8-K
DC NASDAQ NASDAQ --12-31 false 0001838359 0001838359 2022-03-01 2022-03-01 0001838359 dei:FormerAddressMember 2022-03-01 2022-03-01 0001838359 us-gaap:CommonStockMember 2022-03-01 2022-03-01 0001838359 us-gaap:WarrantMember 2022-03-01 2022-03-01

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): March 1, 2022

 

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-40140   88-0950636
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  (Commission
File Number)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

 

775 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, California   94710
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(510) 210-5550

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd.

4301 50th Street NW

Suite 300 PMB 1044

Washington, D.C. 20016

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligations of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240-13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange
on which registered

Common Stock, $0.0001 par value per share   RGTI   The Nasdaq Capital Market
Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share   RGTIW   The Nasdaq Capital Market

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

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 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

 

 

 


INTRODUCTORY NOTE

Domestication and Mergers

As previously announced, Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. (“Supernova” and, after the Domestication as described below, “New Rigetti” or the “Company”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, previously entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2021 (as amended on July 23, 2021 and September 13, 2021, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among Supernova, Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Supernova (“First Merger Sub”), Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Supernova (“Second Merger Sub”) and Rigetti Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Legacy Rigetti”).

On March 1, 2022, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement and described in the section titled “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 167 of the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement, dated February 9, 2022 (the “proxy statement/prospectus”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and following approval by Supernova’s shareholders at an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders held on February 28, 2022 (the “Extraordinary General Meeting”), Supernova filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which Supernova was domesticated and continues as a Delaware corporation, changing its name to “Rigetti Computing, Inc.”

As a result of and upon the effective time of the Domestication, among other things, (1) each then issued and outstanding Class A ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Supernova (“Supernova Class A ordinary share”) converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of New Rigetti (“New Rigetti Common Stock”); (2) each then issued and outstanding Class B ordinary share, par value $0.0001 per share, of Supernova (“Supernova Class B ordinary share”) converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Rigetti Common Stock; (3) each then issued and outstanding whole warrant of Supernova to purchase one Supernova Class A ordinary shares converted automatically into a warrant to acquire one share of New Rigetti Common Stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share (the “New Rigetti Warrants”) pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated March 1, 2021, between Supernova and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent; and (4) each then issued and outstanding unit of Supernova (the “Supernova Units”) was separated and converted automatically into one share of New Rigetti Common Stock and one-fourth of one New Rigetti Warrant.

On March 2, 2022 (the “Closing Date”), as contemplated in the Merger Agreement and described in the section titled “Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 124 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, New Rigetti consummated the merger transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, following the approval by Supernova’s shareholders at the Extraordinary General Meeting and effectuation of the Domestication, whereby (i) First Merger Sub merged with and into Legacy Rigetti, the separate corporate existence of First Merger Sub ceasing and Legacy Rigetti being the surviving corporation (the “Surviving Corporation” and, such merger, the “First Merger”) and (ii) immediately following the First Merger, the Surviving Corporation merged with and into the Second Merger Sub, with the separate corporate existence of the Surviving Corporation ceasing and the Second Merger Sub being the surviving entity and changing its name to “Rigetti Intermediate LLC” (such merger transaction together with the First Merger, the Domestication and other transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, the “Business Combination”). The closing of the Business Combination is herein referred to as “the Closing.”

Immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger, each share of Legacy Rigetti’s Series C preferred stock and Series C-1 preferred stock (collectively, the “Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock”), converted into shares of common stock of Legacy Rigetti (“Legacy Rigetti Common Stock”) in accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Legacy Rigetti (such conversion, the “Legacy Rigetti Preferred Conversion”).

As a result of the First Merger, among other things, (1) all outstanding shares of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock as of immediately prior to the Closing (including Legacy Rigetti Common Stock resulting from the Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion), were exchanged at an exchange ratio of 0.786989052873439 (the “Exchange Ratio”) for an aggregate of 78,959,579 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock, (2) each warrant to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted into a warrant to purchase shares of New Rigetti Common Stock (“New Rigetti Assumed Warrant”), with each New Rigetti Assumed Warrant subject to

 

2


the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti warrant and having an exercise price and number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchasable based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement, (3) each option to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted into an option to purchase shares of New Rigetti Common Stock (“New Rigetti Assumed Option”), with each New Rigetti Assumed Option subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti option and with an exercise price and number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchasable based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement and (4) each Legacy Rigetti restricted stock unit award converted into a restricted stock unit award to receive shares of New Rigetti Common Stock (“New Rigetti Assumed RSU Award”), with each New Rigetti Assumed RSU Award subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti restricted stock unit award, and with the number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock to which the New Rigetti Assumed RSU Award based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

The foregoing description of the Merger Agreement is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Merger Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 2.1, which is incorporated herein by reference.

PIPE Financing

Concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Supernova entered into Subscription Agreements (the “Initial Subscription Agreements”) with certain investors (together, the “Initial PIPE Investors”), pursuant to which the Initial PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Supernova agreed to issue and sell to the Initial PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 10,251,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock at a price of $10.00 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $102,510,000 (the “Initial PIPE Financing”). On December 23, 2021, Supernova entered into Subscription Agreements (the “Subsequent Subscription Agreements”, and together with the Initial Subscription Agreements, the “Subscription Agreements”) with two “accredited investors” (as such term is defined in Rule 501 of Regulation D) (the “Subsequent PIPE Investors”, and together with the Initial PIPE Investors, the “PIPE Investors”) pursuant to which the Subsequent PIPE Investors agreed to subscribe for and purchase, and Supernova agreed to issue and sell to the Subsequent PIPE Investors, an aggregate of 4,390,244 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock at a price of $10.25 per share, for aggregate gross proceeds of $45,000,000 (the “Subsequent PIPE Financing”, and together with the Initial PIPE Financing, the “PIPE Financing”). Pursuant to the Subscription Agreements, New Rigetti agreed to provide the PIPE Investors with certain registration rights with respect to the shares purchased as part of the PIPE Financing. The PIPE Financing was consummated immediately prior to the Mergers. A description of the Subscription Agreements is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements—Subscription Agreements” beginning on page 145 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

The foregoing description of the Subscription Agreements is a summary only and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Form of Subscription Agreement, a copy of the form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.2, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement

In connection with the Closing, New Rigetti, Supernova Partners II LLC (“Sponsor” or “SNII LLC”), Supernova’s directors and officers, certain former stockholders of Legacy Rigetti and Legacy Rigetti’s officers and directors entered into an amended and restated registration rights agreement (the “Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement”). The terms of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business Combination Proposal—Related Agreements—Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement” on page 144 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

The foregoing description of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

3


Indemnification Agreements

On the Closing Date, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with the Company’s directors and officers, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.21 and incorporated herein by reference.

Sponsor Support Agreement

As previously reported, in connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Supernova entered into a sponsor support agreement (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) with the Sponsor, Legacy Rigetti and Supernova’s directors and officers. Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, the Sponsor and Supernova’s directors and officers (“Sponsor Holders”), among other things, agreed to vote all of their shares of Supernova capital stock in favor of the approval of the Business Combination. In addition, pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, (i) 2,479,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor Holders became unvested and subject to forfeiture as of the Closing and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days, and (ii) 580,273 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor Holders became unvested and subject to forfeiture as of the Closing and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days. Any such shares held by the Sponsor Holders that remain unvested after the fifth anniversary of the Closing will be forfeited.

The foregoing description of the Sponsor Support Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Sponsor Support Agreement, the form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.3 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Rigetti Support Agreements

As previously reported, on October 6, 2021, concurrently with the execution of the Merger Agreement, certain of Legacy Rigetti’s stockholders entered into support agreements (collectively, the “Rigetti Support Agreements”) with Supernova and Legacy Rigetti, pursuant to which the such Legacy Rigetti stockholders each agreed, among other things, to vote to adopt and approve, upon the registration statement on Form S-4 being declared effective, the Merger Agreement and all other documents and transactions contemplated thereby.

The foregoing description of the Rigetti Support Agreements does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the terms and conditions of the Rigetti Support Agreements, the form of which is attached as Exhibit 10.4 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

FORM 10 INFORMATION

Prior to the Closing, the Company was a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) with no operations, formed as a vehicle to effect a business combination with one or more operating businesses. Item 2.01(f) of Form 8-K states that if the registrant was a shell company, as the Company was immediately before the Merger, then the registrant must disclose the information that would be required if the registrant were filing a general form for registration of securities on Form 10. Accordingly, the Company is providing below the information that would be included in a Form 10 if it were to file a Form 10. Please note that the information provided below relates to the combined company after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless otherwise specifically indicated or the context otherwise requires.

 

4


Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Current Report on Form 8-K and in documents incorporated herein by reference may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. The Company’s forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company’s or its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future. In addition, any statements that refer to projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, are forward-looking statements. The words “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would,” “goal” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

The forward-looking statements contained in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in documents incorporated herein are based on the Company’s current expectations and beliefs concerning future developments and their potential effects on us taking into account information currently available to the Company. There can be no assurance that future developments affecting the Company will be those that the Company has anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond the Company’s control) or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

As a result of a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties, the Company’s actual results or performance may be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include:

 

   

changes in domestic and foreign business, market, financial, political, regulatory and legal conditions;

 

   

the Company’s ability to ability to execute its business strategy, including monetization of its products;

 

   

the Company’s ability to implement its strategic initiatives and continue to innovate its existing services;

 

   

the Company’s projected financial information, growth rate and market opportunity;

 

   

the ability to maintain the listing of the New Rigetti Common Stock and the warrants on the Nasdaq Capital Market, and the potential liquidity and trading of such securities;

 

   

the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the Company to grow and retain its key employees;

 

   

costs related to the Business Combination;

 

   

changes in applicable laws or regulations;

 

   

the Company’s ability to raise financing in the future and ability to continue as a going concern;

 

   

the Company’s success in retaining or recruiting, or changes required in, our officers, key employees or directors after the Business Combination;

 

   

the Company’s ability to maintain relationships with customers and suppliers;

 

   

the Company’s officers and directors allocating their time to other businesses and potentially having conflicts of interest with the Company’s business;

 

5


   

the Company’s estimates regarding expenses, future revenue, capital requirements and needs for additional financing;

 

   

the Company’s financial performance;

 

   

the Company’s ability to expand or maintain its existing customer base;

 

   

the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against the Company;

 

   

the effect of COVID-19 on the foregoing; and

 

   

unfavorable conditions in the Company’s industry, the global economy or global supply chain, including financial and credit market fluctuations, international trade relations, pandemics (such as the COVID-19 pandemic), political turmoil, natural catastrophes, warfare (such as the conflict involving Russia and Ukraine), and terrorist attacks.

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this Current Report on Form 8-K, and current expectations, forecasts and assumptions, and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements in this Current Report on Form 8-K and in any document incorporated herein by reference should not be relied upon as representing the Company’s views as of any subsequent date, and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws.

Business and Properties

The business and properties of Supernova and Legacy Rigetti prior to the Business Combination are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Information About Supernova” beginning on page 231 and “Information About Rigetti” beginning on page 246 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Risk Factors

The risks associated with the Company’s business are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Risk Factors” beginning on page 60 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Information

The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the financial information of Supernova and Legacy Rigetti is incorporated herein by reference. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of Supernova and Legacy Rigetti as of and for year ended December 31, 2021 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Legacy Rigetti for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021, and year ended January 31, 2021 is included in Exhibit 99.2 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Information with respect to quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk is set forth in Exhibit 99.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K in the section entitled “Rigetti’s Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Directors and Executive Officers

Information with respect to the Company’s directors and executive officers after the Closing is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination” and “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation” beginning on page 302 and page 283, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, interlocks and insider participation information regarding New Rigetti’s executive officers is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section titled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination—Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation” beginning on page 307 and that information is incorporated herein by reference.

 

6


Directors

Immediately following the Closing, the size of the board of directors of the Company (the “New Rigetti Board”) was set at eight members. Upon the Closing, each of Chad Rigetti, Ray Johnson, H. Gail Sandford, Alissa Fitzgerald, Gen. Peter Pace, David Cowan, Cathy McCarthy and Michael Clifton were elected to serve as directors on the New Rigetti Board.

Messrs. Rigetti and Johnson and Ms. Sandford were appointed to serve as Class I directors, with terms expiring at the Company’s first annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; Ms. Fitzgerald and Gen. Pace and Mr. Cowan were appointed to serve as Class II directors, with terms expiring at the Company’s second annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing; and Ms. McCarthy and Mr. Clifton were appointed to serve as Class III directors, with terms expiring at the Company’s third annual meeting of stockholders following the Closing. Biographical information for these individuals is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Rigetti following the Business Combination” beginning on page 302 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Independence of Directors

The New Rigetti Board has determined that each of Ray Johnson, H. Gail Sandford, Alissa Fitzgerald, Gen. Peter Pace, David Cowan, Cathy McCarthy and Michael Clifton qualify as “independent directors,” as defined under the listing rules of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (the “Nasdaq listing rules”), and that the Board consists of a majority of “independent directors,” as defined under the rules of the SEC and Nasdaq listing rules relating to director independence requirements.

Information with respect to the Company’s directors after the Closing is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 302 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Committees of the Board of Directors

Immediately following the Closing, the standing committees of the New Rigetti Board consist of an audit committee (the “Audit Committee”), a compensation committee (the “Compensation Committee”) and a nominating and corporate governance committee (the “Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee”). Each of the committees reports to the New Rigetti Board.

Immediately following the Closing, the New Rigetti Board (i) appointed Mses. McCarty and Fitzgerald and Mr. Pace to serve on the Audit Committee, with Ms. McCarthy as chair of the Audit Committee, (ii) Messrs. Johnson and Clifton and Gen. Pace to serve on the Compensation Committee, with Mr. Johnson as chair of the Compensation Committee and (iii) Ms. Fitzgerald, Gen. Pace and Mr. Cowan to serve on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, with Ms. Fitzgerald as chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

Information with respect to the Committees of the New Rigetti Board after the Closing is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 302 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Executive Officers

Upon the consummation of the Business Combination, the Board appointed the following individuals as the Company’s executive officers: Chad Rigetti to serve as Chief Executive Officer and President, Taryn Naidu to serve as Chief Operating Officer, Brian Sereda to serve as Chief Financial Officer, Rick Danis to serve as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Mike Harburn to serve as Chief Technology Officer, Mandy Birch to serve as Senior Vice President, Technology Partnerships, and David Rivas to serve as Senior Vice President, Systems and Service (Software). The biographical information for the new executive officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination” beginning on page 302 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

7


Executive Compensation

Information with respect to the compensation of Company’s executive officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation” beginning on page 283 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. All unit counts in the section entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation” are shown on a pre-Business Combination basis. The foregoing description of the compensation of the Company’s executive officers is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the employment agreements of Messrs. Rigetti, Sereda and Naidu, copies of which are attached hereto as Exhibit 10.25, Exhibit 10.26 and Exhibit 10.27, respectively, and incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing employment agreements became effective upon the Closing on March 2, 2022.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting, Supernova shareholders approved the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2022 Plan”). The 2022 Plan was previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, by the board of directors of Supernova on February 23, 2022. The description of the 2022 Plan is set forth beginning on page 187 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus section entitled “The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the 2022 Plan is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2022 Plan, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.16 and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting, Supernova shareholders approved the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “2022 ESPP”). The 2022 Plan was previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, by the board of directors of Supernova on February 23, 2022. The description of the 2022 ESPP is set forth beginning on page 198 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus section entitled “The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal,” which is incorporated herein by reference. The description of the 2022 ESPP is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the 2022 ESPP, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.20 and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Transaction Cash Bonuses

The board of directors of Legacy Rigetti approved the following cash bonuses that were paid to Rigetti’s executive officers in connection with the Closing. In addition to the cash bonuses paid below, $795,000 in the aggregate was paid to employees other than the executive officers.

 

Name

   Transaction
Cash Bonus
 

Chad Rigetti

   $ 400,000  

Taryn Naidu

   $ 400,000  

Rick Danis

   $ 350,000  

Brian Sereda

   $ 25,000  

David Rivas

   $ 30,000  

Information with respect to the transaction cash bonuses is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation—Transaction Cash Bonuses” beginning on page 289 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Transaction Stock Bonus Awards

Following consummation of the Business Combination, the New Rigetti Board approved, contingent upon and subject to the filing and effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 (the “Form S-8”) with respect to the 2022 Plan, the grant of individual stock awards pursuant to the 2022 Plan set forth below for the executive officers effective as of the date of filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8. In addition, the Rigetti Board approved, contingent upon and subject to the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan, an aggregate of 45,000 Rigetti stock awards to employees other than executive officers pursuant to the 2022 Plan effective as of the date of filing and effectiveness of such registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan. The grants of stock awards are contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan and the grant date of such stock awards will be the date of filing and effectiveness of such Form S-8.

 

Name

   Number of Rigetti
Stock Awards
 

Chad Rigetti

     45,000  

Taryn Naidu

     45,000  

Brian Sereda

     5,000  

Rick Danis

     25,000  

Information with respect to the transaction stock bonus awards is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation—Executive Officer Compensation Following the Business Combination—Transaction Stock Bonus Awards” beginning on page 293 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

 

8


New Rigetti Alignment RSU Awards and Annual RSU Awards

Following the consummation of the Business Combination, the New Rigetti Board approved, contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan, the grant of 4,015,272 New Rigetti restricted stock units (“New Rigetti RSUs”) under the 2022 Plan to New Rigetti’s executive officers as set forth in the table below and 1,117,690 New Rigetti RSUs under the 2022 Plan in the aggregate to other employees of New Rigetti as alignment awards (collectively the “New Rigetti Alignment RSUs”), pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Plan, a form of restricted stock unit award agreement adopted by the Rigetti Board and the vesting schedules set forth in the footnotes to the table below contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan.

Following the Closing of the Business Combination, the New Rigetti Board also approved, contingent upon and effective upon contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the effectiveness of a registration statement on Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan, the grant of 935,400 Rigetti RSUs in the aggregate to New Rigetti’s executive officers as set forth in the table below and 296,900 Rigetti RSUs in the aggregate to other employees of Rigetti as 2022 annual equity awards (the “Rigetti 2022 Annual RSUs”), pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Plan, the form of restricted stock unit award agreement adopted by the New Rigetti Board and the vesting schedules set forth in the footnotes to the table below.

The grants of New Rigetti RSUs set forth above and below are contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan and the grant date of such New Rigetti RSUs will be the date of filing and effectiveness of such Form S-8.

 

Name

   Number of Rigetti
Alignment RSUs
     Rigetti
Alignment
RSUs Vesting
     Number of
2022
Rigetti
Annual
RSUs
     2022 Rigetti
Annual
RSUs
Vesting
 

Chad Rigetti

     2,857,444        (A), (C)        334,700        (B), (C)  

Taryn Naidu

     444,450        (A), (C)        161,300        (B), (C)  

Rick Danis

     164,685        (A), (C)        102,800        (B), (C)  

Brian Sereda

     8,791        (B), (C)        128,600        (B), (D)  

Michael Harburn

     207,178        (B), (C)        107,900        (B), (D)  

David Rivas

     133,102        (A), (C)        47,700        (B), (D)  

Mandy Birch

     199,622        (A), (C)        52,400        (B), (D)  

 

(A)

Time-based vesting will occur in accordance with the following schedule (subject to the individual’s Continuous Service (as defined in the 2022 Plan) on each such vesting date): (i) 50% of the total number of New Rigetti RSUs will vest in substantially equal installments (rounded down, except for the final scheduled vesting installment) on the last day of each calendar month beginning with the month in which the Vesting Commencement Date occurs and over a period of 12 months and (ii) the remaining 50% of the total number of New Rigetti RSUs will vest in substantially equal installments (rounded down, except for the final scheduled vesting installment) on the last day of each calendar month beginning with the month in which the Vesting Commencement Date occurs and over a period of 48 months. Prongs (i) and (ii) of the time-based vesting will occur concurrently, such that, at the end of the 12-month period immediately following the Vesting Commencement Date, 62.5% of the total number of New Rigetti RSUs will have vested (subject to the individual’s Continuous Service (as defined in the 2022 Plan) on such vesting date). This vesting schedule will also apply to employees who have served in their roles for at least two years before the grant date.

(B)

Time-based vesting will occur in accordance with the following schedule (subject to the individual’s Continuous Service (as defined in the 2022 Plan) on each such vesting date): one-forty eighth (1/48th) of the total number of New Rigetti RSUs (rounded down, except for the final scheduled vesting installment) will satisfy time-based vesting on the last day of each calendar month beginning with the month in which the Vesting Commencement Date occurs and over a period of 48 months. This vesting schedule will also apply to employees who have served in their roles for less than two years as of the grant date.

(C)

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2022 Plan), 100% of the then unvested shares subject to the New Rigetti RSUs shall vest immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control.

(D)

In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2022 Plan), 50% of the then unvested shares subject to the New Rigetti RSUs shall vest immediately prior to the consummation of the Change in Control with such acceleration to be applied on a pro-rata basis with respect to each remaining vesting tranche.

(E)

Time-based vesting will occur in accordance with the following schedule (subject to the individual’s Continuous Service (as defined in the 2022 Plan) on each such vesting date): one-forty eighth (1/48th) of the total number of New Rigetti RSUs (rounded down, except for the final scheduled vesting installment) will satisfy time-based vesting on the last day of each calendar month beginning with the month in which the Vesting Commencement Date occurs and over a period of 48 months.

 

9


The Vesting Commencement Date for the New Rigetti RSUs listed in the table above is March 2, 2022.

Information with respect to the New Rigetti Alignment RSU Awards and the New Rigetti Annual RSU Awards is described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation— Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation—New Rigetti Alignment RSU Award and Annual RSU Awards” beginning on page 294 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Director Compensation

Information with respect to the compensation of the Company’s directors is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Rigetti’s Executive and Director Compensation” beginning on page 283 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Following the Closing, the New Rigetti Board approved a non-employee director compensation policy consisting of annual cash retainers of $40,000 for each non-employee director and an additional $25,000 for the chairperson of the New Rigetti Board; an additional $20,000 and $10,000 for the chairperson and each member of the audit committee of the New Rigetti Board, respectively; an additional $12,000 and $6,000 for the chairperson and each member of the compensation committee of the New Rigetti Board, respectively; and an additional $9,000 and $4,500 for the chairperson and each member of the nominating and corporate governance committee of the New Rigetti Board, respectively.

For each member of the New Rigetti Board who is (i) serving on the New Rigetti Board immediately following the effective date of the non-employee director compensation policy (the “Effective Date”) or (ii) first elected or appointed to the New Rigetti Board following the Effective Date, (A) on the date on which a registration statement on Form S-8 is filed and effective covering the New Rigetti RSUs (“Form S-8”), with respect to clause (i) and (B) on the date of such director’s initial election or appointment to the Board (or, if such date is not a market trading day, the first market trading day thereafter or, if there is not a Form S-8 on the date of such initial election or appointment, then the date on which a Form S-8 is filed and effective), with respect to clause (ii), the director will be automatically, and without further action by the New Rigetti Board or its Compensation Committee, granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with respect to shares of New Rigetti Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) as of the grant date equal to $210,000 (the “Initial RSU Grant”); provided that such director remains in Continuous Service (as defined in the 2022 Plan) through the grant date. The grant of any Initial RSU Grant pursuant to clause (i) above is contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of a Form S-8. The Initial RSU Grant will vest in substantially equal installments at the end of each month over a three-year period, such that the Initial RSU Grant will be fully vested on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the Eligible Director remaining in Continuous Service through each such vesting date.

The non-employee director compensation policy also provides for annual grants of New Rigetti RSUs to each director equivalent to $140,000 starting in 2022 and in future years, vesting in substantially equal installments at the end of each month over a one-year period. In the event of a Change in Control (as defined in the 2022 Plan), any unvested portion of the New Rigetti RSUs would vest immediately prior to the consummation of such Change in Control. The New Rigetti RSUs will be granted pursuant to the terms of the 2022 Plan and the form of restricted stock unit award agreement adopted by the Board and included as Exhibit 10.15 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and in all cases are contingent upon, subject to and effective upon the effectiveness of the Form S-8 with respect to the 2022 Plan. The description of the non-employee director compensation policy is not complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the non-employee director compensation policy, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.22 and the terms of which are incorporated by reference herein.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The following table sets forth information known to the Company regarding (i) the actual beneficial ownership of New Rigetti Common Stock as of the Closing Date, after giving effect to the Closing, by:

 

   

each person known by the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Company’s outstanding shares New Rigetti Common Stock;

 

10


   

each of the Company’s executive officers and directors;

 

   

all executive officers and directors of the Company as a group.

Beneficial ownership is determined according to the rules of the SEC, which generally provide that a person has beneficial ownership of a security if he, she or it possesses sole or shared voting or investment power over that security, including options and warrants that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days.

The beneficial ownership percentages set forth in the table below are based on 113,810,285 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issued and outstanding as of the Closing Date and other than as noted below, do not take into account the issuance of any shares of New Rigetti Common Stock upon the exercise of 8,625,000 public warrants, each exercisable for one share of New Rigetti Common Stock at a price of $11.50 per share (the “Public Warrants”) to purchase an aggregate of 8,625,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock. Unless otherwise noted in the footnotes to the following table, and subject to applicable community property laws, the persons and entities named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their beneficially owned New Rigetti Common Stock.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner(1)

   Number of Shares of
New Rigetti
Common

Stock Beneficially
Owned
     % of Ownership  

Directors and Executive Officers

     

Chad Rigetti(2)
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director

     7,035,559        6.0

Taryn Naidu(3)
Chief Operating Officer

     842,866        *  

Brian Sereda(4)
Chief Financial Officer

     418        *

Rick Danis(5)
General Counsel and Corporate Secretary

     250,950        *

Mike Harburn(6)
Chief Technology Officer

     308,546        *

Mandy Birch(7)
Senior Vice President, Technology Partnerships

     422,103        *  

David Rivas(8)
Senior Vice President, Systems and Service (Software)

     276,637        *  

Gen. Peter Pace(9)
Director

     295,120        *  

David Cowan(10)
Director

     —          *

Alissa Fitzgerald(11)
Director

     201,963        *  

Ray Johnson(12)
Director

     182,799        *  

Cathy McCarthy
Director

     —          —    

Michael Clifton(13)(14)
Director

     62,500        *

H. Gail Sandford
Director

        —  

All executive officers and directors after the business combination as a group (14 persons)

     9,879,461        8.3

Five Percent Holders

     

Supernova Partners II LLC(14)

     12,868,000        10.9

Entities Affiliated with Bessemer Venture Partners(15)

     21,582,218        19.0

AVG Entities(16)

     7,597,642        6.7

Insurance Company of the West(17)

     9,178,816        8.1

 

*

Less than 1%

(1)

Unless otherwise noted, the mailing address of each of those listed in the table above is 775 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA, 94710.

 

11


(2)

Consists of 4,144,913 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Dr. Rigetti, and 2,890,646 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Dr. Rigetti which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(3)

Consists of 204,960 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Mr. Naidu or his affiliated entity AlphaNuma LLC at Closing, and 637,906 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options, warrants or restricted stock unit awards which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(4)

Consists of 418 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the settlement restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Sereda which vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(5)

Consists of 250,950 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Danis which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(6)

Consists of 308,546 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Harburn which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(7)

Consists of 147,341 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Ms. Birch, and 274,762 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Ms. Birch which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(8)

Consists of 276,637 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Rivas which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(9)

Consists of 295,120 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Gen. Pace.

(10)

David Cowan, a member of the New Rigetti Board, is a partner at Bessemer Venture Partners. Mr. Cowan disclaims beneficial ownership interest of the securities held by the Bessemer Entities (as defined below) referred to in footnote 15 below, except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, if any, in such securities through an indirect interest in the Bessemer Entities.

(11)

Consists of 201,963 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Ms. Fitzgerald which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(12)

Consists of 22,788 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Mr. Johnson, and 160,011 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon the exercise or settlement of options or restricted stock unit awards held by Mr. Johnson which are exercisable or vest within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(13)

Consists of 62,500 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchased in the PIPE Financing.

(14)

SNII LLC holds 8,418,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock and 4,450,000 shares underlying private warrants held by SNII LLC, which are exercisable for shares of New Rigetti Common Stock commencing 30 days after the closing of the Business Combination. SNII LLC is governed by a board of managers consisting of four managers: Spencer M. Rascoff, Alexander M. Klabin, Robert D. Reid and Michael S. Clifton. Each manager has one vote, and the approval of a majority of the managers is required to approve any action of SNII LLC. Under the so-called “rule of three,” if voting and dispositive decisions regarding an entity’s securities are made by three or more individuals, and a voting or dispositive decision requires the approval of at least a majority of those individuals, then none of the individuals is deemed a beneficial owner of the entity’s securities. Based upon the foregoing analysis, no director of SNII LLC exercises voting or dispositive control over any of the securities held by SNII LLC, even those in which he or she directly holds a pecuniary interest. Accordingly, none of them will be deemed to have or share beneficial ownership of such shares. Includes 2,479,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock that became unvested and subject to forfeiture as of the Closing and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days, and (ii) 580,273 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor Holders became unvested and subject to forfeiture as of the Closing and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days. Any such shares held by the Sponsor Holders that remain unvested after the fifth anniversary of the Closing will be forfeited. The address for SNII is 4301 50th Street NW, Suite 300 PMB 1044, Washington, D.C. 20016.

(15)

Consists of (i) 9,481,710 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Bessemer Venture Partners X Institutional L.P. and 10,100,508 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Bessemer Venture Partners X L.P. and (ii) 968,400 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchased by Bessemer Venture Partners X L.P. and 1,031,600 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchased by Bessemer Venture Partners X Institutional L.P. in the PIPE Financing. Deer X & Co. L.P., or Deer X L.P., is the general partner of Bessemer Venture Partners X Institutional L.P. and Bessemer Venture Partners X L.P. Deer X & Co. Ltd., or Deer X Ltd., is the general partner of Deer X L.P. Adam Fisher, Robert P. Goodman, David Cowan, Jeremy Levine, Byron Deeter, Ethan Kurzweil, Alex Ferrara, Brian Feinstein and Stephen Kraus are the directors of Deer X Ltd. and hold the voting and dispositive power for the Bessemer Entities. Investment and voting decisions with respect to the securities held by the Bessemer Entities are made by the directors of Deer X Ltd. acting as an investment committee. Mr. Cowan disclaims beneficial ownership of the shares of the Company held by the Bessemer Entities except to the extent of his pecuniary interest, if any, in such securities through an indirect interest in the Bessemer Entities. The address for the Bessemer Entities is c/o Bessemer Venture Partners, 1865 Palmer Avenue, Suite 104, Larchmont, NY 10538.

 

12


(16)

Consists of (i) 772,613 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust1 2020, 906,446 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust2 2020, 5,344,241 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust3 2020 and 29,429 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by AVGF-BIV 2 Rigetti 2017, LLC, (ii) 100,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchased by AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust3 2020 in the PIPE Financing and (iii) 444,913 of New Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon exercise of warrants held by AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust1 2020, AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust2 2020 and AVG - BIV Rigetti Trust3 2020 that are exercisable as of or within 60 days of the Closing Date.

(17)

Consists of (i) 8,678,816 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by Insurance Company of the West and (ii) 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchased by Insurance Company of the West in the PIPE Financing.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The certain relationships and related party transactions of the Company are described in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” beginning on page 313 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Legal Proceedings

Information about legal proceedings is set forth in Supernova’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022 and in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections “Information about Supernova—Legal Proceedings” and “Information about Rigetti—Legal Proceedings” on pages 240 and 266, respectively, of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference.

Market Price of and Dividends on the Registrant’s Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

Market Information and Holders

Prior to the Business Combination, Supernova’s units, Class A Ordinary Shares and publicly-traded warrants (“Supernova Public Warrants”) were historically quoted on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “SNII.U,” “SNII” and “SNII WS,” respectively. On March 2, 2022, the New Rigetti Common Stock and the Public Warrants began trading on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the new trading symbols “RGTI” and “RGTIW”, respectively. On the Closing Date, the CUSIP numbers relating to the New Rigetti Common Stock and Public Warrants changed to 76655K 103 and 76655K 111, respectively.

As a result of the Domestication, all of Supernova Class A ordinary shares and Supernova Class B ordinary shares automatically converted into shares of New Rigetti Common Stock on a one-for-one basis. The Supernova Public Warrants and the private warrants held by SNII LLC became warrants for New Rigetti Common Stock.

As of the Closing Date and following the consummation of the Business Combination, the Company had 113,810,285 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding held of record by 384 holders and 8,624,972 Public Warrants outstanding and held of record by 1 holder. As of the Closing Date and following the consummation of the Business Combination, Supernova’s units ceased trading on the New York Stock Exchange and were separated into their component securities upon consummation of the Business Combination and no fractional warrants were issued upon the separation.

Dividends

The Company has not paid any cash dividends on the Supernova Class A ordinary shares, Supernova Class B ordinary shares or New Rigetti Common Stock to date. Subject to the rights of holders of preferred stock of New Rigetti (if any) and the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, as it may be amended from time to time, holders of New Rigetti Common Stock will be entitled to receive such dividends and other distributions in cash, stock or property of New Rigetti when, as and if declared thereon by the Board, in its discretion, from time to time out of assets or funds of New Rigetti legally available therefor. The Company does not anticipate declaring any cash dividends to holders of New Rigetti Common Stock in the foreseeable future.

Recent Sales of Unregistered Securities

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth below under Item 3.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K concerning the issuance and sale by the Company of certain unregistered securities, which is incorporated herein by reference.

 

13


Description of Registrant’s Securities to be Registered

Common Stock

A description of the New Rigetti Common Stock is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of New Rigetti Securities—New Rigetti Common Stock” beginning on page 319 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Warrants

A description of the Public Warrants is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Description of New Rigetti Securities—Warrants” beginning on page 324 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference.

Indemnification of Directors and Officers

Information about indemnification of the Company’s directors and officers is set forth in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Management of New Rigetti Following the Business Combination—Limitation on Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officer” on page 308 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. On the Closing Date, the Company entered into indemnification agreements with the Company’s directors and officers, a form of which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.21 and incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

Reference is made to the disclosure set forth under Item 4.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Financial Statements and Exhibits

The information set forth in Item 9.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 3.02. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

The disclosure set forth in the “Introductory Note—PIPE Financing” above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.

The securities issued in connection with the Subscription Agreements have not been registered under the Securities Act in reliance on the exemption from registration provided by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act and/or Rule 506(c) promulgated thereunder.

Item 3.03. Material Modification to Rights of Security Holders.

On March 1, 2022, in connection with the Domestication, Supernova filed the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. On March 1, 2022, following the Domestication, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Bylaws (the “Bylaws”), which became effective on that date. The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of Supernova’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Description of New Rigetti’s Securities” beginning on page 319 and “Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights” beginning on page 317, which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the disclosures set forth under the Introductory Note and Item 5.03 in this Current Report on Form 8-K are incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are included as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 4.01 Changes in Registrant’s Certifying Accountant.

On March 2, 2022, the Board approved the engagement of BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm to audit the Company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2022. BDO served as the independent registered public accounting firm of Legacy Rigetti prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, Marcum LLP (“Marcum”), the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm prior to the Business Combination, was informed on the Closing Date that it would be dismissed and replaced by BDO as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.

 

14


Marcum’s report on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, shareholders’ equity and cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from December 22, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2021, and the related notes to the financial statements (collectively, the “financial statements”) did not contain any adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion, nor were they qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles, except for the substantial doubt about the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.

During the period from December 22, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2021 and the subsequent interim period through March 2, 2022, there were no: (i) disagreements with Marcum on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosures or audited scope or procedures, which disagreements if not resolved to Marcum’s satisfaction would have caused Marcum to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreement in connection with its report or (ii) reportable events as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).

During the period from December 22, 2020 (inception) to December 31, 2021, and the interim period through March 2, 2022, the Company did not consult BDO with respect to either (i) the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed; or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, and no written report or oral advice was provided to the Company by BDO that BDO concluded was an important factor considered by the Company in reaching a decision as to the accounting, auditing or financial reporting issue; or (ii) any matter that was either the subject of a disagreement, as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act and the related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act, or a reportable event, as that term is defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act.

The Company has provided Marcum with a copy of the disclosures made by the Company in response to this Item 4.01 and has requested that Marcum furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with the statements made by the Company in response to this Item 4.01 and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A letter from Marcum is attached hereto as Exhibit 16.1.

Item 5.01. Changes in Control of the Registrant.

The information set forth in the “Introductory Note” and in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

As a result of the consummation of the Business Combination, a change of control of Supernova has occurred, and the shareholders of Supernova as of immediately prior to the Closing held 17.8% of the outstanding shares of New Rigetti Common Stock immediately following the Closing.

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

The information set forth in the sections entitled “Directors and Executive Officers” and “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan

At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Company shareholders of the Company considered and approved the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2022 Plan was previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, by the board of directors of Supernova on February 23, 2022, and on the Closing Date, the New Rigetti Board ratified the approval of the 2022 Plan. The 2022 Plan became effective immediately upon the Closing.

A description of the 2022 Plan is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Equity Incentive Plan Proposal” beginning on page 187 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2022 Plan is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2022 Plan, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.16 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

15


Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

At the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Supernova shareholders considered and approved the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The 2022 ESPP was previously approved, subject to shareholder approval, by the board of directors of Supernova on February 23, 2022, and on the Closing Date, the New Rigetti Board ratified the approval of the 2022 ESPP. The 2022 ESPP became effective immediately upon the Closing.

A description of the 2022 ESPP is included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “The Employee Stock Purchase Plan Proposal” beginning on page 198 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which is incorporated herein by reference. The foregoing description of the 2022 ESPP is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the 2022 ESPP, which is attached hereto as Exhibit 10.20 and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.03. Amendments to Articles of Incorporation or Bylaws; Change in Fiscal Year.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting, Supernova’s shareholders approved, among other items, the Domestication Proposal, the Proposed Charter and Bylaws Proposal (“Charter and Bylaws Proposal”) and Advisory Governing Documents Proposals (including the Advisory Governing Documents Proposal A, Advisory Governing Documents Proposal B, Advisory Governing Documents Proposal C, and Advisory Governing Documents Proposal D (collectively, the “Advisory Governing Documents Proposal”)), each of which is described in greater detail in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

On March 1, 2022, in connection with the Domestication, Supernova filed the Certificate of Incorporation with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware. On March 1, 2022, following the Domestication, the Company’s board of directors adopted the Bylaws (“Bylaws”), which became effective on that date. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws included the amendments proposed by the Charter and Bylaws Proposal and Advisory Governing Documents Proposal. The material terms of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws and the general effect upon the rights of holders of Supernova’s capital stock are discussed in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the sections entitled “Description of New Rigetti’s Securities” beginning on page 319 and “Comparison of Corporate Governance and Shareholder Rights” beginning on page 317, which are incorporated herein by reference.

In addition, the disclosure set forth under the Introductory Note in this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference. Copies of the Certificate of Incorporation and the Bylaws are included as Exhibit 3.1 and Exhibit 3.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

Item 5.05. Amendments to the Registrant’s Code of Ethics, or Waiver of a Provision of the Code of Ethics.

In connection with the Business Combination, on March 2, 2022, the Board approved and adopted a new Code of Business Conduct and Ethics applicable to all employees, officers and directors of the Company. A copy of the Code of Business Conduct and Ethics can be found in the Investors section of the Company’s website at https://investors.rigetti.com/.

Item 5.06. Change in Shell Company Status.

On March 2, 2022, as a result of the Business Combination, Supernova ceased to be a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) as of the Closing. A description of the Business Combination and the terms of the Merger Agreement are included in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus in the section entitled “Business Combination Proposal” beginning on page 124 and “Domestication Proposal” beginning on page 167 of the Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which are incorporated herein by reference. Further, the information set forth in the Introductory Note and under Item 2.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 7.01. Regulation FD.

On March 2, 2022, the Company issued a press release announcing the closing of the Business Combination. A copy of the press release is filed hereto as Exhibit 99.4 and incorporated by reference herein.

 

16


The information in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4, is furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to liabilities under that section, and shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into the filings of the registrant under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, regardless of any general incorporation language in such filings. This Current Report on 8-K will not be deemed an admission as to the materiality of any information contained in this Item 7.01, including Exhibit 99.4.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(a) Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy Rigetti as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 and for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021 and the related notes are included in Exhibit 99.1 and are incorporated herein by reference.

The audited consolidated financial statements of Supernova as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021 and for the period from December 22, 2020 (inception) through December 31, 2020 and the related notes are included beginning on page F-1 in Supernova’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on February 23, 2022, and are incorporated herein by reference.

(b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information of the Company as of and for year ended December 31, 2021 is set forth in Exhibit 99.3 hereto and is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) Exhibits.

 

          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  

Description

   Schedule/
Form
   File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date
2.1+    Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC and Rigetti Holdings, Inc.    8-K    001-40140    2.1    October 6, 2021
2.2    First Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of December 23, 2021, by and among Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC and Rigetti Holdings, Inc.    8-K    001-40140    2.1    December 23, 2021
2.3    Second Amendment to Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 10, 2022, by and among Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC and Rigetti Holdings, Inc.    8-K    001-40140    2.1    January 10, 2022
3.1                    Certificate of Incorporation of Rigetti Computing, Inc.            

 

17


          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  

Description

   Schedule/
Form
   File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date
3.2    Bylaws of Rigetti Computing, Inc.            
4.1    Specimen Common Stock Certificate.            
4.2    Specimen Warrant Certificate.            
4.3    Warrant Agreement between American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC and Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., dated March 1, 2021.    8-K    001-40140    4.1    March 4, 2021
10.1    Amended and Restated Registration Rights Agreement, dated March 2, 2022, by and among New Rigetti, the Sponsor and the other holders party thereto.            
10.2    Form of Subscription Agreement for PIPE Financing.    8-K    001-40140    10.2    October 6, 2021
10.3    Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., Rigetti Holdings, Inc., Supernova Partners II LLC and certain other parties thereto.    8-K    001-40140    10.3    October 6, 2021
10.4    Rigetti Holders Support Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and certain other parties thereto.    8-K    001-40140    10.4    October 6, 2021
10.5    Letter Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021, among Supernova, the Sponsor and Supernova’s officers and directors.    8-K    001-40140    10.1    March 4, 2021
10.6    Loan and Security Agreement dated March 10, 2021, by and between Rigetti and Trinity Capital Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.14    February 8, 2022
10.7    Amendment No. 1 to Trinity Loan and Security Agreement dated May 18, 2021, by and between Rigetti and Trinity Capital Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.15    February 8, 2022
10.8        Amendment No. 2 to Trinity Loan and Security Agreement dated October 21, 2021, by and between Rigetti and Trinity Capital Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.16    February 8, 2022

 

18


          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  

Description

   Schedule/
Form
   File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date
10.9    Amendment No. 3 to Trinity Loan and Security Agreement dated January 27, 2022, by and between Rigetti & Co. LLC and Trinity Capital Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.17    February 8, 2022
10.10    Guaranty Agreement dated January 27, 2022, by and between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Trinity Capital Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.18    February 8, 2022
10.11    Amended and Restated Warrant to Purchase Stock, dated March 9, 2021, issued to Trinity Capital Inc. by Rigetti & Co, Inc.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.21    February 8, 2022
10.12    Manufacturing Agreement dated May 28, 2020, by and between Rigetti and Sparqtron Corporation.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.19    February 8, 2022
10.13#    Rigetti & Co, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.20    February 8, 2022
10.14#    Form of Stock Option Grant Notice and Form of Stock Option Agreement under Rigetti & Co, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.22    February 8, 2022
10.15#    Form of Restricted Stock Unit Grant Notice and Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under Rigetti & Co, Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.23    February 8, 2022
10.16#    Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.17#    Form of Stock Option Grant Package under 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.18#    Form of RSU Grant Package under 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.19#    Form of Stock Award Grant Package under 2022 Equity Incentive Plan.            
10.20#    Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan.            
10.21#    Form of Indemnification Agreement by and between the Company and its directors and officers.            

 

19


          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  

Description

   Schedule/
Form
   File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date
10.22#    Non-Employee Director Compensation Policy.            
10.23    Lease Agreement dated August 9, 2016 by and between Rigetti and Prologis Limited Partnership I, as amended.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.12    February 8, 2022
10.24    Lease Agreement dated April 15, 2015, by and among Rigetti, Temescal, LP and Contra Costa Industrial Park, Ltd., as amended.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.13    February 8, 2022
10.25#    Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Chad Rigetti.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.24    February 8, 2022
10.26#    Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Brian Sereda.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.25    February 8, 2022
10.27#    Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Taryn Naidu.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.26    February 8, 2022
10.28#    Executive Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and David Rivas.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.27    February 8, 2022
10.29#    Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Mike Harburn.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.28    February 8, 2022
10.30#    Amended & Restated Employment Agreement, dated February 2, 2022, between Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Rick Danis.    S-4/A    333-260692    10.29    February 8, 2022
16.1    Letter from Marcum LLP to the SEC.            
21.1    List of Subsidiaries of Rigetti Computing, Inc.            
99.1    Audited Consolidated Financial Statements of Legacy Rigetti as of and for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021 and as of and for the year ended January 31, 2021.            
99.2    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations of Legacy Rigetti for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021 and the year ended January 31, 2021.            

 

20


          Incorporated by Reference

Exhibit No.

  

Description

   Schedule/
Form
   File No.    Exhibit    Filing Date
99.3    Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial information of the Rigetti Computing, Inc. as of and for the year ended December 31, 2021.            
99.4    Press release dated March 2, 2022.            
104    Cover page Interactive data file (embedded within the inline XBRL document).                                                                            

 

+

The schedules and exhibits to this agreement have been omitted pursuant to Item 601(a)(5) of Regulation S-K. A copy of any omitted schedule and/or exhibit will be furnished to the SEC upon request.

#

Indicates management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.

 

21


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

Dated: March 7, 2022

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.
By:  

/s/ Chad Rigetti

  Chad Rigetti
    Chief Executive Officer

 

22

EX-3.1

Exhibit 3.1

CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

The undersigned, a natural person (the “Sole Incorporator”), for the purpose of organizing a corporation to conduct the business and promote the purposes hereinafter stated, under the provisions and subject to the requirements of the laws of the State of Delaware hereby certifies that:

I.

The name of this corporation is Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”).

II.

The address of the registered office of the Company in the State of Delaware is 1013 Centre Road, Suite 403-B, Wilmington, New Castle County, DE 19805. The name of its registered agent at that address is Vcorp Services, LLC.

III.

The purpose of the Company is to engage in any lawful act or activity for which a corporation may be organized under the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (as it now exists or may hereafter be amended and supplemented, the “DGCL”).

IV.

A. This Company is authorized to issue two classes of stock to be designated, respectively, “Common Stock” and “Preferred Stock.” The total number of shares which the Company is authorized to issue is 1,010,000,000 shares. 1,000,000,000 shares of which shall be a class of Common Stock, having a par value per share of $0.0001. 10,000,000 shares of which shall be a class of Preferred Stock, having a par value per share of $0.0001.

B. The Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series. The Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board of Directors”) is hereby expressly authorized to provide for the issue of all or any of the shares of the Preferred Stock in one or more series, and to fix the number of shares and to determine or alter for each such series, such voting powers, full or limited, or no voting powers, and such designation, preferences, privileges, and relative, participating, optional, or other rights and such qualifications, limitations, or restrictions thereof, as shall be stated and expressed in the resolution or resolutions adopted by the Board of Directors providing for the issuance of such shares and as may be permitted by the DGCL. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the Board of Directors is also expressly authorized to increase (but not above the authorized number of shares of Preferred Stock) or decrease the number of shares of any series subsequent to the issuance of shares of that series, but not below the number of shares of such series then outstanding. In case the number of shares of any series shall be decreased in accordance with the foregoing sentence, the shares constituting such decrease shall resume the status that they had prior to the adoption of the resolution originally fixing the number of shares of such series. The number of authorized shares of Preferred Stock or Common Stock may be increased or decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the outstanding shares of stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon, without a separate vote of the holders of the Preferred Stock, or of any series thereof, or Common Stock, irrespective of the provisions of Section 242(b)(2) of the DGCL, unless a vote of any such holders is required pursuant to the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

 

1.


C. Except as provided above, the designations, powers, preferences, privileges and relative participating, optional, or other rights, and qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of the Common Stock are as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS.

a.Acquisition” means (A) any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any other Entity, 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 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 of another Entity, the surviving Entity’s Parent) immediately after such consolidation, merger or reorganization; 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.

b.Asset Transfer” means a sale, lease, exclusive license or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, considered on a consolidated basis.

c.Certificate of Incorporation” means the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as amended or restated from time to time, including the terms of any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock.

d.Entity” means any corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other legal entity.

e.Liquidation Event” means (i) any Asset Transfer or Acquisition in which cash or other property is, pursuant to the express terms of the Asset Transfer or Acquisition, to be distributed to the stockholders in respect of their shares of capital stock in the Company or (ii) any liquidation, dissolution and winding up of the Company; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, compensation pursuant to any employment, consulting, severance or other compensatory arrangement to be paid to or received by a person who is also a holder of Common Stock does not constitute consideration or a “distribution to stockholders” in respect of the Common Stock.

f.Parent” of an Entity means any Entity that directly or indirectly owns or controls a majority of the voting power of the voting securities or interests of such Entity.

g.Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

2. RIGHTS RELATING TO DIVIDENDS, SUBDIVISIONS AND COMBINATIONS.

a. Subject to the rights of the holders of Preferred Stock, holders of shares of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive such dividends and distributions and other distributions in cash, stock or property of the Company when, as and if declared thereon by the Board of Directors from time to time out of assets or funds of the Company legally available therefor. Except as permitted in Section 2(b) of this Article IV(C), any dividends paid to the holders of shares of Common Stock shall be paid pro rata, on an equal priority, pari passu basis.

b. The Company shall not declare or pay any dividend or make any 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.

 

2.


3. VOTING RIGHTS. Each outstanding share of Common Stock shall entitle the holder thereof to one vote on each matter on which stockholders of the Company generally are entitled to vote; provided, however, that, except as otherwise required by law, holders of Common Stock shall not be entitled to vote on any amendment to this 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 are entitled, either separately or together as a class with the holders of one or more other such series, to vote thereon by law or pursuant to this Certificate of Incorporation (including any certificate of designation filed with respect to any series of Preferred Stock).

4. LIQUIDATION RIGHTS. In the event of a Liquidation Event, upon the completion of the distributions required with respect to each series of Preferred Stock that may then be outstanding, the remaining 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; provided, however, for the avoidance of doubt, compensation pursuant to any employment, consulting, severance or other compensatory arrangement to be paid to or received by a person who is also a holder of Common Stock does not constitute consideration or a “distribution to stockholders” in respect of the Common Stock.

V.

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. MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS. The management of the business and the conduct of the affairs of the Company shall be vested in its Board of Directors. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, the number of directors which shall constitute the Board of Directors shall be fixed exclusively by resolutions adopted by a majority of the authorized number of directors constituting the Board of Directors.

B. ELECTION OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

1. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under circumstances specified in a certificate of designation with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, the directors shall be divided into three classes designated as Class I, Class II and Class III, respectively. Each class shall consist, as nearly as possible, of one-third of the total number of such directors. The Board of Directors is authorized to assign members of the Board of Directors already in office to Class I, Class II and Class III at the time the classification becomes effective. At the first annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term of office of the Class I directors shall expire and Class I directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the second annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term of office of the Class II directors shall expire and Class II directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At the third annual meeting of stockholders following the effectiveness of this Certificate of Incorporation, the term of office of the Class III directors shall expire and Class III directors shall be elected for a full term of three years. At each succeeding annual meeting of stockholders, directors shall be elected for a full term of three years to succeed the directors of the class whose terms expire at such annual meeting. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under circumstances specified in a certificate of designation with respect to any series of Preferred Stock, if the number of directors that constitute the Board of Directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be apportioned by the Board of Directors among the classes so as to maintain the number of directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, and any additional director of any class elected to fill a vacancy resulting from an increase in such class shall hold office for a term that shall coincide with the remaining term of that class, but in no case shall a decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

3.


2. The names and mailing addresses of the persons who are to serve initially as directors of the Corporation, until their successors are elected and qualified, or their earlier death, removal or resignation, are:

 

NAME    MAILING ADDRESS
Robert D. Reid   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Spencer M. Rascoff   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Alexander M. Klabin   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Michael S. Clifton   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Katie Curnette   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Ken Fox   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Damien Hooper-Campbell   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Jim Lanzone   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Gregg Renfrew   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

Rajeev Singh   

c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc.

4301 50th Street NW,

Suite 300 PMB 1044,

Washington, D.C. 20016

3. At any time that applicable law prohibits a classified board as described in Section B.1. of this Article V, all directors shall be elected at each annual meeting of stockholders to hold office until the next annual meeting.

 

4.


4. No stockholder entitled to vote at an election for directors may cumulate votes to which such stockholder 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 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.

5. The directors of the Company need not be elected by written ballot unless the Bylaws of the Company so provide.

6. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, advance notice of stockholder nominations for the election of directors and of business to be brought by stockholders before any meeting of the stockholders of the Company shall be given in the manner provided in the Bylaws of the Company.

7. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

C. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS.

1. Subject to the rights of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances, neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.

2. Subject to any limitation imposed by applicable law, and subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause only by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

D. VACANCIES. Subject to any limitations imposed by applicable law 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 the stockholders and except as otherwise required by applicable law, 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, and not by the stockholders. 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.

 

5.


VI.

A. The liability of the directors for monetary damages (including liability to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty pursuant to Section 102(b)(7) of the DGCL) shall be eliminated to the fullest extent under applicable law.

B. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Company is authorized to provide indemnification of (and advancement of expenses to) directors, officers and agents of the Company (and any other persons to which applicable law permits the Company to provide indemnification) through Bylaw provisions, agreements with such agents or other persons, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise in excess of the indemnification and advancement otherwise permitted by such applicable law. If applicable law is amended after approval by the stockholders of this Article VI to authorize corporate action further eliminating or limiting the personal liability of directors, then the liability of a director to the Company shall be eliminated or limited to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law as so amended.

C. Any repeal or modification of this Article VI shall only be prospective and shall not affect the rights or protections or increase the liability of any director under this Article VI in effect at the time of the alleged occurrence of any act or omission to act giving rise to liability or indemnification.

VII.

The name and the mailing address of the Sole Incorporator is:

Michael Clifton

4301 50th Street NW

Suite 300 PMB 1044

Washington, D.C. 20016

VIII.

A. Unless the Company consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, 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) and any appellate court therefrom shall be the sole and exclusive forum for the following claims or causes of action under the Delaware statutory or common law: (i) any derivative claim or cause of action brought on behalf of the Company; (ii) any claim or cause of action based upon a violation of a duty by any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Company, to the Company or the Company’s stockholders; (iii) any claim or cause of action against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Company, arising out of or pursuant to any provision of the DGCL, this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company (as each may be amended from time to time); (iv) any claim or cause of action seeking to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of this Certificate of Incorporation or the Bylaws of the Company (as each may be amended from time to time, including any right, obligation, or remedy thereunder); (v) any claim or cause of action as to which the DGCL confers jurisdiction on the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware; and (vi) any claim or cause of action against the Company or any current or former director, officer or other employee or stockholder of the Company, governed by the internal-affairs doctrine, in all cases to the fullest extent permitted by law and subject to the court having personal jurisdiction over the indispensable parties named as defendants. This Section A of Article VIII shall not apply to claims or causes of action brought to enforce a duty or liability created by the Securities Act or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any other claim for which the federal courts have exclusive jurisdiction.

 

6.


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, including all causes of action asserted against any defendant named in such complaint. For the avoidance of doubt, and to the fullest extent permitted by law, this provision is intended to benefit and may be enforced by the Company, the Company’s 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.

C. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of capital stock of the Company shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to the provisions of this Article VIII.

IX.

A. The Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company. Any adoption, amendment or repeal of the Bylaws of the Company by the Board of Directors shall require the approval of a majority of the authorized number of directors. The stockholders shall also have power to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the Company; provided, however, that, in addition to any vote of the holders of any class or series of stock of the Company required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, such action by stockholders shall require the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class.

B. Subject to the rights of the holders of any series of Preferred Stock, no action shall be taken by the stockholders of the Company except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with the Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or electronic transmission.

X.

A. The Company reserves the right to amend, alter, change or repeal any provision contained in this Certificate of Incorporation, in the manner now or hereafter prescribed by statute, except as provided in paragraph B. of this Article X, and all rights conferred upon the stockholders herein are granted subject to this reservation.

B. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of Incorporation or any provision of applicable law which might otherwise permit a lesser vote or no vote, but in addition to any affirmative vote of the holders of any particular class or series of the capital stock of the Company required by law or by this Certificate of Incorporation or any certificate of designation filed with respect to a series of Preferred Stock, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all of the then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors, voting together as a single class, shall be required to alter, amend or repeal, or adopt any provision inconsistent with, Articles V, VI, VIII, IX and X.

 

7.


I, THE UNDERSIGNED, being the Sole Incorporator herein before named, for the purpose of forming a corporation pursuant to the DGCL, do make this Certificate, hereby declaring and certifying that this is my act and deed and the facts herein stated are true, and accordingly have hereunto set my hand this 1st day of March, 2022.

 

By:  

/s/ Michael Clifton

  Michael Clifton
  Sole Incorporator

[Signature Page to Certificate of Incorporation (Rigetti Computing, Inc.)]

EX-3.2

Exhibit 3.2

BYLAWS

OF

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

ARTICLE I OFFICES

     1  

Section 1.

  Registered Office      1  

Section 2.

  Other Offices      1  

ARTICLE II CORPORATE SEAL

     1  

Section 3.

  Corporate Seal      1  

ARTICLE III STOCKHOLDERS’ MEETINGS

     1  

Section 4.

  Place of Meetings      1  

Section 5.

  Annual Meetings      2  

Section 6.

  Special Meetings      5  

Section 7.

  Notice of Meetings      5  

Section 8.

  Quorum; Voting      6  

Section 9.

  Adjournment And Notice Of Adjourned Meetings      6  

Section 10.

  Voting Rights      7  

Section 11.

  Joint Owners of Stock      7  

Section 12.

  List of Stockholders      7  

Section 13.

  Action Without Meeting      7  

Section 14.

  Organization      7  

ARTICLE IV DIRECTORS

     8  

Section 15.

  Number And Term Of Office      8  

Section 16.

  Powers      9  

Section 17.

  Classes of Directors      9  

Section 18.

  Board of Directors      9  

Section 19.

  Vacancies      9  

Section 20.

  Resignation      9  

Section 21.

  Removal      9  

Section 22.

  Meetings      10  

Section 23.

  Quorum and Voting      10  

Section 24.

  Action Without Meeting      11  

Section 25.

  Fees and Compensation      11  

Section 26.

  Committees      11  

Section 27.

  Duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors      12  

Section 28.

  Lead Independent Director      12  

Section 29.

  Organization      12  

ARTICLE V OFFICERS

     12  

Section 30.

  Officers Designated      12  

Section 31.

  Tenure And Duties Of Officers      13  

Section 32.

  Delegation Of Authority      14  

Section 33.

  Resignations      14  

Section 34.

  Removal      14  

ARTICLE VI EXECUTION OF CORPORATE INSTRUMENTS AND VOTING OF SECURITIES OWNED BY THE CORPORATION

     14  

Section 35.

  Execution Of Corporate Instruments      14  

Section 36.

  Voting Of Securities Owned By The Corporation      14  

 

i


TABLE OF CONTENTS

(continued)

 

         Page  

ARTICLE VII SHARES OF STOCK

     15  

Section 37.

  Form And Execution Of Certificates      15  

Section 38.

  Lost Certificates      15  

Section 39.

  Transfers      15  

Section 40.

  Fixing Record Dates      15  

Section 41.

  Registered Stockholders      16  

Section 42.

  Lock-Up      16  

ARTICLE VIII OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

     18  

Section 43.

  Execution Of Other Securities      18  

ARTICLE IX DIVIDENDS

     18  

Section 44.

  Declaration Of Dividends      18  

Section 45.

  Dividend Reserve      18  

ARTICLE X FISCAL YEAR

     18  

Section 46.

  Fiscal Year      18  

ARTICLE XI INDEMNIFICATION

     19  

Section 47.

  Indemnification of Directors, Executive Officers, Other Officers, Employees and Other Agents      19  

ARTICLE XII NOTICES

     21  

Section 48.

  Notices      21  

ARTICLE XIII AMENDMENTS

     22  

Section 49.

  Amendments      22  

ARTICLE XIV LOANS TO OFFICERS

     22  

Section 50.

  Loans To Officers      22  

 

ii


BYLAWS

OF

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

(A DELAWARE CORPORATION)

ARTICLE I

OFFICES

Section 1. Registered Office. The registered office of Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “corporation”) shall be located in such place as may be provided from time to time in the corporation’s certificate of incorporation (the “Certificate of Incorporation”).

Section 2. Other Offices. The corporation may also have and maintain an office or principal place of business at such place as may be fixed by the corporation’s board of directors (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. If adopted, the corporate seal shall consist of a die bearing the name of the corporation and the inscription, “Corporate Seal-Delaware.” 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 (the “DGCL”). For the avoidance of doubt, the Board of Directors may, in its sole discretion, determine that a meeting of stockholders of the corporation may be held both in a place and by means of remote communication. For any meeting of stockholders to be held by remote communication, the corporation shall (i) implement reasonable measures to verify that each person deemed present and permitted to vote at the meeting by remote communication is a stockholder or proxy holder, (ii) implement reasonable measures to provide such stockholders and proxy holders a reasonable opportunity to participate in the meeting and to vote on matters submitted to the stockholders, including an opportunity to read or hear the proceedings of the meeting substantially concurrently with such proceedings, and (iii) if any stockholder or proxy holder votes or takes other action at the meeting by means of remote communication, a record of such vote or other action shall be maintained by the corporation.

 

1


Section 5. Annual Meetings.

(a) The annual meeting of the stockholders of the corporation, for the purpose of election of directors and for such other business as may properly 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 and stated in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders. Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors and proposals 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 (with respect to business other than nominations); (ii) brought specifically 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 the stockholder’s notice provided for in Section 5(b) below, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who complied with the notice procedures set forth in this Section 5. For the avoidance of doubt, clause (iii) above shall be the exclusive means for a stockholder to make nominations and submit other business (other than matters properly included in the corporation’s notice of meeting of stockholders and proxy statement under Rule 14a-8 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations thereunder (the “1934 Act”)) before an annual meeting of stockholders.

(b) At an annual meeting of the stockholders, only such business shall be conducted as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law and as shall have been properly brought before the meeting in accordance with Section 5(a) and the procedures below.

(i) For nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a), the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii) and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each nominee such stockholder proposes to nominate at the meeting: (1) the name, age, business address and residence address of such nominee, (2) the principal occupation or employment of such nominee, (3) the class and number of shares of each class of capital stock of the corporation that are owned of record and beneficially by such nominee, (4) the date or dates on which such shares were acquired and the investment intent of such acquisition, (5) a statement whether such nominee, if elected, intends to tender, promptly following such person’s failure to receive the required vote for election or re-election at the next meeting at which such person would face election or re-election, an irrevocable resignation effective upon acceptance of such resignation by the Board of Directors; and (6) such other information concerning such nominee as would be required to be disclosed in a proxy statement soliciting proxies for the election of such nominee as a director in an election contest (even if an election contest is not involved), or that is otherwise required to be disclosed pursuant to Section 14 of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder (including such person’s written consent to being named as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv). The corporation may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as an independent director of the corporation or that could be material to a reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack thereof, of such proposed nominee. The notice in this paragraph must also be accompanied by (X) a completed written questionnaire (in a form provided by the corporation) with respect to the background, qualifications, stock ownership and independence of such proposed nominee, and such additional information with respect to such proposed nominee as would be required to be provided by the corporation pursuant to Schedule 14A if such proposed nominee were a participant in the solicitation of proxies by the corporation in connection with such annual or special meeting and (Y) a written representation and agreement (in form provided by the corporation) that such nominee (i) if elected as director of the corporation, intends to serve the entire term until the next meeting at which such nominee would face re-election and (ii) consents to being named as a nominee in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-4(d) under the 1934 Act and any associated proxy card of the corporation and agrees to serve if elected as a director.

(ii) Other than proposals sought to be included in the corporation’s proxy materials pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act, for business other than nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be properly brought before an annual meeting by a stockholder pursuant to clause (iii) of Section 5(a), the stockholder must deliver written notice to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation on a timely basis as set forth in Section 5(b)(iii), and must update and supplement such written notice on a timely

 

2


basis as set forth in Section 5(c). Such stockholder’s notice shall set forth: (A) as to each matter such 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 (including any anticipated benefit of such business to any Proponent (as defined below) other than solely as a result of its ownership of the corporation’s capital stock, that is material to any Proponent individually, or to the Proponents in the aggregate) in such business of any Proponent; and (B) the information required by Section 5(b)(iv).

(iii) To be timely, the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) must be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the ninetieth (90th) day nor earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that, subject to the last sentence of this Section 5(b)(iii), in the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced more than thirty (30) days prior to or delayed by more than thirty (30) days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be so received (A) not earlier than the close of business on the one hundred twentieth (120th) day prior to such annual meeting and (B) not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting or, if later than later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such annual meeting, the tenth (10th) day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made. In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of an annual meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(iv) The written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or 5(b)(ii) shall also set forth, as of the date of the notice and as to the stockholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made (each, a “Proponent” and collectively, the “Proponents”): (A) the name and address of each Proponent, as they appear on the corporation’s books; (B) the class, series and number of shares of the corporation that are owned beneficially and of record by each Proponent; (C) a description of any agreement, arrangement or understanding (whether oral or in writing) with respect to such nomination or proposal between or among any Proponent and any of its affiliates or associates, and any others (including their names) acting in concert, or otherwise under the agreement, arrangement or understanding, with any of the foregoing; (D) a representation that the Proponents are holders of record or beneficial owners, as the case may be, of shares of the corporation entitled to vote at the meeting and intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting to nominate the person or persons specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to propose the business that is specified in the notice (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (E) a representation as to whether the Proponents intend to deliver a proxy statement and form of proxy to holders of a sufficient number of holders of the corporation’s voting shares to elect such nominee or nominees (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(i)) or to carry such proposal (with respect to a notice under Section 5(b)(ii)); (F) to the extent known by any Proponent, the name and address of any other stockholder supporting the proposal on the date of such stockholder’s notice; and (G) a description of all Derivative Transactions (as defined below) by each Proponent during the previous twelve (12) month period, including the date of the transactions and the class, series and number of securities involved in, and the material economic terms of, such Derivative Transactions.

For purposes of this Section 5, a “Derivative Transaction” means any agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding entered into by, or on behalf or for the benefit of, any Proponent or any of its affiliates or associates, whether record or beneficial:

(w) the value of which is derived in whole or in part from the value of any class or series of shares or other securities of the corporation,

(x) which otherwise provides any direct or indirect opportunity to gain or share in any gain derived from a change in the value of securities of the corporation,

(y) the effect or intent of which is to mitigate loss, manage risk or benefit of security value or price changes, or

 

3


(z) which provides the right to vote or increase or decrease the voting power of, such Proponent, or any of its affiliates or associates, with respect to any securities of the corporation,

which agreement, arrangement, interest or understanding may include, without limitation, any option, warrant, debt position, note, bond, convertible security, swap, stock appreciation right, short position, profit interest, hedge, right to dividends, voting agreement, performance-related fee or arrangement to borrow or lend shares (whether or not subject to payment, settlement, exercise or conversion in any such class or series), and any proportionate interest of such Proponent in the securities of the corporation held by any general or limited partnership, or any limited liability company, of which such Proponent is, directly or indirectly, a general partner or managing member.

(c) A stockholder providing the written notice required by Section 5(b)(i) or (ii) shall update and supplement such notice in writing, if necessary, so that the information provided or required to be provided in such notice is true and correct in all material respects as of (i) the record date for the meeting and (ii) the date that is five (5) Business Days (as defined below) prior to the meeting and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, five (5) Business Days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (i) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than five (5) Business Days after the record date for the meeting. In the case of an update and supplement pursuant to clause (ii) of this Section 5(c), such update and supplement shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than two (2) Business Days prior to the date for the meeting, and, in the event of any adjournment or postponement thereof, two (2) Business Days prior to such adjourned or postponed meeting.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, in the event that the number of directors to be elected to the Board of Directors of the corporation at the annual meeting is increased effective after the time period for which nominations would otherwise be due under Section 5(b)(iii) and there is no public announcement by the corporation naming the nominees for the additional directorships at least one hundred (100) days prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting, a stockholder’s notice required by this Section 5 shall also be considered timely, but only with respect to nominees for the additional directorships, 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 tenth (10th) day following the day on which such public announcement is first made by the corporation.

(e) A person shall not be eligible for election or re-election as a director, unless the person is nominated in accordance with either clause (ii) or (iii) of Section 5(a). Except as otherwise required by law, the chairperson of the meeting shall have the power and 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 of the corporation (“Bylaws”) and, if any proposed nomination or business is not in compliance with these Bylaws, or the Proponent does not act in accordance with the representations in Sections 5(b)(iv)(D) and 5(b)(iv)(E), to declare that such proposal or nomination shall not be presented for stockholder action at the meeting and shall be disregarded, notwithstanding that proxies in respect of such nominations or such business may have been solicited or received.

(f) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 5, in order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the proxy statement and form of proxy for a stockholders’ meeting, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to proposals and/or nominations to be considered pursuant to Section 5(a)(iii).

 

4


(g) For purposes of this Section 5,

(i) “affiliates” and “associates” shall have the meanings set forth in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “1933 Act”);

(ii) “Business Day” means any day other than Saturday, Sunday or a day on which banks are closed in New York City, New York; and

(iii) “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 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 as is a proper matter for stockholder action under Delaware law, by (i) the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, (ii) the Chief Executive Officer, or (iii) the Board of Directors pursuant to a resolution adopted by a majority of the total number of authorized directors (whether or not there exist any vacancies in previously authorized directorships at the time any such resolution is presented to the Board of Directors for adoption).

(b) The Board of Directors shall determine the time and place, if any, of such special meeting. Upon determination of the time and place, if any, of the meeting, the Secretary shall cause a notice of meeting to be given to the stockholders entitled to vote, in accordance with the provisions of Section 7. No business may be transacted at such special meeting otherwise than specified in the notice of meeting.

(c) Nominations of persons for election to the Board of Directors may be made at a special meeting of stockholders at which directors are to be elected (i) by or at the direction of the Board of Directors or (ii) by any stockholder of the corporation who is a stockholder of record at the time of giving notice provided for in this paragraph, who shall be entitled to vote at the meeting and who delivers written notice to the Secretary of the corporation setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i). In the event the corporation calls a special meeting of stockholders for the purpose of electing one or more directors to the Board of Directors, any such stockholder of record may nominate a person or persons (as the case may be), for election to such position(s) as specified in the corporation’s notice of meeting, if written notice setting forth the information required by Section 5(b)(i) shall be received by the Secretary at the principal executive offices of the corporation not later than the close of business on the later of the ninetieth (90th) day prior to such meeting or the tenth (10th) day following the day on which the corporation first makes a public announcement of the date of the special meeting at which directors are to be elected. The stockholder shall also update and supplement such information as required under Section 5(c). In no event shall an adjournment or a postponement of a special meeting for which notice has been given, or the public announcement thereof has been made, commence a new time period for the giving of a stockholder’s notice as described above.

(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 6, a stockholder must also comply with all applicable requirements of the 1934 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder with respect to matters set forth in this Section 6. Nothing in these Bylaws shall be deemed to affect any rights of stockholders to request inclusion of proposals in the corporation’s proxy statement pursuant to Rule 14a-8 under the 1934 Act; provided, however, that any references in these Bylaws to the 1934 Act or the rules and regulations thereunder are not intended to and shall not limit the requirements applicable to nominations for the election to the Board of Directors to be considered pursuant to Section 6(c).

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 ten (10) nor more than sixty (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, the record date for determining the stockholders entitled notice of the meeting, and the means of remote communications, if

 

5


any, by which stockholders and proxy holders 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. If delivered by courier service, notice is given at the earlier of when the notice is received or left at such stockholder’s address as it appears on the records of the corporation. If sent via electronic transmission, notice is given when directed to such stockholder’s electronic mail address as it appears on the records of the corporation unless the stockholder has notified the corporation in writing or by electronic transmission of an objection to receiving notice by electronic mail or such notice is prohibited by Section 232(e) of the DGCL. 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.

Section 8. Quorum; Voting. 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 voting power of the outstanding shares of stock entitled to vote at the meeting 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 chairperson of the meeting or by vote of the holders of a majority of the voting power of the shares represented thereat and entitled to vote thereon, 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 applicable stock exchange rules, or by the Certificate of Incorporation or these Bylaws, in all matters other than the election of directors, the affirmative vote of the majority of the voting power of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy 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 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 voting power 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 the voting power of the outstanding 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 person(s) who called the meeting, the chairperson of the meeting, or by the vote of a majority of the voting power of the shares present in person, by remote communication, if applicable, or represented by proxy at the meeting. 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, and means of remote communications, if any, by which stockholders and proxy holders may be deemed to be present in person and vote at such adjourned meeting 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. If the adjournment is for more than thirty (30) days, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting. If after the adjournment a new record date for determination of stockholders entitled to vote is fixed for the adjourned meeting, the Board of Directors shall fix as the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of such adjourned meeting the same or an earlier date as that fixed for determination of stockholders entitled to vote at the adjourned meeting, and shall give notice of the adjourned meeting to each stockholder of record as of the record date so fixed for notice of such adjourned meeting.

 

6


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, shall be entitled to vote at any meeting of stockholders. Every person entitled to vote 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 (3) years from its date of creation unless the proxy provides for a longer period. A proxy shall be irrevocable if it states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an interest sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A stockholder may revoke any proxy which is not irrevocable by attending the meeting and voting in person or by delivering to the Secretary of the corporation a revocation of the proxy or a new proxy bearing a later date. Voting at meetings of stockholders need not be by written ballot.

Section 11. Joint Owners of Stock. If shares or other securities having voting power stand of record in the names of two (2) or more persons, whether fiduciaries, members of a partnership, joint tenants, tenants in common, tenants by the entirety, or otherwise, or if two (2) 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 shall have the following effect: (a) if only one (1) votes, his or her act binds all; (b) if more than one (1) votes, the act of the majority so voting binds all; and (c) if more than one (1) 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 ten (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 for a period of at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting, (a) 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 (b) during ordinary business hours, either at a place within the city where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting, or, if not so specified, 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.

Unless otherwise provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, no action shall be taken by the stockholders except at an annual or special meeting of stockholders called in accordance with these Bylaws, and no action shall be taken by the stockholders by written consent or by electronic transmission.

Section 14. Organization.

(a) At every meeting of stockholders, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent or refuses to act, the Chief Executive Officer, or, if no Chief Executive Officer is then serving, is absent or refuses to act, the President, or, if the President is absent or refuses to act, a chairperson of the meeting chosen by a majority in interest of the stockholders entitled to vote, present in person or by proxy, shall act as chairperson. The Secretary, or, in his or her absence, an Assistant Secretary directed to do so by the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

 

7


(b) The Board of Directors of the corporation 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 chairperson 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 chairperson, 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, with consultation by the Lead Independent Director (as defined below), 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 chairperson 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 which 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 chairperson of the meeting, meetings of stockholders shall not be required to be held in accordance with rules of parliamentary procedure.

(c) The corporation shall, in advance of any meeting of stockholders, appoint one (1) or more inspectors to act at the meeting and make a written report thereof. The corporation may designate one (1) or more persons as alternate inspectors to replace any inspector who fails to act. If no inspector or alternate is able to act at a meeting of stockholders, the chairperson of the meeting shall appoint one (1) or more inspectors to act at the meeting. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of the duties of inspector, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of inspector with strict impartiality and according to the best of such inspector’s ability. The inspectors shall: (1) ascertain the number of shares outstanding and the voting power of each; (2) determine the shares represented at a meeting and the validity of proxies and ballots; (3) count all votes and ballots; (4) determine and retain for a reasonable period a record of the disposition of any challenges made to any determination by the inspectors; and (5) certify their determination of the number of shares represented at the meeting, and their count of all votes and ballots. The inspectors may appoint or retain other persons or entities to assist the inspectors in the performance of the duties of the inspectors. In determining the validity and counting of proxies and ballots, the inspectors shall be limited to an examination of the proxies, any envelopes submitted with those proxies, any information provided in accordance with Sections 211(e) or 212(c)(2) of the DGCL, or any information provided pursuant to Sections 211(a)(2)b.(i) or (iii) of the DGCL, ballots and the regular books and records of the corporation, except that the inspectors may consider other reliable information for the limited purpose of reconciling proxies and ballots submitted by or on behalf of banks, brokers, their nominees or similar persons which represent more votes than the holder of a proxy is authorized by the record owner to cast or more votes than the stockholder holds of record. If the inspectors consider other reliable information for the limited purpose permitted herein, the inspectors at the time they make their certification pursuant to Section 231(b)(5) of the DGCL shall specify the precise information considered by them including the person or persons from whom they obtained the information, when the information was obtained, the means by which the information was obtained and the basis for the inspectors’ belief that such information is accurate and reliable.

ARTICLE IV

DIRECTORS

Section 15. Number And Term Of Office. The authorized number of directors of the corporation shall be fixed in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation. 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 at a special meeting of the stockholders called for that purpose in the manner provided in these Bylaws. Each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

 

8


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. Classes of Directors. The directors shall be divided into classes as and to the extent provided in the Certificate of Incorporation, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Section 18. Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, each director shall serve until his or her successor is duly elected and qualified or until his or her earlier death, resignation or removal. No decrease in the number of directors constituting the Board of Directors shall shorten the term of any incumbent director.

Section 19. Vacancies. 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, and not by the stockholders, 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, and not by the stockholders. 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.

Section 20. 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. If no such specification is made, the resignation shall be deemed effective at the time of delivery to the Secretary. 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 21. Removal.

(a) Subject to the rights of holders of any series of Preferred Stock to elect additional directors under specified circumstances neither the Board of Directors nor any individual director may be removed without cause.

(b) Subject to any limitation imposed by applicable law, any individual director or directors may be removed with cause by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) of the voting power of all then-outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote generally at an election of directors.

 

9


Section 22. 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 which has been designated by the Board of Directors and publicized among all directors, either orally or in writing, by telephone, including a voice-messaging system or other system designed to record and communicate messages, facsimile, telegraph or telex, or by electronic mail or other electronic means. No further notice shall be required for regular meetings of the Board of Directors.

(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 Chairperson of the Board, the Chief Executive Officer or a majority of the authorized number of directors.

(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 twenty-four (24) hours before the date and time of the meeting. If notice is sent by U.S. mail, it shall be sent by first class mail, charges prepaid, at least three (3) 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 it had been transacted 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. Notice of any meeting 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.

Section 23. Quorum and Voting.

(a) Unless the Certificate of Incorporation requires a greater number, and except with respect to questions related to indemnification arising under Section 46 for which a quorum shall be one-third of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time, a quorum of the Board of Directors shall consist of a majority of the exact number of directors fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors in accordance with the Certificate of Incorporation; provided, however, 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.

(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.

 

10


Section 24. 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 25. 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 26. Committees.

(a) Executive Committee. The Board of Directors may appoint an Executive Committee to consist of one (1) 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 which 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 (other than the election or removal of directors) 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 (1) 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 subsections (a) or (b) of this Section 26, 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 26 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 which 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

 

11


provided for the giving of notice to members of the Board of Directors of the time and place of special meetings of the Board of Directors. Notice of any special meeting of any committee 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 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 27. Duties of Chairperson of the Board of Directors. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, if appointed and when present, shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders and the Board of Directors. The Chairperson 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.

Section 28. Lead Independent Director. The Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or if the Chairperson is not an independent director, one of the independent directors, may be designated by the Board of Directors as lead independent director to serve until replaced by the Board of Directors (“Lead Independent Director”). The Lead Independent Director will: (a) serve as chairperson of meetings of the Board of Directors in the absence of the Chairperson of the Board of Directors; (b) establish the agenda for meetings of the independent directors; (c) coordinate with the committee chairs regarding meeting agendas and informational requirements; (d) preside over meetings of the independent directors; (e) preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the evaluation or compensation of the Chief Executive Officer is presented or discussed; (f) preside over any portions of meetings of the Board of Directors at which the performance of the Board of Directors is presented or discussed; and (g) coordinate the activities of the other independent directors and perform such other duties as may be established or delegated by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors.

Section 29. Organization. At every meeting of the directors, the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, or, if a Chairperson has not been appointed or is absent, the Lead Independent Director, or if the Lead Independent Director is absent, the Chief Executive Officer (if a director), or, if a Chief Executive Officer is absent, the President (if a director), or if the President is absent, the most senior Vice President (if a director), or, in the absence of any such person, a chairperson 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 or other officer or director or other person directed to do so by the Chairperson of the Board, the Lead Independent Director or the President, shall act as secretary of the meeting.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

Section 30. 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 Vice Presidents, the Secretary, the Chief Financial Officer and the Treasurer. The Board of Directors may also appoint one or more Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers 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.

 

12


Section 31. 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.

(b) Duties of Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders (subject to Section 14) and at all meetings of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors or the Lead Independent Director has been appointed and is present. Unless an officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, 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. To the extent that a Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and no President has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the President shall be deemed references to the Chief Executive Officer. 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.

(c) Duties of President. The President shall preside at all meetings of the stockholders (subject to Section 14) and at all meeting of the Board of Directors, unless the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Lead Independent Director, or the Chief Executive Officer has been appointed and is present. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the corporation, 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.

(d) 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 Chief Executive Officer, or, if the Chief Executive Officer has not been appointed or is absent, the President shall designate from time to time.

(e) 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 President may direct any Assistant Secretary or other officer 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 President shall designate from time to time.

(f) 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 President. 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 the 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. To the extent that a Chief Financial Officer has been appointed and no Treasurer has been appointed, all references in these Bylaws to the Treasurer shall be deemed references to

 

13


the Chief Financial Officer. The President may direct the Treasurer, if any, 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 President shall designate from time to time.

(g) Duties of Treasurer. Unless another officer has been appointed Chief Financial Officer of the corporation, the Treasurer shall be the chief financial officer of the corporation and 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 President, and, subject to the order of the Board of Directors, shall have the custody of all funds and securities of the corporation. The Treasurer 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 President shall designate from time to time.

Section 32. 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.

Section 33. Resignations. Any officer may resign at any time by giving notice in writing or by electronic transmission to the Board of Directors 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 34. 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 consent of the directors in office at the time, or by any committee or by the Chief Executive Officer or by other superior officer 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 35. 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 without limitation, 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 on funds to the credit of the corporation or in special accounts of the corporation shall be signed by such person or persons as the Board of Directors shall authorize so to do.

Unless (i) authorized or ratified by the Board of Directors or (ii) within the agency power of an officer or any designee of any such officer (each, an “Authorized Employee”), no officer, agent or employee other than an Authorized 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 36. 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 Chairperson of the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer, the President, or any Vice President.

 

14


ARTICLE VII

SHARES OF STOCK

Section 37. 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 stock represented by certificate in the corporation shall be entitled to have a certificate signed by or in the name of the corporation by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, 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 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 were such officer, transfer agent, or registrar at the date of issue.

Section 38. 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 39. Transfers.

(a) Transfers of record of shares of stock of the corporation shall be made only upon its books by the holders thereof, in person or by attorney duly authorized, and, in the case of stock represented by certificate, upon the surrender of a properly endorsed certificate or certificates for a like number of shares.

(b) The corporation shall have power to enter into and perform any agreement with any number of stockholders of any one or more classes of stock of the corporation to restrict the transfer of shares of stock of the corporation of any one or more classes owned by such stockholders in any manner not prohibited by the DGCL.

Section 40. 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 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 sixty (60) nor less than ten (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 next preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived, at the close of business on the day next 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.

 

15


(b) 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 sixty (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 41. 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.

Section 42. Lock-Up.

(a) Subject to Section 42(b) below, the holders (the “Lock-Up Holders”) of any shares of common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, of the corporation issued to the Pre-Closing Holders (as defined in the Merger Agreement) in connection with the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger entered into by and among (1) the corporation, (2) Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation, (3) Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of the corporation and (4) Rigetti Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (as the same may be amended, amended and restated, restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time the “Merger Agreement”), as such shares of common stock may be subsequently designated as Common Stock (as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation), may not Transfer any Lock-Up Shares until the end of the Lock-Up Period (the “Lock-Up”).

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 42(a) above, the Lock-Up Holders may, so long as such transferee pursuant to a Transfer in accordance with any of clauses (i)-(iii) agrees to be bound by the provisions hereof until the end of the Lock-Up Period in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the independent members of the Board of Directors, Transfer the Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period (i) as a bona fide gift or charitable contribution; (ii) to a trust, or other entity formed for estate planning purposes for the primary benefit of the spouse, domestic partner, parent, sibling, child or grandchild of such Lock-Up Holder or any other person with whom such Lock-Up Holder has a relationship by blood, marriage or adoption not more remote than first cousin; (iii) by will or intestate succession upon the death of the Lock-Up Holder; (iv) pursuant to a qualified domestic order, court order or in connection with a divorce settlement; (v) if such Lock-Up Holder is a corporation, partnership (whether general, limited or otherwise), limited liability company, trust or other business entity, (A) to another corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust or other business entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control or management with the Lock-Up Holder, or (B) to partners, limited liability company members or stockholders of the Lock-Up Holder, including, for the avoidance of doubt, where the Lock-Up Holder is a partnership, to its general partner or a successor partnership or fund, or any other funds managed by such partnership; (C) by virtue of the laws of the state or jurisdiction of the entity’s organization and the entity’s organizational documents upon dissolution of the entity; (vi) if such Lock-Up Holder is a trust, to a trustor or beneficiary of the trust or to the estate of a beneficiary of such trust; (vii) pursuant to transactions in the event of completion of a liquidation, merger, consolidation, stock exchange, reorganization, tender offer or other similar transaction which results in all of the corporation’s securityholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property; (viii) to the corporation in connection with the repurchase of such Lock-Up Holder’s shares in connection with the termination of the Lock-Up Holder’s employment with the corporation pursuant to contractual agreements with the corporation; (ix) to satisfy tax withholding obligations in connection with the exercise of options or warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock of the corporation or the vesting of stock-based awards; (x) in payment on a “net exercise” or “cashless” basis of the exercise or purchase price with respect to the exercise of options or warrants

 

16


to purchase shares of Common Stock of the corporation; (xi) pursuant to transactions relating to Common Stock or other securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Stock acquired in open market transactions after the Closing (as defined in the Merger Agreement), provided that no such transaction is required to be, or is, publicly announced (whether on Form 4, Form 5 or otherwise, other than a required filing on Schedule 13F, 13G or 13G/A) during the Lock-Up Period, or (xii) transfers of any shares of Common Stock or other securities acquired in connection with the Subscription Agreements (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or issued in exchange for, or on conversion or exercise of, any securities issued in connection with the Subscription Agreements. Notwithstanding the provisions set forth in Section 42(a) above, the Lock-Up Holders may also establish a trading plan pursuant to Rule 10b5-1 promulgated under the 1934 Act during the Lock-Up Period; provided, however, that (A) such plan shall not provide for the Transfer of Lock-Up Shares during the Lock-Up Period and (B) no public announcement or filing shall be made voluntarily regarding such plan during the Lock-Up Period, or if any public announcement is required of or voluntarily made by or on behalf of the Lock-Up Holder or the corporation regarding such plan, then such announcement or filing shall include a statement to the effect that no Transfer may be made under such plan during the Lock-Up Period.

(c) For purpose of this Section 42:

(i) the term “Lock-Up Period” means the period beginning on the Closing Date (as defined in the Merger Agreement) and ending on the earlier to occur of (a) six months after the Closing Date, (b) such date that the closing price of Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.00 per share (as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, reorganizations, recapitalizations and the like) for any 20 trading days within any period of 30 consecutive trading days commencing at least 90 calendar days following the Closing Date and (c) the date on which the corporation consummates a sale, merger, liquidation, exchange offer or other similar transaction after the Closing Date that results in the stockholders of the corporation immediately prior to such transaction having beneficial ownership of less than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of the corporation, directly or indirectly, immediately following such transaction which results in its stockholders having the right to exchange their shares of Common Stock for cash, securities or other property having a value that equals or exceeds $12.00 per share;

(ii) the term “Lock-Up Shares” means shares of Common Stock of the corporation beneficially owned (as such term is used in Rule 13d-3 of the 1934 Act), by a Lock-Up Holder immediately following the First Effective Time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or any other securities so owned convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for such Common Stock of the corporation immediately following the Closing Date (other than shares of Common Stock of the corporation acquired in the public market or pursuant to a transaction exempt from registration under the 1933 Act pursuant to a subscription agreement where the issuance of Common Stock of the corporation occurs on or after the Closing Date); provided, that, for clarity, Common Stock issued in connection with the PIPE Investment (as defined in the Merger Agreement) shall not constitute Lock-up Shares; and

(iii) the term “Transfer” means, with respect to a Lock-Up Share, to, (1) directly or indirectly sell, transfer, hypothecate, pledge, encumber, assign, hedge, swap, convert or otherwise dispose of (including by merger (including by conversion into securities or other consideration), by tendering into any tender or exchange offer, by testamentary disposition, by operation of Law (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or otherwise), either voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its Lock-Up Shares (2) enter into any Contract (as defined in the Merger Agreement) or option with respect to any transaction specified in clause (1) or any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any of such securities, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (3) publicly announce any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (1) or (2) during the Lock-Up Period.

(d) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, this Section 42 shall not apply (i) with respect to a Lock-Up Holder to the extent such Lock-Up Holder had already been bound prior to the effectiveness of these amended and restated bylaws by a contractual obligation by and between such Lock-Up Holder and the corporation in respect of the subject matter of this Section 42.

 

17


ARTICLE VIII

OTHER SECURITIES OF THE CORPORATION

Section 43. Execution Of Other Securities. All bonds, debentures and other corporate securities of the corporation, other than stock certificates (covered in Section 37), may be signed by the Chairperson of the Board of Directors, 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 44. 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 corporation’s capital stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and applicable law.

Section 45. 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 its absolute discretion, thinks 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 46. Fiscal Year. The fiscal year of the corporation shall be fixed by resolution of the Board of Directors.

 

18


ARTICLE XI

INDEMNIFICATION

Section 47. 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 XI, “executive officers” shall have the meaning defined in Rule 3b-7 promulgated under the 1934 Act) to the 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 subsection (d).

(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 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 he 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 executive officer in his or her capacity as a director or executive officer (and not in any other capacity in which service was or is rendered by such indemnitee, including, without limitation, service to an employee benefit plan) shall be made only upon delivery to the corporation of an undertaking (hereinafter 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 (hereinafter a “final adjudication”) 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 subsection (e), 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 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 vote 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.

 

19


(d) Enforcement. Without the necessity of entering into an express contract, all rights to indemnification and advances to directors and executive officers under this Bylaw 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 ninety (90) days of request therefor. To the extent permitted by law, 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. 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. In any suit brought by a director or executive officer to enforce a right to indemnification or to an advancement of expenses hereunder, the burden of proving that the director or executive officer is not entitled to be indemnified, or to such advancement of expenses, under this section or otherwise shall be on the corporation.

(e) Non-Exclusivity of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw shall not be exclusive of any other right which 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 by any other applicable law.

(f) Survival of Rights. The rights conferred on any person by this Bylaw 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 Bylaw 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 section 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 any other applicable law.

(j) Certain Definitions. For the purposes of this Bylaw, the following definitions shall apply:

(i) 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.

 

20


(ii) 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.

(iii) 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 which, 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.

(iv) 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.

(v) 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 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; 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.

ARTICLE XII

NOTICES

Section 48. Notices.

(a) Notice To Stockholders. Written notice to stockholders of stockholder meetings shall be given as provided in Section 7 herein. 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 US 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 subsection (a), as otherwise provided in these Bylaws, or by overnight delivery service, facsimile, telex or telegram, except that such notice other than one which is delivered personally 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.

 

21


(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 which 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 sixty (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.

ARTICLE XIII

AMENDMENTS

Section 49. Amendments. Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 47(h) or the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Board of Directors is expressly empowered to adopt, amend or repeal the Bylaws of the corporation. The stockholders also shall 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 at least sixty-six and two-thirds percent (66 2/3%) 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 50. Loans To Officers. Except as otherwise prohibited by 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.

 

22

EX-4.1

Exhibit 4.1

SPECIMEN COMMON STOCK CERTIFICATE

 

NUMBER

   SHARES

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

INCORPORATED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE

COMMON STOCK

SEE REVERSE FOR

CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

CUSIP 76655K 103

This certifies that ____________________ is the owner of ______________.

FULLY PAID AND NON-ASSESSABLE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK, US$0.0001 PAR VALUE PER SHARE, OF RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC. (THE “COMPANY”)

Transferable on the books of the Company in person or by duly authorized attorney upon surrender of this certificate properly endorsed.

This certificate is not valid unless countersigned by the Transfer Agent and registered by the Registrar.

Witness the facsimile signatures of its duly authorized officers.

 

Dated:

     
Chief Executive Officer    Delaware    Chief Financial Officer

 

  

 

  

 


RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

The Company will furnish without charge to each shareholder who so requests the powers, designations, preferences and relative, participating, optional or other special rights of each class of shares or series thereof of the Company and the qualifications, limitations, or restrictions of such preferences and/or rights. This certificate and the shares represented thereby are issued and shall be held subject to all the provisions of the Company’s certificate of incorporation, as the same may be amended from time to time, and resolutions of the Board of Directors providing for the issue of Common Stock (copies of which may be obtained from the secretary of the Company), to all of which the holder of this certificate by acceptance hereof assents. The following abbreviations, when used in the inscription on the face of this certificate, shall be construed as though they were written out in full according to applicable laws or regulations:

 

TEN COM — as tenants in common   

UNIF GIFT MIN ACT

   Custodian

(Cust) (Minor)
TEN ENT — as tenants by the entireties       under Uniform Gifts to Minors Act

(State)
JT TEN — as joint tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common      
Additional abbreviations may also be used though not in the above list.


For value received, hereby sells, assigns and transfers unto

(PLEASE INSERT SOCIAL SECURITY OR OTHER IDENTIFYING NUMBER(S) OF ASSIGNEE(S))

(PLEASE PRINT OR TYPEWRITE NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES), INCLUDING ZIP CODE, OF ASSIGNEE(S))

Shares represented by the within Certificate, and does hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint Attorney to transfer the said shares on the books of the within named Company with full power of substitution in the premises.

 

Dated:   

 

  

 

   Shareholder
  

NOTICE: THE SIGNATURE(S) TO THIS

ASSIGNMENT MUST CORRESPOND WITH THE NAME AS WRITTEN UPON THE FACE OF THE CERTIFICATE IN EVERY PARTICULAR, WITHOUT ALTERATION OR ENLARGEMENT OR ANY CHANGE WHATEVER.

Signature(s) Guaranteed:

 

  
By   

 

  

 

  

THE SIGNATURE(S) MUST BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 OR ANY SUCCESSOR RULE).

EX-4.2

Exhibit 4.2

[Form of Warrant Certificate]

[FACE]

Number

Warrants

THIS WARRANT SHALL BE VOID IF NOT EXERCISED PRIOR TO

THE EXPIRATION OF THE EXERCISE PERIOD PROVIDED FOR

IN THE WARRANT AGREEMENT DESCRIBED BELOW

Rigetti Computing, Inc.

Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of Delaware

CUSIP 76655K 111

Warrant Certificate

This Warrant Certificate certifies that [●], or registered assigns, is the registered holder of [●] warrant(s) (the “Warrants” and each, a “Warrant”) to purchase Common Stock, $0.0001 par value (“Common Stock”), of Rigetti Computing, Inc., a Delaware Corporation (the “Company”). Each Warrant entitles the holder, upon exercise during the period set forth in the Warrant Agreement referred to below, to receive from the Company that number of fully paid and nonassessable shares of Common Stock as set forth below, at the exercise price (the “Exercise Price”) as determined pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, payable in lawful money (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) of the United States of America upon surrender of this Warrant Certificate and payment of the Exercise Price at the office or agency of the Warrant Agent referred to below, subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Warrant Agreement. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Each whole Warrant is initially exercisable for one fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock. Fractional shares shall not be issued upon exercise of any Warrant. If, upon the exercise of Warrants, a holder would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in a share of Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the Warrant holder. The number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

The initial Exercise Price per one share of Common Stock for any Warrant is equal to $11.50 per share. The Exercise Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

Subject to the conditions set forth in the Warrant Agreement, the Warrants may be exercised only during the Exercise Period and to the extent not exercised by the end of such Exercise Period, such Warrants shall become void. The Warrants may be redeemed, subject to certain conditions, as set forth in the Warrant Agreement.

Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Warrant Certificate set forth on the reverse hereof and such further provisions shall for all purposes have the same effect as though fully set forth at this place.

This Warrant Certificate shall not be valid unless countersigned by the Warrant Agent, as such term is used in the Warrant Agreement. This Warrant Certificate shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York.


RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.
By:  

     

   
  Name:  

     

        
  Title:   Authorized Signatory         

 

AMERICAN STOCK TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY, LLC AS WARRANT AGENT
By:  

 

        
  Name:  

 

        
  Title:      


[Form of Warrant Certificate]

[Reverse]

The Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate are part of a duly authorized issue of Warrants entitling the holder on exercise to receive [●] shares of Common Stock and are issued or to be issued pursuant to a Warrant Agreement dated as of March 1, 2021 (the “Warrant Agreement”), duly executed and delivered by the Company to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as warrant agent (the “Warrant Agent”), which Warrant Agreement is hereby incorporated by reference in and made a part of this instrument and is hereby referred to for a description of the rights, limitation of rights, obligations, duties and immunities thereunder of the Warrant Agent, the Company and the holders (the words “holders” or “holder” meaning the Registered Holders or Registered Holder, respectively) of the Warrants. A copy of the Warrant Agreement may be obtained by the holder hereof upon written request to the Company. Defined terms used in this Warrant Certificate but not defined herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Warrant Agreement.

Warrants may be exercised at any time during the Exercise Period set forth in the Warrant Agreement. The holder of Warrants evidenced by this Warrant Certificate may exercise them by surrendering this Warrant Certificate, with the form of Election to Purchase set forth hereon properly completed and executed, together with payment of the Exercise Price as specified in the Warrant Agreement (or through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement) at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent. In the event that upon any exercise of Warrants evidenced hereby the number of Warrants exercised shall be less than the total number of Warrants evidenced hereby, there shall be issued to the holder hereof or his, her or its assignee, a new Warrant Certificate evidencing the number of Warrants not exercised.

Notwithstanding anything else in this Warrant Certificate or the Warrant Agreement, no Warrant may be exercised unless at the time of exercise (i) a registration statement covering the issuance of the Common Stock to be issued upon exercise is effective under the Securities Act and (ii) a prospectus thereunder relating to the Common Stock is current, except through “cashless exercise” as provided for in the Warrant Agreement.

The Warrant Agreement provides that upon the occurrence of certain events the number of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of the Warrants set forth on the face hereof may, subject to certain conditions, be adjusted. If, upon exercise of a Warrant, the holder thereof would be entitled to receive a fractional interest in shares of Common Stock, the Company shall, upon exercise, round down to the nearest whole number of shares of Common Stock to be issued to the holder of the Warrant.

Warrant Certificates, when surrendered at the principal corporate trust office of the Warrant Agent by the Registered Holder thereof in person or by legal representative or attorney duly authorized in writing, may be exchanged, in the manner and subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, but without payment of any service charge, for another Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants.

Upon due presentation for registration of transfer of this Warrant Certificate at the office of the Warrant Agent a new Warrant Certificate or Warrant Certificates of like tenor and evidencing in the aggregate a like number of Warrants shall be issued to the transferee(s) in exchange for this Warrant Certificate, subject to the limitations provided in the Warrant Agreement, without charge except for any tax or other governmental charge imposed in connection therewith.

The Company and the Warrant Agent may deem and treat the Registered Holder(s) hereof as the absolute owner(s) of this Warrant Certificate (notwithstanding any notation of ownership or other writing hereon made by anyone), for the purpose of any exercise hereof, of any distribution to the holder(s) hereof, and for all other purposes, and neither the Company nor the Warrant Agent shall be affected by any notice to the contrary. Neither the Warrants nor this Warrant Certificate entitles any holder hereof to any rights of a shareholder of the Company.


Election to Purchase

(To Be Executed Upon Exercise of Warrant)

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, to receive [ ] shares of Common Stock and herewith tenders payment for such Common Stock to the order of Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. (the “Company”) in the amount of $[ ] in accordance with the terms hereof. The undersigned requests that a certificate for such Common Stock be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such shares of Common Stock be delivered to [ ] whose address is [ ]. If said [ ] number of shares of Common Stock is less than all of the Common Stock purchasable hereunder, the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to [ ], whose address is [ ].

In the event that the Warrant has been called for redemption by the Company pursuant to Section 6.2 of the Warrant Agreement and a holder thereof elects to exercise its Warrant pursuant to a Make-Whole Exercise, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) or Section 6.2 of the Warrant Agreement, as applicable.

In the event that the Warrant is a Private Placement Warrant that is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with subsection 3.3.1(c) of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant is to be exercised on a “cashless” basis pursuant to Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement, the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for shall be determined in accordance with Section 7.4 of the Warrant Agreement.

In the event that the Warrant may be exercised, to the extent allowed by the Warrant Agreement, through cashless exercise (i) the number of shares of Common Stock that this Warrant is exercisable for would be determined in accordance with the relevant section of the Warrant Agreement which allows for such cashless exercise and (ii) the holder hereof shall complete the following:

The undersigned hereby irrevocably elects to exercise the right, represented by this Warrant Certificate, through the cashless exercise provisions of the Warrant Agreement, to receive shares of Common Stock. If said number of shares is less than all of the Common Stock purchasable hereunder (after giving effect to the cashless exercise), the undersigned requests that a new Warrant Certificate representing the remaining balance of such shares of Common Stock be registered in the name of [ ], whose address is [ ] and that such Warrant Certificate be delivered to [ ], whose address is [ ].

[Signature Page Follows]


Date: [ ], 20[ ]

(Signature)
(Address)
(Tax Identification Number)

Signature Guaranteed:

 

THE SIGNATURE(S) SHOULD BE GUARANTEED BY AN ELIGIBLE GUARANTOR INSTITUTION (BANKS, STOCKBROKERS, SAVINGS AND LOAN ASSOCIATIONS AND CREDIT UNIONS WITH MEMBERSHIP IN AN APPROVED SIGNATURE GUARANTEE MEDALLION PROGRAM, PURSUANT TO S.E.C. RULE 17Ad-15 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED).

EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

AMENDED AND RESTATED

REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT

THIS AMENDED AND RESTATED REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”), dated as of March 2, 2022, is made and entered into by and among Rigetti Computing, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”) (formerly known as Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company), Supernova Partners II LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company (the “Sponsor”), the Individual Holders (as defined below), certain former stockholders of Rigetti Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Rigetti”), identified on the signature pages hereto, (such stockholders, the “Rigetti Holders” and, collectively with the Sponsor, the Individual Holders, the Rigetti Holders, and any person or entity who hereafter becomes a party to this Agreement pursuant to Section 5.2 or Section 5.10 of this Agreement, the “Holders” and each, a “Holder”).

RECITALS

WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and certain individuals (the “Individual Holders”) are party to that certain Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021 (the “Original RRA”);

WHEREAS, the Company has entered into that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2021 (as it may be amended or supplemented from time to time, the “Merger Agreement”), by and among the Company, Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror and Rigetti;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, the Rigetti Holders received shares of Domesticated Acquiror Common Stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “Common Stock”), of the Company;

WHEREAS, on the date hereof, certain other investors (such other investors, collectively, the “Third Party Investor Stockholders”) purchased an aggregate of 14,641,244 shares of Common Stock (the “Investor Shares”) in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act pursuant to the respective Subscription Agreement, each dated as of October 6, 2021 or December 23, 2021, entered into by and between the Company and each of the Third Party Investor Stockholders (each, a “Subscription Agreement” and, collectively, the “Subscription Agreements”);

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 5.8 of the Original RRA, the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth therein may be amended or modified upon the written consent of the Company and the Holders (as defined in the Original RRA) of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) at the time in question, and the Sponsor is the Holder of at least a majority-in-interest of the Registrable Securities (as defined in the Original RRA) as of the date hereof; and

WHEREAS, the Company, the Sponsor and the Individual Holders desire to amend and restate the Original RRA in its entirety and enter into this Agreement, pursuant to which the Company shall grant the Holders certain registration rights with respect to certain securities of the Company, as set forth in this Agreement.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, covenants and agreements contained herein, and certain other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

ARTICLE I

DEFINITIONS

1.1 Definitions. The terms defined in this Article I shall, for all purposes of this Agreement, have the respective meanings set forth below:

Additional Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.


Additional Holder Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.

Adverse Disclosure” shall mean any public disclosure of material non-public information, which disclosure, in the good faith judgment of the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, after consultation with counsel to the Company, (i) would be required to be made in any Registration Statement or Prospectus in order for the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus not to contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements contained therein (in the case of any prospectus and any preliminary prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading, (ii) would not be required to be made at such time if the Registration Statement were not being filed, declared effective or used, as the case may be and (iii) the Company has a bona fide business purpose for not making such information public.

Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Block Trade” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.

Board” shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

Charter” shall mean the certificate of incorporation of the Company, as it may be amended from time to time.

Closing” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Closing Date” shall have the meaning given in the Merger Agreement.

Commission” shall mean the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Common Stock” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Company” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto and includes the Company’s successors by recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction.

Demanding Holder” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Exchange Act” shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as it may be amended from time to time.

Form S-1 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Form S-3 Shelf” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.1.

Holder Information” shall have the meaning given in Section 4.1.2.

Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto, for so long as such person or entity holds any Registrable Securities.

Individual Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Investor Shares” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Joinder” shall have the meaning given in Section 5.10.

Lock-up Period” shall mean (a) with respect to the Sponsor, the Individual Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, the Lock-up Periods as defined in that certain Sponsor Support Agreement, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among the Company, Rigetti, the Sponsor and the other parties thereto (the “Sponsor Support Agreement”) and (b) with respect to the Rigetti Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, the Lock-up Period as defined in the Bylaws of the Company.


Maximum Number of Securities” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.5.

Merger Agreement” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Minimum Takedown Threshold” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Misstatement” shall mean an untrue statement of a material fact or an omission to state a material fact required to be stated in a Registration Statement or Prospectus or necessary to make the statements in a Registration Statement or Prospectus (in the case of a Prospectus, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made) not misleading.

Rigetti” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Rigetti Holders” shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Original RRA” shall have the meaning given in the Recitals hereto.

Other Coordinated Offering” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.4.1.

Permitted Transferees” shall mean, (a) with respect to the Sponsor and its respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of the Sponsor Support Agreement and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is not prohibited from transferring such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; (b) with respect to the Rigetti Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 42 of the Bylaws of the Company and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is not prohibited from transferring such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; (c) with respect to the Individual Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, (i) prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is permitted to transfer such Registrable Securities prior to the expiration of the Lock-up Period pursuant to Section 2.1(b) of the Sponsor Support Agreement, as applicable, and (ii) after the expiration of the Lock-up Period, any person or entity to whom such Holder is not prohibited from transferring such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter; and (d) with respect to all other Holders and their respective Permitted Transferees, any person or entity to whom such Holder of Registrable Securities is not prohibited from such Registrable Securities, subject to and in accordance with any applicable agreement between such Holder and/or their respective Permitted Transferees and the Company and any transferee thereafter.

Piggyback Registration” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.2.1.

Prospectus” shall mean the prospectus included in any Registration Statement, as supplemented by any and all prospectus supplements and as amended by any and all post-effective amendments and including all material incorporated by reference in such prospectus.

Registrable Security” shall mean (a) any outstanding shares of Common Stock or any other equity security (including warrants to purchase shares of Common Stock and shares of Common Stock issued or issuable upon the exercise of any other equity security) of the Company held by a Holder immediately following the Closing (including any securities distributable pursuant to the Merger Agreement); (b) any Additional Holder Common Stock; and (c) any other equity security of the Company or any of its subsidiaries issued or issuable with respect to any securities referenced in clause (a) or (b) above by way of a stock dividend or stock split or in connection with a recapitalization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, reorganization or similar transaction; provided, however, that, as to


any particular Registrable Security, such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities upon the earliest to occur of: (A) a Registration Statement with respect to the sale of such securities shall have become effective under the Securities Act and such securities shall have been sold, transferred, disposed of or exchanged in accordance with such Registration Statement by the applicable Holder; (B) (i) such securities shall have been otherwise transferred (other than to Permitted Transferees), (ii) new certificates for such securities not bearing (or book entry positions not subject to) a legend restricting further transfer shall have been delivered by the Company and (iii) subsequent public distribution of such securities shall not require registration under the Securities Act; (C) such securities shall have ceased to be outstanding; (D) such securities may be sold without registration pursuant to Rule 144 or any successor rule promulgated under the Securities Act (but with no volume or other restrictions or limitations including as to manner or timing of sale); and (E) such securities have been sold to, or through, a broker, dealer or underwriter in a public distribution or other public securities transaction.

Registration” shall mean a registration, including any related Shelf Takedown, effected by preparing and filing a registration statement, Prospectus or similar document in compliance with the requirements of the Securities Act, and the applicable rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, and such registration statement becoming effective.

Registration Expenses” shall mean the documented, out-of-pocket expenses of a Registration, including, without limitation, the following:

(A) all registration and filing fees (including fees with respect to filings required to be made with the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc.) and any national securities exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed;

(B) fees and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements of outside counsel for the Underwriters in connection with blue sky qualifications of Registrable Securities);

(C) printing, messenger, telephone and delivery expenses;

(D) fees and disbursements of counsel for the Company;

(E) fees and disbursements of all independent registered public accountants of the Company incurred specifically in connection with such Registration including the expenses of any special audits and/or “cold comfort” letters required by or incident to such performance and compliance;

(F) reasonable and documented fees and disbursements of counsel (including local and special counsel, to the extent necessary) incurred in connection with any registration statement or registered offering (including any Registration) covering Registrable Securities; and

(G) in an Underwritten Offering or Other Coordinated Offering, reasonable and documented fees and expenses not to exceed $50,000 in the aggregate for each Registration of one (1) legal counsel selected by the majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders.

Registration Statement” shall mean any registration statement that covers Registrable Securities pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement, including the Prospectus included in such registration statement,

amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to such registration statement, and all exhibits to and all material incorporated by reference in such registration statement.

Securities Act” shall mean the Securities Act of 1933, as amended from time to time.

Shelf” shall mean the Form S-1 Shelf, the Form S-3 Shelf or any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement, as the case may be.

Shelf Registration” shall mean a registration of securities pursuant to a registration statement filed with the Commission in accordance with and pursuant to Rule 415 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect).


Shelf Takedown” shall mean an Underwritten Shelf Takedown or any proposed transfer or sale using a Registration Statement, including a Piggyback Registration.

Sponsor shall have the meaning given in the Preamble hereto.

Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.2.

Transfer” shall mean the (a) sale or assignment of, offer to sell, contract or agreement to sell, hypothecate, pledge, grant of any option to purchase or otherwise dispose of or agreement to dispose of, directly or indirectly, or establishment or increase of a put equivalent position or liquidation with respect to or decrease of a call equivalent position within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act with respect to, any security, (b) entry into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of any security, whether any such transaction is to be settled by delivery of such securities, in cash or otherwise, or (c) public announcement of any intention to effect any transaction specified in clause (a) or (b).

Underwriter” shall mean a securities dealer who purchases any Registrable Securities as principal in an Underwritten Offering and not as part of such dealer’s market-making activities.

Underwritten Offering” shall mean a Registration in which securities of the Company are sold to an Underwriter in a firm commitment underwriting for distribution to the public.

Underwritten Shelf Takedown” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.4.

Withdrawal Notice” shall have the meaning given in Section 2.1.6.

ARTICLE II

REGISTRATIONS AND OFFERINGS

2.1 Shelf Registration.

2.1.1 Filing. Within thirty (30) calendar days following the Closing Date, the Company shall submit to or file with the Commission a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-1 (the “Form S-1 Shelf”) or a Registration Statement for a Shelf Registration on Form S-3 (the “Form S-3 Shelf”), if the Company is then eligible to use a Form S-3 Shelf, in each case, covering the resale of all the Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such submission or filing) on a delayed or continuous basis and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to have such Shelf declared effective as soon as practicable after the filing thereof, but no later than the earlier of (a) the ninetieth (90th) calendar day following the filing date thereof if the Commission notifies the Company that it will “review” the Registration Statement and (b) the fifth (5th) business day after the date the Company is notified (orally or in writing, whichever is earlier) by the Commission that the Registration Statement will not be “reviewed” or will not be subject to further review. Such Shelf shall provide for the resale of the Registrable Securities included therein pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. The Company shall maintain a Shelf in accordance with the terms hereof, and shall prepare and file with the Commission such amendments, including post-effective amendments, and supplements as may be necessary to keep a Shelf continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. In the event the Company files a Form S-1 Shelf, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) convert the Form S-1 Shelf (and any Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement) to a Form S-3 Shelf or (ii) file a Form S-3 Shelf, as the case may be, in each case, as soon as practicable after the Company is eligible to use Form S-3. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.1, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.


2.1.2 Subsequent Shelf Registration. If any Shelf ceases to be effective under the Securities Act for any reason at any time while Registrable Securities are still outstanding, the Company shall, subject to Section 3.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable cause such Shelf to again become effective under the Securities Act (including using its commercially reasonable efforts to obtain the prompt withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf), and shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to as promptly as is reasonably practicable amend such Shelf in a manner reasonably expected to result in the withdrawal of any order suspending the effectiveness of such Shelf or file an additional registration statement as a Shelf Registration (a “Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement”) registering the resale of all Registrable Securities (determined as of two (2) business days prior to such filing), and pursuant to any method or combination of methods legally available to, and requested by, any Holder named therein. If a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement is filed, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) cause such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement to become effective under the Securities Act as promptly as is reasonably practicable after the filing thereof (it being agreed that the Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be an automatic shelf registration statement (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) if the Company is a well-known seasoned issuer (as defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act) at the most recent applicable eligibility determination date) and (ii) keep such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective, available for use to permit the Holders named therein to sell their Registrable Securities included therein and in compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act until such time as there are no longer any Registrable Securities. Any such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on Form S-3 to the extent that the Company is eligible to use such form. Otherwise, such Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be on another appropriate form. The Company’s obligation under this Section 2.1.2, shall, for the avoidance of doubt, be subject to Section 3.4.

2.1.3 Additional Registrable Securities. Subject to Section 3.4, in the event that any Holder holds Registrable Securities that are not registered for resale on a delayed or continuous basis, the Company, upon written request of the Sponsor or a Rigetti Holder, shall promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the resale of such Registrable Securities to be covered by either, at the Company’s option, any then available Shelf (including by means of a post-effective amendment) or by filing a Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement and cause the same to become effective as soon as practicable after such filing and such Shelf or Subsequent Shelf Registration Statement shall be subject to the terms hereof; provided, however, that the Company shall only be required to cause such Registrable Securities to be so covered twice per calendar year for each of the Sponsor and the Rigetti Holders.

2.1.4 Requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns. Subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, the Sponsor or a Rigetti Holder (any of the Sponsor or a Rigetti Holder being in such case, a “Demanding Holder”) may request to sell all or any portion of its Registrable Securities in an Underwritten Offering that is registered pursuant to the Shelf (each, an “Underwritten Shelf Takedown”); provided that the Company shall only be obligated to effect an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if such offering shall include Registrable Securities proposed to be sold by the Demanding Holder, either individually or together with other Demanding Holders, with an anticipated gross aggregate offering price of at least $10 million (the “Minimum Takedown Threshold”). All requests for Underwritten Shelf Takedowns shall be made by giving written notice to the Company, which shall specify the approximate number of Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown. Subject to Section 2.4.4, the Company shall have the right to select the Underwriters for such offering (which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks), subject to the initial Demanding Holder’s prior approval (which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed). The Sponsor may demand not more than one (1) Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Rigetti Holders may demand not more than two (2) Underwritten Shelf Takedowns, in each case, pursuant to this Section 2.1.4 in any twelve (12) month period (such rights, in each such case, a “Demand”). Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company may effect any Underwritten Offering pursuant to any then effective Registration Statement, including a Form S-3, that is then available for such offering.

2.1.5 Reduction of Underwritten Offering. If the Underwriter in an Underwritten Shelf Takedown advises the Demanding Holders in writing that marketing factors require a limitation of the number of shares to be underwritten, then the Demanding Holders shall so advise all Holders of Registrable Securities that would otherwise be underwritten pursuant hereto, and the number of shares of Registrable Securities that may be included in the underwriting (such maximum number of such securities, the “Maximum Number of Securities”) shall be allocated among all participating Holders thereof, including the Demanding Holders, in proportion (as nearly as practicable) to the amount of Registrable Securities of the Company owned by each participating Holder; provided, however, that the number of shares of Registrable Securities to be included in such underwriting shall not be reduced unless all other securities are first entirely excluded from the underwriting.


2.1.6 Withdrawal. Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such Underwritten Shelf Takedown, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall have the right to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification (a “Withdrawal Notice”) to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Underwritten Shelf Takedown; provided that the Sponsor or the Rigetti Holders, as applicable, may elect to have the Company continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown if the Minimum Takedown Threshold would still be satisfied by the Registrable Securities proposed to be sold in the Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the Sponsor, the Rigetti Holders or any of their respective Permitted Transferees, as applicable. If withdrawn, a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall constitute a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown by the withdrawing Demanding Holder for purposes of Section 2.1.4, unless either (i) such Demanding Holder has not previously withdrawn any Underwritten Shelf Takedown or (ii) such Demanding Holder reimburses the Company for all Registration Expenses with respect to such Underwritten Shelf Takedown (or, if there is more than one Demanding Holder, a pro rata portion of such Registration Expenses based on the respective number of Registrable Securities that each Demanding Holder has requested be included in such Underwritten Shelf Takedown); provided that, if the Sponsor or the Rigetti Holders, as applicable, elect to continue an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to the proviso in the immediately preceding sentence, such Underwritten Shelf Takedown shall instead count as an Underwritten Shelf Takedown demanded by the Sponsor or such Rigetti Holder, as applicable, for purposes of Section 2.1.4. Following the receipt of any Withdrawal Notice, the Company shall promptly forward such Withdrawal Notice to any other Holders that had elected to participate in such Shelf Takedown. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Shelf Takedown prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.1.6, other than if a Demanding Holder elects to pay such Registration Expenses pursuant to clause (ii) of the second sentence of this Section 2.1.6.

2.2 Piggyback Registration.

2.2.1 Piggyback Rights. If (but without any obligation to do so) the Company proposes to register (including for this purpose a registration effected by the Company for holders of capital stock other than the Holders) any of its Common Stock under the Securities Act in connection with the public offering of such securities solely for cash (other than (i) a registration relating solely to the sale of securities to participants in a Company stock or other benefit plan, (ii) a transaction covered by Rule 145 under the Securities Act, (iii) a registration in which the only stock being registered is Common Stock issuable upon conversion of debt securities which are also being registered, (iv) for a dividend reinvestment plan or (v) any registration on any form which does not include substantially the same information as would be required to be included in a registration statement covering the sale of the Registrable Securities), then the Company shall give written notice of such proposed offering to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities as soon as practicable but not less than ten (10) days before the anticipated filing date of such Registration Statement or, in the case of an Underwritten Offering pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used for marketing such offering, which notice shall (A) describe the amount and type of securities to be included in such offering, the intended method(s) of distribution, and the name of the proposed managing Underwriter or Underwriters, if any, in such offering, and (B) offer to all of the Holders of Registrable Securities the opportunity to include in such registered offering such number of Registrable Securities as such Holders may request in writing within five (5) days after receipt of such written notice (such registered offering, a “Piggyback Registration”). Subject to Section 2.2.2, the Company shall cause such Registrable Securities to be included in such Piggyback Registration and, if applicable, shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause the managing Underwriter or Underwriters of such Piggyback Registration to permit the Registrable Securities requested by the Holders pursuant to this Section 2.2.1 to be included therein on the same terms and conditions as any similar securities of the Company included in such registered offering and to permit the sale or other disposition of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended method(s) of distribution thereof. The inclusion of any Holder’s Registrable Securities in a Piggyback Registration shall be subject to such Holder agreement to enter into an underwriting agreement in customary form with the Underwriter(s) selected for such Underwritten Offering.

2.2.2 Reduction of Piggyback Registration. If the total amount of securities, including Registrable Securities, requested by holders of Registrable Securities to be included in such offering exceeds the amount of securities sold other than by the Company that the Underwriters determine in their reasonable discretion is compatible with the success of the offering, then the Company shall be required to include in the offering only that number of such securities, including Registrable Securities, which the underwriters determine in their reasonable discretion will not


jeopardize the success of the offering (the securities so included to be apportioned pro rata among the selling security holders according to the total amount of securities entitled to be included therein owned by each selling security holder or in such other proportions as shall mutually be agreed to by such selling security holders. For purposes of the preceding parenthetical concerning apportionment, for any selling security holder which is a holder of Registrable Securities and which is a partnership or corporation, the partners, retired partners and holders of capital stock of such holder, or the estates and family members of any such partners and retired partners and any trusts for the benefit of any of the foregoing persons shall be deemed to be a single “selling security holder,” and any pro-rata reduction with respect to such “selling security holder” shall be based upon the aggregate number of Registrable Securities owned by all entities and individuals included in such “selling security holder,” as defined in this sentence.

2.2.3 Piggyback Registration Withdrawal. Any Holder of Registrable Securities (other than a Demanding Holder, whose right to withdraw from an Underwritten Shelf Takedown, and related obligations, shall be governed by Section 2.1.6) shall have the right to withdraw from a Piggyback Registration for any or no reason whatsoever upon written notification to the Company and the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) of his, her or its intention to withdraw from such Piggyback Registration prior to the effectiveness of the Registration Statement filed with the Commission with respect to such Piggyback Registration or, in the case of a Piggyback Registration pursuant to a Shelf Registration, the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement with respect to such Piggyback Registration used for marketing such transaction. The Company (whether on its own good faith determination or as the result of a request for withdrawal by persons or entities pursuant to separate written contractual obligations) may withdraw a Registration Statement filed with the Commission in connection with a Piggyback Registration (which, in no circumstance, shall include a Shelf) at any time prior to the effectiveness of such Registration Statement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement (other than Section 2.1.6), the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with the Piggyback Registration prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.2.3.

2.2.4 Unlimited Piggyback Registration Rights. For purposes of clarity, subject to Section 2.1.6, any Piggyback Registration effected pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown under Section 2.1.4 hereof.

2.3 Market Stand-off. In connection with any Underwritten Offering of equity securities of the Company (other than a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering), if requested by the managing Underwriters, each Holder that is an executive officer, director or Holder in excess of five percent (5%) of the outstanding Common Stock (and for which it is customary for such a Holder to agree to a lock-up) agrees that it shall not Transfer any shares of Common Stock or other equity securities of the Company (other than those included in such offering pursuant to this Agreement), without the prior written consent of the Company, during the forty-five (45)-day period (or such shorter time agreed to by the managing Underwriters) beginning on the date of pricing of such offering, except as expressly permitted by such lock-up agreement or in the event the managing Underwriters otherwise agree by written consent; provided, however, with respect to the first Underwritten Offering following the Closing, if the managing Underwriters, in their reasonable discretion, advise the Company in writing that a lock-up restriction of a period of forty-five (45) or fewer days would have a material adverse impact on such Underwritten Offering, then such lock-up restrictions shall be for the number of days such managing Underwriters so advise, not to exceed a period of ninety (90) days from the date of the pricing of any such Underwritten Offering. Each such Holder agrees to execute a customary lock-up agreement in favor of the Underwriters to such effect (in each case on substantially the same terms and conditions as all such Holders).

2.4 Block Trades; Other Coordinated Offerings.

2.4.1 Notwithstanding any other provision of this Article II, but subject to Section 3.4, at any time and from time to time when an effective Shelf is on file with the Commission, if a Demanding Holder wishes to engage in (a) an underwritten registered offering not involving a “roadshow,” an offer commonly known as a “block trade” (a “Block Trade”) or (b) an “at the market” or similar registered offering through a broker, sales agent or distribution agent, whether as agent or principal, (an “Other Coordinated Offering”), in each case, with an anticipated aggregate offering price of, either (x) at least $50 million or (y) all remaining Registrable Securities held by the Demanding Holder, then such Demanding Holder only needs to notify the Company of the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering at least five (5) business days prior to the day such offering is to commence and the Company shall as


expeditiously as possible use its commercially reasonable efforts to facilitate such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering; provided that the Demanding Holders representing a majority of the Registrable Securities wishing to engage in the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall use commercially reasonable efforts to work with the Company and any Underwriters, brokers, sales agents or placement agents prior to making such request in order to facilitate preparation of the registration statement, prospectus and other offering documentation related to the Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering.

2.4.2 Prior to the filing of the applicable “red herring” prospectus or prospectus supplement used in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering, a majority-in-interest of the Demanding Holders initiating such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to submit a Withdrawal Notice to the Company, the Underwriter or Underwriters (if any) and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) of their intention to withdraw from such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall be responsible for the Registration Expenses incurred in connection with a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering prior to its withdrawal under this Section 2.4.2.

2.4.3 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, Section 2.2 shall not apply to a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering initiated by a Demanding Holder pursuant to this Agreement.

2.4.4 The Demanding Holder in a Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering shall have the right to select the Underwriters and any brokers, sale agents or placement agents (if any) for such Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering (in each case, which shall consist of one or more reputable nationally recognized investment banks).

2.4.5 A Holder may demand no more than two (2) Block Trades or Other Coordinated Offerings pursuant to this Section 2.4 in any twelve (12) month period. For the avoidance of doubt, any Block Trade or Other Coordinated Offering effected pursuant to this Section 2.4 shall not be counted as a demand for an Underwritten Shelf Takedown pursuant to Section 2.1.4 hereof.

ARTICLE III

COMPANY PROCEDURES

3.1 General Procedures. In connection with any Shelf and/or Shelf Takedown, the Company shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to effect such Registration to permit the sale of such Registrable Securities in accordance with the intended plan of distribution thereof (and including all manners of distribution in such Registration Statement as Holders may reasonably request in connection with the filing of such Registration Statement and as permitted by law, including distribution of Registrable Securities to a Holder’s members, securityholders or partners), and pursuant thereto the Company shall, as expeditiously as possible:

3.1.1 prepare and file with the Commission as soon as practicable a Registration Statement with respect to such Registrable Securities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective and remain effective until all Registrable Securities have ceased to be Registrable Securities, in each case, in accordance with Section 2.1.1;

3.1.2 prepare and file with the Commission such amendments and post-effective amendments to the Registration Statement, and such supplements to the Prospectus, as may be reasonably requested by any Holder that holds at least five percent (5%) of the Registrable Securities registered on such Registration Statement or any Underwriter of Registrable Securities or as may be required by the rules, regulations or instructions applicable to the registration form used by the Company or by the Securities Act or rules and regulations thereunder to keep the Registration Statement effective until all Registrable Securities covered by such Registration Statement are sold;

3.1.3 prior to filing a Registration Statement or Prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, furnish without charge to the Underwriters, if any, and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration, and such Holders’ legal counsel, copies of such Registration Statement as proposed to be filed, each amendment and supplement to such Registration Statement (in each case including all exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by reference therein), the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement (including each preliminary Prospectus), and such other documents as the Underwriters and the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration or the legal counsel for any such Holders may request in order to facilitate the disposition of the Registrable Securities owned by such Holders;

 


3.1.4 prior to any public offering of Registrable Securities, use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) register or qualify the Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement under such securities or “blue sky” laws of such jurisdictions in the United States as the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement (in light of their intended plan of distribution) may request (or provide evidence satisfactory to such Holders that the Registrable Securities are exempt from such registration or qualification) and (ii) take such action necessary to cause such Registrable Securities covered by the Registration Statement to be registered with or approved by such other governmental authorities as may be necessary by virtue of the business and operations of the Company and do any and all other acts and things that may be necessary or advisable to enable the Holders of Registrable Securities included in such Registration Statement to consummate the disposition of such Registrable Securities in such jurisdictions; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify or take any action to which it would be subject to general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not then otherwise so subject;

3.1.5 cause all such Registrable Securities to be listed on each national securities exchange on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;

3.1.6 provide a transfer agent or warrant agent, as applicable, and registrar for all such Registrable Securities no later than the effective date of such Registration Statement;

3.1.7 advise each seller of such Registrable Securities, promptly after it shall receive notice or obtain knowledge thereof, of the issuance of any stop order by the Commission suspending the effectiveness of such Registration Statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such purpose and promptly use its commercially reasonable efforts to prevent the issuance of any stop order or to obtain its withdrawal if such stop order should be issued;

3.1.8 at least five (5) days prior to the filing of any Registration Statement or Prospectus or any amendment or supplement to such Registration Statement or Prospectus (or such shorter period of time as may be (a) necessary in order to comply with the Securities Act, the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations promulgated under the Securities Act or Exchange Act, as applicable or (b) advisable in order to reduce the number of days that sales are suspended pursuant to Section 3.4), furnish a copy thereof to each seller of such Registrable Securities or its counsel (excluding any exhibits thereto and any filing made under the Exchange Act that is to be incorporated by reference therein);

3.1.9 notify the Holders at any time when a Prospectus relating to such Registration Statement is required to be delivered under the Securities Act, of the happening of any event as a result of which the Prospectus included in such Registration Statement, as then in effect, includes a Misstatement, and then to correct such Misstatement as set forth in Section 3.4;

3.1.10 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering, or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, permit a representative of the Holders, the Underwriters or other financial institutions facilitating such Underwritten Offering, Block Trade, Other Coordinated Offering or other sale pursuant to such Registration, if any, and any attorney, consultant or accountant retained by such Holders or Underwriter to participate, at each such person’s or entity’s own expense, in the preparation of the Registration Statement, and cause the Company’s officers, directors and employees to supply all information reasonably requested by any such representative, Underwriter, financial institution, attorney, consultant or accountant in connection with the Registration; provided, however, that such representatives, Underwriters or financial institutions agree to confidentiality arrangements in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Company, prior to the release or disclosure of any such information;


3.1.11 obtain a “cold comfort” letter from the Company’s independent registered public accountants in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration (subject to such broker, placement agent or sales agent providing such certification or representation reasonably requested by the Company’s independent registered public accountants and the Company’s counsel) in customary form and covering such matters of the type customarily covered by “cold comfort” letters as the managing Underwriter may reasonably request, and reasonably satisfactory to a majority-in-interest of the participating Holders;

3.1.12 in the event of an Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, on the date the Registrable Securities are delivered for sale pursuant to such Registration, obtain an opinion, dated such date, of counsel representing the Company for the purposes of such Registration, addressed to the participating Holders, the broker, placement agents or sales agent, if any and the Underwriters, if any, covering such legal matters with respect to the Registration in respect of which such opinion is being given as the participating Holders, broker, placement agent, sales agent or Underwriter may reasonably request and as are customarily included in such opinions and negative assurance letters, as applicable;

3.1.13 in the event of any Underwritten Offering, a Block Trade, an Other Coordinated Offering or sale by a broker, placement agent or sales agent pursuant to such Registration, enter into and perform its obligations under an underwriting or other purchase or sales agreement, in usual and customary form, with the managing Underwriter or the broker, placement agent or sales agent of such offering or sale;

3.1.14 make available to its security holders, as soon as reasonably practicable, an earnings statement covering the period of at least twelve (12) months beginning with the first day of the Company’s first full calendar quarter after the effective date of the Registration Statement which satisfies the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act and Rule 158 thereunder (or any successor rule then in effect);

3.1.15 with respect to an Underwritten Offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4, use its commercially reasonable efforts to make available senior executives of the Company to participate in customary “road show” presentations that may be reasonably requested by the Underwriter in such Underwritten Offering; and

3.1.16 otherwise, in good faith, cooperate reasonably with, and take such customary actions as may reasonably be requested by the participating Holders, consistent with the terms of this Agreement, in connection with such Registration.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall not be required to provide any documents or information to an Underwriter or broker, sales agent or placement agent if such Underwriter or broker, sales agent or placement agent has not then been named with respect to the applicable Underwritten Offering or other offering involving a registration as an Underwriter or broker, sales agent or placement agent, as applicable.

3.2 Registration Expenses. The Registration Expenses of all Registrations shall be borne by the Company. It is acknowledged by the Holders that the Holders shall bear all incremental selling expenses relating to the sale of Registrable Securities, such as Underwriters’ commissions and discounts, brokerage fees, Underwriter marketing costs and, other than as set forth in the definition of “Registration Expenses,” all fees and expenses of any legal counsel representing the Holders.

3.3 Requirements for Participation in Registration Statement in Offerings. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, if any Holder does not provide the Company with its requested Holder Information, the Company may exclude such Holder’s Registrable Securities from the applicable Registration Statement or Prospectus if the Company determines, based on the advice of counsel, that such information is necessary to effect the registration and such Holder continues thereafter to withhold such information. No person or entity may participate in any Underwritten Offering or other offering for equity securities of the Company pursuant to a Registration initiated by the Company hereunder unless such person or entity (i) agrees to sell such person’s or entity’s securities on the basis provided in any underwriting, sales, distribution or placement arrangements approved by the Company and (ii) completes and executes all customary questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, lock-up agreements, underwriting or other agreements and other customary documents as may be reasonably required under the terms of such underwriting, sales, distribution or placement arrangements. The exclusion of a Holder’s Registrable Securities as a result of this Section 3.3 shall not affect the registration of the other Registrable Securities to be included in such Registration.


3.4 Suspension of Sales; Adverse Disclosure; Restrictions on Registration Rights.

3.4.1 Upon receipt of written notice from the Company that a Registration Statement or Prospectus contains a Misstatement, each of the Holders shall forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities until it has received copies of a supplemented or amended Prospectus correcting the Misstatement (it being understood that the Company hereby covenants to prepare and file such supplement or amendment as soon as practicable after the time of such notice), or until it is advised in writing by the Company that the use of the Prospectus may be resumed.

3.4.2 If the filing, initial effectiveness or continued use of a Registration Statement in respect of any Registration at any time would (a) require the Company to make an Adverse Disclosure, (b) require the inclusion in such Registration Statement of financial statements that are unavailable to the Company for reasons beyond the Company’s control or (c) in the good faith judgment of the Board, be seriously detrimental to the Company and its holders of capital stock and it is therefore essential to defer such filing, initial effectiveness or continued use at such time, the Company shall have the right, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders (which notice shall not specify the nature of the event giving rise to such delay or suspension), delay the filing or initial effectiveness of, or suspend use of, such Registration Statement for the shortest period of time determined in good faith by the Company to be necessary for such purpose. In the event the Company exercises its rights under this Section 3.4.2, the Holders agree to suspend, immediately upon their receipt of the notice referred to above, their use of the Prospectus relating to any Registration in connection with any sale or offer to sell Registrable Securities until such Holder receives written notice from the Company that such sales or offers of Registrable Securities may be resumed, and in each case maintain the confidentiality of such notice and its contents.

3.4.3 (a) During the period starting with the date ninety (90) days prior to the Company’s good faith estimate of the date of the filing of, and ending on a date ninety (90) days after the effective date of, a Company-initiated Registration and provided that the Company continues to actively employ, in good faith, all reasonable efforts to maintain the effectiveness of the applicable Shelf Registration Statement, or (b) if, pursuant to Section 2.1.4, Holders have requested an Underwritten Shelf Takedown and the Company and Holders are unable to obtain the commitment of Underwriters to firmly underwrite such offering, the Company may, upon giving prompt written notice of such action to the Holders, delay any other registered offering pursuant to Section 2.1.4 or 2.4 for not more than ninety (90) consecutive calendar days or more than one hundred twenty (120) total calendar days in each case during any twelve (12)-month period.

3.5 Reporting Obligations. As long as any Holder shall own Registrable Securities, the Company, at all times while it shall be a reporting company under the Exchange Act, covenants to file timely (or obtain extensions in respect thereof and file within the applicable grace period) all reports required to be filed by the Company after the date hereof pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act and to promptly furnish the Holders with true and complete copies of all such filings; provided that any documents publicly filed or furnished with the Commission pursuant to the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval System shall be deemed to have been furnished or delivered to the Holders pursuant to this Section 3.5. The Company further covenants that it shall take such further action as any Holder may reasonably request, all to the extent required from time to time to enable such Holder to sell shares of Common Stock held by such Holder without registration under the Securities Act within the limitation of the exemptions provided by Rule 144 promulgated under the Securities Act (or any successor rule then in effect). Upon the request of any Holder, the Company shall deliver to such Holder a written certification of a duly authorized officer as to whether it has complied with such requirements.

ARTICLE IV

INDEMNIFICATION AND CONTRIBUTION

4.1 Indemnification.

4.1.1 The Company agrees to indemnify, to the extent permitted by law, each Holder of Registrable Securities, its officers, managers, directors, affiliates, and agents and each person or entity who controls such Holder (within the meaning of the Securities Act), against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) caused by, resulting from, arising out of or based upon any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained in or incorporated by reference in any Registration


Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, except insofar as the same are caused by or contained in any information or affidavit so furnished in writing to the Company by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein. The Company shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers and directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to the indemnification of the Holder.

4.1.2 In connection with any Registration Statement in which a Holder of Registrable Securities is participating, such Holder shall furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Company in writing such information and affidavits as the Company reasonably requests for use in connection with any such Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus (the “Holder Information”) and, to the extent permitted by law, shall indemnify the Company, its officers, managers, directors, affiliates and agents and each person or entity who controls the Company (within the meaning of the Securities Act) against all losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable outside attorneys’ fees) resulting from any untrue or alleged untrue statement of material fact contained or incorporated by reference in any Registration Statement, Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus or any amendment thereof or supplement thereto or any omission or alleged omission of a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein, in the case of the Prospectus or preliminary Prospectus in the light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading, but only to the extent that such untrue statement or omission is contained in (or not contained in, in the case of an omission) any information or affidavit so furnished in writing by or on behalf of such Holder expressly for use therein; provided, however, that the obligation to indemnify shall be several, not joint and several, among such Holders of Registrable Securities, and the liability of each such Holder of Registrable Securities shall be in proportion to and limited to the net proceeds received by such Holder from the sale of Registrable Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement. The Holders of Registrable Securities shall indemnify the Underwriters, their officers, directors and each person or entity who controls such Underwriters (within the meaning of the Securities Act) to the same extent as provided in the foregoing with respect to indemnification of the Company.

4.1.3 Any person or entity entitled to indemnification herein shall (i) give prompt written notice to the indemnifying party of any claim with respect to which it seeks indemnification (provided that the failure to give prompt notice shall not impair any person’s or entity’s right to indemnification hereunder to the extent such failure has not materially prejudiced the indemnifying party) and (ii) unless in such indemnified party’s reasonable judgment a conflict of interest between such indemnified and indemnifying parties may exist with respect to such claim, permit such indemnifying party to assume the defense of such claim with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the indemnified party. If such defense is assumed, the indemnifying party shall not be subject to any liability for any settlement made by the indemnified party without its consent (but such consent shall not be unreasonably withheld). An indemnifying party who is not entitled to, or elects not to, assume the defense of a claim shall not be obligated to pay the fees and expenses of more than one counsel for all parties indemnified by such indemnifying party with respect to such claim, unless in the reasonable judgment of any indemnified party a conflict of interest may exist between such indemnified party and any other of such indemnified parties with respect to such claim. No indemnifying party shall, without the consent of the indemnified party, consent to the entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which cannot be settled in all respects by the payment of money (and such money is so paid by the indemnifying party pursuant to the terms of such settlement) or which settlement includes a statement or admission of fault and culpability on the part of such indemnified party or which settlement does not include as an unconditional term thereof the giving by the claimant or plaintiff to such indemnified party of a release from all liability in respect to such claim or litigation.

4.1.4 The indemnification provided for under this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of the indemnified party or any officer, director or controlling person or entity of such indemnified party and shall survive the transfer of securities. The Company and each Holder of Registrable Securities participating in an offering also agrees to make such provisions as are reasonably requested by any indemnified party for contribution to such party in the event the Company’s or such Holder’s indemnification is unavailable for any reason.


4.1.5 If the indemnification provided under Section 4.1 from the indemnifying party is unavailable or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party in respect of any losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses referred to herein, then the indemnifying party, in lieu of indemnifying the indemnified party, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by the indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages, liabilities and out-of-pocket expenses in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of the indemnifying party and the indemnified party, as well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative fault of the indemnifying party and indemnified party shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether any action in question, including any untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or omission or alleged omission to state a material fact, was made by (or not made by, in the case of an omission), or relates to information supplied by (or not supplied by in the case of an omission), such indemnifying party or indemnified party, and the indemnifying party’s and indemnified party’s relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such action; provided, however, that the liability of any Holder under this Section 4.1.5 shall be limited to the amount of the net proceeds received by such Holder in such offering giving rise to such liability. The amount paid or payable by a party as a result of the losses or other liabilities referred to above shall be deemed to include, subject to the limitations set forth in Sections 4.1.1, 4.1.2 and 4.1.3 above, any legal or other fees, charges or out-of-pocket expenses reasonably incurred by such party in connection with any investigation or proceeding. The parties hereto agree that it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 were determined by pro rata allocation or by any other method of allocation, which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to in this Section 4.1.5. No person or entity guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution pursuant to this Section 4.1.5 from any person or entity who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.

ARTICLE V

MISCELLANEOUS

5.1 Notices. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be in writing and given by (i) deposit in the United States mail, addressed to the party to be notified, postage prepaid and registered or certified with return receipt requested, (ii) delivery in person or by courier service providing evidence of delivery, or (iii) transmission by hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile. Each notice or communication that is mailed, delivered, or transmitted in the manner described above shall be deemed sufficiently given, served, sent, and received, in the case of mailed notices, on the third business day following the date on which it is mailed and, in the case of notices delivered by courier service, hand delivery, electronic mail or facsimile, at such time as it is delivered to the addressee (with the delivery receipt or the affidavit of messenger) or at such time as delivery is refused by the addressee upon presentation. Any notice or communication under this Agreement must be addressed, if to the Company, to: Rigetti Computing, Inc., 775 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710, Attention: General Counsel, Email: * and, if to any Holder, at such Holder’s address, electronic mail address or facsimile number as set forth in the Company’s books and records. Any party may change its address for notice at any time and from time to time by written notice to the other parties hereto, and such change of address shall become effective thirty (30) days after delivery of such notice as provided in this Section 5.1.

5.2 Assignment; No Third Party Beneficiaries.

5.2.1 This Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of the Company hereunder may not be assigned or delegated by the Company in whole or in part.

5.2.2 Subject to Section 5.2.4 and Section 5.2.5, this Agreement and the rights, duties and obligations of a Holder hereunder may be assigned in whole or in part to such Holder’s Permitted Transferees; provided, that, with respect to the Rigetti Holders and the Sponsor, the rights hereunder that are personal to such Holders may not be assigned or delegated in whole or in part, except that (w) each of the Rigetti Holders shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as such Rigetti Holders to one or more affiliates or any direct or indirect partners, members or equity holders of such Rigetti Holder (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of such Rigetti Holder or such transferees) and (x) the Sponsor shall be permitted to transfer its rights hereunder as the Sponsor to one or more Permitted Transferees of the Sponsor (it being understood that no such transfer shall reduce any rights of the Sponsor or such transferees.


5.2.3 This Agreement and the provisions hereof shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of each of the parties and its successors and the permitted assigns of the Holders, which shall include Permitted Transferees.

5.2.4 This Agreement shall not confer any rights or benefits on any persons or entities that are not parties hereto, other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement and Section 5.2.

5.2.5 No assignment by any party hereto of such party’s rights, duties and obligations hereunder shall be binding upon or obligate the Company unless and until the Company shall have received (i) written notice of such assignment as provided in Section 5.1 hereof and (ii) the written agreement of the assignee, in a form reasonably satisfactory to the Company, to be bound by the terms and provisions of this Agreement (which may be accomplished by an addendum or certificate of joinder to this Agreement). Any transfer or assignment made other than as provided in this Section 5.2 shall be null and void.

5.3 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in multiple counterparts (including facsimile or PDF counterparts), each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which together shall constitute the same instrument, but only one of which need be produced. The words “execution,” “signed,” “signature,” “delivery,” and words of like import in or relating to this Agreement or any document to be signed in connection with this Agreement shall be deemed to include electronic signatures, deliveries or the keeping of records in electronic form, each of which shall be of the same legal effect, validity or enforceability as a manually executed signature, physical delivery thereof or the use of a paper-based recordkeeping system, as the case may be, and the parties hereto consent to conduct the transactions contemplated hereunder by electronic means.

5.4 Governing Law; Venue. NOTWITHSTANDING THE PLACE WHERE THIS AGREEMENT MAY BE EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE PARTIES HERETO, THE PARTIES EXPRESSLY AGREE THAT (1) THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND (2) THE VENUE FOR ANY ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT IN NEW YORK COUNTY IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

5.5 TRIAL BY JURY. EACH PARTY HERETO ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT ANY CONTROVERSY WHICH MAY ARISE UNDER THIS AGREEMENT IS LIKELY TO INVOLVE COMPLICATED AND DIFFICULT ISSUES, AND, THEREFORE, EACH SUCH PARTY HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY WAIVES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, ANY RIGHT SUCH PARTY MAY HAVE TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN RESPECT TO ANY ACTION DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY ARISING OUT OF, UNDER OR IN CONNECTION WITH OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THIS AGREEMENT.

5.6 Amendments and Modifications. Upon the written consent of (a) the Company and (b) the Holders of a majority of the total Registrable Securities, compliance with any of the provisions, covenants and conditions set forth in this Agreement may be waived, or any of such provisions, covenants or conditions may be amended or modified; provided, however, that notwithstanding the foregoing, any amendment hereto or waiver hereof shall also require the written consent of each Holder so long as such Holder and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company; and provided, further, that any amendment hereto or waiver hereof that adversely affects one Holder, solely in its capacity as a holder of the shares of capital stock of the Company, in a manner that is materially different from the other Holders (in such capacity) shall require the consent of the Holder so affected. No course of dealing between any Holder or the Company and any other party hereto or any failure or delay on the part of a Holder or the Company in exercising any rights or remedies under this Agreement shall operate as a waiver of any rights or remedies of any Holder or the Company. No single or partial exercise of any rights or remedies under this Agreement by a party shall operate as a waiver or preclude the exercise of any other rights or remedies hereunder or thereunder by such party.

5.7 Other Registration Rights. Other than (i) the Third Party Investor Stockholders who have registration rights with respect to their Investor Shares pursuant to their respective Subscription Agreements and (ii) as provided in the Warrant Agreement, dated as of March 1, 2021, between the Company and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, the Company represents and warrants that no person or entity, other than a Holder of Registrable Securities, has any right to require the Company to register any securities of the Company for sale or to include such securities of the Company in any Registration Statement filed by the Company for the sale of securities for its own


account or for the account of any other person or entity. For so long as any Rigetti Holder and such Holder’s affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company, the Company hereby agrees and covenants that it will not grant rights to register any Common Stock (or securities convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock) under the Securities Act pursuant to which such grantee would have more favorable Demands or treatment with respect to pro rata reduction than those granted to the Rigetti Holders hereunder without the prior written consent of such Rigetti Holder.

5.8 Term. This Agreement shall terminate on the earlier of (a) the fifth anniversary of the date of this Agreement or (b) with respect to any Holder, on the date that such Holder no longer holds any Registrable Securities. The provisions of Section 3.5 and Article IV shall survive any termination.

5.9 Holder Information. Each Holder agrees, if requested in writing, to represent to the Company the total number of Registrable Securities held by such Holder in order for the Company to make determinations hereunder.

5.10 Additional Holders; Joinder. In addition to persons or entities who may become Holders pursuant to Section 5.2 hereof, subject to the prior written consent of each of the Holders of a majority of the total Registrable Securities (in each case, so long as such Holder and its affiliates hold, in the aggregate, at least five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company), the Company may make any person or entity who acquires Common Stock or rights to acquire Common Stock after the date hereof a party to this Agreement (each such person or entity, an “Additional Holder”) by obtaining an executed joinder to this Agreement from such Additional Holder in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto (a “Joinder”). Such Joinder shall specify the rights and obligations of the applicable Additional Holder under this Agreement. Upon the execution and delivery and subject to the terms of a Joinder by such Additional Holder, the Common Stock of the Company then owned, or underlying any rights then owned, by such Additional Holder (the “Additional Holder Common Stock”) shall be Registrable Securities to the extent provided herein and therein and such Additional Holder shall be a Holder under this Agreement with respect to such Additional Holder Common Stock.

5.11 Severability. It is the desire and intent of the parties that the provisions of this Agreement be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable for any reason, such provision, as to such jurisdiction, shall be ineffective, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if such provision could be more narrowly drawn so as not to be invalid, prohibited or unenforceable in such jurisdiction, it shall, as to such jurisdiction, be so narrowly drawn, without invalidating the remaining provisions of this Agreement or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision in any other jurisdiction.

5.12 Entire Agreement; Restatement. This Agreement constitutes the full and entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings relating to such subject matter. Upon the Closing, the Original RRA shall no longer be of any force or effect.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

COMPANY:

Rigetti Computing, Inc.

a Delaware corporation

By:  

/s/ Michael Clifton

  Name: Michael Clifton
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
HOLDERS:

Supernova Partners II LLC

a Cayman Islands limited liability company

By:  

/s/ Michael Clifton

  Name: Michael Clifton
  Title: Chief Financial Officer
AVG – BIV RIGETTI TRUST1 2020
By:  

/s/ Anton Simunovic

  Name: Anton Simunovic
  Title: Trustee
AVG – BIV RIGETTI TRUST2 2020
By:  

/s/ Anton Simunovic

  Name: Anton Simunovic
  Title: Trustee
AVG – BIV RIGETTI TRUST3 2020
By:  

/s/ Anton Simunovic

  Name: Anton Simunovic
  Title: Trustee
AVGF – BIV 2 RIGETTI 2017, LLC
By:  

/s/ Anton Simunovic

  Name: Anton Simunovic
  Title: Trustee
AVGF – BIV 2 RIGETTI 2017, LLC
By:  

/s/ Anton Simunovic

  Name: Anton Simunovic
  Title: Trustee


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:
BESSEMER VENTURE PARTNERS X INSTITUTIONAL L.P.
By: Deer X & Co. L.P., its General Partner
By: Deer X & Co. Ltd., its General Partner
By:  

/s/ Scott Ring

  Name: Scott Ring
  Title: General Counsel
BESSEMER VENTURE PARTNERS X L.P.

By: Deer X & Co. L.P., its General Partner

By: Deer X & Co. Ltd., its General Partner

By:  

/s/ Scott Ring

  Name: Scott Ring
  Title: General Counsel
DATA COLLECTIVE III, L.P.
on behalf of itself and as nominee for certain affiliated entities
By: Data Collective III GP, LLC
Its: General Partner
By:  

/s/ Zachary Bogue

  Name: Zachary Bogue
  Title: Managing Member
DCVC OPPORTUNITY FUND II, L.P.
on behalf of itself and as nominee for certain affiliated entities
By: DCVC Opportunity Fund II GP, LLC Its: General Partner
By:  

/s/ Zachary Bogue

  Name: Zachary Bogue
  Title: Managing Member


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:
INSURANCE COMPANY OF THE WEST
By:  

/s/ Michael P. Warnick

  Name: Michael P. Warnick
  Title: Vice President & General Counsel (RIHC)
 
NIMBLE VENTURES, LLC
By:  

/s/ Julie Kim

  Name: Julie Kim
  Title: Authorized Signatory
NORTHGATE COMMSTECH INNOVATIONS PARTNERS, L.P.
By:  

/s/ Jana Vaze

  Name: Jana Vaze
  Title: Chief Financial Officer


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:
By:  

/s/ Alissa Fitzgerald

  Alissa Fitzgerald
By:  

/s/ Peter Pace

  Gen. Peter Pace
By:  

/s/ Ray Johnson

  Ray Johnson
By:  

/s/ David Cowan

  David Cowan
By:  

/s/ Cathy McCarthy

  Cathy McCarthy
By:  

/s/ Michael Clifton

  Michael Clifton
By:  

/s/ H. Gail Sandford

  H. Gail Sandford
By:  

/s/ Chad Rigetti

  Chad Rigetti
By:  

/s/ Taryn Naidu

  Taryn Naidu
By:  

/s/ Rick Danis

  Rick Danis
By:  

/s/ Brian Sereda

  Brian Sereda
By:  

/s/ Mike Harburn

  Mike Harburn


IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first written above.

 

HOLDERS:
By:  

/s/ David Rivas

  David Rivas
By:  

/s/ Mandy Birch

  Mandy Birch
By:  

/s/ Alexander Klabin

  Alexander Klabin
By:  

/s/ Damien Hooper-Campbell

  Damien Hooper-Campbell
By:  

/s/ Gregg Renfrew

  Gregg Renfrew
By:  

/s/ Jim Lanzone

  Jim Lanzone
By:  

/s/ Katie Curnutte

  Katie Curnutte
By:  

/s/ Kenneth Fox

  Kenneth Fox
By:  

/s/ Rajeev Singh

  Rajeev Singh
By:  

/s/ Robert Reid

  Robert Reid
By:  

/s/ Spencer Rascoff

  Spencer Rascoff
EX-10.16

Exhibit 10.16

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: FEBRUARY 23, 2022

APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: FEBRUARY 28, 2022


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

         Page  

1.

 

GENERAL

     1  

2.

 

SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN

     1  

3.

 

ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS

     2  

4.

 

OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     3  

5.

 

AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS

     5  

6.

 

ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS

     7  

7.

 

ADMINISTRATION

     9  

8.

 

TAX WITHHOLDING

     11  

9.

 

MISCELLANEOUS

     12  

10.

 

COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY

     14  

11.

 

ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AWARDS SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A

     14  

12.

 

SEVERABILITY

     17  

13.

 

TERMINATION OF THE PLAN

     17  

14.

 

DEFINITIONS

     17  

 

i


1. GENERAL.

(a) Plan Purpose. The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to secure and retain the services of Employees, Directors and Consultants, to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and any Affiliate and to provide a means by which such persons may be given an opportunity to benefit from increases in value of the Common Stock through the granting of Awards.

(b) Available Awards. The Plan provides for the grant of the following Awards: (i) Incentive Stock Options; (ii) Nonstatutory Stock Options; (iii) SARs; (iv) Restricted Stock Awards; (v) RSU Awards; (vi) Performance Awards; and (vii) Other Awards.

(c) Adoption Date; Effective Date. The Plan will come into existence on the Adoption Date, but no Award may be granted prior to the Effective Date.

2. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) Share Reserve. Subject to adjustment in accordance with Section 2(c) and any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards will not exceed 18,332,215 shares of Common Stock. In addition, subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, such aggregate number of shares of Common Stock will automatically increase on January 1 of each year for a period of ten years commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to 5% of the total number of shares of the Company’s Capital Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis on December 31 of the preceding year; provided, however that the Board may act prior to January 1st of a given year to provide that the increase for such year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock.

(b) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in Section 2(a) and subject to any adjustments as necessary to implement any Capitalization Adjustments, the aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is 54,996,645 shares.

(c) Share Reserve Operation.

(i) Limit Applies to Common Stock Issued Pursuant to Awards. For clarity, the Share Reserve is a limit on the number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to Awards and does not limit the granting of Awards, except that the Company will keep available at all times the number of shares of Common Stock reasonably required to satisfy its obligations to issue shares pursuant to such Awards. Shares may be issued in connection with a merger or acquisition as permitted by, as applicable, Nasdaq Listing Rule 5635(c), NYSE Listed Company Manual Section 303A.08, NYSE American Company Guide Section 711 or other applicable rule, and such issuance will not reduce the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan.

(ii) Actions that Do Not Constitute Issuance of Common Stock and Do Not Reduce Share Reserve. The following actions do not result in an issuance of shares under the Plan and accordingly do not reduce the number of shares subject to the Share Reserve and available for issuance under the Plan: (1) the expiration or termination of any portion of an Award without the shares covered by such portion of the Award having been issued; (2) the settlement of any portion of an Award in cash (i.e., the Participant receives cash rather than Common Stock); (3) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; or (4) the withholding of shares that would otherwise be issued by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.

 

1


(iii) Reversion of Previously Issued Shares of Common Stock to Share Reserve. The following shares of Common Stock previously issued pursuant to an Award and accordingly initially deducted from the Share Reserve will be added back to the Share Reserve and again become available for issuance under the Plan: (1) any shares that are forfeited back to or repurchased by the Company because of a failure to meet a contingency or condition required for the vesting of such shares; (2) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy the exercise, strike or purchase price of an Award; and (3) any shares that are reacquired by the Company to satisfy a tax withholding obligation in connection with an Award.

3. ELIGIBILITY AND LIMITATIONS.

(a) Eligible Award Recipients. Subject to the terms of the Plan, Employees, Directors and Consultants are eligible to receive Awards.

(b) Specific Award Limitations.

(i) Limitations on Incentive Stock Option Recipients. 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 (f) of the Code).

(ii) Incentive Stock Option $100,000 Limitation. 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).

(iii) Limitations on Incentive Stock Options Granted to Ten Percent Stockholders. A Ten Percent Stockholder may not be granted an Incentive Stock Option unless (i) the exercise price of such Option is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Option and (ii) the Option is not exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of grant of such Option.

(iv) Limitations on Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs. Nonstatutory Stock Options and SARs 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 the stock underlying such Awards is treated as “service recipient stock” under Section 409A because the Awards are granted pursuant to a corporate transaction (such as a spin off transaction) or unless such Awards otherwise comply with the distribution requirements of Section 409A.

(c) Aggregate Incentive Stock Option Limit. The aggregate maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options is the number of shares specified in Section 2(b).

(d) Non-Employee Director Compensation Limit. The aggregate value of all compensation granted or paid, as applicable, to any individual for service as a Non-Employee Director with respect to any period commencing on the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a particular year and ending on the day immediately prior to the date of the Company’s Annual Meeting of Stockholders for the next subsequent year (the “Annual Period”), including Awards granted and cash fees paid by the Company to such Non-Employee Director, will not exceed (i) $750,000 in total value or (ii) in the event such Non-Employee Director is first appointed or elected to the Board during such Annual Period, $1,000,000 in total value, in each case calculating the value of any equity awards based on the grant date fair value of such equity awards for financial reporting purposes. The limitations in this Section 3(d) shall apply commencing with the Annual Period that begins on the Company’s first Annual Meeting of Stockholders following the Effective Date.

 

2


4. OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

Each Option and SAR will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board. Each Option will be designated in writing as an Incentive Stock Option or Nonstatutory Stock Option at the time of grant; provided, however, that if an Option is not so designated, or if an Option designated as an Incentive Stock Option fails to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, then such Option will be a Nonstatutory Stock Option, and the shares purchased upon exercise of each type of Option will be separately accounted for. Each SAR will be denominated in shares of Common Stock equivalents. The terms and conditions of separate Options and SARs need not be identical; provided, however, that each Option Agreement and SAR Agreement will conform (through incorporation of provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:

(a) Term. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, no Option or SAR will be exercisable after the expiration of ten years from the date of grant of such Award or such shorter period specified in the Award Agreement.

(b) Exercise or Strike Price. Subject to Section 3(b) regarding Ten Percent Stockholders, the exercise or strike price of each Option or SAR will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Option or SAR may be granted with an exercise or strike price lower than 100% of the Fair Market Value on the date of grant of such Award if such 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 Sections 409A and, if applicable, 424(a) of the Code.

(c) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Exercise Price for Options. In order to exercise an Option, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the procedures specified in the Option Agreement or otherwise provided by the Company. The Board has 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 utilize a particular method of payment. The exercise price of an Option may be paid, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and as determined by the Board, by one or more of the following methods of payment to the extent set forth in the Option Agreement:

(i) by cash or check, bank draft or money order payable to the Company;

(ii) pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board that, prior to the issuance of the Common 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 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 that are already owned by the Participant free and clear of any liens, claims, encumbrances or security interests, with a Fair Market Value on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded, (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such delivery is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment, (3) such delivery would not violate any Applicable Law or agreement restricting the redemption of the Common Stock, (4) any certificated shares are endorsed or accompanied by an executed assignment separate from certificate, and (5) such shares have been held by the Participant for any minimum period necessary to avoid adverse accounting treatment as a result of such delivery;

(iv) if the 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 on the date of exercise that does not exceed the exercise price, provided that (1) such shares used to pay the exercise price will not be exercisable thereafter and (2) any remaining balance of the exercise price not satisfied by such net exercise is paid by the Participant in cash or other permitted form of payment; or

 

3


(v) in any other form of consideration that may be acceptable to the Board and permissible under Applicable Law.

(d) Exercise Procedure and Payment of Appreciation Distribution for SARs. In order to exercise any SAR, the Participant must provide notice of exercise to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the SAR Agreement. The appreciation distribution payable to a Participant upon the exercise of a SAR will not be greater than an amount equal to the excess of (i) the aggregate Fair Market Value on the date of exercise of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of Common Stock equivalents that are vested and being exercised under such SAR, over (ii) the strike price of such SAR. Such appreciation distribution may be paid to the Participant in the form of Common Stock or cash (or any combination of Common Stock and cash) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the SAR Agreement.

(e) Transferability. Options and SARs may not be transferred to third party financial institutions for value. The Board may impose such additional limitations on the transferability of an Option or SAR as it determines. In the absence of any such determination by the Board, the following restrictions on the transferability of Options and SARs will apply, provided that except as explicitly provided herein, neither an Option nor a SAR may be transferred for consideration and provided, further, that 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:

(i) Restrictions on Transfer. An Option or SAR will not be transferable, except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and will be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant; provided, however, that the Board may permit transfer of an Option or SAR in a manner that is not prohibited by applicable tax and securities laws upon the Participant’s request, including to a trust if the Participant is considered to be the sole beneficial owner of such trust (as determined under Section 671 of the Code and applicable state law) while such Option or SAR is held in such trust, provided that the Participant and the trustee enter into a transfer and other agreements required by the Company.

(ii) Domestic Relations Orders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, subject to the execution of transfer documentation in a format acceptable to the Company and subject to the approval of the Board or a duly authorized Officer, an Option or SAR may be transferred pursuant to a domestic relations order.

(f) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting and/or exercisability of an Option or SAR as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Options and SARs will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

(g) Termination of Continuous Service for Cause. Except as explicitly otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service is terminated for Cause, the Participant’s Options and SARs will terminate and be forfeited immediately upon such termination of Continuous Service, and the Participant will be prohibited from exercising any portion (including any vested portion) of such Awards on and after the date of such termination of Continuous Service and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in such forfeited Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the forfeited Award, or any consideration in respect of the forfeited Award.

(h) Post-Termination Exercise Period Following Termination of Continuous Service for Reasons Other than Cause. Subject to Section 4(i), if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause, the Participant may exercise his or her Option or SAR to the extent vested, but only within the following period of time or, if applicable, such other period of time provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate; provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)):

 

4


(i) three months following the date of such termination if such termination is a termination without Cause (other than any termination due to the Participant’s Disability or death);

(ii) 12 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant’s Disability;

(iii) 18 months following the date of such termination if such termination is due to the Participant’s death; or

(iv) 18 months following the date of the Participant’s death if such death occurs following the date of such termination but during the period such Award is otherwise exercisable (as provided in (i) or (ii) above).

Following the date of such termination, to the extent the Participant does not exercise such Award within the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period (or, if earlier, prior to the expiration of the maximum term of such Award), such unexercised portion of the Award will terminate, and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the terminated Award, the shares of Common Stock subject to the terminated Award, or any consideration in respect of the terminated Award.

(i) Restrictions on Exercise; Extension of Exercisability. A Participant may not exercise an Option or SAR at any time that the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason other than for Cause and, at any time during the last thirty days of the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period: (i) the exercise of the Participant’s Option or SAR would be prohibited solely because the issuance of shares of Common Stock upon such exercise would violate Applicable Law, or (ii) the immediate sale of any shares of Common Stock issued upon such exercise would violate the Company’s Trading Policy, then the applicable Post-Termination Exercise Period will be extended to the last day of the calendar month that commences following the date the Award would otherwise expire, with an additional extension of the exercise period to the last day of the next calendar month to apply if any of the foregoing restrictions apply at any time during such extended exercise period, generally without limitation as to the maximum permitted number of extensions); provided, however, that in no event may such Award be exercised after the expiration of its maximum term (as set forth in Section 4(a)).

(j) Non-Exempt Employees. No Option or SAR, whether or not vested, granted to an Employee who is a non-exempt employee for purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended, will be first exercisable for any shares of Common Stock until at least six months following the date of grant of such Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in accordance with the provisions of the Worker Economic Opportunity Act, any vested portion of such Award may be exercised earlier than six months following the date of grant of such Award in the event of (i) such Participant’s death or Disability, (ii) a Corporate Transaction in which such Award is not assumed, continued or substituted, (iii) a Change in Control, or (iv) such Participant’s retirement (as such term may be defined in the Award Agreement or another applicable agreement or, in the absence of any such definition, in accordance with the Company’s then current employment policies and guidelines). This Section 4(j) 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.

(k) Whole Shares. Options and SARs may be exercised only with respect to whole shares of Common Stock or their equivalents.

5. AWARDS OTHER THAN OPTIONS AND STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS.

(a) Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards. Each Restricted Stock Award and RSU Award will have such terms and conditions as determined by the Board; provided, however, that each Restricted Stock Award Agreement and RSU Award Agreement will conform (through incorporation of the provisions hereof by reference in the Award Agreement or otherwise) to the substance of each of the following provisions:

 

5


(i) Form of Award.

(1) RSAs: To the extent consistent with the Company’s Bylaws, at the Board’s election, shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award may be (i) held in book entry form subject to the Company’s instructions until such shares become vested or any other restrictions lapse, or (ii) evidenced by a certificate, which certificate will be held in such form and manner as determined by the Board. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant will have voting and other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any shares subject to a Restricted Stock Award.

(2) RSUs: A RSU Award represents a Participant’s right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units subject to the RSU Award. As a holder of a RSU Award, a Participant is an unsecured creditor of the Company with respect to the Company’s unfunded obligation, if any, to issue shares of Common Stock in settlement of such Award and nothing contained in the Plan or any RSU 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 a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate or any other person. A Participant will not have voting or any other rights as a stockholder of the Company with respect to any RSU Award (unless and until shares are actually issued in settlement of a vested RSU Award).

(ii) Consideration.

(1) RSA: A Restricted Stock Award may be granted in consideration for (A) cash or 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 consideration (including future services) as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.

(2) RSU: Unless otherwise determined by the Board at the time of grant, a RSU Award will be granted in consideration for the Participant’s services to the Company or an Affiliate, such that the Participant will not be required to make any payment to the Company (other than such services) with respect to the grant or vesting of the RSU Award, or the issuance of any shares of Common Stock pursuant to the RSU Award. If, at the time of grant, the Board determines that any consideration must be paid by the Participant (in a form other than the Participant’s services to the Company or an Affiliate) upon the issuance of any shares of Common Stock in settlement of the RSU Award, such consideration may be paid in any form of consideration as the Board may determine and permissible under Applicable Law.

(iii) Vesting. The Board may impose such restrictions on or conditions to the vesting of a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award as determined by the Board. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, vesting of Restricted Stock Awards and RSU Awards will cease upon termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service.

(iv) Termination of Continuous Service. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or other written agreement between a Participant and the Company or an Affiliate, if a Participant’s Continuous Service terminates for any reason, (i) 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 under his or her Restricted Stock Award that have not vested as of the date of such termination as set forth in the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and (ii) any portion of his or her RSU Award that has not vested will be forfeited upon such termination and the Participant will have no further right, title or interest in the RSU Award, the shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to the RSU Award, or any consideration in respect of the RSU Award.

 

6


(v) Dividends and Dividend Equivalents. Dividends or dividend equivalents may be paid or credited, as applicable, with respect to any shares of Common Stock subject to a Restricted Stock Award or RSU Award, as determined by the Board and specified in the Award Agreement).

(vi) Settlement of RSU Awards. A RSU Award may be settled by the issuance of shares of Common Stock or cash (or any combination thereof) or in any other form of payment, as determined by the Board and specified in the RSU Award Agreement. At the time of grant, the Board may determine to impose such restrictions or conditions that delay such delivery to a date following the vesting of the RSU Award.

(b) Performance Awards. With respect to any Performance Award, the length of any Performance Period, the Performance Goals to be achieved during the Performance Period, the other terms and conditions of such Award, and the measure of whether and to what degree such Performance Goals have been attained will be determined by the Board.

(c) Other Awards. Other forms of 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 at the time of grant) may be granted either alone or in addition to Awards provided for under Section 4 and the preceding provisions of this Section 5. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Board will have sole and complete discretion to determine the persons to whom and the time or times at which such Other Awards will be granted, the number of shares of Common Stock (or the cash equivalent thereof) to be granted pursuant to such Other Awards and all other terms and conditions of such Other Awards.

6. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; OTHER CORPORATE EVENTS.

(a) Capitalization Adjustments. In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board shall appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Plan and the maximum number of shares by which the Share Reserve may annually increase pursuant to Section 2(a); (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of shares that may be issued pursuant to the exercise of Incentive Stock Options pursuant to Section 2(a); and (iii) the class(es) and number of securities and exercise price, strike price or purchase price of Common Stock subject to outstanding Awards. The Board shall make such adjustments, and its determination shall be final, binding and conclusive. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no fractional shares or rights for fractional shares of Common Stock shall be created in order to implement any Capitalization Adjustment. The Board shall determine an appropriate equivalent benefit, if any, for any fractional shares or rights to fractional shares that might be created by the adjustments referred to in the preceding provisions of this Section.

(b) Dissolution or Liquidation. Except as otherwise provided in the Award Agreement, in the event of a dissolution or liquidation of the Company, all outstanding Awards (other than 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 Award is providing Continuous Service, provided, however, that the Board may determine to cause some or all Awards to become fully vested, exercisable and/or no longer subject to repurchase or forfeiture (to the extent such 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 Awards in the event of a Corporate Transaction unless otherwise provided in the instrument evidencing the 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 an Award.

 

7


(i) Awards May Be Assumed. In the event of a Corporate Transaction, any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue any or all Awards outstanding under the Plan or may substitute similar awards for Awards outstanding under the Plan (including but not limited to, awards to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders of the Company pursuant to the Corporate Transaction), and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company in respect of Common Stock issued pursuant to Awards may be assigned by the Company to the successor of the Company (or the successor’s parent company, if any), in connection with such Corporate Transaction. A surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent) may choose to assume or continue only a portion of an Award or substitute a similar award for only a portion of an Award, or may choose to assume or continue the Awards held by some, but not all Participants. The terms of any assumption, continuation or substitution will be set by the Board.

(ii) Awards Held by Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by Participants whose Continuous Service has not terminated prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction (referred to as the “Current Participants”), the vesting of such Awards (and, with respect to Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, the time when such Awards may be exercised) will be accelerated in full to a date prior to the effective time of such Corporate Transaction (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction) as the Board determines (or, if the Board does not determine such a date, to the date that is five (5) days prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction), and such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) at or prior to the effective time of the Corporate Transaction, and any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will lapse (contingent upon the effectiveness of the Corporate Transaction). With respect to the vesting of Performance Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and that have multiple vesting levels depending on the level of performance, unless otherwise provided in the Award Agreement or unless otherwise provided by the Board, the vesting of such Performance Awards will accelerate at 100% of the target level upon the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction in which the Awards are not assumed in accordance with Section 6(c)(i). With respect to the vesting of Awards that will accelerate upon the occurrence of a Corporate Transaction pursuant to this subsection (ii) and are settled in the form of a cash payment, such cash payment will be made no later than 30 days following the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction or such later date as required by Section 409A of the Code.

(iii) Awards Held by Persons other than Current Participants. In the event of a Corporate Transaction in which the surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such outstanding Awards or substitute similar awards for such outstanding Awards, then with respect to Awards that have not been assumed, continued or substituted and that are held by persons other than Current Participants, such Awards will terminate if not exercised (if applicable) prior to the occurrence of the Corporate Transaction; provided, however, that any reacquisition or repurchase rights held by the Company with respect to such Awards will not terminate and may continue to be exercised notwithstanding the Corporate Transaction.

(iv) Payment for Awards in Lieu of Exercise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event an Award will terminate if not exercised prior to the effective time of a Corporate Transaction, the Board may provide, in its sole discretion, that the holder of such Award may not exercise such Award but will receive a payment, in such form as may be determined by the Board, equal in value, at the effective time, to the excess, if any, of (1) the value of the property the Participant would have received upon the exercise of the Award (including, at the discretion of the Board, any unvested portion of such Award), over (2) any exercise price payable by such holder in connection with such exercise.

(d) Appointment of Stockholder Representative. As a condition to the receipt of an Award under this Plan, a Participant will be deemed to have agreed that the Award will be subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on the Participant’s behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

 

8


(e) No Restriction on Right to Undertake Transactions. The grant of any Award under the Plan and the issuance of shares pursuant to any Award does not affect or restrict in any way the right or power of the Company or the stockholders of the Company to make or authorize any adjustment, recapitalization, reorganization or other change in the Company’s capital structure or its business, any merger or consolidation of the Company, any issue of stock or of options, rights or options to purchase stock or of bonds, debentures, preferred or prior preference stocks whose rights are superior to or affect the Common Stock or the rights thereof or which are convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock, or the dissolution or liquidation of the Company, or any sale or transfer of all or any part of its assets or business, or any other corporate act or proceeding, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

7. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) Administration by Board. The Board will administer the Plan unless and until the Board delegates administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees, as provided in subsection (c) below.

(b) Powers of Board. The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine from time to time (1) which of the persons eligible under the Plan will be granted Awards; (2) when and how each Award will be granted; (3) what type or combination of types of Award will be granted; (4) the provisions of each Award granted (which need not be identical), including the time or times when a person will be permitted to receive an issuance of Common Stock or other payment pursuant to an Award; (5) the number of shares of Common Stock or cash equivalent with respect to which an Award will be granted to each such person; (6) the Fair Market Value applicable to an Award; and (7) the terms of any Performance Award that is not valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock, including the amount of cash payment or other property that may be earned and the timing of payment.

(ii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Awards granted under it, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan or Award fully effective.

(iii) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Awards granted under it.

(iv) To accelerate the time at which an Award may first be exercised or the time during which an Award or any part thereof will vest, notwithstanding the provisions in the Award Agreement stating the time at which it may first be exercised or the time during which it will vest.

(v) To prohibit the exercise of any Option, SAR or other exercisable Award during a period of up to 30 days prior to the consummation of any pending stock dividend, stock split, combination or exchange of shares, merger, consolidation or other distribution (other than normal cash dividends) of Company assets to stockholders, or any other change affecting the shares of Common Stock or the share price of the Common Stock including any Corporate Transaction, for reasons of administrative convenience.

(vi) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. Suspension or termination of the Plan will not Materially Impair rights and obligations under any Award granted while the Plan is in effect except with the written consent of the affected Participant.

(vii) To amend the Plan in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable; provided, however, that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the extent required by Applicable Law. Except as provided above, rights under any Award granted before amendment of the Plan will not be Materially Impaired by any amendment of the Plan unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

 

9


(viii) To submit any amendment to the Plan for stockholder approval.

(ix) To approve forms of Award Agreements for use under the Plan and to amend the terms of any one or more Awards, including, but not limited to, amendments to provide terms more favorable to the Participant than previously provided in the Award Agreement, subject to any specified limits in the Plan that are not subject to Board discretion; provided however, that, a Participant’s rights under any Award will not be Materially Impaired by any such amendment unless (1) the Company requests the consent of the affected Participant, and (2) such Participant consents in writing.

(x) 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 Awards.

(xi) To adopt such procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit and facilitate participation in the Plan by, or take advantage of specific tax treatment for Awards granted to, 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 Award Agreement to ensure or facilitate compliance with the laws of the relevant foreign jurisdiction).

(xii) To effect, at any time and from time to time, subject to the consent of any Participant whose Award is Materially Impaired by such action, (1) the reduction of the exercise price (or strike price) of any outstanding Option or SAR; (2) the cancellation of any outstanding Option or SAR and the grant in substitution therefor of (A) a new Option, SAR, Restricted Stock Award, RSU Award or Other Award, under the Plan or another equity plan of the Company, covering the same or a different number of shares of Common Stock, (B) cash and/or (C) other valuable consideration (as determined by the Board); or (3) any other action that is treated as a repricing under generally accepted accounting principles.

(c) Delegation to Committee.

(i) General. 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 another Committee or 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), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Each Committee may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with Committee or subcommittee to which it has delegated its authority hereunder and may, at any time, revest in such Committee some or all of the powers previously delegated. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with any Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated.

(ii) Rule 16b-3 Compliance. To the extent an Award is intended to qualify for the exemption from Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act that is available under Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act, the Award will be granted by the Board or a Committee that consists solely of two or more Non-Employee Directors, as determined under Rule 16b-3(b)(3) of the Exchange Act and thereafter any action establishing or modifying the terms of the Award will be approved by the Board or a Committee meeting such requirements to the extent necessary for such exemption to remain available.

 

10


(d) Effect of Board’s Decision. All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board or any Committee in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

(e) Delegation to an Officer. The Board or any Committee 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 types of Awards) and, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, the terms thereof, and (ii) determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be subject to such Awards granted to such Employees; provided, however, that the resolutions or charter adopted by the Board or any Committee evidencing such delegation will specify the total number of shares of Common Stock that may be subject to the Awards granted by such Officer and that such Officer may not grant an Award to himself or herself. Any such Awards will be granted on the applicable form of Award Agreement most recently approved for use by the Board or the Committee, unless otherwise provided in the resolutions approving the delegation authority. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, neither the Board nor any Committee may delegate to an Officer who is acting solely in the capacity of an Officer (and not also as a Director) the authority to determine the Fair Market Value.

8. TAX WITHHOLDING

(a) Withholding Authorization. As a condition to acceptance of any Award under the Plan, a Participant authorizes withholding from payroll and any other amounts payable to such Participant, and otherwise agrees to make adequate provision for (including), any sums required to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance contribution withholding obligations of the Company or an Affiliate, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise, vesting or settlement of such Award, as applicable. Accordingly, a Participant may not be able to exercise an Award even though the Award is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to an Award, unless and until such obligations are satisfied.

(b) Satisfaction of Withholding Obligation. To the extent permitted by the terms of an Award Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance withholding obligation relating to an 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 Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from any amounts otherwise payable to the Participant; (v) by allowing a Participant to effectuate a “cashless exercise” pursuant to a program developed under Regulation T as promulgated by the Federal Reserve Board; or (vi) by such other method as may be set forth in the Award Agreement.

(c) No Obligation to Notify or Minimize Taxes; No Liability to Claims. Except as required by Applicable Law the Company has no duty or obligation to any Participant to advise such holder as to the time or manner of exercising such Award. Furthermore, the Company has no duty or obligation to warn or otherwise advise such holder of a pending termination or expiration of an Award or a possible period in which the Award may not be exercised. The Company has no duty or obligation to minimize the tax consequences of an Award to the holder of such Award and will not be liable to any holder of an Award for any adverse tax consequences to such holder in connection with an Award. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, each Participant (i) agrees to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from such Award or other Company compensation and (ii) acknowledges that such Participant was advised to consult with his or her own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Award and has either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, each Participant acknowledges any Option or SAR granted under the Plan is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise or strike price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Award. Additionally, as a condition to accepting an Option or SAR granted under the Plan, each Participant agrees 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 such exercise price or strike price is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

 

11


(d) Withholding Indemnification. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, in the event that the amount of the Company’s and/or its Affiliate’s withholding obligation in connection with such Award was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company and/or its Affiliates, each Participant agrees to indemnify and hold the Company and/or its Affiliates harmless from any failure by the Company and/or its Affiliates to withhold the proper amount.

9. MISCELLANEOUS.

(a) 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.

(b) Use of Proceeds from Sales of Common Stock. Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Awards will constitute general funds of the Company.

(c) Corporate Action Constituting Grant of Awards. Corporate action constituting a grant by the Company of an 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 Award is communicated to, or actually received or accepted by, the Participant. In the event that the corporate records (e.g., Board consents, resolutions or minutes) documenting the corporate action approving the grant contain terms (e.g., exercise price, vesting schedule or number of shares) that are inconsistent with those in the Award Agreement or related grant documents as a result of a clerical error in the Award Agreement or related grant documents, the corporate records will control and the Participant will have no legally binding right to the incorrect term in the Award Agreement or related grant documents.

(d) 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 such Award unless and until (i) such Participant has satisfied all requirements for exercise of the Award pursuant to its terms, if applicable, and (ii) the issuance of the Common Stock subject to such Award is reflected in the records of the Company.

(e) No Employment or Other Service Rights. Nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any 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 Award was granted or affect the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate at will and without regard to any future vesting opportunity that a Participant may have with respect to any Award (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 or foreign jurisdiction in which the Company or the Affiliate is incorporated, as the case may be. Further, nothing in the Plan, any Award Agreement or any other instrument executed thereunder or in connection with any Award will constitute any promise or commitment by the Company or an Affiliate regarding the fact or nature of future positions, future work assignments, future compensation or any other term or condition of employment or service or confer any right or benefit under the Award or the Plan unless such right or benefit has specifically accrued under the terms of the Award Agreement and/or Plan.

 

12


(f) 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 Award to the Participant, the Board may determine, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law, to (i) make a corresponding reduction in the number of shares or cash amount subject to any portion of such Award that is scheduled to vest or become payable after the date of such change in time commitment, and (ii) in lieu of or in combination with such a reduction, extend the vesting or payment schedule applicable to such Award. In the event of any such reduction, the Participant will have no right with respect to any portion of the Award that is so reduced or extended.

(g) Execution of Additional Documents. As a condition to accepting an Award under the Plan, the Participant agrees to execute any additional documents or instruments necessary or desirable, as determined in the Plan Administrator’s sole discretion, to carry out the purposes or intent of the Award, or facilitate compliance with securities and/or other regulatory requirements, in each case at the Plan Administrator’s request.

(h) Electronic Delivery and Participation. Any reference herein or in an Award Agreement to a “written” agreement or document will include any agreement or document delivered electronically, filed publicly at www.sec.gov (or any successor website thereto) or posted on the Company’s intranet (or other shared electronic medium controlled by the Company to which the Participant has access). By accepting any Award the Participant consents to receive documents by electronic delivery and to participate in the Plan through any on-line electronic system established and maintained by the Plan Administrator or another third party selected by the Plan Administrator. The form of delivery of any Common Stock (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.

(i) Clawback/Recovery. All Awards granted under the Plan will 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 and any clawback policy that the Company otherwise adopts, to the extent applicable and permissible under Applicable Law. In addition, the Board may impose such other clawback, recovery or recoupment provisions in an Award Agreement as the Board determines necessary or appropriate, including but not limited to a reacquisition right in respect of previously acquired shares of Common Stock or other cash or property upon the occurrence of Cause. No recovery of compensation under such a clawback policy will be an event giving rise to a Participant’s right to voluntarily terminate employment upon a “resignation for good reason,” or for a “constructive termination” or any similar term under any plan of or agreement with the Company.

(j) Securities Law Compliance. A Participant will not be issued any shares in respect of an Award unless either (i) the shares are registered under the Securities Act; or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Each Award also must comply with other Applicable Law governing the Award, and a Participant will not receive such shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with Applicable Law.

(k) Transfer or Assignment of Awards; Issued Shares. Except as expressly provided in the Plan or the form of Award Agreement, Awards granted under the Plan may not be transferred or assigned by the Participant. After the vested shares subject to an Award have been issued, or in the case of Restricted Stock Awards and similar awards, after the issued shares have vested, the holder of such shares is free to assign, hypothecate, donate, encumber or otherwise dispose of any interest in such shares provided that any such actions are in compliance with the provisions herein, the terms of the Trading Policy and Applicable Law.

(l) Effect on Other Employee Benefit Plans. The value of any Award granted under the Plan, as determined upon grant, vesting or settlement, shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating any 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.

 

13


(m) 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 Award may be deferred and may also establish programs and procedures for deferral elections to be made by Participants. Deferrals by will be made in accordance with the requirements of Section 409A.

(n) Section 409A. Unless otherwise expressly provided for in an Award Agreement, the Plan and Award Agreements will be interpreted to the greatest extent possible in a manner that makes the Plan and the Awards granted hereunder exempt from Section 409A, and, to the extent not so exempt, in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A. If the Board determines that any Award granted hereunder is not exempt from and is therefore subject to Section 409A, the Award Agreement evidencing such Award will incorporate the terms and conditions necessary to avoid the consequences specified in Section 409A(a)(1) of the Code, and to the extent an Award Agreement is silent on terms necessary for compliance, such terms are hereby incorporated by reference into the Award Agreement. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan (and unless the Award Agreement specifically provides otherwise), if the shares of Common Stock are publicly traded, and if a Participant holding an Award that constitutes “deferred compensation” under Section 409A is a “specified employee” for purposes of Section 409A, no distribution or payment of any amount that is due because of a “separation from service” (as defined in Section 409A without regard to alternative definitions thereunder) will be issued or paid before the date that is six months and one day following the date of such Participant’s “separation from service” 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, 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.

(o) CHOICE OF LAW. This Plan and any controversy arising out of or relating to this Plan shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the internal laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict of law principles that would result in any application of any law other than the law of the State of Delaware.

10. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

(a) Compliance with Law. The Company will seek to obtain from each regulatory commission or agency, as may be deemed to be necessary, having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Awards and to issue and sell shares of Common Stock upon exercise or vesting of the Awards; provided, however, that this undertaking will not require the Company to register under the Securities Act the Plan, any Award or any Common Stock issued or issuable pursuant to any such 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 or advisable 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 or vesting of such Awards unless and until such authority is obtained. A Participant is not eligible for the grant of an Award or the subsequent issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Award if such grant or issuance would be in violation of any Applicable Law.

11. ADDITIONAL RULES FOR AWARDS SUBJECT TO SECTION 409A.

(a) Application. Unless the provisions of this Section of the Plan are expressly superseded by the provisions in the form of Award Agreement, the provisions of this Section shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Award Agreement for a Non-Exempt Award.

(b) Non-Exempt Awards Subject to Non-Exempt Severance Arrangements. To the extent a Non-Exempt Award is subject to Section 409A due to application of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, the following provisions of this subsection (b) apply.

 

14


(i) If the Non-Exempt Award vests in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service in accordance with the vesting schedule set forth in the Award Agreement, and does not accelerate vesting under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, in no event will the shares be issued in respect of such Non-Exempt Award any later than the later of: (i) December 31st of the calendar year that includes the applicable vesting date, or (ii) the 60th day that follows the applicable vesting date.

(ii) If vesting of the Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with the Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award as of the date of grant, then the shares will be earlier issued in settlement of such Non-Exempt Award upon the Participant’s Separation from Service in accordance with the terms of the Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement, but in no event later than the 60th day that follows the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued the Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of such Participant’s Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.

(iii) If vesting of a Non-Exempt Award accelerates under the terms of a Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement in connection with a Participant’s Separation from Service, and such vesting acceleration provisions were not in effect as of the date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award and, therefore, are not a part of the terms of such Non-Exempt Award on the date of grant, then such acceleration of vesting of the Non-Exempt Award shall not accelerate the issuance date of the shares, but the shares shall instead be issued on the same schedule as set forth in the Grant Notice as if they had vested in the ordinary course during the Participant’s Continuous Service, notwithstanding the vesting acceleration of the Non-Exempt Award. Such issuance schedule is intended to satisfy the requirements of payment on a specified date or pursuant to a fixed schedule, as provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(a)(4).

(c) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Employees and Consultants. The provisions of this subsection (c) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of any Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction if the Participant was either an Employee or Consultant upon the applicable date of grant of the Non-Exempt Award.

(i) Vested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Vested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction:

(1) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the settlement of the Vested Non-Exempt Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award. Alternatively, the Company may instead provide that the Participant will receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control.

(2) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute each Vested Non-Exempt Award. The shares to be issued in respect of the Vested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of the Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

 

15


(ii) Unvested Non-Exempt Awards. The following provisions shall apply to any Unvested Non-Exempt Award unless otherwise determined by the Board pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section.

(1) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, the Acquiring Entity shall assume, continue or substitute any Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value of the shares made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

(2) If the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue any Unvested Non-Exempt Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction, then such Award shall automatically terminate and be forfeited upon the Corporate Transaction with no consideration payable to any Participant in respect of such forfeited Unvested Non-Exempt Award. Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Board may in its discretion determine to elect to accelerate the vesting and settlement of the Unvested Non-Exempt Award upon the Corporate Transaction, or instead substitute a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of such shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant, as further provided in subsection (e)(ii) below. In the absence of such discretionary election by the Board, any Unvested Non-Exempt Award shall be forfeited without payment of any consideration to the affected Participants if the Acquiring Entity will not assume, substitute or continue the Unvested Non-Exempt Awards in connection with the Corporate Transaction.

(3) The foregoing treatment shall apply with respect to all Unvested Non-Exempt Awards upon any Corporate Transaction, and regardless of whether or not such Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control.

(d) Treatment of Non-Exempt Awards Upon a Corporate Transaction for Non-Employee Directors. The following provisions of this subsection (d) shall apply and shall supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan with respect to the permitted treatment of a Non-Exempt Director Award in connection with a Corporate Transaction.

(i) If the Corporate Transaction is also a Section 409A Change in Control then the Acquiring Entity may not assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Upon the Section 409A Change in Control the vesting and settlement of any Non-Exempt Director Award will automatically be accelerated and the shares will be immediately issued to the Participant in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award. Alternatively, the Company may provide that the Participant will instead receive a cash settlement equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant upon the Section 409A Change in Control pursuant to the preceding provision.

(ii) If the Corporate Transaction is not also a Section 409A Change in Control, then the Acquiring Entity must either assume, continue or substitute the Non-Exempt Director Award. Unless otherwise determined by the Board, the Non-Exempt Director Award will remain subject to the same vesting and forfeiture restrictions that were applicable to the Award prior to the Corporate Transaction. The shares to be issued in respect of the Non-Exempt Director Award shall be issued to the Participant by the Acquiring Entity on the same schedule that the shares would have been issued to the Participant if the Corporate Transaction had not occurred. In the Acquiring Entity’s discretion, in lieu of an issuance of shares, the Acquiring Entity may instead substitute a cash payment on each applicable issuance date, equal to the Fair Market Value of the shares that would otherwise be issued to the Participant on such issuance dates, with the determination of Fair Market Value made on the date of the Corporate Transaction.

 

16


(e) If the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt Award, then the provisions in this Section 11(e) shall apply and supersede anything to the contrary that may be set forth in the Plan or the Award Agreement with respect to the permitted treatment of such Non-Exempt Award:

(i) Any exercise by the Board of discretion to accelerate the vesting of a Non-Exempt Award shall not result in any acceleration of the scheduled issuance dates for the shares in respect of the Non-Exempt Award unless earlier issuance of the shares upon the applicable vesting dates would be in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A.

(ii) The Company explicitly reserves the right to earlier settle any Non-Exempt Award to the extent permitted and in compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, including pursuant to any of the exemptions available in Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(j)(4)(ix).

(iii) To the extent the terms of any Non-Exempt Award provide that it will be settled upon a Change in Control or Corporate Transaction, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the Change in Control or Corporate Transaction event triggering settlement must also constitute a Section 409A Change in Control. To the extent the terms of a Non-Exempt Award provides that it will be settled upon a termination of employment or termination of Continuous Service, to the extent it is required for compliance with the requirements of Section 409A, the termination event triggering settlement must also constitute a Separation from Service. However, if at the time the shares would otherwise be issued to a Participant in connection with a Separation from Service such Participant is subject to the distribution limitations contained in Section 409A applicable to “specified employees,” as defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(B)(i) of the Code, such shares shall not be issued before the date that is six months following the date of the Participant’s Separation from Service, or, if earlier, the date of the Participant’s death that occurs within such six month period.

(iv) The provisions in this subsection (e) for delivery of the shares in respect of the settlement of a RSU Award that is a Non-Exempt Award are intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A so that the delivery of the shares to the Participant in respect of such Non-Exempt Award will not trigger the additional tax imposed under Section 409A, and any ambiguities herein will be so interpreted.

12. SEVERABILITY.

If all or any part of the Plan or any Award Agreement is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity shall not invalidate any portion of the Plan or such Award Agreement not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of the Plan or any Award Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid shall, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

13. TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.

The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Incentive Stock Options may be granted after the tenth anniversary of the earlier of: (i) the Adoption Date, or (ii) the date the Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders. No Awards may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

14. DEFINITIONS.

As used in the Plan, the following definitions apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a)Acquiring Entity” means the surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) in connection with a Corporate Transaction.

 

17


(b)Adoption Date” means the date the Plan is first approved by the Board or Compensation Committee.

(c)Affiliate” means, at the time of determination, any “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

(d)Applicable Law” means any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (including under the authority of any applicable self-regulating organization such as the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

(e)Award” means any right to receive Common Stock, cash or other property granted under the Plan (including an Incentive Stock Option, a Nonstatutory Stock Option, a Restricted Stock Award, a RSU Award, a SAR, a Performance Award or any Other Award).

(f)Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a Participant evidencing the terms and conditions of an Award. The Award Agreement generally consists of the Grant Notice and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Award and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice.

(g)Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company (or its designee). Any decision or determination made by the Board shall be a decision or determination that is made in the sole discretion of the Board (or its designee), and such decision or determination shall be final and binding on all Participants.

(h)Business Combination Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among Rigetti Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company and Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror and Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC, a direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror.

(i) 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 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.

(j)Capital Stock means each and every class of common stock of the Company, regardless of the number of votes per share.

(k)Cause has 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 attempted commission of, or participation in, a fraud or act of dishonesty against the Company; (ii) 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; (iii) such Participant’s unauthorized use or disclosure of the Company’s confidential information or trade secrets; or (iv) such Participant’s gross or willful misconduct. The determination that a termination of the Participant’s Continuous Service is either for Cause or without Cause will be made by the Board with respect to

 

18


Participants who are executive officers of the Company and by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer with respect to Participants who are not executive officers of the Company. Any determination by the Company that the Continuous Service of a Participant was terminated with or without Cause for the purposes of outstanding 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.

(l)Change in Control” or “Change of Control” means the occurrence, in a single transaction or in a series of related transactions, of any one or more of the following events; provided, however, to the extent necessary to avoid adverse personal income tax consequences to the Participant in connection with an Award, also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control:

(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 shall 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 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 shall 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;

(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; or

(iv) individuals who, on the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, are members of the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority of the members of the Board; provided, however, that if the appointment or election (or nomination for election) of any new Board member was approved or recommended by a majority vote of the members of the Incumbent Board then still in office, such new member shall, for purposes of this Plan, be considered as a member of the Incumbent Board.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Change in Control shall 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 shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to 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 shall apply.

 

19


(m)Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(n)Committee” means the Compensation Committee and any other committee of Directors to whom authority has been delegated by the Board or Compensation Committee in accordance with the Plan.

(o)Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(p)Company” means Rigetti Computing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(q)Compensation Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(r)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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a person is treated as a Consultant under this Plan only if a Form S-8 Registration Statement under the Securities Act is available to register either the offer or the sale of the Company’s securities to such person.

(s)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, 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 an 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. In addition, to the extent required for exemption from or compliance with Section 409A, the determination of whether there has been a termination of Continuous Service will be made, and such term will be construed, in a manner that is consistent with the definition of “separation from service” as defined under Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(h) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).

(t)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, of the consolidated assets of the Company and its Subsidiaries;

 

20


(ii) a sale or other disposition of at least 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.

Notwithstanding the foregoing or any other provision of this Plan, (A) the term Corporate Transaction shall not include a sale of assets, merger or other transaction effected exclusively for the purpose of changing the domicile of the Company, (B) the definition of Corporate Transaction (or any analogous term) in an individual written agreement between the Company or any Affiliate and the Participant shall supersede the foregoing definition with respect to Awards subject to such agreement; provided, however, that if no definition of Corporate Transaction or any analogous term is set forth in such an individual written agreement, the foregoing definition shall apply, and (C) with respect to any nonqualified deferred compensation that becomes payable on account of the Corporate Transaction, the transaction or event described in clauses (i), (ii), (iii) or (iv) also constitutes a Section 409A Change in Control if required in order for the payment not to violate Section 409A of the Code.

(u)determine or determined means as determined by the Board or the Committee (or its designee) in its sole discretion.

(v)Director” means a member of the Board.

(w)Disability” means, with respect to a Participant, such Participant 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 or which has lasted or can be expected to last for a continuous period of not less than 12 months, as provided in Section 22(e)(3) 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.

(x)Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders prior to such date.

(y)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.

(z)Employer” means the Company or the Affiliate of the Company that employs the Participant.

(aa)Entity” means a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity.

(bb)Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(cc)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

 

21


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.

(dd)Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the value of the Common Stock (as determined on a per share or aggregate basis, as applicable) determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in a source the Board deems reliable.

(ii) If there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing selling price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

(iii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, or if otherwise determined by the Board, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith and in a manner that complies with Sections 409A and 422 of the Code.

(ee)Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or Entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any Tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (d) self-regulatory organization (including the Nasdaq Stock Market, New York Stock Exchange, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

(ff)Grant Notice” means the notice provided to a Participant that he or she has been granted an Award under the Plan and which includes the name of the Participant, the type of Award, the date of grant of the Award, number of shares of Common Stock subject to the Award or potential cash payment right, (if any), the vesting schedule for the Award (if any) and other key terms applicable to the Award.

(gg)Incentive Stock Option” means an option granted pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan that is intended to be, and qualifies as, an “incentive stock option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

(hh)Materially Impair means any amendment to the terms of the Award that materially adversely affects the Participant’s rights under the Award. A Participant’s rights under an Award will not be deemed to have been Materially 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. For example, the following types of amendments to the terms of an Award do not Materially Impair the Participant’s rights under the Award: (i) imposition of reasonable restrictions on the minimum number of shares subject to an Option that may be exercised; (ii) to maintain the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iii) to change the terms of an Incentive Stock Option in a manner that disqualifies, impairs or otherwise affects the qualified status of the Award as an Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code; (iv) to clarify the manner of exemption from, or to bring the Award into compliance with or qualify it for an exemption from, Section 409A; or (v) to comply with other Applicable Laws.

 

22


(ii)Non-Employee Director means a Director who either (i) is not a current employee or officer of the Company or an Affiliate, does not receive compensation, either directly or indirectly, from the Company or an Affiliate for services rendered as a consultant or in any capacity other than as a Director (except for an amount as to which disclosure would not be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K promulgated pursuant to the Securities Act (“Regulation S-K”)), does not possess an interest in any other transaction for which disclosure would be required under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K, and is not engaged in a business relationship for which disclosure would be required pursuant to Item 404(b) of Regulation S-K; or (ii) is otherwise considered a “non-employee director” for purposes of Rule 16b-3.

(jj)Non-Exempt Award means any Award that is subject to, and not exempt from, Section 409A, including as the result of (i) a deferral of the issuance of the shares subject to the Award which is elected by the Participant or imposed by the Company, (ii) the terms of any Non-Exempt Severance Agreement.

(kk)Non-Exempt Director Award” means a Non-Exempt Award granted to a Participant who was a Director but not an Employee on the applicable grant date.

(ll)Non-Exempt Severance Arrangement” means a severance arrangement or other agreement between the Participant and the Company that provides for acceleration of vesting of an Award and issuance of the shares in respect of such Award upon the Participant’s termination of employment or separation from service (as such term is defined in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(i) of the Code (and without regard to any alternative definition thereunder) (“Separation from Service”) and such severance benefit does not satisfy the requirements for an exemption from application of Section 409A provided under Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), 1.409A-1(b)(9) or otherwise.

(mm)Nonstatutory Stock Option” means any option granted pursuant to Section 4 of the Plan that does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(nn)Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(oo)Option” means an Incentive Stock Option or a Nonstatutory Stock Option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(pp)Option Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Optionholder evidencing the terms and conditions of the Option grant. The Option Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Option and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Option and which is provided, including through electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Option Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(qq)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.

(rr)Other 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 5(c).

(ss)Other Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of an Other Award evidencing the terms and conditions of an Other Award grant. Each Other Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(tt)Own, Owned, Owner, Ownership means that 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.

(uu)Participant” means an Employee, Director or Consultant to whom an Award is granted pursuant to the Plan or, if applicable, such other person who holds an outstanding Award.

 

23


(vv)Performance Award” means an Award that may vest or may be exercised or a cash award that may vest or become earned and paid contingent upon the attainment during a Performance Period of certain Performance Goals and which is granted under the terms and conditions of Section 5(b) pursuant to such terms as are approved by the Board. In addition, to the extent permitted by Applicable Law and set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, the Board may determine that cash or other property may be used in payment of Performance Awards. Performance Awards that are settled in cash or other property are not required to be valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on, the Common Stock.

(ww)Performance Criteria” means the one or more criteria that the Board will select for purposes of establishing the Performance Goals for a 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 Board: earnings (including earnings per share and net earnings); earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation; earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization; total stockholder return; return on equity or average stockholder’s equity; return on assets, investment, or capital employed; stock 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; stockholders’ 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 the Company’s 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 Board or Committee whether or not listed herein.

(xx)Performance Goals” means, for a Performance Period, the one or more goals established by the Board for the Performance Period based upon the Performance Criteria. 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 by the Board (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 Performance Goals are established, the Board will appropriately make adjustments in the method of calculating the attainment of Performance Goals for a Performance Period as follows: (1) to exclude restructuring and/or other nonrecurring charges; (2) to exclude exchange rate effects; (3) to exclude the effects of changes to generally accepted accounting principles; (4) to exclude the effects of any statutory adjustments to corporate tax rates; (5) to exclude the effects of items that are “unusual” in nature or occur “infrequently” as determined under generally accepted accounting principles; (6) to exclude the dilutive effects of acquisitions or joint ventures; (7) to assume that any business divested by the Company achieved performance objectives at targeted levels during the balance of a Performance Period following such divestiture; (8) to exclude the effect of any change in the outstanding shares of common stock of the Company 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; (9) to exclude the effects of stock based compensation and the award of bonuses under the Company’s bonus plans; (10) to exclude costs incurred in connection with potential acquisitions or divestitures that are required to be expensed under generally accepted accounting principles; and (11) to exclude the goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges that are required to be recorded under generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, the Board retains the discretion to reduce or eliminate the compensation or economic benefit due upon attainment of Performance Goals and to define the manner of calculating the Performance Criteria it selects to use for such Performance Period. Partial achievement of the specified criteria may result in the payment or vesting corresponding to the degree of achievement as specified in the Award Agreement or the written terms of a Performance Award.

 

24


(yy)Performance Period” means the period of time selected by the Board over which the attainment of one or more Performance Goals will be measured for the purpose of determining a Participant’s right to vesting or exercise of an Award. Performance Periods may be of varying and overlapping duration, at the sole discretion of the Board.

(zz)Plan” means this Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

(aaa)Plan Administrator” means the person, persons, and/or third-party administrator designated by the Company to administer the day to day operations of the Plan and the Company’s other equity incentive programs.

(bbb)Post-Termination Exercise Period” means the period following termination of a Participant’s Continuous Service within which an Option or SAR is exercisable, as specified in Section 4(h).

(ccc)Restricted Stock Award” or “RSA” means an Award of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).

(ddd)Restricted Stock Award Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a Restricted Stock Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a Restricted Stock Award grant. The Restricted Stock Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the Restricted Stock Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the Restricted Stock Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each Restricted Stock Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(eee)RSU Award” or “RSU means an Award of restricted stock units representing the right to receive an issuance of shares of Common Stock which is granted pursuant to the terms and conditions of Section 5(a).

(fff)RSU Award Agreement means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a RSU Award evidencing the terms and conditions of a RSU Award grant. The RSU Award Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the RSU Award and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the RSU Award and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each RSU Award Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(ggg)Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 promulgated under the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect from time to time.

(hhh)Rule 405” means Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act.

(iii)SAR Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and a holder of a SAR evidencing the terms and conditions of a SAR grant. The SAR Agreement includes the Grant Notice for the SAR and the agreement containing the written summary of the general terms and conditions applicable to the SAR and which is provided, including by electronic means, to a Participant along with the Grant Notice. Each SAR Agreement will be subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan.

(jjj)Section 409A” means Section 409A of the Code and the regulations and other guidance thereunder.

 

25


(kkk)Section 409A Change in Control” means a change in the ownership or effective control of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of the Company’s assets, as provided in Section 409A(a)(2)(A)(v) of the Code and Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) (without regard to any alternative definition thereunder).

(lll)Securities Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(mmm)Share Reserve” means the number of shares available for issuance under the Plan as set forth in Section 2(a).

(nnn)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 4.

(ooo)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%.

(ppp)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.

(qqq)Trading Policy” means the Company’s policy permitting certain individuals to sell Company shares only during certain “window” periods and/or otherwise restricts the ability of certain individuals to transfer or encumber Company shares, as in effect from time to time.

(rrr)Unvested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had not vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of any Corporate Transaction.

(sss)Vested Non-Exempt Award” means the portion of any Non-Exempt Award that had vested in accordance with its terms upon or prior to the date of a Corporate Transaction.

 

26

EX-10.17

Exhibit 10.17

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

STOCK OPTION GRANT NOTICE

(2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), has granted to you (“Optionholder”) an option to purchase the number of shares of the Common Stock set forth below (the “Option”). Your 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.

 

Optionholder:  

 

                  
Date of Grant:  

 

 
Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

 
Number of Shares of Common Stock Subject to Option:  

 

 
Exercise Price (Per Share):  

 

 
Total Exercise Price:  

 

 
Expiration Date:  

 

 

 

Type of Grant:    [Incentive Stock Option] OR [Nonstatutory Stock Option]
Exercise and   
Vesting Schedule:    Subject to the Optionholder’s Continuous Service through each applicable vesting date, the Option will vest as follows:
   [                                                                                                                                                       ]

Optionholder Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

   

The Option is governed by this 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. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, 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 you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

   

[If the Option is an Incentive Stock Option, it (plus other outstanding Incentive Stock Options granted to you) 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.]

 

   

You consent to receive this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Plan, the document containing the Plan information specified in Section 10(a) of the Securities Act (the “Prospectus”) 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.

 

   

You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise and the Prospectus. In the event of any conflict between the provisions in this Grant Notice, the Stock Option Agreement, the Notice of Exercise, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.


   

The Option Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you 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 you and any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you 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.

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.     OPTIONHOLDER:
By:  

 

     

 

  Signature       Signature
Title:  

 

    Date:  

 

Date:  

 

     

ATTACHMENTS: Stock Option Agreement, 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, Notice of Exercise


ATTACHMENT I

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT


RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

As reflected by your Stock Option Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you an option under the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to purchase a number of shares of Common Stock at the exercise price indicated in your Grant Notice (the “Option”). Capitalized terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the meanings set forth in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable. The terms of your Option as specified in the Grant Notice and this Stock Option Agreement constitute your Option Agreement.

The general terms and conditions applicable to your Option are as follows:

1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Option is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:

(a) Section 6 regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your Option;

(b) Section 9(e) regarding the Company’s retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the Option; and

(c) Section 8(c) regarding certain tax consequences of your Option.

Your Option 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 Stock Option Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

2. EXERCISE.

(a) You may generally exercise the vested portion of your Option for whole shares of Common Stock at any time during its term by delivery of payment of the exercise price and applicable withholding taxes and other required documentation to the Plan Administrator in accordance with the exercise procedures established by the Plan Administrator, which may include an electronic submission. Please review Sections 4(i), 4(j) and 7(b)(v) of the Plan, which may restrict or prohibit your ability to exercise your Option during certain periods.

(b) To the extent permitted by Applicable Law, you may pay your Option exercise price as follows:

(i) cash, check, bank draft or money order;


(ii) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, pursuant to a “cashless exercise” program as further described in Section 4(c)(ii) of the Plan if at the time of exercise the Common Stock is publicly traded;

(iii) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, by delivery of previously owned shares of Common Stock as further described in Section 4(c)(iii) of the Plan; or

(iv) subject to Company and/or Committee consent at the time of exercise, if the Option is a Nonstatutory Stock Option, by a “net exercise” arrangement as further described in Section 4(c)(iv) of the Plan.

(c) By accepting 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 one hundred eighty (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. 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 2(c). The underwriters of the Company’s stock are intended third party beneficiaries of this Section 2(c) and will have the right, power and authority to enforce the provisions hereof as though they were a party hereto.

3. TERM. You may not exercise your Option before the commencement of its term or after its term expires. The term of your Option commences on the Date of Grant and expires 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, Disability or death;

(c) 12 months after the termination of your Continuous Service due to your Disability;

(d) 18 months after your death if you die during your Continuous Service;

(e) immediately upon a Corporate Transaction if the Board has determined that the Option will terminate in connection with a Corporate Transaction,

(f) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice; or


(g) the day before the 10th anniversary of the Date of Grant.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, if you die during the period provided in Section 3(b) or 3(c) above, the term of your Option shall not expire until the earlier of (i) 18 months after your death, (ii) upon any termination of the Option in connection with a Corporate Transaction, (iii) the Expiration Date indicated in your Grant Notice, or (iv) the day before the tenth anniversary of the Date of Grant. Additionally, the Post-Termination Exercise Period of your Option may be extended as provided in Section 4(i) of the Plan.

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 of your Option 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. If the Company provides for the extended exercisability of your Option under certain circumstances for your benefit, your Option will not necessarily be treated as an Incentive Stock Option if you exercise your Option more than three months after the date your employment terminates.

4. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan: (a) you may not exercise your Option unless the applicable tax withholding obligations are satisfied, and (b) at the time you exercise your Option, in whole or in part, or 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 “cashless exercise” 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, if any, which arise in connection with the exercise of your Option in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Accordingly, you may not be able to exercise your Option even though the Option is vested, and the Company shall have no obligation to issue shares of Common Stock subject to your Option, unless and until such obligations are satisfied. In the event that the amount of the Company’s withholding obligation in connection with your Option was greater than the amount actually withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

5. INCENTIVE STOCK OPTION DISPOSITION REQUIREMENT. If your Option is an Incentive Stock Option, you must 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 your Option grant or within one year after such shares of Common Stock are transferred upon exercise of your Option.

6. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in Section 4(e) of the Plan, your Option is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution, and is exercisable during your life only by you.

7. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your Option is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.


8. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the Option, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the Option or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the Option and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so. Additionally, you acknowledge that the Option is exempt from Section 409A only if the exercise price is at least equal to the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as determined by the Internal Revenue Service and there is no other impermissible deferral of compensation associated with the Option. Additionally, as a condition to accepting the Option, you agree 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 such exercise is less than the “fair market value” of the Common Stock on the date of grant as subsequently determined by the Internal Revenue Service.

9. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Stock Option Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Stock Option Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Stock Option Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid

10. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.

11. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your Option, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.

* * * *


ATTACHMENT II

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN


ATTACHMENT III

NOTICE OF EXERCISE

EX-10.18

Exhibit 10.18

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

RSU AWARD GRANT NOTICE

(2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded to you (the “Participant”) the number of restricted stock units specified and on the terms set forth below in consideration of your services (the “RSU Award”). Your RSU Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) and the Award Agreement (the “Agreement”), which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety. Capitalized terms not explicitly defined herein but defined in the Plan or the Agreement shall have the meanings set forth in the Plan or the Agreement.

 

Participant:  

 

 
Date of Grant:  

 

 
Vesting Commencement Date:  

 

 
Number of Restricted Stock Units:  

 

 

Vesting Schedule: [                                                                         ]

 

Issuance Schedule:    One share of Common Stock will be issued for each restricted stock unit which vests at the time set forth in Section 5 of the Agreement.

Participant Acknowledgements: By your signature below or by electronic acceptance or authentication in a form authorized by the Company, you understand and agree that:

 

   

The RSU Award is governed by this RSU Award Grant Notice (the “Grant Notice”), and the provisions of the Plan and the Agreement, all of which are made a part of this document. Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, this Grant Notice and the Agreement (together, the “RSU Award Agreement”) may not be modified, amended or revised except in a writing signed by you and a duly authorized officer of the Company.

 

   

You have read and are familiar with the provisions of the Plan, the RSU Award Agreement and the document containing the Plan information specified in Section 10(a) of the Securities Act (the “Prospectus”). In the event of any conflict between the provisions in the RSU Award Agreement, or the Prospectus and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

 

   

The RSU Award Agreement sets forth the entire understanding between you 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: (i) other equity awards previously granted to you, and (ii) any written employment agreement, offer letter, severance agreement, written severance plan or policy, or other written agreement between the Company and you in each case that specifies the terms that should govern this RSU Award.

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.     PARTICIPANT:
By:  

        

                

 

Signature     Signature

Title:

 

Date:

 

 

 

    Date:  

 

ATTACHMENTS: RSU Award Agreement, 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, Sell to Cover Election

 


RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

AWARD AGREEMENT (RSU AWARD)

As reflected by your RSU Award Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”), Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”) has granted you a RSU Award under the Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of restricted stock units as indicated in your Grant Notice (the “RSU Award”). The terms of your RSU Award as specified in this Award Agreement for your RSU Award (the “Agreement”) and the Grant Notice constitute your “RSU Award Agreement”. Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Grant Notice or the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Grant Notice or Plan, as applicable.

The general terms applicable to your RSU Award are as follows:

1. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your RSU Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, including but not limited to the provisions in:

(a) Section 6 of the Plan regarding the impact of a Capitalization Adjustment, dissolution, liquidation, or Corporate Transaction on your RSU Award;

(b) Section 9(e) of the Plan regarding the Company’s retained rights to terminate your Continuous Service notwithstanding the grant of the RSU Award; and

(c) Section 8(c) of the Plan regarding certain tax consequences of your RSU Award.

Your RSU Award 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 RSU Award Agreement and the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of the Plan shall control.

2. GRANT OF THE RSU AWARD. This RSU Award represents your right to be issued on a future date the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock that is equal to the number of restricted stock units indicated in the Grant Notice as modified to reflect any Capitalization Adjustment and subject to your satisfaction of the vesting conditions set forth therein (the “Restricted Stock Units”). Any additional Restricted Stock Units that become subject to the RSU Award pursuant to Capitalization Adjustments as set forth in the Plan and the provisions of Section 3 below, if any, shall be subject, in a manner determined by the Board, to the same forfeiture restrictions, restrictions on transferability, and time and manner of delivery as applicable to the other Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award.

 

1.


3. DIVIDENDS. You may become entitled to receive payments equal to any cash dividends and other distributions paid with respect to a corresponding number of shares of Common Stock to be issued in respect of the Restricted Stock Units covered by your RSU Award. Any such dividends or distributions shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions as apply to the Restricted Stock Units and shall be paid at the same time that the corresponding shares are issued in respect of your vested Restricted Stock Units, provided, however that to the extent any such dividends or distributions are paid in shares of Common Stock, then you will automatically be granted a corresponding number of additional Restricted Stock Units subject to the RSU Award (the “Dividend Units”), and further provided that such Dividend Units shall be subject to the same forfeiture restrictions and restrictions on transferability, and same timing requirements for issuance of shares, as apply to the Restricted Stock Units subject to the RSU Award with respect to which the Dividend Units relate.

4. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby agree to make adequate provision for and authorize the Company to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance withholding, which arise in connection with your RSU Award (the “Withholding Obligation”), in its sole discretion, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares of Common Stock issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the RSU Award; (iii) withholding cash from an RSU Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from payroll or any amounts otherwise payable to you; (v) a mandatory sale (on your behalf pursuant to your authorization under this section and without further consent) of the shares of Common Stock issued in settlement upon the vesting of your Restricted Stock Units in an amount necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation; or (vi) by such other method as the Company may decide in its sole discretion in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Common Stock in respect of the RSU Award. In the event the Withholding Obligation of the Company arises prior to the delivery to you of Common Stock or it is determined after the delivery of Common Stock to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

5. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) The issuance of shares in respect of the Restricted Stock Units is intended to comply with Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(b)(4) and will be construed and administered in such a manner. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation, if any, in the event one or more Restricted Stock Units vests, the Company shall issue to you one (1) share of Common Stock for each Restricted Stock Unit that vests on the applicable vesting date(s) (subject to any adjustment under Section 2 above, and subject to any different provisions in the Grant Notice). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an “Original Issuance Date.”

(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day or to the extent not administratively feasible, as soon as practicable thereafter (but for the avoidance of doubt, in no event later than the later of (i) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the Restricted Stock Units vest, or (ii) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Restricted Stock Units vest).

 

2.


(c) The form of delivery (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.

(d) In addition, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are 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) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding shares of Common Stock from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, (B) not to permit you to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation, if any, in cash,

(iii) then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling shares of the Company’s Common Stock in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, 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 applicable year following the year in which the shares of Common Stock under this Award are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

(e) To the extent the RSU Award is a Non-Exempt RSU Award, the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan shall apply.

6. TRANSFERABILITY. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan, your RSU Award is not transferable, except by will or by the applicable laws of descent and distribution

7. CORPORATE TRANSACTION. Your RSU Award is subject to the terms of any agreement governing a Corporate Transaction involving the Company, including, without limitation, a provision for the appointment of a stockholder representative that is authorized to act on your behalf with respect to any escrow, indemnities and any contingent consideration.

8. NO LIABILITY FOR TAXES. As a condition to accepting the RSU Award, you hereby (a) agree to not make any claim against the Company, or any of its Officers, Directors, Employees or Affiliates related to tax liabilities arising from the RSU Award or other Company compensation and (b) acknowledge that you were advised to consult with your own personal tax, financial and other legal advisors regarding the tax consequences of the RSU Award and have either done so or knowingly and voluntarily declined to do so.

 

3.


9. SEVERABILITY. If any part of this Agreement or the Plan is declared by any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness or invalidity will not invalidate any portion of this Agreement or the Plan not declared to be unlawful or invalid. Any Section of this Agreement (or part of such a Section) so declared to be unlawful or invalid will, if possible, be construed in a manner which will give effect to the terms of such Section or part of a Section to the fullest extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

10. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt of or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act, which includes the Prospectus. In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Trading Policy.

11. QUESTIONS. If you have questions regarding these or any other terms and conditions applicable to your RSU Award, including a summary of the applicable federal income tax consequences please see the Prospectus.

 

4.

EX-10.19

Exhibit 10.19

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

STOCK BONUS AWARD GRANT NOTICE

(2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN)

Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 5(c) of the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), hereby awards to Participant as a bonus the number of shares of the Company’s Common Stock set forth below (the “Award”). This Award shall be evidenced by a Stock Bonus Award Agreement (the “Award Agreement”). This Award is subject to all of the terms and conditions as set forth herein and in the applicable Award Agreement and the Plan, each of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein in their entirety.

 

Participant:    [INSERT NAME OF PARTICIPANT]
Date of Grant:    [INSERT DATE OF APPROVAL BY CC]
Number of Shares Subject to Award:    [INSERT NUMBER OF SHARES SUBJEC TO AWARD]
Payment for Common Stock:    Participant’s past services to the Company

Vesting Schedule: The shares of Common Stock subject to the Award shall be immediately vested on the Payment Date (as defined herein).

Additional Terms/Acknowledgements: Participant acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to, this Stock Bonus Award Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan. Participant further acknowledges that as of the Date of Grant, this Stock Bonus Award Grant Notice, the Award Agreement and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between Participant and the Company regarding the acquisition of the Common Stock pursuant to the Award specified above and supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.       PARTICIPANT
By:                                                                                                                                                                                                              
Signature       Signature
Title:                                                                                 Date:                                                                          
Date:                                                                                

ATTACHMENTS: Award Agreement and Plan


RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

2022 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

STOCK BONUS AWARD AGREEMENT

Pursuant to the Stock Bonus Award Grant Notice (“Grant Notice”) and this Stock Bonus Award Agreement (“Agreement”), Rigetti Computing, Inc. (the “Company”) has awarded you (“Participant”) the right to acquire shares of Common Stock from the Company pursuant to Section 7(a) of the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) for the number of shares indicated in the Grant Notice (collectively, the “Award”). Defined terms not explicitly defined in this Agreement but defined in the Plan shall have the same definitions as in the Plan. The details of your Award, in addition to those set forth in the Grant Notice, are as follows.

1. ACQUISITION OF SHARES. By signing the Grant Notice, you hereby agree to acquire from the Company, and the Company hereby agrees to issue to you, the aggregate number of shares of Common Stock specified in your Grant Notice (the “Shares”) for your past services rendered to the Company or an Affiliate and subject to all of the terms and conditions of the Award and the Plan.

2. CLOSING. You will acquire beneficial ownership of the Shares by delivering your Grant Notice, executed by you in the manner required by the Company, to the stock administrator of the Company, or to such other person as the Company may designate, during regular business hours, on the date that you have executed the Grant Notice (or at such other time and place as you and the Company may mutually agree upon in writing) (the “Payment Date”), along with any additional documents as the Company may then require. The Company will transfer the Shares electronically to a brokerage account that you have established at [ ]. In the event of the termination of your Continuous Service prior to the Payment Date, the closing contemplated in this Agreement shall not occur.

3. SECURITIES LAW COMPLIANCE. You may not be issued any Shares under your Award unless either (i) those Shares are then registered under the Securities Act, or (ii) the Company has determined that such issuance would be exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act. Your Award must also comply with other applicable laws and regulations governing the Award, and you shall not receive the Shares if the Company determines that such receipt would not be in material compliance with such laws and regulations.

4. EXECUTION OF DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge and agree that the manner selected by the Company by which you indicate your consent to your Grant Notice is also deemed to be your execution of your Grant Notice and of this Agreement.

5. RIGHTS AS STOCKHOLDER. From and after the Payment Date and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, you shall have all rights and privileges of a stockholder of the Company with respect to the Shares.

6. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. You may not dispose of any Shares except in compliance with applicable securities laws and the Company’s policies, including its Insider Trading Policy (or any successor policy).


7. AWARD NOT A SERVICE CONTRACT. Your Award is not an employment or service contract, and nothing in your Award shall be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on your part to continue in the service of the Company or any Affiliate, or on the part of the Company or any Affiliate to continue such service. In addition, nothing in your Award shall obligate the Company or any Affiliate, their respective stockholders, boards of directors, or employees to continue any relationship that you might have as an Employee or Consultant of the Company or any Affiliate.

8. WITHHOLDING OBLIGATIONS. As further provided in Section 8 of the Plan, you hereby agree to make adequate provision for and authorize the Company to satisfy any U.S. federal, state, local and/or foreign tax or social insurance withholding, which arise in connection with your Award (the “Withholding Obligation”), in its sole discretion, by any of the following means or by a combination of such means: (i) causing you to tender a cash payment; (ii) withholding Shares from the shares issued or otherwise issuable to you in connection with the Award; (iii) withholding cash from an Award settled in cash; (iv) withholding payment from payroll or any amounts otherwise payable to you; (v) a mandatory sale (on your behalf pursuant to your authorization under this section and without further consent) of the Shares issued in connection with the Award in an amount necessary to satisfy the Withholding Obligation; or (vi) by such other method as the Company may decide in its sole discretion in accordance with the withholding procedures established by the Company. Unless the Withholding Obligation is satisfied, the Company shall have no obligation to deliver to you any Shares in respect of the Award. In the event the Withholding Obligation of the Company arises prior to the delivery to you of Shares or it is determined after the delivery of Shares to you that the amount of the Withholding Obligation was greater than the amount withheld by the Company, you agree to indemnify and hold the Company harmless from any failure by the Company to withhold the proper amount.

9. DATE OF ISSUANCE.

(a) The issuance of Shares in respect of 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. Subject to the satisfaction of the Withholding Obligation, if any, the Company shall issue to you the number or Shares subject to the Award (subject to any Capitalization Adjustments, and subject to any different provisions in the Grant Notice). Each issuance date determined by this paragraph is referred to as an “Original Issuance Date.”

(b) If the Original Issuance Date falls on a date that is not a business day, delivery shall instead occur on the next following business day or to the extent not administratively feasible, as soon as practicable thereafter (but for the avoidance of doubt, in no event later than the later of (i) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the calendar year in which the Award vests, or (ii) the 15th day of the third month following the end of the Company’s fiscal year in which the Award vests).

(c) The form of delivery (e.g., a stock certificate or electronic entry evidencing such shares) shall be determined by the Company.

 

2.


(d) In addition, if:

(i) the Original Issuance Date does not occur (1) during an “open window period” applicable to you, as determined by the Company in accordance with the Company’s then-effective policy on trading in Company securities, or (2) on a date when you are otherwise permitted to sell Shares 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) a Withholding Obligation does not apply, or (2) the Company decides, prior to the Original Issuance Date, (A) not to satisfy the Withholding Obligation by withholding Shares from the shares otherwise due, on the Original Issuance Date, to you under this Award, (B) not to permit you to enter into a “same day sale” commitment with a broker-dealer (including but not limited to a commitment under a 10b5-1 Arrangement) and (C) not to permit you to pay your Withholding Obligation, if any, in cash,

(iii) then the shares that would otherwise be issued to you on the Original Issuance Date will not be delivered on such Original Issuance Date and will instead be delivered on the first business day when you are not prohibited from selling Shares in the open public market, but in no event later than December 31 of the calendar year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs (that is, the last day of your taxable year in which the Original Issuance Date occurs), or, 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 applicable year following the year in which the Shares under this Award are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

(e) To the extent the Award is a Non-Exempt Award, the provisions of Section 11 of the Plan shall apply.

10. TAX CONSEQUENCES. You agree to review with your own tax advisors the federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences of this investment and the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. You shall rely solely on such advisors and not on any statements or representations of the Company or any of its agents. You understand that you (and not the Company) shall be responsible for your own tax liability that may arise as a result of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

11. NOTICES. Any notices provided for in your Award or the Plan shall be given in writing and shall be deemed effectively given upon receipt or, in the case of notices delivered by the Company to you, five (5) days after deposit in the United States mail, postage prepaid, addressed to your address as on file with the Company at the time notice is given.

12. GOVERNING PLAN DOCUMENT. Your Award is subject to all the provisions of the Plan, the provisions of which are hereby made a part of your 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.

 

3.


13. EFFECT ON OTHER EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS. The value of the Award subject to this Agreement shall not be included as compensation, earnings, salaries, or other similar terms used when calculating benefits under any employee benefit plan (other than the Plan) sponsored by the Company or any Affiliate except as such plan otherwise expressly provides.

14. CHOICE OF LAW. The interpretation, performance and enforcement of this Agreement shall be governed by the law of the state of Delaware without regard to that state’s conflicts of laws rules.

15. OTHER DOCUMENTS. You hereby acknowledge receipt or the right to receive a document providing the information required by Rule 428(b)(1) promulgated under the Securities Act (which includes the prospectus for the Plan). In addition, you acknowledge receipt of the Company’s Insider Trading Policy.

 

4.

EX-10.20

Exhibit 10.20

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

2022 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN

ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS: FEBRUARY 23, 2022

APPROVED BY THE STOCKHOLDERS: FEBRUARY 28, 2022

1. GENERAL; PURPOSE.

(a) The Plan provides a means by which Eligible Employees of the Company and certain Designated Companies may be given an opportunity to purchase shares of Common Stock. The Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. In addition, the Plan permits the Company to grant a series of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees that do not meet the requirements of an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

(b) The Plan includes two components: a 423 Component and a Non-423 Component. The Company intends (but makes no undertaking or representation to maintain) the 423 Component to qualify as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. The provisions of the 423 Component, accordingly, will be construed in a manner that is consistent with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code. Except as otherwise provided in the Plan or determined by the Board, the Non-423 Component will operate and be administered in the same manner as the 423 Component.

(c) The Company, by means of the Plan, seeks to retain the services of Eligible Employees, to secure and retain the services of new Employees and to provide incentives for such persons to exert maximum efforts for the success of the Company and its Related Corporations.

2. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) The Board or the Committee will administer the Plan. References herein to the Board shall be deemed to refer to the Committee except where context dictates otherwise.

(b) The Board will have the power, subject to, and within the limitations of, the express provisions of the Plan:

(i) To determine how and when Purchase Rights will be granted and the provisions of each Offering (which need not be identical).

(ii) To designate from time to time (A) which Related Corporations will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated 423 Corporations, (B) which Related Corporations or Affiliates will be eligible to participate in the Plan as Designated Non-423 Corporations, and (C) which Designated Companies will participate in each separate Offering (to the extent that the Company makes separate Offerings).

(iii) To construe and interpret the Plan and Purchase Rights, and to establish, amend and revoke rules and regulations for its administration. The Board, in the exercise of this power, may correct any defect, omission or inconsistency in the Plan, in a manner and to the extent it deems necessary or expedient to make the Plan fully effective.

(iv) To settle all controversies regarding the Plan and Purchase Rights granted under the Plan.

(v) To suspend or terminate the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.

(vi) To amend the Plan at any time as provided in Section 12.

 

1


(vii) Generally, to exercise such powers and to perform such acts as it deems necessary or expedient to promote the best interests of the Company and its Related Corporations and to carry out the intent that the Plan be treated as an Employee Stock Purchase Plan with respect to the 423 Component.

(viii) To adopt such rules, procedures and sub-plans as are necessary or appropriate to permit or facilitate participation in the Plan by Employees who are foreign nationals or employed or located outside the United States. Without limiting the generality of, and consistent with, the foregoing, the Board specifically is authorized to adopt rules, procedures, and sub-plans regarding, without limitation, eligibility to participate in the Plan, the definition of eligible “earnings,” handling and making of Contributions, establishment of bank or trust accounts to hold Contributions, payment of interest, conversion of local currency, obligations to pay payroll tax, determination of beneficiary designation requirements, withholding procedures and handling of share issuances, any of which may vary according to applicable requirements, and which, if applicable to a Designated Non-423 Corporation, do not have to comply with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code.

(c) The Board may delegate some or all of the administration of the Plan to a Committee or Committees. If administration is delegated to a Committee, the Committee will have, in connection with the administration of the Plan, the powers theretofore possessed by the Board that have been delegated to the Committee, including the power to delegate to a subcommittee any of the administrative powers the Committee is authorized to exercise (and references to the Board in this Plan and in any applicable Offering Document will thereafter be to the Committee or subcommittee, as applicable, except where context dictates otherwise), subject, however, to such resolutions, not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan, as may be adopted from time to time by the Board. Further, to the extent not prohibited by Applicable Law, the Board or Committee may, from time to time, delegate some or all of its authority under the Plan to one or more officers of the Company or other persons or groups of persons as it deems necessary, appropriate or advisable under conditions or limitations that it may set at or after the time of the delegation. The Board may retain the authority to concurrently administer the Plan with the Committee and may, at any time, revest in the Board some or all of the powers previously delegated. Whether or not the Board has delegated administration of the Plan to a Committee, the Board will have the final power to determine all questions of policy and expediency that may arise in the administration of the Plan.

(d) All determinations, interpretations and constructions made by the Board in good faith will not be subject to review by any person and will be final, binding and conclusive on all persons.

3. SHARES OF COMMON STOCK SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.

(a) Subject to the provisions of Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, the maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be issued under the Plan will not exceed 3,055,370 shares of Common Stock1, plus the number of shares of Common Stock that are automatically added on January 1st of each year for a period of ten years, commencing on January 1, 2023 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2032, in an amount equal to the lesser of (i) 1% of the total number of shares of Capital Stock outstanding on a fully diluted basis on December 31st of the preceding calendar year, and (ii) 3,055,370 shares of Common Stock. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may act prior to the first day of any calendar year to provide that there will be no January 1st increase in the share reserve for such calendar year or that the increase in the share reserve for such calendar year will be a lesser number of shares of Common Stock than would otherwise occur pursuant to the preceding sentence. For the avoidance of doubt, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock reserved under this Section 3(a) may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the 423 Component and any remaining portion of such maximum number of shares may be used to satisfy purchases of Common Stock under the Non-423 Component.

 

2


(b) If any Purchase Right granted under the Plan terminates without having been exercised in full, the shares of Common Stock not purchased under such Purchase Right will again become available for issuance under the Plan.

(c) The stock purchasable under the Plan will be shares of authorized but unissued or reacquired Common Stock, including shares repurchased by the Company on the open market.

4. GRANT OF PURCHASE RIGHTS; OFFERING.

(a) The Board may from time to time grant or provide for the grant of Purchase Rights to Eligible Employees under an Offering (consisting of one or more Purchase Periods) on an Offering Date or Offering Dates selected by the Board. Each Offering will be in such form and will contain such terms and conditions as the Board will deem appropriate, and, with respect to the 423 Component, will comply with the requirement of Section 423(b)(5) of the Code that all Employees granted Purchase Rights will have the same rights and privileges. The terms and conditions of an Offering shall be incorporated by reference into the Plan and treated as part of the Plan. The provisions of separate Offerings need not be identical, but each Offering will include (through incorporation of the provisions of this Plan by reference in the document comprising the Offering or otherwise) the period during which the Offering will be effective, which period will not exceed 27 months beginning with the Offering Date, and the substance of the provisions contained in Sections 5 through 8, inclusive.

(b) If a Participant has more than one Purchase Right outstanding under the Plan, unless he or she otherwise indicates in forms delivered to the Company or a third party designated by the Company (each, a “Company Designee”): (i) each form will apply to all of his or her Purchase Rights under the Plan, and (ii) a Purchase Right with a lower exercise price (or an earlier-granted Purchase Right, if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised to the fullest possible extent before a Purchase Right with a higher exercise price (or a later-granted Purchase Right if different Purchase Rights have identical exercise prices) will be exercised.

(c) The Board will have the discretion to structure an Offering so that if the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the first Trading Day of a new Purchase Period within that Offering is less than or equal to the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock on the Offering Date for that Offering, then (i) that Offering will terminate immediately as of that first Trading Day, and (ii) the Participants in such terminated Offering will be automatically enrolled in a new Offering beginning on the first Trading Day of such new Purchase Period.

5. ELIGIBILITY.

(a) Purchase Rights may be granted only to Employees of the Company or, as the Board may designate in accordance with Section 2(b), to Employees of a Related Corporation or an Affiliate. Except as provided in Section 5(b) or as required by Applicable Law, an Employee will not be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights unless, on the Offering Date, the Employee has been in the employ of the Company or the Related Corporation or an Affiliate, as the case may be, for such continuous period preceding such Offering Date as the Board may require, but in no event will the required period of continuous employment be equal to or greater than two years. In addition, the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) provide that no Employee will be eligible to be granted Purchase Rights under the Plan unless, on the Offering Date, such Employee’s customary employment with the Company, the Related Corporation, or the Affiliate is more than 20 hours per week and more than five months per calendar year or such other criteria as the Board may determine consistent with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component. The Board may also exclude from participation in the Plan or any Offering Employees who are “highly compensated employees” (within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code) of the Company or a Related Corporation or a subset of such highly compensated employees.

 

3


(b) The Board may provide that each person who, during the course of an Offering, first becomes an Eligible Employee will, on a date or dates specified in the Offering which coincides with the day on which such person becomes an Eligible Employee or which occurs thereafter, receive a Purchase Right under that Offering, which Purchase Right will thereafter be deemed to be a part of that Offering. Such Purchase Right will have the same characteristics as any Purchase Rights originally granted under that Offering, as described herein, except that:

(i) the date on which such Purchase Right is granted will be the “Offering Date” of such Purchase Right for all purposes, including determination of the exercise price of such Purchase Right;

(ii) the period of the Offering with respect to such Purchase Right will begin on its Offering Date and end coincident with the end of such Offering; and

(iii) the Board may provide that if such person first becomes an Eligible Employee within a specified period of time before the end of the Offering, he or she will not receive any Purchase Right under that Offering.

(c) No Employee will be eligible for the grant of any Purchase Rights under the 423 Component, if, immediately after any such Purchase Rights are granted, such Employee owns stock possessing five percent or more of the total combined voting power or value of all classes of stock of the Company or of any Related Corporation. For purposes of this Section 5(c), the rules of Section 424(d) of the Code will apply in determining the stock ownership of any Employee, and stock which such Employee may purchase under all outstanding Purchase Rights and options will be treated as stock owned by such Employee.

(d) As specified by Section 423(b)(8) of the Code, an Eligible Employee may be granted Purchase Rights under the 423 Component only if such Purchase Rights, together with any other rights granted under all Employee Stock Purchase Plans of the Company and any Related Corporations, do not permit such Eligible Employee’s rights to purchase stock of the Company or any Related Corporation to accrue at a rate which, when aggregated, exceeds 25,000 USD of Fair Market Value of such stock (determined at the time such rights are granted, and which, with respect to the Plan, will be determined as of their respective Offering Dates) for each calendar year in which such rights are outstanding at any time.

(e) Officers of the Company and any designated Related Corporation, if they are otherwise Eligible Employees, will be eligible to participate in Offerings under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Board may (unless prohibited by Applicable Law) provide in an Offering that Employees who are highly compensated Employees within the meaning of Section 423(b)(4)(D) of the Code will not be eligible to participate.

(f) Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5 to the contrary, in the case of an Offering under the Non-423 Component, an Eligible Employee (or group of Eligible Employees) may be excluded from participation in the Plan or an Offering if the Board has determined, in its sole discretion, that participation of such Eligible Employee(s) is not advisable or practical for any reason.

6. PURCHASE RIGHTS; PURCHASE PRICE.

(a) On each Offering Date, each Eligible Employee, pursuant to an Offering made under the Plan, will be granted a Purchase Right to purchase up to that number of shares of Common Stock purchasable either with a percentage or with a maximum dollar amount, as designated by the Board, but in either case not exceeding 15% of such Employee’s earnings (as defined by the Board in each Offering) during the period that begins on the Offering Date (or such later date as the Board determines for a particular Offering) and ends on the date stated in the Offering, which date will be no later than the end of the Offering.

(b) The Board will establish one or more Purchase Dates during an Offering on which Purchase Rights granted for that Offering will be exercised and shares of Common Stock will be purchased in accordance with such Offering.

 

4


(c) In connection with each Offering made under the Plan, the Board may specify (i) a maximum number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by any Participant on any Purchase Date during such Offering, (ii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants pursuant to such Offering and/or (iii) a maximum aggregate number of shares of Common Stock that may be purchased by all Participants on any Purchase Date under the Offering. If the aggregate purchase of shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of Purchase Rights granted under the Offering would exceed any such maximum aggregate number, then, in the absence of any Board action otherwise, a pro rata (based on each Participant’s accumulated Contributions) allocation of the shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) available will be made in as nearly a uniform manner as will be practicable and equitable.

(d) The purchase price of shares of Common Stock acquired pursuant to Purchase Rights will be specified by Board prior to the commencement of an Offering and will not be less than the lesser of:

(i) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the Offering Date; or

(ii) an amount equal to 85% of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Common Stock on the applicable Purchase Date.

7. PARTICIPATION; WITHDRAWAL; TERMINATION.

(a) An Eligible Employee may elect to participate in an Offering and authorize payroll deductions as the means of making Contributions by completing and delivering to the Company or a Company Designee, within the time specified for the Offering, an enrollment form provided by the Company or Company Designee. The enrollment form will specify the amount of Contributions not to exceed the maximum amount specified by the Board. Each Participant’s Contributions will be credited to a bookkeeping account for such Participant under the Plan and will be deposited with the general funds of the Company except where Applicable Law requires that Contributions be deposited with a third party. If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may begin such Contributions with the first payroll occurring on or after the Offering Date (or, in the case of a payroll date that occurs after the end of the prior Offering but before the Offering Date of the next new Offering, Contributions from such payroll will be included in the new Offering). If permitted in the Offering, a Participant may thereafter reduce (including to zero) or increase his or her Contributions. If required under Applicable Law or if specifically provided in the Offering and to extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, in addition to or instead of making Contributions by payroll deductions, a Participant may make Contributions through payment by cash, check or wire transfer prior to a Purchase Date.

(b) During an Offering, a Participant may cease making Contributions and withdraw from the Offering by delivering to the Company or a Company Designee a withdrawal form provided by the Company. The Company may impose a deadline before a Purchase Date for withdrawing. Upon such withdrawal, such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering will immediately terminate and the Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such Participant all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions and such Participant’s Purchase Right in that Offering shall thereupon terminate. A Participant’s withdrawal from that Offering will have no effect upon his or her eligibility to participate in any other Offerings under the Plan, but such Participant will be required to deliver a new enrollment form to participate in subsequent Offerings.

(c) Unless otherwise required by Applicable Law, Purchase Rights granted pursuant to any Offering under the Plan will terminate immediately if the Participant either (i) is no longer an Employee for any reason or for no reason (subject to any post-employment participation period required by Applicable Law) or (ii) is otherwise no longer eligible to participate. The Company will distribute as soon as practicable to such individual all of his or her accumulated but unused Contributions.

 

5


(d) Unless otherwise determined by the Board, a Participant whose employment transfers or whose employment terminates with an immediate rehire (with no break in service) by or between the Company and a Designated Company or between Designated Companies will not be treated as having terminated employment for purposes of participating in the Plan or an Offering; however, if a Participant transfers from an Offering under the 423 Component to an Offering under the Non-423 Component, the exercise of the Participant’s Purchase Right will be qualified under the 423 Component only to the extent such exercise complies with Section 423 of the Code. If a Participant transfers from an Offering under the Non-423 Component to an Offering under the 423 Component, the exercise of the Purchase Right will remain non-qualified under the Non-423 Component. The Board may establish different and additional rules governing transfers between separate Offerings within the 423 Component and between Offerings under the 423 Component and Offerings under the Non-423 Component.

(e) During a Participant’s lifetime, Purchase Rights will be exercisable only by such Participant. Purchase Rights are not transferable by a Participant, except by will, by the laws of descent and distribution, or, if permitted by the Company, by a beneficiary designation as described in Section 10.

(f) Unless otherwise specified in the Offering or required by Applicable Law, the Company will have no obligation to pay interest on Contributions.

8. EXERCISE OF PURCHASE RIGHTS.

(a) On each Purchase Date, each Participant’s accumulated Contributions will be applied to the purchase of shares of Common Stock, up to the maximum number of shares of Common Stock permitted by the Plan and the applicable Offering, at the purchase price specified in the Offering. No fractional shares will be issued unless specifically provided for in the Offering.

(b) Unless otherwise provided in the Offering, if any amount of accumulated Contributions remains in a Participant’s account after the purchase of shares of Common Stock and such remaining amount is less than the amount required to purchase one share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will be held in such Participant’s account for the purchase of shares of Common Stock under the next Offering under the Plan, unless such Participant withdraws from or is not eligible to participate in such next Offering, in which case such amount will be distributed to such Participant after the final Purchase Date without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law). If the amount of Contributions remaining in a Participant’s account after the purchase of shares of Common Stock is at least equal to the amount required to purchase one (1) whole share of Common Stock on the final Purchase Date of an Offering, then such remaining amount will be distributed in full to such Participant after the final Purchase Date of such Offering without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law).

(c) No Purchase Rights may be exercised to any extent unless the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise under the Plan are covered by an effective registration statement pursuant to the Securities Act and the Plan is in material compliance with all applicable U.S. federal and state, foreign and other securities, exchange control and other laws applicable to the Plan. If on a Purchase Date the shares of Common Stock are not so registered or the Plan is not in such compliance, no Purchase Rights will be exercised on such Purchase Date, and, subject to Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component, the Purchase Date will be delayed until the shares of Common Stock are subject to such an effective registration statement and the Plan is in material compliance, except that the Purchase Date will in no event be more than 27 months from the Offering Date. If, on the Purchase Date, as delayed to the maximum extent permissible, the shares of Common Stock are not registered and the Plan is not in material compliance with all Applicable Laws, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion, no Purchase Rights will be exercised and all accumulated but unused Contributions will be distributed to the Participants without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law).

 

6


9. COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.

The Company will seek to obtain from each U.S. federal or state, foreign or other regulatory commission, agency or other Governmental Body having jurisdiction over the Plan such authority as may be required to grant Purchase Rights and issue and sell shares of Common Stock thereunder unless the Company determines, in its sole discretion, that doing so is not practical or would cause the Company to incur costs that are unreasonable. If, after commercially reasonable efforts, the Company is unable to obtain the authority that counsel for the Company deems necessary for the grant of Purchase Rights or the lawful issuance and sale of Common Stock under the Plan, and at a commercially reasonable cost, the Company will be relieved from any liability for failure to grant Purchase Rights and/or to issue and sell Common Stock upon exercise of such Purchase Rights.

10. DESIGNATION OF BENEFICIARY.

(a) The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit a Participant to submit a form designating a beneficiary who will receive any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions from the Participant’s account under the Plan if the Participant dies before such shares and/or Contributions are delivered to the Participant. The Company may, but is not obligated to, permit the Participant to change such designation of beneficiary. Any such designation and/or change must be on a form approved by the Company.

(b) If a Participant dies, and in the absence of a valid beneficiary designation, the Company will deliver any shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions to the executor or administrator of the estate of the Participant. If no executor or administrator has been appointed (to the knowledge of the Company), the Company, in its sole discretion, may deliver such shares of Common Stock and/or Contributions, without interest (unless the payment of interest is otherwise required by Applicable Law), to the Participant’s spouse, dependents or relatives, or if no spouse, dependent or relative is known to the Company, then to such other person as the Company may designate.

11. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN COMMON STOCK; CORPORATE TRANSACTIONS.

(a) In the event of a Capitalization Adjustment, the Board will appropriately and proportionately adjust: (i) the class(es) and maximum number of securities subject to the Plan pursuant to Section 3(a), (ii) the class(es) and maximum number of securities by which the share reserve is to increase automatically each year pursuant to Section 3(a), (iii) the class(es) and number of securities subject to, and the purchase price applicable to outstanding Offerings and Purchase Rights, and (iv) the class(es) and number of securities that are the subject of the purchase limits under each ongoing Offering. The Board will make these adjustments, and its determination will be final, binding and conclusive.

(b) In the event of a Corporate Transaction, then: (i) any surviving corporation or acquiring corporation (or the surviving or acquiring corporation’s parent company) may assume or continue outstanding Purchase Rights or may substitute similar rights (including a right to acquire the same consideration paid to the stockholders in the Corporate Transaction) for outstanding Purchase Rights, or (ii) if any surviving or acquiring corporation (or its parent company) does not assume or continue such Purchase Rights or does not substitute similar rights for such Purchase Rights, then the Participants’ accumulated Contributions will be used to purchase shares of Common Stock (rounded down to the nearest whole share) within ten business days (or such other period specified by the Board) prior to the Corporate Transaction under the outstanding Purchase Rights, and the Purchase Rights will terminate immediately after such purchase.

12. AMENDMENT, TERMINATION OR SUSPENSION OF THE PLAN.

(a) The Board may amend the Plan at any time in any respect the Board deems necessary or advisable. However, except as provided in Section 11(a) relating to Capitalization Adjustments, stockholder approval will be required for any amendment of the Plan for which stockholder approval is required by Applicable Law.

(b) The Board may suspend or terminate the Plan at any time. No Purchase Rights may be granted under the Plan while the Plan is suspended or after it is terminated.

 

7


(c) Any benefits, privileges, entitlements and obligations under any outstanding Purchase Rights granted before an amendment, suspension or termination of the Plan will not be materially impaired by any such amendment, suspension or termination except (i) with the consent of the person to whom such Purchase Rights were granted, (ii) as necessary to facilitate compliance with any laws, listing requirements, or governmental regulations (including, without limitation, the provisions of Section 423 of the Code and the regulations and other interpretive guidance issued thereunder relating to Employee Stock Purchase Plans) including without limitation any such regulations or other guidance that may be issued or amended after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board, or (iii) as necessary to obtain or maintain favorable tax, listing, or regulatory treatment. To be clear, the Board may amend outstanding Purchase Rights without a Participant’s consent if such amendment is necessary to ensure that the Purchase Right and/or the Plan complies with the requirements of Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component or with respect to other Applicable Laws.

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or any Offering Document to the contrary, the Board will be entitled to: (i) establish the exchange ratio applicable to amounts withheld in a currency other than U.S. dollars; (ii) permit Contributions in excess of the amount designated by a Participant in order to adjust for mistakes in the Company’s processing of properly completed Contribution elections; (iii) establish reasonable waiting and adjustment periods and/or accounting and crediting procedures to ensure that amounts applied toward the purchase of Common Stock for each Participant properly correspond with amounts withheld from the Participant’s Contributions; (iv) amend any outstanding Purchase Rights or clarify any ambiguities regarding the terms of any Offering to enable the Purchase Rights to qualify under and/or comply with Section 423 of the Code with respect to the 423 Component; and (v) establish other limitations or procedures as the Board determines in its sole discretion advisable that are consistent with the Plan. The actions of the Board pursuant to this paragraph will not be considered to alter or impair any Purchase Rights granted under an Offering as they are part of the initial terms of each Offering and the Purchase Rights granted under each Offering.

13. TAX QUALIFICATION; TAX WITHHOLDING.

(a) Although the Company may endeavor to (i) qualify a Purchase Right for special tax treatment under the laws of the United States or jurisdictions outside of the United States or (ii) avoid adverse tax treatment, the Company makes no representation to that effect and expressly disavows any covenant to maintain special or to avoid unfavorable tax treatment, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Plan. The Company will be unconstrained in its corporate activities without regard to the potential negative tax impact on Participants.

(b) Each Participant will make arrangements, satisfactory to the Company and any applicable Related Corporation, to enable the Company or the Related Corporation to fulfill any withholding obligation for Tax-Related Items. Without limitation to the foregoing, in the Company’s sole discretion and subject to Applicable Law, such withholding obligation may be satisfied in whole or in part by (i) withholding from the Participant’s salary or any other cash payment due to the Participant from the Company or a Related Corporation; (ii) withholding from the proceeds of the sale of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan, either through a voluntary sale or a mandatory sale arranged by the Company; or (iii) any other method deemed acceptable by the Board. The Company shall not be required to issue any shares of Common Stock under the Plan until such obligations are satisfied.

(c) The 423 Component is exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code, and any ambiguities herein shall be interpreted to so be exempt from Section 409A of the Code. The Non-423 Component is intended to be exempt from the application of Section 409A of the Code under the short-term deferral exception and any ambiguities shall be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. In furtherance of the foregoing and notwithstanding any provision in the Plan to the contrary, if the Committee determines that an option granted under the Plan may be subject to Section 409A of the Code or that any provision in the Plan would cause an option under the Plan to be subject to Section 409A, the Committee may amend the terms of the Plan and/or of an outstanding option granted under the Plan, or take such other action the Committee determines is necessary or appropriate, in each case, without the participant’s consent, to exempt any outstanding option or future option

 

8


that may be granted under the Plan from or to allow any such options to comply with Section 409A of the Code, but only to the extent any such amendments or action by the Committee would not violate Section 409A of the Code. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall have no liability to a participant or any other party if the option under the Plan that is intended to be exempt from or compliant with Section 409A of the Code is not so exempt or compliant or for any action taken by the Committee with respect thereto.

14. EFFECTIVE DATE OF PLAN.

The Plan will become effective immediately prior to and contingent upon the Effective Date. No Purchase Rights will be exercised unless and until the Plan has been approved by the stockholders of the Company, which approval must be within 12 months before or after the date the Plan is adopted (or if required under Section 12(a) above, materially amended) by the Board.

15. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS.

(a) Proceeds from the sale of shares of Common Stock pursuant to Purchase Rights will constitute general funds of the Company.

(b) A Participant will not be deemed to be the holder of, or to have any of the rights of a holder with respect to, shares of Common Stock subject to Purchase Rights unless and until the Participant’s shares of Common Stock acquired upon exercise of Purchase Rights are recorded in the books of the Company (or its transfer agent).

(c) The Plan and Offering do not constitute an employment contract. Nothing in the Plan or in the Offering will in any way alter the at will nature of a Participant’s employment or amend a Participant’s employment contract, if applicable, or be deemed to create in any way whatsoever any obligation on the part of any Participant to continue in the employ of the Company or a Related Corporation or an Affiliate, or on the part of the Company, a Related Corporation or an Affiliate to continue the employment of a Participant.

(d) The provisions of the Plan will be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware without resort to that state’s conflicts of laws rules.

(e) If any particular provision of the Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such provision will not affect the other provisions of the Plan, but the Plan will be construed in all respects as if such invalid provision were omitted.

(f) If any provision of the Plan does not comply with Applicable Law, such provision shall be construed in such a manner as to comply with Applicable Law.

16. DEFINITIONS.

As used in the Plan, the following definitions will apply to the capitalized terms indicated below:

(a)423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the Non-423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.

(b)Affiliate” means any entity, other than a Related Corporation, whether now or subsequently established, which is at the time of determination, a “parent” or “subsidiary” of the Company as such terms are defined in Rule 405 promulgated under the Securities Act. The Board may determine the time or times at which “parent” or “subsidiary” status is determined within the foregoing definition.

 

9


(c)Applicable Law” means shall mean the Code and any applicable securities, federal, state, foreign, material local or municipal or other law, statute, constitution, principle of common law, resolution, ordinance, code, edict, decree, rule, listing rule, regulation, judicial decision, ruling or requirement issued, enacted, adopted, promulgated, implemented or otherwise put into effect by or under the authority of any Governmental Body (or under the authority of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange or the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

(d)Board means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e)Business Combination Agreement” means that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of October 6, 2021, by and among the Rigetti Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation, Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd., a Cayman Islands exempted company, Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror, Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and direct, wholly owned subsidiary of Acquiror.

(f)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 Purchase Right after the date the Plan is adopted by the Board without the receipt of consideration by the Company through merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, reincorporation, stock dividend, dividend in property other than cash, large nonrecurring cash dividend, stock split, liquidating dividend, combination of shares, exchange of shares, change in corporate structure or other similar equity restructuring transaction, as that term is used in Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718 (or any successor thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the conversion of any convertible securities of the Company will not be treated as a Capitalization Adjustment.

(g)Capital Stock means each and every class of common stock of the Company, regardless of the number of votes per share.

(h)Code means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, including any applicable regulations and guidance thereunder.

(i)Committee means a committee of one or more members of the Board to whom authority has been delegated by the Board in accordance with Section 2(c).

(j)Common Stock” means the common stock of the Company.

(k)Company” means Rigetti Computing, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(l) “Contributions” means the payroll deductions and other additional payments specifically provided for in the Offering that a Participant contributes to fund the exercise of a Purchase Right. A Participant may make additional payments into his or her account if specifically provided for in the Offering, and then only if the Participant has not already had the maximum permitted amount withheld during the Offering through payroll deductions and, with respect to the 423 Component, to the extent permitted by Section 423 of the Code.

(m)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;

 

10


(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.

(n)Designated 423 Corporation” means any Related Corporation selected by the Board to participate in the 423 Component.

(o)Designated Company means any Designated Non-423 Corporation or Designated 423 Corporation, provided, however, that at any given time, a Related Corporation participating in the 423 Component shall not be a Related Corporation participating in the Non-423 Component.

(p)Designated Non-423 Corporation” means any Related Corporation or Affiliate selected by the Board to participate in the Non-423 Component.

(q)Director means a member of the Board.

(r) Effective Date” means the effective date of this Plan, which is the date of the closing of the transactions contemplated by the Business Combination Agreement, provided that this Plan is approved by the Company’s stockholders prior to such date.

(s)Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is “employed” for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Code by the Company or a Related Corporation, or solely with respect to the Non-423 Component, 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.

(t)Eligible Employee means an Employee who meets the requirements set forth in the document(s) governing the Offering for eligibility to participate in the Offering, provided that such Employee also meets the requirements for eligibility to participate set forth in the Plan.

(u)Employee means any person, including an Officer or Director, who is “employed” for purposes of Section 423(b)(4) of the Code by the Company or a Related Corporation, or solely with respect to the Non-423 Component, 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.

(v)Employee Stock Purchase Plan means a plan that grants Purchase Rights intended to be options issued under an “employee stock purchase plan,” as that term is defined in Section 423(b) of the Code.

(w)Exchange Act means the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(x)Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of the Common Stock determined as follows:

(i) If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or traded on any established market, the Fair Market Value of a share of Common Stock will be, unless otherwise determined by the Board, the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on such exchange or market (or the exchange or market with the greatest volume of trading in the Common Stock) on the date of determination, as reported in such source as the Board deems reliable. Unless otherwise provided by the Board, if there is no closing sales price for the Common Stock on the date of determination, then the Fair Market Value will be the closing sales price on the last preceding date for which such quotation exists.

 

11


(ii) In the absence of such markets for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value will be determined by the Board in good faith in compliance with Applicable Laws and regulations and, to the extent applicable as determined in the sole discretion of the Board, in a manner that complies with Section 409A of the Code

(y)Governmental Body” means any: (a) nation, state, commonwealth, province, territory, county, municipality, district or other jurisdiction of any nature; (b) federal, state, local, municipal, foreign or other government; (c) governmental or regulatory body, or quasi-governmental body of any nature (including any governmental division, department, administrative agency or bureau, commission, authority, instrumentality, official, ministry, fund, foundation, center, organization, unit, body or entity and any court or other tribunal, and for the avoidance of doubt, any tax authority) or other body exercising similar powers or authority; or (d) self-regulatory organization (including the NASDAQ Stock Market, the New York Stock Exchange and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority).

(z)Non-423 Component” means the part of the Plan, which excludes the 423 Component, pursuant to which Purchase Rights that are not intended to satisfy the requirements for an Employee Stock Purchase Plan may be granted to Eligible Employees.

(aa)Offering means the grant to Eligible Employees of Purchase Rights, with the exercise of those Purchase Rights automatically occurring at the end of one or more Purchase Periods. The terms and conditions of an Offering will generally be set forth in the “Offering Document” approved by the Board for that Offering.

(bb)Offering Date” means a date selected by the Board for an Offering to commence.

(cc)Officer means a person who is an officer of the Company or a Related Corporation within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

(dd)Participant means an Eligible Employee who holds an outstanding Purchase Right.

(ee)Plan means this Rigetti Computing, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended from time to time, including both the 423 Component and the Non-423 Component.

(ff)Purchase Date means one or more dates during an Offering selected by the Board on which Purchase Rights will be exercised and on which purchases of shares of Common Stock will be carried out in accordance with such Offering.

(gg)Purchase Period” means a period of time specified within an Offering, generally beginning on the Offering Date or on the first Trading Day following a Purchase Date, and ending on a Purchase Date. An Offering may consist of one or more Purchase Periods.

(hh)Purchase Right means an option to purchase shares of Common Stock granted pursuant to the Plan.

(ii)Related Corporation means any “parent corporation” or “subsidiary corporation” of the Company whether now or subsequently established, as those terms are defined in Sections 424(e) and (f), respectively, of the Code.

(jj)Securities Act means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

(kk)Tax-Related Items” means any income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefit tax, payment on account or other tax-related items arising out of or in relation to a Participant’s participation in the Plan, including, but not limited to, the exercise of a Purchase Right and the receipt of shares of Common Stock or the sale or other disposition of shares of Common Stock acquired under the Plan.

 

12


(ll)Trading Day means any day on which the exchange(s) or market(s) on which shares of Common Stock are listed, including but not limited to the New York Stock Exchange, Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Capital Market or any successors thereto, is open for trading.

 

13

EX-10.21

Exhibit 10.21

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT

This INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is dated as of _________________, 20__ and is between Rigetti Computing, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and ______________ (“Indemnitee”).

RECITALS

A. Indemnitee’s service to the Company substantially benefits the Company.

B. The Company believes that in order to attract and retain highly competent persons to serve as directors or in other capacities, including as officers, it must provide such persons with adequate protection through indemnification against the risks of claims and actions against them arising out of their services to and activities on behalf of the Company.

C. In order to induce Indemnitee to provide or 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.

D. 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.

E. In consideration of Indemnitee’s service to the Company, the covenants and agreements set forth below, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby agree as follows:

AGREEMENT

The parties agree as follows:

1. Definitions.

(a) Beneficial Owner” shall have the meaning given to such term in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”); provided, however, that “Beneficial Owner” shall exclude any Person otherwise becoming a Beneficial Owner solely by reason of (i) the stockholders of the Company approving a merger of the Company with another Person, or entering into tender or support agreements relating thereto, provided such merger was approved by the Company’s board of directors, or (ii) the Company’s board of directors approving a sale of securities by the Company to such Person.

(b) 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, directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% 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 designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Sections 1(b)(i), 1(b)(iii) or 1(b)(iv)) whose election or nomination by the 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 that 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 a majority of the board of directors or other governing body of such surviving entity; or

(iv) Liquidation. The approval by the Company’s board of directors 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; or

(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, whether or not the Company is then subject to such reporting requirement, except the completion of the Company’s initial public offering shall not be considered a Change in Control.

(c) 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.

(d) DGCL” means the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware.

(e) 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.

(f) 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.

(g) 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 11(d), 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.

 

2


(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, the term 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) Person” shall have the meaning 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.

(j) 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 he or she 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.

(k) to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law” means to the fullest extent permitted by all applicable laws, including without limitation: (i) the fullest extent permitted by DGCL as of the date of this Agreement 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.

(l) In connection with any Proceeding relating to an employee benefit plan: references to “fines” shall include any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit plan; references to “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; 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” as referred to in this Agreement.

 

3


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 witness or other 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 witness or other 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 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. 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 by Indemnitee 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. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, in circumstances where indemnification is not available under Section 2 or 3, as the case may be, to the fullest extent permitted by law and to the extent that Indemnitee is a party to, 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 incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection therewith. If Indemnitee is not wholly successful in such 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 will indemnify Indemnitee against all Expenses actually and reasonably incurred by Indemnitee or on Indemnitee’s behalf in connection with or related to each successfully resolved claim, issue or matter to the fullest extent permitted by law. For purposes of this Section 4, the termination of any claim, issue or matter in such a Proceeding by dismissal, with or without prejudice, shall be deemed to be a successful result as to such claim, issue or matter.

5. Partial Indemnification. If Indemnitee is entitled under any provision of this Agreement to indemnification by the Company for some or a portion of Expenses, but not, however, for the total amount thereof, the Company will indemnify Indemnitee for the portion thereof to which Indemnitee is entitled.

6. Exclusions. Notwithstanding any provision in this Agreement, the Company shall not be obligated under this Agreement to make any indemnification payment in connection with any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding):

(a) 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;

(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);

 

4


(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 of 2002 (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), or any reimbursement of the Company by Indemnitee of any compensation pursuant to any compensation recoupment or clawback policy adopted by the Board or the compensation committee of the Board, including but not limited to any such policy adopted to comply with stock exchange listing requirements implementing Section 10D of the Exchange Act;

(d) on account of conduct by Indemnitee where such conduct has been determined by a final (not interlocutory) judgment or other adjudication of a court or arbitration or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as to which there is no further right or option of appeal or the time within which an appeal must be filed has expired without such filing to have been knowingly fraudulent or constitute willful misconduct;

(e) 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 11(d), (iv) otherwise required by applicable law or (v) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to indemnification or advancement, of Expenses; provided, for the avoidance of doubt, Indemnitee shall not be deemed for purposes of this paragraph, 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

(f) if prohibited by the DGCL or other applicable law.

7. Advances of Expenses. The Company shall advance, to the extent not prohibited by law, the Expenses incurred by Indemnitee in connection with any Proceeding not initiated by Indemnitee or any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) initiated by Indemnitee if (i) the Proceeding or part of any Proceeding is to enforce Indemnitee’s rights to obtain indemnification or advancement of Expenses from the Company or Enterprise, including a proceeding initiated pursuant to Section 11 or (ii) the Board authorized the Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) prior to its initiation, prior to its final disposition, and such advancement shall be made as soon as reasonably practicable, but in any event no later than 30 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 shall not be included with the invoice). Advances shall be unsecured and interest free and made without regard to Indemnitee’s ability to repay such advances. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay any advance to the extent that it is ultimately determined that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company, except, with respect to advances of expenses made pursuant to Section 11(c), in which case Indemnitee makes the undertaking provided in Section 11(c). This Section 7 shall not apply to the extent advancement is prohibited by law and shall not apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) for which indemnity is not permitted under this Agreement, but shall apply to any Proceeding (or any part of any Proceeding) referenced in Section 6(b) or 6(c) prior to a determination that Indemnitee is not entitled to be indemnified by the Company.

 

5


8. Procedures for Notification and Defense of Claim.

(a) 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 written notification to the Company shall include, in reasonable detail, a description of the nature of the Proceeding and the facts underlying the Proceeding and provide such documentation and information as is reasonably available to Indemnitee and is reasonably necessary to determine whether and to what extent Indemnitee is entitled to indemnification following the final disposition of such Proceeding. The failure by Indemnitee to notify the Company will not relieve the Company from any liability that 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 shall have reasonably concluded that there is 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. Regardless of any provision in 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.

(d) Indemnitee shall give the Company such information and cooperation in connection with the Proceeding as may be reasonably appropriate.

(e) The Company shall not be liable to indemnify Indemnitee for any settlement of any Proceeding (or any part thereof) effected 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.

 

6


(f) The Company shall not settle any Proceeding (or any part thereof) in a manner that imposes any penalty or liability on Indemnitee not paid by the Company without Indemnitee’s prior written consent, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed.

9. 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 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 9(a), 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 a majority of 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 stockholders of the Company. If a Change in Control shall have occurred, then 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 30 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 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 9(b), the Independent Counsel shall be selected as provided in this Section 9(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 10 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, 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 30 days after the later of (i) submission by Indemnitee of a

 

7


written request for indemnification pursuant to Section 9(a) 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 that 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 9(b). Upon the due commencement of any judicial proceeding or arbitration pursuant to Section 11(a), 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 shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of any Independent Counsel and to fully indemnify such counsel against any and all Expenses, claims, liabilities and damages arising out of or relating to this Agreement or its engagement pursuant hereto. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, the Company shall not be required to pay Expenses of more than one Independent Counsel in connection with all matters concerning a single Indemnitee, and such Independent Counsel shall be the Independent Counsel for any or all other Indemnitees unless (a) the Company otherwise determines or (B) any Indemnitee shall provide a written statement setting forth in detail a reasonable objection to such Independent Counsel representing other indemnitees under agreements similar to this Agreement.

10. 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 if Indemnitee has submitted a request for indemnification in accordance with 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.

(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 that 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, financial advisor or other expert selected with reasonable care by the Enterprise or its board of directors or any committee of the board of directors. Further, Indemnitee will be deemed to have acted in a manner “not opposed to the best interests of the Company,” as referred to in this Agreement if Indemnitee acted in good faith and in a manner Indemnitee reasonably believed to be in the best interests of the participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan. The provisions of this Section 10(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.

 

8


(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.

11. Remedies of Indemnitee.

(a) Subject to Section 11(e), in the event that (i) a determination is made pursuant to Section 10 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification under this Agreement, (ii) advancement of Expenses is not timely made pursuant to Section 7 or 10(d), (iii) no determination of entitlement to indemnification shall have been made pursuant to Section 9 within 60 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 30 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 10(d), 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 absent (i) a knowing misstatement by Indemnitee of a material fact, or an omission of a material fact necessary to make Indemnitee’s statement not materially misleading, in connection with the request for indemnification, or (ii) a prohibition of such indemnification under applicable law. The 60-day determination period may be extended for a reasonable time, not to exceed an additional 30 days, if the person, persons or entity making the determination with respect to entitlement to indemnification in good faith requires such additional time for the obtaining or evaluating of documentation and/or information relating thereto; and provided, further, such determination period may be extended an additional 15 days if the determination of entitlement to indemnification is to be made by the stockholders pursuant to this Agreement. 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 11(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. The Company shall not oppose Indemnitee’s right to seek any such adjudication or award in arbitration in accordance with this Agreement.

(b) Neither (i) the failure of the Company, its board of directors, any committee or subgroup of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders 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 board of directors, any committee or subgroup of the board of directors, Independent Counsel or stockholders 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 9 that Indemnitee is not entitled to indemnification, any judicial proceeding or arbitration commenced pursuant to this Section 11 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 11, 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.

 

9


(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 11 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 11 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 11, 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 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 or bylaws or under 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 7. Indemnitee hereby undertakes to repay such advances to the extent the Indemnitee is ultimately unsuccessful in such action or arbitration.

(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.

12. 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 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.

13. 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 or bylaws, any agreement, a vote of stockholders or a resolution 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.

 

10


14. Primary Responsibility. The Company acknowledges that Indemnitee may have certain rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by a private equity or venture capital fund or other entity and/or certain of its affiliates (“Secondary Indemnitors”). The Company agrees that, as between the Company and the Secondary Indemnitors, the Company is primarily responsible for amounts required to be indemnified or advanced under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement and any obligation of the Secondary Indemnitors to provide indemnification or advancement for the same amounts is secondary to those Company obligations. To the extent not in contravention of any insurance policy or policies providing liability or other insurance for the Company or any director, trustee, general partner, managing member, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of the Company or any other Enterprise, the Company waives any right of contribution or subrogation against the Secondary Indemnitors with respect to the liabilities for which the Company is primarily responsible under this Section 14. In the event of any payment by the Secondary Indemnitors of amounts otherwise required to be indemnified or advanced by the Company under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement, the Secondary Indemnitors shall be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of Indemnitee for indemnification or advancement of expenses under the Company’s certificate of incorporation or bylaws or this Agreement or, to the extent such subrogation is unavailable and contribution is found to be the applicable remedy, shall have a right of contribution with respect to the amounts paid. The Secondary Indemnitors are express third-party beneficiaries of the terms of this Section 14.

(a) The Company irrevocably waives, relinquishes and releases any Secondary Indemnitor with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated from any claim of contribution, subrogation, reimbursement, exoneration or indemnification, or any other recovery of any kind in respect of Expenses paid by the Company to Indemnitee pursuant to this Agreement.

(b) In no event will payment of Expenses by any other Person with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated or their insurers affect the obligations of the Company hereunder or shift primary liability for the Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance of Expenses to any Secondary Indemnitor with whom or which Indemnitee may be associated.

(c) The Company’s obligation to indemnify or advance Expenses hereunder to Indemnitee for any Proceeding concerning Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with an Enterprise will be reduced by any amount Indemnitee has actually received as indemnification or advancement of Expenses from such Enterprise. The Company and Indemnitee intend that any such Enterprise (and its insurers) be the indemnitor of first resort with respect to indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise. The Company’s obligation to indemnify and advance Expenses to Indemnitee is secondary to the obligations the Enterprise or its insurers owe to Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees to take all reasonably necessary and desirable action to obtain from an Enterprise indemnification and advancement of Expenses for any Proceeding related to or arising from Indemnitee’s Corporate Status with such Enterprise.

15. No Duplication of Payments. Subject to Section 14, 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.

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.

 

11


17. Subrogation. Subject to Section 14, 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, including from any insurance carrier or Enterprise, and Indemnitee 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. 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.

19. Duration. All agreements and obligations of the Company contained herein will continue during the period Indemnitee is an Agent of the Company (or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director, officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise) and will continue thereafter until and terminates upon the later of (a) 10 years after the date that Indemnitee ceases to have a corporate status or (b) 1 year after the final termination of any Proceeding 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 11 of this Agreement relating thereto, so long as Indemnitee will be subject to any Proceeding by reason of his or her corporate status as an Agent, whether or not he or she is acting or serving in any such capacity at the time any liability or expense is incurred for which indemnification can be provided under this Agreement. This Agreement will be binding on and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by the parties of this Agreement and their respective successors (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), assigns, spouses, heirs, executors, and personal and legal representatives.

20. 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 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.

21. 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

 

12


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.

22. 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 or continuing to serve as a director or officer of the Company.

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. 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 c/o Rigetti Computing, Inc., 775 Heinz Avenue, Berkeley, CA 94710, Attn: General Counsel, or at such other current address as the Company shall have furnished to Indemnitee, with a copy to Cooley LLP, 55 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10022, Attention: Adam Dinow, Rupa Briggs, and Sarah Sellers.

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), or (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 United States 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, 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. Notice by Indemnitee. Indemnitee agrees promptly to notify the Company in writing (email being sufficient) upon being served with any summons, citation, subpoena, complaint, indictment, information or other document relating to any Proceeding or matter which may be subject to indemnification or advancement of Expenses covered hereunder. The failure of Indemnitee to so notify the Company does not relieve the Company of any obligation which it may have to the Indemnitee under this Agreement or otherwise.

 

13


26. Applicable Law and Consent to Jurisdiction. This Agreement 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 11(a), 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.

27. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two 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.

28. 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)

 

14


The parties are signing this Indemnification Agreement as of the date stated in the introductory sentence.

 

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.
By:  

 

Name:  

 

Title:  

 

 

[INDEMNITEE NAME]

Address:  

 

 

 

[Signature Page to Indemnification Agreement]

EX-10.22

Exhibit 10.22

RIGETTI COMPUTING, INC.

NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION POLICY

EFFECTIVE AS OF MARCH 2, 2022

Each member of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) who is not also serving as an employee of or consultant to Rigetti Computing, Inc. (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 (“Policy”) for his or her Board service following the date first set forth above (the “Effective Date”). An Eligible Director may decline all or any portion of his or her compensation by giving notice to the Company prior to the date cash may be paid or equity awards are to be granted, as the case may be, in accordance with this Policy. This Policy is effective as of the Effective Date and may be amended at any time in the sole discretion of the Board or Compensation Committee of the Board (“Compensation Committee”). Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings set forth in the Company’s 2022 Equity Incentive Plan, or any successor thereto (the “Plan”).

Annual Cash Compensation

The annual cash compensation amount set forth below is payable to Eligible Directors in equal quarterly installments, payable in arrears on the last day of each fiscal quarter in which the service occurred. If an Eligible Director joins the Board or a committee of the Board at a time other than effective as of the first day of a fiscal quarter, each annual retainer set forth below will be pro-rated based on days served in the applicable fiscal quarter, with the pro-rated amount paid on the last day of the first fiscal quarter in which the Eligible Director provides the service and regular full quarterly payments thereafter. All annual cash fees are vested upon payment. If an Eligible Director terminates service on the Board or a committee during the course of a fiscal quarter, the annual retainer amount for the fiscal quarter in which such termination occurs will be prorated based on days served in such fiscal quarter.

 

1.

Annual Board Service Retainer:

 

  a.

All Eligible Directors: $40,000

 

  b.

Non-Executive Chair (in addition to annual service retainer): $25,000

 

2.

Annual Committee Chair Service Retainer:

 

  a.

Chair of the Audit Committee: $20,000

 

  b.

Chair of the Compensation Committee: $12,000

 

  c.

Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $9,000

 

3.

Annual Committee Member Service Retainer (not applicable to Committee Chairs):

 

  a.

Member of the Audit Committee: $10,000

 

  b.

Member of the Compensation Committee: $6,000

 

  c.

Member of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee: $4,500

Expenses

The Company will reimburse Eligible Directors 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 timely submit to the Company appropriate documentation substantiating such expenses in accordance with the Company’s travel and expense Policy, as in effect from time to time.


Equity Compensation

All grants of equity awards to Eligible Directors pursuant to this Policy will be automatic and nondiscretionary (without the need for any additional corporate action by the Board or the Compensation Committee) and will be made in accordance with the following provisions. The equity compensation set forth below will be granted subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and an applicable award agreement.

Initial Grant: For each Eligible Director who is (i) serving on the Board immediately following the Effective Date or (ii) first elected or appointed to the Board following the Effective Date, (A) on the date on which a registration statement on Form S-8 is filed and effective covering the RSUs (as defined below) (“Form S-8”), with respect to clause (i) and (B) on the date of such Eligible Director’s initial election or appointment to the Board (or, if such date is not a market trading day, the first market trading day thereafter or, if there is not a Form S-8 on the date of such initial election or appointment, then the date on which a Form S-8 is filed and effective), with respect to clause (ii), the Eligible Director will be automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee, granted restricted stock units (“RSUs”) with respect to shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value (as defined in the Plan) as of the grant date equal to $210,000 (the “Initial RSU Grant”); provided that such Eligible Director remains in Continuous Service through the grant date. For the avoidance of doubt, the grant of any Initial RSU Grant pursuant to clause (i) above is contingent and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of a Form S-8. The Initial RSU Grant will vest in substantially equal installments at the end of each month over a three-year period, such that the Initial RSU Grant will be fully vested on the third anniversary of the grant date, subject to the Eligible Director remaining in Continuous Service (as defined in the Plan) through each such vesting date.

Annual Grant: On the date on which a Form S-8 is filed and effective (in the case of any Eligible Director as of the Effective Date) and, thereafter, on the date of each annual stockholder meeting of the Company (each, an “Annual Meeting”) held after the Effective Date, each Eligible Director who continues to serve as a non-employee member of the Board following such Annual Meeting (excluding any Eligible Director who is first appointed or elected by the Board at the Annual Meeting) will be automatically, and without further action by the Board or the Compensation Committee, granted RSUs with an aggregate Fair Market Value as of the grant date equal to $140,000 (the “Annual RSU Grant”); provided that such Eligible Director remains in Continuous Service through the grant date. For the avoidance of doubt, any Annual RSU Grant to an Eligible Director as of the Effective Date is contingent and effective upon the filing and effectiveness of a Form S-8. The Annual RSU Grant will vest in in substantially equal installments at the end of each month over a one-year period, subject to the Eligible Director remaining in Continuous Service through each such vesting date. With respect to an Eligible Director who, following the Effective Date, was first elected or appointed to the Board on a date other than the date of the Annual Meeting, upon the first Annual Meeting following such Eligible Director’s first joining the Board, such Eligible Director’s first Annual Grant will be pro-rated to reflect the time between such Eligible Director’s election or appointment date and the date of such first Annual Meeting.

Settlement of RSUs: The Common Stock to be issued upon settlement of vested RSUs under Initial RSU Grants and Annual RSU Grants will be delivered on the applicable vesting date, or as soon as practicable thereafter, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable form of RSU grant notice and agreement approved by the Board, provided, that such Common Stock shall be delivered no later than the date that is the 15th day of the third calendar month of the year following the year in which such shares are no longer subject to a “substantial risk of forfeiture” within the meaning of Treasury Regulations Section 1.409A-1(d).

 

2


Acceleration of Equity Grants: Notwithstanding the foregoing vesting schedules, the Initial RSU Grants and Annual RSU Grants shall vest in full immediately prior to, but conditioned upon, the closing of a Change in Control (as defined in the Plan), subject to such Eligible Director remaining in Continuous Service with the Company until immediately prior to the closing of such Change in Control.

Additional Provisions

All provisions of the Plan not inconsistent with this Policy will apply to awards granted to Eligible Directors. Eligible Directors will be required to execute an award agreement in a form satisfactory to the Company prior to receipt of an equity grant. An Eligible Director may decline all or any portion of his or her compensation by giving notice to the Company no later than thirty business days prior to the date cash is to be paid or equity awards are to be granted, provided, that if an Eligible Director is not providing services to the Board on the date that is thirty business days prior to the date cash is to be paid or equity awards are to be granted, then such Eligible Director may notify the Company as soon as possible prior to the date cash is to be paid or equity awards are to be granted, as the case may be.

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 an Eligible Director shall in no event exceed the limits set forth in Section 3(d) of the Plan.

 

3

EX-16.1

Exhibit 16.1

March 7, 2022

Securities and Exchange Commission

100 F Street, N.E.

Washington, DC 20549

Commissioners:

We have read the statements made by Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, LTD under Item 4.01 of its Form 8-K dated March 7, 2022. We agree with the statements concerning our Firm in such Form 8-K; we are not in a position to agree or disagree with other statements of Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, LTD contained therein.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Marcum LLP

Marcum LLP

EX-21.1

Exhibit 21.1

 

Legal Name

  

Jurisdiction of Incorporation

Rigetti Intermediate LLC    Delaware
Rigetti & Co, LLC    Delaware
Rigetti UK Limited    United Kingdom
Rigetti Australia Pty Ltd.    Australia
Rigetti Computing Canada, Inc.    Canada
Rigetti GmbH    Germany
EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

Rigetti Holdings, Inc.

Consolidated Financial Statements as of

and for the Eleven Months Ended

December 31, 2021 and Year Ended

January 31, 2021, and Report of

Independent Registered Public

Accounting Firm


TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

     Page  

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     1-2  

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:

  

Consolidated Balance Sheets

     3  

Consolidated Statements of Operations

     4  

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss

     5  

Consolidated Statements of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock and Stockholders’ Deficit

     6  

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

     7  

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

     8-42  


REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

Shareholders and Board of Directors

Rigetti Holdings, Inc.

Berkeley, California

Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Rigetti Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit, and cash flows for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, and the related notes (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, 2021 and January 31, 2021, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated 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 and in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United State of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ BDO USA, LLP

We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2021.

Spokane, Washington

March 7, 2022

 

1


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

     December 31,     January 31,  
     2021     2021  

Assets

    

Current assets:

    

Cash

   $ 11,728,516     $ 22,202,388  

Accounts receivable

     1,542,540       479,374  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     1,350,690       1,035,703  

Deferred offering costs

     3,448,470       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     18,070,216       23,717,465  

Property and equipment, net

     22,497,484       20,140,872  

Restricted cash

     317,134       317,134  

Other assets

     164,341       129,363  

Goodwill

     5,377,255       5,377,255  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 46,426,430     $ 49,682,089  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

    

Current liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,970,998     $ 1,107,924  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     4,035,615       1,603,299  

Deferred revenue - current

     984,976       491,827  

Debt - current portion

     1,290,538       —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     8,282,127       3,203,050  

Debt - net of current portion

     23,500,494       —    

Derivative warrant liabilities

     4,354,707       —    

Other liabilities

     294,632       381,300  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     36,431,960       3,584,350  

Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)

    

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.000001 per share. 102,891,847 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, respectively; and 98,726,505 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, respectively (aggregate liquidation preference of $89,524,504 at December 31, 2021)

     81,523,141       81,523,141  

Stockholders’ deficit:

    

Common stock, par value $0.000001 per share. 170,333,338 shares authorized at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, respectively; 23,153,127 and 21,071,085 of shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, respectively

     23       21  

Additional paid-in capital

     135,550,822       133,407,584  

Accumulated other comprehensive gain

     51,815       56,825  

Accumulated deficit

     (207,131,331     (168,889,832
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficit

     (71,528,671     (35,425,402
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities, redeemable convertible preferred stock and stockholders’ deficit

   $ 46,426,430     $ 49,682,089  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

3


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

 

 

     11 Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     January 31,  
     2021     2021  

Revenue

   $ 8,196,306     $ 5,542,598  

Cost of revenue

     1,623,336       1,491,610  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total gross profit

     6,572,970       4,050,988  

Operating expenses:

    

Research and development

     26,927,599       24,099,335  

General and administrative

     11,299,068       13,157,735  

Sales and marketing

     2,474,968       1,885,565  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     40,701,635       39,142,635  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (34,128,665     (35,091,647
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other (expense) income , net:

    

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         8,913,532  

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (1,664,133     —    

Interest expense

     (2,465,135     (51,666

Interest income

     9,852       60,154  

Other income

     6,582       42,131  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total other (expense) income, net

     (4,112,834     8,964,151  

Net loss before provision for income taxes

    

Provision for income taxes

    
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (38,241,499   $ (26,127,496
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net loss per share attribute to common stockholders - basic and diluted

   $ (1.74   $ (1.26

Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted

     21,941,997       20,719,085  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

4


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

 

 

     11 Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     January 31,  
     2021     2021  

Net loss

   $ (38,241,499   $ (26,127,496

Other comprehensive loss:

    

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain

     (5,010     72,136  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Comprehensive loss

   $ (38,246,509   $ (26,055,360
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

5


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT

 

 

                            Additional
Paid-In
Capital
    Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Gain (Loss)
    Accumulated
Deficit
    Total
Stockholders’
Deficit
 
    Redeemable Convertible
Preferred Stock
    Common Stock  
    Shares     Amount     Shares     Amount  

Balance, January 31, 2020

    14,154,064     $ 120,793,893       8,165,828     $ 8     $ 14,364,973     $ (15,311   $ (142,762,336   $ (128,412,666
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Conversion of Series B/A Preferred Stock to Common Stock upon Equity Restructuring

    (14,154,064     (120,793,893     3,538,484       4       120,793,889       —         —         120,793,893  

Issuance of Common Stock upon Modification of Convertible Notes

    —         —         6,874,309       7       1,443,598       —         —         1,443,605  

Issuance of Series C Preferred Stock, Net

    59,575,811       52,786,276       —         —         —         —         —         —    

Issuance of Common Stock Warrants to Investors

    —         —         —         —         1,236,600       —         —         1,236,600  

Issuance of Series C-1 Preferred Stock to Participating Series B/A Preferred Stock Holders

    11,415,620       7,734,083       —         —         (7,734,083     —         —         (7,734,083

Issuance of Series C, C-1, Common Stock and Warrants upon Conversion of Notes

    26,131,870       19,812,252       2,036,617       2       489,875       —         —         489,877  

Issuance of Series C and C-1 upon Conversion of SAFE

    1,603,204       1,190,530       —         —         —         —         —         —    

Issuance of Common Stock Warrants to Customer

    —         —         —         —         154,330       —         —         154,330  

Issuance of Common Stock upon Exercise of Common Stock Warrants

    —         —         70,000       —         14,980       —         —         14,980  

Issuance of Common Stock upon Exercise of Stock Options

    —         —         238,576       —         51,384       —         —         51,384  

Issuance of Common Stock upon Release of Acquisition Escrow

    —         —         147,271       —         —         —         —         —    

Stock-Based Compensation

    —         —         —         —         2,592,038       —         —         2,592,038  

Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)

    —         —         —         —         —         72,136         72,136  

Net Loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (26,127,496     (26,127,496
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, January 31, 2021

    98,726,505     $ 81,523,141       21,071,085     $ 21     $ 133,407,584     $ 56,825     $ (168,889,832   $ (35,425,402
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Issuance of Common Stock upon Exercise of Stock Options

        1,785,242       1       374,900           374,901  

Issuance of Common Stock upon Exercise of Common Stock Warrants

        296,800       1       2,967           2,968  

Stock-Based Compensation

    —         —         —         —         1,765,371       —         —         1,765,371  

Foreign Currency Translation Gain (Loss)

    —         —         —         —         —         (5,010       (5,010

Net Loss

    —         —         —         —         —         —         (38,241,499     (38,241,499
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Balance, December 31, 2021

    98,726,505     $ 81,523,141       23,153,127     $ 23     $ 135,550,822     $ 51,815     $ (207,131,331   $ (71,528,671
 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

6


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 

 

     11 Months Ended     Year Ended  
     December 31,     January 31,  
     2021     2021  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net loss

   $ (38,241,499   $ (26,127,496

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     4,651,129       4,299,263  

Stock-based compensation

     1,765,371       2,592,038  

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —         (8,913,532

Change in fair value of derivative warrant liabilities

     1,664,133       —    

Change in fair value of forward contract agreement liabilities

     230,000       —    

Amortization of debt issuance costs

     512,755       —    

Amortization of debt commitment fee asset

     94,405       —    

Accretion of debt end of term liabilities

     121,585       —    

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (1,063,166     (290,399

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     (314,988     244,932  

Other assets

     (34,978     (2,248

Deferred revenue

     493,149       (1,659,856

Accounts payable

     (388,574     (1,995,037

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     1,553,984       1,403,772  

Other liabilities

     (86,666     381,300  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in operating activities

     (29,043,360     (30,067,263
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Purchases of property and equipment

     (7,007,742     (4,400,432
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in investing activities

     (7,007,742     (4,400,432
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes

     —         2,200,000  

Proceeds from issuance of debt and warrants

     27,000,000       —    

Payments on debt issuance costs

     (247,140     —    

Payments on deferred offering costs

     (1,548,489     —    

Proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants, gross

     —         54,022,876  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options

     374,901       51,384  

Proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of common stock warrants

     2,968       14,980  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by financing activities

     25,582,240       56,289,240  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Effect of changes in exchange rate on cash and restricted cash

     (5,010     72,136  

Net (decrease) increase in cash and restricted cash

     (10,473,872     21,893,681  

Cash and restricted cash at beginning of period

     22,519,522       625,841  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and restricted cash at end of period

   $ 12,045,650     $ 22,519,522  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

    

Cash paid for interest

   $ 1,488,890     $ 51,666  

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash financing activity:

    

Deferred offering costs in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   $ 1,899,981     $ —    

Fair value of loan and security agreement warrant liability

   $ 2,690,574     $ —    

Conversion of redeemable convertible preferred stock to common stock upon equity recapitalization

   $ —       $ 120,793,893  

Conversion of convertible notes to redeemable convertible preferred stock and warrants

   $ —       $ 19,874,439  

Issuance of redeemable convertible preferred stock upon equity recapitalization

   $ —       $ 7,734,083  

Issuance of common stock in connection with debt modification

   $ —       $ 1,443,605  

Conversion of SAFE to redeemable convertible preferred stock

   $ —       $ 1,190,530  

Conversion of convertible notes to common stock

   $ —       $ 427,690  

Issuance of warrants to customer

   $ —       $ 154,330  

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

 

7


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

1.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS

Rigetti and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”), builds quantum computers and the superconducting quantum processors that power them. Through the Company’s Quantum Cloud Services (“QCaaS”) platform, the Company’s machines can be integrated into any public, private or hybrid cloud. The Company offers product types of Platform, Research and Software Tools usage in application areas of benchmarking, chemical simulation, education/entertainment, machine learning, and optimization. Rigetti was incorporated in the State of Delaware in 2013.

The Company is located and headquartered in Berkeley, CA. Other offices operated by the Company are in Fremont, California, London, United Kingdom and Adelaide, Australia. The Company’s revenue is derived primarily from operations in the United States and United Kingdom.

On October 5, 2021, pursuant to an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Holding Company Merger Agreement”) by and among Rigetti & Co, Inc., Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Rigetti Intermediate Merger Sub, Inc., Rigetti Intermediate Merger Sub, Inc. merged with and into Rigetti & Co, Inc., with Rigetti & Co, Inc. surviving such merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Rigetti Holdings, Inc., with all of the outstanding equity securities of Rigetti & Co, Inc. exchanged for identical equity securities of Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and on October 6, Rigetti & Co, Inc. was converted into a Delaware limited liability company and continues as “Rigetti & Co, LLC”. As the transactions described above were among entities under common control and the exchange was made on a one-for-one basis, this merger had no impact on the historical financial statements of Rigetti & Co, Inc. The financial results for the merged entities will be referred to as Rigetti Holdings, Inc. (“Rigetti”).

On October 6, 2021, Rigetti, Supernova and Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II (Merger Sub) entered into the Merger Agreement by and among Supernova, Supernova Merger Sub, Inc., Supernova Romeo Merger Sub, LLC and Rigetti, and as may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time (“Merger Agreement”). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Rigetti will continue as the Surviving Corporation following the Merger, being a wholly owned subsidiary of Supernova and the separate corporate existence of Merger Sub shall cease. Upon completion of the Business Combination (the Domestication, the Merger and other transactions contemplated by the Merger Agreement, collectively, including the PIPE Financing), Rigetti will become the successor registrant to an SEC-registered and NASDAQ-listed company and the surviving company will change its name to Rigetti Computing, Inc. meaning that Rigetti’s financial statements for previous periods will be disclosed in the registrant’s future periodic reports filed with the SEC. As further described in Note 16, the merger was consummated on March 2, 2022.

Risks and Uncertainties—The Company is subject to a number of risks similar to those of other companies of similar size in its industry, including, but not limited to, the need for successful development of products, the need for additional capital (or financing) to fund operating losses (see below), competition from substitute products and services from larger companies, protection of proprietary technology, patent litigation, dependence on key individuals, and risks associated with changes in information technology.

COVID-19— In March 2020, the COVID-19 outbreak was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization. There are many uncertainties regarding the pandemic, and the Company is closely monitoring the impact of the pandemic on its business, including impacts on its employees, suppliers, vendors business partners, operations and industry.

 

 

8


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The pandemic has resulted in government authorities implementing numerous measures to try to contain the virus, such as travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, and business shutdowns. These measures may continue to remain in place for a significant period of time and have, and may continue to, adversely impact the Company’s employees and operations, including its development and sales and marketing activities, and the operations of its suppliers and business partners. For example, various aspects of the Company’s business cannot currently be conducted remotely, which resulted in a temporary work stoppage in operations from March to May 2020. In addition, in response to the pandemic, the Company initiated a number of costs saving measures, including headcount reduction, temporary reduction in compensation for employees at certain levels, subleasing of corporate offices, facility cost reduction, reduction in external consultant costs and elimination of certain employee benefits.

The evolution of the pandemic is unpredictable and any resurgence may slow down the Company’s ability to develop its quantum computing products and related services. The pandemic could limit the ability of suppliers and business partners to perform, including third-party suppliers’ ability to provide components, services and materials. The Company may also experience an increase in the cost of raw materials.

As of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, the Company’s financial position was not significantly impacted due to the effects of COVID-19. However, the full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve. As such, the full magnitude of the pandemic’s effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations is uncertain.

Liquidity and Going Concern— The Company has incurred net losses since inception, experienced negative cash flows from operations, and has an accumulated deficit of $207,131,331 as of December 31, 2021. The Company has historically financed its operations primarily through the issuance of preferred stock, warrants and convertible notes. The Company expects operating losses and negative cash flows from operations to continue for the foreseeable future.

The Company believes that existing cash, together with the proceeds received from the completion of the merger with Supernova and related transactions on March 2, 2022, will be sufficient to fund the Company’s operations for at least twelve months from the issuance of these financial statements. The Company may raise additional capital through the issuance of equity securities, debt financings or other sources in order to further implement its business plan. However, if such financing is not available when needed and at adequate levels, the Company may need to reevaluate its business plans.

Rigetti’s Change in Fiscal Year—In October 2021, the board of directors of Rigetti approved a change to Rigetti’s fiscal year-end from January 31 to December 31, effective December 31, 2021. The Company believes the year-end change is important and useful to its financial statement users to allow for increased comparability with its industry peers and also to align with Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. fiscal year end. As a result of this change, Rigetti’s fiscal year 2021 will cover a period of 11 months starting from February 1, 2021 and ending on December 31, 2021. Financial statements for the prior fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 continues to be presented on the basis of the previous fiscal year end.

 

9


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

2.

SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation—The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (US “GAAP”).

Emerging Growth Company—Section 102(b)(1) of the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act (“JOBS Act”) exempts emerging growth companies from being required to comply with new or revised financial accounting standards until private companies (that is, those that have not had a Securities Act registration statement declared effective or do not have a class of securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are required to comply with the new or revised financial accounting standards. The JOBS Act provides that a company can elect to opt out of the extended transition period and comply with the requirements that apply to non-emerging growth companies but any such election to opt out is irrevocable. The Company has elected not to opt out of such extended transition period which means that when a standard is issued or revised and it has different application dates for public or private companies, the Company, as an emerging growth company, can adopt the new or revised standard at the time private companies adopt the new or revised standard, until such time the Company is no longer considered to be an emerging growth company. At times, the Company may elect to early adopt a new or revised standard.

Use of Estimates—The preparation of financial statements in accordance with US GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements. Such management estimates include, but are not limited to, the fair value of share-based awards, fair value of convertible notes, fair value of the convertible preferred stock warrants, fair value of derivative warrant liabilities and forward warrant agreement , goodwill and intangible assets, accrued liabilities and contingencies, depreciation and amortization periods, and accounting for income taxes. Management evaluates its estimates and assumptions on an ongoing basis using historical experience and other factors, including the current economic environment, and makes adjustments when facts and circumstances dictate. These estimates are based on information available as of the date of the consolidated financial statements; therefore, actual results could materially differ from those estimates.

Principals of Consolidation—The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Rigetti and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Reclassifications—Certain amounts reported previously have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation, with no effect on stockholders’ equity or net loss as previously presented.

Deferred Offering Costs —The Company capitalizes certain legal, accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with in-process probable equity financings as other assets until such financings are consummated. After consummation of an in-process probable equity financing, these costs are recorded in stockholders’ equity as a reduction of additional paid-in capital generated as a result of the offering. As of December 31, 2021, the Company recorded deferred financing costs of $3,448,470 in the accompanying balance sheet in contemplation of a probable equity financing. Should the equity financing no longer be considered probable of being consummated, the deferred financing costs would be expensed immediately as a charge to operating expenses in the statement of operations.

Deferred Financing Costs—The incremental cost, including the fair value of warrants, directly associated with obtaining debt financing is capitalized as deferred financing costs upon the issuance of the debt and amortized over the term of the related debt agreement using the effective-interest method with such amortized amounts included as a component of interest expense in the consolidated statement of operations. Unamortized deferred financing costs are presented on the consolidated balance sheets as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of the related debt obligation.

 

10


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Segments— Operating segments are defined as components of an entity for which discrete financial information is available and that information is regularly reviewed by the Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer is its CODM, who has ultimate responsibility for the operating performance of the Company and the allocation of resources. The Company’s CODM reviews financial information presented on a consolidated basis for the purposes of making operating decisions, allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. As such, the Company has determined that it operates in one operating and one reportable segment.

Foreign Currency— The Company’s reporting currency is the US dollar. The functional currencies of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries are the local currencies (UK pounds sterling and Australian dollars), as it is the monetary unit of account of the principal economic environment in which the Company’s foreign subsidiaries operate. All assets and liabilities of the foreign subsidiaries are translated at the current exchange rate as of the end of the period, and revenue and expenses are translated at average exchange rates in effect during the period. The gain or loss resulting from the process of translating foreign currency financial statements into US dollars is reflected as a foreign currency cumulative translation adjustment and reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive gain (loss). Foreign currency transaction gains and losses resulting from or expected to result from transactions denominated in a currency other than the functional currency are recognized in other income (expense), net in the consolidated statements of operations.

Comprehensive Loss— Comprehensive loss consists of net loss and changes in equity during a period from transactions and other equity and circumstances generated from non-owner sources. Comprehensive loss consists of two components including, net loss and other comprehensive loss. The Company’s other comprehensive loss consists of foreign currency translation adjustments that result from consolidation of its foreign entities.

Cash and Restricted Cash—The Company considers all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less when purchased to be cash. As of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, cash consists primarily of checking and savings deposits. The Company’s restricted cash balance classifies all cash whose use is limited by contractual provisions. As of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, restricted cash consists of cash secured as collateral for letters of credit in favor of the Company’s landlord and its corporate credit card program. The Company may not access these funds until it vacates this office space (leases expire in 2026).

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and restricted cash in the consolidated balance sheets to the total amount shown in the consolidated statements of cash flows:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Cash

     11,728,516        22,202,388  

Restricted cash

     317,134        317,134  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total cash and restricted cash

   $  12,045,650      $  22,519,522  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

11


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets —Prepaid expenses and other current assets include prepaid software, prepaid insurance, other prepaid expenses, all of which are expected to be recognized or realized within the next 12 months.

Accounts Receivable— Accounts receivable are recorded at invoice value, net of allowance for doubtful accounts. Unbilled receivables are included in accounts receivable and include amounts that were invoiced subsequent to year-end for which revenue was recognized in advance of the right to invoice. On a periodic basis, management evaluates its accounts receivable and determines whether to provide an allowance or if any accounts should be written off based on a past history of write-offs, collections, and current credit conditions. A receivable is considered past due if the Company has not received payments based on agreed-upon terms. As of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, the Company does not have any allowances for doubtful accounts.

Property and Equipment, Net—Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company uses an estimated useful life of three years for furniture and other assets and information technology hardware (“IT hardware”), seven years for process equipment, and three to ten years for quantum computing fridges. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease-term or the estimated useful life of the related asset. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill— Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination. Goodwill is not amortized, but is reviewed for impairment at least annually, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. Judgments regarding indicators of potential impairment are based on market conditions and operational performance of the business. The Company has one reporting unit. Annually, on November 1, management performs an analysis of the carrying value of goodwill of its reporting unit for potential impairment. In accordance with US GAAP, the Company may assess its goodwill for impairment initially using a qualitative approach to determine whether conditions exist to indicate that it is more likely than not that the fair value of its reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If management concludes, based on its assessment of relevant events, facts and circumstances, that it is more likely than not that its reporting unit’s carrying value is greater than its fair value, then a quantitative analysis will be performed to determine whether there is any impairment. The Company may also elect to initially perform a quantitative analysis instead of starting with a qualitative analysis. The quantitative analysis for goodwill requires comparing the carrying value of a reporting unit, including goodwill, to its fair value. The Company determines the fair value of its reporting unit using the income approach. The income approach uses a discounted cash flow model, which involves significant estimates and assumptions, including preparation of revenues and profitability growth forecasts, selection of a discount rate, and selection of a terminal year multiple, to estimate fair value. Management’s assessment of facts and circumstances at each analysis date could cause these assumptions to change. If the fair value of the reporting unit exceeds its carrying amount, goodwill is not considered to be impaired and no further testing is required. If the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment charge is recorded to write down goodwill to its fair value and is recorded in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. The Company performed a qualitative analysis of goodwill for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021 and determined that it was more likely than not that the fair value of the Company’s reporting unit was greater than its carrying value, and thus concluded that the carrying value of goodwill was not impaired. Accordingly, no further analysis was required or performed.

 

12


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Derivative Warrant Liabilities—The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) at the initial recognition.

Certain of the warrants issued and outstanding are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjust the instruments to fair value at each reporting period until exercised. The fair value of the warrant liabilities issued were initially measured using the Black-Scholes model and will be subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with changes recorded as a component of other income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Derivative warrant liabilities are classified as non-current as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

Revenue Recognition—The Company recognizes revenue in accordance with Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) and accounts for certain contract costs in accordance with FASB’s Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 340-40, Other Assets and Deferred Costs—Contracts with Customers.

The Company recognizes revenue from contracts with customers by applying the following five-step model:

 

   

Identify the contract with a customer

 

   

Identify the performance obligations in the contract

 

   

Determine the transaction price

 

   

Allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract

 

   

Recognize revenue when (or as) performance obligations are satisfied

The Company generates revenue through its Quantum Cloud Services (QCaaS) and development contracts and other services. Access to Rigetti quantum computing systems can be purchased as a quantum computing subscription, or on a usage basis for a specified quantity of hours. Revenue related to subscription-based access to Rigetti quantum computing systems (QCaaS) is recognized over time as access to the systems is provided on a ratable basis over the subscription term, which can range from six months to two years. This time-based input measure of progress provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of the services because the customer obtains generally equal benefit from its access to the systems throughout the subscription term. Revenue related to usage-based access to Rigetti quantum computing systems is recognized over time as the systems are accessed using an output method based on compute credit hours expended. This output method provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of the services because the customer has purchased a specified quantity of hours of usage that diminishes each time an hour is expended and therefore each hour of access to the systems is considered a discrete delivery of underlying services in these arrangements.

 

13


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Development contracts are generally multi-year, non-recurring arrangements in which the Company provides professional services regarding practical applications of quantum computing to technology and business problems within the customer’s industry or organization and assists the customer in developing quantum algorithms and applications that will provide commercial value to the customer in areas of business interest. Development contracts are typically fixed fee arrangements invoiced on a milestone basis, but may also be invoiced on a time and materials or cost reimbursement basis in certain cases. Revenue related to development contracts and other services is recognized over time as the services are provided using an input measure based on actual labor hours incurred to date relative to total estimated labor hours needed to complete the program or total contracted hours over the program period. This input measure of progress provides a faithful depiction of the transfer of the services because it closely depicts the Company’s efforts or inputs to the satisfaction of the performance obligation. Revenue related to the sale of custom quantum computing components is recognized at a point in time upon acceptance by the customer. The Company has elected to treat shipping and handling activities related to contracts with customers as fulfillment costs, and not as separate performance obligations, and accrues the related costs when the related revenue is recognized.

When the Company’s contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated on a relative standalone selling price basis to each performance obligation. The Company typically determines standalone selling price based on observable selling prices of its products and services. In instances where standalone selling price is not directly observable, standalone selling price is determined using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. Standalone selling price is typically established as a range. In situations in which the stated contract price for a performance obligation is outside of the applicable standalone selling price range and has a different pattern of transfer to the customer than the other performance obligations in the contract, the Company will reallocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of each.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which the Company expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods and services to the customer. Revenue is recorded based on the transaction price, which includes fixed consideration and estimates of variable consideration. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price is constrained and is included only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

The Company’s contracts with customers may include renewal or other options at fixed prices. Determining whether such options are considered distinct performance obligations that provide the customer with a material right and therefore should be accounted for separately requires significant judgment. Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each renewal option to determine whether the renewal pricing is reflective of standalone selling price or is reflective of a discount that would provide the customer with a material right. Based on the Company’s assessment of standalone selling prices, the Company determined that there were no significant material rights provided to its customers requiring separate recognition.

The timing of revenue recognition may not align with the right to invoice the customer. The Company records accounts receivable when it has the unconditional right to issue an invoice and receive payment, regardless of whether revenue has been recognized. If revenue has not yet been recognized, a contract liability (deferred revenue) is also recorded. If revenue is recognized in advance of the right to invoice, a contract asset or unbilled receivable is recorded, depending on whether the Company’s right to consideration is considered conditional or unconditional. Unbilled receivables are included within accounts receivable in the consolidated balance sheets.

 

14


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

In instances where the timing of revenue recognition differs from the timing of the right to invoice, the Company has determined that a significant financing component generally does not exist. The primary purpose of the Company’s invoicing terms is to provide customers with simplified and predictable ways of purchasing the products and services and not to receive financing from or provide financing to the customer. Additionally, the Company has elected the practical expedient that permits an entity not to recognize a significant financing component if the time between the transfer of a good or service and payment is one year or less.

Payment terms on invoiced amounts are typically net 30 days. The Company does not offer rights of return for its products and services in the normal course of business, and contracts generally do not include service-type warranties that provide any incremental service to the customer beyond providing assurance that the goods and services conform to applicable specifications or customer-specific or subjective acceptance provisions. The Company also excludes from revenue government-assessed and imposed taxes on revenue-generating activities that are invoiced to customers.

Costs of Obtaining and Fulfilling Contracts—The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to expense contract acquisition costs as incurred when the expected amortization period is one year or less. The Company capitalizes incremental costs incurred to fulfill its contracts that (i) relate directly to the contract, (ii) are expected to generate resources that will be used to satisfy the Company’s performance obligation(s) under the contract, and (iii) are expected to be recovered through revenue generated under the contract.

Cost of Revenue— Cost of revenue consists primarily of all direct and indirect cost associated with providing QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services, including employee salaries and employee related costs, including compensation, bonuses, employee taxes and benefit costs of program management and personnel associated with the delivery of goods and services to customers. Cost of revenue also includes an allocation of facility costs, depreciation and amortization directly related to providing the QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services.

Research and Development—Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include compensation, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, outside consultant fees, allocation of facility costs, depreciation and amortization, materials and components purchased for research and development.

General and Administrative—General and administrative expenses include compensation, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, legal, insurance, finance administration and human resources, an allocation of facility costs (including leases), bad debt costs, professional service fees, and an allocation of other general overhead costs including depreciation and amortization to support Rigetti’s operations, which consists of operations other than associated with providing QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services.

Sales and Marketing—Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation including stock-based compensation, employee benefits of sales and marketing employees, outside consultants fees, travel and marketing and promotion costs.

 

15


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Capitalized Software— The Company capitalizes the costs to develop its internal-use software when preliminary development efforts are successfully completed, management has authorized and committed project funding, and it is probable that the project will be completed and the software will be used as intended. Such costs are included in property and equipment in the consolidated balance sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the related asset. These capitalized costs are primarily related to the software infrastructure supporting the quantum computing services purchased by customers. Costs incurred in the preliminary stages of development are expensed as incurred. Once an application has reached the development stage, internal and external costs, if direct and incremental, are capitalized until the software is substantially complete and ready for its intended use. Capitalization ceases upon completion of all substantial testing. The Company also capitalizes costs related to specific upgrades and enhancements when it is probable the expenditures will result in additional features and functionality. Maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, no capitalized software has been recorded.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets— Long-lived assets, such as property and equipment, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the asset (asset group) may not be recoverable. When such events or changes in circumstances occur, the Company assesses the recoverability of the long-lived asset (asset group) by determining whether the carrying value of such asset (asset group) will be recovered through their undiscounted expected future cash flow. If the future undiscounted cash flow is less than the carrying amounts of the asset (asset group), the Company recognizes an impairment loss based on the excess of the carrying amount over the fair value of the asset (asset group). During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, no impairment charge has been recorded.

Income Taxes—Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. As of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, the Company has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.

The Company recognizes the effect of income tax positions only if those positions are more likely than not of being sustained. Recognized income tax positions are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs.

The Company records interest related to unrecognized tax benefits in interest expense and penalties in income tax expense.

Net income (loss) per share: The Company has Class A Common Stock outstanding and no shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding. However, the Company’s Convertible Series C-1 Preferred Stock are convertible into Class B Common Stock. Basic net income (loss) per share of common shareholders is calculated by dividing net income (loss) attributable to the common shareholders (the numerator) by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period (the denominator).

 

16


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company uses the two-class method to calculate the diluted net income (loss) per share for each class of Common Stock. The two-class method determines net income (loss) per share for each class of Common Stock according to dividends declared or accumulated and participation rights in undistributed earnings. The two-class method requires all undistributed earnings for the period to be allocated among multiple classes of potential Common Stock as if all earnings for the period were distributed. Diluted net income (loss) is computed separately for each class of the potential Common Stock. Potential dilutive shares for Class A Common Stock include shares of convertible Series C Preferred Stock, common stock warrants, restricted stock units, and stock options. Potential dilutive shares for Class B Common Stock include shares of convertible Series C-1 Preferred Stock. Potential dilutive common shares are excluded from the computation of diluted net income (loss) per share, if the effect of including such potential dilutive shares would be anti-dilutive.

Stock-Based Compensation— The Company’s stock-based compensation program grants awards that may include stock options, restricted and unrestricted stock awards and restricted stock units. For equity-classified stock option grants, the fair value of the option grants are estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term participants will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of its common stock price over the expected term, the risk-free rate, and expected dividend yield. For equity-classified restricted stock awards, the fair value of the restricted stock awards are based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The estimated fair values of the employee stock awards are then expensed over the requisite service period, which is generally the awards’ vesting period, and recognized using the straight-line method to recognize stock-based compensation for service-based awards.

The accounting for equity-classified awards granted to consultants and nonemployees is largely consistent with the accounting for such awards granted to employees, with the exception that the fair value of the awards may be measured based on the expected term or the contractual term of the award and the fair value is recognized in the same period and in the same manner the Company would if it had paid cash for the related services.

The Company has elected to account for forfeitures of employee stock awards as they occur. Upon any exercise of stock option awards, the Company issues new shares of common stock, unless there are treasury shares available for reissuance at that time.

Fair Value Measurements— Fair value accounting is applied for all assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis (at least annually). Fair value is defined as the exchange price that would be received for an asset or an exit price that would be paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market for the asset or liability in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The Company follows the established framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosure requirements about fair value measurements. The carrying amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements approximate the fair value for cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, and accrued liabilities, due to their short-term nature. The carrying amount of the Company’s long-term debt approximates fair value as the stated interest rate approximates the market rate currently available to the Company (and which is considered a Level II measurement).

Concentrations of Credit Risk— Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist primarily of cash and trade accounts receivable. The Company’s cash is placed with high-credit-quality financial institutions, and at times exceeds federally insured limits. To date, the Company has not experienced any credit loss relating to its cash.

 

17


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Significant customers are those which represent 10% or more of the Company’s revenue or accounts receivable balance at each balance sheet date. During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, five customers accounted for approximately 97% of the Company’s revenue and three customers accounted for approximately 99% of the Company’s accounts receivable. During the year ended January 31, 2021, three customers accounted for approximately 78% of the Company’s revenue and one customer accounted for approximately 87% of the Company’s accounts receivable, respectively.

Customers accounting for 10% or more of the Company’s revenue during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021 were:

 

     December 31,     January 31,  

Customer

   2021     2021  

Customer A

     29     *  

Customer B

     20     32

Customer C

     17     15

Customer D

     16     *  

Customer E

     15     31

 

*

Customer accounted for less than 10% of revenue in the respective year

All revenues derived from major customers noted above are included in the United States region in Note 15.

Employee Benefit Plan—The Company sponsors a qualified 401(k) defined contribution plan covering eligible employees. Participants may contribute a portion of their annual compensation limited to a maximum annual amount set by Internal Revenue Service. There were no employer contributions under this plan during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021.

2021 Transition Period Comparative Data

The following table presents certain financial information for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, for comparability purposes.

 

18


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

     11 Months Ended December 31,  
     2021      2020  
            (Unaudited)  

Revenue

   $ 8,196,306      $ 5,105,824  

Cost of revenue

     1,623,336        1,344,916  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total gross profit

     6,572,970        3,760,908  

Operating expenses:

     

Research and development

     26,927,599        22,843,637  

General and administrative

     11,299,068        10,613,190  

Sales and marketing

     2,474,968        1,947,447  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     40,701,635        35,404,274  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Loss from operations

     (34,128,665      (31,643,366
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net:

     

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —          8,913,532  

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (1,664,133      —    

Interest expense

     (2,465,135      (51,666

Interest Income

     9,852        58,644  

Other income

     6,582        71,737  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (4,112,834      8,992,247  

Net loss before provision for income taxes

     

Provision for income taxes

     
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (38,241,499    $ (22,651,119
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net loss per share attribute to common stockholders—basic and diluted

   $ (1.74)      $ (1.09)  

Weighted average shares used in computing net loss per share attributable to common stockholders – basic and diluted

     21,941,997        20,687,611  

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements— In April 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses, Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, and Topic 825, Financial Instruments. ASU No. 2019-04 was issued as part of the FASB’s ongoing project to improve upon its Accounting Standards Codification (ASC), and to clarify and improve areas of guidance related to recently issued standards on credit losses, hedging, and recognition and measurement. For entities that have not yet adopted the guidance in Update 2016-13, the effective dates and the transition requirements for these amendments are the same as the effective date and transition requirements in Update 2016-13. The amendments related to ASC 326 are effective for the Company as of February 1, 2023. The adoption of the ASU is not expected to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842). This ASU requires recognition of a lease asset and lease liability for all leases with a term of greater than 12 months regardless of their classification. In May 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-05 which defers the effective date of ASU 2016-02 one year making it effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The ASU is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

19


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments—Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments. The FASB subsequently issued amendments to ASU 2016-13, which have the same effective date and transition date of January 1, 2023. These standards require that credit losses be reported using an expected losses model rather than the incurred losses model that is currently used, and establishes additional disclosures related to credit risks. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, these standards now require allowances to be recorded instead of reducing the amortized cost of the investment. These standards limit the amount of credit losses to be recognized for available-for-sale debt securities to the amount by which carrying value exceeds fair value and requires the reversal of previously recognized credit losses if fair value increases.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes, which is intended to simplify various aspects related to accounting for income taxes. ASU 2019-12 removes certain exceptions to the general principles in ASC 740 and also clarifies and amends existing guidance to improve consistent application. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2022. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Entity’s consolidated financial statements.

In August 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-06, Debt—Debt with Conversion and Other Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging—Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity, which addresses the complexity of its guidance for certain financial instruments with characteristics of liabilities and equity. ASU 2020-06 removes the accounting models that require beneficial conversion features or cash conversion features associated with convertible instruments to be recognized as a separate component of equity, adds certain disclosure requirements for convertible instruments, amends the guidance for the derivatives scope exception for contracts in an entity’s own equity and simplifies the diluted earnings per share calculation for certain situations. This guidance is effective for SEC filers, excluding entities eligible to be smaller reporting companies as defined by the SEC, for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021, and for interim periods within those fiscal years. For all other entities, the amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of this new guidance on its consolidated financial statements.

In May 2021, the FASB issued ASU 2021-04, ‘Earnings Per Share (Topic 260), Debt—Modifications and Extinguishments (Subtopic 470-50), Compensation—Stock Compensation (Topic 718), and Derivatives and Hedging— Contracts in Entity’s Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Issuer’s Accounting for Certain Modifications or Exchanges of Freestanding Equity-Classified Written Call Options. This ASU provides guidance for a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that is not within the scope of another Topic. It specifically addresses: (1) How an entity should treat a modification of the terms or conditions or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange; (2) How an entity should measure the effect of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange; and (3) How an entity should recognize the effect of a modification or an exchange of a freestanding equity-classified written call option that remains equity classified after modification or exchange. ASU 2021-04 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021, with early adoption permitted. This ASU is effective for the Company beginning on January 1, 2022. The Company is currently evaluating the impact the adoption of this guidance will have on its consolidated financial statements.

 

20


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

3.

REVENUE RECOGNITION

The following tables depict the disaggregation of revenue according to the type of good or service and timing of transfer of goods or services:

 

     11 Months Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Type of Goods or Service

     

Collaborative research and other professional services

   $ 5,849,267      $ 2,919,507  

Access to quantum computing systems

     2,347,039        2,380,091  

Quantum computing components

     —          243,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,196,306      $ 5,542,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Timing of Revenue Recognition

     

Revenue recognized at a point in time

   $ —        $ 243,000  

Revenue recognized over time

     8,196,306        5,299,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,196,306      $ 5,542,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Selected consolidated balance sheet line items that reflect accounts receivable, contract assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 were as follows:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Trade receivables, net

   $ 961,370      $ 327,301  

Unbilled receivables

   $ 581,170      $ 152,073  

Deferred revenue - current

   $ (984,976    $ (491,827

Changes in deferred revenue from contracts with customers were as follows:

 

     11 Months Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Balance at beginning of period

   $ (491,827    $ (2,151,683

Deferral of revenue

     (904,502      (364,545

Recognition of deferred revenue

     411,353        2,024,401  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance at end of period

   $ (984,976    $ (491,827
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

21


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company expects to recognize estimated revenues related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially satisfied) in the amounts of approximately $4,107,806 during the year ended December 31, 2022, and $473,379 during the year ended December 31, 2023.

Deferred Contract Acquisition and Fulfillment Costs—The Company has not identified any costs that are incremental to the acquisition of customer contracts that would be capitalized as deferred costs on the balance sheet in accordance with ASC 340-40. Incremental costs incurred to fulfill the Company’s contracts that meet the capitalization criteria in ASC 340-40 have historically been immaterial. Accordingly, the Company has not capitalized any contract fulfillment costs as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021.

 

4.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS

The Company reports all financial assets and liabilities and nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis. Valuation techniques used to measure fair value must maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The authoritative guidance establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to measurements involving significant unobservable inputs (Level 3 measurements). The three levels of the fair value hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1—Inputs are quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.

Level 2—Inputs are observable, unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, unadjusted quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the related assets or liabilities.

Level 3—Inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.

The level in the fair value hierarchy within which a fair value measurement in its entirety falls is based on the lowest-level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.

At January 31, 2021, there were no financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value.

The fair value measurements of financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value at December 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

22


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

     Fair Value Hierarchy  
     Level 1      Level 2      Level 3  

At December 31, 2021

        

Liabilities:

        

Derivative warrant liabilities

   $ —        $ —        $ 4,354,707  

Forward warrant agreement

     —          —          230,000  

Debt - net of current portion

     —             —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

   $ —        $ —        $ 4,584,707  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has recorded two financial liabilities subject to fair value measurements: 1) Derivative warrant liabilities and 2) Forward Warrant Agreement which both are classified as Level III liabilities as they both include unobservable inputs. Derivative warrant liabilities were fair valued based on a Black-Scholes option model with unobservable inputs which included stock price of Rigetti common stock, volatility and selected risk free rate. The Company estimated the fair value of the Forward Warrant Agreement using a forward analysis with unobservable inputs which included selected risk-free rate and probability outcomes. The Company has further discussed the key aspects of the fair value measurements described above in Note 10 and Note 11 to the financial statements.

There have been no changes in fair value measurement techniques during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021. There were no transfers between Level 1 or Level 2, or transfers in or out of Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021.

A summary of the changes in the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 financial instruments as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

     Convertible
Notes
     Simple
agreement for
future equity
     Derivative
Warrant
Liabilities
     Forward Warrant
Agreement
 

Balance - January 31, 2020

   $ 26,892,459      $ 1,882,397      $ —        $ —    

Issuances

     —          —          —          —    

Settlement

     (26,892,459      (1,882,397      —          —    

Loss on change in fair value

     —          —          —          —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance - January 31, 2021

   $ —        $ —        $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Issuances

   $ —        $ —        $ 2,690,574      $ 400,000  

Settlement

     —          —          —          —    

Loss (gain) on change in fair value

     —          —          1,664,133        (170,000
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Balance - December 31, 2021

   $ —        $ —        $ 4,354,707      $ 230,000  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

23


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

5.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL STATEMENTS INFORMATION

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 are composed of the following:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Quantum computing fridges

   $ 17,189,904      $ 14,251,579  

Process equipment

     16,169,598        12,747,756  

Leasehold improvements

     4,296,620        4,077,646  

IT hardware

     2,427,681        1,999,082  

Furniture and other assets

     1,246,068        1,246,067  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total property and equipment

   $ 41,329,871      $ 34,322,130  

Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization

     (18,832,387      (14,181,258
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Property and equipment - net

   $ 22,497,484      $ 20,140,872  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, 98% of the total gross property and equipment was located in the United States, and 2% of the total gross property and equipment was located in the United Kingdom. As of January 31, 2021, 100% of the total gross property and equipment was located in the United States. Total depreciation and amortization expense for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021 was $4,651,129 and $4,299,263, respectively.

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Interest - notes payable

   $ 247,500      $ —    

Other current liability - forward warrant agreement

     230,000        —    

Payroll and other payroll costs

     962,399        739,893  

Property and other taxes

     570,852        451,545  

Subscription Fee

     555,832        —    

Professional fees and other

     820,699        411,861  

Deferred offering costs

     648,333        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 4,035,615      $ 1,603,299  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6.

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Leases—The Company leases office spaces under noncancelable operating lease agreements, which expire in 2026. The Company is required to pay property taxes, insurance, and normal maintenance costs for certain of these facilities and will be required to pay any increases over the base year of these expenses on the remainder of the Company’s facilities.

 

24


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Rent expense for operating leases for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, was $1,500,147 and $1,722,040, respectively. The Company has accrued $349,629 and $381,300 in deferred rent as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, respectively, primarily relating to one of its office spaces. Deferred rent that will be paid within the 12 months after the balance sheet date is included within accrued expenses and other current liabilities, the remaining balance is recorded within other liabilities on the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating leases as of December 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

Years Ending December 31,       

2022

   $ 1,807,759  

2023

     901,316  

2024

     928,355  

2025

     956,206  

2026

     81,262  
  

 

 

 

Total minimum future lease payments

   $ 4,674,898  
  

 

 

 

Litigation— The Company is periodically involved in legal proceedings, legal actions and claims arising in the normal course of business, including proceedings relating to product liability, intellectual property, safety and health, employment and other matters. Management believes that the outcome of such legal proceedings, legal actions and claims will not have a significant adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

7.

FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS

Loan and Security Agreement

In March 2021, the Company entered into an agreement (the “Loan and Security Agreement”) with a Venture Capital institution (“Venture Capital”) to secure a debt commitment of $12,000,000 (the “Tranche A”) which was drawn at the closing. The term loan is collateralized by a first-priority, senior secured interest in substantially all of the Company’s assets. In conjunction with the Loan Agreement, the Company issued Venture Capital a warrant to purchase shares of common stock (the “Initial Warrants”) which is recorded at fair value using Black-Scholes model, see Note 10 for the fair value assumptions.

 

25


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, however the debt agreement does not include any financial covenants . In May 2021, the debt agreement was modified to increase the overall debt commitment by $15,000,000 (the “Tranche B” or the “Amendment”) and $8,000,000 of the additional commitment was drawn at the closing and the remaining commitment of $7,000,000 was available at the Company’s option at any time through March 10, 2022 subject to certain conditions. The Company drew the $7,000,000 in November 2021. In conjunction with the Amendment, the Company cancelled the Initial Warrants and issued 995,099 warrant shares to purchase the common stock which was an incremental cost allocated between Tranche A and Tranche B, see Note 10 for further information on these warrants. The Amendment to the debt agreement was considered a modification for accounting purposes. The Company capitalized $2,843,308 of debt issuance costs which consist of incremental cost incurred for the lenders and 3rd party legal firms as well as the fair value of the warrant issued in conjunction with the origination of the term loan.

Under the Amendment, the maturity date was modified to be the date equal to 48 months from the first payment date of each specific cash advance. Subject to an interest only period of 19 months following each specific cash advance date, the term loan incurs interest at a rate of 11% per annum, payable monthly. The Term Loan includes certain negative covenants, primarily consisting of restrictions on the Company’s ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends, execute fundamental change transactions, and other specified actions.

In addition, the Company is required to pay a final payment fee equal to 2.75% of the aggregate amount of all term loan advances. The final payment fee is being accreted and amortized into interest expense using the effective interest rate method over the term of the loan. The effective interest was between 16.49 – 17.31% for all tranches of the debt.

The book value of debt approximates its fair value given its short-term maturity and variable interest rate. Long term debt and the unamortized discount balances are as follows:

 

     December 31,
2021
 

Outstanding principal amount - stated value

   $ 27,000,000  

Add: Accrued final payment fee

     121,585  

Less: Unamortized deferred financing costs

     (170,058

Less: Unamortized debt discount

     (2,160,495
  

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 24,791,032  
  

 

 

 

Debt - current portion

   $ 1,290,538  

Debt - net of current portion

     23,500,494  
  

 

 

 

Total debt

   $ 24,791,032  
  

 

 

 

For the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, the Company has recorded interest expense of $1,736,390, the accretion of the end of term liability of $121,585, the amortization of commitment fee asset of $94,405 and the amortization of debt issuance cost of $512,755. The unamortized issuance cost of $2,330,553 at December 31, 2021 is offset against the carrying value of the term loan in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Deferred Financing Cost policy at Note 2.

 

26


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Scheduled principal payments on total outstanding debt, as of December 31, 2021, are as follows:

 

     Total  
2022    $ 1,290,538  
2023      8,750,354  
2024      11,084,382  
2025      5,874,726  
  

 

 

 
   $ 27,000,000  
  

 

 

 

Initial Convertible Notes

In November 2018, the Company entered into convertible promissory note arrangements pursuant to which the Company borrowed $1,500,000 (the “2018 Convertible Notes”). In June 2019 and August 2019, the Company entered into convertible promissory note arrangements pursuant to which the Company borrowed $19,700,000 and $250,000, respectively (collectively, the “2019 Convertible Notes”). The 2018 Convertible Notes and 2019 Convertible Notes are collectively referred to as the “Initial Convertible Notes.”

In February 2020, in conjunction with the Recapitalization transactions described in Note 9 the Company and the holders of the Initial Convertible Notes agreed to amend the terms of the Initial Convertible Notes. The primary impact of the amendment was to change the conversion terms previously described, such that upon the closing of the Series C Preferred Stock Financing and Recapitalization, the Initial Convertible Notes (principal and accrued interest) would convert into 6,766,614 shares of Series C Preferred Stock and 16,939,143 shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock.

The Company determined that the modification of the Initial Convertible Notes represented an extinguishment for accounting purposes. The Company estimated the fair value of the Series C and Series C-1 Preferred Stock to be issued upon conversion to be $17,612,235. In addition, the Company issued 6,874,309 shares of Class A Common Stock to the majority holder of the Initial Convertible Notes as consideration for their agreement to the amendment terms. The Company included the fair value of these Class A Common Shares (estimated as $1,443,605) as part of the reacquisition price of the Initial Convertible Notes in the extinguishment calculation. Based on the carrying value of the Initial Convertible Notes (under the fair value option) of $27,767,399 at the date of the amendment, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment associated with the amendment of $8,711,559, which is included as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended January 31, 2021.

Simple Agreement for Future Equity

In October 2019, the Company entered into a simple agreement for future equity (“SAFE”) agreement with an investor in exchange for $1,500,000 in cash proceeds. The SAFE accrues dividends at a rate of 6.0% per annum while outstanding.

The SAFE principal and accrued interest are automatically convertible upon an equity financing event at a conversion price per share equal to the lesser of (i) an amount equal to 80% of the lowest price per share paid by other investors for the preferred stock sold in the equity financing and (ii) the price obtained by dividing $300,000,000 by the number of fully diluted shares outstanding immediately prior to the equity financing. In addition, the SAFE is optionally convertible upon a non-equity financing event under the same conversion terms as described above. The SAFE holder can also elect to receive a cash payment upon a change of control or initial public offering event and would be paid out its initial investment plus accrued dividends in the event of a liquidation of the Company.

 

27


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company has elected the fair value option to account for the Convertible Notes and SAFE, with changes in fair value recorded through the Company’s consolidated statements of operations as other income (expense), net in each report period.

The Company utilized an income approach valuation model to estimate the fair value of the SAFE as of its issuance date and as of January 31, 2020. The valuation model captures the expected settlement value of the SAFE based on the Company’s assumption that an equity financing event occurring in February 2020 is the most likely settlement event. The estimated settlement value of the SAFE has been discounted back to present value as of each measurement date utilizing a discount rate of 10.0%.

As of January 31, 2020, the fair value and principal value of the SAFE was $1,882,397 and $1,500,000, respectively. The Company recorded a loss from the change in fair value of the SAFE of $382,397 during the year ended January 31, 2020. Based on the carrying value of the SAFE (under the fair value option) of $1,822,397 at the date of the amendment in connection with the Recapitalization transactions described in Note 9, the Company recorded a gain on extinguishment associated with the amendment of $691,867, which is included as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended January 31, 2021.

February 2020 Convertible Notes

In February 2020, just prior to the Recapitalization and Series C Preferred Stock Financing (see Note 8), the Company entered into convertible promissory note arrangements pursuant to which the Company borrowed $2,200,000 (the “2020 Convertible Notes”).

The 2020 Convertible Notes accrued interest at 6.0% per annum on the outstanding principal balance, payable at maturity. The 2020 Convertible Notes were due and payable on the earlier of (i) when requested by a majority of the lenders on or after December 11, 2020, (ii) when, upon the occurrence of an event of default, such amounts are declared due and payable by the lenders or become automatically due and payable, or (iii) if not converted, upon a change of control. The 2020 Convertible Notes were not prepayable by the Company without the consent of a majority of the lenders.

The 2020 Convertible Notes principal and accrued interest were automatically convertible upon a qualified financing event into a number of shares issued in the qualified financing event, at the per share price paid by the other investors in the financing. In addition, the holders of the 2020 Convertible Notes would receive a number of shares of Class A Common Stock (as specified in each respective agreement), and the same warrant coverage, as applicable, as the other investors in the qualified financing.

The 2020 Convertible Notes principal and accrued interest were optionally convertible upon a change of control at a conversion price per share equal to 80% of the per share consideration to be received by the holders of the Company’s common stock upon such change of control. The lenders may have also elected to redeem the Initial Convertible Notes principal and accrued interest without premium or penalty upon the occurrence of a change of control.

 

28


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

Upon the occurrence of certain events of default as defined in the 2020 Convertible Notes, the 2020 Convertible Notes principal and accrued interest would automatically become due and payable or would become due and payable at the election of the lenders, without premium or penalty.

In February 2020, upon the consummation of the Series C Preferred Stock Financing (a qualified financing event), the 2020 Convertible Notes were automatically converted into 2,426,113 shares of Series C Preferred Stock, 2,036,617 shares of Class A Common Stock and 310,937 warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock. The Company accounted for the conversion of the 2020 Convertible notes as an extinguishment of the debt instruments. The Company estimated the fair value of the Series C Preferred Stock issued upon conversion to be $2,200,017, the fair value of the Class A Common Stock issued upon conversion to be $427,690, and the fair value of the warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock to be $62,187. Based on the carrying value of the 2020 Convertible Notes of $2,200,000 at the date of the extinguishment, the Company recorded a loss on extinguishment of $489,894, which is included as a component of other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations during the year ended January 31, 2021.

 

8.

REDEEMABLE CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK

Recapitalization and Series C Preferred Stock Financing

In February 2020, the Company completed a recapitalization of its previously outstanding Preferred Stock (the “Recapitalization”). In accordance with the terms detailed in the Series C Stock Purchase Agreement, all outstanding shares of Series A-1, A-2, A-3, A-4, A-5, B, and B-2 Preferred Stock converted into shares of Class A Common Stock, at a ratio of one share of Class A Common Stock for every four shares of previously outstanding Preferred Stock. In total, 3,538,484 shares of Class A Common Stock were issued upon the conversion of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock.

Additionally, in February 2020, the Company completed the initial closing of the Series C Preferred Stock Financing round, with subsequent closings occurring in March, April and May 2020. In total, the Company issued 59,575,811 shares of Series C Preferred Stock in exchange for $54,022,876 in gross cash proceeds, as well as 9,647,847 shares of Series C Preferred Stock upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and SAFE. The cash investors, in addition to the February 2020 Convertible Note holders, received warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock based on the number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock acquired. The Company also allocated approximately $1,236,600 in proceeds from the Series C Preferred Stock to the value of the warrants on a relative fair value basis (see Note 10).

In accordance with the terms of the recapitalization and Stock Purchase Agreement, the holders of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock that participated in the Series C Preferred Stock Financing were eligible to receive additional shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock, based on their total historical investments. In total, the holders of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock received 11,415,620 shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock based on their participation in the Series C Preferred Stock Financing, which was also considered as part of the recapitalization described above. In addition, 18,087,227 shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock were issued upon the conversion of the Convertible Notes and SAFE.

 

29


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company accounted for the conversion of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock in exchange for the Class A Common Shares (and Series C-1 Preferred Stock to the extent the investors participated in the Series C Preferred Stock Financing) as an extinguishment of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock. The carrying value of the previously outstanding Preferred Stock, less the fair value of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock issued, was reclassified to additional paid in capital.

The holders of the redeemable convertible preferred stock (“Preferred Stock”) have various rights and preferences as described below:

Voting Rights— Each share of Preferred Stock has voting rights equal to an equivalent number of shares of common stock into which it is convertible. As it is convertible into non-voting Class B Common Stock, the Series C-1 Preferred Stock does not have any voting rights. The holders of the voting Preferred Stock votes together as one class with the Class A Common Stock, except as below:

The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to elect, voting as a separate class, three members to the Company’s board of directors. The holders of the Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect, voting as a separate class, two members to the Company’s board of directors. The holders of the Series C Preferred Stock and Class A Common Stock are entitled to elect, voting together as a separate class on an as-converted basis, any remaining directors.

Dividends— In any calendar year, the holders of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive dividends, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors, out of any assets at the time legally available therefor, at the Dividend Rate specified for such shares of Preferred Stock payable in preference and priority to any declaration of payment of any distribution of common stock in such calendar year. The holders of the outstanding shares of Series C Preferred Stock will have preference over the holders of Series C-1 Preferred Stock in relation to any such dividend payments. The Dividend Rates for each class of Preferred Stock are $0.054408 per share for Series C Preferred Stock and $0.054408 per share for Series C-1 Preferred Stock.

No distributions shall be made with respect to the common stock unless dividends on the Preferred Stock have been declared and paid or set aside for payment. The Preferred Stock dividend rights are not cumulative and do not accrue unless declared or paid.

As of December 31, 2021, no dividends have been declared or paid on the Company’s Preferred Stock.

Liquidation Preference— In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding-up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the holders of the Series C Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets or funds of the Company to the holders of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock and common stock, an amount equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (x) the liquidation preference per share for the Series C Preferred Stock and (y) all declared but unpaid dividends and (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of Series C Preferred Stock been converted into shares of Class A Common Stock immediately prior to such liquidation event. The holders of the Series C-1 Preferred Stock shall be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of the assets or funds of the Company to the holders of the common stock, an amount equal to the greater of (i) the sum of (x) the liquidation preference per share for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock and (y) all declared but unpaid dividends and (ii) such amount per share as would have been payable had all shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock been converted into shares of Class B Common Stock immediately prior to such liquidation event.

 

30


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The liquidation preferences for each class of Preferred Stock are $0.906793 per share for Series C Preferred Stock, $0.906793 per share for Series C-1 Preferred Stock, as adjusted for stock splits, stock dividends, business combinations, recapitalizations, and similar transactions.

If the Company has insufficient assets to permit payment of the liquidation preference in full to all holders of the Preferred Stock, then the assets of the Company shall be distributed ratably to the holders of Preferred Stock in proportion to the full amounts they would otherwise be entitled to receive. After payment of the liquidation preference in full to the holders of Preferred Stock, the remaining assets of the Company shall be distributed ratably to the holders of the common stock.

Redemption— The Preferred Stock is not mandatorily redeemable. The Preferred Stock may be redeemable upon the occurrence of certain deemed liquidation events, including (i) the acquisition of the Company by another entity by means of any transaction or series of related transactions to which the Company is party (including any stock acquisition, reorganization, merger, or consolidation, but excluding any sale of stock for capital raising purposes) other than a transaction where the holders of the voting securities of the Company retain a controlling interest after such transaction, or (ii) a sale, lease or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless waived by a majority of the holders of the Preferred Stock. The Preferred Stock redemption price would be equivalent to the liquidation preference described above.

Conversion— Each share of Preferred Stock is convertible, at the option of the holder, at any time after the date of issuance of such share, into shares of either Class A Common Stock (for the Series C Preferred Stock) or Class B Common Stock (for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock) as is determined by dividing the original issue price of the Preferred Stock by the conversion price in effect at the time of conversion for each such series of Preferred Stock. The original issue price and the conversion price per share for each class of Preferred Stock are $0.906793 per share for Series C Preferred Stock and $7.254344 per share for Series C-1 Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2021, the conversion ratio for the Series C Preferred Stock was one-for-one and for Series C-1 Preferred Stock was eight-for-one.

Each share of Preferred Stock will automatically be converted into shares of either Class A Common Stock (for the Series C Preferred Stock) or Class B Common Stock (for the Series C-1 Preferred Stock) at the then-effective conversion rate of such shares upon the earlier of (i) the closing of a firm commitment 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 of the Company to the public with aggregate gross proceeds to the Company in excess of $50,000,000 or (ii) the consent of holders of at least a majority of the then-outstanding shares of Preferred Stock, voting together as a single class on an as-converted basis.

 

9.

COMMON STOCK

The Company’s certificate of incorporation, as amended in June 2020, authorized the Company to issue up to 140,830,491 shares of Class A Common Stock and 29,502,847 shares of Class B Common Stock.

The holders of shares of Class A Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held. The Class B Common Stock is non-voting. No shares of Class B Common Stock were issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021.

 

31


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

In the event of any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, and after payment to the holders of shares of Preferred Stock of their liquidation preferences, the holders of the common stock are entitled to the entire remaining assets of the Company on a pro rata basis.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company has reserved the following shares of common stock for issuance upon the conversion, exercise or vesting of the underlying instruments:

 

     Class A Common Stock      Class B Common Stock  

Series C Preferred Stock

     69,223,658        —    

Series C-1 Preferred Stock

     —          3,687,836  

Common Stock Warrants

     10,817,831        —    

Stock-Based Awards - Options Outstanding

     14,572,344        —    

Stock-Based Awards - RSUs Outstanding

     6,846,961        —    

Stock-Based Awards - Options Available for Future Grant

     4,954,141        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

     106,414,935        3,687,836  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

10.

Warrants

Derivative Warrant Liabilities

The Initial Warrants (See Note 7) of 398,040 common stock warrants were issued in March of 2021. An incremental 597,059 common stock warrants were issued as part of the Amendment in May of 2021, thus there were total of 995,099 common stock warrants issued in conjunction with Loan and Security Agreement in 2021. The Company utilized Black-Scholes model to determine grant fair value of the warrants which was approximately $2,690,574 which was recorded as part of the Debt Issuance Cost. The change in fair value of the warrants from issuance date through December 31, 2021 of $1,664,133 was driven primarily by an increase in the fair value of the Company’s stock that occurred as a result of the Merger Agreement discussed in Note 1. The outstanding common stock warrants were recognized as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and were measured at their inception date fair value using the Black-Scholes model and will be subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with changes recorded as a component of other income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not have any Common stock warrants classified as liabilities as of January 31, 2021. See below for the December 31, 2021 balance summary:

 

Warrant Class

   Shares      Issuance Date      Strike Price per
Share
     Expiration Date  

Common Stock Warrants

     995,099        May 18, 2021      $ 0.214        May 18, 2031  

The warrant issued in conjunction with the Loan and Security Agreement is classified as liability under ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. The fair value of the warrant which is an incremental cost incurred to obtain the loan is allocated between drawn and undrawn commitment. See Deferred Financing Cost disclosure at Note 2 Summary of Significant Accounting Policies.

 

32


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The fair value of the common stock warrant liabilities presented above were measured using the Black Scholes model approach. Significant inputs into the respective models at the initial recognition of the liability and December 31, 2021, respectively are as follows:

 

Valuation Assumption -
Common Stock Warrants

   Initial Recognition     December 31, 2021  

Stock price

   $ 2.87     $ 4.44  

Strike price

   $ 0.21     $ 0.21  

Volatility (annual)

     51.90     105.10

Risk-free rate

     1.65     1.51

Estimated time to expiration (years)

     10       9  

Dividend yield

     0.00     0.00

The Company recorded a total loss of $1,664,133 to Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability as a component of other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021.

Series C Preferred Stock Financing Warrants

In conjunction with the Series C Preferred Stock Financing (see Note 8), the Company issued a total of 6,668,714 Warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock to the Series C investors. The Warrants have a $0.01 exercise price per share and have a 10-year term to expiration. The Warrants can be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis. The Company determined that the Warrants met the requirements for equity classification under ASC 480 and ASC 815. The Company estimated the fair value of the Warrants using the Black-Scholes model (see below for key inputs) and allocated approximately $1,236,600 in proceeds from the Series C Preferred Stock to the value of the Warrants on a relative fair value basis, which was recorded to additional paid in capital.

 

Valuation Assumptions

   Initial Recognition  

Stock Price

   $ 0.21  

Strike Price

   $ 0.01  

Volatility (annual)

     51.50

Risk-free rate

     1.55

Estimated time to expiration (years)

     10  

Dividend yield

     0.00

Customer Warrants

In February 2020, the Company issued a Warrant to purchase 3,406,156 shares of Class A Common Stock to a customer in conjunction with a revenue arrangement (the “Customer Warrant”). The Customer Warrants have a $0.9067 exercise price per share and have a 10 year term to expiration. The Warrants vest upon the achievement of certain performance conditions (i.e. sales milestones) defined in the agreement, and upon a change of control, either 50% or 100% of the then unvested Customer Warrants will become fully vested, dependent on the acquiring party in the change of control transaction. The Warrants can be exercised for cash or on a cashless basis.

 

33


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company followed the guidance in ASC 718 and ASC 606 for the accounting of non-cash consideration payable to a customer. The Company determined that the Customer Warrants met the requirements for equity classification under ASC 718, and measured the Customer Warrants based on their grant date fair value, estimated to be $154,330. The Company recorded this amount as a deferred asset and additional paid in capital as of the issuance date, as the Company believes it is probable that all performance conditions (i.e. sales milestones) in the Customer Warrants will be met. During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded a reduction of revenue related to the arrangement with the customer totaling $5,774 As of December 31, 2021, the deferred asset balance outstanding is $95,120, which will be recognized as a reduction in revenue in future periods.

 

Valuation Assumptions

   Initial Recognition  

Stock Price

   $ 0.21  

Strike Price

   $ 0.91  

Volatility (annual)

     45.00

Risk-free rate

     1.29

Estimated time to expiration (years)

     10  

Dividend yield

     0.00

The vesting status of the Customer Warrant is as follows at December 31, 2021:

 

     December 31,
2021
     January 31,
2021

Vested Customer warrants

     1,362,461      1,021,845

Unvested Customer warrants

     2,043,695      2,384,311
  

 

 

    

 

     3,406,156      3,406,156
  

 

 

    

 

 

11.  FORWARD WARRANT AGREEMENT

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement in October 2021 (Note 1), Rigetti entered into a warrant subscription agreement (“Forward Warrant Agreement”) with a strategic partner for the purchase of a warrant for an aggregate purchase price (including amounts from exercise) of $10,000,000. The Forward Warrant Agreement provides for the issuance of a warrant for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of Rigetti common stock at an exercise price of $0.0001. The purchase of the warrant is conditioned upon, among other things, the consummation of the Business Combination and the entry into a collaboration agreement between Rigetti and the strategic partner. The parties entered into the collaboration agreement in January 2022. (Note 16). The strategic partner is required to pay $5,000,000 to Rigetti no later than (i) the Closing and (ii) June 30, 2022, and upon such payment the warrant will vest and be exercisable by the strategic partner with respect to 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant. The strategic partner is required to pay an additional $5,000,000 to Rigetti no later than the second anniversary of the date of the warrant subscription agreement, and upon such payment, the warrant will vest and be exercisable by the strategic partner with respect to the remaining 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant.

 

34


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

The Company evaluated the Forward Purchase Agreement as a derivative liability in conjunction with the guidance of ASC 480, “Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity”. The Company calculated fair value of the Forward Purchase Agreement by using the Forward Contract Pricing methodology at inception and at the end of December 31, 2021. The fair value of the Forward Warrant Agreement was estimated based on the following key inputs and assumptions 1) Assumed holding period 2) Related risk free rate and 3) Likelihood of the outcome of the various contingencies outlined below. Based on these inputs and assumption, the Company calculated the fair value of the derivative liability to be $400,000 at inception and $230,000 at December 31, 2021, respectively. The Company has included the derivative liability in other liabilities (current) in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet.

 

Key Valuation Assumptions

Holding period (in years)

   0.50 - 1.13

Risk free rate

   0.19% - 0.43%

Probability of occurring the contingency

   50% - 100%

Underlying value per share

   $10.29

 

12.

EQUITY PLANS

Equity Incentive Plan—In 2013, the Board of Directors adopted the Rigetti & Co., Inc. 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), which provides for the grant of qualified incentive stock options and nonqualified stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units or other awards to the Company’s employees, officers, directors, advisors, and outside consultants. The Plan currently allows for the issuance of up to 29,011,572 shares of the Company’s common stock. At December 31, 2021, there were 4,954,141 shares available for future grant under the Plan. The stock options awarded by the Company generally vest over a four-year period (unless such awards are immediately vested upon issuance); and expire 10 years from the date of grant.

In May 2020, the Board of Directors approved a reduction in the exercise price of eligible current employees’ outstanding options to purchase shares of the Company’s Common Stock (the “2020 Option Repricing”). The new exercise price per share for each repriced option was $0.214. All other terms set forth in original option agreements, including vesting schedules contained therein, remained unchanged. The Company determined that the 2020 Option Repricing resulted in $234,479 in incremental stock-based compensation expense, of which approximately $90,000 was immediately recognized related to options that had previously vested. The remainder of the incremental stock-based compensation expense will be recognized over the remaining requisite service period of the respective stock options.

 

35


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

A summary of activity related stock option grants to employees under the Plan as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, and changes during the years then ended is as follows:

 

     Number of
Options
     Weighted-Average
Exercise Price
     Average Remaining
Contractual Term (In
Years)
 

Outstanding - January 31, 2021

     17,008,770      $  0.27        9.0  

Granted

     62,500      $ 0.21     

Exercised

     (1,785,242    $ 0.21     

Forfeited

     (713,684    $ 0.21     
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Outstanding - December 31, 2021

     14,572,344      $ 0.28        8.1  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Exercisable - December 31, 2021

     7,797,387      $ 0.31        7.9  

The weighted-average grant date fair value of options granted during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021 was $2.70 and $0.09, respectively.

The intrinsic value of options outstanding and exercisable as of December 31, 2021 is $60,676,901 and $32,073,020, respectively. The intrinsic value of the options exercised during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 is $5,775,751.

Stock-based compensation expense of $1,765,371 and $2,592,038 was recognized during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, respectively, all of which relates to stock option awards. The Company recognized no income tax benefit in the consolidated statements of operations for stock-based compensation arrangements during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021.

Stock-Based Compensation Expense—Stock-based compensation for the eleven months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, was as follows:

 

     11 Months Ended
December 31,
     Year Ended
January 31,
 
     2021      2021  

Research and development

   $ 975,136      $ 894,141  

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

     790,235        1,697,897  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total stock-based compensation expense

   $  1,765,371      $  2,592,038  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, there was $3,107,559 of unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options granted under the Plan, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.1 years.

During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, the Company granted 6,859,461 restricted stock units. Prior to the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, the Company did not historically grant restricted stock units under the terms of the Plan. The fair value of the RSU’s granted for the 11 months period ended December 31, 2021 has been determined by the board of directors at each award grant date based upon the most recently completed third party valuation to be $2.87 for April 21, 2021 and for August 18, 2021 grants, and $4.44 for October 28, 2021 and

 

36


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

November 4, 2021 grants, respectively. The RSU’s have a dual vesting condition whereby vesting monthly over four-year term so long as the employee retains their status with the Company. There is an additional liquidity-event vesting requirement that is defined as a change in control, a successful IPO or a successful merger with a SPAC. As no unit vest until such time a liquidity event occurs, no compensation expense has been recognized during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021. The expected unrecognized compensation expense related to the RSU’s totaled $21,228,628 as of December 31, 2021. The Company will record a cumulative catch-up upon consummation of the liquidity-event for the fair value of restricted stock vested and recognize the remaining amount over the remaining vesting term.

Fair Value of Common Stock and Options— The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model that uses the assumptions noted in the table below. Expected volatility for the Company’s common stock was determined based on an average of the historical volatility of a peer group of similar public companies. The expected term of options granted was calculated using the simplified method, which represents the average of the contractual term of the option and the weighted-average vesting period of the option. The Company uses the simplified method because it does not have sufficient historical option exercise data to provide a reasonable basis upon which to estimate expected term. The assumed dividend yield is based upon the Company’s expectation of not paying dividends in the foreseeable future. The risk-free rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the period equivalent to the expected life of the option.

In determining the exercise prices for options granted, the Company’s board of directors has considered the fair value of the common stock as of the grant date. The fair value of the common stock has been determined by the board of directors at each award grant date based upon a variety of factors, including the results obtained from an independent third-party valuation, the Company’s financial position and historical financial performance, the status of technological developments within the Company’s products, the composition and ability of the current engineering and management team, an evaluation or benchmark of the Company’s competition, the current business climate in the marketplace, the illiquid nature of the common stock, arm’s-length sales of the Company’s capital stock (including redeemable convertible preferred stock), the effect of the rights and preferences of the preferred shareholders, and the prospects of a liquidity event, among others.

The range of assumptions used in the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for options issued to employees during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021, are as follows:

 

     December 31,    January 31,
     2021    2021

Expected volatility

   46.8%    41.2% - 43.1%

Weighted-average risk-free interest rate

   1.07%    0.3% - 0.6%

Expected dividend yield

   0%    0%

Expected term (in years)

   6.1 years    5.0 - 6.3 years

Exercise price

   $0.21    $ 0.21

 

37


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

13.

NET LOSS PER SHARE

The following table sets forth the computation of the basic and diluted net loss per share in relation to the Class A Common Stock:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Net Loss

   $  (38,241,499    $  (26,127,496

Basic and diluted shares

     

Weighted-average Class A Common Stock outstanding

     21,941,997        20,719,085  

Loss per share for Class A Common Stock

     

— Basic

   $ (1.74    $ (1.26

— Diluted

   $ (1.74    $ (1.26

The number of shares outstanding underlying the potential dilutive Class A Common Stock at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 were summarized as below:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Convertible Series C Preferred Stock

     69,223,658        69,223,658  

Common Stock Warrants

     10,817,831        3,406,156  

Stock Options

     14,572,344        17,008,770  

Restricted Stock Units

     6,846,961        —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     101,460,794        89,638,584  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The number of shares outstanding underlying the potential dilutive Class B Common Stock at December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021 are as follows:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Convertible Series C-1 Preferred Stock

     29,502,847        29,502,847  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     29,502,847        29,502,847  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2021, no Class B Common Stock has been issued, however the Series C-1 Preferred Stock shares are convertible into the Class B Common Stock in an eight-for-one ratio. The Series C-1 Preferred Stock were issued in February, 2020. As of December 31, 2021, 29,502,847 shares of Series C-1 Preferred Stock were outstanding and have been excluded from the dilutive net loss per share calculation since the effect would be anti-dilutive.

 

38


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

14.

INCOME TAXES

The following table presents domestic and foreign components of loss before income taxes for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Domestic

   $ (36,787,312    $ (25,222,388

Foreign

     (1,454,187      (905,108
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
     $(38,241,499)      $(26,127,496)  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The Company did not pay any income taxes for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021.

Significant components of the Company’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2021 and January 31, 2021, are as follows:

 

     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Deferred Tax Assets:

     

Net operating loss carryforwards

   $ 46,552,853      $ 38,650,103  

Accruals and reserves

     146,603        96,320  

Stock-based compensation

     744,300        278,581  

Research and development credits

     10,986        10,986  

Intangible assets

     32,324        35,516  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Gross deferred assets

     47,487,066        39,071,506  

Valuation allowance

     (46,066,606      (38,051,098
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net Deferred Tax Assets

     1,420,460        1,020,408  

Deferred Tax Liabilities:

     

Property and equipment

   $ (1,420,460    $ (1,020,408
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Deferred Tax Liabilities

     (1,420,460      (1,020,408
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total Net Deferred Tax Assets

   $ —        $ —    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

The effective tax rate differs from the statutory rate, primarily due to the Company’s history of incurring losses, which have not been benefited, the foreign rate differential related to subsidiary earnings, and other permanent differences.

 

39


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

     11 Months Ended
December 31, 2021
    Year Ended
January 31, 2021
 

Component

   Rate Impact     Rate Impact  

Total pre-tax book income

     21     22

State and local income taxes

     0     0

Permanent differences

     -1     -2

Rate differential

     0     0

Return to provision true up

     1     -11

Change in valuation allowance

     -21     -9
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total:

     0     0
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon future earnings, if any, the timing and amount of which are uncertain. Accordingly, the net U.S. federal and state deferred tax assets have been fully offset by a valuation allowance. The net change in the total valuation allowance was an increase of approximately $8,015,508 and $2,339,894 for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes of $190,992,096, which expire beginning in the year 2033, and federal research and development tax credits of $2,328,063, which expire beginning in the year 2035. There are $149,489,810 of indefinite-lived federal net operating loss carryforwards, which are included in the total federal net operating loss carryforwards as of December 31, 2021.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had net operating loss carryforwards for state income tax purposes of $85,770,366, which expire beginning in the year 2033, and state research and development tax credits of $2,344,146, which do not expire.

Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to substantial annual limitation due to federal and state ownership change limitations provided by the Internal Revenue Code and similar state provisions. Such annual limitations could result in the expiration of the net operating losses and credits before their utilization. The Company has not performed a Section 382 analysis to determine if a change occurred and whether the use of net operating loss carryforwards and credits carryforwards will be limited to offset future taxable income. For financial statement purposes, the Company has included the federal and state net operating losses and credits in the deferred tax assets with a full valuation allowance.

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of $4,672,209 related to U.S. federal and state research and development credits. No amount of unrecognized tax benefits would affect the effective tax rate because any tax benefits that, if recognized, would result in adjustments to a related deferred tax asset that are offset by a valuation allowance.

 

Beginning balance at February 1, 2021

   $  4,672,209  

Current year increase(decrease)

     —    

Prior year adjustment - increase(decrease)

     —    
  

 

 

 

Ending balance at December 31, 2021

   $ 4,672,209  
  

 

 

 

The Company files U.S. federal income tax returns as well as income tax returns in California, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. As of December 31, 2021, the tax years 2013 through the current period remain open to examination by the major jurisdictions in which the Company is subject to tax. Fiscal years outside the normal statute of limitation remain open to audit by tax authorities due to tax attributes generated in those early years, which have been carried forward and may be audited in subsequent years when utilized. The Company is not currently subject to U.S. federal, state, or non-U.S. income tax examinations by any tax authorities.

 

40


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

15.

SEGMENTS

The following table presents a summary of revenue by geography for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021:

 

     11 Months Ended
December 31,
     Year Ended
January 31,
 
     2021      2021  

United States

   $  5,826,004      $  5,108,847  

United Kingdom

     2,370,302        412,747  

Australia

     —          21,004  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 
   $ 8,196,306      $ 5,542,598  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Revenues from external customers are attributed to individual countries based on the physical location in which the services are provided or the particular customer location with whom the Company has contracted.

During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, 71% of revenues were derived from customers in the United States and 29% of revenues were derived from customers in United Kingdom. During the year ended January 31, 2021, 92% of revenues were derived from customers in the United States, 7% of revenues were derived from customers in United Kingdom, and less than 1% of revenues were derived from customers in Australia.

 

16.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

The Company has evaluated subsequent events occurring between the most recent balance sheet date and March 7, 2022, the date through which these financial statements were available to be issued.

Debt Financing—In January 2022, the Company entered into the third amendment of the Loan Agreement to increase the debt commitment to $32.0 million. The amendment allows the Company to draw an additional $5.0 million immediately with an additional $8.0 million to be drawn at the sole discretion of the note holder. The Company drew the additional $5.0 million upon signing the amendment.

Other modifications per the amendment included: 1) Extension of Equity Milestone to raise capital of at least $75.0 million from February 1 to April 1, 2022; and 2) Defined Exit Fee percentage for the additional $5.0 million commitment be 20% of any amount advanced under the amendment. In conjunction with the amendment, Rigetti Holdings, Inc. also guaranteed Rigetti & Co, LLC’s payment of all monetary amounts owed and performance of all covenants, obligations and liabilities.

Equity Plan—On January 25, 2022, Rigetti granted 4,963,065 RSUs to officers and executives of the company, half of which vest over a period of 12 months and the other half vest over a period of 48 months from the date of grant.

Collaboration Agreement—In connection with the Forward Warrant Agreement (Note 11), the Company entered into a collaboration agreement (“Collaboration Agreement”) effective as of January 13, 2022 with its strategic partner. Under the Collaboration Agreement, both parties will (i)collaborate to identify appropriate use cases and applications of interest to large cloud computing customers; (ii) develop an initial proof of concept (“PoC”) to allow internal and select joint customers to evaluate workloads under the defined use cases using the collaborative products; (iii) using the data gathered from the PoC, develop a joint go-to-market strategy and collaterals to showcase the benchmarks and value proposition of using the PoC to solve real-world problems in a novel manner;(iv) develop a commercially viable Quantum Simulator offering addressing use cases and applications to enable demonstrations thereof for such customers in calendar year 2022; and (v) take all such other efforts reasonably necessary to promote, market and monetize such Quantum Simulator offering for the benefit of both Parties.

Merger Closing—On March 2, 2022, as contemplated by the Merger Agreement described in Note 1, Rigetti, Supernova and Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II consummated the Merger Agreement.

The related events that occurred in connection with the merger are summarized below:

 

   

On March 1, 2022, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Supernova filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which Supernova was domesticated and continues as a Delaware corporation, changing its name to “Rigetti Computing, Inc.”

 

41


RIGETTI HOLDINGS, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

AS OF AND FOR THE ELEVEN MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2021 AND YEAR ENDED JANUARY 31, 2021

 

 

   

As a result of and upon the effective time of the Domestication, among other things, (1) each then issued and outstanding Supernova Class A ordinary share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Rigetti Common Stock; (2) each then issued and outstanding Supernova Class B ordinary share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Rigetti Common Stock; (3) each then issued and outstanding warrant of Supernova converted automatically into a warrant to acquire one share of New Rigetti Common Stock (the “New Rigetti Warrants”) pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated March 1, 2021, between Supernova and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent; and (4) each then issued and outstanding unit of Supernova (the “Supernova Units”) was separated and converted automatically into one share of New Rigetti Common Stock and one-fourth of one New Rigetti Warrant. No fractional shares were issued upon exercise of the New Rigetti.

 

   

On the Closing Date, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, New Rigetti consummated the merger transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, following approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on February 28, 2022, whereby (i) the First Merger occurred and (ii) immediately following the consummation of the Fist Merger, the Second Merger occurred.

 

   

Immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger, all shares of Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock converted into shares of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock in accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Legacy Rigetti (the “Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion”).

 

   

Each share of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock (including Legacy Rigetti Common Stock resulting from the Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion) that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Merger was cancelled and converted into 78,959,579 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock.

 

   

Each warrant to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted into a warrant to purchase shares of New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti warrants, and with an exercise price and number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchasable based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

   

Each option to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted Into An Option To Purchase Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock Subject To The Same Terms And Conditions As Were Applicable To The Original Legacy Rigetti Options, And With An Exercise Price And Number Of Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock Purchasable Based On The Exchange Ratio And Other Terms Contained In The Merger Agreement.

 

   

Each Restricted Share Of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock Was Exchanged For Restricted Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock Subject To The Same Terms And Conditions As Were Applicable To The Original Legacy Restricted Shares, And With The Number Of Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock Based On The Exchange Ratio And Other Terms Contained In The Merger Agreement.

 

   

Each Legacy Rigetti Restricted Stock Unit Award Converted Into A Restricted Stock Unit Award To Receive Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock Subject To The Same Terms And Conditions As Were Applicable To The Original Legacy Restricted Stock Unit Awards, And With The Number Of Shares Of New Rigetti Common Stock To Which The Restricted Stock Unit Award Relates Based On The Exchange Ratio And Other Terms Contained In The Merger Agreement.

Other Related Events That Occurred In connection with the Business Combination are summarized below:

 

   

The issuance and sale of (i) 10,251,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and (ii) 4,390,244 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.25 per share, generated aggregate gross proceeds of $147.5 million in PIPE Financing pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

 

   

Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, at the Closing (i) 2,479,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor (the “Promote Sponsor Vesting Shares”) became subject to vesting and are considered unvested and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days, and (ii) 580,273 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor (“Sponsor Redemption-Based Vesting Shares”) became subject to vesting and considered unvested and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days (collectively, the Promote Sponsor Vesting Shares and Sponsor Redemption-Based Vesting Shares, “Sponsor Earn Out Shares”). Any Sponsor Earn Out Shares that remain unvested after the fifth anniversary of the Closing will be forfeited.

 

   

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Legacy Rigetti entered into a warrant subscription agreement with a strategic partner, Ampere, for the purchase of a warrant for an aggregate purchase price (including amounts from exercise) of $10,000,000. At the Closing, the warrant agreement was assumed by New Rigetti as a result of the Mergers. The warrant provides for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.0001. Ampere is required to pay $5.0 million no later than (i) the Closing or (ii) June 30, 2022, and upon such payment the warrant will vest and be exercisable by Ampere with respect to 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant. No such purchase or payment has been made as of the Closing Date regarding this first $5.0 million. Ampere is required to pay an additional $5.0 million no later than the second anniversary of the date of the warrant subscription agreement, and upon such payment, the warrant will vest and be exercisable by Ampere with respect to the remaining 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant.

 

42

EX-99.2

Exhibit 99.2

RIGETTI’S 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 our audited consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Report”). This discussion and analysis contains forward-looking statements, such as statements of our plans, objectives, expectations and intentions. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. When used, the words “believe,” “plan,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “target,” “estimate,” “expect,” “will,” “continue,” “project,” and the like, and/or future tense or conditional constructions (“will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” etc.), or similar expressions, identify certain of these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those we describe under “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this Report and in our definitive proxy statement and final prospectus, dated February 9, 2022 (the “Proxy Statement/Prospectus”), that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The Company’s actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors.

For purposes of this discussion, “Rigetti,” “the Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” refer to Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and its subsidiaries prior to the consummation of the Business Combination and Rigetti Computing, Inc. after the consummation of the Business Combination, unless the context otherwise requires.

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit 99.2 shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Proxy Statement/Prospectus.

Overview

On October 5, 2021, pursuant to an agreement and plan of merger (the “Holding Company Merger Agreement”) by and among Rigetti & Co, Inc., Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and Rigetti Intermediate Merger Sub, Inc., Rigetti Intermediate Merger Sub, Inc. merged with and into Rigetti & Co, Inc., with Rigetti & Co, Inc. surviving such merger as a wholly owned subsidiary of Rigetti Holdings, Inc., with all of the outstanding equity securities of Rigetti & Co, Inc. exchanged for identical equity securities of Rigetti Holdings, Inc. and on October 6, Rigetti & Co, Inc. was converted into a Delaware limited liability company and continues as “Rigetti & Co, LLC”. As the transactions described above were among entities under common control and the exchange was made on a one-for-one basis, this merger had no impact on the historical financial statements of Rigetti & Co, Inc. The financial results of Rigetti Holdings, Inc. refer to the financial results of the Rigetti & Co, Inc. and Rigetti & Co, LLC.

The Company builds quantum computers and the superconducting quantum processors that power them. The Company believes quantum computing represents one of the most transformative emerging capabilities in the world today. By leveraging quantum mechanics, the Company’s quantum computers process information in fundamentally new, more powerful ways than classical computers. When scaled, it is anticipated that these systems will be poised to solve problems of staggering computational complexity at unprecedented speed.

With the goal of unlocking this opportunity, Rigetti has developed the world’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. Rigetti believes that this patented and patent pending, modular chip architecture is the building block for new generations of quantum processors that it expects to achieve a clear advantage over classical computers.

Rigetti’s long-term business model centers on revenue generated from quantum computing systems made accessible via the cloud in the form of Quantum Computing as a Service (“QCaaS”) products. Additionally, Rigetti is working to further develop a revenue stream and forging important customer relationships by entering into technology development contracts with various partners.

 

1


Rigetti is a vertically integrated company. Rigetti owns and operates Fab-1, a dedicated and integrated laboratory and manufacturing facility, through which Rigetti owns the means of producing its breakthrough multi-chip quantum processor technology. Rigetti leverages its chips through a full-stack product development approach, from quantum chip design and manufacturing through cloud delivery. Rigetti believes this full-stack development approach offers both the fastest and lowest risk path to building commercially valuable quantum computers.

Rigetti has been generating revenue since 2018 through partnerships with government agencies and commercial organizations; however, Rigetti has not yet generated profits. Rigetti has incurred significant operating losses since inception. Rigetti’s net losses were $38.2 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, and $26.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2021, and it expects to continue to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future As Rigetti expects to continue to invest in research and development infrastructure. As of December 31, 2021, Rigetti had an accumulated deficit of $207.1 million.

The Business Combination and PIPE Financing

On October 6, 2021, Supernova entered into the Merger Agreement by and among Supernova, First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub, and Rigetti. On March 2, 2022, the Business Combination was consummated and in connection with the closing, Supernova changed its name to “Rigetti Computing, Inc.”

While the legal acquirer in the Merger Agreement is Supernova, for financial accounting and reporting purposes under GAAP, Rigetti is the accounting acquirer and the Mergers are accounted for as a “reverse recapitalization.” A reverse recapitalization does not result in a new basis of accounting, and the financial statements of Rigetti represent the continuation of the financial statements of Rigetti in many respects. Under this method of accounting, Supernova is treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. For accounting purposes, Rigetti is deemed to be the accounting acquirer in the transaction and, consequently, the transaction is treated as a recapitalization of Rigetti (i.e., a capital transaction involving the issuance of stock by Supernova for the stock of Rigetti).

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, the most significant change in Rigetti’s reported financial position and results of operations is an increase in cash (as compared to Rigetti’s balance sheet at December 31, 2021) of $204.9 million, including $147.5 million in gross proceeds from the PIPE Financing offset by transaction specific expenses. Total direct and incremental transaction costs of Supernova and Rigetti totaled approximately $46.4 million, substantially all of which is offset to additional-paid-in-capital as costs in connection with the reverse recapitalization.

As a result of the Business Combination, Rigetti became subject to the reporting requirements under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and listing standards of the Nasdaq Capital Market, which will necessitate Rigetti to hire additional personnel and implement procedures and processes to address such public company requirements. Rigetti expects to incur additional annual expenses as a public company for, among other things, directors’ and officers’ liability insurance, director fees, and additional internal and external accounting, legal and administrative resources.

COVID- 19 Update

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve rapidly and the Company intends to continue to monitor it closely.

The evolution of the virus is unpredictable and any resurgence may slow down Rigetti’s ability to develop its quantum computing products and related services. The COVID-19 pandemic could limit the ability of suppliers and business partners to perform, including third-party suppliers’ ability to provide components, services and materials. Rigetti may also experience an increase in the cost of raw materials.

 

2


The full impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve as of the date of the filing of this Report. As such, the full magnitude of the pandemic’s effect on Rigetti’s financial condition, liquidity and future results of operations is uncertain. Management continues to actively monitor Rigetti’s financial condition, liquidity, operations, suppliers, industry and workforce.

Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of which we have already experienced, include those described throughout the “Risk Factors” section entitled “Risk Factors” in the proxy statement/prospectus, including “A pandemic, epidemic or outbreak of an infectious disease in the United States or worldwide could adversely affect our business.”

Rigetti’s Change in Fiscal Year

In October 2021, the board of directors of Rigetti approved a change to Rigetti’s fiscal year-end from January 31 to December 31, effective December 31, 2021. The Company believes the year-end change is important and useful to its financial statement users to allow for increased comparability with its industry peers. As a result of this change, Rigetti’s fiscal year 2021 covers a period of 11 months from February 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021. Financial statements for the prior fiscal year ended January 31, 2021 continue to be presented on the basis of the previous fiscal year end which includes 12 months ended January 31, 2021.

Key Components of Results of Operations

Revenue

Rigetti generates revenue through its QCaaS offerings, as well as from its development contracts and other services including training and provision of quantum computing components. Development contracts are generally multi-year, non-recurring arrangements pursuant to which Rigetti provides professional services regarding collaborative research in practical applications of quantum computing to technology and business problems within the customer’s industry or organization and assists the customer in developing quantum algorithms and applications to assist in providing commercial value to the customer in areas of business interest. QCaaS revenue is recognized on a ratable basis over the contract term or on a usage basis, which generally ranges from three months to two years. Revenue related to development contracts and other services is recognized as the related milestones are completed or over time, as the work required to complete these milestones is completed. Revenue related to the sale of custom quantum computing components is recognized at a point in time upon acceptance by the customer.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue consists primarily of all direct and indirect cost associated with providing QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services, including employee salaries and employee related costs, including compensation, bonuses, employee taxes and benefit costs of program management and personnel associated with the delivery of goods and services to customers. Cost of revenue also includes an allocation of facility costs, depreciation and amortization directly related to providing the QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services. Rigetti expects cost of revenue to increase as it continues to expand on its operations, enhance its service offerings and expand its customer base.

Operating Expenses

Our operating expenses consist of sales and marketing, general and administrative and research and development expenses.

Sales and Marketing

Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of compensation including stock-based compensation, employee benefits of sales and marketing employees, outside consultants fees, travel and marketing and promotion costs. Rigetti expects selling and marketing expenses to increase as it continues to expand on its operations, enhance its service offerings, expand its customer base, and implement new marketing strategies.

 

3


General and Administrative

General and administrative expenses include compensation, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, legal, insurance, finance administration and human resources, an allocation of facility costs (including leases), bad debt costs, professional service fees, and an allocation of other general overhead costs including depreciation and amortization to support Rigetti’s operations, which consists of operations other than associated with providing QCaaS offerings and development contracts and other services. Rigetti expects its general and administrative expenses to increase as it continues to grow its business. Rigetti also expects to incur additional expenses as a result of operating as a public company.

Research and Development

Research and development costs are expensed as incurred. Research and development expenses include compensation, employee benefits, stock-based compensation, outside consultant fees, allocation of facility costs, depreciation and amortization, materials and components purchased for research and development. Rigetti expects research and development expenses to increase as it invests in the enhancement of its product offerings. Rigetti does not currently capitalize any research and development expenditures.

Provision for Income Taxes

Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases and operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. A valuation allowance is recorded for deferred tax assets if it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Rigetti has recorded a full valuation allowance against its deferred tax assets.

Results of Operations

Comparison of the Eleven Months Ended December 31, 2021, and Year Ended January 31, 2021

The following tables set forth Rigetti’s results of operations for the periods indicated:

 

4


     11 Months Ended      Year Ended                
     December 31,      January 31,                
     2021      2021      $Change      % Change  
     ( In thousands)                

Revenue

   $ 8,196      $ 5,543      $ 2,653        48

Cost of revenue

     1,623        1,492        131        9
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total gross profit

     6,573        4,051        2,522        62

Operating expenses:

           

Research and development

     26,928        24,099        2,829        12

General and administrative

     11,299        13,158        (1,859      -14

Sales and marketing

     2,475        1,886        589        31
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total operating expenses

     40,702        39,143        1,559        4
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Loss from operations

   $ (34,129    $ (35,092    $ 963        -3
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Other (expense) income, net:

           

Gain on extinguishment of debt

     —          8,914        (8,914      nm  

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (1,664      —          (1,664      nm  

Interest expense

     (2,465      (52      (2,413      nm  

Interest income

     10        60        (50      -83

Other income

     7        42        (35      -83
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Total other (expense) income, net

     (4,112      8,964        (13,076   

Net loss before provision for income taxes

     (38,241      (26,128      (12,113   

Provision for income taxes

     —          —          —       
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

Net loss

   $ (38,241    $ (26,128    $ (12,113   
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

The results of operations for the period ended December 31, 2021 relate to an 11-month period as compared to the 12-month period ended January 31, 2021. Some of the variances in operating results between these periods are primarily attributable to the fewer number of operating months in the current period ended December 31, 2021.

Revenue

Revenue increased $2.7 million, or 48%, to $8.2 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, up from $5.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. The period over period growth is primarily attributable to an increase of $2.6 million in revenue due to onboarding new development contracts with a few U.S. government agencies during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 combined with an expansion in scope of work for existing customers of $0.1 million.

Cost of Revenue

Cost of revenue increased $0.1 million, or 9%, to $1.6 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, as compared to $1.5 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. The increase was mainly attributable to the increased sub-contract costs of $0.3 million offset by lower employee costs of $0.2 million due to the lower number of operating months in the current period ended December 31, 2021. The Company expects cost of revenue to increase as it continues to expand on its operations, enhance its service offerings, expand its customer base.

Operating Expenses

Research and Development Expenses

Research and development expenses increased by $2.8 million, or 12%, to $26.9 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, from $24.1 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. The increase was primarily attributable to a $1.6 million increase in payroll related costs in the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 due to an increase in headcount and the absence of cost savings in salaries, material and consultant costs experienced in the prior year due to stoppage of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, as a result of a continued investment in research and development activities, costs of direct materials, and information technology expenses increased by $1.2 million, and depreciation expense increased by $0.2 million during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2021. The increase was offset by a total $0.2 million reduction in other expenses as a result of COVID-19 related severance payments in the prior comparable period. Rigetti expects research and development expenses to increase as it invests in the enhancement of its product offerings, including with respect to cost of building QPU fridges, quantum chip fabrication costs and general salaries and wages.

 

5


Sales and Marketing Expenses

Sales and marketing increased $0.6 million, or 31%, to $2.5 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 from $1.9 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. The increase was primarily driven by a $0.9 million increase in payroll related costs for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 as compared to the year ended January 31, 2021 during which the Company experienced a reduction in headcount and lower material and consultant costs due to stoppage of work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, offset by a $0.3 million decrease in other expenses related to marketing and promotion which did not recur during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021. Rigetti expects selling and marketing expenses to increase as it continues to expand on its operations, enhance its service offerings, expand its customer base, and implement new marketing strategies, including with respect to customer acquisition efforts and general marketing campaigns.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased by $1.9 million, or 14%, to $11.3 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, from $13.2 million for the year ended January 31, 2021. The decrease was attributable to a decrease in facility costs of $0.5 million as a result of subleasing out certain properties during the 11-month period ended December 31, 2021, lower consultant costs of $0.5 million due to the hiring of full time employees, lower stock compensation expense of $0.4 million, lower corporate legal fees due to absence of non-recurring financing-related legal fees of $0.8 million incurred during the year ended January 31, 2021 and fewer operating months in the current period. These overall decreases were partially offset by an increase in headcount in the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 as a result of hiring senior executives and incentive compensation for executive employees of approximately $0.5 million and an increase of approximately $0.2 million related to the change in fair value of forward contract liabilities for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021. A discussion of change in fair value of forward contract agreement liability is included in Note 11 to Rigetti’s consolidated financial statements for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Report. Rigetti expects its general and administrative expenses to increase as it continues to grow its business and as a result of increased costs operating as a public company, including expenses necessary to comply with the rules and regulations applicable to companies listed on a national securities exchange and related to compliance and reporting obligations pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, as well as higher expenses for general and director and officer insurance, investor relations, and professional services.

Other Income (Expense), net

Interest Expense

Interest expense was $2.5 million for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, from $52,000 for the year ended January 31, 2021. As the Company did not have interest bearing debt in the previous comparable period, the increase in expense was a result of a Loan and Security Agreement entered into during the eleven- month period ended December 31, 2021.

Gain on Extinguishment of Debt

Gain on extinguishment of $8.9 million was the result of the conversion of outstanding convertible notes in the year ended January 31, 2021, and as compared to the absence of such one-off event during the 11 months period ended December 31, 2021.

Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liabilities

A discussion of change in fair value of warranty liabilities is included in Note 10 to Rigetti’s consolidated financial statements for the eleven-month period ended December 31, 2021, included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Report.

 

6


Liquidity and Capital Resources

Rigetti has incurred net losses since inception, and experienced negative cash flows from operations. As of December 31, 2021, the Company financed its operations primarily through the issuance of preferred stock, warrants and convertible notes and raised gross proceeds of $203 million. During the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, Rigetti incurred net losses of $38.2 million. As of December 31, 2021, Rigetti had an accumulated deficit of $207.1 million. As of December 31, 2021, Rigetti had cash of $11.7 million. In connection with the closing of the Business Combination on March 2, 2022, Rigetti received gross proceeds of approximately $261.7 million. Rigetti expects to incur additional losses and higher operating expenses for the foreseeable future. The Company believes that its existing cash and cash equivalents and net proceeds from the Business Combination should be sufficient to meet its anticipated operating cash needs for at least the next 12 months based. This estimate is based on its current business plan and expectations and assumptions in light of current macroeconomic conditions. Rigetti has based these estimates on assumptions that may prove to be wrong, and could use its available capital resources sooner than it currently expects, and future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the proxy statement/prospectus.

Rigetti’s primary uses of cash are to fund its operations as it continues to grow its business. Rigetti will require a significant amount of cash for expenditures as it invests in ongoing research and development and business operations. Until such time as Rigetti can generate significant revenue from sales of its development contracts and other services, it expects to finance its cash needs through borrowings under its Loan Agreement and equity or debt financings or other capital sources, including development contract revenue with government agencies and strategic partnerships. To the extent that Rigetti raises additional capital through the sale of equity or convertible debt securities, the ownership interest of its stockholders will be, or could be, diluted, and the terms of these securities may include liquidation or other preferences that adversely affect the rights of its common stockholders. Debt financing and equity financing, if available, may involve agreements that include covenants limiting or restricting its ability to take specific actions, such as incurring additional debt, making capital expenditures or declaring dividends. If Rigetti is unable to raise additional funds through equity or debt financings when needed, it may be required to delay, limit, or substantially reduce its quantum computing development efforts. Rigetti’s future capital requirements and the adequacy of available funds will depend on many factors, including those set forth in the section titled “Risk Factors” included in the proxy statement/prospectus.

Loan and Security Agreement

On March 10, 2021, Rigetti & Co, Inc., as borrower (the “Borrower”), entered into a Loan and Security Agreement (as amended, the “Loan Agreement”) with Trinity Capital Inc., as lender, for term loans with a principal amount of $12.0 million, bearing an interest rate of the greater of 7.5% plus the prime rate published by the Wall Street Journal or 11.0%. In addition, the Borrower is required to pay a final payment fee equal to 2.75% of the aggregate amount of all term loan advances. The term loans under the Loan Agreement are secured by all of the assets of the Borrower. The Loan Agreement contains customary representations, warranties and covenants, but does not include any financial covenants. The negative covenants include restrictions on the ability to incur indebtedness, pay dividends, execute fundamental change transactions, and other specified actions. In connection with entry into the Loan Agreement, the Borrower issued a warrant to purchase shares of Borrower’s common stock to Trinity.

On May 18, 2021, Borrower entered into a first amendment to the Loan Agreement (“First Amendment), which modified certain financial covenants, including an additional good faith deposit of $20,000 and adding a tranche B to the Loan Agreement in an aggregate amount of $15.0 million, consisting of two advances of $8.0 million and $7.0 million each. In connection with the First Amendment, the maturity date was modified to be the date equal to 48 months from the first payment date of each specific cash advance. In connection with the First Amendment, Borrower cancelled the initial warrants and issued a warrant to purchase 995,099 shares of Borrower’s common stock.

On October 21, 2021, Borrower entered into a second amendment to the Loan Agreement (the “Second Amendment”), which modified the date requiring Borrower to deliver evidence of completion of the PIPE transaction and execution of a definitive merger agreement with a special purpose acquisition company to October 31, 2021.

 

7


As of December 31, 2021, the total principal amount outstanding under Loan Agreement was approximately $27.0 million.

In January 2022, Borrower entered into the third amendment to the Loan Agreement (“Third Amendment”) to increase the debt commitment to $32.0 million. The amendment allows Borrower to draw an additional $5.0 million immediately with an additional $8.0 million to be drawn at the sole discretion of the lender. Borrower drew the additional $5.0 million upon signing the amendment. Other modifications per the amendment included an extension of the requirement to raise an additional $75 million of equity and a defined exit fee for the additional $5.0 million to be at 20% of the advanced funds under the amendment. In conjunction with the amendment, Borrower also guaranteed payment of all monetary amounts owed and performance of all covenants, obligations and liabilities.

The Loan Agreement is secured by a first-priority security interest in substantially all of the Borrower’s assets. In addition, in January 2022, Rigetti entered into a Guaranty Agreement with Trinity Capital pursuant to which Rigetti guarantees all of the payment obligations of Borrower under the Loan Agreement.

As of the date of this Report, the Company is in compliance with all covenants under the Loan Agreement.

 

8


Our cash commitments as of December 31, 2021 were primarily as follows:

 

     Total      Short-Term      Long-Term  

Financing obligations

   $ 24,791,032      $ 1,290,538      $ 23,500,494  

Operating lease obligations

     4,674,898        1,807,759        2,867,139  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 29,465,930      $ 3,098,297      $ 26,367,633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Financing obligations consist of principal and unamortized financing costs related to the Loan and Security Agreement. Operating lease obligations consist of obligations under non-cancelable operating leases for our offices and facilities. The cash requirements in the table above are associated with contracts that are enforceable and legally binding and that specify all significant terms, including fixed or minimum services to be used, fixed, minimum or variable price provisions, and the approximate timing of the actions under the contracts. The table does not include obligations under agreements that we can cancel without a significant penalty.

Historical Cash Flows

The following table summarizes Rigetti’s cash flows for the periods indicated:

 

     11 Months Ended      Year Ended  
     December 31,      January 31,  
     2021      2021  

Net cash used in operating activities

   $ (29,043    $ (30,067

Net cash used in investing activities

     (7,008      (4,400

Net cash provided by financing activities

     25,582        56,289  

Cash Flows Used in Operating Activities

Rigetti’s cash flows from operating activities are significantly affected by the growth of its business primarily related to research and development, sales and marketing, and general and administrative activities. Rigetti’s operating cash flows are also affected by its working capital needs to support growth in personnel-related expenditures and fluctuations in accounts payable and other current assets and liabilities.

Net cash used in operating activities decreased by $1.0 million, or 3%, when comparing the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, to the year ended January 31, 2021. The decrease was primarily due to a shorter period of 11 months, higher revenue of $2.6 million earned and collected than the prior year, offset by an increase in employee related costs and temporary and permanent operational, administrative, and development expense totalling $1.6 million during the 11 months period ended December 31, 2021 as a result of gradually resuming operations following the temporary work stoppage in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As compared to the year ended January 31, 2021, the Company took cost reduction efforts including headcount reductions in compensation of employees at certain levels, sub-leasing of corporate offices and elimination of certain employee benefits in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

9


Net cash used in operating activities during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, was $29.0 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $38.2 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $4.7 million in depreciation, $1.8 million in stock-based compensation, $1.7 million in change of fair value of derivative warrant liabilities related to the Loan and Security Agreement, $0.7 million in amortization of debt financing costs, and $0.2 million due to the change in fair value of forward contract liabilities. These non-cash charges were partially offset by adjustments for changes in operating assets and liabilities seen during the period. Changes in operating assets and liabilities was $0.2 million, which primarily consisted of an increase in accounts receivable of $1.06 million, an increase in prepaid and current assets of $0.31 million, a decrease in accounts payable of $0.39 million, and a decrease in other liabilities for $0.09 million, partially offset by an increase in deferred revenue of $0.49 million and an increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $1.55 million. The increase in deferred revenue was due to revenue not being recognized while billing has happened, the increase in accounts receivable and decrease in accounts payable was due to the timing of customer/vendor invoicing and payments. The increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets was due to advance payment for goods or services that were expected to be recognized or realized within the next 12 months period as of December 31, 2021. The increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities was due to increased research and development activity seen during the 11 months period ended December 31, 2021.

Net cash used in operating activities during the year ended January 31, 2021, was $30.1 million, resulting primarily from a net loss of $26.1 million, adjusted for non-cash charges of $4.3 million in depreciation, $2.6 million in stock-based compensation, and $8.9 million for a one-time gain on extinguishment of debt relating to the conversion of convertible notes. These non-cash charges were partially offset by adjustments for changes in operating assets and liabilities seen during the period. Changes in operating assets and liabilities was $1.9 million, which consisted of a decrease in deferred revenue and accounts payable of $1.7 million and $1.9 million, respectfully, partially offset by increases in accrued expenses and other liabilities of $1.8 million. The decrease in deferred revenue was due to revenue being recognized on contracts with customers, and the decrease in accounts payable was due to the timing of vendor invoicing and payments. The increase in accrued expenses and other liabilities was due to research and development activity seen during the year ended January 31, 2021.

Cash Flows Used in Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, was $7.0 million, resulting solely from the additions of $7.0 million to property and equipment. Investments made into property and equipment during this period relate primarily to process computing equipment, QPU fridge equipment and development tools for our chip fabrication facility. Net cash used in investing activities during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, increased by $2.6 million compared to what was seen in the year ended January 31, 2021, largely as a result of increased investment in research and development infrastructure, offset partially by reporting one month less of cash flows in the 11 months period ended December 31, 2021.

Net cash used in investing activities during the year ended January 31, 2021, was $4.4 million, representing additions of $4.4 million to property and equipment. Investments made into property and equipment during this period relate primarily to process computing equipment, fridge equipment and development tools for our chip fabrication facility.

Cash Flows provided by Financing Activities

Net cash provided by financing activities during the 11 months ended December 31, 2021, was $25.6 million, reflecting proceeds from the issuance of debt and warrants of $27.0 million associated with the Loan and Security Agreement, less cash payment on debt issuance cost of $0.2 million, proceeds from issuance of common stock upon exercise of stock options and warrants for a total $0.4 million, offset by payment for deferred offering costs of $1.5 million associated with certain capitalized legal, accounting and other third-party fees that are directly associated with the in-process probable equity financings until such financings are consummated.

Net cash provided by financing activities during the year ended January 31, 2021, was $56.3 million, reflecting proceeds from the issuance of convertible notes in the amount of $2.2 million, and net proceeds from issuance of preferred stock and warrants in the amount of $54 million as a result of the recapitalization that occurred in February of 2020. See Note 8 of Rigetti’s audited financial statements for year ended January 31, 2021 included elsewhere in this Report.

 

10


Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Rigetti’s audited consolidated financial statements included in Exhibit 99.1 to this Report have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Preparation of these financial statements requires Rigetti to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities. Rigetti also makes estimates and assumptions on revenue generated and reported expenses incurred during the reporting periods. Rigetti’s estimates are based on its historical experience and on various other factors that it believes are reasonable under the circumstances. The results of these estimates form the basis for making judgments about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

While Rigetti’s significant accounting policies are described in the notes to its financial statements included elsewhere in this Report, Rigetti believes the following critical accounting policies are most important to understanding and evaluating its reported financial results.

Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. The Company uses an estimated useful life of three years for furniture and other assets and information technology hardware (“IT hardware”), seven years for process equipment, and three to ten years for quantum computing fridges. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the lease-term or the estimated useful life of the related asset. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Upon disposition, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and the resulting gain or loss is reflected in other income (loss) in the consolidated statements of operations.

Goodwill

Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price of an acquired business over the fair value of the underlying net tangible and intangible assets. The Company evaluates goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset may not be recoverable. Triggering events that may indicate impairment include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in customer demand or business climate that could affect the value of goodwill or a significant decrease in expected cash flows. Goodwill is tested for impairment by comparing the reporting unit’s carrying value, including goodwill to the fair value of the reporting unit. The Company has one reporting unit and for its annual goodwill impairment test, the Company determined the fair value of its reporting unit based on its enterprise value. The Company may elect to utilize a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value. If, after assessing the qualitative factors, the Company determines that it is more likely than not that the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying value, an impairment analysis will be performed. There was no goodwill impairment recorded for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021 and year ended January 31, 2021.

Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock Warrant Liability

Redeemable convertible preferred stock warrants are classified as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet. The warrants are subject to remeasurement at each consolidated balance sheet date, and any change in fair value is recognized as a component of other income (expense). The fair value of these warrants is determined by Rigetti based on the Black-Scholes option-pricing valuation model, which requires the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the estimated fair value of the underlying redeemable convertible preferred stock at the valuation measurement date, the remaining contractual term of the warrant, risk-free interest rates, expected dividends and expected volatility of the price of the underlying redeemable convertible preferred stock. In conjunction with the Bustiness Combination, Rigetti will adjust the liability for changes in fair value of whereby all redeemable convertible preferred stock warrants will be converted into warrants to purchase common stock and, accordingly, the liability will be reclassified into stockholders’ deficit.

 

11


Prior to the year ended January 31, 2020, Rigetti had issued a warrant to acquire 14,958 shares of series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock in conjunction with a revenue contract (see “Revenue Recognition” for additional details). The series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock warrants had a 10-year contractual term and an exercise price of $0.000001 per share. Rigetti had classified the series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock warrants as liabilities due to the contingently redeemable nature of the underlying series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock. In January 2020, the holder, pursuant to the revenue contract, exercised the series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant in full, with Rigetti receiving the nominal cash exercise price. As part of the exercise, Rigetti estimated that the fair value of the series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock warrant was $122,000 (no change in fair value identified), and this fair value was reclassified as a component of the carrying value of the series B-2 redeemable convertible preferred stock.

Derivative Warrant Liabilities

The Company does not use derivative instruments to hedge exposures to cash flow, market, or foreign currency risks. The Company evaluates all of its financial instruments, including issued stock purchase warrants, to determine if such instruments are derivatives or contain features that qualify as embedded derivatives, pursuant to ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging” (“ASC 815”) at the initial recognition.

Certain of the warrants issued and outstanding are recognized as derivative liabilities in accordance with ASC 815. Accordingly, the Company recognizes the warrant instruments as liabilities at fair value and adjust the instruments to fair value at each reporting period until exercised. The fair value of the warrant liabilities issued were initially measured using the Black-Scholes model and will be subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with changes recorded as a component of other income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. Derivative warrant liabilities are classified as non-current as their liquidation is not reasonably expected to require the use of current assets or require the creation of current liabilities.

The company issued a total of 995,099 common stock warrants in conjunction with Loan and Security Agreement in 2021. The Company utilized Black-Scholes model to determine grant fair value of the warrants which was approximately $2,690,574 which was recorded as part of the Debt Issuance Cost. The change in fair value of the warrants from issuance date through December 31, 2021 of $1,664,133 was driven primarily by an increase in the fair value of the Company’s stock that occurred as a result of the Merger. The Company recorded a total loss of $1,664,133 to Change in Fair Value of Warrant Liability as a component of other income in the consolidated statement of operations for the 11 months ended December 31, 2021.

The outstanding common stock warrants were recognized as liabilities on the consolidated balance sheet and were measured at their inception date fair value using the Black-Scholes model and will be subsequently remeasured at each reporting period with changes recorded as a component of other income in the Company’s consolidated statement of operations. The Company did not have any Common stock warrants classified as liabilities as of January 31, 2021.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue consists primarily from Rigetti’s contracts that provide access to Rigetti quantum computing systems, collaborative research services, professional services, and the sale of custom quantum computing components. Access to Rigetti quantum computing systems can be purchased as a quantum computing subscription, or on a usage basis for a specified quantity of hours. Revenue related to subscription-based access to Rigetti quantum computing systems (i.e, quantum computing subscriptions) is recognized on a ratable basis over the subscription term, which can range from three months to two years. Revenue related to usage-based access to Rigetti quantum computing systems is recognized over time as the systems are accessed using an output method based on compute credit hours expended. Revenue related to collaborative research services and professional services is recognized over time as the services are provided using an input measure based on actual labor hours incurred to date relative to total estimated labor hours needed to complete the program or total contracted hours over the program period. Revenue related to the sale of custom quantum computing components is recognized at a point in time upon acceptance by the customer.

Rigetti’s fixed fee development contracts vary in term from one to five years, with the majority of such contracts having a term of 18 months to two years. When establishing the pricing for our fixed fee arrangements, we determine the pricing based on estimated costs to complete and expected margins taking into account the scope of work outlined within the contract being evaluated and our historical experience with similar services and contracts. Actual costs incurred over the period in which these contracts are fulfilled could vary from these estimates and therefore, these estimates are subject to uncertainty. On a quarterly basis, management reviews the progress with respect to each contract and its related milestones and evaluates whether any changes in estimates exists. As a result of the quarterly reviews, revisions in the estimated effort to complete the contract are reflected in the period in which the change is identified. These revisions may impact the overall progress related to transfer of control and therefore, result in either increases or decreases in revenues, as well as, increase or decreases in fulfillment costs and contract margins. In accordance, with ASC No. 250, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections, any changes in estimates are reflected in Rigetti’s consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the circumstances that give rise to the revision become known to the management. To date, Rigetti has not experienced any changes in estimates that have had a material impact on Rigetti’s results from operations or financial position.

When Rigetti’s contracts with customers contain multiple performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated on a relative standalone selling price basis to each performance obligation. Rigetti typically determines standalone selling price based on observable selling prices of its products and services. In instances where standalone selling price is not directly observable, standalone selling price is determined using information that may include market conditions and other observable inputs. Standalone selling price is typically established as a range. In situations in which the stated contract price for a performance obligation is outside of the applicable standalone selling price range and has a different pattern of transfer to the customer than the other performance obligations in the contract, Rigetti will reallocate the total transaction price to each performance obligation based on the relative standalone selling price of each.

The transaction price is the amount of consideration to which Rigetti expects to be entitled in exchange for transferring goods and services to the customer. Revenue is recorded based on the transaction price, which includes fixed consideration and estimates of variable consideration. The amount of variable consideration included in the transaction price is constrained and is included only to the extent it is probable that a significant reversal of cumulative revenue recognized will not occur when the uncertainty associated with the variable consideration is subsequently resolved.

Rigetti’s contracts with customers may include renewal or other options at fixed prices. Determining whether such options are considered distinct performance obligations that provide the customer with a material right and therefore should be accounted for separately requires significant judgment. Judgment is required to determine the standalone selling price for each renewal option to determine whether the renewal pricing is reflective of standalone selling price or is reflective of a discount that would provide the customer with a material right. Based on Rigetti’s assessment of standalone selling prices, Rigetti determined that there were no significant material rights provided to its customers requiring separate recognition.

 

12


Stock-Based Compensation

Rigetti’s stock-based compensation program grants awards that may include stock options, restricted and unrestricted stock awards and restricted stock units. For equity-classified stock option grants, the fair value of the option grants are estimated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option valuation model, which requires extensive use of accounting judgment and financial estimates, including estimates of the expected term participants will retain their vested stock options before exercising them, the estimated volatility of its common stock price over the expected term, the risk-free rate, and expected dividend yield. For equity-classified restricted stock awards, the fair value of the restricted stock awards are based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The estimated fair values of the employee stock awards are then expensed over the requisite service period, which is generally the awards’ vesting period, and uses the straight-line method to recognize stock-based compensation.

The accounting for equity-classified awards granted to consultants and nonemployees is largely consistent with the accounting for such awards granted to employees, with the exception that the fair value of the awards may be measured based on the expected term or the contractual term of the award and the fair value is recognized in the same period and in the same manner Rigetti would if it had paid cash for the related services.

Rigetti has elected to account for forfeitures of employee stock awards as they occur. Upon any exercise of stock option awards, Rigetti issues new shares of common stock, unless there are treasury shares available for reissuance at that time.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

A description of recently issued accounting pronouncements that may potentially impact Rigetti’s financial position and results of operations is disclosed in Note 2 of Rigetti’s audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere in this Report.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Rigetti is exposed to market risks in the ordinary course of its business. Market risk represents the risk of loss that may impact its financial position due to adverse changes in financial market prices and rates. Rigetti’s market risk exposure is primarily the result of fluctuations in interest rates.

Interest Rate Risk

As of December 31, 2021, and January 31, 2021, cash consisted primarily of checking and savings deposits, restricted cash consists of cash secured as collateral for letters of credit in favor of Rigetti’s landlord and its corporate credit card program. Rigetti invests its excess cash in low-risk, highly liquid money market funds and certificates of deposit with a major financial institution. Rigetti’s investment policy is focused on the preservation of capital and supporting its liquidity needs. Under the policy, Rigetti invests in highly rated securities, issued by the U.S. government or liquid money market funds. Rigetti does not invest in financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, nor does Rigetti use leveraged financial instruments. Rigetti utilizes external investment managers who adhere to the guidelines of its investment policy.

Concentration of Credit Risk

Rigetti deposits its cash with financial institutions, and, at times, such balances may exceed federally insured limits. Management believes the financial institutions that hold Rigetti’s cash and cash equivalents are financially sound and, accordingly, management believes that minimal credit risk exists with respect to cash and cash equivalents.

 

13


Emerging Growth Company Status

In April 2012, the JOBS Act was enacted. Section 107 of the JOBS Act provides that an “emerging growth company” may take advantage of the extended transition period provided in Section 7(a)(2)(B) of the Securities Act for complying with new or revised accounting standards. Therefore, an emerging growth company can delay the adoption of certain accounting standards until those standards would otherwise apply to private companies. Rigetti is an emerging growth company and plans to take advantage of the benefits of the extended transition period emerging growth company status permits. During the extended transition period, it may be difficult or impossible to compare Rigetti’s financial results with the financial results of another public company that complies with public company effective dates for accounting standard updates because of the potential differences in accounting standards used.

Rigetti will be an emerging growth company under the JOBS Act until the earliest of (a) the last day of Rigetti’s first fiscal year following the fifth anniversary of the completion of Supernova’s initial public offering, (b) the last date of Rigetti’s fiscal year in which Rigetti has total annual gross revenue of at least $1.07 billion, (c) the date on which Rigetti is deemed to be a “large accelerated filer” under the rules of the SEC with at least $700.0 million of outstanding securities held by non-affiliates or (d) the date on which Rigetti has issued more than $1.0 billion in non-convertible debt securities during the previous three years.

 

14

EX-99.3

Exhibit 99.3

UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Exhibit 99.3 shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this Current Report on Form 8-K (the “Report”) and, if not defined in the Report, the final prospectus and definitive proxy statement dated February 9, 2022 (the “proxy statement/prospectus”) filed by Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. (“Supernova” who, after the Domestication became Rigetti Computing, Inc.) on February 10, 2022 with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information presents the combination of the financial information of Supernova and Legacy Rigetti adjusted to give effect to the Business Combination, summarized below, and related transactions. The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared in accordance with Article 11 of Regulation S-X, as amended by the final rule, Release No. 33-10786 “Amendments to Financial Disclosure about Acquired and Disposed Businesses.”

The Business Combination is summarized below as:

 

   

On October 6, 2021, Supernova entered into the Merger Agreement, by and among First Merger Sub, Second Merger Sub, and Legacy Rigetti.

 

   

On March 1, 2022, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, Supernova filed a notice of deregistration with the Cayman Islands Registrar of Companies, together with the necessary accompanying documents, and filed a certificate of incorporation and a certificate of corporate domestication with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, under which Supernova was domesticated and continues as a Delaware corporation, changing its name to “Rigetti Computing, Inc.”

 

   

As a result of and upon the effective time of the Domestication, among other things, (1) each then issued and outstanding Supernova Class A ordinary share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Rigetti Common Stock; (2) each then issued and outstanding Supernova Class B ordinary share converted automatically, on a one-for-one basis, into a share of New Rigetti Common Stock; (3) each then issued and outstanding warrant of Supernova converted automatically into a warrant to acquire one share of New Rigetti Common Stock (the “New Rigetti Warrants”) pursuant to the Warrant Agreement, dated March 1, 2021, between Supernova and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, as warrant agent; and (4) each then issued and outstanding unit of Supernova (the “Supernova Units”) was separated and converted automatically into one share of New Rigetti Common Stock and one-fourth of one New Rigetti Warrant. No fractional shares were issued upon exercise of the New Rigetti.

 

   

On the Closing Date, pursuant to the Merger Agreement, New Rigetti consummated the merger transaction contemplated by the Merger Agreement, following approval at the Extraordinary General Meeting on February 28, 2022, whereby (i) the First Merger occurred and (ii) immediately following the consummation of the First Merger, the Second Merger occurred.

 

   

Immediately prior to the effective time of the First Merger, all shares of Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock converted into shares of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock in accordance with the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Legacy Rigetti (the “Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion”).

 

   

Each share of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock (including Legacy Rigetti Common Stock resulting from the Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion) that was issued and outstanding immediately prior to the First Merger was cancelled and converted into 78,959,579 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock.

 

   

Each warrant to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted into a warrant to purchase shares of New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti warrants, and with an exercise price and number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchasable based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

1


   

Each option to purchase Legacy Rigetti Common Stock converted into an option to purchase shares of New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy Rigetti options, and with an exercise price and number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock purchasable based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

   

Each restricted share of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock was exchanged for restricted shares of New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy restricted shares, and with the number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

 

   

Each Legacy Rigetti restricted stock unit award converted into a restricted stock unit award to receive shares of New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the same terms and conditions as were applicable to the original Legacy restricted stock unit awards, and with the number of shares of New Rigetti Common Stock to which the restricted stock unit award relates based on the Exchange Ratio and other terms contained in the Merger Agreement.

Other related events that occurred in connection with the Business Combination are summarized below:

 

   

The issuance and sale of (i) 10,251,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and (ii) 4,390,244 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.25 per share, generated aggregate gross proceeds of $147.5 million in PIPE Financing pursuant to the Subscription Agreements.

 

   

Pursuant to the Sponsor Support Agreement, at the Closing (i) 2,479,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor (the “Promote Sponsor Vesting Shares”) became subject to vesting and are considered unvested and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $12.50 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days, and (ii) 580,273 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock held by the Sponsor (“Sponsor Redemption-Based Vesting Shares”) became subject to vesting and considered unvested and will only vest if, during the five year period following the Closing, the volume weighted average price of New Rigetti Common Stock equals or exceeds $15.00 for any twenty trading days within a period of thirty consecutive trading days (collectively, the Promote Sponsor Vesting Shares and Sponsor Redemption-Based Vesting Shares, “Sponsor Earn Out Shares”). Any Sponsor Earn Out Shares that remain unvested after the fifth anniversary of the Closing will be forfeited.

 

   

In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, Legacy Rigetti entered into a warrant subscription agreement with a strategic partner, Ampere, for the purchase of a warrant for an aggregate purchase price (including amounts from exercise) of $10,000,000. At the Closing, the warrant agreement was assumed by New Rigetti as a result of the Mergers. The warrant provides for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock at an exercise price of $0.0001. Ampere is required to pay $5.0 million no later than (i) the Closing or (ii) June 30, 2022, and upon such payment the warrant will vest and be exercisable by Ampere with respect to 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant. No such purchase or payment has been made as of the Closing Date regarding this first $5.0 million. Ampere is required to pay an additional $5.0 million no later than the second anniversary of the date of the warrant subscription agreement, and upon such payment, the warrant will vest and be exercisable by Ampere with respect to the remaining 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock pursuant to the terms of the warrant. No pro forma adjustments have been made for the purchase of the warrants as the purchase of such warrants are contingent upon future events not tied to the Closing and are not expected to be purchased until June 30, 2022. Further, shares of New Rigetti Common Stock underlying the warrant subscription agreement are not reflected in the post-Business Combination capitalization tables.

 

2


Accounting Treatment of the Business Combination

The Business Combination was accounted for as a reverse recapitalization, in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Under the guidance in ASC 805, Supernova was treated as the “acquired” company for financial reporting purposes. Accordingly, the Business Combination was treated as the equivalent of Rigetti issuing stock for the net assets of Supernova, accompanied by a recapitalization whereby no goodwill or other intangible assets are recorded. Operations prior to the Business Combination were those of Legacy Rigetti. Legacy Rigetti is treated as the accounting acquirer based on evaluation of the following facts:

 

   

Former Legacy Rigetti stockholders have a controlling voting interest in New Rigetti;

 

   

The New Rigetti board of directors as of immediately after the closing is comprised of eight board members, seven seats occupied by previous Legacy Rigetti board members and one seat being occupied by a previous Supernova director;

 

   

Legacy Rigetti management continues to hold executive management roles for the post-combination company and be responsible for the day-to-day operations;

 

   

the post-combination company assumes the Legacy Rigetti name;

 

   

New Rigetti maintains the Legacy Rigetti headquarters; and

 

   

the intended strategy of New Rigetti is to continue Legacy Rigetti’s strategy.

Basis of Presentation

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 combines the historical audited and consolidated balance sheet of Supernova and the historical audited and consolidated balance sheet of Legacy Rigetti as of December 31, 2021 on a pro forma basis as if the Business Combination and related transactions, summarized below, had been consummated on December 31, 2021. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 combines the historical audited and consolidated statement of operations of Supernova for the year ended December 31, 2021 and consolidated statement of operations of Legacy Rigetti for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2021, on a pro forma basis as if the business combination and related transactions summarized below had been consummated at the beginning of the earliest period presented. The audited consolidated financial statements of Legacy Rigetti are incorporated by reference into the Report to which this unaudited pro forma combined financial information is attached.

Legacy Rigetti’s unaudited statement of operations for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2021 was derived from the audited consolidated statement of operations for the 11-month period ended December 31, 2021 (February 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021), plus the unaudited statement of operations for the one-month period ended January 31, 2021, which had revenue of $0.5 million and a net loss of $3.5 million. This was done in order to conform Legacy Rigetti to Supernova’s 12-month period.

Management has made significant estimates and assumptions in its determination of the pro forma adjustments based on information available as of the date of filing this prospectus and is subject to change as additional information becomes available and analyses are performed. Such assumptions and estimates underlying the unaudited pro forma adjustments set forth in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are described in the accompanying notes. As the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared based on these preliminary estimates, the final amounts recorded may differ materially from the information presented as additional information becomes available. Management considers the basis of presentation to be reasonable under the circumstances.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information does not give effect to any anticipated synergies, operating efficiencies, tax savings, or cost savings that may be associated with the Business Combination. Legacy Rigetti did not had any historical relationship with Supernova prior to the Business Combination. Accordingly, no adjustments were required to eliminate activities between the companies.

 

3


The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet does not purport to represent, and is not necessarily indicative of, what the actual financial condition of New Rigetti would have been had the Business Combination taken place on December 31, 2021, nor is it indicative of the financial condition of New Rigetti as of any future date. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is for illustrative purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations and financial position would have been had the Business Combination, PIPE Financing and certain other related events taken place on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of New Rigetti. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information is subject to several uncertainties and assumptions as described in the accompanying notes.

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements reflect redemption of 22,915,538 shares of Supernova Class A Common Stock at $10.00 per share based on the amount in the trust account at Closing.

 

4


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2021

(in thousands)

 

     SNII
(Historical)
    Legacy
Rigetti
(Historical)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

ASSETS

          

Current assets

          

Cash

   $ 533     $ 11,728     $ 345,019       (2A   $ 216,717  
         (12,075     (2C  
         147,510       (2B  
         (44,843     (2D  
         (2,000     (2L  
         (229,155     (2I  

Accounts receivable

     —         1,543       —           1,543  

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     235       1,351       —           1,586  

Deferred offering costs

     —         3,448       (3,448     (2D     —    
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Current Assets

     768       18,070       201,008         219,846  

Property and equipment, net

     —         22,498       —           22,498  

Restricted cash

     —         317       —           317  

Marketable securities held in Trust Account

     345,019       —         (345,019     (2A     —    

Other assets

     36       164       —           200  

Goodwill

     —         5,377       —           5,377  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL ASSETS

   $ 345,823     $ 46,426     $ (144,011     $ 248,238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Current liabilities

          

Accounts payable

     314       1,971       (1,252     (2D     1,033  

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     3,923       4,036       (4,530     (2D     3,429  

Deferred revenue - current

     —         985       —           985  

Debt - current portion

     —         1,290       —           1,290  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Current Liabilities

     4,237       8,282       (5,782       6,737  

Other liabilities

     —         295       29,958       (2J     30,253  

Derivative warrant liabilities

     30,988       4,355       —           35,343  

Deferred underwriting commissions

     12,075       —         (12,075     (2C     —    

Debt - net of current portion

     —         23,500       —           23,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Liabilities

     47,300       36,432       12,101         95,833  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

          

Redeemable convertible preferred stock, par value $0.000001 per share

     —         81,523       (81,523     (2F     —    

Class A Ordinary shares, $0.0001 par value

     345,000       —         (345,000     (2E     —    

Stockholders’ Equity

          

Class A Common stock, par value $0.000001 per share

     —         1       (1     (2F     —    

Class A Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     —         —         —           —    

Class A Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     —         —         3       (2E     11  
         1       (2B  
         1       (2G  
         8       (2F  
         (2     (2I  

Class B Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share

     1       —         (1     (2G     —    

Additional paid-in capital

     —         135,550       344,997       (2E     364,392  
         (46,478     (2H  
         147,509       (2B  
         81,516       (2F  
         (42,509     (2D  
         (29,958     (2J  
         2,918       (2K  
         (229,153     (2I  

Accumulated other comprehensive gain

     —         52       —           52  

Accumulated deficit

     (46,478     (207,132     46,478       (2H     (212,050
         (2,918     (2K  
         (2,000     (2L  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total Stockholders’ Deficit

     (46,477     (71,529     270,411         152,405  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

   $ 345,823     $ 46,426     $ (144,011     $ 248,238  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

5


Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the year Ended December 31, 2021

(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 

     SNII
(Historical)
    Legacy
Rigetti
(Pro
Forma)
    Transaction
Accounting
Adjustments
          Pro Forma
Condensed
Combined
 

Revenue

   $ —       $ 8,633         $ 8,633  

Cost of revenues

     —         1,770           1,770  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total gross profit

     —         6,863       —           6,863  

Operating Expenses

          

Research and development

     —         29,285       1,605       (2CC     30,890  

General and administrative

     4,905       12,597       21,703       (2BB     42,518  
         2,000       (2DD  
         1,313       (2CC  

Sales and marketing

     —         2,557       —           2,557  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total operating expenses

     4,905       44,439       26,621         75,965  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Operating loss:

   $ (4,905   $ (37,576   $ (26,621     $ (69,102
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Other income (expense), net

          

Change in fair value of warrant liability

     (17,782     (1,664     —           (19,446

Offering costs associated with warrant liability

     (502     —         —           (502

Interest income

     19       11       (19     (2AA     11  

Interest expense

     —         (2,465         (2,465

Other expense

     —         (23         (23
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Total other income (expense), net

     (18,265     (4,141     (19       (22,425
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Net loss

   $ (23,170   $ (41,717   $ (26,640     $ (91,527
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

     

 

 

 

Loss per Share

          

Weighted-average shares outstanding of common stock

             107,214,031  

Loss per share (basic and diluted) attributable to common stockholders

           $ (0.85

 

6


Note 1—Accounting Policies

Upon consummation of the Business Combination, management performed a comprehensive review of the two entities’ accounting policies. As a result of the review, management has not identified differences that would have an impact on the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information and has determined no adjustments are required or necessary.

The pro forma basic and diluted loss per share amounts presented in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations are based upon the number of the post-combination company’s shares outstanding, assuming the Business Combination and related transactions occurred on January 1, 2021.

Note 2—Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Financial Information

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and related transactions and has been prepared for informational purposes only.

Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet

The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 has been prepared to illustrate the effect of the Business Combination and related transactions and has been prepared for informational purposes only. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of December 31, 2021 includes adjustments that are directly attributable to the Business Combination, PIPE Financing and certain other related events.

 

7


The pro forma adjustments are as follows:

 

(A)

Reflects the reclassification of approximately $345.0 million of cash and cash equivalents held in the trust account at the balance sheet date that became available to fund redemptions in connection with the Business Combination or future cash needs of post-combination company.

(B)

Represents aggregate gross proceeds of $147.5 million from the private placements of (i) 10,251,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.00 per share and (ii) 4,390,244 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock for a purchase price of $10.25 per share.

(C)

Reflects the payment and settlement of approximately $12.0 million of deferred underwriters’ fees related to the Supernova initial public offering that were contingent on the consummation of the Business Combination.

(D)

Represents the (i) settlement of $46.4 million of estimated transaction costs in consummating the Business Combination and related transactions, of which $44.8 million were not been paid as of December 31, 2021, and (ii) reclassification of Rigetti and Supernova transaction costs of $3.4 million within deferred offering costs and $5.8 million within accrued expenses and accounts payable. In connection with the reverse recapitalization treatment, Legacy Rigetti’s transaction costs are recorded as reductions to additional paid-in capital. Of the total amount shown, approximately $25.6 million is from Supernova, and $20.8 million is from Legacy Rigetti.

Supernova’s transaction costs are recorded through the income statement and would be treated as a reduction to accumulated deficit, however, as Supernova’s accumulated deficit is reclassified to additional paid-in capital in connection with the First Merger, this adjustment reflects the recording of the transaction costs directly to additional paid-in capital.

(E)

Reflects the reclassification of Supernova Class A ordinary shares subject to possible redemption to permanent stockholders’ equity.

(F)

Represents recapitalization of Rigetti equity, both redeemable convertible Preferred Stock and Common Stock, and issuance of shares of the New Rigetti Common Stock to Legacy Rigetti equityholders as consideration for the reverse recapitalization.

(G)

Reflects the conversion of Supernova Class B ordinary shares held by the initial stockholders of Supernova to shares of New Rigetti Common Stock. Pursuant to the terms of the Supernova’s Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, all shares of Supernova Class B ordinary shares outstanding prior to the Closing were converted into shares of New Rigetti Common Stock at the Closing. This adjustment reflects the conversion of such ordinary shares directly into New Rigetti Common Stock subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement.

(H)

Reflects the reclassification of Supernova’s historical accumulated deficit.

(I)

Reflects the cash disbursement in which 22,915,538 shares of Supernova’s outstanding public shares were redeemed for an aggregate payment of approximately $229.2 million (based on the per share redemption price of $10.00 per share).

(J)

Reflects the fair value of the Sponsor Earn Out Shares contingently releasable to Supernova’s Sponsor to be accounted for as a liability. Fair value was determined based on information available as of the date of the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial information. Significant assumptions to the valuation include estimated redemption levels of Supernova’s outstanding public shares, a term of five years, volatility of 90.2%, risk-free rate of 1.26%, and a dividend yield of 0.0%.

(K)

Represents incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with certain Legacy Rigetti RSUs that vest based on both a liquidity and a service condition. The liquidity condition is satisfied upon the occurrence of certain events, including a merger or acquisition or other business combination transaction involving Legacy Rigetti and a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company or other similar entity and, as a result, the liquidity condition for certain of Legacy Rigetti’s RSUs was satisfied upon the completion of the Business Combination. Legacy Rigetti will recognize a total $2.9 million of incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with these restricted stock units, based on the number of Legacy restricted stock units outstanding and the requisite service completed at December 31, 2021, and no forfeitures prior to closing of the Business Combination.

(L)

Represents the payment of a cash transaction bonus to certain Legacy Rigetti employees as a result of completion of the Business Combination.

 

8


Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Operations

The pro forma adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2021 are as follows:

(AA) Elimination of interest income earned on the trust account.

(BB) Reflects $21.7 million of Supernova’s non-recurring transaction costs related to the Business Combination and related transactions. These transaction costs are not reflected in Supernova’s historical financial statements and will be expensed as incurred.

(CC) Represents incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with certain Legacy Rigetti RSUs that vest based on both a liquidity and a service condition. The liquidity condition is satisfied upon the occurrence of certain events, including a merger or acquisition or other Business Combination transaction involving the Company and a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company or other similar entity and, as a result, the liquidity condition for certain of Legacy Rigetti’s RSUs was satisfied upon the completion of the Business Combination. As a result of closing of the Business Combination, New Rigetti will recognize approximately $2.9 million of incremental stock-based compensation expense associated with these restricted stock units, based on the number of restricted stock units outstanding and the requisite service completed at December 31, 2021, and no forfeitures prior to closing of the Business Combination.

(DD) Reflects non-recurring expenses related to the payment of a cash transaction bonus to certain Legacy Rigetti employees upon close of the Business Combination.

Note 3—Loss per Share

Represents the net loss per share calculated using the historical weighted average shares outstanding, and the issuance of additional shares of New Rigetti Common Stock in connection with the Business Combination and related transactions, assuming the shares were outstanding since January 1, 2021. As the Business Combination and transactions are being reflected as if they had occurred at the beginning of the period presented, the calculation of weighted average shares outstanding for basic and diluted net loss per share assumes that the shares issuable relating to the Business Combination and related transactions have been outstanding for the entire period presented.

 

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)    For the year ended
December 31, 2021
 

Pro forma net loss

   $ (91,527

Weighted average shares calculation, basic and diluted

  

Former Rigetti equityholders(a)(b)

     75,422,598  

Sponsor(c)

     5,565,727  

Former Supernova Class A stockholders

     11,584,462  

PIPE Shares(d)(e)

     14,641,244  
  

 

 

 

Weighted average Class A shares outstanding

     107,214,031  
  

 

 

 

Loss per share attributable to Class A common stockholders (basic and diluted)

   $ (0.85
  

 

 

 

As a result of the pro forma net loss, the loss per share amounts exclude the anti-dilutive impact from certain securities described below:

 

(a)

In accordance with the terms and subject to the conditions of the Merger Agreement, each outstanding share of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock (including Legacy Rigetti Common Stock resulting from the Legacy Rigetti Preferred Stock Conversion) was exchanged for shares of New Rigetti Common Stock and outstanding Legacy Rigetti Options and Legacy Rigetti Warrants (whether vested or unvested) were converted into options and warrants to purchase New Rigetti Common Stock.

 

9


(b)

Amount excludes 11,617,149 shares underlying options of Legacy Rigetti converted into options to purchase New Rigetti Common Stock (“Rollover Options”) issued to holders of Legacy Rigetti options, as such these options remained unexercised as of the Closing based on Legacy Rigetti options outstanding as of December 31, 2021. In addition, this amount excludes shares of Legacy Rigetti Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding Legacy Rigetti warrants and restricted stock units which were converted to warrants and restricted stock units with respect to New Rigetti Common Stock upon Closing. The shares of New Rigetti Common Stock underlying the as converted warrants and restricted stock units are 8,535,739 and 5,390,422, respectively, based on Legacy Rigetti warrants and restricted stock units outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Of the 5,390,422 shares of New Rigetti underlying the converted Legacy Rigetti restricted stock unit awards based on Legacy Rigetti restricted stock unit awards outstanding as of December 31, 2021, 751,724 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock became vested at Closing based on meeting both a liquidity and a service condition upon the consummation of the Business Combination.

(c)

Amount excludes 4,450,000 Supernova Class A ordinary shares underlying the private placement warrants and 8,625,000 Supernova Class A ordinary shares underlying the public warrants that were converted on a one-for-one basis into warrants to purchase New Rigetti Common Stock in the Domestication. A total of 3,059,273 Sponsor Earn Out Shares were excluded and subject to forfeiture as certain performance- based vesting requirements were not met as of the Closing.

(d)

Amount excludes shares underlying the warrant subscription agreement that provides for the purchase of an aggregate of 1,000,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock issued to a strategic investor.

(e)

PIPE Investors include affiliates of Supernova investing in 500,000 shares of New Rigetti Common Stock.

 

10

EX-99.4

Exhibit 99.4

Rigetti Computing Announces Closing of Business Combination with Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd.; Begins Trading on Nasdaq Capital Market Today

March 02, 2022 06:30 ET | Source: Rigetti Computing

BERKELEY, Calif., March 02, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Rigetti Computing (Nasdaq: RGTI) (“Rigetti” or the “Company”), a pioneer in hybrid quantum-classical computing, and Supernova Partners Acquisition Company II, Ltd. (“Supernova”) (NYSE: SNII), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced the completion of their Business Combination (the “Business Combination”). The Business Combination was approved by Supernova’s shareholders at Supernova’s Extraordinary General Meeting held on February 28, 2022. In connection with the closing, Supernova changed its name to “Rigetti Computing, Inc.” Starting this morning, Rigetti’s common stock and warrants will trade on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbols “RGTI” and “RGTIW,” respectively.

At the closing of the Business Combination, Rigetti received gross proceeds of approximately $261.75 million. The Company plans to use the net proceeds to accelerate its development of multiple generations of quantum processors, expand its operations, and for general corporate purposes.

Rigetti is on a mission to build the world’s most powerful quantum computers to help solve humanity’s most important and pressing problems. As an industry pioneer, Rigetti has achieved a number of industry firsts, including the first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems and the most recent commercial launch of its 80-qubit Aspen-M machine, which is the world’s second largest gate-model quantum computer and largest gate-model quantum computer available on Amazon Bracket today. In addition, Rigetti has a growing partnership base and strong portfolio of patents and patents pending up and down the quantum computing technology stack.

“Today marks a key milestone for Rigetti and the quantum computing industry as a whole,” remarked Chad Rigetti, founder and CEO of Rigetti. “We believe this transaction will help us to accelerate our momentum and make strides toward our goal of narrow Quantum Advantage. We are grateful for the unwavering support of our investors, customers, and teammates throughout this process and look forward to keeping everyone up-to-date on our progress in the years ahead.”

Michael Clifton, co-founder of Supernova and now a Rigetti Director, commented, “Rigetti is a trailblazer with technology leadership and the demonstrated ability to innovate. These features, alongside its deep patent portfolio, excellent partnership base, and expected traction with real-world problems, should position it to make critical advances in this transformative technology field. I am excited to support Rigetti as it continues to push forward the boundaries of what’s computationally possible.”

Rigetti believes that quantum computing is not just an incremental advance in computational power, but has the potential to be a phase change. Rigetti further believes its full vertical integration, patented modular chip architecture, superior technical approach, and deep partnership base all set the stage for it to reach key industry milestones. The Company plans to drive further advancements in areas it expects to be most ready for transformative technology.

Advisors

Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. served as exclusive financial advisor to Rigetti. Cooley LLP served as legal counsel to Rigetti. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Supernova II. Latham & Watkins LLP served as legal counsel to Supernova II. Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. served as placement agents to Supernova II for the initial and follow-on round of PIPE financing. Sidley Austin LLP served as counsel to the placement agents.


About Rigetti Computing

Rigetti Computing is a pioneer in full-stack quantum computing. The Company has operated quantum computers over the cloud since 2017 and serves global enterprise, government and research clients through its Rigetti Quantum Cloud Services platform. The Company’s proprietary quantum-classical infrastructure provides ultra-low latency integration with public and private clouds for high-performance practical quantum computing. Rigetti has developed the industry’s first multi-chip quantum processor for scalable quantum computing systems. The Company designs and manufactures its chips in-house at Fab-1, the industry’s first dedicated and integrated quantum device manufacturing facility. Rigetti was founded in 2013 by Chad Rigetti and today employs more than 140 people with offices in the United States, U.K. and Australia. Learn more at www.rigetti.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this communication may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events and can be identified by terminology such as “pro forma”, “may”, “should”, “could”, “might”, “plan”, “possible”, “project”, “strive”, “budget”, “forecast”, “expect”, “intend”, “will”, “estimate”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “predict”, “potential” or “continue”, or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Supernova and its management, and Rigetti and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: the ability of quantum computing to potentially be a phase change and the potential relative power of quantum computers to the global cloud; Rigetti’s ability to make critical advances in the quantum computing field, push forward the boundaries of what is computationally possible, drive further advancements and reach key industry milestones; the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against Supernova, Rigetti, the combined company or others with respect to the Business Combination or other matters; the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards; the risk that the Business Combination disrupts current plans and operations of Rigetti; the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the Business Combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; costs related to the business combination and operating as a public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, or competitive factors; Rigetti’s estimates of expenses and profitability; the evolution of the markets in which Rigetti competes; the ability of Rigetti to execute on its technology roadmap; the ability of Rigetti to implement its strategic initiatives, expansion plans and continue to innovate its existing services; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Rigetti’s business; and other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the registration on Form S-4 and other documents filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements. The Company does not give any assurance that it will achieve its expectations.