representations that the payments and benefits provided under the Plan comply with Section 409A, and in no event shall the Company or any of its representatives be liable for all or any portion of any taxes, penalties, interest, or other expenses that may be incurred by the Covered Employee on account of non-compliance with Section 409A.

9. Withholding. The Company shall withhold from any Severance Benefits all federal, state, local and other taxes required to be withheld therefrom and any other required payroll deductions.

10. Administration. The Plan shall be administered and interpreted by the Administrator (in the Administrator’s sole discretion). The Administrator is the “named fiduciary” of the Plan for purposes of ERISA and shall be subject to the fiduciary standards of ERISA when acting in such capacity. Any decision made or other action taken by the Administrator with respect to the Plan, and any interpretation by the Administrator of any term or condition of the Plan, or any related document, shall be conclusive and binding on all persons and be given the maximum possible deference allowed by law. Upon and after a Change in Control, the Plan shall be interpreted and administered in good faith by the Representative who shall be the Administrator during such period. Any references in this Plan to the “Administrator” with respect to periods following the closing of the Change in Control shall mean the Representative. Any decision made or other action taken by the Administrator with respect to the Plan, and any interpretation by the Administrator of any term or condition of the Plan, or any related document that (i) does not affect the benefits payable under the Plan shall not be subject to review unless found to be arbitrary and capricious or (ii) does affect the benefits payable under the Plan shall not be subject to review unless found to be unreasonable or not to have been made in good faith.

11. Amendment or Termination. The Company, by action of the Administrator, reserves the right to amend or terminate the Plan, any Participation Agreement issued pursuant to the Plan, or the benefits provided hereunder at any time, subject to the provisions of this Section 11. Any amendment or termination of the Plan will be in writing. Any amendment to the Plan that (1) causes an individual or group of individuals to cease to be a Participant, or (2) reduces or alters to the detriment of the Participant the Severance Benefits potentially payable to the Participant (including, without limitation, imposing additional conditions or modifying the timing of payment) (an amendment described in clause (1) and/or clause (2) being an “adverse amendment or termination”), will be effective only if it is approved by the Company and communicated to the affected individual(s) in writing more than 12 months before the effective date of the adverse amendment or termination. Once a Participant has incurred an Involuntary Termination, no amendment or termination of the Plan may, without that Participant’s written consent, reduce or alter to the detriment of the Participant, the Severance Benefits payable to the Participant. In addition and

 

6


notwithstanding the preceding, beginning on the date that a Change in Control occurs, the Company may not, without a Participant’s written consent, amend or terminate the Plan in any way, nor take any other action under the Plan, which (i) prevents that Participant from becoming eligible for Severance Benefits, or (ii) reduces or alters to the detriment of the Participant the Severance Benefits payable, or potentially payable, to the Participant (including, without limitation, imposing additional conditions). The preceding sentence shall not apply to any amendment that otherwise both (x) would take effect before a Change in Control, and (y) meets the requirements of this Section 11 without regard to the preceding sentence. Any action of the Company in amending or terminating the Plan will be taken in a non-fiduciary capacity.

12. Claims Procedure. Claims for benefits under the Plan shall be administered in accordance with Section 503 of ERISA and the Department of Labor Regulations thereunder. Any employee or other person who believes they are entitled to any payment under the Plan (a “claimant”) may submit a claim in writing to the Administrator within ninety (90) days of the earlier of (i) the date the claimant learned the amount of such claimant’s Severance Benefits under the Plan or (ii) the date the claimant learned that they shall not be eligible to any benefits under the Plan. In determining claims for benefits, the Administrator or its delegate has the authority to interpret the Plan, to resolve ambiguities, to make factual determinations, and to resolve questions relating to eligibility for and amount of benefits. If the claim is denied (in full or in part), the claimant shall be provided a written notice explaining the specific reasons for the denial and referring to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based. The notice shall also describe any additional information or material that the Administrator needs to complete the review and an explanation of why such information or material is necessary and the Plan’s procedures for appealing the denial (including a statement of the applicant’s right to bring a civil action under Section 502(a) of ERISA following a denial on review of the claim, as described below). The denial notice shall be provided within ninety (90) days after the claim is received. If special circumstances require an extension of time (up to ninety (90) days), written notice of the extension shall be given to the claimant (or representative) within the initial 90-day period. This notice of extension shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the Administrator expects to render its decision on the claim. If the extension is provided due to a claimant’s failure to provide sufficient information, the time frame for rendering the decision shall be tolled from the date the notification is sent to the claimant about the failure to the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information.

13. Appeal Procedure. If the claimant’s claim is denied, the claimant (or such claimant’s authorized representative) may apply in writing to an appeals official appointed by the Administrator (which may be a person, committee or other entity) for a review of the decision denying the claim. Review must be requested within 60 days following the date the claimant received the written notice of a claim denial or else the claimant shall lose the right to such review. A request for review must set forth all the grounds on which such request is based, all facts in support of the request, and any other matters that the claimant feels are pertinent. In connection with the request for review, the claimant (or representative) has the right to review and obtain copies of all documents and other information relevant to the claim, upon request and at no charge, and to submit written comments, documents, records and other information relating to such claimant’s claim. The review shall take into account all comments, documents, records and other information submitted by the claimant (or representative) relating to the claim, without regard to whether such information was submitted or considered in the initial benefit determination. The appeals official shall provide written notice of its decision on review within 60 days after it receives a review request. If special circumstances require an extension of time (up to 60 days), written notice of the extension shall be given to the claimant (or representative) within the initial 60-day period. This notice of extension shall indicate the special circumstances requiring the extension of time and the date by which the appeals official expects to render its decision. If the extension is provided due to a claimant’s failure to provide sufficient information, the time frame for rendering the decision on review is tolled from the date the notification is sent to the claimant about the failure to the date on which the claimant responds to the request for additional information. If the claim is denied (in full or in part) upon review, the claimant shall be

 

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provided a written notice explaining the specific reasons for the denial and referring to the provisions of the Plan on which the denial is based. The notice shall also include a statement that the claimant shall be provided, upon request and free of charge, reasonable access to, and copies of, all documents and other information relevant to the claim and a statement regarding the claimant’s right to bring an action under Section 502(a) of ERISA.

14. Arbitration. No arbitration proceeding shall be brought to recover benefits under the Plan until the claims procedures described in Sections 12 and 13 have been exhausted and the Plan benefits requested have been denied in whole or in part. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, to ensure the timely and economical resolution of disputes, all disputes, claims, or causes of action arising from or relating to the enforcement, breach, performance or interpretation of this Plan shall be resolved to the fullest extent permitted by law by final, binding and confidential arbitration, by a single arbitrator, in San Francisco, California conducted by JAMS, Inc. (“JAMS”) under the then-applicable JAMS rules (available at the following web address: https://www.jamsadr.com/rules-employment). By agreeing to this arbitration procedure, each Covered Employee and the Company waive the right to resolve any such dispute through a trial by jury or judge or administrative proceeding. Covered Employees shall have the right to be represented by legal counsel at any arbitration proceeding. In addition, all claims, disputes, or causes of action under this paragraph, whether by a Covered Employee or the Company, must be brought in an individual capacity, and shall not be brought as a plaintiff (or claimant) or class member in any purported class or representative proceeding, nor joined or consolidated with the claims of any other person or entity. The arbitrator may not consolidate the claims of more than one person or entity, and may not preside over any form of representative or class proceeding. To the extent that the preceding sentences regarding class claims or proceedings are found to violate applicable law or are otherwise found unenforceable, any claim(s) alleged or brought on behalf of a class shall proceed in a court of law rather than by arbitration. This paragraph shall not apply to any action or claim that cannot be subject to mandatory arbitration as a matter of law or any claims alleging sexual harassment or a nonconsensual sexual action or sexual contact, to the extent such claims are not permitted by applicable law(s) to be submitted to mandatory arbitration and the applicable law(s) are not preempted by the Federal Arbitration Act or otherwise invalid. The arbitrator shall: (a) have the authority to compel adequate discovery for the resolution of the dispute and to award such relief as would otherwise be permitted by law; and (b) issue a written arbitration decision, to include the arbitrator’s essential findings and conclusions and a statement of the award. The arbitrator shall be authorized to award any or all remedies that a Covered Employee or the Company would be eligible to seek in a court of law. The Company shall pay all JAMS’ arbitration fees in excess of the amount of court fees that would be required of a Covered Employee if the dispute were decided in a court of law. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to prevent either a Covered Employee or the Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm pending the conclusion of any such arbitration. Any awards or orders in such arbitrations may be entered and enforced as judgments in the federal and state courts of any competent jurisdiction. Any arbitration must be commenced within one year after the Covered Employee’s receipt of notification that their appeal was denied. The foregoing provisions shall apply to the extent consistent with and permitted by ERISA.

15. Source of Payments. All Severance Benefits shall be paid in cash from the general funds of the Company; no separate fund shall be established under the Plan, and the Plan will have no assets. No right of any person to receive any payment under the Plan shall be any greater than the right of any other general unsecured creditor of the Company.

16. Inalienability. In no event may any current or former employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates sell, transfer, anticipate, assign or otherwise dispose of any right or interest under the Plan. At no time shall any such right or interest be subject to the claims of creditors nor liable to attachment, execution or other legal process.

 

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17. No Enlargement of Employment Rights. Neither the establishment nor maintenance of the Plan, any amendment of the Plan, nor the making of any benefit payment hereunder, shall be construed to confer upon any individual any right to be continued as an employee of the Company. The Company expressly reserves the right to discharge any of its employees at any time, with or without Cause. However, as described in the Plan, a Covered Employee may be eligible to benefits under the Plan depending upon the circumstances of such Covered Employee’s termination of employment.

18. Successors. Any successor to the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s business or assets (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) shall assume the obligations under the Plan and agree expressly to perform the obligations under the Plan in the same manner and to the same extent as the Company would be required to perform such obligations in the absence of a succession. For all purposes under the Plan, the term “Company” shall include any successor to the Company’s business or assets which become bound by the terms of the Plan by operation of law, or otherwise.

19. Applicable Law. The provisions of the Plan shall be construed, administered and enforced in accordance with ERISA and, to the extent applicable, the internal substantive laws of the State of Delaware (except its conflict of laws provisions).

20. Severability. If any provision of the Plan is held invalid or unenforceable, its invalidity or unenforceability shall not affect any other provision of the Plan, and the Plan shall be construed and enforced as if such provision had not been included.

21. Headings. Headings in this Plan document are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

22. Additional Information.

 

Plan Name:    Ethos Technologies, Inc. Severance Plan
Plan Sponsor:    Ethos Technologies, Inc.
Plan Year:    Fiscal year ending December 31
Plan Administrator:    Ethos Technologies, Inc.
   Attention: Administrator of the Ethos Technologies, Inc. Severance Plan
   1606 Headway Circle, #903
   Austin, TX 78754
Agent for Service of Legal Process:   

Ethos Technologies, Inc.

Attention: Administrator of the Ethos Technologies, Inc. Severance Plan

 

1606 Headway Circle, #903

 

Austin, TX 78754

   Service of process may also be made upon the Administrator.
Type of Plan:    Severance Plan/Employee Welfare Benefit Plan

 

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Plan Sponsor EIN and Plan Number    The Employer Identification Number assigned to the Company (which is the “Plan Sponsor” as that term is used in ERISA) by the Internal Revenue Service is 84-5009619. The Plan Number assigned to the Plan by the Plan Sponsor pursuant to the instructions of the Internal Revenue Service is 504.
Plan Costs:    The cost of the Plan is paid by the Company.

23. Statement of ERISA Rights.

As a Covered Employee under the Plan, you have certain rights and protections under ERISA:

(a) You may examine (without charge) all Plan documents, including any amendments and copies of all documents filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. These documents are available for your review in the office of the Company’s Chief Financial Officer.

(b) You may obtain copies of all Plan documents and other Plan information upon written request to the Administrator. A reasonable charge may be made for such copies.

In addition to creating rights for Covered Employees, ERISA imposes duties upon the people who are responsible for the operation of the Plan. The people who operate the Plan (called “fiduciaries”) have a duty to do so prudently and in the interests of you and the other Covered Employees. No one, including the Company or any other person, may fire you or otherwise discriminate against you in any way to prevent you from obtaining a benefit under the Plan or exercising your rights under ERISA. If your claim for a Severance Benefit is denied, in whole or in part, you have a right to know why it was denied, to obtain copies of documents relating to the decision without charge, and to appeal any denial, all within certain time schedules. The claim review procedure is explained in Sections 12 and 13, above.

Under ERISA, there are steps you can take to enforce the above rights. For instance, if you request a copy of Plan documents and do not receive them within 30 days, you may file suit in a federal court. In such a case, the court may require the Administrator to provide the materials and to pay you up to $110 a day until you receive the materials, unless the materials were not sent because of reasons beyond the control of the Administrator. If you have a claim which is denied or ignored, in whole or in part, you may file suit in a federal court. If it should happen that you are discriminated against for asserting your rights, you may seek assistance from the U.S. Department of Labor, or you may file suit in a federal court. The court shall decide who should pay court costs and legal fees. If you are successful, the court may order the person you have sued to pay these costs and fees. If you lose, the court may order you to pay these costs and fees, for example, if it finds your claim is frivolous.

If you have any questions regarding the Plan, please contact the Administrator. If you have any questions about this statement or about your rights under ERISA, you may contact the nearest office of the Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, listed in your telephone directory, or the Division of Technical Assistance and Inquiries, Employee Benefits Security Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20210. You may also obtain certain publications about your rights and responsibilities under ERISA by calling the publications hotline of the Employee Benefits Security Administration at 1-866-444-3272.

 

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APPENDIX A

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.

SEVERANCE PLAN

Participation Agreement

Ethos Technologies, Inc. (the “Company”) is pleased to inform you, [name], that you have been selected to participate in the Company’s Severance Plan (the “Plan”) as a Covered Employee. A copy of the Plan was delivered to you with this Participation Agreement. Your participation in the Plan is subject to all the terms and conditions of the Plan. The capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Plan.

To become a Covered Employee under the Plan, you must complete and sign this Participation Agreement and return it to [name] no later than [date].

The Plan describes in detail certain circumstances under which you may become eligible for Severance Benefits and the amount of those benefits. As described more fully in the Plan, you may become eligible for certain Severance Benefits if you experience a Covered Termination or Covered CIC Termination.

If you become eligible for Severance Benefits under Section 4 of the Plan, then subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, you shall receive:

 

For a Covered Termination

Severance Period for Cash Severance Benefits

  

[____]1 months

COBRA Payment Period

  

[____]2 months

 

For a Covered CIC Termination

Severance Period for Cash Severance Benefits

  

[____]3 months

Annualized Cash Bonus Percentage

  

[_____]4%*

COBRA Payment Period

  

[____]5 months

Any unpaid cash bonus for the year prior to the year of the Covered Termination

Equity Award Acceleration

  

[As provided in Section 4.1.2 of the Plan]

 
1 

Covered Termination: 6 months (L8); 12 month (founders)

2 

Covered Termination: 6 months (L8); 12 months (founders)

3 

Covered CIC Termination: 12 months (L8); 18 month (founders)

4 

Covered CIC Termination: 100% (L8); 150% (founders)

5 

Covered CIC Termination: 12 months (L8); 18 months (founders)


*

For the year during with the Covered CIC Termination occurs, or if greater, the year during which the Change in Control occurs

To receive any Severance Benefits for which you otherwise become eligible under the Plan, you must sign and deliver to the Company the Release, which must have become effective and irrevocable, and otherwise comply with the requirements under the Plan.

In accordance with the Plan, the benefits, if any, provided under the Plan are intended to be the exclusive benefits for you related to your Covered Termination and Covered CIC Termination and shall supersede and replace, except as provided in the Plan, any severance and change in control severance benefits for which you otherwise would be eligible under any other Company severance and change in control severance policy, plan, agreement or other arrangement (whether or not subject to ERISA).

By your signature below, you and the Company agree that your participation in the Plan is governed by this Participation Agreement and the provisions of the Plan. Your signature below confirms that: (i) you have received a copy of the Plan; (ii) you have carefully read this Participation Agreement and the Plan and you acknowledge and agree to their terms, including, but not limited to, Section 6 of the Plan; (iii) you agree that this Participation Agreement and the provisions of the Plan supersede any individual agreement between you and the Company and any other plan, policy or practice, whether written or unwritten, maintained by the Company with respect to equity acceleration or severance benefits upon your separation from the Company; and (iv) decisions and determinations by the Administrator under the Plan shall be final and binding on you and your successors.

 

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC.     COVERED EMPLOYEE
           
Signature     Signature

Name:

       

Name:

   

Title:

       

Title:

   

Date:

       

Date:

   

Attachment: Ethos Technologies, Inc. Severance Plan

 

[SIGNATURE PAGE TO PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT UNDER THE

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES, INC. SEVERANCE PLAN]

EX-10.6

Exhibit 10.6

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.

INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

This Indemnity Agreement (this “Agreement”) is dated as of __________, and is between Ethos Technologies Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), and __________ (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS

A. Indemnitee’s service to the Company substantially benefits the Company.

B. Individuals are reluctant to serve as directors or officers of corporations or in certain other capacities unless they are provided with adequate protection through insurance or indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of such service.

C. Indemnitee does not regard the protection currently provided by applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and any insurance as adequate under the present circumstances, and Indemnitee may not be willing to serve as a director or officer without additional protection.

D. In order to induce Indemnitee to continue to provide services to the Company, it is reasonable, prudent and necessary for the Company to contractually obligate itself to indemnify, and to advance expenses on behalf of, Indemnitee as permitted by applicable law.

E. This Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the indemnification provided in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and any resolutions adopted pursuant thereto, and this Agreement shall not be deemed a substitute therefor, nor shall this Agreement be deemed to limit, diminish or abrogate, any rights of Indemnitee thereunder.

The parties therefore agree as follows:

1. Definitions.

(a) A “Change in Control” shall be deemed to occur upon the earliest to occur after the date of this Agreement of any of the following events:

(i) Acquisition of Stock by Third Party. Any Person (as defined below) becomes the Beneficial Owner (as defined below), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 15% or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities;

(ii) Change in Board Composition. During any period of two consecutive years (not including any period prior to the execution of this Agreement), individuals who at the beginning of such period constituted the Company’s board of directors and any Approved Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Company’s board of directors. “Approved Directors” means new directors (other than a director

 

1.


designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(a)(i), 1(a)(iii) or 1(a)(iv) hereof) whose election or nomination by the Company’s board of directors (or, if applicable, by the Company’s stockholders) was approved by a vote of at least two-thirds of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of such two-year period or whose election or nomination for election was previously so approved;

(iii) Corporate Transactions. The effective date of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other entity, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior to such merger or consolidation continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than 50% of the combined voting power of the voting securities of the surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation and with the power to elect at least a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity;

(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation or the dissolution of the Company or an agreement for the sale, lease or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; and

(v) Other Events. Any other event of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 6(e) of Schedule 14A of Regulation 14A (or in response to any similar item on any similar schedule or form) promulgated under the Exchange Act (as defined below), whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement, except the completion of the Company’s initial public offering or direct listing of its common stock on a national securities exchange shall not be considered a Change in Control.

For purposes of this Section 1(a), the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1)Person” shall have the meaning as set forth in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act; provided, however, that “Person” shall exclude (i) the Company, (ii) any trustee or other fiduciary holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company, and (iii) any corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by the stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their ownership of stock of the Company.

(2)Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act; provided, however, that “Beneficial Owner” shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner by reason of (i) the Company’s stockholders approving a merger of the Company with another entity or (ii) the Company’s board of directors approving a sale of securities by the Company to such Person.

(b)Corporate Status” describes the status of a person who is or was a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, including as a deemed fiduciary thereto.

(c)DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

 

2.


(d)Disinterested Director” means a director of the Company who is not and was not a party to the Proceeding in respect of which indemnification is sought by Indemnitee.

(e)Enterprise” means the Company and any other corporation, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise of which Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary.

(f)Expenses” include all reasonable and actually incurred attorneys’ fees, retainers, court costs, transcript costs, fees and costs of experts, witness fees, travel expenses, duplicating costs, printing and binding costs, telephone charges, postage, delivery service fees, and all other disbursements or expenses of the types customarily incurred in connection with prosecuting, defending, preparing to prosecute or defend, investigating, being or preparing to be a witness in, or otherwise participating in, a Proceeding. Expenses also include (i) Expenses incurred in connection with any appeal resulting from any Proceeding, including without limitation the premium, security for, and other costs relating to any cost bond, supersede as bond or other appeal bond or their equivalent, and (ii) for purposes of Section 12(d) hereof, Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with the interpretation, enforcement or defense of Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement or under any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company. Expenses, however, shall not include amounts paid in settlement by Indemnitee or the amount of judgments or fines against Indemnitee.

(g)Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(h)Independent Counsel” means a law firm, or a partner or member of a law firm, that is experienced in matters of corporation law and neither presently is, nor in the past five years has been, retained to represent (i) the Company, any Enterprise or Indemnitee in any matter material to any such party (other than as Independent Counsel with respect to matters concerning Indemnitee under this Agreement, or other indemnitees under similar indemnification agreements), or (ii) any other party to the Proceeding giving rise to a claim for indemnification hereunder. Notwithstanding the foregoing, “Independent Counsel” shall not include any person who, under the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing, would have a conflict of interest in representing either the Company or Indemnitee in an action to determine Indemnitee’s rights under this Agreement.

(i)Proceeding” means any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, arbitration, mediation, alternate dispute resolution mechanism, investigation, inquiry, administrative hearing or proceeding, whether brought in the right of the Company or otherwise and whether of a civil, criminal, administrative or investigative nature, whether formal or informal, including any appeal therefrom and including without limitation any such Proceeding pending as of the date of this Agreement, in which Indemnitee was, is or will be involved as a party, a potential party, a non-party witness or otherwise by reason of (i) the fact that Indemnitee is or was a director or officer of the Company, (ii) any action taken by Indemnitee or any action or inaction on Indemnitee’s part while acting as a director or officer of the Company or (iii) the fact that Indemnitee is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, in each case whether or not serving in such capacity at the time any liability or Expense is incurred for which indemnification or advancement of expenses can be provided under this Agreement.

 

3.


(j)Sarbanes-Oxley Act” means the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended.

(k)other enterprises” shall include employee benefit plans; “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; “serving at the request of the Company” shall include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the Company which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such director, officer, employee or agent with respect to an employee benefit plan, its participants or beneficiaries, including as a deemed fiduciary thereto; and a person who acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company.”

2. Indemnity in Third-Party Proceedings. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 2 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding, other than a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 2, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

3. Indemnity in Proceedings by or in the Right of the Company. The Company shall indemnify Indemnitee in accordance with the provisions of this Section 3 if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor. Pursuant to this Section 3, Indemnitee shall be indemnified to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with such Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company. No indemnification for Expenses shall be made under this Section 3 in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which Indemnitee shall have been adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be liable to the Company, unless and only to the extent that the Delaware Court of Chancery or any court in which the Proceeding was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case, Indemnitee is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnification for such expenses as the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.

4. Indemnification for Expenses of a Party Who is Wholly or Partly Successful. To the extent that Indemnitee is a party to or a participant in and is successful (on the merits or otherwise) in defense of any Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such

 

4.


Proceeding but is successful, on the merits or otherwise, as to one or more but less than all claims, issues or matters in such Proceeding, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by him or her or on his or her behalf in connection with each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter. For purposes of this Section 4, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice), motion for summary judgment, settlement (with or without court approval), or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

5. Indemnification for Expenses of a Witness or in Response to a Subpoena. To the extent that Indemnitee is, by reason of his or her Corporate Status, (i) a witness in any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party or (ii) receives a subpoena with respect to any Proceeding to which Indemnitee is not a party and is not threatened to be made a party, Indemnitee shall be indemnified against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith.

6. Additional Indemnification.

(a) Except as provided for in Section 7 hereof, notwithstanding any limitation in Section 2, 3 or 4 hereof, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law if Indemnitee is, or is threatened to be made, a party to or a participant in any Proceeding (including a Proceeding by or in the right of the Company to procure a judgment in its favor) against all Expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on his or her behalf in connection with the Proceeding or any claim, issue or matter therein.

(b) For purposes of Section 6(a) hereof, the meaning of the phrase “to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) the fullest extent permitted by the provision of the DGCL that authorizes or contemplates additional indemnification by agreement, or the corresponding provision of any amendment to or replacement of the DGCL; and

(ii) the fullest extent authorized or permitted by any amendments to or replacements of the DGCL adopted after the date of this Agreement that increase the extent to which a corporation may indemnify its officers and directors.

7. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnity in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

(a) Except as provided for in Section 18 hereof, for which payment has actually been made to or on behalf of Indemnitee under any statute, insurance policy, indemnity provision, vote or otherwise, except with respect to any excess beyond the amount paid; provided, however, that payment made to Indemnitee pursuant to an insurance policy purchased and maintained by Indemnitee at his or her own expense of any amounts otherwise indemnifiable or obligated to be made pursuant to this Agreement shall not reduce the Company’s obligations to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement.

 

5.


(b) for an accounting or disgorgement of profits pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act or similar provisions of federal, state or local statutory law or common law, if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(c) for any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation or of any profits realized by Indemnitee from the sale of securities of the Company, as required in each case under the Exchange Act (including any such reimbursements that arise from an accounting restatement of the Company pursuant to Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act or the payment to the Company of profits arising from the purchase and sale by Indemnitee of securities in violation of Section 306 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act), if Indemnitee is held liable therefor (including pursuant to any settlement arrangements);

(d) initiated by Indemnitee, including any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee against the Company or its directors, officers, employees, agents or other indemnitees, unless (i) the Company’s board of directors authorized the Proceeding (or the relevant part of the Proceeding) prior to its initiation, (ii) the Company provides the indemnification, in its sole discretion, pursuant to the powers vested in the Company under applicable law, (iii) otherwise authorized in Section 12 (a) or 12(d) hereof or (iv) otherwise required by applicable law; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, Indemnitee shall not be deemed for purposes of this Section 7(d) to have initiated any Proceeding (or any part of a Proceeding) by reason of (i) having asserted any affirmative defenses in connection with a claim not initiated by Indemnitee or (ii) having made any counterclaim (whether permissive or mandatory) in connection with any claim not initiated by Indemnitee; or

(e) if prohibited by applicable law.

8. Advances of Expenses. The Company shall advance the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding whether prior to or after its final disposition, and such advancement shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than thirty days, after the receipt by the Company of a written statement or statements requesting such advances from time to time (which shall include invoices received by Indemnitee in connection with such Expenses but, in the case of invoices in connection with legal services, any references to legal work performed or to expenditure made that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law are not required to be included with the invoice). Advances shall be unsecured and interest free and made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances and without regard to the entitlement to and the availability of insurance coverage, including advancement, payment or reimbursement of defense costs, expenses of covered loss under the provisions of any applicable insurance policy (including, without limitation, whether such advancement, payment or reimbursement is withheld, conditioned or delayed by the insurer(s)). Indemnitee’s right to such advancement is not subject to the satisfaction of any standard of conduct. Without limiting the generality or effect of the foregoing, within thirty days after any request by Indemnitee, the Company shall, in accordance with such request (but without duplication), (a) pay such Expenses on behalf of Indemnitee, (b) advance to Indemnitee funds in an amount sufficient to pay such Expenses, or (c) reimburse Indemnitee for such Expenses. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined by a court of competent jurisdiction in a final judgment, not subject to appeal, that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. No other undertaking shall be required. This

 

6.


Section 8 shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 7(b) or 7(c) hereof prior to a determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company. The Company shall not seek, or assist any other party to seek, from a court a “bar order” which would have the effect of prohibiting or limiting the Indemnitee’s rights to receive advancement of expenses under this Agreement.

9. Procedures for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a) Unless the Company is a co-defendant with Indemnitee, Indemnitee shall notify the Company in writing of any matter with respect to which Indemnitee intends to seek indemnification or advancement of Expenses as soon as reasonably practicable following the receipt by Indemnitee of notice thereof. The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability which it may have to Indemnitee hereunder or otherwise than under this Agreement, and any delay in so notifying the Company shall not constitute a waiver by Indemnitee of any rights, except to the extent that such failure or delay materially prejudices the Company.

(b) If, at the time of the receipt of a notice of a Proceeding pursuant to the terms hereof, the Company has directors’ and officers’ liability insurance in effect that may be applicable to the Proceeding, the Company shall give prompt notice of the commencement of the Proceeding to the insurers in accordance with the procedures set forth in the applicable policies. The Company shall thereafter take all commercially reasonable action to cause such insurers to pay, on behalf of Indemnitee, all amounts payable as a result of such Proceeding in accordance with the terms of such policies.

(c) In the event the Company may be obligated to make any indemnity in connection with a Proceeding, the Company shall be entitled to assume the defense of such Proceeding with counsel approved by Indemnitee, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed, upon the delivery to Indemnitee of written notice of its election to do so. After delivery of such notice, approval of such counsel by Indemnitee and the retention of such counsel by the Company, the Company will not be liable to Indemnitee for any fees or expenses of counsel subsequently incurred by Indemnitee with respect to the same Proceeding. Notwithstanding the Company’s assumption of the defense of any such Proceeding, the Company shall be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of Indemnitee’s separate counsel to the extent (i) the employment of separate counsel by Indemnitee is authorized by the Company, (ii) counsel for the Company or Indemnitee shall have reasonably concluded that there may be a conflict of interest between the Company and Indemnitee in the conduct of any such defense such that Indemnitee needs to be separately represented, (iii) the Company is not financially or legally able to perform its indemnification obligations or (iv) the Company shall not have retained, or shall not continue to retain, counsel to defend such Proceeding. Indemnitee agrees that any such separate counsel retained by indemnitee shall be a member of any approved list of panel counsel under the Company’s applicable directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policy, should the applicable policy provide for a panel of approved counsel and should such approved panel list comprise law firms with well-established reputations in the type of litigation at issue. (For clarity, the fact of a firm’s being part of a panel shall not be evidence of a firm’s having a well-established national reputation for the type of litigation at issue). Regardless of any provision of this Agreement, Indemnitee shall have the right to employ counsel in any Proceeding at Indemnitee’s personal expense. The Company shall not be entitled, without the consent of Indemnitee, to assume the defense of any claim brought by or in the right of the Company.

 

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(d) Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in connection with the Proceeding as may be reasonably appropriate; provided, however, that in no case shall Indemnitee be required to convey any information that would cause Indemnitee to waive any privilege accorded by applicable law.

(e) The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee for any settlement of any Proceeding (or any part thereof) without the Company’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed. The Company acknowledges that a settlement or other disposition short of final judgment may be successful if it permits a party to avoid expense, delay, distraction, disruption and uncertainty. In the event that any action, claim or proceeding to which Indemnitee is a party is resolved in a settlement to which the Company has given its prior written consent, such settlement shall be treated as a success on the merits in the settled action, suit or proceeding.

(f) The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (or any part thereof) in a manner that imposes any penalty or liability on Indemnitee without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

10. Procedures upon Application for Indemnification.

(a) To obtain indemnification, Indemnitee shall submit to the Company a written request, including therein or therewith such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee, not otherwise available to the Company, and as is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of the Proceeding. Any delay in providing the request will not relieve the Company from its obligations under this Agreement, except to the extent such failure is prejudicial.

(b) Upon written request by Indemnitee for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement thereto shall be made as follows, provided that a Change in Control shall not have occurred: (i) by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors; (ii) by a committee of Disinterested Directors designated by a majority vote of the Disinterested Directors, even though less than a quorum of the Company’s board of directors; (iii) if there are no such Disinterested Directors or, if such Disinterested Directors so direct, by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Company’s board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee; or (iv) if so directed by the Company’s board of directors, by the Company’s stockholders. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, a determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification shall be made by Independent Counsel in a written opinion to the Company’s board of directors, a copy of which shall be delivered to Indemnitee. If it is determined that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, payment to Indemnitee shall be made within thirty days after such determination. Indemnitee shall cooperate with the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to Indemnitee’s entitlement to indemnification, including providing to such person, persons or entity upon reasonable advance

 

8.


request any documentation or information that is not privileged or otherwise protected from disclosure and that is reasonably available to Indemnitee and reasonably necessary to such determination. Any costs or expenses (including attorneys’ fees and disbursements) actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee in so cooperating with the person, persons or entity making such determination shall be borne by the Company, to the extent permitted by applicable law.

(c) In the event the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by Independent Counsel pursuant to Section 10(b) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 10(c). If a Change in Control shall not have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by the Company’s board of directors, and the Company shall give written notice to Indemnitee advising him or her of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, the Independent Counsel shall be selected by Indemnitee (unless Indemnitee shall request that such selection be made by the Company’s board of directors, in which event the preceding sentence shall apply), and Indemnitee shall give written notice to the Company advising it of the identity of the Independent Counsel so selected. In either event, Indemnitee or the Company, as the case may be, may, within ten days after such written notice of selection shall have been given, deliver to the Company or to Indemnitee, as the case may be, a written objection to such selection; provided, however, that such objection may be asserted only on the ground that the Independent Counsel so selected does not meet the requirements of “Independent Counsel” as defined in Section 1 hereof, and the objection shall set forth with particularity the factual basis of such assertion. Absent a proper and timely objection, the person so selected shall act as Independent Counsel. If such written objection is so made and substantiated, the Independent Counsel so selected may not serve as Independent Counsel unless and until such objection is withdrawn or a court has determined that such objection is without merit. If, within 20 days after the later of (i) submission by Indemnitee of a written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 10(a) hereof and (ii) the final disposition of the Proceeding, the parties have not agreed upon an Independent Counsel, either the Company or Indemnitee may petition a court of competent jurisdiction for resolution of any objection which shall have been made by the Company or Indemnitee to the other’s selection of Independent Counsel and for the appointment as Independent Counsel of a person selected by the court or by such other person as the court shall designate, and the person with respect to whom all objections are so resolved or the person so appointed shall act as Independent Counsel under Section 10(b) hereof. Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Independent Counsel shall be discharged and relieved of any further responsibility in such capacity (subject to the applicable standards of professional conduct then prevailing).

(d) The Company agrees to pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel.

11. Presumptions and Effect of Certain Proceedings.

(a) In making a determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification hereunder, the person, persons or entity making such determination shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, presume that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, and the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proof to overcome that presumption by clear and convincing evidence.

 

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(b) The termination of any Proceeding or of any claim, issue or matter therein, by judgment, order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not (except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement) of itself adversely affect the right of Indemnitee to indemnification or create a presumption that Indemnitee did not act in good faith and in a manner which he or she reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the Company or, with respect to any criminal Proceeding, that Indemnitee had reasonable cause to believe that his or her conduct was unlawful.

(c) For purposes of any determination of good faith, Indemnitee shall be deemed to have acted in good faith to the extent Indemnitee relied in good faith on (i) the records or books of account of the Enterprise, including financial statements, (ii) information supplied to Indemnitee by the officers of the Enterprise in the course of their duties, (iii) the advice of legal counsel for the Enterprise or its board of directors or counsel selected by any committee of the board of directors or (iv) information or records given or reports made to the Enterprise by an independent certified public accountant, an appraiser, investment banker or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or its board of directors or any committee of the board of directors. The provisions of this Section 11(c) shall not be deemed to be exclusive or to limit in any way the other circumstances in which Indemnitee may be deemed to have met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in this Agreement.

(d) Neither the knowledge, actions nor failure to act of any other director, officer, agent or employee of the Enterprise shall be imputed to Indemnitee for purposes of determining the right to indemnification under this Agreement.

12. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Subject to Section 12(e) hereof, in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 hereof that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 8 or 12(d) hereof, (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 hereof within 30 days after the later of the receipt by the Company of the request for indemnification or the final disposition of the Proceeding, (iv) payment of indemnification pursuant to this Agreement is not made (A) within thirty days after a determination has been made that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification or (B) with respect to indemnification pursuant to Sections 4, 5 and 12(d) hereof, within 30 days after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor, or (v) the Company or any other person or entity takes or threatens to take any action to declare this Agreement void or unenforceable, or institutes any litigation or other action or proceeding designed to deny, or to recover from, Indemnitee the benefits provided or intended to be provided to Indemnitee hereunder, Indemnitee shall be entitled to an adjudication by a court of competent jurisdiction of his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses. Alternatively, Indemnitee, at his or her option, may seek an award in arbitration with respect to his or her entitlement to such indemnification or advancement of Expenses, to be conducted by a single arbitrator pursuant to the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. Indemnitee shall commence such proceeding seeking an adjudication or an award in arbitration within 12 months following the date on which Indemnitee first has the right to commence such proceeding pursuant to this Section 12(a); provided, however, that the foregoing clause shall not apply in respect of a proceeding brought by Indemnitee to enforce his or her rights under Section 4 hereof. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration in accordance with this Agreement.

 

10.


(b) Neither (i) the failure of the Company, its stockholders, its board of directors, any committee or subgroup of its board of directors or Independent Counsel to have made a determination that indemnification of Indemnitee is proper in the circumstances because Indemnitee has met the applicable standard of conduct, nor (ii) an actual determination by the Company, its stockholders, its board of directors, any committee or subgroup of its board of directors or Independent Counsel that Indemnitee has not met the applicable standard of conduct, shall create a presumption that Indemnitee has or has not met the applicable standard of conduct. In the event that a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 hereof that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 shall be conducted in all respects as a de novo trial or arbitration on the merits, and Indemnitee shall not be prejudiced by reason of that adverse determination. In any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, the Company shall, to the fullest extent not prohibited by law, have the burden of proving Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification or advancement of Expenses, as the case may be, and the burden of proof shall be by clear and convincing evidence.

(c) To the fullest extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall be precluded from asserting in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12 that the procedures and presumptions of this Agreement are not valid, binding and enforceable and shall stipulate in any such court or before any such arbitrator that the Company is bound by all the provisions of this Agreement. If a determination shall have been made pursuant to Section 10 hereof that Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification, the Company shall be bound by such determination in any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 12, absent (i) a misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statements not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law.

(d) To the extent not prohibited by law, the Company shall indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses that are incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any action for indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company under this Agreement, any other agreement, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, or any directors’ and officers’ liability insurance policies maintained by the Company to the extent Indemnitee is successful in such action, and, if requested by Indemnitee, shall (as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 30 days, after receipt by the Company of a written request therefor) advance such Expenses to Indemnitee, subject to the provisions of Section 8 hereof.

(e) Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, no determination as to entitlement to indemnification shall be required to be made prior to the final disposition of the Proceeding.

13. Contribution. To the fullest extent permissible under applicable law, if the indemnification provided for in this Agreement is unavailable to Indemnitee, the Company, in lieu of indemnifying Indemnitee, shall contribute to the amounts incurred by Indemnitee, whether for Expenses, judgments, fines or amounts paid or to be paid in settlement, in connection with any

 

11.


claim relating to an indemnifiable event under this Agreement, in such proportion as is deemed fair and reasonable in light of all of the circumstances of such Proceeding in order to reflect (i) the relative benefits received by the Company and Indemnitee as a result of the events and transactions giving rise to such Proceeding and (ii) the relative fault of Indemnitee and the Company (and its other directors, officers, employees and agents) in connection with such events and transactions.

14. Non-exclusivity. The rights of indemnification and to receive advancement of Expenses as provided by this Agreement shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which Indemnitee may at any time be entitled under applicable law, the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, any agreement, a vote of the Company’s stockholders, a resolution of the Company’s board of directors or otherwise. To the extent that a change in Delaware law, whether by statute or judicial decision, permits greater indemnification or advancement of Expenses than would be afforded currently under the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and this Agreement, it is the intent of the parties hereto that Indemnitee shall enjoy by this Agreement the greater benefits so afforded by such change, subject to the restrictions expressly set forth herein or therein. Except as expressly set forth herein, no right or remedy herein conferred is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every other right and remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise. Except as expressly set forth herein, the assertion or employment of any right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent assertion or employment of any other right or remedy.

15. No Duplication of Payments. Except as provided for in Section 18 hereof, the Company shall not be liable under this Agreement to make any payment of amounts otherwise indemnifiable hereunder (or for which advancement is provided hereunder) if and to the extent that Indemnitee has otherwise actually received payment for such amounts under any insurance policy, contract, agreement or otherwise; provided, however, that payment made to Indemnitee pursuant to an insurance policy purchased and maintained by Indemnitee at his or her own expense of any amounts otherwise indemnifiable or obligated to be made pursuant to this Agreement shall not reduce the Company’s obligations to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement.

16. Insurance. To the extent that the Company maintains an insurance policy or policies providing liability insurance for directors, trustees, general partners, managing members, officers, employees, agents or fiduciaries of the Company or any other Enterprise, Indemnitee shall be covered by such policy or policies to the same extent as the most favorably-insured persons under such policy or policies in a comparable position.

17. Subrogation. Except as provided for in Section 18 hereof, in the event of any payment under this Agreement, the Company shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee, who shall execute all papers required and take all action necessary to secure such rights, including execution of such documents as are necessary to enable the Company to bring suit to enforce such rights.

18. Primacy of Indemnification. The Company hereby acknowledges that to the extent Indemnitee is serving as a director on the Company’s board of directors at the request or direction of a venture capital fund or other entity and/or certain of its affiliates (collectively, the “Fund Indemnitors”), Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification, advancement of

 

12.


expenses and/or insurance provided by the Fund Indemnitors. The Company hereby agrees (i) that it is the indemnitor of first resort (i.e., its obligations to Indemnitee are primary and any obligation of the Fund Indemnitors to advance expenses or to provide indemnification for the same expenses or liabilities incurred by Indemnitee are secondary), (ii) that it shall be required to advance the full amount of expenses incurred by Indemnitee and shall be liable for the full amount of all Expenses, judgments, penalties, fines and amounts paid in settlement to the extent legally permitted and as required by the terms of this Agreement, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or any other agreement between the Company and Indemnitee, without regard to any rights Indemnitee may have against the Fund Indemnitors, and (iii) that it irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases the Fund Indemnitors from any and all claims against the Fund Indemnitors for contribution, subrogation or any other recovery of any kind in respect thereof. The Company further agrees that no advancement or payment by the Fund Indemnitors on behalf of Indemnitee with respect to any claim for which Indemnitee has sought indemnification from the Company shall affect the foregoing and the Fund Indemnitors shall have a right of contribution and/or be subrogated to the extent of such advancement or payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee against the Company. The Company and Indemnitee agree that the Fund Indemnitors are express third-party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 18.

19. Services to the Company. Indemnitee agrees to serve as a director or officer of the Company or, at the request of the Company, as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another Enterprise, for so long as Indemnitee is duly elected or appointed or until Indemnitee tenders his or her resignation or is removed from such position. Indemnitee may at any time and for any reason resign from such position (subject to any other contractual obligation or any obligation imposed by operation of law), in which event the Company shall have no obligation under this Agreement to continue Indemnitee in such position. This Agreement shall not be deemed an employment contract between the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) and Indemnitee. Indemnitee specifically acknowledges that any employment with the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise) is at will, and Indemnitee may be discharged at any time for any reason, with or without cause, with or without notice, except as may be otherwise expressly provided in any executed, written employment contract between Indemnitee and the Company (or any of its subsidiaries or any Enterprise), any existing formal severance policies adopted by the Company’s board of directors or, with respect to service as a director or officer of the Company, the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or the DGCL. No such document shall be subject to any oral modification thereof.

20. Duration. This Agreement shall continue until and terminate upon the later of (a) ten years after the date that Indemnitee shall have ceased to serve as a director or officer of the Company or as a director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of any other Enterprise, as applicable, or (b) one year after the final termination of any Proceeding, including any appeal, then pending in respect of which Indemnitee is granted rights of indemnification or advancement of Expenses hereunder and of any proceeding commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12 hereof relating thereto.

21. Successors. This Agreement shall be binding upon the Company and its successors and assigns, including any direct or indirect successor, by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise, to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, and shall inure to the benefit of Indemnitee and Indemnitee’s heirs, executors and administrators. Further, the Company

 

13.


shall require and cause any successor (whether direct or indirect by purchase, merger, consolidation or otherwise) to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the Company, by written agreement, expressly to assume and agree to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent that the Company would be required to perform if no such succession had taken place.

22. Severability. Nothing in this Agreement is intended to require or shall be construed as requiring the Company to do or fail to do any act in violation of applicable law. The Company’s inability, pursuant to court order or other applicable law, to perform its obligations under this Agreement shall not constitute a breach of this Agreement. If any provision or provisions of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable for any reason whatsoever: (i) the validity, legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions of this Agreement (including without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby and shall remain enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law; (ii) such provision or provisions shall be deemed reformed to the extent necessary to conform to applicable law and to give the maximum effect to the intent of the parties hereto; and (iii) to the fullest extent possible, the provisions of this Agreement (including, without limitation, each portion of any section of this Agreement containing any such provision held to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that is not itself invalid, illegal or unenforceable) shall be construed so as to give effect to the intent manifested thereby.

23. Enforcement. The Company expressly confirms and agrees that it has entered into this Agreement and assumed the obligations imposed on it hereby in order to induce Indemnitee to serve as a director or officer of the Company, and the Company acknowledges that Indemnitee is relying upon this Agreement in serving as a director or officer of the Company.

24. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings, oral, written and implied, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof; provided, however, that this Agreement is a supplement to and in furtherance of the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws and applicable law.

25. Modification and Waiver. No supplement, modification or amendment to this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by the parties hereto. No amendment, alteration or repeal of this Agreement shall adversely affect any right of Indemnitee under this Agreement in respect of any action taken or omitted by such Indemnitee in his or her Corporate Status prior to such amendment, alteration or repeal. No waiver of any of the provisions of this Agreement shall constitute or be deemed a waiver of any other provision of this Agreement nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver.

 

14.


26. Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and shall be mailed by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid, sent by facsimile or electronic mail or otherwise delivered by hand, messenger or courier service addressed:

(a) if to Indemnitee, to Indemnitee’s address, facsimile number or electronic mail address as shown on the signature page of this Agreement or in the Company’s records, as may be updated in accordance with the provisions hereof; or

(b) if to the Company, to the attention of the General Counsel of the Company at Ethos Technologies Inc., 90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500, San Francisco, CA 94105, or at such other current address as the Company shall have furnished to Indemnitee, with a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to Jon C. Avina and Milson C. Yu, Cooley LLP, 3175 Hanover Street, Palo Alto, CA 94304.

Each such notice or other communication shall for all purposes of this Agreement be treated as effective or having been given (i) if delivered by hand, messenger or courier service, when delivered (or if sent via a nationally-recognized overnight courier service, freight prepaid, specifying next-business-day delivery, one business day after deposit with the courier), (ii) if sent via mail, at the earlier of its receipt or five days after the same has been deposited in a regularly-maintained receptacle for the deposit of the U.S. mail, addressed and mailed as aforesaid, or (iii) if sent via facsimile, upon confirmation of facsimile transfer, or, if sent via electronic mail, upon confirmation of delivery when directed to the relevant electronic mail address, in the case of facsimile and electronic mail, if sent during normal business hours of the recipient, or if not sent during normal business hours of the recipient, then on the recipient’s next business day.

27. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement and the legal relations among the parties shall be governed by, and construed and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflict of laws rules. Except with respect to any arbitration commenced by Indemnitee pursuant to Section 12(a) hereof, the Company and Indemnitee hereby irrevocably and unconditionally (i) agree that any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be brought only in the Delaware Court of Chancery, and not in any other state or federal court in the United States of America or any court in any other country, (ii) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Delaware Court of Chancery for purposes of any action or proceeding arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, (iii) appoint, to the extent such party is not otherwise subject to service of process in the State of Delaware, The Corporation Trust Company, Wilmington, Delaware as its agent in the State of Delaware as such party’s agent for acceptance of legal process in connection with any such action or proceeding against such party with the same legal force and validity as if served upon such party personally within the State of Delaware, (iv) waive any objection to the laying of venue of any such action or proceeding in the Delaware Court of Chancery and (v) waive, and agree not to plead or to make, any claim that any such action or proceeding brought in the Delaware Court of Chancery has been brought in an improper or inconvenient forum.

28. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and in counterparts, each of which shall for all purposes be deemed to be an original but all of which together shall constitute one and the same Agreement. Only one such counterpart signed by the party against whom enforceability is sought needs to be produced to evidence the existence of this Agreement.

 

15.


29. Captions. The headings of the paragraphs of this Agreement are inserted for convenience only and shall not be deemed to constitute part of this Agreement or to affect the construction thereof.

[Signature page follows.]

 

16.


The parties are signing this Indemnity Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory sentence.

 

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.
By:    
Name:    
Title:    

 

[INDEMNITEE]

By:

   

Name:

   

Address:

   
   

 

SIGNATURE PAGE TO INDEMNITY AGREEMENT

EX-10.10

Exhibit 10.10

Certain information has been excluded from this agreement (indicated by “[***]”) because such information is both (a) not material and (b) the type that the registrant customarily and actually treats as private or confidential.

OFFICE LEASE

90 NEW MONTGOMERY STREET

SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA

90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,

a California limited partnership,

as Landlord,

and

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation,

as Tenant.


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page  
ARTICLE 1 REAL PROPERTY, BUILDING AND PREMISES      1  
ARTICLE 2 LEASE TERM      2  
ARTICLE 3 BASE RENT      3  
ARTICLE 4 ADDITIONAL RENT      3  
ARTICLE 5 USE OF PREMISES      7  
ARTICLE 6 SERVICES AND UTILITIES      8  
ARTICLE 7 REPAIRS      9  
ARTICLE 8 ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS      10  
ARTICLE 9 COVENANT AGAINST LIENS      11  
ARTICLE 10 INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE      11  
ARTICLE 11 DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION      13  
ARTICLE 12 CONDEMNATION      15  
ARTICLE 13 COVENANT OF QUIET ENJOYMENT      15  
ARTICLE 14 ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING      15  
ARTICLE 15 SURRENDER; OWNERSHIP AND REMOVAL OF TRADE FIXTURES      18  
ARTICLE 16 HOLDING OVER      19  
ARTICLE 17 ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES      19  
ARTICLE 18 SUBORDINATION      19  
ARTICLE 19 TENANT’S DEFAULTS; LANDLORD’S REMEDIES      20  
ARTICLE 20 SECURITY DEPOSIT      22  
ARTICLE 21 COMPLIANCE WITH LAW      22  
ARTICLE 22 ENTRY BY LANDLORD      24  
ARTICLE 23 MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS      25  

 

EXHIBITS
A    OUTLINE OF PREMISES
B    RULES AND REGULATIONS
C    FORM OF TENANT’S ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE
D    FORM OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION
E    EXTENSION OPTION RIDER

 

(i)


SUMMARY OF BASIC LEASE INFORMATION

This Summary of Basic Lease Information (“Summary”) is hereby incorporated into and made a part of the attached Office Lease. Each reference in the Office Lease to any term of this Summary shall have the meaning as set forth in this Summary for such term. In the event of a conflict between the terms of this Summary and the Office Lease, the terms of the Office Lease shall prevail. Any capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning as set forth in the Office Lease.

 

TERMS OF LEASE
(References are to
the Office Lease)

  

DESCRIPTION

1.  Date:

   May 3, 2024.

2.  Landlord:

   90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a California limited partnership

3.  Addresses for Landlord:

  

3.1  Address of Landlord’s Agent (Section 23.19):

  

90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, LP

c/o JKL Corporation

[Intentionally omitted]

Attn: [Intentionally omitted]

 

with a copy to

 

90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, LP

c/o JKL Corporation

[Intentionally omitted]

Attention: [Intentionally omitted]

3.2  Address for Payment of Rent (Article 3)

  

90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS

c/o JKL Corporation

[Intentionally omitted]

Attn: [Intentionally omitted]

4.  Tenant:

  

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation

5.  Address of Tenant (Section 23.19):

  

Ethos Technologies Inc.

90 New Montgomery Street, Suite 1500

San Francisco, California 94105

Attention: Legal Department

Email: [Intentionally omitted]

6.  Premises (Article 1):

   Approximately 9,079 rentable square feet of space, commonly known as Suite 1500 and located on the fifteenth (15th) floor of the Building, as depicted on Exhibit A attached hereto.

 

(ii)


7.  Term (Article 2).

  

7.1  Lease Term:

   The four (4) year and two (2) month period commencing on the Lease Commencement Date and expiring on the Lease Expiration Date.

7.2  Lease Commencement Date:

   October 1, 2024.

7.3  Lease Expiration Date:

   November 30, 2028.

8.  Base Rent (Article 3):

  

 

Period of Lease Term

   Annual
Base Rent
     Monthly
Installment
of Base Rent
     Annual
Rental Rate
per Rentable
Square Foot
 

10/1/24 – 9/30/25*

   $ 499,345.00      $ 41,612.08      $ 55.00  

10/1/25 – 9/30/26

   $ 514,325.35      $ 42,860.45      $ 56.65  

10/1/26 – 9/30/27

   $ 529,759.65      $ 44,146.64      $ 58.35  

10/1/27 – 9/30/28

   $ 545,647.90      $ 45,470.66      $ 60.10  

10/1/28 – 11/30/28

   $ 561,990.10      $ 46,832.51      $ 61.90  

 

*

Subject to abatement of Base Rent during [***] of the initial Lease Term pursuant to Section 3.2 of the Office Lease.

 

9.  Additional Rent (Article 4).

  

9.1  Base Year

   Calendar year 2025.

9.2  Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses:

   6.96% (i.e., 9,079 rentable square feet within the Premises/130,417 rentable square feet within the Building).

10.  Security Deposit (Article 20):

   $140,497.53, subject to reduction pursuant to Article 20 of the Office Lease.

11.  Brokers (Section 23.25):

   Jones Lang LaSalle Brokerage, Inc., representing Landlord and CBRE, Inc., representing Tenant.

 

(iii)


OFFICE LEASE

This Office Lease, which includes the preceding Summary attached hereto and incorporated herein by this reference (the Office Lease and Summary to be known sometimes collectively hereafter as the “Lease”), dated as of the date set forth in Section 1 of the Summary, is made by and between 90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a California limited partnership (“Landlord”), and ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”).

ARTICLE 1

REAL PROPERTY, BUILDING AND PREMISES

1.1 Real Property, Building and Premises. Upon and subject to the terms, covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth in this Lease, Landlord hereby leases to Tenant and Tenant hereby leases from Landlord the premises set forth in Section 6 of the Summary (the “Premises”), which Premises are part of the building (the “Building”) located at 90 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California. The outline of the floor plan of the Premises is set forth in Exhibit A attached hereto. The Building, any parking facilities, any outside plaza areas, land and other improvements surrounding the Building which are designated from time to time by Landlord as common areas appurtenant to or servicing the Building, and the land upon which any of the foregoing are situated, are herein sometimes collectively referred to as the “Real Property.” Tenant is hereby granted the right to the nonexclusive use of the common corridors and hallways, stairwells, elevators, restrooms and other public or common areas located on the Real Property; provided, however, that (i) the manner in which such public and common areas are maintained and operated shall be at the sole discretion of Landlord and the use thereof shall be subject to such rules, regulations and restrictions as Landlord may make from time to time, and (ii) Tenant shall have no right to use any portion of the Building or of the Real Property for parking for Tenant or Tenant’s employees, visitors and/or invitees. Landlord reserves the right to make alterations or additions to or to change the location of elements of the Real Property and the common areas thereof, and to use the common areas for entertainment, art shows, displays, product shows, to lease kiosks to third parties or for any other use Landlord deems reasonable.

1.2 Existing Lease. Landlord and Sigma Computing, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Sigma”) are parties to that certain: (i) Office Lease dated as of June 6, 2018 (the “Original Lease”); and (ii) Amendment to Lease dated as of October 8, 2018 (the “First Amendment”). The Original Lease and the First Amendment are collectively referred to herein as the “Existing Lease.” Pursuant to the Existing Lease, Landlord leases to Sigma and Sigma leases from Landlord the Premises. Sigma subleased the Premises to Landed, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Landed”) pursuant to that certain Sublease Agreement dated as of November 15, 2021 (“Sublease”), by and between Sigma and Landed, as consented to by Landlord pursuant to that certain Consent to Sublease dated December 22, 2021, among Landlord, Sigma and Landed. Tenant is currently in possession of the entire Premises pursuant to that certain Sub-Sublease Agreement dated as of October 28, 2022 (the “Sub-Sublease”), by and between Landed and Tenant, as consented to by Landlord pursuant to that certain Consent to Sub-Sublease dated January 20, 2023 among Landlord, Sigma, Landed and Tenant. The Existing Lease, the Sublease and the Sub-Sublease will each expire in accordance with its terms as of 11:59 P.M. on the day before the Lease Commencement Date; provided, however, that notwithstanding such termination or anything in the Existing Lease, the Sublease or the Sub-Sublease to the contrary, Tenant shall not be obligated to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord since Tenant will be leasing the Premises directly from Landlord pursuant to this Lease immediately following such termination of the Existing Lease, Sublease and Sub-Sublease. In addition, Landlord shall have no obligation to deliver the Premises to Tenant free and clear of the occupancy of Sigma or Landed; provided, however, that as between Landlord and the Sigma and Landed, Sigma and Landed shall have no right to lease or otherwise occupy the Premises and Tenant shall be solely responsible for ensuring that Sigma or Landed vacate the Premises.

1.3 Condition of Premises. Except as expressly set forth in this Lease, Landlord shall not be obligated to provide or pay for any improvement, remodeling or refurbishment work or services related to the improvement, remodeling or refurbishment of the Premises (including, without limitation, any modification to the existing improvements or alterations located within the Premises (collectively, the “Existing Improvements”)), and Tenant shall accept the Premises in its “As Is” condition on the Lease Commencement Date. Landlord shall not be obligated to (i) remove or cause Sigma or Landed to remove any of the existing furniture, fixtures, equipment or personal property of Sigma or Landed located within, on, affixed to, or about the Premises (collectively, the “Existing FF&E”),


and/or (ii) remove any of the Existing Improvements. Tenant also acknowledges that Landlord has made no representations or warranties regarding the condition of the Premises (including the condition of the Existing FF&E or Existing Improvements) except as specifically set forth in this Lease. Tenant shall have the right, subject to the following provisions of this Section 1.3, to use the Existing FF&E effective from and after the Lease Commencement Date, but only to the extent Sigma and Landed have given, granted, sold, transferred, assigned, conveyed, released, confirmed and/or delivered to Tenant such parties’ rights, title and interest in and to the Existing FF&E (whether currently owned, leased, or licensed by Sigma or Landed). Landlord makes no representation or warranty as to (A) the extent of Sigma’s or Landed’s rights, title and interest in the Existing FF&E, or (B) Sigma’s or Landed’s willingness, ability or right to so give, grant, sell, transfer, assign, convey, release, confirm or deliver to Tenant such rights, title and interest in and to the Existing FF&E. Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold Landlord and the Landlord Parties (as defined below) harmless from and against any and all Claims (as defined below) arising from or in connection with the use of the Existing FF&E by Tenant, including, without limitation, Tenant’s unauthorized use thereof. In addition, as between Landlord and Tenant, Tenant is taking the Existing FF&E “AS IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS” and without warranty of any kind, express or implied, including without limitation, warranty of title, warranty of merchantability or warranty of fitness for a particular purpose, or any warranty concerning the condition or operability of the Existing FF&E or its present or future suitability for Tenant’s or any future assignee’s or user’s purposes. Tenant shall, at its cost: (1) maintain, operate, use and repair the Existing FF&E in compliance with all Applicable Laws; (2) obtain and maintain property insurance with respect to the Existing FF&E, as more particularly described in Section 10.3 below; and (3) upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, remove any Existing FF&E located in the Premises from the Premises pursuant to and in accordance with the provisions of Section 15.2 below.

1.4 Rentable Area. The number of rentable square feet for the Premises are approximately as set forth in Section 6 of the Summary. For purposes hereof, the number of “rentable” square feet of the Premises and the Building shall be calculated by Landlord pursuant to the Standard Method for Measuring Floor Area in Office Buildings, ANSI Z65.1-1996, as modified for the Building pursuant to Landlord’s standard rentable area measurements for the Building, to include, among other calculations, a portion of the common areas and service areas of the Building. The number of rentable square feet of the Premises and the Building are subject to verification from time to time by Landlord’s planner/designer and such verification shall be made in accordance with the provisions of this Section 1.4. Tenant’s architect may consult with Landlord’s planner/designer regarding such verification, except to the extent it relates to the number of rentable square feet of the Building; provided, however, the determination of Landlord’s planner/designer shall be conclusive and binding upon the parties. In the event that Landlord’s planner/designer determines that the number of rentable square feet shall be different from that set forth in this Lease, all amounts, percentages and figures appearing or referred to in this Lease based upon such incorrect number of rentable square feet amount (including, without limitation, the amount of the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share) shall be modified in accordance with such determination. If such determination is made, it will be confirmed in writing by Landlord to Tenant.

ARTICLE 2

LEASE TERM

2.1 Lease Term. The terms and provisions of this Lease shall be effective as of the date of this Lease except for the provisions of this Lease relating to the payment of Rent. The term of this Lease (the “Lease Term”) shall be as set forth in Section 7.1 of the Summary and shall commence on the date (the “Lease Commencement Date”) set forth in Section 7.2 of the Summary, and shall terminate on the date (the “Lease Expiration Date”) set forth in Section 7.3 of the Summary, unless this Lease is sooner terminated as hereinafter provided. For purposes of this Lease, the term “Lease Year” shall mean each consecutive twelve (12) month period during the Lease Term, provided that the last Lease Year shall end on the Lease Expiration Date.

2.2 Occupancy of Premises Prior to Lease Commencement Date. During the period from and after the date of execution of this Lease until the Lease Commencement Date occurs, Tenant shall continue to have the right to occupy the Premises under, and Tenant’s rights and obligations with respect to the Premises shall be governed by, the terms and provisions of the Existing Lease, the Sublease and the Sub-Sublease, as modified by Section 1.2 above, and any other express provisions of this Lease.

 

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ARTICLE 3

BASE RENT

3.1 Base Rent. Tenant shall pay, without notice or demand, to Landlord or Landlord’s agent at the address set forth in Section 3.2 of the Summary, or at such other place as Landlord may from time to time designate in writing, in currency or a check for currency which, at the time of payment, is legal tender for private or public debts in the United States of America, base rent (“Base Rent”) as set forth in Section 8 of the Summary, payable in equal monthly installments as set forth in Section 8 of the Summary in advance on or before the first day of each and every month during the Lease Term, without any setoff or deduction whatsoever. The Base Rent for the third (3rd) full month of the Lease Term shall be paid at the time of Tenant’s execution of this Lease. If any rental payment date (including the Lease Commencement Date) falls on a day of the month other than the first day of such month or if any rental payment is for a period which is shorter than one month, then the rental for any such fractional month shall be a proportionate amount of a full calendar month’s rental based on the proportion that the number of days in such fractional month bears to the number of days in the calendar month during which such fractional month occurs. All other payments or adjustments required to be made under the terms of this Lease that require proration on a time basis shall be prorated on the same basis.

3.2 Abatement of Base Rent. Notwithstanding Section 3.1 above to the contrary, and provided that Tenant faithfully performs all of the terms and conditions of this Lease and is not in default under this Lease beyond the expiration of all applicable notice and cure periods, Landlord hereby agrees to abate Tenant’s obligation to pay [***] of Base Rent otherwise payable by Tenant to Landlord for the Premises (the “Abated Base Rent”) during [***] (the “Abatement Period”). During the Abatement Period, Tenant shall remain responsible for the payment of all of its other monetary obligations under this Lease. In the event of a default by Tenant under the terms of this Lease beyond the expiration of any applicable notice and cure periods that results in the early termination of this Lease during the Lease Term pursuant to the provisions of Article 19 below, then as a part of the recovery set forth in Article 19 below, Landlord shall be entitled to recover the Abated Base Rent.

ARTICLE 4

ADDITIONAL RENT

4.1 Additional Rent. In addition to paying the Base Rent specified in Article 3 of this Lease, Tenant shall pay as additional rent “Tenant’s Share” of the annual “Direct Expenses,” as those terms are defined in Sections 4.2.8 and 4.2.3 of this Lease, respectively, which are in excess of the amount of Direct Expenses applicable to the “Base Year,” as that term is defined in Section 4.2.1 of this Lease. Such additional rent, together with any and all other amounts payable by Tenant to Landlord pursuant to the terms of this Lease (including, without limitation, pursuant to Article 6), shall be hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Additional Rent.” The Base Rent and Additional Rent are herein collectively referred to as the “Rent.” All amounts due under this Article 4 as Additional Rent shall be payable for the same periods and in the same manner, time and place as the Base Rent. Without limitation on other obligations of Tenant which shall survive the expiration of the Lease Term, the obligations of Tenant to pay the Additional Rent provided for in this Article 4 shall survive the expiration of the Lease Term.

4.2 Definitions. As used in this Article 4, the following terms shall have the meanings hereinafter set forth:

4.2.1 ”Base Year” shall mean the year set forth in Section 9.1 of the Summary.

4.2.2 ”Calendar Year” shall mean each calendar year in which any portion of the Lease Term falls, through and including the calendar year in which the Lease Term expires.

4.2.3 ”Direct Expenses” shall mean “Operating Expenses” and “Tax Expenses.”

 

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4.2.4 ”Expense Year” shall mean each Calendar Year.

4.2.5 ”Operating Expenses” shall mean all expenses, costs and amounts of every kind and nature which Landlord shall pay during any Expense Year because of or in connection with the ownership, management, maintenance, repair, replacement, restoration or operation of the Building and Real Property, including, without limitation, any amounts paid for: (i) the cost of supplying all utilities, the cost of operating, maintaining, repairing, renovating and managing the utility systems, mechanical systems, sanitary and storm drainage systems, any elevator systems and all other “Systems and Equipment” (as defined in Section 4.2.6 of this Lease), and the cost of supplies and equipment and maintenance and service contracts in connection therewith; (ii) the cost of licenses, certificates, permits and inspections, and the cost of contesting the validity or applicability of any governmental enactments which may affect Operating Expenses, and the costs incurred in connection with implementation and operation of any transportation system management program or similar program; (iii) the cost of insurance (including deductibles) carried by Landlord, in such amounts as Landlord may reasonably determine or as may be required by any mortgagees of any mortgage or the lessor of any underlying or ground lease affecting the Real Property and/or the Building; (iv) the cost of landscaping, relamping, supplies, tools, equipment and materials, and all fees, charges and other costs (including consulting fees, legal fees and accounting fees) incurred in connection with the management, operation, repair and maintenance of the Building and Real Property; (v) any equipment rental agreements or management agreements (including the cost of any management fee and the fair rental value of any office space provided thereunder); (vi) wages, salaries and other compensation and benefits of all persons engaged in the operation, management, maintenance or security of the Building and Real Property, and employer’s Social Security taxes, unemployment taxes or insurance, and any other taxes which may be levied on such wages, salaries, compensation and benefits; (vii) payments under any easement, license, operating agreement, declaration, restrictive covenant, underlying or ground lease (excluding rent), or instrument pertaining to the sharing of costs by the Building or Real Property; (viii) the cost of janitorial service, alarm and security service, if any, window cleaning, trash removal, replacement of wall and floor coverings, ceiling tiles and fixtures in lobbies, corridors, restrooms and other common or public areas or facilities, maintenance and replacement of curbs and walkways, repair to roofs and re-roofing; (ix) amortization (including interest on the unamortized cost) of the cost of acquiring or the rental expense of personal property used in the maintenance, operation and repair of the Building and Real Property; and (x) the cost of any capital improvements or other costs (I) which are intended as a labor-saving device or to effect other economies in the operation or maintenance of the Building and Real Property, (II) made to the Building or Real Property after the Lease Commencement Date that are required under any Applicable Laws (as defined below), or (III) which are Conservation Costs (as defined below) and/or which are reasonably determined by Landlord to be in the best interests of the Building and/or the Real Property; provided, however, that if any such cost described in (I), (II) or (III) above, is a capital expenditure, such cost shall be amortized (including interest on the unamortized cost) over its useful life as Landlord shall reasonably determine; and (xi) the costs and expenses of complying with, or participating in, conservation, recycling, sustainability, energy efficiency, waste reduction nor other programs or practices implemented or enacted from time to time at the Building and/or Real Property, including, without limitation, in connection with any LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating or compliance system or program, including that currently coordinated through the U.S. Green Building Council or Energy Star rating and/or compliance system or program (collectively, “Conservation Costs”). If Landlord is not furnishing any particular work or service (the cost of which, if performed by Landlord, would be included in Operating Expenses) to a tenant who has undertaken to perform such work or service in lieu of the performance thereof by Landlord, Operating Expenses shall be deemed to be increased by an amount equal to the additional Operating Expenses which would reasonably have been incurred during such period by Landlord if it had at its own expense furnished such work or service to such tenant. If the Building is not ninety-five percent (95%) occupied during all or a portion of any Expense Year, including the Base Year (including, without limitation, if any portions of the buildings are unleased or are leased, but are not then being used by a tenant in the ordinary course of its business), Landlord shall make an appropriate adjustment to the variable components of Operating Expenses for such year or applicable portion thereof, employing sound accounting and management principles, to determine the amount of Operating Expenses that would have been paid had the Building been ninety-five percent (95%) occupied; and the amount so determined shall be deemed to have been the amount of Operating Expenses for such year, or applicable portion thereof. For purposes hereof, cost savings in components of Operating Expenses arising by reason of the cessation of use by tenants at the Building due to Casualty (as that term is defined in Section 11.1 below), Force Majeure (as that term is defined in Section 23.17 below), or other extraordinary circumstances are considered variable Operating Expenses that may be grossed up in Operating Expenses. Landlord shall have the right, from time to time, to equitably allocate some or all of the Operating Expenses among different tenants of the Building (the “Cost Pools”). Such Cost Pools may include, without limitation, the office space tenants

 

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and retail space tenants of the Building. If Direct Expenses for the Base Year include amortized costs, or costs (including, but not limited to, costs of insurance, personnel, and increased or new services) relating to extraordinary circumstances, including, but not limited to, boycotts and strikes, and utility rate increases due to extraordinary circumstances including, but not limited to, Casualty, Force Majeure, conservation surcharges, boycotts, embargoes or other shortages, then at such time as such costs are no longer applicable, the increased Operating Expenses attributable thereto shall be excluded from the Operating Expenses for the Base Year.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Operating Expenses shall not, however, include: (A) costs of leasing commissions, attorneys’ fees and other costs and expenses incurred in connection with negotiations or disputes with present or prospective tenants or other occupants of the Building; (B) costs (including permit, license and inspection costs) incurred in renovating or otherwise improving, decorating or redecorating rentable space for other tenants or vacant rentable space; (C) costs incurred due to the violation by Landlord of the terms and conditions of any lease of space in the Building; and (D) except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section 4.2.5, costs of interest on debt or amortization on any mortgages, and rent payable under any ground lease of the Real Property.

4.2.6 ”Systems and Equipment” shall mean any plant, machinery, transformers, duct work, cable, wires, and other equipment, facilities, and systems designed to supply heat, ventilation, air conditioning and humidity or any other services or utilities, or comprising or serving as any component or portion of the electrical, gas, steam, plumbing, sprinkler, communications, alarm, security, or fire/life safety systems or equipment, or any other mechanical, electrical, electronic, computer or other systems or equipment which serve the Building in whole or in part.

4.2.7 ”Tax Expenses” shall mean all federal, state, county, or local governmental or municipal taxes, fees, assessments, charges or other impositions of every kind and nature, whether general, special, ordinary or extraordinary, (including, without limitation, real estate taxes, general and special assessments, transit assessments, fees and taxes, child care subsidies, fees and/or assessments, job training subsidies, fees and/or assessments, open space fees and/or assessments, housing subsidies and/or housing fund fees or assessments, public art fees and/or assessments, leasehold taxes or taxes based upon the receipt of rent, [but excluding gross receipts or sales taxes applicable to the receipt of rent which shall be paid by Tenant directly pursuant to Section 4.4 below], personal property taxes imposed upon the fixtures, machinery, equipment, apparatus, systems and equipment, appurtenances, furniture and other personal property used in connection with the Real Property), which Landlord shall pay during any Expense Year because of or in connection with the ownership, leasing and operation of the Real Property or Landlord’s interest therein. For purposes of this Lease, Tax Expenses shall be calculated as if the tenant improvements in the Building were fully constructed and the Real Property, the Building, and all tenant improvements in the Building were fully assessed for real estate tax purposes.

4.2.7.1 Tax Expenses shall include, without limitation:

(i) Except to the extent paid directly by Tenant pursuant to Section 4.4 below, any tax on Landlord’s rent, right to rent or other income from the Real Property or as against Landlord’s business of leasing any of the Real Property;

(ii) Any assessment, tax, fee, levy or charge in addition to, or in substitution, partially or totally, of any assessment, tax, fee, levy or charge previously included within the definition of real property tax, it being acknowledged by Tenant and Landlord that Proposition 13 was adopted by the voters of the State of California in the June 1978 election (“Proposition 13”) and that assessments, taxes, fees, levies and charges may be imposed by governmental agencies for such services as fire protection, street, sidewalk and road maintenance, refuse removal and for other governmental services formerly provided without charge to property owners or occupants. It is the intention of Tenant and Landlord that all such new and increased assessments, taxes, fees, levies, and charges and all similar assessments, taxes, fees, levies and charges be included within the definition of Tax Expenses for purposes of this Lease;

(iii) Any assessment, tax, fee, levy, or charge allocable to or measured by the area of the Premises or the rent payable hereunder, including, without limitation, any gross income tax upon or with respect to the possession, leasing, operating, management, maintenance, alteration, repair, use or occupancy by Tenant of the Premises, or any portion thereof;

 

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(iv) Any assessment, tax, fee, levy or charge, upon this transaction or any document to which Tenant is a party, creating or transferring an interest or an estate in the Premises; and

(v) Any reasonable expenses incurred by Landlord in attempting to protest, reduce or minimize Tax Expenses.

4.2.7.2 In no event shall Tax Expenses for any Expense Year be less than the component of Tax Expenses comprising a portion of the Base Year.

4.2.7.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Section 4.2.7, there shall be excluded from Tax Expenses (i) all excess profits taxes, franchise taxes, gift taxes, capital stock taxes, inheritance and succession taxes, estate taxes, federal and state net income taxes, and other taxes to the extent applicable to Landlord’s net income (as opposed to rents, receipts or income attributable to operations at the Building or Real Property), (ii) any items included as Operating Expenses, and (iii) any items paid by Tenant under Section 4.4 of this Lease.

4.2.8 ”Tenant’s Share” shall mean the percentage set forth in Section 9.2 of the Summary. Tenant’s Share was calculated by dividing the number of rentable square feet of the Premises by the total rentable square feet in the Building. In the event either the rentable square feet of the Premises and/or the total rentable square feet of the Building is changed, Tenant’s Share shall be appropriately adjusted, and, as to the Expense Year in which such change occurs, Tenant’s Share for such year shall be determined on the basis of the number of days during such Expense Year that each such Tenant’s Share was in effect.

4.3 Calculation and Payment of Additional Rent.

4.3.1 Calculation of Excess. If for any Expense Year ending or commencing within the Lease Term, Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses for such Expense Year exceeds Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses for the Base Year, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord, in the manner set forth in Section 4.3.2, below, and as Additional Rent, an amount equal to such excess (the “Excess”).

4.3.2 Statement of Actual Direct Expenses and Payment by Tenant. Landlord shall endeavor to give to Tenant on or before the first day of June following the end of each Expense Year, a statement (the “Statement”) which shall state the Direct Expenses incurred or accrued for such preceding Expense Year, and which shall indicate the amount, if any, of any Excess. Upon receipt of the Statement for each Expense Year ending during the Lease Term, if an Excess is present, Tenant shall pay, with its next installment of Base Rent due, the full amount of the Excess for such Expense Year, less the amounts, if any, paid during such Expense Year as “Estimated Excess,” as that term is defined in Section 4.3.3 below. If the Statement reflects that the amount of Estimated Excess paid by Tenant to Landlord for such Expense Year is greater than the actual amount of the Excess for such Expense Year, then Landlord shall, at Landlord’s option, either (i) remit such overpayment to Tenant within thirty (30) days after such applicable Statement is delivered to Tenant, or (ii) credit such overpayment toward the additional Rent next due and payable to Tenant under this Lease. The failure of Landlord to timely furnish the Statement for any Expense Year shall not prejudice Landlord from enforcing its rights under this Article 4. Even though the Lease Term has expired and Tenant has vacated the Premises, when the final determination is made of Tenant’s Share of the Direct Expenses for the Expense Year in which this Lease terminates, if an Excess is present, Tenant shall immediately pay to Landlord an amount as calculated pursuant to the provisions of Section 4.3.1 of this Lease. The provisions of this Section 4.3.2 shall survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease Term.

4.3.3 Statement of Estimated Direct Expenses. In addition, Landlord shall endeavor to give Tenant a yearly expense estimate statement (the “Estimate Statement”) which shall set forth Landlord’s reasonable estimate (the “Estimate”) of what the total amount of Direct Expenses for the then-current Expense Year shall be and the estimated Excess (the “Estimated Excess”) as calculated by comparing Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses, which shall be based upon the Estimate, to Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses for the Base Year. The failure of Landlord to timely furnish the Estimate Statement for any Expense Year shall not preclude Landlord from enforcing its rights to collect any Estimated Excess under this Article 4. If pursuant to the Estimate Statement an Estimated Excess is calculated for the then-current Expense Year, Tenant shall pay, with its next installment of Base Rent due, a fraction of the Estimated Excess for the then-current Expense Year (reduced by any amounts paid pursuant to the last sentence

 

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of this Section 4.3.3). Such fraction shall have as its numerator the number of months which have elapsed in such current Expense Year to the month of such payment, both months inclusive, and shall have twelve (12) as its denominator. Until a new Estimate Statement is furnished, Tenant shall pay monthly, with the monthly Base Rent installments, an amount equal to one-twelfth (1/12) of the total Estimated Excess set forth in the previous Estimate Statement delivered by Landlord to Tenant.

4.4 Taxes and Other Charges for Which Tenant Is Directly Responsible. Tenant shall reimburse Landlord upon demand for any and all taxes or assessments required to be paid by Landlord (except to the extent included in Tax Expenses by Landlord), excluding state, local and federal personal or corporate income taxes measured by the net income of Landlord from all sources and estate and inheritance taxes, whether or not now customary or within the contemplation of the parties hereto, when:

4.4.1 Said taxes are measured by or reasonably attributable to the cost or value of Tenant’s equipment, furniture, fixtures and other personal property located in the Premises, or by the cost or value of any leasehold improvements made in or to the Premises by or for Tenant, to the extent the cost or value of such leasehold improvements exceeds the cost or value of a building standard build-out as determined by Landlord regardless of whether title to such improvements shall be vested in Tenant or Landlord;

4.4.2 Said taxes are assessed upon or with respect to the possession, leasing (including any gross receipts or sales taxes applicable to the receipt of rent), operation, management, maintenance, alteration, repair, use or occupancy by Tenant of the Premises or any portion of the Real Property; or

4.4.3 Said taxes are assessed upon this transaction or any document to which Tenant is a party creating or transferring an interest or an estate in the Premises.

With respect to any of the taxes described above, Landlord may charge Tenant the estimated amount of taxes and other charges for which Tenant is directly responsible pursuant to this Section 4.4 on a monthly basis, provided that Landlord shall reconcile the amount actually paid by Tenant with the amount that Tenant should have paid, as part of Landlord’s Statement following the end of each Expense Year.

4.5 Late Charges. If any installment of Rent or any other sum due from Tenant shall not be received by Landlord or Landlord’s designee within five (5) days after the due date therefor, then Tenant shall pay to Landlord a late charge equal to five percent (5%) of the amount due plus any attorneys’ fees incurred by Landlord by reason of Tenant’s failure to pay Rent and/or other charges when due hereunder. The late charge shall be deemed Additional Rent and the right to require it shall be in addition to all of Landlord’s other rights and remedies hereunder, at law and/or in equity and shall not be construed as liquidated damages or as limiting Landlord’s remedies in any manner. In addition to the late charge described above, any Rent or other amounts owing hereunder which are not paid by the date they are due shall thereafter bear interest until paid at a rate (the “Interest Rate”) equal to the lesser of (i) the “Prime Rate” or “Reference Rate” announced from time to time by the Bank of America (or such reasonable comparable national banking institution as selected by Landlord in the event Bank of America ceases to exist or publish a Prime Rate or Reference Rate), plus four percent (4%), or (ii) the highest rate permitted by Applicable Laws.

ARTICLE 5

USE OF PREMISES

Tenant shall use the Premises solely for general office purposes consistent with the character of the Building as a first-class office building, and Tenant shall not use or permit the Premises to be used for any other purpose or purposes whatsoever. Tenant further covenants and agrees that it shall not use, or suffer or permit any person or persons to use, the Premises or any part thereof for any use or purpose contrary to the provisions of Exhibit B, attached hereto, or in violation of Applicable Laws or for any improper, immoral or objectionable purpose. Tenant shall comply with all recorded covenants, conditions, and restrictions, and the provisions of all ground or underlying leases, now or hereafter affecting the Real Property and Applicable Laws pertaining to Tenant’s use of the Premises, whether or not Tenant’s compliance will necessitate expenditures or interfere with its use and enjoyment of the Premises, including ceasing or reducing Tenant’s business operations in or Tenant’s use of, the Premises. Tenant shall not use or allow another person or entity to use any part of the Premises for the storage, use, treatment, manufacture or sale of “Hazardous Material,” as that term is defined below. As used herein, the term “Hazardous Material” means any hazardous or toxic substance, material or waste which is or becomes regulated by any local governmental authority, the state in which the Building is located or the United States Government.

 

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ARTICLE 6

SERVICES AND UTILITIES

6.1 Standard Tenant Services. Landlord shall provide the following services on all days during the Lease Term, unless otherwise stated below.

6.1.1 Subject to reasonable changes implemented by Landlord and to all governmental rules, regulations and guidelines applicable thereto, Landlord shall provide heating and air conditioning when necessary for normal comfort for normal office use in the Premises, from Monday through Friday, during the period from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., except for the date of observation of New Year’s Day, Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and other locally or nationally recognized holidays (collectively, the “Holidays”).

6.1.2 Landlord shall provide adequate electrical wiring and facilities and power for normal general office use as determined by Landlord. Tenant shall bear the cost of replacement of lamps, starters and ballasts for lighting fixtures within the Premises.

6.1.3 Landlord shall provide city water from the regular Building outlets for drinking, lavatory and toilet purposes.

6.1.4 Landlord shall provide janitorial services five (5) days per week, except the date of observation of the Holidays, in and about the Premises and window washing services in a manner consistent with other comparable buildings in the vicinity of the Building.

6.1.5 Landlord shall provide nonexclusive automatic passenger elevator service at all times.

6.2 Overstandard Tenant Use. Tenant shall not, without Landlord’s prior written consent, use heat generating machines, machines other than normal fractional horsepower office machines, or equipment or lighting other than Building standard lights in the Premises, which may affect the temperature otherwise maintained by the air conditioning system or increase the need for water normally furnished for the Premises by Landlord pursuant to the terms of Section 6.1 of this Lease. If such consent is given, Landlord shall have the right to install supplementary air conditioning systems or equipment in the Premises, including supplementary or additional metering devices, and the cost thereof, including the cost of installation, operation and maintenance, increased wear and tear on existing equipment and other similar charges, shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord upon billing by Landlord. If Tenant uses water or heat or air conditioning in excess of that supplied by Landlord pursuant to Section 6.1 of this Lease, or if Tenant’s consumption of electricity shall exceed two (2) watts connected load per usable square foot of the Premises, calculated on an annualized basis for the hours described in Section 6.1.1 above, Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within ten (10) days after billing and as additional rent, the cost of such excess consumption, the cost of the installation, operation, and maintenance of equipment which is installed in order to supply such excess consumption, and the cost of the increased wear and tear on existing equipment caused by such excess consumption; and Landlord may install devices to separately meter any increased use and in such event Tenant shall pay, as additional rent, the increased cost directly to Landlord, within ten (10) days after demand, including the cost of such additional metering devices. If Tenant desires to use heat, ventilation or air conditioning during hours other than those for which Landlord is obligated to supply such utilities pursuant to the terms of Section 6.1 of this Lease, (i) Tenant shall give Landlord such prior notice, as Landlord shall from time to time establish as appropriate, of Tenant’s desired use, (ii) Landlord shall supply such utilities to Tenant at such hourly cost to Tenant as Landlord shall from time to time establish, and (iii) Tenant shall pay such cost to Landlord within ten (10) days after billing, as additional rent.

 

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6.3 Separate Metering. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6 to the contrary, Landlord shall have the right to cause some or all of the electricity, water and/or other utilities to be separately metered for the Premises, and Tenant shall pay for the cost of all such utilities so separately metered, or which are billed directly to Tenant, within ten (10) days after invoice, in which event Operating Expenses for the Base Year and each Expense Year shall be equitably reduced to exclude all such utilities provided to Tenant and other tenants in the Building.

6.4 Interruption of Use. Tenant agrees that Landlord shall not be liable for damages, by abatement of Rent or otherwise, for failure to furnish or delay in furnishing any service (including telephone and telecommunication services and including those resulting from repairs, replacements, or improvements, from any strike, lockout or other labor trouble, from any accident or Casualty whatsoever, from act or default of Tenant or other parties, or from any other cause beyond Landlord’s reasonable control), or for any diminution in the quality or quantity thereof, when such failure or delay or diminution is occasioned, in whole or in part, by repairs, replacements, or improvements, by any strike, lockout or other labor trouble, by inability to secure electricity, gas, water, or other fuel at the Building after reasonable effort to do so, by any accident or Casualty whatsoever, by act or default of Tenant or other parties, or by any other cause beyond Landlord’s reasonable control; and such failures or delays or diminution shall never be deemed to constitute an eviction or disturbance of Tenant’s use and possession of the Premises or relieve Tenant from paying Rent (except as otherwise provided in Section 6.6 below) or performing any of its obligations under this Lease. Furthermore, Landlord shall not be liable under any circumstances for a loss of, or injury to, property or for injury to, or interference with, Tenant’s business, including, without limitation, loss of profits, however occurring, through or in connection with or incidental to a failure to furnish any of the services or utilities as set forth in this Article 6.

6.5 Additional Services. Landlord shall also have the exclusive right, but not the obligation, to provide any additional services which may be required by Tenant, including, without limitation, locksmithing, lamp replacement, additional janitorial service, and additional repairs and maintenance, provided that Tenant shall pay to Landlord upon billing, the sum of all costs to Landlord of such additional services plus an administration fee, not to exceed five percent (5%) of the total cost of any such services. Charges for any utilities or service for which Tenant is required to pay from time to time hereunder, shall be deemed Additional Rent hereunder and shall be billed on a monthly basis.

6.6 Abatement of Rent When Tenant Is Prevented From Using Premises. If Tenant is prevented from using, and does not use, the Premises or any portion thereof, as a result of any failure by Landlord to (i) provide to the Premises any of the essential utilities and services required to be provided in Sections 6.1.1, 6.1.2 or 6.1.3 above, but only to the extent such failure is caused by Landlord’s or its agents’ or representatives’ negligence or willful misconduct, (ii) perform any repairs required to be performed by Landlord under this Lease (including, without limitation, pursuant to Section 7.2 below) within ten (10) days after Landlord has received notice from Tenant of the need for such repairs (or such longer period of time as is reasonably required for such repair work if Landlord commences such repair work within such 10-day period and thereafter diligently prosecutes same to completion), or (iii) provide access to the Premises (including, without limitation, as a result of any entry undertaken by Landlord pursuant to Article 22 below) (each, an “Abatement Event”), then Tenant shall give Landlord notice of any such Abatement Event. If such Abatement Event continues for three (3) consecutive business days after Landlord’s receipt of any such notice from Tenant (the “Eligibility Period”), then Tenant’s obligation to pay Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of increases in Direct Expenses shall be abated or reduced, as the case may be, from and after the first (1st) day following the Eligibility Period and continuing during such time that Tenant continues to be so prevented from using, and does not use, the Premises or a portion thereof, in the proportion that the rentable square feet of the portion of the Premises that Tenant is prevented from using, and does not use, bears to the total rentable square feet of the Premises. To the extent Tenant shall be entitled to abatement of rent because of a damage or destruction pursuant to Article 11 below, or a taking pursuant to Article 12 below, then the Eligibility Period shall not be applicable.

ARTICLE 7

REPAIRS

7.1 Tenant’s Repairs. Subject to Landlord’s repair obligations in Sections 7.2 and 11.1 below, Tenant shall, at Tenant’s own expense, keep the Premises, including all improvements, fixtures and furnishings therein, in good order, repair and condition at all times during the Lease Term, which repair obligations shall include, without limitation, the obligation to promptly and adequately repair all damage to the Premises and replace or repair all damaged or broken fixtures and appurtenances; provided however, that, at Landlord’s option, or if Tenant fails to make

 

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such repairs, Landlord may, but need not, make such repairs and replacements, and Tenant shall pay Landlord the cost thereof, including a percentage of the cost thereof (not to exceed five percent (5%)) sufficient to reimburse Landlord for all overhead, general conditions, fees and other costs or expenses arising from Landlord’s involvement with such repairs and replacements forthwith upon being billed for same.

7.2 Landlord’s Repairs. Anything contained in Section 7.1 above to the contrary notwithstanding, and subject to Articles 11 and 12 of this Lease, Landlord shall repair and maintain the Base Building (as defined below); provided, however, to the extent such maintenance and repairs are caused in part or in whole by the act, neglect, fault of or omission of any duty by Tenant, its agents, servants, employees or invitees, Tenant shall pay to Landlord as Additional Rent, the reasonable cost of such maintenance and repairs. As used in this Lease, the “Base Building” shall mean the structural portions of the Building, and the public restrooms, elevators, exit stairwells and the Systems and Equipment located in the internal core of the Building (including the basic plumbing, heating, ventilating, air conditioning and electrical systems servicing the Building). Except as provided in Section 6.6 above, Landlord shall not be liable for any failure to make any such repairs, or to perform any maintenance. Except as provided in Section 6.6 above, there shall be no abatement of rent and no liability of Landlord by reason of any injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the making of any repairs, alterations or improvements in or to any portion of the Building or the Premises or in or to fixtures, appurtenances and equipment therein. Tenant hereby waives and releases its right to make repairs at Landlord’s expense under Sections 1941 and 1942 of the California Civil Code; or under any similar law, statute, or ordinance now or hereafter in effect.

ARTICLE 8

ADDITIONS AND ALTERATIONS

8.1 Landlord’s Consent to Alterations. Tenant may not make any improvements, alterations, additions or changes to the Premises (collectively, the “Alterations”) without first procuring the prior written consent of Landlord to such Alterations, which consent shall be requested by Tenant not less than fifteen (15) days prior to the commencement thereof, and which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld by Landlord; provided, however, Landlord may withhold its consent in its sole and absolute discretion with respect to any Alterations which may affect the structural components of the Building or the Systems and Equipment or which can be seen from outside the Premises (collectively, the “Restricted Alterations”). Notwithstanding the foregoing to the contrary, Tenant may make non-structural alterations, additions or improvements to the interior of the Premises (collectively, the “Acceptable Changes”) without Landlord’s consent, provided that (i) Tenant delivers to Landlord written notice of such Acceptable Changes at least ten (10) business days prior to the commencement thereof, (ii) the cost of such Acceptable Changes do not exceed $50,000.00 in any consecutive twelve (12) month period, (iii) such Acceptable Changes shall be performed by or on behalf of Tenant in compliance with the other provisions of this Article 8, (iv) such Acceptable Changes do not require the issuance of a building permit or other governmental approval, (v) such Acceptable Changes are not Restricted Alterations, and (vi) such Acceptable Changes shall be performed by qualified contractors and subcontractors which normally and regularly perform similar work in the Comparable Buildings. Tenant shall pay for all overhead, general conditions, fees and other costs and expenses of the Alterations, shall pay to Landlord a Landlord supervision fee of five percent (5%) of the cost of the Alterations when applicable, and shall reimburse Landlord for the out-of-pocket costs Landlord incurs in connection with the Alterations, including, without limitation, the fees and costs of third party consultants Landlord retains to review the plans, specifications and working drawings for the Alterations.

8.2 Manner of Construction. Landlord may impose, as a condition of its consent to all Alterations or repairs of the Premises or about the Premises, such requirements as Landlord in its reasonable discretion may deem desirable, including, but not limited to, the requirement that Tenant utilize for such purposes only contractors, materials, mechanics and materialmen approved by Landlord; provided, however, Landlord may impose such requirements as Landlord may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion, with respect to any work affecting the structural components of the Building or Systems and Equipment (including designating specific contractors to perform such work). Tenant shall construct such Alterations and perform such repairs in compliance with any and all applicable rules and regulations of any federal, state, county or municipal code or ordinance and pursuant to a valid building permit, issued by the city in which the Building is located, and in conformance with Landlord’s construction rules and regulations. Landlord’s approval of the plans, specifications and working drawings for Tenant’s Alterations shall create no responsibility or liability on the part of Landlord for their completeness, design sufficiency, or

 

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compliance with all Applicable Laws. All work with respect to any Alterations must be done in a good and workmanlike manner and diligently prosecuted to completion to the end that the Premises shall at all times be a complete unit except during the period of work. In performing the work of any such Alterations, Tenant shall have the work performed in such manner as not to obstruct access to the Building or the common areas for any other tenant of the Building, and as not to obstruct the business of Landlord or other tenants in the Building, or interfere with the labor force working in the Building. If Tenant makes any Alterations, Tenant agrees to carry “Builder’s All Risk” insurance in an amount approved by Landlord covering the construction of such Alterations, and such other insurance as Landlord may require, it being understood and agreed that all of such Alterations shall be insured by Tenant pursuant to Article 10 of this Lease immediately upon completion thereof. In addition, Landlord may, in its discretion, require Tenant to obtain a lien and completion bond or some alternate form of security satisfactory to Landlord in an amount sufficient to ensure the lien-free completion of such Alterations and naming Landlord as a co-obligee. Upon completion of any Alterations, Tenant shall (i) cause a Notice of Completion to be recorded in the office of the Recorder of the county in which the Building is located in accordance with Section 3093 of the Civil Code of the State of California or any successor statute, (ii) deliver to the Building management office a reproducible copy of the “as built” drawings of the Alterations, and (iii) deliver to Landlord evidence of payment, contractors’ affidavits and full and final waivers of all liens for labor, services or materials.

8.3 Landlord’s Property. All Alterations, improvements and/or fixtures (except for Tenant’s trade fixtures) which may be installed or placed in or about the Premises, and all signs installed in, on or about the Premises, from time to time, shall be at the sole cost of Tenant and shall be and become the property of Landlord. Furthermore, Landlord may require that Tenant remove any improvement or Alteration upon the expiration or early termination of the Lease Term, and repair any damage to the Premises and Building caused by such removal. If Tenant fails to complete such removal and/or to repair any damage caused by the removal of any Alterations, Landlord may do so and, if Landlord does so, Tenant shall pay to Landlord an administrative fee of five percent (5%) of the cost Landlord incurs in connection with such removal and/or repair and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the costs Landlord incurs in connection therewith.

ARTICLE 9

COVENANT AGAINST LIENS

Tenant has no authority or power to cause or permit any lien or encumbrance of any kind whatsoever, whether created by act of Tenant, operation of law or otherwise, to attach to or be placed upon the Real Property, Building or Premises, and any and all liens and encumbrances created by Tenant shall attach to Tenant’s interest only. Landlord shall have the right at all times to post and keep posted on the Premises any notice which it deems necessary for protection from such liens. Tenant covenants and agrees not to suffer or permit any lien of mechanics or materialmen or others to be placed against the Real Property, the Building or the Premises with respect to work or services claimed to have been performed for or materials claimed to have been furnished to Tenant or the Premises, and, in case of any such lien attaching or notice of any lien, Tenant covenants and agrees to cause it to be immediately released and removed of record. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in this Lease, if any such lien is not released and removed on or before the date notice of such lien is delivered by Landlord to Tenant, Landlord, at its sole option, may immediately take all action necessary to release and remove such lien, without any duty to investigate the validity thereof, and all sums, costs and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs, incurred by Landlord in connection with such lien shall be deemed Additional Rent under this Lease and shall immediately be due and payable by Tenant.

ARTICLE 10

INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE

10.1 Indemnification and Waiver. Tenant hereby assumes all risk of damage to property and injury to persons, in, on, or about the Premises from any cause whatsoever (including Casualty) and agrees that Landlord, and its partners and subpartners, and their respective officers, agents, property managers, servants, employees, and independent contractors (collectively, “Landlord Parties”) shall not be liable for, and are hereby released from any responsibility for, any damage to property or injury to persons or resulting from the loss of use thereof, which damage or injury is sustained by Tenant or by other persons claiming through Tenant. Tenant shall indemnify, defend, protect,

 

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and hold harmless the Landlord Parties from any and all losses, costs, damages, expenses and liabilities, including without limitation court costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees (collectively, “Claims”) incurred in connection with or arising from any cause in, on or about the Premises (including, without limitation, Tenant’s installation, placement and removal of Alterations, improvements, fixtures and/or equipment in, on or about the Premises), and any acts, omissions or negligence of Tenant or of any person claiming by, through or under Tenant, or of the contractors, agents, servants, employees, licensees or invitees of Tenant or any such person, in, on or about the Premises, Building and Real Property. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 10.1 to the contrary: (i) except for lost profits, loss of business or other consequential damages (collectively, “Consequential Damages”) incurred or suffered by Tenant or Tenant’s contractors, agents, employees, licensees or invitees, the assumption of risk and release by Tenant set forth hereinabove shall not apply to any Claims to the extent resulting from the negligence or willful misconduct of Landlord or the Landlord Parties (collectively, the “Excluded Claims”); and (ii) Tenant’s indemnity of Landlord hereinabove shall not apply to any Excluded Claims. The provisions of this Section 10.1 shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of this Lease.

10.2 Tenant’s Compliance with Landlord’s Fire and Casualty Insurance. Tenant shall, at Tenant’s expense, comply as to the Premises with all insurance company requirements pertaining to the use of the Premises. If Tenant’s conduct or use of the Premises causes any increase in the premium for such insurance policies, then Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for any such increase. Tenant, at Tenant’s expense, shall comply with all rules, orders, regulations or requirements of the American Insurance Association (formerly the National Board of Fire Underwriters) and with any similar body.

10.3 Tenant’s Insurance. Tenant shall maintain the following coverages in the following amounts.

10.3.1 Commercial General Liability Insurance covering the insured against claims of bodily injury, personal injury and property damage arising out of Tenant’s operations, assumed liabilities or use of the Premises, including a Broad Form Commercial General Liability endorsement covering the insuring provisions of this Lease and the performance by Tenant of the indemnity agreements set forth in Section 10.1 above (and with owned and non-owned automobile liability coverage, and liquor liability coverage if alcoholic beverages are served on the Premises) for limits of liability not less than:

 

Bodily Injury and
Property Damage Liability
  

$3,000,000 each occurrence

$3,000,000 annual aggregate

Personal Injury Liability   

$3,000,000 each occurrence

$3,000,000 annual aggregate

0% Insured’s participation

Such insurance may be obtained through a combination of primary and/or umbrella/excess liability insurance, so long as the primary insurance limits of liability are not less than: (A) Bodily Injury and Property Damage Liability - $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate, and (B) Personal Injury Liability - $1,000,000 each occurrence and $2,000,000 annual aggregate. Such insurance shall (i) name Landlord, and any other party it so specifies, as an additional insured; (ii) specifically cover the liability assumed by Tenant under this Lease, including, but not limited to, Tenant’s obligations under Section 10.1 of this Lease, but only to the extent covered by Commercial General Liability policies.

10.3.2 Physical Damage Insurance covering (i) all furniture, trade fixtures, equipment, merchandise and all other items of Tenant’s property on the Premises installed by, for, or at the expense of Tenant, and (ii) all tenant improvements, alterations and additions to the Premises, including any improvements, alterations or additions installed at Tenant’s request above the ceiling of the Premises or below the floor of the Premises. Such insurance shall be written on a “physical loss or damage” basis under a “special form” policy, for the full replacement cost value new without deduction for depreciation of the covered items and in amounts that meet any co-insurance clauses of the policies of insurance and shall include a vandalism and malicious mischief endorsement, sprinkler leakage coverage and earthquake sprinkler leakage coverage.

 

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10.3.3 Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability or other similar insurance pursuant to all applicable state and local statutes and regulations except to the extent otherwise expressly provided in the Workers’ Compensation Acknowledgement and Indemnification executed concurrently herewith by Tenant in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

10.3.4 Loss-of-income, business interruption and extra-expense insurance in an amount equal to the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses payable by Tenant under this Lease for the lesser of (i) the following nine (9) month period, or (ii) the remainder of the Lease Term.

10.3.5 Tenant shall carry comprehensive automobile liability insurance having a combined single limit of not less than One Million Dollars ($1,000,000.00) per occurrence and insuring Tenant against liability for claims arising out of ownership, maintenance or use of any owned, hired or non-owned automobiles. Such insurance may be obtained through a combination of primary and/or umbrella/excess liability insurance, so long as the primary insurance limits of liability are not less than $1,000,000.

10.4 Form of Policies. The minimum limits of policies of insurance required of Tenant under this Lease shall in no event limit the liability of Tenant under this Lease. Such insurance shall (i) be issued by an insurance company having a rating of not less than A X in Best’s Insurance Guide or which is otherwise acceptable to Landlord and licensed to do business in the state in which the Building is located; (ii) be primary insurance as to all claims thereunder and provide that any insurance carried by Landlord is excess and is non-contributing with any insurance requirement of Tenant; (iii) to the extent obtainable, provide that said insurance shall not be canceled or coverage changed unless thirty (30) days’ prior written notice shall have been given to Landlord and any mortgagee or ground or underlying lessor of Landlord; (iv) contain a cross-liability endorsement or severability of interest clause acceptable to Landlord; and (v) with respect to the insurance required in Sections 10.3.1 and 10.3.2 above, have deductible amounts not exceeding Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00). Tenant shall deliver said policy or policies or certificates thereof to Landlord on or before the Lease Commencement Date and at least thirty (30) days before the expiration dates thereof. If Tenant shall fail to procure such insurance, or to deliver such policies or certificate, within such time periods, Landlord may, at its option, in addition to all of its other rights and remedies under this Lease, and without regard to any notice and cure periods set forth in Section 19.1, procure such policies for the account of Tenant, and the cost thereof shall be paid to Landlord as Additional Rent within ten (10) days after delivery of bills therefor.

10.5 Subrogation. Landlord and Tenant agree to have their respective insurance companies issuing property damage insurance waive any rights of subrogation that such companies may have against Landlord or Tenant, as the case may be. Landlord and Tenant hereby waive any right that either may have against the other on account of any loss or damage to their respective property to the extent such loss or damage is insurable under policies of insurance for fire and all risk coverage, theft, public liability, or other similar insurance.

10.6 Additional Insurance Obligations. At any time after the expiration of the initial Lease Term, Tenant shall carry and maintain during the entire Lease Term, at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, increased amounts of the insurance required to be carried by Tenant pursuant to this Article 10, and such other reasonable types of insurance coverage and in such reasonable amounts covering the Premises and Tenant’s operations therein.

ARTICLE 11

DAMAGE AND DESTRUCTION

11.1 Repair of Damage to Premises by Landlord. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord of any damage to the Premises resulting from fire or any other casualty (“Casualty”). If the Premises or any common areas of the Building serving or providing access to the Premises shall be damaged by fire or other Casualty, Landlord shall promptly and diligently, subject to reasonable delays for insurance adjustment or other matters beyond Landlord’s reasonable control, and subject to all other terms of this Article 11, restore the Base, Shell, and Core of the Premises and such common areas. Such restoration shall be to substantially the same condition of the Base, Shell, and Core of the Premises and common areas prior to the Casualty, except for modifications required by zoning and building codes and other Applicable Laws or by the holder of a mortgage on the Building, or the lessor of a ground or underlying lease with respect to the Real Property and/or the Building, or any other modifications to the common areas deemed desirable by Landlord, provided access to the Premises and any common restrooms serving the Premises shall not be materially impaired. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Lease, upon the occurrence of any damage to the Premises, Tenant shall assign to Landlord (or to any party designated by Landlord) all insurance proceeds payable to

 

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Tenant under Tenant’s insurance required under Section 10.3.2(ii) of this Lease, and Landlord shall repair any injury or damage to the tenant improvements and alterations installed in the Premises and shall return such tenant improvements and alterations to their original condition; provided that if the cost of such repair by Landlord exceeds the amount of insurance proceeds received by Landlord from Tenant’s insurance carrier, as assigned by Tenant, the cost of such repairs shall be paid by Tenant to Landlord prior to Landlord’s repair of the damage. In connection with such repairs and replacements, Tenant shall, prior to the commencement of construction, submit to Landlord, for Landlord’s review and approval, all plans, specifications and working drawings relating thereto, and Landlord shall select the contractors to perform such improvement work. Landlord shall not be liable for any inconvenience or annoyance to Tenant or its visitors, or injury to Tenant’s business resulting in any way from such damage or the repair thereof; provided however, that if such fire or other Casualty shall have damaged the Premises or common areas necessary to Tenant’s occupancy, and if such damage is not the result of the negligence or willful misconduct of Tenant or Tenant’s employees, contractors, licensees, or invitees, Landlord shall allow Tenant a proportionate abatement of Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of Direct Expenses to the extent Landlord is reimbursed from the proceeds of rental interruption insurance purchased by Landlord as part of Operating Expenses, during the time and to the extent the Premises are unfit for occupancy for the purposes permitted under this Lease, and not occupied by Tenant as a result thereof. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Article 11, the parties hereby agree as follows: (i) the closure of the Real Property, the Building, the common areas, or any part thereof to protect public health shall not constitute a Casualty for purposes of this Lease; (ii) Casualty covered by this Article 11 shall require that the physical or structural integrity of the Premises, the Real Property, the Building, or the common areas is degraded as a direct result of such occurrence; and (iii) a Casualty under this Article 11 shall not be deemed to occur merely because Tenant is unable to productively use the Premises in the event that the physical and structural integrity of the Premises is undamaged.

11.2 Landlord’s Option to Repair. Notwithstanding the terms of Section 11.1 of this Lease, Landlord may elect not to rebuild and/or restore the Premises and/or Building and instead terminate this Lease by notifying Tenant in writing of such termination within sixty (60) days after the date Landlord becomes aware of such damage, such notice to include a termination date giving Tenant ninety (90) days to vacate the Premises, but Landlord may so elect only if the Building shall be damaged by Casualty or cause, whether or not the Premises are affected, and one or more of the following conditions is present: (i) repairs cannot reasonably be substantially completed within one hundred twenty (120) days after the date of such damage (when such repairs are made without the payment of overtime or other premiums); (ii) the holder of any mortgage on the Building or ground or underlying lessor with respect to the Real Property and/or the Building shall require that the insurance proceeds or any portion thereof be used to retire the mortgage debt, or shall terminate the ground or underlying lease, as the case may be; or (iii) the damage is not fully covered, except for deductible amounts, by Landlord’s insurance policies. In addition, if the Premises or the Building is destroyed or damaged to any substantial extent during the last twelve (12) months of the Lease Term, then notwithstanding anything contained in this Article 11, Landlord shall have the option to terminate this Lease by giving written notice to Tenant of the exercise of such option within thirty (30) days after such damage or destruction, in which event this Lease shall cease and terminate as of the date of such notice. Upon any such termination of this Lease pursuant to this Section 11.2, Tenant shall pay the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of increases in Direct Expenses, properly apportioned up to such date that such damage occurred, and both parties hereto shall thereafter be discharged of all further obligations under this Lease, except for those obligations which expressly survive the expiration or earlier termination of the Lease Term.

11.3 Waiver of Statutory Provisions. The provisions of this Lease, including this Article 11, constitute an express agreement between Landlord and Tenant with respect to any and all damage to, or destruction of, all or any part of the Premises, the Building or any other portion of the Real Property, and any statute or regulation of the state in which the Building is located, including, without limitation, Sections 1932(2) and 1933(4) of the California Civil Code, with respect to any rights or obligations concerning damage or destruction in the absence of an express agreement between the parties, and any other statute or regulation, now or hereafter in effect, shall have no application to this Lease or any damage or destruction to all or any part of the Premises, the Building or any other portion of the Real Property.

 

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ARTICLE 12

CONDEMNATION

12.1 Permanent Taking. If the whole or any part of the Premises or Building shall be taken by power of eminent domain or condemned by any competent authority for any public or quasi-public use or purpose, or if any adjacent property or street shall be so taken or condemned, or reconfigured or vacated by such authority in such manner as to require the use, reconstruction or remodeling of any part of the Premises or Building, or if Landlord shall grant a deed or other instrument in lieu of such taking by eminent domain or condemnation, Landlord shall have the option to terminate this Lease upon ninety (90) days’ notice, provided such notice is given no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such taking, condemnation, reconfiguration, vacation, deed or other instrument. If more than twenty-five percent (25%) of the rentable square feet of the Premises is taken, or if access to the Premises is substantially impaired, Tenant shall have the option to terminate this Lease upon thirty (30) days’ notice, provided such notice is given no later than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of such taking. Landlord shall be entitled to receive the entire award or payment in connection therewith, except that Tenant shall have the right to file any separate claim available to Tenant for any taking of Tenant’s personal property and fixtures belonging to Tenant and removable by Tenant upon expiration of the Lease Term pursuant to the terms of this Lease, and for moving expenses, so long as such claim does not diminish the award available to Landlord, its ground lessor with respect to the Real Property or its mortgagee, and such claim is payable separately to Tenant. All Rent shall be apportioned as of the date of such termination, or the date of such taking, whichever shall first occur. If any part of the Premises shall be taken, and this Lease shall not be so terminated, the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of increases in Direct Expenses shall be proportionately abated. Tenant hereby waives any and all rights it might otherwise have pursuant to Section 1265.130 of The California Code of Civil Procedure. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Lease, the following governmental actions shall not constitute a taking or condemnation, either permanent or temporary: (i) an action that requires Tenant’s business or the Building or Real Property to close during the Lease Term; and (ii) an action taken for the purpose of protecting public safety (e.g., to protect against acts of war, the spread of communicable diseases, or an infestation), and no such governmental actions shall entitle Tenant to any compensation from Landlord or any authority, or Rent abatement or any other remedy under this Lease.

12.2 Temporary Taking. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 12, in the event of a temporary taking of all or any portion of the Premises for a period of one hundred and ninety (90) days or less, then this Lease shall not terminate but the Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of increases in Direct Expenses shall be abated for the period of such taking in proportion to the ratio that the amount of rentable square feet of the Premises taken bears to the total rentable square feet of the Premises. Landlord shall be entitled to receive the entire award made in connection with any such temporary taking.

ARTICLE 13

COVENANT OF QUIET ENJOYMENT

Landlord covenants that Tenant, on paying the Rent, charges for services and other payments herein reserved and on keeping, observing and performing all the other terms, covenants, conditions, provisions and agreements herein contained on the part of Tenant to be kept, observed and performed, shall, during the Lease Term, peaceably and quietly have, hold and enjoy the Premises subject to the terms, covenants, conditions, provisions and agreements hereof without interference by any persons lawfully claiming by or through Landlord. The foregoing covenant is in lieu of any other covenant express or implied.

ARTICLE 14

ASSIGNMENT AND SUBLETTING

14.1 Transfers. Except as provided in Section 14.7 below, Tenant shall not, without the prior written consent of Landlord, assign, mortgage, pledge, hypothecate, encumber, or permit any lien to attach to, or otherwise transfer, this Lease or any interest hereunder, permit any assignment or other such foregoing transfer of this Lease or any interest hereunder by operation of law, sublet the Premises or any part thereof, or permit the use of the Premises by any persons other than Tenant and its employees (all of the foregoing are hereinafter sometimes referred to

 

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collectively as “Transfers” and any person to whom any Transfer is made or sought to be made is hereinafter sometimes referred to as a “Transferee”). If Tenant shall desire Landlord’s consent to any Transfer, Tenant shall notify Landlord in writing, which notice (the “Transfer Notice”) shall include (i) the proposed effective date of the Transfer, which shall not be less than thirty (30) days nor more than one hundred eighty (180) days after the date of delivery of the Transfer Notice, (ii) a description of the portion of the Premises to be transferred (the “Subject Space”), (iii) all of the terms of the proposed Transfer, the name and address of the proposed Transferee, and a copy of all existing and/or proposed documentation pertaining to the proposed Transfer, including all existing operative documents to be executed to evidence such Transfer or the agreements incidental or related to such Transfer, (iv) current financial statements of the proposed Transferee certified by an officer, partner or owner thereof, and (v) such other information as Landlord may reasonably require. Except as provided in Section 14.7 below, any Transfer made without Landlord’s prior written consent shall, at Landlord’s option, be null, void and of no effect, and shall, at Landlord’s option, constitute a default by Tenant under this Lease. Concurrently with Tenant’s delivery of the Transfer Notice to Landlord, Tenant shall pay to Landlord the sum of Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00) for the cost of Landlord’s administrative, accounting and clerical time in considering such request for Landlord’s consent. In addition, whether or not Landlord shall grant consent, Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for Landlord’s reasonable legal fees incurred by Landlord within thirty (30) days after written request by Landlord (which legal fees shall not exceed $1,250.00 for the initial draft of the documents required in connection therewith).

14.2 Landlord’s Consent. Landlord shall not unreasonably withhold its consent to any proposed Transfer of the Subject Space to the Transferee on the terms specified in the Transfer Notice. The parties hereby agree that it shall be reasonable under this Lease and under any Applicable Law for Landlord to withhold consent to any proposed Transfer where one or more of the following apply, without limitation as to other reasonable grounds for withholding consent:

14.2.1 The Transferee is of a character or reputation or engaged in a business which is not consistent with the quality of the Building;

14.2.2 The Transferee intends to use the Subject Space for purposes which are not permitted under this Lease;

14.2.3 The Transferee is either a governmental agency or instrumentality thereof;

14.2.4 The Transfer will result in more than a reasonable and safe number of occupants per floor within the Subject Space;

14.2.5 The Transferee is not a party of reasonable financial worth and/or financial stability in light of the responsibilities involved under the Lease on the date consent is requested;

14.2.6 The proposed Transfer would cause Landlord to be in violation of another lease or agreement to which Landlord is a party, or would give an occupant of the Building a right to cancel its lease;

14.2.7 The terms of the proposed Transfer will allow the Transferee to exercise a right of renewal, right of expansion, right of first offer, or other similar right held by Tenant (or will allow the Transferee to occupy space leased by Tenant pursuant to any such right);

14.2.8 The proposed Transferee (i) occupies space in the Building at the time of the request for consent, (ii) is negotiating with Landlord to lease space in the Building at such time, or (iii) has negotiated with Landlord during the twelve (12)-month period immediately preceding the Transfer Notice.

If Landlord consents to any Transfer pursuant to the terms of this Section 14.2 (and does not exercise any recapture rights Landlord may have under Section 14.4 of this Lease), Tenant may within six (6) months after Landlord’s consent, but not later than the expiration of said six-month period, enter into such Transfer of the Premises or portion thereof, upon substantially the same terms and conditions as are set forth in the Transfer Notice furnished by Tenant to Landlord pursuant to Section 14.1 of this Lease, provided that if there are any changes in the terms and conditions from those specified in the Transfer Notice (i) such that Landlord would initially have been entitled to refuse its consent to such Transfer under this Section 14.2, or (ii) which would cause the proposed Transfer to be more favorable to the Transferee than the terms set forth in Tenant’s original Transfer Notice, Tenant shall again submit the Transfer to Landlord for its approval and other action under this Article 14 (including Landlord’s right of recapture, if any, under Section 14.4 of this Lease).

 

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14.3 Transfer Premium. Subject to Section 14.7 below, f Landlord consents to a Transfer, as a condition thereto which the parties hereby agree is reasonable, Tenant shall pay to Landlord fifty percent (50%) of any “Transfer Premium,” as that term is defined in this Section 14.3, received by Tenant from such Transferee. The Transfer Premium, if any, shall be deemed to be Additional Rent and shall be payable in the same manner, time and place as Base Rent. “Transfer Premium” shall mean all rent, additional rent or other consideration payable by such Transferee in excess of either (a) the Rent and Additional Rent payable by Tenant under this Lease, if all of the Premises is transferred or (b) the Rent and Additional Rent payable by Tenant under this Lease on a per rentable square foot basis, if less than all of the Premises is transferred, after deducting the reasonable expenses incurred by Tenant for (i) any changes, alterations and improvements to the Premises in connection with the Transfer, and (ii) any brokerage commissions in connection with the Transfer (collectively, the “Subleasing Costs”). “Transfer Premium” shall also include, but not be limited to, key money and bonus money paid by Transferee to Tenant in connection with such Transfer, and any payment in excess of fair market value for services rendered by Tenant to Transferee or for assets, fixtures, inventory, equipment, or furniture transferred by Tenant to Transferee in connection with such Transfer.

14.4 Landlord’s Option as to Subject Space. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 14, except as provided in Section 14.7 below, Landlord shall have the option, by giving written notice to Tenant within thirty (30) days after receipt of any Transfer Notice, to recapture the Subject Space. Such recapture notice shall cancel and terminate this Lease with respect to the Subject Space as of the date stated in the Transfer Notice as the effective date of the proposed Transfer until the last day of the term of the Transfer as set forth in the Transfer Notice. If this Lease shall be canceled with respect to less than the entire Premises, the Rent reserved herein shall be prorated on the basis of the number of rentable square feet retained by Tenant in proportion to the number of rentable square feet contained in the Premises, and this Lease as so amended shall continue thereafter in full force and effect, and upon request of either party, the parties shall execute written confirmation of the same. If Landlord declines, or fails to elect in a timely manner to recapture the Subject Space under this Section 14.4, then, provided Landlord has consented to the proposed Transfer, Tenant shall be entitled to proceed to transfer the Subject Space to the proposed Transferee, subject to provisions of the last paragraph of Section 14.2 of this Lease.

14.5 Effect of Transfer. If Landlord consents to a Transfer, (i) the terms and conditions of this Lease shall in no way be deemed to have been waived or modified, (ii) such consent shall not be deemed consent to any further Transfer by either Tenant or a Transferee, (iii) Tenant shall deliver to Landlord, promptly after execution, an original executed copy of all documentation pertaining to the Transfer in form reasonably acceptable to Landlord, and (iv) no Transfer relating to this Lease or agreement entered into with respect thereto, whether with or without Landlord’s consent, shall relieve Tenant or any guarantor of the Lease from liability under this Lease. Landlord or its authorized representatives shall have the right at all reasonable times to audit the books, records and papers of Tenant relating to any Transfer, and shall have the right to make copies thereof. If the Transfer Premium respecting any Transfer shall be found understated, Tenant shall, within thirty (30) days after demand, pay the deficiency and Landlord’s costs of such audit.

14.6 Additional Transfers. Except as provided in Section 14.7 below, for purposes of this Lease, the term “Transfer” shall also include (i) if Tenant is a partnership, the withdrawal or change, voluntary, involuntary or by operation of law, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the partners, or transfer of twenty-five percent or more of partnership interests, within a twelve (12)-month period, or the dissolution of the partnership without immediate reconstitution thereof, and (ii) if Tenant is a closely held corporation (i.e., whose stock is not publicly held and not traded through an exchange or over the counter), (A) the dissolution, merger, consolidation or other reorganization of Tenant, (B) the sale or other transfer of more than an aggregate of fifty percent (50%) of the voting shares of Tenant (other than to immediate family members by reason of gift or death), within a twelve (12)-month period (except to the extent permitted pursuant to Section 14.7 below), or (C) the sale, mortgage, hypothecation or pledge of more than an aggregate of fifty percent (50%) of the value of the unencumbered assets of Tenant within a twelve (12) month period.

 

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14.7 Permitted Transfers to Affiliates. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Article 14 to the contrary, the assignment or subletting by Tenant of all or any portion of this Lease or the Premises to (i) a parent or subsidiary of Tenant, or (ii) any person or entity which controls, is controlled by or under common control with Tenant, or (iii) any entity which purchases all or substantially all of the assets, membership interests and/or stock of Tenant, or (iv) a successor to Tenant or any of the foregoing entities by purchase, merger, consolidation or reorganization (all such persons or entities described in clauses (i) through (iv) hereinabove being sometimes hereinafter referred to as “Affiliates”), or the consummation of any such purchase, merger, consolidation or reorganization, shall not be deemed a Transfer under this Article 14, and thus shall not be subject to the requirement of obtaining Landlord’s consent thereto in Section 14.2 above or Landlord’s right to receive any Transfer Premium pursuant to Section 14.3 above or Landlord’s recapture right pursuant to Section 14.4 below, provided that:

14.7.1 any such Affiliate was not formed, and such transaction was not entered into, as a subterfuge to (i) avoid the obligations of this Article 14, or (ii) adversely affect the ability of Tenant to satisfy its obligations under this Lease;

14.7.2 Tenant gives Landlord at least ten (10) business days’ prior notice of any such assignment or sublease (as the case may be) to an Affiliate;

14.7.3 the successor of Tenant has as of the effective date of any such assignment or sublease a tangible net worth, in the aggregate, computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (but excluding goodwill as an asset), which is sufficient to meet the obligations of Tenant under this Lease (taking into account Tenant’s continuing liability for all obligations to be performed by Tenant under the Lease);

14.7.4 any such assignment or sublease shall be subject and subordinate to all of the terms and provisions of this Lease, and such assignee or sublessee shall assume, in a written document reasonably satisfactory to Landlord and delivered to Landlord upon or prior to the effective date of such assignment or sublease, all the obligations of Tenant under this Lease with respect to the Subject Space which is the subject of such Transfer (other than the amount of Base Rent and Tenant’s Share of Operating Expenses and Tax Expenses payable by Tenant with respect to a sublease); and

14.7.5 Tenant shall remain fully liable for all obligations to be performed by Tenant under this Lease.

14.7.6 ”Control”, as used in this Section 14.7, shall mean the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to cause the direction of the management and policies of a person or entity, or ownership of any sort, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise.

ARTICLE 15

SURRENDER; OWNERSHIP

AND REMOVAL OF TRADE FIXTURES

15.1 Surrender of Premises. No act or thing done by Landlord or any agent or employee of Landlord during the Lease Term shall be deemed to constitute an acceptance by Landlord of a surrender of the Premises unless such intent is specifically acknowledged in a writing signed by Landlord. The delivery of keys to the Premises to Landlord or any agent or employee of Landlord shall not constitute a surrender of the Premises or effect a termination of this Lease, whether or not the keys are thereafter retained by Landlord, and notwithstanding such delivery Tenant shall be entitled to the return of such keys at any reasonable time upon request until this Lease shall have been properly terminated. The voluntary or other surrender of this Lease by Tenant, whether accepted by Landlord or not, or a mutual termination hereof, shall not work a merger, and at the option of Landlord shall operate as an assignment to Landlord of all subleases or subtenancies affecting the Premises.

15.2 Removal of Tenant Property by Tenant. Upon the expiration of the Lease Term, or upon any earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall, subject to the provisions of this Article 15, quit and surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord in as good order and condition as when Tenant took possession and as thereafter improved by Landlord and/or Tenant, reasonable wear and tear and repairs which are specifically made the responsibility of Landlord hereunder excepted. Upon such expiration or termination, Tenant shall, without expense to Landlord,

 

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remove or cause to be removed from the Premises all debris and rubbish, and such items of furniture, equipment, free-standing cabinet work, and other articles of personal property owned by Tenant or installed or placed by Tenant at its expense in the Premises, and such similar articles of any other persons claiming under Tenant, as Landlord may, in its sole discretion, require to be removed, and Tenant shall repair at its own expense all damage to the Premises and Building resulting from such removal.

ARTICLE 16

HOLDING OVER

If Tenant holds over after the expiration of the Lease Term hereof, with or without the express or implied consent of Landlord, such tenancy shall be from month-to-month only, and shall not constitute a renewal hereof or an extension for any further term, and in such case Base Rent shall be payable at a monthly rate equal to one hundred fifty percent (150%) of the greater of (i) the Base Rent applicable during the last rental period of the Lease Term under this Lease or (ii) the fair market rental rate for the Premises as of the commencement of such holdover period. Such month-to-month tenancy shall be subject to every other term, covenant and agreement contained herein. Landlord hereby expressly reserves the right to require Tenant to surrender possession of the Premises to Landlord as provided in this Lease upon the expiration or other termination of this Lease. The provisions of this Article 16 shall not be deemed to limit or constitute a waiver of any other rights or remedies of Landlord provided herein or at law. If Tenant fails to surrender the Premises upon the termination or expiration of this Lease, in addition to any other liabilities to Landlord accruing therefrom, Tenant shall protect, defend, indemnify and hold Landlord harmless from all loss, costs (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) and liability resulting from such failure, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any claims made by any succeeding tenant founded upon such failure to surrender, and any lost profits to Landlord resulting therefrom.

ARTICLE 17

ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATES

Within ten (10) business days following a request in writing by Landlord, Tenant shall execute and deliver to Landlord an estoppel certificate, which, as submitted by Landlord, shall be substantially in the form of Exhibit C, attached hereto, (or such other form as may be reasonably required by any prospective mortgagee or purchaser of the Project, or any portion thereof), indicating therein any exceptions thereto that may exist at that time, and shall also contain any other information reasonably requested by Landlord or Landlord’s mortgagee or prospective mortgagee. Tenant shall execute and deliver whatever other instruments may be reasonably required for such purposes. Failure of Tenant to execute and deliver such estoppel certificate or other instruments within such ten (10) business day period shall constitute an acceptance of the Premises and an acknowledgment by Tenant that statements included in the estoppel certificate are true and correct, without exception. Failure by Tenant to so deliver such estoppel certificate shall be a material default of the provisions of this Lease. In addition, Tenant shall be liable to Landlord, and shall indemnify Landlord from and against any loss, cost, damage or expense, incidental, consequential, or otherwise, including attorneys’ fees, arising or accruing directly or indirectly, from any failure of Tenant to execute or deliver to Landlord any such estoppel certificate. Upon request from time to time, Tenant agrees to provide to Landlord, within ten (10) days after Landlord’s delivery of written request therefor, current financial statements for Tenant, dated no earlier than one (1) year prior to such written request, certified as accurate by Tenant or, if available, audited financial statements prepared by an independent certified public accountant with copies of the auditor’s statement. If any Guaranty is executed in connection with this Lease, Tenant also agrees to deliver to Landlord, within ten (10) days after Landlord’s delivery of written request therefor, current financial statements of the Guarantor in a form consistent with the foregoing criteria.

ARTICLE 18

SUBORDINATION

This Lease is subject and subordinate to all present and future ground or underlying leases of the Real Property and to the lien of any mortgages or trust deeds, now or hereafter in force against the Real Property and the Building, if any, and to all renewals, extensions, modifications, consolidations and replacements thereof, and to all

 

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advances made or hereafter to be made upon the security of such mortgages or trust deeds, unless the holders of such mortgages or trust deeds, or the lessors under such ground lease or underlying leases, require in writing that this Lease be superior thereto. Tenant covenants and agrees in the event any proceedings are brought for the foreclosure of any such mortgage, or if any ground or underlying lease is terminated, to attorn, without any deductions or set-offs whatsoever, to the purchaser upon any such foreclosure sale, or to the lessor of such ground or underlying lease, as the case may be, if so requested to do so by such purchaser or lessor, and to recognize such purchaser or lessor as the lessor under this Lease. Tenant shall, within ten (10) business days of request by Landlord, execute such further instruments or assurances as Landlord may reasonably deem necessary to evidence or confirm the subordination or superiority of this Lease to any such mortgages, trust deeds, ground leases or underlying leases. Tenant hereby irrevocably authorizes Landlord to execute and deliver in the name of Tenant any such instrument or instruments if Tenant fails to do so, provided that such authorization shall in no way relieve Tenant from the obligation of executing such instruments of subordination or superiority. Tenant waives the provisions of any current or future statute, rule or law which may give or purport to give Tenant any right or election to terminate or otherwise adversely affect this Lease and the obligations of the Tenant hereunder in the event of any foreclosure proceeding or sale.

ARTICLE 19

TENANT’S DEFAULTS; LANDLORD’S REMEDIES

19.1 Events of Default by Tenant. All covenants and agreements to be kept or performed by Tenant under this Lease shall be performed by Tenant at Tenant’s sole cost and expense and without any reduction of Rent. The occurrence of any of the following shall constitute a default of this Lease by Tenant:

19.1.1 Any failure by Tenant to pay any Rent or any other charge required to be paid under this Lease, or any part thereof, when due; or

19.1.2 The failure by Tenant to observe or perform according to the provisions of Articles 5, 10, 14, 17 or 18 of this Lease, where, in each instance, such failure continues for more than four (4) days after written notice from Landlord; or

19.1.3 Any failure by Tenant to observe or perform any other provision, covenant or condition of this Lease to be observed or performed by Tenant where such failure continues for thirty (30) days after written notice thereof from Landlord to Tenant; provided however, that any such notice shall be in lieu of, and not in addition to, any notice required under California Code of Civil Procedure Section 1161 or any similar or successor law; and provided further that if the nature of such default is such that the same cannot reasonably be cured within a fifteen (15)-day period, Tenant shall not be deemed to be in default if it diligently commences such cure within such period and thereafter diligently proceeds to rectify and cure said default as soon as possible; or

19.1.4 Abandonment or vacation of the Premises by Tenant. Abandonment is herein defined to include, but is not limited to, any absence by Tenant from the Premises for ten (10) business days or longer while in default of any provision of this Lease.

19.2 Landlord’s Remedies Upon Default. Upon the occurrence of any such default by Tenant, Landlord shall have, in addition to any other remedies available to Landlord at law or in equity, the option to pursue any one or more of the following remedies, each and all of which shall be cumulative and nonexclusive, without any notice or demand whatsoever.

19.2.1 Terminate this Lease, in which event Tenant shall immediately surrender the Premises to Landlord, and if Tenant fails to do so, Landlord may, without prejudice to any other remedy which it may have for possession or arrearages in rent, enter upon and take possession of the Premises and expel or remove Tenant and any other person who may be occupying the Premises or any part thereof, without being liable for prosecution or any claim or damages therefor; and Landlord may recover from Tenant the following:

(i) The worth at the time of award of any unpaid rent which has been earned at the time of such termination; plus

 

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(ii) The worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent which would have been earned after termination until the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; plus

(iii) The worth at the time of award of the amount by which the unpaid rent for the balance of the Lease Term after the time of award exceeds the amount of such rental loss that Tenant proves could have been reasonably avoided; plus

(iv) Any other amount necessary to compensate Landlord for all the detriment proximately caused by Tenant’s failure to perform its obligations under this Lease or which in the ordinary course of things would be likely to result therefrom, specifically including but not limited to, brokerage commissions and advertising expenses incurred, expenses of remodeling the Premises or any portion thereof for a new tenant, whether for the same or a different use, and any special concessions made to obtain a new tenant; and

(v) At Landlord’s election, such other amounts in addition to or in lieu of the foregoing as may be permitted from time to time by Applicable Laws.

The term “rent” as used in this Section 19.2 shall be deemed to be and to mean all sums of every nature required to be paid by Tenant pursuant to the terms of this Lease, whether to Landlord or to others. As used in Section 19.2.1(i) and (ii), above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by allowing interest at the Interest Rate set forth in Section 4.5 of this Lease. As used in Section 19.2.1(iii) above, the “worth at the time of award” shall be computed by discounting such amount at the discount rate of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco at the time of award plus one percent (1%).

19.2.2 Landlord shall have the remedy described in California Civil Code Section 1951.4 (lessor may continue lease in effect after lessee’s breach and abandonment and recover rent as it becomes due, if lessee has the right to sublet or assign, subject only to reasonable limitations). Accordingly, if Landlord does not elect to terminate this Lease on account of any default by Tenant, Landlord may, from time to time, without terminating this Lease, enforce all of its rights and remedies under this Lease, including the right to recover all rent as it becomes due.

19.2.3 Landlord may, but shall not be obligated to, make any such payment or perform or otherwise cure any such obligation, provision, covenant or condition on Tenant’s part to be observed or performed (and may enter the Premises for such purposes). In the event of Tenant’s failure to perform any of its obligations or covenants under this Lease, and such failure to perform poses a material risk of injury or harm to persons or damage to or loss of property, then Landlord shall have the right to cure or otherwise perform such covenant or obligation at any time after such failure to perform by Tenant, whether or not any such notice or cure period set forth in Section 19.1 above has expired. Any such actions undertaken by Landlord pursuant to the foregoing provisions of this Section 19.2.3 shall not be deemed a waiver of Landlord’s rights and remedies as a result of Tenant’s failure to perform and shall not release Tenant from any of its obligations under this Lease.

19.3 Payment by Tenant. Tenant shall pay to Landlord, within fifteen (15) days after delivery by Landlord to Tenant of statements therefor: (i) sums equal to expenditures reasonably made and obligations incurred by Landlord in connection with Landlord’s performance or cure of any of Tenant’s obligations pursuant to the provisions of Section 19.2.3 above; and (ii) sums equal to all expenditures made and obligations incurred by Landlord in collecting or attempting to collect the Rent or in enforcing or attempting to enforce any rights of Landlord under this Lease or pursuant to law, including, without limitation, all legal fees and other amounts so expended. Tenant’s obligations under this Section 19.3 shall survive the expiration or sooner termination of the Lease Term.

19.4 Sublessees of Tenant. Whether or not Landlord elects to terminate this Lease on account of any default by Tenant, as set forth in this Article 19, upon the occurrence of such default by Tenant, Landlord shall have the right to terminate any and all subleases, licenses, concessions or other consensual arrangements for possession entered into by Tenant and affecting the Premises or may, in Landlord’s sole discretion, succeed to Tenant’s interest in such subleases, licenses, concessions or arrangements. In the event of Landlord’s election to succeed to Tenant’s interest in any such subleases, licenses, concessions or arrangements, Tenant shall, as of the date of notice by Landlord of such election, have no further right to or interest in the rent or other consideration receivable thereunder.

 

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19.5 Waiver of Default. No waiver by Landlord of any violation or breach by Tenant of any of the terms, provisions and covenants herein contained shall be deemed or construed to constitute a waiver of any other or later violation or breach by Tenant of the same or any other of the terms, provisions, and covenants herein contained. Forbearance by Landlord in enforcement of one or more of the remedies herein provided upon a default by Tenant shall not be deemed or construed to constitute a waiver of such default. The acceptance of any Rent hereunder by Landlord following the occurrence of any default, whether or not known to Landlord, shall not be deemed a waiver of any such default, except only a default in the payment of the Rent so accepted.

19.6 Efforts to Relet. For the purposes of this Article 19, Tenant’s right to possession shall not be deemed to have been terminated by efforts of Landlord to relet the Premises, by its acts of maintenance or preservation with respect to the Premises, or by appointment of a receiver to protect Landlord’s interests hereunder. The foregoing enumeration is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of acts which may be performed by Landlord without terminating Tenant’s right to possession.

ARTICLE 20

SECURITY DEPOSIT

Concurrent with Tenant’s execution of this Lease, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord a security deposit (the “Security Deposit”) in the amount set forth in Section 10 of the Summary. The Security Deposit shall be held by Landlord as security for the faithful performance by Tenant of all the terms, covenants, and conditions of this Lease to be kept and performed by Tenant during the Lease Term. If Tenant defaults with respect to any provisions of this Lease, including, but not limited to, the provisions relating to the payment of Rent, Landlord may, but shall not be required to, use, apply or retain all or any part of the Security Deposit for the payment of any Rent or any other sum in default, or for the payment of any amount that Landlord may spend or become obligated to spend by reason of Tenant’s default, or to compensate Landlord for any other loss or damage that Landlord may suffer by reason of Tenant’s default. If any portion of the Security Deposit is so used or applied, Tenant shall, within five (5) days after written demand therefor, deposit cash with Landlord in an amount sufficient to restore the Security Deposit to its original amount, and Tenant’s failure to do so shall be a default under this Lease. If Tenant shall fully and faithfully perform every provision of this Lease to be performed by it, the Security Deposit, or any balance thereof, shall be returned to Tenant, within forty-five (45) days following the expiration of the Lease Term. Tenant shall not be entitled to any interest on the Security Deposit. Tenant hereby waives the provisions of Section 1950.7 of the California Civil Code, and all other provisions of law, now or hereafter in force, which provide that Landlord may claim from a security deposit only those sums reasonably necessary to remedy defaults in the payment of rent, to repair damage caused by Tenant or to clean the Premises, it being agreed that Landlord may, in addition, claim those sums reasonably necessary to compensate Landlord for any other loss or damage, foreseeable or unforeseeable, caused by the act or omission of Tenant or any officer, employee, agent or invitee of Tenant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and provided (i) Tenant has not previously been in default under this Lease as of the Security Deposit Reduction Date as defined and set forth hereinbelow, (ii) Landlord has not applied any portion of the Security Deposit pursuant to the foregoing as of the Security Deposit Reduction Date, and (iii) Tenant has demonstrated to Landlord’s reasonable satisfaction, as of the Security Deposit Reduction Date, that Tenant has had positive net operating income for the previous two-year period, Landlord shall, on the first (1st) day of the twenty-fifth (25th) month of the initial Lease Term (the “Security Deposit Reduction Date”), reduce the Security Deposit held by Landlord by an amount (the “Security Deposit Reduction Amount”) equal to Seventy Thousand Two Hundred Forty-Eight and 77/100 Dollars ($70,248.77). Landlord shall apply the Security Deposit Reduction Amount as a credit against the monthly installment(s) of Base Rent first due and payable by Tenant under this Lease following the Security Deposit Reduction Date.

ARTICLE 21

COMPLIANCE WITH LAW

21.1 In General. Landlord and Tenant shall not do anything or suffer anything to be done in or about the Premises which will in any way conflict with any law, statute, ordinance or other governmental rule, regulation or requirement now in force or which may hereafter be enacted or promulgated (collectively, “Applicable Laws”). At its sole cost and expense, Tenant shall promptly comply with all Applicable Laws, subject to Landlord’s obligations as set forth below in this Article 21 to comply with Applicable Laws with respect to the Base Building and/or the

 

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common areas of the Building and Real Property. In addition, Tenant shall fully comply with all present or future programs intended to manage parking, transportation or traffic in and around the Building, and in connection therewith, Tenant shall take responsible action for the transportation planning and management of all employees located at the Premises by working directly with Landlord, any governmental transportation management organization or any other transportation-related committees or entities. The judgment of any court of competent jurisdiction or the admission of Tenant in any judicial action, regardless of whether Landlord is a party thereto, that Tenant has violated any of said governmental measures, shall be conclusive of that fact as between Landlord and Tenant. Landlord shall ensure that the Base Building and the common areas of the Building and Real Property comply with all Applicable Laws, subject, however to (i) the immediately following sentence of this Section 21.1, (ii) any obligations to correct violations or construction-related accessibility standards described in Section 21.2 below, and (iii) the provisions of Section 21.3 below specifically pertaining to Disability Access Laws (as defined below). Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent Landlord’s compliance obligations (including any obligations to correct violations or construction-related accessibility standards described in Section 21.2 below) in the immediately preceding sentence are triggered by any alterations, additions and/or improvements made to, and/or furniture, fixtures, equipment and/or other personal property installed in, the Premises by or on behalf of Tenant, and/or Tenant’s particular manner of use of the Premises, then Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of such compliance within thirty (30) days after invoice from Landlord.

21.2 CASp. For purposes of Section 1938(a) of the California Civil Code, Landlord hereby discloses to Tenant, and Tenant hereby acknowledges, that the Premises have not undergone inspection by a Certified Access Specialist (CASp). In addition, the following notice is hereby provided pursuant to Section 1938(e) of the California Civil Code: “A Certified Access Specialist (CASp) can inspect the subject premises and determine whether the subject premises comply with all of the applicable construction-related accessibility standards under state law. Although state law does not require a CASp inspection of the subject premises, the commercial property owner or lessor may not prohibit the lessee or tenant from obtaining a CASp inspection of the subject premises for the occupancy or potential occupancy of the lessee or tenant, if requested by the lessee or tenant. The parties shall mutually agree on the arrangements for the time and manner of the CASp inspection, the payment of the fee for the CASp inspection, and the cost of making any repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards within the premises.” In furtherance of and in connection with such notice: (i) Tenant, having read such notice and understanding Tenant’s right to request and obtain a CASp inspection and with advice of counsel, hereby elects not to obtain such CASp inspection and forever waives its rights to obtain a CASp inspection with respect to the Premises, Building and/or Real Property to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws now or hereafter in effect; and (ii) if the waiver set forth in clause (i) hereinabove is not enforceable pursuant to Applicable Laws now or hereafter in effect, then Landlord and Tenant hereby agree as follows (which constitute the mutual agreement of the parties as to the matters described in the last sentence of the foregoing notice): (A) Tenant shall have the one-time right to request for and obtain a CASp inspection, which request must be made, if at all, in a written notice delivered by Tenant to Landlord on or before the Lease Commencement Date; (B) any CASp inspection timely requested by Tenant shall be conducted (1) between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on any business day, (2) only after ten (10) days’ prior written notice to Landlord of the date of such CASp inspection, (3) in a professional manner by a CASp designated by Landlord and without any testing that would damage the Premises, Building or Real Property in any way, and (4) at Tenant’s sole cost and expense, including, without limitation, Tenant’s payment of the fee for such CASp inspection, the fee for any reports prepared by the CASp in connection with such CASp inspection (collectively, the “CASp Reports”) and all other costs and expenses in connection therewith; (C) Tenant shall deliver a copy of any CASp Reports to Landlord within two (2) business days after Tenant’s receipt thereof; (D) Tenant, at its sole cost and expense, shall be responsible for making any improvements, alterations, modifications and/or repairs to or within the Premises to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards including, without limitation, any violations disclosed by such CASp inspection; and (E) if such CASp inspection identifies any improvements, alterations, modifications and/or repairs necessary to correct violations of construction-related accessibility standards relating to those items of the Building and Real Property located outside the Premises that are Landlord’s obligation to perform as set forth in Section 7.2 above, then Landlord shall perform such improvements, alterations, modifications and/or repairs as and to the extent required by Applicable Laws to correct such violations, and Tenant shall reimburse Landlord for the cost of such improvements, alterations, modifications and/or repairs within ten (10) business days after Tenant’s receipt of an invoice therefor from Landlord.

 

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21.3 Compliance with Disability Access Laws. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the parties acknowledge that Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and the regulations and rules promulgated thereunder, as all of the same may be amended and supplemented from time to time (collectively referred to herein as the “ADA”) establish requirements for accessibility and barrier removal, and that such requirements may or may not apply to the Premises and the Real Property depending on, among other things: (i) whether Tenant’s business is deemed a “public accommodation” or “commercial facility”; (ii) whether such requirements are “readily achievable”; and (iii) whether a given alteration affects a “primary function area” or triggers “path of travel” requirements. The ADA and any other federal, state and/or municipal Applicable Laws pertaining to disability access shall be collectively referred to herein as “Disability Access Laws”. The parties hereby agree that, except as otherwise provided in Section 21.2 above (the provisions of which shall control if and to the extent Tenant obtains a CASp inspection): (A) Landlord shall be responsible for ensuring that the Base Building and the common areas of the Building and Real Property comply with all Disability Access Laws unless the need for such compliance results from any alterations, additions and/or improvements made to, and/or any furniture, fixtures, equipment and/or other personal property installed in, the Premises by or on behalf of Tenant, and/or Tenant’s particular manner of use of the Premises; (B) Tenant shall be responsible for ensuring that the Premises complies with all Disability Access Laws required from and after the Lease Commencement Date; and (C) Landlord may perform, or require that Tenant perform, and Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of, ADA “path of travel” requirements and any other similar requirements under Disability Access Laws triggered by (1) the construction of any alterations, additions and/or improvements within the Premises, (2) the installation of any furniture, fixtures, equipment and/or other personal property in the Premises, and/or (3) Tenant’s particular manner of use of the Premises. Tenant hereby agrees to use reasonable efforts to notify Landlord if Tenant makes any alterations, additions and/or improvements to the Premises that might impact accessibility to the Premises and/or the Real Property under any Disability Access Laws. Landlord hereby agrees to use reasonable efforts to notify Tenant if Landlord makes any alterations, additions, and/or improvements to the Premises that might impact accessibility to the Premises and/or the Real Property under any Disability Access Laws.

21.4 Disability Access Obligations Notice and Access Information Notice. Landlord and Tenant hereby acknowledge that, prior to the execution of this Lease, Landlord and Tenant executed a Disability Access Obligations Notice pursuant to San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 38. Landlord and Tenant shall each, within three (3) business days following a request from the other party, execute a new Disability Access Obligations Notice in accordance with San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 38 or any successor statute. In addition, Tenant acknowledges receipt from Landlord of an Access Information Notice as required by San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 38. Tenant acknowledges that such notices comply with the requirements of San Francisco Administrative Code Chapter 38.

ARTICLE 22

ENTRY BY LANDLORD

Upon not less than twenty-four (24) hours’ prior notice (except no such prior notice shall be required in case of emergency and/or to perform regularly scheduled janitorial services), Landlord reserves the right at all reasonable times and upon reasonable notice to Tenant to enter the Premises to (i) inspect them; (ii) during the last nine (9) months of the Lease Term, show the Premises to prospective purchasers, mortgagees or tenants, or to the ground or underlying lessors; (iii) post notices of nonresponsibility; or (iv) alter, improve or repair the Premises or the Building if necessary to comply with current building codes or other Applicable Laws, or for alterations, repairs or improvements to the structural components of the Building, or as Landlord may otherwise reasonably desire or deem necessary. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Article 22, Landlord may enter the Premises at any time, without notice to Tenant, to perform janitorial or other services required of Landlord pursuant to this Lease. Except as otherwise provided in Section 6.6 above, any such entries shall be without the abatement of Rent and shall include the right to take such reasonable steps as required to accomplish the stated purposes. Tenant hereby waives any claims for damages or for any injuries or inconvenience to or interference with Tenant’s business, lost profits, any loss of occupancy or quiet enjoyment of the Premises, and any other loss occasioned thereby. For each of the above purposes, Landlord shall at all times have a key with which to unlock all the doors in the Premises, excluding Tenant’s vaults, safes and special security areas designated in advance by Tenant. In an emergency, Landlord shall have the right to use any means that Landlord may deem proper to open the doors in and to the Premises. Any entry into the Premises in the manner hereinbefore described shall not be deemed to be a forcible or unlawful entry into, or a detainer of, the Premises, or an actual or constructive eviction of Tenant from any portion of the Premises.

 

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ARTICLE 23

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

23.1 Terms; Captions. The necessary grammatical changes required to make the provisions hereof apply either to corporations or partnerships or individuals, men or women, as the case may require, shall in all cases be assumed as though in each case fully expressed. The captions of Articles and Sections are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to limit, construe, affect or alter the meaning of such Articles and Sections.

23.2 Binding Effect. Each of the provisions of this Lease shall extend to and shall, as the case may require, bind or inure to the benefit not only of Landlord and of Tenant, but also of their respective successors or assigns, provided this clause shall not permit any assignment by Tenant contrary to the provisions of Article 14 of this Lease.

23.3 No Waiver. No waiver of any provision of this Lease shall be implied by any failure of a party to enforce any remedy on account of the violation of such provision, even if such violation shall continue or be repeated subsequently, any waiver by a party of any provision of this Lease may only be in writing, and no express waiver shall affect any provision other than the one specified in such waiver and that one only for the time and in the manner specifically stated. No receipt of monies by Landlord from Tenant after the termination of this Lease shall in any way alter the length of the Lease Term or of Tenant’s right of possession hereunder or after the giving of any notice shall reinstate, continue or extend the Lease Term or affect any notice given Tenant prior to the receipt of such monies, it being agreed that after the service of notice or the commencement of a suit or after final judgment for possession of the Premises, Landlord may receive and collect any Rent due, and the payment of said Rent shall not waive or affect said notice, suit or judgment.

23.4 Modification of Lease. Should any current or prospective mortgagee or ground lessor for the Building require a modification or modifications of this Lease, which modification or modifications will not cause an increased cost or expense to Tenant or in any other way materially and adversely change the rights and obligations of Tenant hereunder, then and in such event, Tenant agrees that this Lease may be so modified and agrees to execute whatever documents are required therefor and deliver the same to Landlord within ten (10) days following the request therefor. Should Landlord or any such current or prospective mortgagee or ground lessor require execution of a short form of Lease for recording, containing, among other customary provisions, the names of the parties, a description of the Premises and the Lease Term, Tenant agrees to execute such short form of Lease and to deliver the same to Landlord within ten (10) days following the request therefor.

23.5 Transfer of Landlord’s Interest. Tenant acknowledges that Landlord has the right to transfer all or any portion of its interest in the Real Property and Building and in this Lease, and Tenant agrees that in the event of any such transfer, Landlord shall automatically be released from all liability under this Lease and Tenant agrees to look solely to such transferee for the performance of Landlord’s obligations hereunder after the date of transfer. The liability of any transferee of Landlord shall be limited to the interest of such transferee in the Real Property and Building and the owners, shareholders or members of such transferee shall be without personal liability under this Lease, and Tenant hereby expressly waives and releases such personal liability on behalf of itself and all persons claiming by, through or under Tenant. Tenant further acknowledges that Landlord may assign its interest in this Lease to a mortgage lender as additional security and agrees that such an assignment shall not release Landlord from its obligations hereunder and that Tenant shall continue to look to Landlord for the performance of its obligations hereunder.

23.6 Prohibition Against Recording. Except as provided in Section 23.4 of this Lease, neither this Lease, nor any memorandum, affidavit or other writing with respect thereto, shall be recorded by Tenant or by anyone acting through, under or on behalf of Tenant, and the recording thereof in violation of this provision shall make this Lease null and void at Landlord’s election.

23.7 Landlord’s Title; Air Rights. Landlord’s title is and always shall be paramount to the title of Tenant. Nothing herein contained shall empower Tenant to do any act which can, shall or may encumber the title of Landlord. No rights to any view or to light or air over any property, whether belonging to Landlord or any other person, are granted to Tenant by this Lease.

 

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23.8 Tenant’s Signs. In addition to the Building directory signage set forth in Section 23.28 below, Tenant shall be entitled to one (1) identification sign in the elevator lobby of the fifteenth (15th) floor of the Building. The initial cost of such signage shall be borne by Landlord, but Tenant shall be responsible for the cost of any changes thereto. Upon the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease, Tenant shall be responsible, at its sole cost and expense, for the removal of such signage and the repair of all damage to the Building caused by such removal. Except for such signage, Tenant may not install any signs on the exterior or roof of the Building or the common areas of the Building or the Real Property. Any signs, window coverings, or blinds (even if the same are located behind the Landlord approved window coverings for the Building), or other items visible from the exterior of the Premises or Building are subject to the prior approval of Landlord, in its sole and absolute discretion.

23.9 Relationship of Parties. Nothing contained in this Lease shall be deemed or construed by the parties hereto or by any third party to create the relationship of principal and agent, partnership, joint venturer or any association between Landlord and Tenant, it being expressly understood and agreed that neither the method of computation of Rent nor any act of the parties hereto shall be deemed to create any relationship between Landlord and Tenant other than the relationship of landlord and tenant.

23.10 Application of Payments. Landlord shall have the right to apply payments received from Tenant pursuant to this Lease, regardless of Tenant’s designation of such payments, to satisfy any obligations of Tenant hereunder, in such order and amounts as Landlord, in its sole discretion, may elect.

23.11 Time of Essence. Time is of the essence of this Lease and each of its provisions.

23.12 Partial Invalidity. If any term, provision or condition contained in this Lease shall, to any extent, be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Lease, or the application of such term, provision or condition to persons or circumstances other than those with respect to which it is invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each and every other term, provision and condition of this Lease shall be valid and enforceable to the fullest extent possible permitted by law.

23.13 No Warranty. In executing and delivering this Lease, Tenant has not relied on any representation, including, but not limited to, any representation whatsoever as to the amount of any item comprising Additional Rent or the amount of the Additional Rent in the aggregate or that Landlord is furnishing the same services to other tenants, at all, on the same level or on the same basis, or any warranty or any statement of Landlord which is not set forth herein or in one or more of the Exhibits attached hereto.

23.14 Landlord Exculpation. It is expressly understood and agreed that notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, and notwithstanding any applicable law to the contrary, the liability of Landlord and the Landlord Parties under this Lease (including any successor landlord) and any recourse by Tenant against Landlord or the Landlord Parties shall be limited solely and exclusively to an amount which is equal to the ownership interest of Landlord in the Building, and neither Landlord, nor any of the Landlord Parties shall have any personal liability therefor, and Tenant hereby expressly waives and releases such personal liability on behalf of itself and all persons claiming by, through or under Tenant.

23.15 Entire Agreement. It is understood and acknowledged that there are no oral agreements between the parties hereto affecting this Lease and this Lease supersedes and cancels any and all previous negotiations, arrangements, brochures, agreements and understandings, if any, between the parties hereto or displayed by Landlord to Tenant with respect to the subject matter thereof, and none thereof shall be used to interpret or construe this Lease. This Lease and any side letter or separate agreement executed by Landlord and Tenant in connection with this Lease and dated of even date herewith contain all of the terms, covenants, conditions, warranties and agreements of the parties relating in any manner to the rental, use and occupancy of the Premises, shall be considered to be the only agreement between the parties hereto and their representatives and agents, and none of the terms, covenants, conditions or provisions of this Lease can be modified, deleted or added to except in writing signed by the parties hereto. All negotiations and oral agreements acceptable to both parties have been merged into and are included herein. There are no other representations or warranties between the parties, and all reliance with respect to representations is based totally upon the representations and agreements contained in this Lease.

 

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23.16 Right to Lease. Landlord reserves the absolute right to effect such other tenancies in the Building as Landlord in the exercise of its sole business judgment shall determine to best promote the interests of the Building. Tenant does not rely on the fact, nor does Landlord represent, that any specific tenant or type or number of tenants shall, during the Lease Term, occupy any space in the Building.

23.17 Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Lease, any prevention, delay or stoppage due to strikes, lockouts, labor disputes, acts of God, acts of war, terrorist acts, inability to obtain services, labor, or materials or reasonable substitutes therefor, governmental actions, governmental laws, regulations or restrictions, civil commotions, Casualty, actual or threatened public health emergency (including, without limitation, epidemic, pandemic, famine, disease, plague, quarantine, and other significant public health risk), governmental edicts, actions, orders, declarations or restrictions (including (i) any states of emergency and quarantines imposed by a governmental entity or agency, and (ii) any government imposed shelter-in-place orders, stay at home orders and/or restrictions on travel related thereto that preclude Tenant, its agents, contractors or its employees from accessing the Premises), breaches in cybersecurity, and other causes beyond the reasonable control of the party obligated to perform, regardless of whether such other causes are (A) foreseeable or unforeseeable or (B) related to the specifically enumerated events in this Section 23.17 (collectively, the “Force Majeure”) shall excuse the performance of such party for a period equal to any such prevention, delay or stoppage. If this Lease specifies a time period for performance of an obligation of either party, that time period shall be extended by the period of any delay in such party’s performance caused by a Force Majeure. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Lease, no event of Force Majeure shall (1) excuse Tenant’s obligations to pay Rent and other charges as and when due pursuant to this Lease, (2) be grounds for Tenant to abate any portion of Rent due pursuant to this Lease, or entitle either party to terminate this Lease, except as allowed pursuant to Articles 11 and 12 above, (3) excuse Tenant’s obligations under Article 5 above, or (4) extend or delay the occurrence of the Lease Commencement Date or extend the Lease Term.

23.18 Waiver of Redemption by Tenant. Tenant hereby waives for Tenant and for all those claiming under Tenant all right now or hereafter existing to redeem by order or judgment of any court or by any legal process or writ, Tenant’s right of occupancy of the Premises after any termination of this Lease.

23.19 Notices. All notices, demands, statements or communications (collectively, “Notices”) given or required to be given by either party to the other pursuant to any provision of this Lease shall be in writing and shall be sent by United States certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, or Priority Mail Express (with waiver of signature) together with a courtesy electronic copy of the Notice sent to Tenant at [Intentionally omitted], or by a nationally recognized overnight courier service (e.g., Federal Express), or delivered personally (i) to Tenant at the appropriate address set forth in Section 5 of the Summary, or to such other place as Tenant may from time to time designate in a Notice to Landlord; or (ii) to Landlord at the addresses set forth in Section 3.1 of the Summary, or to such other firm or to such other place as Landlord may from time to time designate in a Notice to Tenant. Any Notice is deemed given (A) on the date which is two (2) business days after it is mailed as provided in this Section 23.19, or (B) upon the date which is one (1) business day after it is sent by nationally recognized overnight courier, or (C) upon the date personal delivery is made to the address of the addressee (even if refused or rejected). If Tenant is notified of the identity and address of Landlord’s mortgagee or ground or underlying lessor, Tenant shall give to such mortgagee or ground or underlying lessor written notice of any default by Landlord under the terms of this Lease pursuant to the provisions hereinabove, and such mortgagee or ground or underlying lessor shall be given a reasonable opportunity to cure such default prior to Tenant’s exercising any remedy available to Tenant.

23.20 Joint and Several. If there is more than one Tenant, the obligations imposed upon Tenant under this Lease shall be joint and several.

23.21 Authority. If Tenant is a corporation or partnership, each individual executing this Lease on behalf of Tenant hereby represents and warrants that Tenant is a duly formed and existing entity qualified to do business in the state in which the Building is located and that Tenant has full right and authority to execute and deliver this Lease and that each person signing on behalf of Tenant is authorized to do so. Within five (5) days after Landlord’s request therefor, Tenant shall provide Landlord with documentation or other evidence reasonably satisfactory to Landlord confirming the foregoing representation and warranty. Tenant confirms that it is not in violation of any executive order or similar governmental regulation or law, which prohibits terrorism or transactions with suspected or confirmed terrorists or terrorist entities or with persons or organizations that are associated with, or that provide any form of support to, terrorists. Tenant further confirms that it will comply throughout the Term of this Lease, with all governmental laws, rules or regulations governing transactions or business dealings with any suspected or confirmed terrorists or terrorist entities, as identified from time to time by the U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control or any other applicable governmental entity.

 

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23.22 Jury Trial; Attorneys’ Fees. IF EITHER PARTY COMMENCES LITIGATION AGAINST THE OTHER FOR THE SPECIFIC PERFORMANCE OF THIS LEASE, FOR DAMAGES FOR THE BREACH HEREOF OR OTHERWISE FOR ENFORCEMENT OF ANY REMEDY HEREUNDER, THE PARTIES HERETO AGREE TO AND HEREBY DO WAIVE ANY RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY. In the event of any such commencement of litigation, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover from the other party such costs and reasonable attorneys’ fees as may have been incurred, including any and all costs incurred in enforcing, perfecting and executing any judgment.

23.23 Governing Law. This Lease shall be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the state in which the Building is located.

23.24 Submission of Lease. Submission of this instrument for examination or signature by Tenant does not constitute a reservation of or an option for lease, and it is not effective as a lease or otherwise until execution and delivery by both Landlord and Tenant.

23.25 Brokers. Landlord and Tenant each hereby represents and warrants to the other party that it (i) has had no dealings with any real estate broker or agent in connection with the negotiation of this Lease, excepting only the real estate brokers or agents specified in Section 11 of the Summary (collectively, the “Brokers”), and (ii) knows of no other real estate broker or agent who is entitled to a commission in connection with this Lease. Each party agrees to indemnify and defend the other party against and hold the other party harmless from any and all claims, demands, losses, liabilities, lawsuits, judgments, and costs and expenses (including without limitation reasonable attorneys’ fees) with respect to any leasing commission or equivalent compensation alleged to be owing on account of the indemnifying party’s dealings with any real estate broker or agent other than the Brokers.

23.26 Independent Covenants. This Lease shall be construed as though the covenants herein between Landlord and Tenant are independent and not dependent and Tenant hereby expressly waives the benefit of any statute to the contrary and agrees that if Landlord fails to perform its obligations set forth herein, Tenant shall not be entitled to make any repairs or perform any acts hereunder at Landlord’s expense or to any setoff of the Rent or other amounts owing hereunder against Landlord; provided, however, that the foregoing shall in no way impair the right of Tenant to commence a separate action against Landlord for any violation by Landlord of the provisions hereof so long as notice is first given to Landlord and any holder of a mortgage or deed of trust covering the Building, Real Property or any portion thereof, of whose address Tenant has theretofore been notified, and an opportunity is granted to Landlord and such holder to correct such violations as provided above.

23.27 Building Name and Signage. Landlord shall have the right at any time to change the name of the Building and to install, affix and maintain any and all signs on the exterior and on the interior of the Building as Landlord may, in Landlord’s sole discretion, desire. Tenant shall not use the name of the Building or use pictures or illustrations of the Building in advertising or other publicity, without the prior written consent of Landlord.

23.28 Building Directory. Tenant shall be entitled, at Tenant’s sole cost, to one (1) line on the Building directory to display Tenant’s name and location in the Building.

23.29 Confidentiality. Tenant acknowledges that the content of this Lease and any related documents are confidential information. Tenant shall keep such confidential information strictly confidential and shall not disclose such confidential information to any person or entity other than Tenant’s financial, legal, and space planning consultants.

23.30 Landlord Renovations. It is specifically understood and agreed that Landlord has no obligation and has made no promises to alter, remodel, improve, renovate, repair or decorate the Premises, Building, Real Property, or any part thereof and that no representations or warranties respecting the condition of the Premises, the Building or the Real Property have been made by Landlord to Tenant, except as specifically set forth in this Lease. However,

 

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Tenant acknowledges that Landlord may from time to time, at Landlord’s sole option, renovate, improve, alter, or modify (collectively, the “Renovations”) the Building, Premises, and/or Real Property, common areas, systems and equipment, roof, and structural components of the same, which Renovations may include, without limitation, (i) modifying the common areas and tenant spaces to comply with applicable laws and regulations, including regulations relating to the physically disabled, seismic conditions, and building safety and security, and (ii) installing new carpeting, lighting, and wall coverings in the Building common areas, and in connection with such Renovations, Landlord may, among other things, erect scaffolding or other necessary structures in the Building, limit or eliminate access to portions of the Real Property, including portions of the common areas, or perform work in the Building, which work may create noise, dust or leave debris in the Building. Tenant hereby agrees that such Renovations and Landlord’s actions in connection with such Renovations shall in no way constitute a constructive eviction of Tenant nor entitle Tenant to any abatement of Rent. Landlord shall have no responsibility or for any reason be liable to Tenant for any direct or indirect injury to or interference with Tenant’s business arising from the Renovations, nor shall Tenant be entitled to any compensation or damages from Landlord for loss of the use of the whole or any part of the Premises or of Tenant’s personal property or improvements resulting from the Renovations or Landlord’s actions in connection with such Renovations, or for any inconvenience or annoyance occasioned by such Renovations or Landlord’s actions in connection with such Renovations.

23.31 Intentionally Deleted.

23.32 Arbitration. Notwithstanding anything in this Lease to the contrary, the provisions of this Section 23.32 contain the sole and exclusive method, means and procedure to resolve any and all disputes or disagreements, including whether any particular matter constitutes, or with the passage of time would constitute, a default by Tenant or Landlord under this Lease, but excluding: (i) any determination of Fair Market Rental Rate (which shall be determined as set forth in the Extension Option Rider); (ii) any dispute concerning the amount of Direct Expenses set forth in any Statement delivered by Landlord to Tenant pursuant to Article 4 above; (iii) all claims of Landlord or Tenant which seek anything other than the enforcement of such party’s rights under this Lease; (iv) all claims of Landlord or Tenant which are primarily founded upon matters of fraud, willful misconduct, bad faith or any other allegations of tortious action, and seek the award of punitive or exemplary damages; (v) any action by Landlord in unlawful detainer or to obtain possession of the Premises; or (vi) any injunctive or other equitable relief sought by either party. The parties hereby irrevocably waive any and all rights to the contrary and shall at all times conduct themselves in strict, full, complete and timely accordance with the provisions of this Section 23.32. Any and all attempts to circumvent the provisions of this Section 23.32 shall be absolutely null and void and of no force or effect whatsoever. As to any matter submitted to arbitration to determine whether it would, with the passage of time, constitute a default by Tenant or a default by Landlord under this Lease (each, a “Default”), such passage of time shall not commence to run until any such affirmative determination, so long as it is simultaneously determined that the challenge of such matter as a potential Default was made in good faith, except with respect to the payment of money. With respect to the payment of money, such passage of time shall not commence to run only if the party which is obligated to make the payment does in fact make the payment to the other party. Such payment can be made “under protest,” which shall occur when such payment is accompanied by a good-faith notice stating why the party has elected to make a payment under protest. Such protest will be deemed waived unless the subject matter identified in the protest is submitted to arbitration as set forth in the following:

23.32.1 Arbitration Panel. Within ninety (90) days after delivery of written notice (“Notice of Dispute”) of the existence and nature of any dispute given by any party to the other party, and unless otherwise provided herein in any specific instance, the parties shall each: (i) appoint one (1) lawyer actively engaged in the licensed and full-time practice of law, specializing in commercial real estate, in the County of San Francisco for a continuous period immediately preceding the date of delivery (“Dispute Date”) of the Notice of Dispute of not less than ten (10) years, but who has at no time ever represented or acted on behalf of any of the parties; and (ii) deliver written notice of the identity of such lawyer and a copy of his or her written acceptance of such appointment and acknowledgment of and agreement to be bound by the time constraints and other provisions of this Section 23.32 (“Acceptance”) to the other parties hereto. The party who selects the lawyer may not consult with such lawyer, directly or indirectly, to determine the lawyer’s position on the issue which is the subject of the dispute. In the event that any party fails to so act, such arbitrator shall be appointed pursuant to the same procedure that is followed when agreement cannot be reached as to the third arbitrator. Within ten (10) days after such appointment and notice, such lawyers shall appoint a third lawyer (together with the first two (2) lawyers, “Arbitration Panel”) of the same qualification and background and shall deliver written notice of the identity of such lawyer and a copy of his or her written Acceptance

 

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of such appointment to each of the parties. In the event that agreement cannot be reached on the appointment of a third lawyer within such period, such appointment and notification shall be made as quickly as possible by any court of competent jurisdiction, by any licensing authority, agency or organization having jurisdiction over such lawyers, by any professional association of lawyers in existence for not less than ten (10) years at the time of such dispute or disagreement and the geographical membership boundaries of which extend to the County of San Francisco or by any arbitration association or organization in existence for not less than ten (10) years at the time of such dispute or disagreement and the geographical boundaries of which extend to the County of San Francisco, as determined by the party giving such Notice of Dispute and simultaneously confirmed in writing delivered by such party to the other party. Any such court, authority, agency, association or organization shall be entitled either to directly select such third lawyer or to designate in writing, delivered to each of the parties, an individual who shall do so. In the event of any subsequent vacancies or inabilities to perform among the Arbitration Panel, the lawyer or lawyers involved shall be replaced in accordance with the provisions of this Section 23.32 as if such replacement was an initial appointment to be made under this Section 23.32 within the time constraints set forth in this Section 23.32, measured from the date of notice of such vacancy or inability, to the person or persons required to make such appointment, with all the attendant consequences of failure to act timely if such appointed person is a party hereto.

23.32.2 Duty. Consistent with the provisions of this Section 23.32, the members of the Arbitration Panel shall utilize their utmost skill and shall apply themselves diligently so as to hear and decide, by majority vote, the outcome and resolution of any dispute or disagreement submitted to the Arbitration Panel as promptly as possible, but in any event on or before the expiration of thirty (30) days after the appointment of the members of the Arbitration Panel. None of the members of the Arbitration Panel shall have any liability whatsoever for any acts or omissions performed or omitted in good faith pursuant to the provisions of this Section 23.32.

23.32.3 Authority. The Arbitration Panel shall (i) enforce and interpret the rights and obligations set forth in the Lease to the extent not prohibited by law, (ii) fix and establish any and all rules as it shall consider appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion to govern the proceedings before it, including any and all rules of discovery, procedure and/or evidence, and (iii) make and issue any and all orders, final or otherwise, and any and all awards, as a court of competent jurisdiction sitting at law or in equity could make and issue, and as it shall consider appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion, including the awarding of monetary damages (but shall not award consequential damages to either party and shall not award punitive damages), the awarding of reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing party as determined by the Arbitration Panel and the issuance of injunctive relief. If the party against whom the award is issued complies with the award, within the time period established by the Arbitration Panel, then no Default will be deemed to have occurred, unless the Default pertained to the non-payment of money by Tenant or Landlord, and Tenant or Landlord failed to make such payment under protest.

23.32.4 Appeal. The decision of the Arbitration Panel shall be final and binding, may be confirmed and entered by any court of competent jurisdiction at the request of any party and may not be appealed to any court of competent jurisdiction or otherwise except upon a claim of fraud on the part of the Arbitration Panel, or on the basis of a mistake as to the applicable law. The Arbitration Panel shall retain jurisdiction over any dispute until its award has been implemented, and judgment on any such award may be entered in any court having appropriate jurisdiction.

23.32.5 Compensation. Each member of the Arbitration Panel shall be compensated for any and all services rendered under this Section 23.32 at a rate of compensation equal to the sum of (i) Four Hundred Dollars ($400.00) per hour and (ii) the sum of Ten Dollars ($10.00) per hour multiplied by the number of full years of the expired Term under the Lease, plus reimbursement for any and all expenses incurred in connection with the rendering of such services, payable in full promptly upon conclusion of the proceedings before the Arbitration Panel. Such compensation and reimbursement shall be borne by the nonprevailing party as determined by the Arbitration Panel in its sole and absolute discretion.

23.33 Bicycle Storage Room. Subject to the terms of this Section 23.33, Tenant and its individual employees shall have the non-exclusive right, during the Building’s ordinary business hours only, to use on a “first-come, first-served” basis, the bicycle storage room located on the ground floor of the Building (the “Bicycle Storage Room”) for the sole and limited purpose of storing any bicycles that Tenant’s individual employees use to commute to the Building therein. Landlord will not be liable to Tenant for any lack of access to, or unavailability of, the Bicycle Storage Room. Landlord reserves the right to change the hours for the Bicycle Storage Room, on a non-discriminatory basis, from time to time. Tenant agrees not to do or permit anything to be done in or about the Bicycle Storage Room

 

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which would in any way unreasonably obstruct or interfere with the rights of other tenants or occupants of the Building. Tenant shall indemnify, defend and hold Landlord and the Landlord Parties harmless from and against any and all Claims of any kind or character, whether to any person or property, arising from or caused by or resulting from (i) the negligent acts or omissions and/or willful misconduct of Tenant and/or any of Tenant’s employees in connection with their use of the Bicycle Storage Room, and (ii) any violation or alleged violation by Tenant or any of Tenant’s employees of any of the provisions of this Section 23.33. Landlord shall not be responsible for any loss, damage or theft whatsoever of or to any property or anything placed or stored by Tenant or any of Tenant’s employees in the Bicycle Storage Room (including any bicycles), or for any injury to persons using the Bicycle Storage Room. Tenant, as a material part of the consideration of this Lease, hereby waives all Claims against Landlord and the Landlord Parties for any such loss, damage, theft or injury, and agrees to so indemnify and hold Landlord and Landlord’s representatives and agents harmless therefrom. Further, Tenant understands and agrees that: (A) Landlord will not be obligated to provide any security protection of any kind for the Bicycle Storage Room; and (B) Tenant shall use the Bicycle Storage Room at its own risk. Landlord, in its sole discretion, may, at any time and without notice, remove, remodel or otherwise convert the Bicycle Storage Room and discontinue Tenant’s right to use the Bicycle Storage Room pursuant to this Section 23.33, it being agreed that nothing herein shall be deemed to require Landlord to maintain or make available the Bicycle Storage Room or any other storage areas in the Building for Tenant’s use. Tenant’s rights under this Section 23.33 are personal to the original Tenant executing this Lease (the “Original Tenant”), and may only be utilized by the Original Tenant (and may not be exercised or utilized by any other person or entity, including any sublessee or other transferee of the Original Tenant’s interest in this Lease or the Premises).

23.34 Counterparts. This Lease may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which when taken together will constitute one and the same instrument.

23.35 Electronic Signatures. Each of the parties to this Lease (i) has agreed to permit the use from time to time, where appropriate, of telecopy or other electronic signatures (including, without limitation, DocuSign) in order to expedite the transaction contemplated by this Lease, (ii) intends to be bound by its respective telecopy or other electronic signature, (iii) is aware that the other will rely on the telecopied or other electronically transmitted signature, and (iv) acknowledges such reliance and waives any defenses to the enforcement of this Lease and the documents affecting the transaction contemplated by this Lease based on the fact that a signature was sent by telecopy or electronic transmission only.

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, Landlord and Tenant have caused this Lease to be executed the day and date first above written.

 

“Landlord”:

90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,

a California limited partnership

By:   /s/ Charles Leung
  Name:   Charles Leung
  Title:   VP
“Tenant”:

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Brandt Kucharski
  Name:   Brandt Kucharski
  Title:   CAO
By:   /s/ Kunal Mehta
  Name:   Kunal Mehta
  Title:   CFO

 

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EXHIBIT A

OUTLINE OF FLOOR PLAN OF PREMISES

 

EXHIBIT A

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EXHIBIT B

RULES AND REGULATIONS

Tenant shall faithfully observe and comply with the following Rules and Regulations. Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant for the nonperformance of any of said Rules and Regulations by or otherwise with respect to the acts or omissions of any other tenants or occupants of the Building.

1. Tenant shall not alter any lock or install any new or additional locks or bolts on any doors or windows of the Premises without obtaining Landlord’s prior written consent. Tenant shall bear the cost of any lock changes or repairs required by Tenant. Two keys will be furnished by Landlord for the Premises, and any additional keys required by Tenant must be obtained from Landlord at a reasonable cost to be established by Landlord.

2. All doors opening to public corridors shall be kept closed at all times except for normal ingress and egress to the Premises, unless electrical hold backs have been installed.

3. Landlord reserves the right to close and keep locked all entrance and exit doors of the Building during such hours as are customary for comparable buildings in the vicinity of the Building. Tenant, its employees and agents must be sure that the doors to the Building are securely closed and locked when leaving the Premises if it is after the normal hours of business for the Building. Any tenant, its employees, agents or any other persons entering or leaving the Building at any time when it is so locked, or any time when it is considered to be after normal business hours for the Building, may be required to sign the Building register when so doing. Access to the Building may be refused unless the person seeking access has proper identification or has a previously arranged pass for access to the Building. The Landlord and his agents shall in no case be liable for damages for any error with regard to the admission to or exclusion from the Building of any person. In case of invasion, mob, riot, public excitement, or other commotion, Landlord reserves the right to prevent access to the Building during the continuance of same by any means it deems appropriate for the safety and protection of life and property.

4. Landlord shall have the right to prescribe the weight, size and position of all safes and other heavy property brought into the Building. Safes and other heavy objects shall, if considered necessary by Landlord, stand on supports of such thickness as is necessary to properly distribute the weight. Landlord will not be responsible for loss of or damage to any such safe or property in any case. All damage done to any part of the Building, its contents, occupants or visitors by moving or maintaining any such safe or other property shall be the sole responsibility of Tenant and any expense of said damage or injury shall be borne by Tenant.

5. No furniture, freight, large packages, supplies, equipment or merchandise will be brought into or removed from the Building or carried up or down in the elevators, except upon prior notice to Landlord, and in such manner, in such specific elevator, and between such hours as shall be designated by Landlord. Tenant shall provide Landlord with not less than 24 hours prior notice of the need to utilize an elevator for any such purpose, so as to provide Landlord with a reasonable period to schedule such use and to install such padding or take such other actions or prescribe such procedures as are appropriate to protect against damage to the elevators or other parts of the Building.

6. Landlord shall have the right to control and operate the public portions of the Building, the public facilities, the heating and air conditioning, and any other facilities furnished for the common use of tenants, in such manner as is customary for comparable buildings in the vicinity of the Building.

7. The requirements of Tenant will be attended to only upon application at the management office of the Building or at such office location designated by Landlord. Employees of Landlord shall not perform any work or do anything outside their regular duties unless under special instructions from Landlord.

8. Tenant shall not disturb, solicit, or canvass any occupant of the Building and shall cooperate with Landlord or Landlord’s agents to prevent same.

 

EXHIBIT B

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9. The toilet rooms, urinals, wash bowls and other apparatus shall not be used for any purpose other than that for which they were constructed, and no foreign substance of any kind whatsoever shall be thrown therein. The expense of any breakage, stoppage or damage resulting from the violation of this rule shall be borne by the tenant who, or whose employees or agents, shall have caused it.

10. Tenant shall not overload the floor of the Premises, nor mark, drive nails or screws, or drill into the partitions, woodwork or plaster or in any way deface the Premises or any part thereof without Landlord’s consent first had and obtained.

11. Except for vending machines intended for the sole use of Tenant’s employees and invitees, no vending machine or machines of any description other than fractional horsepower office machines shall be installed, maintained or operated upon the Premises without the written consent of Landlord.

12. Tenant shall not use any method of heating or air conditioning other than that which may be supplied by Landlord, without the prior written consent of Landlord.

13. Tenant shall not use or keep in or on the Premises or the Building any kerosene, gasoline or other inflammable or combustible fluid or material. Tenant shall not use, keep or permit to be used or kept, any foul or noxious gas or substance in or on the Premises, or permit or allow the Premises to be occupied or used in a manner offensive or objectionable to Landlord or other occupants of the Building by reason of noise, odors, or vibrations, or interfere in any way with other Tenants or those having business therein.

14. Tenant shall not bring into or keep within the Building or the Premises any animals, birds, bicycles or other vehicles.

15. No cooking shall be done or permitted by any tenant on the Premises, nor shall the Premises be used for the storage of merchandise, for lodging or for any improper, objectionable or immoral purposes. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Landlord-approved equipment and microwave ovens may be used in the Premises for heating food and brewing coffee, tea, hot chocolate and similar beverages, provided that such use is in accordance with all applicable federal, state and city laws, codes, ordinances, rules and regulations, and does not cause odors which are objectionable to Landlord and other Tenants.

16. Landlord will approve where and how telephone and telegraph wires are to be introduced to the Premises. No boring or cutting for wires shall be allowed without the consent of Landlord. The location of telephone, call boxes and other office equipment affixed to the Premises shall be subject to the approval of Landlord.

17. Landlord reserves the right to exclude or expel from the Building any person who, in the judgment of Landlord, is intoxicated or under the influence of liquor or drugs, or who shall in any manner do any act in violation of any of these Rules and Regulations.

18. Tenant, its employees and agents shall not loiter in the entrances or corridors, nor in any way obstruct the sidewalks, lobby, halls, stairways or elevators, and shall use the same only as a means of ingress and egress for the Premises.

19. Tenant shall not waste electricity, water or air conditioning and agrees to cooperate fully with Landlord to ensure the most effective operation of the Building’s heating and air conditioning system, and shall refrain from attempting to adjust any controls.

20. Tenant shall store all its trash and garbage within the interior of the Premises. No material shall be placed in the trash boxes or receptacles if such material is of such nature that it may not be disposed of in the ordinary and customary manner of removing and disposing of trash and garbage in the city in which the Building is located without violation of any law or ordinance governing such disposal. All trash, garbage and refuse disposal shall be made only through entry-ways and elevators provided for such purposes at such times as Landlord shall designate.

 

EXHIBIT B

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21. Tenant shall comply with all safety, fire protection and evacuation procedures and regulations established by Landlord or any governmental agency.

22. Tenant shall assume any and all responsibility for protecting the Premises from theft, robbery and pilferage, which includes keeping doors locked and other means of entry to the Premises closed, when the Premises are not occupied.

23. No awnings or other projection shall be attached to the outside walls of the Building without the prior written consent of Landlord. No curtains, blinds, shades or screens shall be attached to or hung in, or used in connection with, any window or door of the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord. The sashes, sash doors, skylights, windows, and doors that reflect or admit light and air into the halls, passageways or other public places in the Building shall not be covered or obstructed by Tenant, nor shall any bottles, parcels or other articles be placed on the windowsills. All electrical ceiling fixtures hung in offices or spaces along the perimeter of the Building must be fluorescent and/or of a quality, type, design and bulb color approved by Landlord.

24. The washing and/or detailing of or, the installation of windshields, radios, telephones in or general work on, automobiles shall not be allowed on the Real Property.

25. Food vendors shall be allowed in the Building upon receipt of a written request from the Tenant. The food vendor shall service only the tenants that have a written request on file in the Building’s management office. Under no circumstance shall the food vendor display their products in a public or common area including corridors and elevator lobbies. Any failure to comply with this rule shall result in immediate permanent withdrawal of the vendor from the Building.

26. Tenant must comply with requests by the Landlord concerning the informing of their employees of items of importance to the Landlord.

27. Tenant shall comply with any non-smoking ordinance adopted by any applicable governmental authority.

28. Landlord may waive any one or more of these Rules and Regulations for the benefit of any particular tenant or tenants, but no such waiver by Landlord shall be construed as a waiver of such Rules and Regulations in favor of any other tenant or tenants, nor prevent Landlord from thereafter enforcing any such Rules or Regulations against any or all tenants of the Building. Landlord reserves the right at any time to change or rescind any one or more of these Rules and Regulations, or to make such other and further reasonable Rules and Regulations as in Landlord’s judgment may from time to time be necessary for the management, safety, care and cleanliness of the Premises and Building, and for the preservation of good order therein, as well as for the convenience of other occupants and tenants therein. Landlord shall not be responsible to Tenant or to any other person for the nonobservance of the Rules and Regulations by another tenant or other person. Tenant shall be deemed to have read these Rules and Regulations and to have agreed to abide by them as a condition of its occupancy of the Premises.

 

EXHIBIT B

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF TENANT’S ESTOPPEL CERTIFICATE

The undersigned, as Tenant under that certain Office Lease (the “Lease”) made and entered into as of __________ __, 20__ and between 90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a California limited partnership, as Landlord, and the undersigned as Tenant, for Premises on the __________ floor(s) of the Building located at 90 New Montgomery Street, San Francisco, California hereby certifies as follows:

1. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true and correct copy of the Lease and all amendments and modifications thereto. The documents contained in Exhibit A represent the entire agreement between the parties as to the Premises.

2. The undersigned has commenced occupancy of the Premises described in the Lease, currently occupies the Premises, and the Lease Term commenced on __________.

3. The Lease is in full force and effect and has not been modified, supplemented or amended in any way except as provided in Exhibit A.

4. Tenant has not transferred, assigned, or sublet any portion of the Premises nor entered into any license or concession agreements with respect thereto except as follows:

5. Tenant shall not modify the documents contained in Exhibit A or prepay any amounts owing under the Lease to Landlord in excess of thirty (30) days without the prior written consent of Landlord’s mortgagee.

6. Base Rent became payable on __________.

7. The Lease Term expires on __________.

8. All conditions of the Lease to be performed by Landlord necessary to the enforceability of the Lease have been satisfied and Landlord is not in default thereunder.

9. No rental has been paid in advance and no security has been deposited with Landlord except as provided in the Lease.

10. As of the date hereof, there are no existing defenses or offsets that the undersigned has, which preclude enforcement of the Lease by Landlord.

11. All monthly installments of Base Rent, all Additional Rent and all monthly installments of estimated Additional Rent have been paid when due through __________. The current monthly installment of Base Rent is $__________.

12. The undersigned acknowledges that this Estoppel certificate may be delivered to Landlord’s prospective mortgagee, or a prospective purchaser, and acknowledges that it recognizes that if same is done, said mortgagee, prospective mortgagee, or prospective purchaser will be relying upon the statements contained herein in making the loan or acquiring the property of which the Premises are a part, and in accepting an assignment of the Lease as collateral security, and that receipt by it of this certificate is a condition of making of the loan or acquisition of such property.

 

EXHIBIT C

-1-


13. If Tenant is a corporation or partnership, each individual executing this Estoppel Certificate on behalf of Tenant hereby represents and warrants that Tenant is a duly formed and existing entity qualified to do business in the state in which the Building is located and that Tenant has full right and authority to execute and deliver this Estoppel Certificate and that each person signing on behalf of Tenant is authorized to do so.

Executed at __________ on the ____ day of __________, 20__.

 

“Tenant”:  
,
a    

 

By:    
  Name:    
  Its:    
By:    
  Name:    
  Its:    

 

EXHIBIT C

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EXHIBIT D

FORM OF WORKERS’ COMPENSATION ACKNOWLEDGEMENT AND INDEMNIFICATION

Section 10.3.3 of that certain Office Lease entered into by and between 90 New Montgomery Partners, A California Limited Partnership, a California limited partnership (the “Landlord”) and ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (the “Tenant”) dated as of February __, 2024 (the “Lease”) requires Tenant to obtain Worker’s Compensation and Employer’s Liability or other similar insurance pursuant to all applicable state and local statutes and regulations.

Tenant hereby represents that it has either obtained Workers’ Compensation insurance, or is exempt from the requirement to obtain Workers’ Compensation insurance by virtue of being a partnership or corporation in which the only persons performing labor are either: (i) partners in the partnership; or (ii) corporate officers who are the sole shareholders of the corporation. Within thirty (30) days of the mutual execution and delivery of the Lease, Tenant shall provide Landlord with evidence of having obtained Workers’ Compensation insurance or evidence that such Workers’ Compensation insurance is not required under California Labor Code Section 3700.

[                           ]

[                           ]

[                           ]

[                           ]

[INSERT NAME(S) AND TITLE(S)]

The above-listed individuals are the sole shareholders/partners of Tenant. Tenant hereby certifies that Tenant does not have any employees other than the above-listed corporate officers who are the sole shareholders of the corporation or partners in the partnership who have elected to be exempt from Workers’ Compensation coverage in accordance with California law. Tenant further warrants that it understands the requirements of California Labor Code Section 3700 with respect to providing Worker’s Compensation coverage for any employees. Tenant agrees to comply with the requirements and all other applicable laws and regulations regarding Workers’ Compensation, payroll taxes, FICA and tax withholding and similar employment issues.

By signing below, Tenant hereby represents, warrants and certifies to Landlord that Tenant is exempt from having Workers’ Compensation insurance and agrees to defend, protect, indemnify and hold harmless (on a personal basis) Landlord from and against any and all claims, penalties, losses, damages, expenses, costs, liabilities and actions (collectively, “Losses”) that would be covered by (i) Workers’ Compensation and/or Employer’s Liability insurance for the benefit of any of Tenant’s employees, and/or (ii) the insurance otherwise required to be carried by Tenant pursuant to Article 10 of the Lease. Tenant further agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Landlord harmless from and against any and all Losses that may arise from the failure to comply with any such laws or regulations, including without limitation, the payment of Landlord’s reasonable attorneys’ fees.

[SIGNATURES APPEAR ON FOLLOWING PAGE]

 

EXHIBIT D

-1-


TENANT:

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:    
  Name:    
  Its:    
By:    
  Name:    
  Its:    

 

EXHIBIT D

-2-


EXHIBIT E

EXTENSION OPTION RIDER

This Extension Option Rider (“Extension Rider”) is made and entered into by and between 90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, a California limited partnership (“Landlord”), and ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC., a Delaware corporation (“Tenant”), and is dated as of the date of the Office Lease (“Lease”) by and between Landlord and Tenant to which this Extension Rider is attached. The agreements set forth in this Extension Rider shall have the same force and effect as if set forth in the Lease. To the extent the terms of this Extension Rider are inconsistent with the terms of the Lease, the terms of this Extension Rider shall control.

1. Option Right. Landlord hereby grants Tenant one (1) option to extend the Lease Term for a period of three (3) years (the “Option Term”), which option shall be exercisable only by written Exercise Notice (as defined below) delivered by Tenant to Landlord as provided below, provided that, as of the date of delivery of such Exercise Notice, Tenant is not in default under the Lease and Tenant has not previously been in default under the Lease more than once. Upon the proper exercise of such option to extend, and provided that, as of the end of the initial Lease Term Tenant is not in default under the Lease and Tenant has not previously been in default under the Lease more than once, the Lease Term shall be extended for the Option Term. The rights contained in this Extension Rider shall be personal to the Original Tenant and may only be exercised by the Original Tenant (and not any assignee, sublessee or other transferee of Tenant’s interest in the Lease) if the Original Tenant occupies the entire Premises as of the date of Tenant’s delivery of the Exercise Notice.

2. Option Rent. The annual Base Rent payable by Tenant during the Option Term (the “Option Rent”) shall be equal to the Fair Market Rental Rate for the Premises. As used herein, the “Fair Market Rental Rate” shall mean the annual base rent at which tenants, during the period within six (6) months of Tenant’s delivery of the Interest Notice (as defined in Section 3 below), are leasing non-sublease space comparable in size, location and quality to the Premises for a comparable term, which comparable space is located in the Building, taking into consideration all free rent and other out-of-pocket concessions generally being granted at such time for such comparable space for the Option Term (including, without limitation, any tenant improvement allowance provided for such comparable space, with the amount of such tenant improvement allowance to be provided for the Premises during the Option Term to be determined after taking into account the age, quality and layout of the tenant improvements in the Premises as of the commencement of the Option Term with consideration given to the fact that the improvements existing in the Premises are specifically suitable to Tenant). All other terms and conditions of the Lease shall apply throughout the Option Term; however, any obligation of Landlord to construct Tenant Improvements or provide an allowance (if applicable) shall not apply during the Option Term and Tenant shall, in no event, have the option to extend the Lease Term beyond the Option Term described in Section 1 above.

3. Exercise of Option. The option contained in this Extension Rider shall be exercised by Tenant, if at all, only in the following manner: (i) Tenant shall deliver written notice (“Interest Notice”) to Landlord not more than fifteen (15) months nor less than fourteen (14) months prior to the expiration of the initial Lease Term stating that Tenant may be interested in exercising its option; (ii) Landlord, after receipt of Tenant’s notice, shall deliver notice (the “Option Rent Notice”) to Tenant within thirty (30) days after receipt of Tenant’s Interest Notice setting forth the Option Rent; and (iii) if Tenant wishes to exercise such option, Tenant shall, on or before the date (the “Exercise Date”) which is within thirty (30) days after Tenant’s receipt of the Option Rent Notice, exercise the option by delivering written notice (the “Exercise Notice”) thereof to Landlord. Tenant’s failure to deliver the Interest Notice or Exercise Notice on or before the applicable delivery dates therefor specified hereinabove shall be deemed to constitute Tenant’s waiver of its extension right hereunder.

4. Determination of Option Rent. Tenant shall have no right to object to the Option Rent provided by Landlord, and if Tenant disagrees with Landlord’s determination of the Option Rent but Landlord and Tenant are unable to resolve such disagreement as to the Option Rent prior to the Exercise Date, then either (i) Tenant shall accept Landlord’s determination of the Option Rent by exercising its option to extend the Lease Term by delivering Tenant’s Exercise Notice to Landlord on or before the Exercise Date, or (ii) Tenant shall be deemed to have relinquished its

 

EXHIBIT E

-1-


option to extend the Lease Term, in which event Tenant’s option to extend the Lease Term shall be null and void as of the Exercise Date, and Landlord and Tenant shall have no further liability to the other under this Extension Rider.

 

“Landlord”:
90 NEW MONTGOMERY PARTNERS, A CALIFORNIA LIMITED PARTNERSHIP,
a California limited partnership
By:   /s/ Charles Leung
Name:   Charles Leung
Title:   VP
“Tenant”:

ETHOS TECHNOLOGIES INC.,

a Delaware corporation

By:   /s/ Brandt Kucharski
Name:   Brandt Kucharski
Title:   CAO
By:   /s/ Kunal Mehta
Name:   Kunal Mehta
Title:   CFO

 

EXHIBIT E

-2-

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

List of Subsidiaries of Registrant

None.

EX-23.1

Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption “Experts” and to the use of our report dated June 11, 2025, except for the effects of the reverse stock split as described in Note 17, as to which the date is September 26, 2025, in the Registration Statement (Form S-1) and the related Prospectus of Ethos Technologies Inc. for the registration of shares of its common stock.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

San Francisco, California

September 26, 2025

EX-FILING FEES
S-1 S-1 EX-FILING FEES 0001788451 Ethos Technologies Inc. N/A N/A 0001788451 2025-09-22 2025-09-22 0001788451 1 2025-09-22 2025-09-22 iso4217:USD xbrli:pure xbrli:shares

Calculation of Filing Fee Tables

S-1

Ethos Technologies Inc.

Table 1: Newly Registered and Carry Forward Securities ☐Not Applicable

Security Type

Security Class Title

Fee Calculation or Carry Forward Rule

Amount Registered

Proposed Maximum Offering Price Per Unit

Maximum Aggregate Offering Price

Fee Rate

Amount of Registration Fee

Carry Forward Form Type

Carry Forward File Number

Carry Forward Initial Effective Date

Filing Fee Previously Paid in Connection with Unsold Securities to be Carried Forward

Newly Registered Securities
Fees to be Paid 1 Equity Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share 457(o) $ 100,000,000.00 0.0001531 $ 15,310.00
Fees Previously Paid
Carry Forward Securities
Carry Forward Securities

Total Offering Amounts:

$ 100,000,000.00

$ 15,310.00

Total Fees Previously Paid:

$ 0.00

Total Fee Offsets:

$ 0.00

Net Fee Due:

$ 15,310.00

Offering Note

1

Maximum Aggregate Offering Price estimated solely for the purpose of computing the amount of the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Includes the aggregate offering price of additional shares that the underwriters have the option to purchase from the registrant, if any. Amount of Registration Fee calculated pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act based on an estimate of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

Table 2: Fee Offset Claims and Sources ☑Not Applicable
Registrant or Filer Name Form or Filing Type File Number Initial Filing Date Filing Date Fee Offset Claimed Security Type Associated with Fee Offset Claimed Security Title Associated with Fee Offset Claimed Unsold Securities Associated with Fee Offset Claimed Unsold Aggregate Offering Amount Associated with Fee Offset Claimed Fee Paid with Fee Offset Source
Rules 457(b) and 0-11(a)(2)
Fee Offset Claims N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fee Offset Sources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Rule 457(p)
Fee Offset Claims N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Fee Offset Sources N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Table 3: Combined Prospectuses ☑Not Applicable

Security Type

Security Class Title

Amount of Securities Previously Registered

Maximum Aggregate Offering Price of Securities Previously Registered

Form Type

File Number

Initial Effective Date

N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A