Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant  

Filed by a Party other than the Registrant  

Check the appropriate box:

 

Preliminary Proxy Statement

Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))

Definitive Proxy Statement

Definitive Additional Materials

Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

 

(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box)all boxes that apply):

 

No fee required.

 

Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.

(1)

Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:

(2)

Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:

(3)

Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):

(4)

Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

(5)

Total fee paid:

Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.

Check box if any part of the fee is offset as providedFee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2)Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.0-11

(1)

Amount Previously Paid:

(2)

Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

(3)

Filing Party:

(4)

Date Filed:


 

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October 17, 2019

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

        On behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of QuickLogic Corporation (“QuickLogic” or the “Company”), you are cordially invited to attend a Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held at 8:00 a.m., local time, on November 26, 2019, at the offices of Jones Day, 1755 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, California 94303.

        At the Special Meeting, stockholders will consider and vote on a proposal to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation that effects a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock, at a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determined by our Board at a later date.

        The proxy statement attached to this letter provides you with information about the proposed reverse stock split amendment. Please read the entire proxy statement carefully. You may obtain additional information about the Company from documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

        It is important that your shares be represented and voted at the meeting. Please vote as soon as possible even if you plan to attend the Special Meeting. We appreciate your continued ownership of QuickLogic shares and your support regarding this matter.

Sincerely,

/s/ E. Thomas Hart

E. Thomas Hart

Chairman of the Board


QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

NOTICE OF SPECIALANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2019WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 2022

 

The SpecialAnnual Meeting of Stockholders of QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (“QuickLogic” or the “Company”)Company), will be held at the offices of QuickLogic at 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131, on Tuesday November 26, 2019,May 10, 2022 at 8:10:00 a.m., local time, atfor the offices of Jones Day, 1755 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, California 94303.following purposes:

 

At this Special Meeting, or any adjournment or postponement of the Special Meeting, we plan to consider and vote upon the proposals listed below:

1.

A proposal,To elect two Class II directors, nominees: Gary Tauss and Joyce Kim for a term of three years expiring on the date on which we referour Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held in 2025;

2.

To approve the amendment of the QuickLogic Corporation 2019 Stock Plan to asincrease the “reverse stock split proposal,” to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificatemaximum aggregate number of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock at a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determinedavailable by our Board of Directors at a later date.nine hundred thousand (900,000);

 

3.

2.To ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as QuickLogic’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 1, 2023;

and

4. 

A proposal, which we refer toTo transact such other business as may properly come before the “adjournment proposal,” to approve, if necessary, the adjournment of the SpecialAnnual Meeting, to solicit additional proxies in favor of the reverse stock split proposal.or at any and all adjournments or postponements.

Notwithstanding approval of the reverse stock split proposal by our stockholders, the Board of Directors reserves its right to elect not to proceed with implementing the reverse stock split at any time prior to the date on which the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective pursuant the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the reverse stock split is no longer in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 8, 2019 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Special Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof. The foregoing items of business are more fully described in the Proxy Statement accompanying this Notice. Only stockholders of record at the close of business on March 14, 2022, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Your vote is important. Whether or not you plan

Again this year, we are using the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rule that allows companies to attend the special meeting, we hope you will vote as soon as possible. You may vote byfurnish their proxy materials over the internet or by telephone, or, if you receivedInternet. This allows us to mail our stockholders a notice instead of a paper copy of the Proxy Statement and our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The notice contains instructions on how our stockholders may access our Proxy Statement and Annual Report over the Internet and how our stockholders can receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, including the Proxy Statement, our 2021 Annual Report and a proxy card. Stockholders who do not receive a notice, including stockholders who have previously requested to receive paper copies of proxy materials, will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail you can vote by mail by completingunless they have previously requested delivery of proxy materials electronically. Employing this distribution process will help us to conserve natural resources and returningreduce the enclosedcosts of printing and distributing our proxy cardmaterials. The Proxy Statement and form of proxy are being distributed and made available on or voting instruction form. Voting over the internet, by telephone or by written proxy or voting instruction card will ensure your representation at the special meeting regardless of whether you attend in person.about March 29, 2022.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting in person. You may revoke your proxy at any time before the vote is taken by delivering to the Secretary of QuickLogic a written revocation or a proxy with a later date (including a proxy by telephone or via the Internet) or by voting your shares in person at the Special Meeting, in which case your prior proxy would be disregarded.

For the Board of Directors,

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/s/Brian C. Faith

Brian C. Faith

`   President and Chief Executive Officer

October 17, 2019

San Jose, California

March 29, 2022

YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT

WHETHER OR NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE ANNUAL MEETING, WE ENCOURAGE YOU TO VOTE PROMPTLY, SO THAT YOUR SHARES WILL BE REPRESENTED AT THE MEETING.

2

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 


Table of Contents

Page

Page

ABOUT THE SPECIAL MEETINGNotice of Annual Meeting

12

PROPOSAL ONE THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSALAbout the Annual General Meeting

64

GeneralProposal One - Election of Directors

67

Reasons forProposal Two – Approve the ReverseAmendment to the 2019 Stock SplitPlan

712

Criteria to be Used for Determining Whether to Implement Reverse Stock SplitProposal Three - Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

718

Certain Risks and Potential Disadvantages Associated withReport of the Reverse Stock SplitAudit Committee

819

Effective TimeCompensation Discussion and Analysis

820

Fractional SharesSummary Compensation Table

824

EffectsGrants of the Reverse Stock SplitPlan-Based Awards

924

GeneralOutstanding Equity Awards

925

Effect on Total Authorized Number of CommonOption Exercises and Stock and Preferred StockVested

926

Effect on Shares of Common StockEquity Compensation Plan Summary

926

Effect on Par ValuePost-Employment and Change of Control Compensation

1026

Reduction In Stated CapitalCompensation of Non-Employee Directors

1028

Effect on QuickLogic’s Stock PlansSecurity Ownership

1029

Effect on Outstanding WarrantsTransactions With Related Persons

1129

No Going Private TransactionOther Matters

1129

Shares Held in Book-Entry and Through a Broker, Bank or Other Holder of RecordQuickLogic Corporation 2019 Stock Plan, as amended 

11

Shares Held in Certificated Form

11

Vote Required

12

No Appraisal Rights

12

Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon

12

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Consequences of the Reverse Stock Split

12

PROPOSAL TWO THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

14

General

14

Vote Required

14

SECURITY OWNERSHIP

15

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

16

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

17

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS

17

OTHER MATTERS

17

AppendixAPPENDIX A

18

 

QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

 

-i-


QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

PROXY STATEMENT

FOR SPECIALANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

ABOUT THE SPECIALANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

General

The accompanying

This proxy statement is solicitedfurnished by the Board of Directors of QuickLogic Corporation, a Delaware corporation (“QuickLogic” or the “Company”), in connection with the Board's solicitation of proxies for use at the SpecialAnnual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019,May 10, 2022, at 8:10:00 a.m., local time, and at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof (the “Special“Annual Meeting”), for the purposes set forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of SpecialAnnual Meeting of Stockholders.

The SpecialAnnual Meeting will be held at the offices of Jones Day, 1755 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, California 94303.QuickLogic at 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, CA 95131, on Tuesday May 10, 2022, at 10:00 a.m., local time, and the Company's telephone number at that address is (408) 990-4000. At the SpecialAnnual Meeting, only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 8, 2019,March 14, 2021, the record date, will be entitled to vote. On October 8, 2019,March 14, 2022, QuickLogic’s outstanding capital stock consisted of 116,555,75612,362,334 shares of common stock.

At the Annual Meeting, the stockholders will be asked:

1

To elect two Class II directors to serve for a term of three years expiring on the date on which our Annual Meeting of Stockholders is held in 2025;

2

To approve the amendment of the QuickLogic Corporation 2019 Stock Plan to increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available by nine hundred thousand (900,000);

3

To ratify the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as QuickLogic’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 21, 2023;

4

To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or at any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.

This Proxy Statement and form of proxy statement, the foregoing notice and the accompanying proxy card arewere first being made available on or about October 17, 2019provided to all holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share,stockholders entitled to vote at the Special Meeting.

Purpose of the SpecialAnnual Meeting

At the Special Meeting, the stockholders will be asked on or about March 29, 2022, together with our 2021 Annual Report to consider and vote on the following proposals:Stockholders.

 

Board’s Recommendation

 

1.

A proposal, which we refer to as the “reverse stock split proposal,” to adopt and approve an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of common stock, at a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determined by our Board of Directors at a later date (the “Reverse Stock Split”).

2.

A proposal, which we refer to as the “adjournment proposal,” to approve, if necessary, the adjournment of the Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the reverse stock split proposal.

If the reverse stock split proposal is approved by the Company's stockholders at the Special Meeting, it will be effected, if at all, only upon a subsequent determination by the Board of Directors that the Reverse Stock Split is in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders at the time the reverse stock split proposal is effected. The Board of Directors may make this determination as soon as immediately following the conclusion of the Special Meeting, and the Reverse Stock Split could become effective as soon as the business day immediately following the Special Meeting.

Notwithstanding approval of the reverse stock split proposal by our stockholders, the Board of Directors reserves its right to elect not to proceed with implementing the reverse stock split proposal at any time prior to the date on which the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation becomes effective pursuant the DGCL, if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the reverse stock split proposal is no longer in the best interests of the Company or its stockholders.

Board’s Recommendation

Our Board of Directors recommends that you vote:

1

FOR” the election of the two nominated Class II directors;

2

FOR” the approval of the amendment to the QuickLogic Corporation 2019 Stock Plan; and

3

FOR” the ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 1, 2023.

 

Our management does not intend to present other items of business and knows of no items of business that are likely to be brought before the Annual Meeting, except those described in this Proxy Statement. However, if any other matters should properly come before the Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will have discretionary authority to vote the shares represented by proxies in accordance with their best judgment on the matters.

 

1.“ FOR ” the reverse stock split; andVoting

 

2.“ FOR ” the adjournment proposal.

Why does Quicklogic needEach stockholder is entitled to hold this vote?

On January 18, 2019, we were notified in writing by the NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”) that the average closing bid priceone vote for each share of our common stock was belowheld on all matters presented at the criteriaAnnual Meeting. Stockholders do not have the right to cumulate votes in the election of directors. Voting instructions are included on your notice of availability of proxy materials, proxy card or voting instruction card.

Properly executed proxies received prior to the meeting, and subsequently not revoked, will be voted in accordance with the instructions on the proxy. Where no instructions are given, proxies will be voted "FOR" the election of the continued listing standardsdirector nominees described herein, “FOR” the approval of the NASDAQ Global Market, as the average per share closing price of our common stock over a consecutive 30-trading day period was less than $1.00. In the letter, the Nasdaq stated that we had an initial 180-day cure period, or until July 17, 2019, to regain compliance. In anticipation of not regaining compliance by the expiration dateamendment of the initial 180-day cure period, on July 9, 2019 we applied to transfer the listing of our common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market, requested an additional 180 calendar days to cure the minimum bid price deficiency, and undertook to carry out a reverse stock split in order to bring our share price and average share price back above $1.00 within the additional six-month cure period, if necessary.

On July 18, 2019, we received a notification letter from the Nasdaq that our application to transfer our common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market had been approved, and as a result, we were granted an additional 180-day grace period, or until January 13, 2020, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirements. In order to regain compliance, the minimum closing bid price of our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days during the additional 180-day grace period. If we fail to regain compliance during this grace period, our common stock will be subject to delisting by the Nasdaq. In the letter, the Nasdaq further stated that in the event compliance cannot be demonstrated by January 13, 2020, the Nasdaq will commence suspension and delisting procedures. At that time, we may appeal the Nasdaq staff’s determination to a Hearings Panel (the “Panel”). However, we were also notified by Nasdaq that if we appeal, we will be asked to provide a plan to regain compliance to the Panel, and that historically Panels have generally viewed a near-term reverse stock split as the only definitive plan acceptable to resolve a bid price deficiency.  

Our Board of Directors has determined that an amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split may be necessary to promote the continued listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market and is in the best interests of our stockholders. If approved and implemented, the Board of Directors will select a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15 at a later date based on various factors, including the then prevailing market conditions and the existing and expected per share trading prices of our common stock. Pursuant to the law of our state of incorporation, Delaware, our Board of Directors must adopt any amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and submit the amendment to stockholders for approval. Accordingly, our Board of Directors is requesting your proxy to vote “FOR” the reverse stock split proposalPlan and “FOR” the adjournmentratification of the appointment of the independent registered public accounting firm.

What’s required to approve each item?

Proposal 1: Election of Directors. Directors of the Company are elected by a plurality of the votes cast in contested and uncontested elections. The election at the Annual Meeting will be uncontested. “Plurality” means that the two individuals who receive the highest number of “FOR” votes will be elected as directors. You may vote either “FOR” or “WITHHOLD” your vote from any one or more of the nominees. Votes withheld with respect to one or more nominees will result in those nominees receiving fewer votes but will not count as a vote against the nominees. If you do not instruct your broker how to vote with respect to this item, your broker may not vote your shares with respect to the election of directors. Any shares not voted by a stockholder will be treated as broker non-votes, and broker non-votes will have no effect on the results of the election of directors.

Proposal 2: Approval of Amendment of the Company's 2019 Stock Plan. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote is required for the approval of the amendment of the Company's 2019 Stock Plan to increase the maximum aggregate number of shares of common stock available by nine hundred thousand (900,000). Abstentions will have the effect of a vote against the proposal and broker non-votes will have no effect.

Proposal 3: Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Ratification of the appointment of Moss Adams LLP (“Moss Adams”) as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 1, 2023, will require the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock present (in person or by proxy) at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on the proposal. An abstention will have the effect of a vote against the ratification. Brokers will have discretionary authority to vote on Proposal 3 and, accordingly, there will be no broker non-votes for this proposal.

 

In addition to bringing the per share trading price of our common stock back above $1.00, we also believe that the Reverse Stock Split will make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as we have been advised that the current per share trading price of our common stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers.Will my shares be voted if I do not provide my proxy?

 

WhatUnder applicable rules, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, and do not give instructions to that entity, it will still be able to vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but it will not be allowed to vote your shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items. The ratification of Moss Adams as our independent registered public accounting firm (Proposal 3) is considered to be a discretionary item under applicable rules and your brokerage firm, bank, or other nominee will be able to vote on that item even if it does not receive instructions from you, so long as it holds your shares in its name. The remaining items of business at the difference between holdingAnnual Meeting are “non-discretionary” and if you do not instruct your broker, bank or other nominee how to vote with respect to such proposals, it may not vote with respect to these proposals and those shares will be counted as “broker non-votes.” “Broker non-votes” are shares that are held in “street name” by a stockholderbrokerage firm, bank, or other nominee that indicates on its proxy that it does not have or did not exercise discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter. Please see “What’s required to approve each item?” for information regarding the vote required to approve the matters being considered at the Annual Meeting and the treatment of record and as a beneficial owner?broker non-votes.

If you hold your shares are registered directly in your name withthrough our transfer agent, American Stock Transfer &and Trust Company, LLC (“AST”),they will not be voted if you are considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to those shares.do not provide a proxy.

 

If your shares are held in a stock brokeragestreet name, you must bring an account statement or by aletter from your bank or other nominee, those shares are held in “street name” andbrokerage firm showing that you are considered the “beneficial owner” of the shares. As the beneficial owner of thosethe shares


you have as of the rightrecord date in order to direct your broker, bank or nominee howbe admitted to the Annual Meeting. To be able to vote your shares andheld in street name at the Annual Meeting, you will receive separate instructionsneed to obtain a legal proxy card from your broker, bank or otherthe holder of record describing how to vote your shares.record.

 

How can I vote my shares before the Special Meeting?

If you are a stockholder of record, you may submit a proxy by telephone,Voting Electronically via the Internet, by Telephone or by mail.Mail

 

There are three ways to vote by proxy:

By Internet —Stockholders who have received a notice of the availability of the proxy materials by mail may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the notice. Stockholders who have received the notice of the availability of the proxy materials by e-mail may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions included in the e-mail. Stockholders who have received a paper copy of a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail may submit proxies over the Internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction card.

By Telephone —Stockholders of record who live in the United States or Canada may submit proxies by telephone by calling 1-800-690-6903and following the instructions. Stockholders of record who have received a notice of availability of the proxy materials by mail must have the control number that appears on their notice available when voting. Stockholders of record who received notice of the availability of the proxy materials by e-mail must have the control number included in the e-mail available when voting. Stockholders of record who have received a proxy card by mail must have the control number that appears on their proxy card available when voting. Most of the stockholders, who are beneficial owners of their shares living in the United States or Canada and who have received a voting instruction card by mail may vote by phone by calling the number specified on the voting instruction card provided by their broker, trustee, or nominee. Those stockholders should check the voting instruction card for telephone voting availability.

By Mail —Stockholders who have received a paper copy of a proxy card or voting instruction card by mail may submit proxies by completing, signing, and dating their proxy card or voting instruction card and mailing it in the accompanying pre-addressed envelope.

By casting your vote in any of the three ways listed above, you are authorizing the individuals listed on the proxy to vote your shares in accordance with your instructions. You may also attend the Special Meeting and vote in person.

 If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other nominee, you will receive instructions from the holder of record that you must follow for your shares to be voted. The availability of telephonic or Internet voting will depend on the bank’s or broker’s voting process. Please check with your bank or broker and follow the voting procedures your bank or broker provides to vote your shares. Also, please note that if the holder of record of your shares is a bank, broker or other nominee and you wish to vote in person at the Special Meeting, you must request a legal proxy from your bank, broker or other nominee that holds your shares and present that proxy and proof of identification at the Special Meeting; otherwise, you will not be able to vote in person at the Special Meeting.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for Specialthe Shareholders Meeting To Be Held on May 10, 2022.

Our proxy materials including our Proxy Statement and proxy cardAnnual Report on Form 10-K are available on the Internet and may be viewed free of charge and printed at www.proxyvote.com.

Will my shares be voted if I do not provide my proxy?

If you hold your shares through our transfer agent, AST, they will not be voted if you do not provide a proxy.www.proxydocs.com/QUIK.

 

Under applicable rules, if you hold your shares through a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, and do not give instructions to that entity, it will still be able to vote your shares with respect to “discretionary” items, but it will not be allowed to vote your shares with respect to “non-discretionary” items. The reverse stock split proposal (Proposal 1) and the adjournment proposal (Proposal 2) are considered "discretionary" items under applicable rules and your brokerage firm, bank or other nominee will be able to vote on that item even if it does not receive instructions from you, so long as it holds your shares in its name.

How will my shares be voted if I give my proxy but do not specify how my shares should be voted?

5

 The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote at the Special Meeting is required to adopt and approve the reverse stock split proposal.

The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting is required to approve the adjournment proposal.

What happens if a quorum is not present at the Special Meeting?

If the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting are not sufficient to constitute a quorum, the stockholders by a vote of the holders of a majority of votes present in person or represented by proxy (which may be voted by the proxyholders) may, without further notice to any stockholder (unless a new record date is set), adjourn the meeting to a different time and place to permit further solicitations of proxies sufficient to constitute a quorum.

What is an “abstention” and how would it affect the vote?

An “abstention” occurs when a stockholder sends in a proxy with explicit instructions to decline to vote regarding a particular matter. Abstentions are counted as present for purposes of determining a quorum. Abstentions


with respect to the reverse stock split proposal and the adjournment proposal will have the same effect as a vote “Against” the proposals.

What is a broker “non-vote” and how would it affect the vote?

A broker non-vote occurs when a broker or other nominee who holds shares for another person does not vote on a particular proposal because that holder does not have discretionary voting power for the proposal and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares so the broker is unable to vote those uninstructed shares. Brokers will have discretionary voting power to vote on both proposals so we do not anticipate any broker non-votes.

Because adoption and approval of the reverse stock split proposal requires the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares, a broker non-vote will have the same effect as a vote “Against” the reverse stock split proposal.

Because approval of the adjournment proposal requires an affirmative vote of a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting, a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of the vote with regards to the adjournment proposal.

Could other matters be decided at the Special Meeting?

Other than the reverse stock split proposal and the adjournment proposal, no other matters will be presented for action by the stockholders at the Special Meeting.

Who will count the votes?

Representatives of Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. will tabulate the votes and act as inspectors of election.

Solicitation of Proxies

We have engaged The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC, to assist in the solicitation of proxies and provide related advice and informational support, for a services fee, plus customary disbursements, which are not expected to exceed $17,500 in total. We will also reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees, and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy and solicitation materials to stockholders.

If You

Revocability of Proxies

Any proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person giving it at any time before its use by delivering to our secretary a written notice of revocation or a duly executed proxy bearing a later date, or by attending the meeting and voting in person. Your presence at the Annual Meeting in and of itself is not sufficient to revoke your proxy. For shares you hold in street name, you may revoke your prior proxy by submitting new voting instructions to your broker or nominee.

No Right of Appraisal

Neither Delaware law nor our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provide for appraisal or other similar rights for dissenting stockholders in connection with any of the proposals to be voted upon at the Annual Meeting. Accordingly, our stockholders will have any questionsno right to dissent and obtain payment for their shares.

Quorum; Abstentions; Broker Non-Votes

The presence at the Annual Meeting, in person or need assistanceby proxy, of the holders of at least one-third of the voting yourpower of our stock outstanding on the record date will constitute a quorum. As of the close of business on the record date, there were 12,362,334 shares of QuickLogicour common stock please contact outstanding. Both abstentions and broker non-votes are counted for the purpose of determining the presence of a quorum. For the purpose of determining whether the stockholders have approved matters other than the election of directors (Proposal 1), abstentions are treated as shares present or represented and voting, so abstaining has the same effect as a negative vote. Directors are elected based on a plurality of the votes cast. Shares held by brokers who do not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter and who have not received voting instructions from their customers are counted for determining the presence or absence of a quorum for conducting business but are not counted or deemed to be present or represented for the purpose of determining whether stockholders have approved that matter.

Stockholder Nominations and Proposals for Candidates to the Board of Directors

The Proxy Advisory Group, LLC, QuickLogic’s proxy solicitor, by calling +1-212-616-2180.



+

PROPOSAL ONE

THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL

General

QuickLogic is asking stockholders to adoptNominating and approve a proposed amendment toCorporate Governance Committee of our Amended Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split. Our Board of Directors has unanimously approvedestablished policies and declared advisable the proposed amendment, and recommends thatprocedures, available on our stockholders adopt and approve the proposed amendment. The following description of the proposed amendment is a summary and is subjectwebsite at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management, to the full text of the proposed amendment, which is attachedconsider recommendations for candidates to this proxy statement as Annex A.

If stockholders approve this proposal, the Board of Directors from stockholders holding either (i) shares of the outstanding voting securities of the Company in an amount equal to at least $2,000 in market value or (ii) 1% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities continuously for at least one-year prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation. Recommendations received after the date that is 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the mailing of the previous year’s proxy statement will causelikely not be considered timely for consideration at that year’s annual meeting.

A stockholder that desires to recommend a candidate for election to the CertificateBoard of AmendmentDirectors must direct the recommendation in writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, care of the Chief Financial Officer, 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131, and must include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data and qualifications and an explanation of the reasons why the stockholder believes this candidate is qualified for service on the Company’s Board of Directors. The stockholder must also provide such other information about the candidate that would be required by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) rules to be filedincluded in a proxy statement. In addition, the stockholder must include the consent of the candidate and describe any arrangements or undertakings between the stockholder and the candidate regarding the nomination. The stockholder must submit proof of ownership of the requisite number of Company voting securities.

A stockholder that instead desires to nominate a person directly for election to the Board of Directors must meet the deadlines and other requirements set forth in Section 2.4 of the Company’s Bylaws and the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Deadlines for Submission of Other Stockholder Proposals

Stockholders are entitled to present proposals for consideration at the next annual meeting of stockholders provided that they comply with the proxy rules promulgated by the SEC and our Bylaws.

Stockholders wishing to present a proposal for inclusion in the proxy statement relating to our 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must submit such proposal to us by the date that is 120 days prior to the one-year anniversary of the date on which this proxy is first mailed, in order to be considered timely for stockholder proposals or nominations to be included in such proxy statement, which date is November 29, 2022. Proposals received after this date will likely not be considered timely for consideration at that year’s annual meeting.

Householding

Householding is a cost-saving procedure used by us and approved by the SEC. Under the householding procedure, we send only one Annual Report and Proxy Statement to stockholders of record who share the same address and last name, unless one of those stockholders notifies us that the stockholder would like a separate Annual Report and Proxy Statement. A stockholder may notify us that the stockholder would like a separate Annual Report and Proxy Statement by telephone at (408) 990-4000 or at the following mailing address: 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131, Attention: Investor Relations. If we receive such notification that the stockholder wishes to receive a separate Annual Report and Proxy Statement, we will promptly deliver such Annual Report and Proxy Statement. A separate proxy card is included in the materials for each stockholder of record. If you wish to update your participation in householding, beneficial owners should contact their broker and registered shareholders should contact our transfer agent American Stock Transfer & Trust Company or AST at 1 (800) 937-5449.

PROPOSAL ONE

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

QuickLogic’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) is currently comprised of nine members, divided into three classes with overlapping three-year terms. As a result, a portion of our Board of Directors will be elected each year. Michael R. Farese, Andrew J. Pease, and Daniel A. Rabinovitsj have been designated as Class I directors whose terms expire at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, Arturo Krueger, Gary H. Tauss, and Joyce Kim have been designated as Class II directors whose terms expire at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, and Christine Russell, Brian C. Faith, and Radhika Krishnan have been designated as Class III directors whose terms expire at the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Any additional directorships resulting from an increase in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of an equal number of directors. There are no family relationships between any of our directors or executive officers.  Mr. Krueger has elected not to stand for reelection to the Board.

The Nominating and Governance Committee is committed to continuing to identify and recruit highly qualified director candidates with diverse experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds to join our Board. The table below provides certain information regarding the composition of our Board. Each of the categories listed in the below table has the meaning as it is used in Nasdaq Rule 5605(f) and related instructions.

Board Diversity Matrix As of March 14, 2022

Total Number of Directors

 
 

Female

Male

Non-Binary

Did not

Disclose

Gender

Directors

3

6

-

-

Demographic Information:

African American or Black

-

-

-

-

Alaskan Native or Native American

-

-

-

-

Asian

2

-

-

-

Hispanic or Latinx

-

-

-

-

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

-

6

-

-

White

-

-

-

-

Two or More Races or Ethnicities

-

-

-

-

LGBTQ+

-

Did not Disclose Demographic Background

1

Nominees for Class II Directors

Two Class II directors are to be elected at this Annual Meeting of Stockholders for a three-year term ending in 2025. Pursuant to action by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the Board of Directors has nominated Garry Tauss and Joyce Kim. Unless otherwise instructed, the persons acting as proxies intend to vote proxies received by them for the election Gary Tauss and Joyce Kim. QuickLogic expects that Gary Tauss and Joyce Kim will serve if elected. In the event that any nominee is unable or declines to serve as a director at the time of the Annual Meeting, proxies will be voted for a substitute nominee or nominees designated by the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors. The term of office of each person elected as director will continue until such director’s term expires in 2025 or until such director’s successor has been elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation, or removal.

Required Vote

The three nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes shall be elected directors. Votes withheld from any director are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a quorum for the transaction of business but have no other legal effect in the election of directors under Delaware Secretarylaw.

Recommendation of the Board of Directors

QUICKLOGIC’S BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A

VOTE “FOR” THE CLASS I DIRECTOR NOMINEES LISTED ABOVE.

Directors and Nominees for Director

The following table sets forth information concerning the nominees for Class II director.

Nominees for Class II Director

Name

Age

Position

Gary H. Tauss

67

Director

Joyce Kim

51

Director

Gary H. Tauss has been serving as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2002. Mr. Tauss has also been serving as a board member for Hootsuite Inc., a social media dashboard company since January 2010. In January 2017, Mr. Tauss joined the board of NetForecast, Inc., an auditing firm which audits ISP data usage meter systems. From January 2010 to March 2014, Mr. Tauss served as the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of BizTech, a not-for-profit technology-focused business incubator. From October 2006 until February 2008, Mr. Tauss served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Mobidia Technology, Inc., a provider of performance management software that enables wireless operators to provide users with high-quality mobile content. From May 2005 until the sale of its assets to Transaction Network Services, Inc. in March 2006, Mr. Tauss served as President, Chief Executive Officer and director of InfiniRoute Networks Inc., a provider of software peering services for wireline and wireless carriers. From October 2002 until April 2005, Mr. Tauss served as President and Chief Executive Officer of LongBoard, Inc., a company specializing in fixed-to-mobile convergence application software for leading carriers and service providers. From August 1998 until June 2002, Mr. Tauss was President, Chief Executive Officer, and a director of TollBridge Technologies, Inc., a developer of voice-over-broadband products. Prior to co-founding TollBridge, Mr. Tauss was Vice President and General Manager of Ramp Networks, Inc., a provider of Internet security and broadband access products, with responsibility for engineering, customer support and marketing. Mr. Tauss earned both a B.S. and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Illinois. Mr. Tauss has a strong executive background with technology companies providing products for the mobile market. His in-depth understanding of the important attributes of products for the mobile market make him an invaluable resource as QuickLogic develops and markets devices for the mobile market.

Joyce Kim brings over two decades of experience scaling commercial innovation and growth in the technology sector through large scale digital transformation and brand elevation strategies. Her expertise spans all facets of Go-To-Market including digital, brand, communications, channels and product strategy for global hardware and SaaS companies. 

Currently, she serves as the Chief Marketing Officer for Genesys, PE backed pre-IPO company with over $2B in revenue and is responsible for driving market expansion and revenue diversification strategies including customer acquisition, engagement and channel growth. From 2016 to 2020,  she was Chief Digital & Marketing Officer for Arm, where she led the enterprise-wide digital transformation and digital GTM strategy for new SaaS and IoT platform. Ms. Kim also successfully launched multiple microprocessor IP products in Japan and China alongside one of the largest partner ecosystems in the world.  Prior to Arm, Ms. Kim was at Citrix from 2015 to 2016 as the Chief Marketing Officer.  From 2008 to 2015 she led marketing for global brands such as Skype and Skype for Business at Microsoft as well as product communications and partnerships for Chromebooks and WebRTC/Google Hangouts at Google. From 2000 to 2007, she held multiple marketing and product management leadership positions for several startup and mid-sized companies including Wrike, Symmetricom, and Internap.

The Company believes that Ms. Kim's expertise in increasing brand value and revenue growth, by advancing a data-driven organization, will add significant value to her role.  She has demonstrated her thought leadership as an active member of the CMO Council, Executive Council Member of the Forbes CMO Practice, McKinsey CMO Advisory Council, and as part of the Fast Company Executive Board. She also serves as a member of the board of directors at Bring Me A Book, a non-profit focused on bringing the joy and transformational power of books to all children in under-resourced communities. She also serves as an advisory board member for Sparklabs Frontier program at Arizona State University.

Ms. Kim earned a double major from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo with Bachelor of Science degrees in Finance and effectArchitecture.

Incumbent Class I Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2024

NameAgePosition
Michael R. Farese75Chairman of the Board
Andrew J. Pease71Director
Daniel A. Rabinovitsj57Director

Michael R. Farese (Ph.D.) has been serving as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2008, and as our Chairman since December 6, 2019. Dr. Farese also served as Chairman of the Reverse Stock Split only ifNominating and Corporate Governance Committee from August 2014 until February 2021. In January 2015, Dr. Farese joined Antenna79, a consumer electronics company creating advanced antenna technology for wireless devices, where he held the position of Chief Scientist until December 2016 when Antenna79 was acquired. From June 2010 to December 2014, Dr. Farese served as Chief Technology Officer and Senior Vice President of Global Engineering at Entropic Communications Inc., a fabless semiconductor company that designs, develops and markets system solutions to enable connected home entertainment. From September 2007 to May 2010, he was President and Chief Executive Officer and member of the Board of Directors of BitWave Semiconductor, Inc., a fabless semiconductor company and innovator of programmable radio frequency ICs. From September 2005 to September 2007, Dr. Farese was Senior Vice President, Engineering, of Palm, Inc., a leading mobile products company. Dr. Farese also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of WJ Communications, a radio frequency (RF) semiconductor company, from March 2002 to July 2005 and President and CEO of Tropian Inc., a developer of high efficiency RF ASICs for 2.5 and 3G cellular phones, from October 1999 to March 2002. Prior to that time, Dr. Farese held senior management positions at Motorola Corp., Ericsson Inc., Nokia Corp. and ITT Corp. Dr. Farese also held management positions at AT&T Corp. and Bell Laboratories, Inc. and has been in the telecommunications and semiconductor industry for more than 40 years. Dr. Farese also served on the board of PMC-Sierra, Inc., an Internet infrastructure semiconductor solution provider, from May 2006 until its acquisition in January 2016 by Microsemi Corp. Dr. Farese holds a B.S. degree and a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. He also received his M.S. degree in Engineering from Princeton University. Dr. Farese has extensive executive experience and knowledge of the wireless industry, cellular handsets and wireless devices, and the use of semiconductors for the wireless industry. His business acumen and strong technical and strategic planning skills bring an invaluable perspective to the Board.

Andrew J. Pease has been serving as a member of our Board of Directors since April 2011 and Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee since February 2021. He joined QuickLogic in November 2006 and served as our President and Chief Executive Officer from January 2011 to his retirement in June 2016, and as our President from March 2009 to his retirement in June 2016. From November 2006 to March 2009, Mr. Pease served as our Vice President of Worldwide Sales. From July 2003 to June 2006, Mr. Pease was Senior Vice President of Worldwide Sales at Broadcom Corporation, a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications. From March 2000 to July 2003, Mr. Pease was Vice President of Sales at Syntricity, Inc., a company providing software and services to better manage semiconductor production yields and improve design-to-production processes. From 1984 to 1996, Mr. Pease served in a number of sales positions at Advanced Micro Devices, or AMD, a global semiconductor manufacturer, where his last assignment was Group Director, Worldwide Headquarters Sales and Operations. Mr. Pease previously held Vice President of Sales positions at Integrated Systems Inc., an embedded software manufacturer (1996-1997), and Vantis Corporation, a programmable logic subsidiary of AMD (1997-1999). Mr. Pease holds a B.S. degree from the United States Naval Academy and an M.S. in computer science from the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Mr. Pease has many years of executive experience in the semiconductor industry, primarily in sales and operations. His vast understanding of the semiconductor industry coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of the Company makes him an invaluable resource and contributor to the Board

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj has been serving as a member of our Board of Directors since October 2014. In August 2018, Mr. Rabinovitsj joined Facebook, a social networking company. From April 2018, he has been serving as board member in NanoSemi, Inc. a startup company, which develops intellectual property based upon machine learning to improve communication and other systems. Mr. Rabinovitsj served as Chief Operating Officer of Ruckus Wireless, Inc., a global supplier of advanced wireless systems for the mobile Internet infrastructure market, from October 2014 until its acquisition by ARRIS International plc in December 2017. Mr. Rabinovitsj served as President of ARRIS International plc. From 2011 to September 2014, Mr. Rabinovitsj served as Senior Vice President of Qualcomm Atheros, Inc.’s wired and wireless networking and small cell infrastructure business. Prior to Qualcomm Atheros, Mr. Rabinovitsj served in a number of executive management positions at companies including Atheros Communications, NXP Semiconductors, ST Ericsson, and Silicon Labs. Mr. Rabinovitsj received an M.A. in Asian Studies and a B.A. in Philosophy from the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Rabinovitsj has over twenty-five years of experience in the semiconductor industry where he has spent considerable time focusing on communications and networking. Drawing from his extensive background, he is able to provide invaluable insights into the mobile market, the Company’s focused market. These insights coupled with his international business experience make Mr. Rabinovitsj a significant and respected contributor to the Board.

Incumbent Class II Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2022

Name

Age

Position

Arturo Kruger82Director

Gary Tauss

67

Director

Joyce Kim

51

Director

Incumbent Class III Directors Whose Terms Expire in 2023

Name

Age

Position

Christine Russell

72

Director

Brian C. Faith

47

Director

Radhika Krishnan51Director

           Christine Russell has been serving as a member of our Board of Directors since June 2005. On December 23, 2019, Ms. Russell was elected as member of the Board of Directors of AXT, Inc. From July 2018 to March 2020, Ms. Russell was Chief Financial Officer at PDF Solutions, which offers yield process improvement and manufacturing efficiencies to the semiconductor industry and their supply chain using proprietary AI and data mining software technology. In February 2017, she became a member of the Board of Directors of eGain Corporation, a Nasdaq traded SaaS company providing software for call center and customer support organizations. From May 2015 through March 2018, she served as Chief Financial Officer at UniPixel, Inc., a precision engineered film company whose products include touch-screen films. From May 2014 to March 2015, Ms. Russell served as Chief Financial Officer of Vendavo, Inc., a pricing optimization enterprise software company, which was sold in late 2014 to a private equity firm. From May 2009 to October 2013, Ms. Russell was Chief Financial Officer of Evans Analytical Group (EAG), a leading international provider of materials characterization and microelectronic failure analysis and “release to production” services. From June 2006 to April 2009, Ms. Russell was at Virage Logic Corporation, a provider of advanced intellectual property for the design of integrated circuits, where she served as Executive Vice President of Business Development from September 2008 and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer from June 2006 to September 2008. Ms. Russell served as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of OuterBay Technologies, Inc., a privately held software company enabling information lifecycle management for enterprise applications, from May 2005 until February 2006, when OuterBay was acquired by Hewlett-Packard Company. From October 2003 to May 2005, Ms. Russell served as the Chief Financial Officer of Ceva, Inc., a company specializing in semiconductor intellectual property offering digital signal processing cores and application software. Prior to 2005, Ms. Russell served as Chief Financial Officer and in various senior financial management positions with a number of technology companies for a period of more than twenty years. Ms. Russell holds a B.A. degree and an M.B.A. degree from the University of Santa Clara.

Ms. Russell’s extensive executive experience in corporate finance, accounting and operations, and her involvement in governance issues for boards of directors in her role as Chairman Emeritus of the SVDX (Silicon Valley Directors Exchange), an organization that fosters excellence in corporate governance for directors in affiliation with Stanford University and past service as President of the NACD, Silicon Valley Chapter, make her an important asset to the Company. In addition, her career background in semiconductor intellectual property companies provides her with specific industry knowledge.

Brian C. Faith was promoted to Chief Executive Officer and was elected as a director in June 2016 after having served as Vice President of Worldwide Marketing and Vice President of Worldwide Sales & Marketing between 2008 and 2016. Mr. Faith has been with QuickLogic since 1996, and during the last 20 years has held a variety of managerial and executive leadership positions in engineering, product line management, marketing, and sales. Mr. Faith has also served as the Chairman of the Marketing Committee for the CE-ATA Organization. He holds a B.S. degree in Computer Engineering from Santa Clara University and was an Adjunct Lecturer at Santa Clara University for Programmable Logic courses.

Mr. Faith’s vast understanding of the semiconductor industry coupled with his in-depth knowledge of the day-to-day operation and strategic direction of the Company makes him an invaluable resource and contributor to the Board.

Radhika Krishnan  is a versatile product and general management executive with a strong track record of building new businesses at both startups and Fortune 500 companies. Her prior accomplishments  and success is based on a combination of deep technical expertise and business acumen, as well as hands-on experience across engineering, QA, product management, messaging, go to market and ecosystem building. The Company believes her experience across multiple facets of the cloud infrastructure, gained from working with best-in-class providers, will allow her to create practical and winning customer solutions.

Ms. Krishnan currently serves as Chief Product Officer and General Manager at Hitachi Vantara. She is responsible for the vision, strategy, delivery, positioning, and P&Ls for all Hitachi Vantara products, including highly resilient data storage, multi-cloud solutions, and the industry leading Lumada SaaS portfolio across the data management, analytics, AI/ML, and Industrial IoT market segments. Prior to joining Hitachi Vantara, Krishnan served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Software at 3D Systems Corporation from 2019 to 2020.  From 2018 to 2020, Ms. Krishnan was Vice President and General Manager of software defined infrastructure at Lenovo. Previously,  she was Vice President, Solutions and Product Alliances at Nimble Storage from 2013 to 2018.  At Network Appliance she was a Product Manager from 2009 to 2013 having previously been at Cisco Systems as an Interconnect and Switches Product Manager for one year.  She started her career at Hewlett Packard, Co where she had various Senior Management roles from 1998 to 2008. 

Ms. Krishnan holds a bachelor's degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani and an MBA from San Jose State University.

Board Leadership Structure; Lead Independent Director 

The Board of Directors does not currently have a policy on whether the roles of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman may be filled by one individual. This allows the Board flexibility to better address the leadership needs of the Company from time to time as it deems appropriate. We currently separate the positions of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board. Mr. Brian C. Faith is our President and Chief Executive Officer and Dr. Farese has served as our non-employee Chairman of the Board since December 6, 2019.

Board’s Oversight of Risk Management

The Board has an active role, as a whole and at the committee level, in overseeing management of the Company’s risks. The Board regularly reviews information regarding the Company’s credit, liquidity, operations, and enterprise risks. The Company’s Compensation Committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to the Company’s executive compensation plans and arrangements. The Audit Committee oversees management of financial, accounting, and internal control risks. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee manages risks associated with the independence of the Board of Directors and potential conflicts of interest. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, the entire Board of Directors is regularly informed through committee reports about such risks. The Board and its committees are committed to ensuring effective risk management oversight and work with management to ensure that effective risk management strategies are incorporated into the Company’s culture and day-to-day business operations.

Board Meetings, Committees and Corporate Governance 

The Board of Directors has determined that the Company’s current directors, with the exception of Mr. Faith, meet the independence requirements of the Nasdaq Capital Market. No director qualifies as independent unless the Board of Directors determines that the Reverse Stock Split would bedirector has no direct or indirect material relationship with the Company. In making the determination that a particular director is independent, the Board considers the relationships that such director has with the Company and all other facts and circumstances deemed relevant in determining their independence, including information requested from and provided by each director concerning his or her background, employment, and affiliations, including family relationships and other information received through annual directors’ questionnaires.

It is the best interestspolicy of QuickLogicthe Board of Directors to have a separate meeting time for independent directors. During the last fiscal year, five sessions of the independent directors were held.

The standing committees of the Board of Directors include an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee, and its stockholders.a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee.

We have written charters for the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, copies of which are available on our website, free of charge, at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management. You can also obtain copies of the charters, free of charge, by writing to us at 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131, Attention: Finance Department.

In accordance with applicable SEC requirements and Nasdaq Capital Market listing standards, all the standing committees are comprised solely of non-employee, independent directors. The Reverse Stock Split could becometable below shows current membership for each of the standing committees.

Audit
Committee

Nominating and Corporate
Governance Committee

Compensation
Committee

Christine Russell (1)(2)

Andrew J. Pease (1)(4)

Gary H. Tauss (1)

Michael R. Farese (3)

Arturo Krueger (5)

Michael R. Farese

Arturo Krueger (5)

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

Joyce Kim

Christine Russell

Christine Russell

Mike Farese

Radhika Krishnan

Joyce Kim

Radhika Krishnan

Gary H. Tauss


(1)

Committee Chairman

(2)

Audit Committee Financial Expert

(3)

Lead Independent Director

(4)Mr. Pease assumed the position of Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee Chair, previously held by Dr. Farese, effective February 10, 2021.
(5) Mr. Krueger has decided not to stand for reelection to the Board.

Audit Committee

The Audit Committee held five meetings in 2021. Ms. Russell has served as soonChairman of the Audit Committee since April 2006. Dr. Farese and Mr. Krueger have served as members of the business day immediately followingAudit Committee since February 2010, and Ms. Kim has served since December 2021. Each member meets the Special Meeting.independence requirements of the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market. The Board of Directors also may determine in its discretion not to effect the Reverse Stock Split and not to file the Certificatehas determined that Ms. Russell is an Audit Committee Financial Expert as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Amendment. No further action on the part of stockholders will be required to either implement or abandon the Reverse Stock Split.Regulation S-K.

 

The proposed amendment, if effected,Audit Committee has sole and direct authority to select, evaluate and compensate our independent registered public accounting firm, and it reviews and approves in advance all audit, audit related and non-audit services, and the related fees, provided by the independent registered public accounting firm (to the extent those services are permitted by the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended). The Audit Committee meets with our management and appropriate financial personnel regularly to consider the adequacy of our internal controls and financial reporting process and the reliability of our financial reports to the public. The Audit Committee also meets with the independent registered public accounting firm regarding these matters. The Audit Committee has established a Financial Information Integrity Policy, pursuant to which QuickLogic can receive, retain and treat employee complaints concerning questionable accounting, internal control or auditing matters, or the reporting of fraudulent financial information. The Audit Committee examines the independence and performance of our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, among its other responsibilities, the Audit Committee reviews our critical accounting policies, our annual and quarterly reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and our earnings releases before they are published. The Audit Committee has a written charter, a copy of which is available on our website, free of charge, at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

Compensation Committee

The Compensation Committee held four meetings in 2021 and acted by unanimous written consent two times during the year. Mr. Tauss has served as Chairman of the Compensation Committee since September 2004. Ms. Russell, Dr. Farese and Mr. Rabinovitsj have served as members of the Compensation Committee since February 2010, August 2014, and January 2015, respectively. Ms. Krishnan has served since November 2021.  Each member of the Compensation Committee meets the independence requirements of the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market. The purpose of the Compensation Committee is to: (i) discharge the responsibilities of the Board of Directors relating to compensation of the Company’s directors, Chief Executive Officer, and executive officers; (ii) review and recommend to the Board of Directors compensation plans, policies and benefit programs, as well as approve individual executive officer compensation packages; and (iii) review and discuss the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management and prepare the Compensation Committee Report to be included in the Company’s Proxy Statement and Annual Report on Form 10-K. The Compensation Committee’s duties also include administering QuickLogic’s stock option plans and employee stock purchase plans.

The Compensation Committee has the authority to retain and meet privately with independent advisors and compensation and benefits specialists as needed, and may request the assistance of any director, officer or employee of the Company whose advice and counsel are sought by the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee has periodically engaged Compensia as an independent compensation consultant, including in 2021. The Compensation Committee has reviewed the independence of Compensia under applicable SEC and Nasdaq standards and found that no conflict of interest exists. The Compensation Committee, after reviewing management’s recommendations, determines the equity and non-equity compensation of the Company’s executive officers and directors. Management generally provides internal compensation information, compensation survey information for similarly sized technology companies, and other information to the Compensation Committee, and the Chief Executive Officer recommends compensation amounts for the executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer. Under the guidance of the Compensation Committee, the Chief Executive Officer or an executive officer of the Company makes recommendations to the Compensation Committee regarding the executive incentive compensation plan, including plan objectives and payments earned based on performance to those objectives. No members of management are present when the Compensation Committee approves the compensation of the executive officers.The Compensation Committee may delegate its responsibilities to subcommittees when appropriate. The Compensation Committee has a written charter, which is available on our website, free of charge, at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee 

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee held three meetings in 2021. Dr. Farese previously served as Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee from August 2014 to February 2021. On February 10, 2021, the Board of Directors approved the slate of committee members and chairpersons, which includes the appointment of Mr. Pease as the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Each of the directors on the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee meets the independence requirements of the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market. The purpose of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee is to: (i) assist the Board of Directors by identifying, evaluating and recommending to the Board of Directors, or approving as appropriate, individuals qualified to be directors of QuickLogic for either appointment to the Board of Directors or to stand for election at a meeting of the stockholders; (ii) review the composition and evaluate the performance of the Board of Directors; (iii) review the composition and evaluate the performance of the committees of the Board of Directors; (iv) recommend persons to be members of the committees of the Board of Directors; (v) review conflicts of interest of members of the Board of Directors and executive officers; and (vi) review and recommend corporate governance principles to the Board of Directors. Other duties of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee include overseeing the evaluation of management, succession planning, and reviewing and monitoring the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee adopted our Corporate Governance Guidelines in December 2004. Ms. Krishnan and Ms. Kim each joined the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee on November 2021 and December 2021 respectively.  A copy of the Guidelines and a copy of the written charter of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available on our website, free of charge, at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee regularly reviews the size and composition of the full Board of Directors and considers the recommendations properly presented by qualified stockholders as well as recommendations from management, other directors and search firms to attract top candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. Except as may be required by rules promulgated by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market, there are no specific, minimum qualifications that must be met by each candidate for the Board of Directors, nor are there specific qualities or skills that are necessary for one or more of the members of the Board of Directors to possess. In evaluating the qualifications of the candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers many factors, including character, judgment, independence, expertise, length of service and other commitments, among others. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee  does consider diversity when identifying director candidates and nominees with respect to differences of viewpoints, professional experiences, race, gender, and other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to heterogeneity on the Board. The Committee evaluates such factors and does not assign any particular weight or priority to any of these factors. While the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has not established specific minimum qualifications for director candidates, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee believes that candidates and nominees must reflect a Board of Directors that is predominantly independent and is comprised of directors who (i) are of high integrity, (ii) have qualifications that will effect a Reverse Stock Splitincrease the overall effectiveness of the Board of Directors, and (iii) meet other requirements as may be required by applicable rules, such as financial literacy or financial expertise with respect to Audit Committee members.

It is the policy of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee to consider recommendations for candidates to the Board of Directors from stockholders holding, continuously for at least one year prior to the date of the submission of the recommendation, either (i) shares of the outstanding sharesvoting securities of the Company in an amount equal to at least $2,000 in market value or (ii) 1% of the Company’s outstanding voting securities. Recommendations received after the date that is 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the mailing of the previous year’s proxy statement, will likely not be considered timely for consideration at that year’s annual meeting. Stockholders may suggest qualified candidates for director by writing to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, care of the Chief Financial Officer, 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131 and must include the candidate’s name, home and business contact information, detailed biographical data and qualifications and an explanation of the reasons why the stockholder believes the candidate is qualified for service on QuickLogic’s common stockBoard of Directors. The stockholder must also provide such other information about the candidate that would be required by the SEC rules to be included in a proxy statement. In addition, the stockholder must include the consent of the candidate and describe any arrangements or undertakings between the stockholder and the candidate regarding the nomination. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will evaluate all director nominations that are timely and properly submitted by stockholders on the same basis as any other candidate. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee’s Policies and Procedures for Director Candidates is posted on our website at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

During 2020, activities of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee included reviewing and approving any actual or potential conflicts of interest, assessing the structure and performance of the Board and the committees of the Board, and reviewing our Code of Conduct and Ethics and our Policy for Stockholder Communications with Directors. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also assessed the independence and qualifications of our directors, reviewed the performance of the CEO and his assessment of our executive officers, and ensured our directors adhered to our Corporate Governance Guidelines, including reviewing, monitoring and, where appropriate, approving fundamental financial and business strategies and major corporate actions. A copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics and a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determined bycopy of the Policy for Stockholder Communications with Directors are posted on our website at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

Non-Standing Committees and Participation 

The Board of Directors athas delegated to the Equity Incentive Committee, which in 2021 consisted of Brian C. Faith, our President and Chief Executive Officer and Suping (Sue) Cheung, our former Chief Financial Officer (who resigned as of February 17, 2021), the authority to: (i) approve the grant of options to purchase Company stock to employees other than executive officers and certain other individuals, up to a later date. Aslimit of 40,000 shares per option grant; (ii) approve the October 8, 2019 record date, 116,555,756 sharesaward of our commonrestricted stock were issuedunits (RSUs) based on dollar value maximums in accordance with guidelines established by the Committee, with inputs from  Radford Consulting, up to a maximum dollar value of $100,000 for the top non-executive job level; (iii) grant refresh options or RSUs to employees other than executive officers and outstanding. Based on such number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, we’ve presented an example ofcertain other individuals, subject to the impact of a 1-for-10 reverse stock split on the issued and outstanding shares of stock and shares available for future issuance in the table under the caption “—Effects of the Reverse Stock Split—Effect on Shares of Common Stock”. The actual impact of the Reverse Stock Split will depend on the actual reverse stock split ratio determined by our Board of Directors.

The proposed amendment will not result in a reductionapproval of the total number of sharessuch refresh options or RSUs by the Board of Directors or the Compensation Committee; and (iv) amend options as authorized by the Board of Directors. Timothy Saxe replaced Ms. Cheung on the Equity Incentive Committee following her departure in February 17, 2021.

The Board of Directors held a total of five meetings and acted by unanimous written consent two times during 2021. During 2021, no incumbent director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of (i) the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors held during his or her term as a director and (ii) the total number of meetings held by all committees of the Board of Directors on which such director served during his or her term on such committee.

QuickLogic expects its directors to attend its annual meetings absent a valid reason. All then-current directors attended the May 12, 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has established a policy for stockholder communication with our Board of Directors. This policy, which is available on the investor relations portion of our website, provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors. Stockholders may contact QuickLogic’s Board of Directors or any individual member thereof, by writing, whether by mail or express mail, to: QuickLogic Corporation Board of Directors, 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131. Communications received in writing are reviewed internally by management and then distributed to the Chairman or other members of the Board, as appropriate. Stockholders who wish to contact the Board of Directors or any member of the Audit Committee to report questionable accounting or auditing matters may do so by using this address and designating the communication as “Compliance Confidential.”

Code of Conduct and Ethics

QuickLogic adopted a Code of Conduct and Ethics applicable to all directors, officers and employees on February 12, 2004. The Code of Conduct and Ethics covers topics including, but not limited to, financial reporting, conflicts of interest, confidentiality of information, compliance with laws and regulations and the code of ethics for our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and controllers. A copy of the Code of Conduct and Ethics, as amended, is posted on our website at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/management. To date, there have been no waivers under our Code of Conduct and Ethics. We will post any waivers, if and when granted, on our website at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/about-us/management.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal year 2021, the following directors were members of QuickLogic’s common stock that QuickLogic is authorized to issue.Compensation Committee: Gary H. Tauss (Chairman), Michael R. Farese, Radhika Krishnan, Daniel A. Rabinovitsj, and Christine Russell. None of the Compensation Committee’s members has at any time been an officer or employee of QuickLogic.

 

All holdersNone of QuickLogic’s common stocknamed executive officers serve, or in the past fiscal year have served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more of its executive officers serving on QuickLogic’s Board or Compensation Committee and none have engaged in any transaction with related persons, promoters or certain control persons requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K.

PROPOSAL TWO

APPROVAL OF AMENDMENT OF THE COMPANY'S 2019 STOCK PLAN

Summary

Our Board is requesting that our stockholders approve an amendment (the “Amendment”) to our 2019 Stock Plan (the “2019 Plan”) to increase the number of shares reserved for issuance under the 2019 Plan by 900,000 shares. Our Board has approved the Amendment subject to stockholder approval, and if the stockholders approve the Amendment, it will be affected proportionately by the Reverse Stock Split.

No fractional shares of common stock will be issued to the stockholderseffective as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, any stockholder who would have been entitled to receive a fractional share as a resultdate of the Reverse Stock SplitAnnual Meeting. In the event stockholders do not approve the proposed Amendment, the Amendment will receive cash payments in lieu of such fractional shares. Each common stockholder will hold the same percentage of the outstanding common stock immediately following the Reverse Stock Split as that stockholder did immediately prior to the Reverse Stock Split, except to the extent that the Reverse Stock Split results in stockholders receiving cash in lieu of fractional shares. The par value ofnot take effect and our common stock2019 Plan will continue to be $0.001 per share (see “—Effects ofadministered in its current form until the Reverse Stock Split—Reduction in Stated Capital”).


Reasonsshares available for use under the Reverse Stock Split

Reverse Stock Split.  Our2019 Plan have been depleted and all outstanding awards have been exercised, vested or terminated. However, this could limit our ability to successfully attract and retain highly skilled personnel. The Board of Directors has determined that it is in the best interests of QuickLogicthe Company and its stockholders to combinehave our shares of common stock at a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determined2019 Plan amended by the BoardAmendment and is asking our stockholders to approve the Amendment.

The Company’s named executive officers and directors have an interest in this proposal.

Reasons for the Amendment to 2019 Stock Plan

Long-Term Incentive Compensation is Critical to our Success. The 2019 Plan allows us to grant long-term incentives in the form of equity awards for purposes of attracting, retaining and motivating the best available personnel for the successful conduct of our business. Long-term incentive compensation is a later date,key component of our compensation program because it enhances the link between employee and stockholder interests. We have, therefore, consistently included equity incentives as a significant component of employee compensation. With the high demand for highly skilled employees, especially in orderthe technology industry, we believe it is critical to reduceour success to maintain competitive compensation programs. If the proposed Amendment is not approved by the Company’s stockholders, we may be restricted in our ability to offer competitive compensation to existing employees and qualified candidates, and our business could be adversely affected.

Key Considerations for Requesting Additional Shares

In determining the number of shares to be added to the 2019 Plan, the Board considered the following principal factors:

Number of Shares Available for Grant under the 2019 Plan. As of March 14, 2022, 542,607 shares remained available for use in connection with future awards under the 2019 Plan. This amount represented approximately 4.39% of our outstanding shares as of the record date, which our Board feels is inadequate to retain and motivate key employees and service providers that are critical to our continued success.

Burn RateBurn rate measures our usage of shares for our stock plans as a percentage of our outstanding stock. For 2021, 2020 and 2019, our burn rate was 2.8%, 5.1% and 3.5%, and our average, annual burn rate over that period was 3.8%. We calculated our burn rate for each year by dividing the shares subject to awards granted (assuming target performance for performance RSUs, or  PRSUs) less shares subject to awards cancelled or forfeited, by the weighted average number of shares outstanding.


The following table provides certain information regarding our equity incentive program:

  

As of March 14, 2022

 
  

(the record date for the annual meeting)

 

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding stock options

  93,000 

Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options

 $27.49 

Weighted-average remaining term of outstanding stock options (years)

  3.19 

Total number of shares of common stock subject to outstanding restricted stock units

  428,555 

Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under the 2019 Plan

  542,603 

Total number of shares of common stock available for grant under other equity incentive plan (1)

  258,321 

Total number of shares of common stock outstanding

  12,362,334 

Per-share closing price of common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market

 $4.80 

(1) This number represents shares available for future issuance under our 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan

    

Key Features of common stock outstanding. Ourthe 2019 Stock Plan

We designed the 2019 Plan to conform to best practices in equity incentive plans, including:

No repricing of equity awards without stockholder approval.

An independent committee of the Board administers the 2019 Plan.

Shares used to pay the exercise price or satisfy tax withholdings of Directors authorized the reverse splitan award will not again be available for grant.

No automatic single trigger change of our common stock with the primary intent of increasing the per share trading price of our common stockcontrol vesting acceleration.

No liberal change in control definition; a change in control transaction must actually occur in order for the change in control provisions in the 2019 Plan to meetbe triggered.

Stockholder approval is required for additional shares; the Nasdaq Capital Market’s price criteria for continued listing on that exchange. Our common stock is publicly traded and listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “QUIK.” Accordingly, for these and other reasons discussed below, we believe that effecting the Reverse Stock Split is in QuickLogic’s and our stockholders’ best interests.

On January 18, 2019 we were notified in writing by the Nasdaq that the average closing bid price of our common stock was below the criteria of the continued listing standards of the NASDAQ Global Market, as the average per share closing price of our common stock over a consecutive 30-trading day period was less than $1.00. In the letter, the Nasdaq stated that we hadPlan does not contain an initial 180-day cure period, or until July 17, 2019, to regain compliance. In anticipation of not regaining compliance by the expiration date of the initial 180-day cure period, on July 9, 2019, we applied to transfer the listing of our common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market, requested an additional 180 calendar days to cure the minimum bid price deficiency, and undertook to carry out a reverse stock split in order to bring our share price and average share price back above $1.00 within the additional six-month cure period, if necessary.annual "evergreen" provision.

 

On July 18, 2019, we received a notification letter from the Nasdaq that our application to transfer our common stock to the Nasdaq Capital Market had been approved, and as a result, we were granted an additional 180-day grace period, or until January 13, 2020, to regain compliance with the minimum bid price requirements. In order to regain compliance, the minimum closing bid price of our common stock must be at least $1.00 per share for a minimum of 10 consecutive business days during the additional 180-day grace period. If we fail to regain compliance during this grace period, our common stock will be subject to delisting by the Nasdaq. In the letter, the Nasdaq further stated that in the event compliance cannot be demonstrated by January 13, 2020, the Nasdaq will commence suspension and delisting procedures. At that time, we may appeal the Nasdaq staff’s determination to a Hearings Panel (the “Panel”). However, we were also notified by Nasdaq that if we appeal, we will be asked to provide a plan to regain compliance to the Panel, and that historically Panels have generally viewed a near-term reverse stock split as the only definitive plan acceptable to resolve a bid price deficiency.  Required Vote

 

In addition to bringing the per share trading price of our common stock back above $1.00, we also believe that the Reverse Stock Split will make our common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional and other investors, as we have been advised that the current per share trading price of our common stock may affect its acceptability to certain institutional investors, professional investors and other members of the investing public. Many brokerage houses and institutional investors have internal policies and practices that either prohibit them from investing in low-priced stocks or tend to discourage individual brokers from recommending low-priced stocks to their customers. In addition, some of those policies and practices may function to make the processing of trades in low-priced stocks economically unattractive to brokers.

Reducing the number of outstanding shares of our common stock through the Reverse Stock Split is intended, absent other factors, to increase the per share trading price of our common stock. However, other factors, such as our financial results, market conditions and the market perception of our business may adversely affect the per share trading price of our common stock. As a result, there can be no assurance that the Reverse Stock Split, if completed, will result in the intended benefits described above, that the per share trading price of our common stock will increase following the Reverse Stock Split or that the per share trading price of our common stock will not decrease in the future.

Criteria to be Used for Determining Whether to Implement Reverse Stock Split

In determining whether to implement the Reverse Stock Split and which reverse stock split ratio to implement, if any, following receipt of stockholderThe approval of the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split, the Board of Directors may consider, among other things, various factors, such as:


• the historical trading price and trading volume of our common stock;

• the Nasdaq Capital Market Continued Listing Standards requirements;

• the then-prevailing trading price and trading volume of our common stock and the expected impact of the Reverse Stock Split on the trading market for our common stock in the short- and long-term; and

• prevailing general market and economic conditions.

Certain Risks and Potential Disadvantages Associated with the Reverse Stock Split

We cannot assure you that the proposed Reverse Stock Split will increase our stock price.  We expect that the Reverse Stock Split will increase the per share trading price of our common stock. However, the effect of the Reverse Stock Split on the per share trading price of our common stock cannot be predicted with any certainty, and the history of reverse stock splits for other companies is varied, particularly since some investors may view a reverse stock split negatively. It is possible that the per share trading price of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split will not increase in the same proportion as the reduction in the number of our outstanding shares of common stock following the Reverse Stock Split, and the Reverse Stock Split may not result in a per share trading price that would attract investors who do not trade in lower priced stocks. In addition, although we believe the Reverse Stock Split may enhance the marketability of our common stock to certain potential investors, we cannot assure you that, if implemented, our common stock will be more attractive to investors. Even if we implement the Reverse Stock Split, the per share trading price of our common stock may decrease due to factors unrelated to the Reverse Stock Split, including our future performance. If the Reverse Stock Split is consummated and the per share trading price of the common stock declines, the percentage decline as an absolute number and as a percentage of our overall market capitalization may be greater than would occur in the absence of the Reverse Stock Split.

The proposed Reverse Stock Split may decrease the liquidity of our common stock and result in higher transaction costs.  The liquidity of our common stock may be negatively impacted by the Reverse Stock Split, given the reduced number of shares that would be outstanding after the Reverse Stock Split, particularly if the per share trading price does not increase as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. In addition, if the Reverse Stock Split is implemented, it will increase the number of our stockholders who own “odd lots” of fewer than 100 shares of common stock. Brokerage commission and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally higher than the costs of transactions of more than 100 shares of common stock. Accordingly, the Reverse Stock Split may not achieve the desired results of increasing marketability of our common stock as described above.

Effective Time

The effective time of the Reverse Stock Split (the “Effective Time”), if approved by stockholders and implemented by QuickLogic, will be the date and time set forth in the Certificate of Amendment that is filed with the Delaware Secretary of State. It is expected that such filing will take place promptly following the Special Meeting, assuming the stockholders approve the amendment. The Effective Time could occur as soon as the business day immediately following the Special Meeting. However, the exact timing of the filing of the amendment will be determined by our Board of Directors based on its evaluation as to when such action will be the most advantageous to the Company and our stockholders.

If, at any time prior to the filing of the Certificate of Amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State, notwithstanding stockholder approval, and without further action by the stockholders, the Board of Directors, in its sole discretion, determines that it is in QuickLogic’s best interests and the best interests of QuickLogic’s stockholders to delay the filing of the Certificate of Amendment or abandon the Reverse Stock Split, the Reverse Stock Split may be delayed or abandoned.

Fractional Shares

Stockholders will not receive fractional shares of common stock in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, the transfer agent will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them as soon as practicable after the Effective Time at the then-prevailing prices on the open market, on behalf of those stockholders who would otherwise be entitled to receive a fractional share as a result of the Reverse Stock Split. We expect that the transfer agent will conduct the sale in an orderly fashion at a reasonable pace and that it may take several days to sell all of the aggregated fractional shares of our common stock. After the transfer agent’s completion of such sale, stockholders


who would have been entitled to a fractional share will instead receive a cash payment from the transfer agent in an amount equal to their respective pro rata share of the total proceeds of that sale net of any brokerage costs incurred by the transfer agent to sell such stock.

Stockholders will not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the Effective Time and the date payment is made for their fractional share interest. You should also be aware that, under the escheat laws of certain jurisdictions, sums due for fractional interests that are not timely claimed after the funds are made available may be required to be paid to the designated agent for each such jurisdiction. Thereafter, stockholders otherwise entitled to receive such funds may have to obtain the funds directly from the state to which they were paid.  

If you believe that you may not hold sufficient shares of QuickLogic’s common stock at the Effective Time to receive at least one share in the Reverse Stock Split and you want to continue to hold QuickLogic's common stock after the Reverse Stock Split, you may do so by either:

• purchasing a sufficient number of shares of QuickLogic's common stock; or


• if you have shares of QuickLogic’s common stock in more than one account, consolidating your accounts;

in each case, so that you hold a number of shares of our common stock in your account prior to the Reverse Stock Split that would entitle you to receive at least one share of common stock in the Reverse Stock Split. Shares of our common stock held in registered form and shares of our common stock held in “street name” (that is, through a broker, bank or other holder of record) for the same stockholder will be considered held in separate accounts and will not be aggregated when effecting the Reverse Stock Split.

Effects of the Reverse Stock Split

General

After the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split, if implemented by the Board of Directors, each stockholder will own a reduced number of shares of common stock. The principal effect of the Reverse Stock Split will be to proportionately decrease the number of outstanding shares of our common stock based on the reverse stock split ratio selected by our Board of Directors.

Voting rights and other rights of the holders of our common stock will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split, other than as a result of the treatment of fractional shares as described above. For example, a holder of 2% of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock immediately prior to the effectiveness of the Reverse Stock Split will generally continue to hold 2% (assuming there is no impact as a result of the payment of cash in lieu of issuing fractional shares) of the voting power of the outstanding shares of our common stock after the Reverse Stock Split. The number of stockholders of record will not be affected by the Reverse Stock Split (except to the extent any are cashed out as a result of holding fractional shares). If approved and implemented, the Reverse Stock Split may result in some stockholders owning “odd lots” of less than 100 shares of our common stock. Odd lot shares may be more difficult to sell, and brokerage commissions and other costs of transactions in odd lots are generally somewhat higher than the costs of transactions in “round lots” of even multiples of 100 shares. Our Board of Directors believes, however, that these potential effects are outweighed by the benefits of the Reverse Stock Split.

Effect on Total Authorized Number of Common Stock and Preferred Stock  

Pursuant to our Amend and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, our capital stock consists of 200,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, and 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share. The proposed amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split would not impact the total authorized number of shares, or the par value, of either the common stock or the preferred stock.

Effect on Shares of Common Stock

For illustrative purposes only, the following table contains approximate information, based on share information as of October 8, 2019, relating to our outstanding common stock if a 1-for-10 reverse stock split is


effected and information regarding our authorized shares assuming that the proposal is approved and the Reverse Stock Split is implemented:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Status

 

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Authorized

 

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Issued and
Outstanding

 

Number of
Shares of
Common Stock
Reserved for
Future Issuance

 

Pre-Reverse Stock Split

 

 

200,000,000

 

 

116,555,756

 

 

83,444,244

 

Post-Reverse Stock Split 1:10

 

 

200,000,000

 

 

  11,655,575

 

 

188,344,425

 

After the effective date of the Reverse Stock Split that our Board of Directors elects to implement, our common stock would have a new committee on uniform securities identification procedures, or CUSIP, number, a number used to identify our common stock.

Our common stock is currently registered under Section 12(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the Exchange Act, and we are subject to the periodic reporting and other requirements of the Exchange Act. The reverse stock split will not affect the registration of our common stock under the Exchange Act or the listing of our common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market. Following the reverse stock split, our common stock will continue to be listed on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the symbol “QUIK,” although it will be considered a new listing with a new CUSIP number.

Effect on Par Value

The proposed amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation will not affect the par value of our common stock, which will remain at $0.001.

Reduction In Stated Capital

As a result of the Reverse Stock Split, upon the Effective Time, the stated capital on our balance sheet attributable to our common stock, which consists of the par value per share of our common stock multiplied by the aggregate number of shares of our common stock issued and outstanding, will be reduced in proportion to the size of the Reverse Stock Split, subject to a minor adjustment in respect of the treatment of fractional shares, and the additional paid-in capital account will be credited with the amount by which the stated capital is reduced. Our stockholders’ equity, in the aggregate, will remain unchanged.

Effect on QuickLogic’s Stock Plans

As of October 8, 2019, we had approximately 2,616,930 shares subject to stock options, and 5,181,877 shares subject to unvested restricted stock units (including performance-based units) outstanding under our stock incentive plans.

Under our 2019 Stock Plan (the “2019 Plan”), the Board of Directors has sole discretion to determine the appropriate adjustment to the awards granted under our 2019 Plan in the event of a reverse stock split. Accordingly, if the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan, as well as the number of shares subject to any outstanding award under the 2019 Plan, and the exercise price, grant price or purchase price relating to any such award under the 2019 Plan, are expected to be proportionately adjusted by the Board of Directors to reflect the Reverse Stock Split. The Board of Directors will also determine the treatment of fractional shares subject to stock options and other outstanding awards under the Stock Plans.

Under our 2009 Employee Stock Plan (the “2009 ESPP”), if the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the number of shares available for issuance under the 2009 ESPP, as well as the number of shares subject to any outstanding options under the 2009 ESPP, and the purchase price relating to any such options under the 2009 ESPP, are expected to be automatically proportionately adjusted. Under the 2009 ESPP, no fractional shares shall be purchased.        


For illustrative purposes only, if a 1-for-10 reverse stock split is effected, the 3,986,405 shares that remain available for issuance under the 2019 Plan as of October 8, 2019, are expected to be adjusted to 398,640 shares, subject to increase as and when awards made under the 2019 Plan, expire or are forfeited and are returned per the terms of the 2019 Plan. Further, for illustrative purposes only, if a 1-for-10 reverse stock split is effected, an outstanding stock option for 10,000 shares of common stock, exercisable at $1.08 per share, would be adjusted as a result of a 1-for-10 split ratio into an option exercisable for 1,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price of $10.80 per share.

Effect on Outstanding Warrants

As of October 8, 2019, we had approximately 5,405,404 shares of common stock (the “Warrant Shares”) issuable upon exercise of warrants outstanding. If the Reverse Stock Split is effected, the exercise price in effect immediately prior to such Reverse Stock Split will be automatically proportionately increased and the number of Warrant Shares will be automatically proportionately decreased.

No Going Private Transaction

Notwithstanding the decrease in the number of outstanding shares following the proposed Reverse Stock Split, our Board of Directors does not intend for this transaction to be the first step in a “going private transaction” within the meaning of Rule 13e-3 of the Exchange Act.

Shares Held in Book-Entry and Through a Broker, Bank or Other Holder of Record

If you hold registered shares of our common stock in a book-entry form, you do not need to take any action to receive your post-Reverse Stock Split shares of our common stock in registered book-entry form or your cash payment in lieu of fractional shares, if applicable. If you are entitled to post-Reverse Stock Split shares of our common stock, a transaction statement will automatically be sent to your address of record as soon as practicable after the Effective Time indicating the number of shares of our common stock you hold. In addition, if you are entitled to a payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares, a check will be mailed to you at your registered address as soon as practicable after the Effective Time. By signing and cashing this check, you will warrant that you owned the shares of QuickLogic’s common stock for which you received a cash payment.

At the Effective Time, we intend to treat stockholders holding shares of our common stock in “street name” (that is, through a broker, bank or other holder of record) in the same manner as registered stockholders whose shares of our common stock are registered in their names. Brokers, banks or other holders of record will be instructed to effect the Reverse Stock Split for their beneficial holders holding shares of our common stock in “street name”; however, these brokers, banks or other holders of record may apply their own specific procedures for processing the Reverse Stock Split. If you hold your shares of our common stock with a broker, bank or other holder of record, and you have any questions in this regard, we encourage you to contact your holder of record.

Shares Held in Certificated Form

If you hold any of your shares of our common stock in certificated form (the “Old Certificate(s)”), you will receive a transmittal letter from our transfer agent as soon as practicable after the Effective Time. The transmittal letter will be accompanied by instructions specifying how you can deliver your Old Certificate(s) so that you are in a position to freely trade your post-Reverse Stock Split shares of our common stock, which will be in a book-entry form, evidenced by a transaction statement that will be sent to your address of record as soon as practicable after your delivery of a letter of transmittal indicating the number of shares of our common stock you hold, together with any payment of cash in lieu of fractional shares to which you are entitled. Until surrendered as contemplated herein, a stockholder’s Old Certificate(s) shall be deemed at and after the Effective Time to represent the number of full shares of our common stock resulting from the Reverse Stock Split.

YOU SHOULD NOT SEND YOUR OLD CERTIFICATES NOW. YOU SHOULD SEND THEM ONLY AFTER YOU RECEIVE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL FROM OUR TRANSFER AGENT.


Vote Required

Under Delaware law,requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of QuickLogic common stock present in person or represented by proxy and entitled to vote on the proposal at the Special Meeting is required to adopt and approve the amendment to our Amended and Restated CertificateAnnual Meeting.

Recommendation of the amendment to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect the Reverse Stock Split requires a majority of the outstanding shares, an abstention with respect to the reverse stock split proposal will have the same effect as a vote "Against" the proposal.

The QuickLogic Board of Directors recommends that you vote

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT STOCKHOLDERS VOTE “FOR” the reverse stock split proposal.THE AMENDMENT OF THE QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION 2019 STOCK PLAN

No Appraisal Rights

Under the Delaware General Corporation Law, our stockholders are not entitled to dissenter’s rights or appraisal rights with respect to the reverse stock split described in this proposal and we will not independently provide our stockholders with any such rights.

Interest of Certain Persons in Matters to be Acted Upon

No officer or director has any substantial interest, direct or indirect, by security holdings or otherwise, in the Reverse Stock Split that is not shared by all of our other stockholders.

Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax ConsequencesSummary of the Reverse2019 Stock SplitPlan

The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax consequencesthe principal features of the Reverse Stock Split that may be relevant to holders2019 Plan and its operation, assuming stockholder approval of our common stock that hold such stock as a capital asset for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, property held for investment).this proposal. This summary is based uponqualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions2019 Plan itself set forth in Appendix A.

General. The 2019 Plan provides for the grant of equity awards to employees, directors and consultants. Options granted under the 2019 Plan may either be “incentive stock options” as defined in Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or nonstatutory stock options, as determined by the Administrator (as defined below).

Purpose. The general purposes of the 2019 Plan are to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility, to provide additional incentive to the employees, directors and consultants of the Company and to promote the success of the Company’s business.

Administration. The 2019 Plan is administered by the Board or a committee (“Committee”) designated by the Board (in either case, the “Administrator”).

Eligibility. The 2019 Plan provides that nonstatutory stock options, stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), Treasury regulations promulgated thereunder, administrative rulingsrestricted stock and judicial decisionsrestricted stock units may be granted to employees, directors and consultants of the Company and any parent or subsidiary of the Company. Incentive stock options may be granted only to employees. As of March 14, 2022 , there are 48 employees, 8 non-employee directors, and three consultants and any parent or subsidiary of the Company that are eligible to participate in the 2019 Plan. The Administrator determines which eligible persons will be granted awards.

Shares Limit under the 2019 Plan. If stockholders approve the Amendment, the number of shares available for future awards under the 2019 Plan as of the date hereof, all of which may change, possibly with retroactive effect, resulting in U.S. federal income tax consequences that may differ from those discussed below.

This discussion applies onlythe Annual Meeting would be the sum of (1) 900,000, (2) the number of shares available for future awards under the plan immediately before such approval (as of March 14, 2022, 542,607 shares were available for future awards under the 2019 Plan) and (3) any shares subject to holdersoutstanding awards under the 2019 Plan or the 2009 Plan, that are U.S. Holdersterminated, canceled, surrendered or forfeited (as defined below)of March 14, 2022, 606,481 shares were subject to outstanding awards under the 2019 Plan and does not address all aspectsthe 2009 Plan).

Any shares subject to options or SARs and any grants of U.S. federal income taxationrestricted stock or restricted stock units shall be counted against the 2019 Plan share pool as one share for every share subject thereto. The maximum number of shares that may be relevantissued upon the exercise of incentive stock options shall equal the maximum aggregate share number under the 2019 Plan, as described above.

If an award expires without being exercised in full or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or, with respect to restricted stock or restricted stock units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to its failure to vest, the unpurchased or unissued shares (or forfeited or repurchased shares) which were subject to such holdersawards will become available for future grant under the 2019 Plan (unless the 2019 Plan has terminated).

Upon exercise of a SAR settled in lightshares, the gross number of shares covered by the portion of the award so exercised will cease to be available under the 2019 Plan. Shares actually issued under the 2019 Plan will not be returned to the 2019 Plan, except that if unvested shares of restricted stock are repurchased by the Company at their particular circumstancesoriginal price or forfeited to the Company due to their failure to vest, such shares will become available for future grant under the 2019 Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an award or to holderssatisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an award will not become available for future grant or sale under the 2019 Plan. To the extent that an award under the 2019 Plan is paid out in cash, rather than shares, such cash payment will not result in reduction of the shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan.

We intend to file a Registration Statement on Form S-8 relating to the issuance of the 900,000 additional shares requested pursuant to the Amendment with the SEC pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, as soon as practicable after approval of the Amendment by our stockholders.

Prohibition on Repricings and Option or SAR Exchanges. Other than pursuant to an adjustment in connection with a change in capitalization, the exercise price for an option or SAR granted under the 2019 Plan may not be reduced without the prior consent of the Company’s stockholders. This includes, without limitation, a repricing of the option or SAR as well as an option or SAR exchange program whereby the participant agrees to cancel an existing option in exchange for an option, SAR or other award or cash payment.

Option Exercise Price. The exercise price of options granted under the 2019 Plan is determined by the Administrator and must not be less than 100% of the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Options granted under the 2019 Plan expire as determined by the Administrator, but in no event later than 10 years from date of grant. No option may be subjectexercised by any person after its expiration. Incentive stock options granted to special tax rules, including: (i) holders subjectstockholders owning more than 10% of the voting stock of the Company must have an exercise price per share no less than 110% of the fair market value at the time of grant and the term of such option may be no more than 5 years from the date of grant. The fair market value of the common stock is generally determined with reference to the alternative minimum tax; (ii) banks, insurance companies,closing sale price for the common stock (or the mean between the high bid and the low asked prices if no sales were reported) on the last market trading day on or other financial institutions; (iii) tax-exempt organizations; (iv) dealers in securities or commodities; (v) entities which are classified for U.S. federal tax purposes as regulated investment companies or real estate investment trusts (each term as defined inbefore the Code); (vi) entities which are classified for U.S. federal tax purposes as partnerships or S corporations (each term as defined indate the Code); (vii) traders in securities that elect to use a mark-to-market methodoption is granted. As of accounting for their securities holdings; (viii) U.S. Holders (as defined below) whose “functional currency” is notMarch 14, 2022, the U.S. dollar; (ix) persons holdingclosing price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market was $4.80 per share, and the aggregate value on such date for the additional 900,000 shares requested in this proposal was approximately $4.3 million. 

Exercise of Options. Options become exercisable at such times as are determined by the Administrator and are set forth in the individual option agreements. An option is exercised by giving written notice to the Company specifying the number of full shares of common stock to be purchased and tendering payment of the purchase price. The method of payment of the exercise price for the shares purchased upon exercise of an option will be determined by the Administrator. The 2019 Plan permits payment to be made by cash, check, other shares of common stock, cashless exercise, any other form of consideration permitted by applicable law, or any combination thereof.

Exercise Price and Other Terms of Stock Appreciation Rights. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the 2019 Plan, will have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the 2019 Plan; provided that no SAR may have a positionterm of more than 10 years from the date of grant and that the exercise price of a SAR may not be below 100% of the fair market value of the common stock on the grant date. No SAR can be exercised by any person after its expiration.

Payment upon Exercise of Stock Appreciation Right. Any SARs will typically be settled only in shares of our common stock. At the discretion of the Administrator, however, and as set forth in the applicable SAR agreement, payment to the holder of a hedging transaction, “straddle,” “conversion transaction” or other risk reduction transaction; (x) persons who acquiredSAR may be in cash, shares of our common stock or a combination thereof. In the event that payment to the holder of a SAR is settled in connectioncash, the shares available for issuance under the 2019 Plan will not be diminished as a result of the settlement. Upon exercise of a SAR, the value of the payment to the holder will be determined by multiplying (i) the difference between the fair market value of a share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times (ii) the number of shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

Stock Appreciation Right Agreement. Each SAR grant will be evidenced by an agreement that will specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

Termination of Service. The 2019 Plan gives the Administrator the authority to vary the terms of the individual option and SAR agreements. However, generally, if a participant ceases to provide ongoing service as an employee, director or consultant for any reason other than death or disability or is provided with notice of termination of employment and ceases to provide ongoing service during the notice period, then the participant will generally have the right to exercise his or her outstanding options, to the extent vested on the earlier of the date of such cessation as a service provider or the last date of ongoing service after receiving a notice of termination of employment or such later date as required by applicable law, for the amount of time set forth in his or her option agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the award agreement, the option or SAR will remain exercisable for 3 months after the date of termination, but only to the extent that the participant was entitled to exercise such option or SAR at the date of such termination. If such termination is due to death or disability, the participant (or the participant’s legal representative) will have the right to exercise an existing unexercised option or SAR during the time set forth in his or her award agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the award agreement, the option or SAR will remain exercisable following a termination due to death or disability for 12 months following the termination date, but only to the extent that the participant was entitled to exercise such option or SAR at the date of such termination. In no event will an option or SAR be exercisable beyond its term.

Grant of Restricted Stock. Restricted stock awards may be granted to our employees, directors or consultants, either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the 2019 Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the 2019 Plan, at any time and from time to time as will be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. Subject to the 2019 Plan fiscal year limits, the Administrator will have complete discretion to determine (i) the number of shares subject to a restricted stock award granted to any participant, and (ii) the conditions that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on continued provision of services but may include a performance-based component in order for the restricted stock to vest.  Once restricted stock is granted, the participant will have the rights equivalent to those of a stockholder and shall be a stockholder when the grant is entered on the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company.

Restricted Stock Agreement. Each restricted stock grant will be evidenced by a restricted stock purchase agreement that will specify the purchase price (if any), vesting provisions, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine.

Grant of Restricted Stock Units. Restricted stock units may be granted to our employees, directors or consultants at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. Restricted stock units result in a payment to a participant only if the vesting criteria the Administrator establishes are satisfied. For example, the Administrator may set vesting criteria based on the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including continued employment), or any other basis determined by the Administrator in its discretion. The restricted stock units will vest at a rate determined by the Administrator; provided, however, that after the grant of restricted stock units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or waive any vesting criteria for such restricted stock units. Upon satisfying the applicable vesting criteria, the participant will be entitled to the payout specified in the restricted stock unit agreement as soon as practicable. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may pay earned restricted stock units in cash, shares, or a combination thereof. Restricted stock units that are fully paid in cash will not reduce the number of shares available for grant under the 2019 Plan.

Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. Each restricted stock unit grant will be evidenced by an agreement that will specify such terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, will determine. On the date set forth in the restricted stock unit agreement, all unearned restricted stock units will be forfeited to the Company.

Performance Goals. The granting and/or the vesting of awards may be made subject to the attainment of performance goals determined by the Administrator relating to one or more business criteria and may provide for a targeted level or levels of services;achievement.

Individual Director Limits. No non-employee director will be granted, in any period of one calendar year, awards under the 2019 Plan (excluding awards made at the election of the director in lieu of all or (xi) U.S. expatriates. Ifa portion of annual and committee cash retainers) having an entity which is classifiedaggregate maximum value at the date of grant (calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value for U.S. federal tax purposesfinancial reporting purposes), taken together with any cash fees payable to such non-employee director during the fiscal year, in excess of $200,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of extraordinary circumstances (as determined by the Board), the amount set forth in the preceding sentence shall be increased to $300,000, provided that such increase may apply only if any non-employee director receiving additional compensation as a partnership (as definedresult of such extraordinary circumstances does not participate in the Code) holds shares of our common stock, the tax treatment todetermination that entity and to the owners of equity interests in such entity generally will depend upon the status of such owners and the activities of such entity.  

We have not sought, and will not seek, an opinion of counsel or a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) regarding the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the Reverse Stock Split and there can be no assurance that the IRS will not challenge the statements and conclusions set forth below or a court would not sustain any such challenge. The following summary does not address any U.S. state or local or any foreign tax consequences, any estate, gift or other non-U.S. federal income tax consequences, or the Medicare tax on net investment income.


EACH HOLDER OF COMMON STOCK SHOULD CONSULT SUCH HOLDER’S TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT TO SUCH HOLDER.

For purposes of the discussion below, a “U.S. Holder” is a beneficial owner of shares of our common stock that for U.S. federal income tax purposes is: (1) an individual citizen or resident of the United States; (2) an entity which is classified for U.S. federal tax purposes as a corporation (as definedextraordinary circumstances exist, in the Code) which has been createddecision to award such compensation or organized in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving non-employee directors.

Non-Transferability of Awards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an award granted under the 2019 Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or underdisposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and may be exercised, during the United States,lifetime of the participant, only by the participant. If the Administrator makes an award granted under the 2019 Plan transferable, such award will contain such additional terms and conditions as the Administrator deems appropriate.

Adjustments upon Change in Capitalization. Subject to any staterequired action by the Company’s stockholders, the number of shares covered by each outstanding award, the shares issuable under the 2019 Plan, and the price per share of common stock covered by each outstanding award shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or political subdivision thereof; (3) an estatedecrease in the incomenumber of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or (4) an entity or arrangement which is classified for U.S. federal tax purposesissued shares resulting from a change in the Company’s capitalization, such as a trust (as definedstock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination, reclassification or other similar change in the Code), if (i)capital structure of the Company effected without the receipt of consideration. Such adjustment will be made by the Board, whose determination will be final and binding.

Adjustments upon Liquidation or Dissolution. In the event of a court withinproposed liquidation or dissolution, the United States is ableAdministrator will notify each participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide that each participant will have the right to exercise primary supervision overall of his or her options or SARs, including those not otherwise exercisable, until the administrationdate 10 days prior to the consummation of the trustliquidation or dissolution. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any award will lapse 100% and onethat any award vesting will accelerate 100%, provided the proposed dissolution or more U.S. persons haveliquidation takes place at the authoritytime and in the manner contemplated. To the extent that an award has not been previously exercised (with respect to control all substantial decisionsoptions and SARs) or vested (with respect to other awards), an award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

Change of Control.

Options and SARs. In the event of a merger of the trust,Company with or (ii)into another corporation, or the trust has a valid election in effect to be treated as a U.S. person.

The Reverse Stock Split is intended to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a “recapitalization” (within the meaningsale of Section 368(a)(1)(E)substantially all of the Code). As a result, a U.S. Holder generally shouldassets of the Company, each outstanding option or SAR will be assumed or an equivalent option or SAR substituted by the successor corporation or any parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If such options or SARs are not recognize gainassumed, the participant will be notified that the option or lossSAR will be fully vested and exercisable for 15 days from the date of such notice, and the option or SAR will terminate upon the Reverseexpiration of such period, or such earlier date as specified in the award agreement.

Restricted Stock Split,and Restricted Stock Units. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding restricted stock and restricted stock unit award will be assumed or an equivalent restricted stock or restricted stock unit award substituted by the successor corporation or any parent or subsidiary of the successor corporation. If any such restricted stock or restricted stock unit award is not assumed, the participant will fully vest in such award including as to shares of common stock which would not otherwise be vested, and all restrictions will lapse immediately prior to the closing date of the transaction.

Amendment or Termination of the 2019 Plan. The Administrator may amend, alter, suspend or terminate the 2019 Plan or any part thereof from time to time, except that stockholder approval will be required for any amendment to the 2019 Plan to the extent required by any applicable laws. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the 2019 Plan may impair the rights of any participant without their written consent. The 2019 Plan will terminate on April 24, 2029 except with respect to cash receivedawards that are then outstanding.

Number of Awards Granted to Employees and Directors

The number of awards that an employee, director or consultant may receive under the 2019 Plan is determined at the discretion of the Administrator and therefore cannot be determined in lieuadvance. The following table sets forth, for the persons and categories of persons listed, the aggregate number of shares granted subject to restricted stock and restricted stock units. There have been no options or SARs granted under the 2019 Plan.

Name of Individual or Group

Number of Options and SARs Granted

Average Per Share Option Exercise Price

Shares of Restricted Stock, and Restricted Stock Units Granted (1)

Brian C. Faith (CEO)

--303,896

Suping (Sue) Cheung (CFO)

--67,819

Elias Nader (CFO)

48,598

Timothy Saxe (CTO)

--160,481

All executive officers, as a group

--580,794

All non-executive directors, as a group

--79,309

All employees who are not executive officers, as a group

892,614

________________

(1) Includes performance restricted stock units or PRSUs. Of the awards reported in this column that were granted since the effective date of the 2019 Plan, awards representing 390,446 shares have been cancelled or forfeited following their grant, with these shares again being available for awards under the 2019 Plan.

Equity Compensation Plan Summary

For more information with respect to our equity plans as of January 2, 2022, please see "Equity Compensation Plan Summary" below.

U.S. Federal Income Tax Information

Nonstatutory Stock Options. No taxable income is recognized when a fractional share of our commonnonstatutory stock as discussed below. A U.S. Holder’s aggregate tax basis in the shares of our common stock received pursuantoption with an exercise price equal to the Reverse Stock Split should equal the aggregate tax basisfair market value of the sharesunderlying stock on the date of our common stock surrendered (excluding any portion of such basis thatgrant is allocatedgranted to any fractional share of our common stock), and such U.S. Holder’s holding period ina participant. Upon exercise, the shares of our common stock received should include the holding period in the shares of our common stock surrendered. Treasury regulations promulgated under the Code provide detailed rules for allocating the tax basis and holding period of the shares of our common stock surrendered to the shares of our common stock received pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split. Holders of shares of our common stock acquired on different dates and at different prices should consult their tax advisors regarding the allocation of the tax basis and holding period of such shares.

A U.S. Holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock pursuant to the Reverse Stock Split shouldparticipant will recognize capital gain or lossordinary income in an amount equal to the excess of the fair market value (on the exercise date) of the shares purchased over the exercise price of the option. Any taxable income recognized in connection with an option exercise by an employee of the Company is subject to tax withholding by the Company. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.

Incentive Stock Options. No taxable income is recognized when an incentive stock option is granted or exercised (except for purposes of the alternative minimum tax, in which case taxation is generally similar to nonstatutory stock options). If the participant exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares more than 2 years after the grant date and more than 1 year after the exercise date, the difference between the sale price and the exercise price will be taxed as capital gain or loss. If the participant exercises the option and then later sells or otherwise disposes of the shares before the end of the 2 or 1 year holding periods described above, he or she generally will have ordinary income at the time of the sale equal to the fair market value of the shares on the exercise date (or the sale price, if less) minus the exercise price of the option.

Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR). No taxable income is recognized when a SAR with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the underlying stock on the date of grant is granted to a participant. Upon exercise, the participant will recognize ordinary income in an amount equal to the amount of cash received and the U.S. Holder’s tax basisfair market value of any shares received. Any additional gain or loss recognized upon any later disposition of the shares would be capital gain or loss.

Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. A participant generally will not have taxable income at the time an award of restricted stock or restricted stock units is granted. Instead, he or she will recognize ordinary income in the first taxable year in which his or her interest in the shares underlying the award becomes either (i) freely transferable, or (ii) no longer subject to substantial risk of our common stock surrendered that is allocatedforfeiture, in either case, in an amount equal to such fractional share. Such capital gain or loss should be long term capital gain or loss if the U.S. Holder’s holding periodfair market value of the shares underlying the award (less any cash paid for our common stock surrendered exceeded one year at the Effective Time. A U.S. Holder that receives cash in lieu of a fractional share of our common stock and who recognizes a loss for U.S. federal tax purposes should consult with their tax advisors regarding any applicable limitations under the U.S. tax lawshares) on such U.S. Holder’s ability to utilize that loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For example, if such a U.S. Holder acquires other shares of our common stock within the period beginning 30 days prior to and ending 30 days after the date of such U.S. Holders saleevent. However, the recipient of a restricted stock award may elect to recognize income at the time he or she receives the award in an amount equal to the fair market value of the shares underlying the award (less any cash paid for the shares) on the date the award is granted.

Potential Limitation on Deductions. The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction in connection with an award under the 2019 Plan in an amount equal to the ordinary income realized by a participant and at the time the participant recognizes such fractional shares, such taxable loss may be subject to limitation pursuant toincome (for example, the exercise of a nonstatutory stock option). Section 1091162(m) of the Code (the so-called “wash sale” rules). In addition,denies a deduction to any publicly held corporation for compensation paid to certain “covered employees” in the case of a corporate taxpayer, capital losses are generally only permitted to be utilized by such corporate taxpayer in any given taxable year to the extent that compensation to each covered employee exceeds $1,000,000. It is possible that compensation attributable to awards, when combined with all other types of capital gains of such taxpayer for such year, and incompensation received by a covered employee from the case of an individual taxpayer, such capital losses are generally only permittedCompany, may cause this limitation to be utilized by such individual taxpayerexceeded in any givenparticular year. Historically, compensation that qualified as “performance-based compensation” under the detailed requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code could be excluded from this $1,000,000 limit. The “performance-based compensation” exclusion has now been repealed, effective for taxable yearyears beginning after December 31, 2017, unless transition relief is available for written binding contracts that were in effect (and not subsequently modified) in place as of November 2, 2017.

Code Section 409A. Section 409A of the Code ("Section 409A"), imposes requirements on non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements. These include requirements with respect to an individual’s election to defer compensation and the individual’s selection of the timing and form of distribution of the deferred compensation. Section 409A also generally provides that distributions must be made on or following the occurrence of certain events (e.g., the individual’s separation from service, a predetermined date, or the individual’s death). Section 409A imposes restrictions on an individual’s ability to change his or her distribution timing or form after the compensation has been deferred. For certain individuals who are officers, subject to certain exceptions, Section 409A requires that such individual’s distribution commence no earlier than 6 months after such officer’s separation from service.

Awards granted under the 2019 Plan with a deferral feature will be subject to the requirements of Section 409A. If an award is subject to and fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A, the recipient of that award may recognize ordinary income on the amounts deferred under the award, to the extent vested, which may occur prior to when the compensation is actually or constructively received. Also, if an award that is subject to Section 409A fails to comply with the provisions of capital gainsSection 409A, Section 409A imposes an additional 20% federal income tax on compensation recognized as ordinary income, as well as interest on deferred compensation. In addition, certain states such as California have adopted similar provisions. 

THE FOREGOING IS ONLY A SUMMARY OF THE EFFECT OF U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAXATION UPON THE PARTICIPANT AND THE COMPANY WITH RESPECT TO AWARDS UNDER THE 2019 PLAN. THE FOREGOING DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE COMPLETE AND REFERENCE SHOULD BE MADE TO THE APPLICABLE PROVISIONS OF THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE. IN ADDITION, THIS SUMMARY DOES NOT DISCUSS THE TAX CONSEQUENCES OF A PARTICIPANT’S DEATH OR THE PROVISIONS OF THE INCOME TAX LAWS OF ANY MUNICIPALITY, STATE OR FOREIGN COUNTRY IN WHICH THE PARTICIPANT MAY RESIDE.

PROPOSAL THREE

RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC

ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has appointed Moss Adams LLP (“Moss Adams”), an independent registered public accounting firm, to audit QuickLogic’s consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ending January 2, 2023 and, as a matter of good corporate governance, seeks ratification of such taxpayer forappointment. In the event of a negative vote on such year, plus $3,000. Unused capital losses of corporate taxpayer can generally be carried back to three prior taxable years and carried forward to 5 succeeding taxable years. Unused capital losses of individual taxpayers can generally be carried forward to succeeding taxable years indefinitely.    

THE QUICKLOGIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" THE REVERSE STOCK SPLIT PROPOSAL.ratification, the Audit Committee will reconsider its appointment.

 

Representatives of Moss Adams are expected to be present at the Annual Meeting, will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so, and are expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions.



PROPOSAL TWO
THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL

GeneralFees billed to QuickLogic by Moss Adams during Fiscal Year 2021 and Fiscal Year 2020

Moss Adams, the Company’s current independent registered public accounting firm, billed QuickLogic is asking stockholders to approve, if necessary, adjournmentfor the following professional services for fiscal years 2021 and 2020:

  

Fiscal Years

 
  

2021

  

2020

 

Audit fees

 $325,000  $384,775 

Audit-related fees

      

Tax fees

 $49,000  $43,500 

All other fees

  24,875    

The Audit Committee pre-approved all services and fees provided by Moss Adams during fiscal years 2021 and 2020.

Descriptions of fees billed are as follows:

Audit Fees

Audit fees consist of fees for the integrated audit of QuickLogic’s annual consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of the Special MeetingCompany’s internal control over financial reporting, reviews of QuickLogic’s unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements included in the Company’s quarterly Form 10-Q filings, and fees relating to solicit additional proxies in favorthe filings of the reverse stock split proposal. Any adjournmentCompany’s Registration Statements on Form S-3, acquisition and the associated comfort letters during fiscal years 2021 and 2020.

Tax Fees

Tax fees consist of fees for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning.

Pursuant to the Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee must pre-approve all audit and non-audit services, and related fees, provided to QuickLogic by our independent registered public accounting firm, or subsequently approve non-audit services in those circumstances where a subsequent approval is necessary and permissible under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the rules of the Special Meeting forSEC. The Audit Committee pre-approved these services and fees regularly throughout the purpose of soliciting additional proxies will allow stockholders who have already sent in their proxiesyear.

The Audit Committee must approve all audit-related and permitted non-audit services to revoke them at any timebe performed by the independent auditors prior to the timecommencement of such services. The Audit Committee approves such services on the basis that the proxiesservices are used.compatible with the maintenance of the auditor’s independence in the conduct of its auditing functions. The independent auditors present a fee proposal to the Audit Committee at mid-year for review. The approved fees determine the scope of their fiscal year services. Any audit or non-audit services outside that scope (whether service or amount) must be approved by the Audit Committee.

Vote Required

Under Delaware law, theThe affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Special Meeting iscast will be required to approveratify the adjournment proposal. Abstentions with respectappointment of Moss Adams as the adjournment proposal will haveCompany’s independent registered public accounting firm for the same effect as a vote “Against”fiscal year ending January 2, 2023.

Recommendation of the proposal.Board of Directors

THE QUICKLOGIC BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS THAT YOUA VOTE "FOR"“FOR” THE ADJOURNMENT PROPOSAL.RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF MOSS ADAMS LLP AS QUICKLOGIC’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDING JANUARY 2, 2023.


REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

This section shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material,” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, is not subject to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is not to be incorporated by reference into any filing of QuickLogic under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, each as amended, regardless of date or any other general incorporation language in such filing.

In accordance with the written charter adopted by the Audit Committee on December 20, 2004, the Audit Committee consists of at least three members and operates under such written charter.

Membership of the Audit Committee

Throughout fiscal year 2021, the Audit Committee consisted of Michael R. Farese, Arturo Krueger and Christine Russell. Ms. Russell became Chairman of the Committee in April 2006. Dr. Farese, Mr. Krueger, and Ms. Russell, have been determined by our Board of Directors to be independent according to SEC rules and the Nasdaq Capital Market’s listing standards. Joyce Kim was appointed to the Audit Committee subsequent to her appointment as a Company Director on December 8, 2021.

Audit Committee Financial Expert

Our Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Russell is an “Audit Committee Financial Expert”, as defined in the SEC rules and regulations and also meets the standards of independence adopted by the SEC and the Nasdaq Capital Market for membership on an audit committee.

Role of the Audit Committee

Management is responsible for the financial reporting process, including the system of internal controls, and for the preparation of consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for auditing those financial statements and expressing an opinion as to their conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our independent registered public accounting firm is also responsible for auditing our system of internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee’s responsibility is: (i) to monitor and review these processes; (ii) to provide our Board of Directors with the results and recommendations derived from this monitoring; and (iii) to select, appoint for ratification by the Company’s stockholders and compensate the independent registered public accounting firm. However, the members of the Audit Committee are not professionally engaged in the practice of accounting or auditing and are not experts in the fields of accounting or auditing, including with respect to the independence of the registered public accounting firm. The Audit Committee relies, without independent verification, on the information provided to it and on the representations made by management and the independent registered public accounting firm.

The Audit Committee held five meetings during 2021. The meetings were designed to, among other things, facilitate and encourage communication among the Audit Committee, management and QuickLogic’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021, Moss Adams. The Audit Committee discussed with Moss Adams the overall scope and plans for their audits and met with Moss Adams, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their examinations and their evaluation of QuickLogic’s internal controls. The purpose of the Audit Committee is to fulfill the Board of Director’s oversight responsibilities relating to our corporate accounting and reporting practices, the quality and integrity of our financial reports, compliance with laws, the maintenance of ethical standards and effective internal controls. During the meetings held in 2020 and thereafter, the Audit Committee reviewed and discussed, among other things:

the results of the 2021 independent audit of the financial statements and review of the Annual Report on Form 10‑K and Proxy Statement;

issues regarding accounting, administrative and operating matters noted during the 2021 audit;

requirements and responsibilities for audit committees;

the Company’s significant policies for accounting and financial reporting and the status and anticipated effects of changes in those policies;

the quarterly and annual procedures performed by our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2021;

the adequacy of our internal controls and financial reporting process and the reliability of our financial reports to the public;

the ability and responsibility to institute special investigations, if necessary, and obtain advice and assistance from independent outside legal, accounting or other services, with funding from the Company;

the quarterly consolidated unaudited financial statements and filings with the SEC;

related party transactions; and

other matters concerning QuickLogic’s accounting, financial reporting and potential conflicts of interest.

Review of QuickLogic’s Audited Financial Statements for the Fiscal Year Ended January 2, 2022

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the fiscal 2021 audited financial statements and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting with management and Moss Adams, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. Specifically, the Audit Committee discussed with Moss Adams the matters required to be discussed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 16. In addition, the Audit Committee discussed with Moss Adams, Moss Adams’ independence from management and QuickLogic, including the matters covered by the written disclosures and letter received by QuickLogic from Moss Adams as required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board.

On March 14, 2022, the Audit Committee reviewed QuickLogic’s audited financial statements and footnotes for inclusion in QuickLogic’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022 and the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Based on this review and prior discussions with management and the independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that QuickLogic’s audited financial statements be included in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022, for filing with the SEC.

MEMBERS OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

Christine Russell (Chairman)

Arturo Krueger

Joyce Kim

Michael R. Farese

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

QuickLogic is a "smaller reporting company" under Item 10 of Regulation S-K promulgated under the Exchange Act and the following compensation disclosure is intended to comply with the requirements applicable to smaller reporting companies.  Although the rules allow the Company to provide less detail about its executive compensation program, the Compensation Committee is committed to providing the information necessary to help stockholders understand its executive compensation-related decisions.  Accordingly, this section includes supplemental narratives that describe the 2021 executive compensation program for our named executive officers. 

Overview

QuickLogic’s compensation program is overseen and administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (for purposes of this Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the Compensation Committee is referred to as the “Committee”), which consists entirely of independent directors as determined in accordance with various SEC and Nasdaq rules. The Committee operates under a written charter adopted by our Board. A copy of the charter is available free of charge at http://www.quicklogic.com/corporate/management/. The Committee has the responsibility of setting the compensation and evaluating the performance of our executive officers including our named executive officers (“NEOs”). Our NEOs for 2021 were:

Brian C. Faith, President and Chief Executive Officer;

Suping (Sue) Cheung, Former Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer(1); and

Timothy Saxe, Senior Vice President, Engineering and Chief Technology Officer.

(1) Suping (Sue) Cheung voluntarily separated from the Company on February 17, 2021. Her role was subsequently filled by Elias Nader, CFO, SVP Finance on February 1, 2022.

For further information regarding each current NEO’s professional background, please refer to the section “Information About Our Executive Officers and Directors” under Item 1 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 2, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2022.

Executive Summary

Our pay-for-performance philosophy forms the foundation of all decisions regarding the compensation of our NEOs and is important to our ability to attract and retain the highly qualified executive officers required to guide us as we continue to develop and execute on our strategic plan to build a solid revenue base and strategic relationships with key customers and leading silicon suppliers.

In 2021, we continued to provide compensation consistent with our philosophy, policies and objectives:

• A significant portion of our NEOs’ total compensation package was “at risk.”

Our NEOs received cash bonuses for 2021 based on company performance on measures related to operating cash flow and major customer acquisition

• Our NEOs did not receive salary increases for 2021.  

In addition, our compensation program reflects a number of “best practices”including:

reasonable, “double trigger” change of control severance benefits that become payable only upon an involuntary termination in connection with a change of control of the Company;

no tax gross-ups in connection with a change of control of the Company;

insider trading policy that prohibits our executives, directors and other employees from hedging or pledging our stock; and

no club memberships, personal use of corporate aircraft, or any other excessive executive perquisites.

Results of Prior Advisory Vote

At the 2020 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, a majority of the Company’s stockholders voting on the non-binding advisory resolution on the frequency of a say-on-pay vote chose in favor of holding “say-on-pay” advisory votes every three years. Our most recent say-on-pay vote was in 2021. At the 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, our stockholders overwhelmingly approved the compensation of our NEOs, with over 90% of stockholder votes cast in favor of our say-on-pay proposal. We considered the strong support our stockholders expressed in our approach to setting reasonable executive compensation that both retains and motivates our NEOs and closely aligns their interests with those of our stockholders. Accordingly, we determined to retain the general philosophy and structure of our executive compensation program for 2021. We will continue to consider the outcome of our say-on-pay votes when making compensation decisions for our NEOs.

Compensation Philosophy and Objectives

The Company’s philosophy in setting its compensation policies for executive officers is to maximize stockholder value over time. The executive compensation programs and practices of the Company also are designed to, among other things:

attract and retain highly qualified executive officers by offering overall compensation that is competitive with that offered for comparable positions in comparable companies in the technology industry;

motivate executive officers to achieve the Company’s business objectives through the use of an annual cash incentive compensation plan based on performance metrics tied to those objectives;

reward achievement of the Company’s short-term and long-term goals;

align the interests of executive officers with the long-term interests of stockholders through executive participation in equity-based compensation plans, and by making a significant amount of compensation dependent upon the achievement of business objectives; and

set compensation that is fair and reasonable and that discourages executives from exposing the Company to excessive risk.

Elements of Executive Compensation

The key elements of the compensation program for our NEOs are:

base salary;

performance-based incentive cash and equity compensation earned based on achieving corporate objectives; and

equity-based incentive compensation programs.

The Committee sets base salary with the goal of attracting and retaining highly qualified executive officers, including our NEOs, and adequately compensating and rewarding them on a day-to-day basis for the time they spend, the services they perform, and the skills and experience they bring to the Company. The Committee sets target cash incentive compensation and performance objectives to motivate our executive officers, including our NEOs, to achieve the performance objectives, thereby directly and meaningfully linking the achievement of the Company’s goals with their compensation. The Committee grants executive officers, including our NEOs, equity incentives to provide an incentive and reward for performance of key long-term business objectives and to help attract and retain these individuals. The Committee believes that the cash and equity incentive performance objectives and equity incentives align the interests of our NEOs and our stockholders while not encouraging our NEOs to expose the Company to excessive risk. In setting individual compensation levels for our NEOs, the Committee considers competitive market factors such as comparable compensation of similar individuals in similar companies as well as qualitative factors, such as experience, level of contribution, potential impact on company performance, and relative internal pay; and quantitative factors relating to corporate and individual performance. The Committee does not base its compensation decisions on any one single performance factor nor does it specifically assign relative weights to any one performance factor; rather, it considers a mix of factors and individual performance is evaluated against that mix of performance factors.

Each of our NEOs is a party to a change in control arrangement. These arrangements are designed to provide our NEOs with certain payments and benefits if their employment with the Company is terminated in connection with a change of control. These arrangements are discussed in detail under the heading “Change of Control Severance Arrangements” below. The Board has determined that such payments and benefits are necessary to attract and retain our NEOs.

The Committee believes that our key elements of compensation, when combined, are effective, and will continue to be effective, in achieving the objectives of the Company’s compensation program.

Peer Group

In 2018, the Committee, based on the recommendations of Compensia, established the criteria for and selected 18 publicly traded companies constituting the peer group to be used by the Committee when evaluating executive compensation, Board of Director compensation, and equity trends (“Compensation Peer Group”). The Compensation Peer Group was selected based on industry and financial comparability on the key metrics of (a) revenue of less than $100 million over the prior four quarters and (b) a 30-day market capitalization of $60 to $450 million. Although the parameters enabled the potential inclusion of a diverse set of companies, ultimately the Committee focused on those companies that were similar in revenue and market capitalization, while also including those companies with which we compete for executive talent and/or compete with respect to business. Other criteria considered included whether the company was based in California, whether the company was included in QuickLogic’s prior peer group, whether the company identified QuickLogic as a peer for compensation purposes and whether the company was a fabless semiconductor company. These additional factors assisted the Committee in choosing companies that would allow meaningful comparison given the primary region from which QuickLogic recruits key talent and the similarities in the business and operations with and among other fabless companies. For 2021, we continued to use the same Compensation Peer Group, adjusted for changes proposed by Compensia.  MoSys Inc, having previously been in the Peer Group, has been excluded due to its business combination with Peraso Technologies, Inc in December 2021. 

That compensation group is as follows:

Aware

Electro Sensors

BK Technologies

Energous

CVD Equipment

IEH

eMagin

Inrad Optics

Everspin Technologies

Micropac Industries

Interlink Electronics

Network-1 Technologies

Cavitation Technologies

Resonant

Neonode

SCI Engineered Materials

Pixelworks

Sono-Tek

Rubicon Technology

Summit Wireless Technologies

The Committee used the Compensation Peer Group as one of various factors in determining the total target cash compensation, base salary and target cash incentive compensation of our NEOs in 2021.

Cash-Based Compensation

Total Target Cash Compensation

NEO total target cash compensation consists of base salary and target cash incentive compensation. The Committee determines the base salary and target cash incentive compensation of the President and Chief Executive Officer and reviews and approves the base salaries and target cash incentive compensation for each of our other NEOs. The President and Chief Executive Officer may make recommendations to the Committee with respect to these elements of compensation of the NEOs other than himself, although the Committee retains complete discretion to accept or reject any recommendations.

Due to continued fiscal discipline and cost controls, no adjustments were made to increase the base salaries and target cash incentive compensation of our NEOs during 2021. In 2021, the total target cash compensation of our NEOs was as follows:

Name

 

Base Salary

  

Target Bonus as a Percentage of Base Salary

  

Target Bonus Amount

  

Total Target Cash Compensation

 

Brian C. Faith

 $300,000   60% $180,000  $480,000 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

 $215,081   40% $  $215,081 

Timothy Saxe

 $215,000   45% $96,750  $311,750 

* Effective February 17, 2021, Ms. Cheung's employment with the Company ended upon her voluntary separation from the Company in order to join a company in another industry.

Cash Incentive Compensation

2021 Bonus Program

Under our 2005 Executive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”), as amended, our NEOs participate in a performance-based cash and equity incentive compensation plan. Our Bonus Plan is a pay for performance plan that places each NEO’s incentive compensation at risk. Our Bonus Plan is intended to: (i) increase stockholder value and the success of the Company by motivating key employees to perform to the best of their abilities and work to achieve or exceed the Company’s objectives; and (ii) to reward achievement of the Company’s short-term and long-term business goals. Under the Bonus Plan, our NEOs are eligible to earn cash bonus incentive compensation based upon achieving certain performance goals and objectives relating to the Company. In addition, the Bonus Plan allows for increases in the payouts for incentive awards as performance increases versus Bonus Plan objectives. We have designed our Bonus Plan with the intent of encouraging NEOs to rise to a high level of performance and to motivate performance in line with the Company’s approved operating plan. The Company’s operating plan is developed by management and reviewed and approved by our Board on an annual basis. Achievement of the objectives set forth in the operating plan requires significant effort and skillful execution, because these objectives are intended to be challenging in order to foster the growth and development of QuickLogic. Likewise, the performance goals established under the Bonus Plan are intended to be greatly challenging and require very high levels of performance to achieve at target levels. The Committee has discretion to increase, reduce or eliminate bonuses under the Bonus Plan.

In February 2021, the Committee established the target bonuses and performance objectives under the Bonus Plan for 2021. The Committee determined that the primary business objectives for 2021 were to achieve operating cash flow break-even, or better.  Subsequently, on July 4, 2021,  the Committee refined the performance objectives to include the acquisition of a major customer.   Bonuses could be earned depending on the degree to which the Company met or exceeded the performance targets, without specified thresholds or maximum goals that have been used in past years. 

2021 Bonus Plan Results

Based on our level of achievement of the established 2021 performance goals, each NEO earned compensation of 100% of the NEO's target cash incentive and 100% of the NEOs equity-based performance targets. 

Discretionary Bonuses

In addition to compensation under the Bonus Plan, the Committee may award special bonuses to NEOs based on a number of factors, including performance, market demands and retention. In recognition of the NEOs demonstrating leadership through the numerous challenges during 202, on January 14, 2021,  the Committee approved discretionary cash bonuses and discretionary awards of fully vested RSUs to the NEOs, with each of the NEOs receiving both a cash bonus and RSUs, with respective award values of $10,000 each for Mr. Faith and $5,000 each for Ms. Cheung and Mr. Saxe. 

Equity-Based Compensation

The Committee believes that equity awards are an essential component of executive compensation. Equity awards are subject to vesting provisions to encourage our NEOs to remain employed with the Company and to align their interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders.

Our NEOs generally receive an equity award, approved by the Committee or the Board of Directors, when they join the Company. During each fiscal year, the Committee may grant our NEOs additional stock options or other equity awards. The Committee takes into consideration the NEOs’ relative responsibility, performance and anticipated future contribution to Company performance. The Committee receives recommendations from the President and Chief Executive Officer on the amounts and terms of equity compensation to be awarded to the other NEOs. The Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations are based on the NEOs’ anticipated future performance, responsibilities, and potential impact on Company results. The Committee takes these factors as well as the Compensation Peer Group data into account when approving such awards.

The Committee also reviews prior equity awards to each NEO, including the number of shares that continue to be subject to vesting under prior equity awards, in determining the size of equity awards to each of our NEOs. If we grant stock options, they are granted with an exercise price per share equal to the closing market price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. Committee did grant performance-based stock awards in 2021, 2020 and 2018, no additional stock options or other equity awards were granted in 2019. 

On July 14, 2021, after taking into account the impacts on our business due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Committee granted NEOs performance-based stock awards that could be earned upon the achievement of operating cash flow improvement, and the acquisition of a major customer, in the 2021 fiscal year.   The NEOs performance-based stock awards consisted of  175,000 PRSUs awarded at July 15, 2021 with vesting upon meeting or exceeding the entire performance goals for the 2021 fiscal year.  The PRSUs were awarded as follows:  Brian C. Faith, 100,000 PRSUs; Rajiv Jain,  25,000 PRSUs and Timothy Saxe, 50,000 PRSUs. Based on meeting all performance targets for the fiscal 2021 year.  The awards were considered earned and vested on February 14, 2022, at one-hundred percent. These grants are further described in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards table below.  Vesting of the NEOs' PRSUs was at $5.47 per share at the vesting date. 

Stock-based Policies

We do not currently have any equity or other security ownership policy that mandates ownership of certain amounts of our common stock by our NEOs. Under our insider trading policy, directors, officers or employees are not allowed to margin the Company’s securities, use the Company’s securities as collateral to purchase the Company’s securities or the securities of any other issuer, short sell Company securities, either directly or indirectly, or trade in derivative securities related to the Company’s securities.

Change of Control Severance Arrangements

Consistent with our goals to attract and retain highly qualified executive officers and maintain a competitive executive compensation program, we previously entered into change of control agreements with each of our NEOs. These arrangements provide for certain “double trigger” severance benefits in connection with a change of control, as discussed in detail under the heading “Change of Control Agreements” below. It is expected that from time to time, we may consider the possibility of a corporate transaction such as a change of control. These transactions may be a distraction to our NEOs and can cause our NEOs to consider alternative employment opportunities. We entered into these change of control agreements in order to better ensure their continued dedication and objectivity notwithstanding the possibility or threat of a change of control, provide incentive for each NEO to continue employment with us and maximize stockholder value, and provide each NEO with enhanced financial security in these specified circumstances. The Committee believes that these change of control severance benefits are appropriate and reasonable as they are provided only upon an involuntary termination in connection with a change of control and do not become payable merely upon the occurrence of a change of control; provide for no tax gross-up or other excessive benefits to the NEOs; and are subject to the condition that each NEO agree to a release of claims in our favor. These benefits generally do not affect the Committee’s decisions regarding other elements of compensation.

Executive Perquisites

The Company’s NEOs are eligible to participate in the Company’s 401(k) Plan and other benefits available generally to other employees of the Company. Mr. Saxe will cease to receive a car allowance. Mr. Faith and Ms. Cheung do not receive car allowances. Our NEOs do not receive club memberships, personal use of corporate aircraft, or any other perquisites or personal benefits.

Tax Considerations

Our Board has reviewed the impact of tax and accounting treatment on the various components of our executive compensation program and has determined that limitations on deductibility of compensation may occur under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, which generally limits the tax deductibility of compensation paid by a public company to its chief executive officer and other highly compensated executive officers to one million dollars per individual, per year. On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act repealed the exception to the limit on deductibility for performance-based compensation that met certain requirements.

Although deductibility of compensation is preferred, tax deductibility is not a primary objective of our compensation programs, due in part to the large net operating loss carry forward available to the Company for tax reporting purposes. We believe that achieving the compensation objectives discussed earlier is more important than the benefit of tax deductibility and our executive compensation programs may, from time to time, limit the tax deductibility of compensation.

Equity Incentive Grant Policies

The Committee administers our equity-based plans, although either our Board or the Committee may grant stock options or other equity awards to our NEOs. During 2021, equity awards were granted to our NEOs in the form of performance-based stock units. Our NEOs are generally granted equity awards when they join the Company and they may receive additional equity grants as part of a refresh grant, upon promotion or for individual performance. Our President and Chief Executive Officer recommends the timing, size and terms of equity awards for NEOs other than himself, although the Committee is not obligated to approve these recommendations. Individual grants are based on position, individual performance, expected contribution and market data for similar positions, if available.

The Compensation Committee has implemented certain general policies relating to grants of stock options, RSUs and other awards, which policies apply to our NEOs. Specifically, the Committee has determined that, whenever stock options are granted, they shall be granted on: (i) the second and fourth Thursdays of the Company’s fiscal month (each a “Regular Grant Date”), or on the date the last director or Committee member approves such grants if not approved prior to the Regular Grant Date; (ii) on the date of a pre-scheduled Board of Directors or Committee meeting; or (iii) on such other date established in advance by the Board of Directors or Committee. The Company intends that future equity awards be made on a similar schedule. Option grants or other equity awards to NEOs may be approved at a properly constituted meeting of the Board of Directors or Committee or by the unanimous written consent of the directors or Committee members. Generally, our unanimous written consents are executed electronically, to ensure the date of approval is certain. All required documentation, including the list of recommended equity awards by recipient and the terms of the award, are sent to the Board of Directors or Committee prior to the meeting. The Committee believes that this practice will ensure that the exercise price of the options or other awards are based on the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant and that the approval process results in grants made on a planned grant date. We have not and do not plan in the future to coordinate the timing of the release of material non-public information for the purpose of affecting the value of executive compensation (including equity award grants).

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with our management.

Based on the Compensation Committee’s review and discussion noted above, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A.

MEMBERS OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

Gary H. Tauss (Chairman)

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

Christine Russell

Michael R. Farese

Radhika Krishnan

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

For Fiscal Years Ended January 2, 2022 and January 3, 2021

The following table sets forth fiscal 2021 and  fiscal 2020 compensation information for our  fiscal 2021 NEOs. We have elected to follow the scaled disclosure requirements applicable to Smaller Reporting Companies with respect to the Summary Compensation Table.

(a)

 

(b)

 

(c)

  

(d)

  

(e)

  

(f)

  

(g)

  

(h)

  

(i)

  

(j)

 

Name and Principal Position

 

Year

 

Salary ($)

  

Bonus ($)

  

Stock Awards ($) (1)

  

Option Awards ($)

  

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensa-tion ($) (2)

  

Change in Pension Value and Nonquali-fied Deferred Compensa-tion Earnings ($) (3)

  

All Other Compensa-tion ($) (4)

  

Total ($)

 

Brian C. Faith

 

2021

 $300,044  $10,000  $320,202  $  $65,282  $  $3,821  $699,349 

President & CEO

 

2020

 $300,000  $  $  $  $  $  $  $300,000 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

 

2021

 $35,571  $5,000  $150,000  $  $31,202  $  $  $221,773 

Former VP, Finance and CFO

 

2020

 $215,081  $  $  $  $  $  $  $215,081 

Timothy Saxe

 

2021

 $218,224  $5,000  $160,722  $  $35,089  $  $9,000  $428,035 

Sr. VP of Engineering and CTO

 

2020

 $215,000  $  $  $  $  $  $9,000  $224,000 


(1)

The amounts in column (e) reflect the aggregate grant date fair value of performance-based restricted stock units ("PRSUs") computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. The assumptions used in the calculation of values of the awards are set forth under Note 13 to our consolidated financial statements entitled “Stock-Based Compensation” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for fiscal year 2021, filed with the SEC on March 22, 2022.

(2)

These were the amounts earned by the NEOs based on fiscal 2021 performance under the Bonus Plan.

(3)

The Company does not have a defined benefit pension plan or a non-qualified deferred compensation plan.

(4)

The amount shown in column (i) reflects the automobile allowance for Mr. Saxe. No NEO received perquisites exceeding $10,000 and no NEO had tax planning or other reimbursable personal expenses in 2021 or 2020. The Company does not provide the NEOs with perquisites or personal benefits during or after the NEO’s employment, except as disclosed in this Proxy Statement. 

GRANTS OF PLAN-BASED AWARDS

For Fiscal Year Ended January 2, 2022

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022, certain information regarding incentive awards granted to the NEOs.

          Estimated Possible Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1)  Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards (2)             

(a)

     

(b)

  

(c)

  

(d)

  

(e)

  

(f)

  

(g)

  

(h)

  

(i)

  

(j)

  

(k)

 

Name

 

Approval Date

  

Grant Date

  

Threshold ($)

  

Target ($)

  

Maximum ($)

  

Threshold (#)

  

Target (#)

  

Maximum (#)

  

All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#)

  

All Other Option Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#)

  

Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($)

 
                                             

Brian C. Faith

         $  $180,000                  10,000    
  7/22/2021  8/6/2021              100,000           466,666 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

         $  $                  5,000    
  7/22/2021  8/6/2021                          

Timothy Saxe

         $  $96,750                  5,000    
  7/22/2021  8/6/2021              50,000           233,335 


(1)

Represents cash incentive award opportunities for our NEOs under the Bonus Plan. There were no thresholds or maximum payment amounts in 2021. A description of the Bonus Plan for fiscal year 2021 is included in the "Compensation Discussion and Analysis" above.

(2)Represents target award opportunities under performance restricted stock units or PRSUs granted in 2021.  There were no thresholds or maximum payment amounts in 2021.

OUTSTANDING EQUITY AWARDS AT FISCAL YEAR END

FOR FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 2, 2021

The following table sets forth certain information concerning outstanding equity awards held by the NEOs as of January 2, 2022:

      

Option Awards

     

Stock Awards

 

(a)

     

(b)

  

(c)

  

(d)

  

(e)

  

(f)

     

(g)

  

(h)

  

(i)

  

(j)

 

Name

     

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (1) Exercisable

  

Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (1) Unexercisable

  

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options (1)

  

Option Exercise Price

  

Option Expiration Date

     

Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

  

Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested

  

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested

  

Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested

 

Brian C. Faith

  (10)  41,480   -   -  $12.05  

9/7/2026

                  
                         (11)          100,000  $509,000 
   (2)  3,158   -   -  $44.80  

12/17/2024

  (3)  1,170  $5,955   -   - 
   (4)  3,714   -   -  $47.46  

12/11/2023

  (12)  68,259  $347,438   -   - 
   (5)  2,550   -   -  $31.50  

11/7/2022

      -   -   -   - 
   (9)  4,172   -   -  $48.72  

5/9/2022

      -   -   -   - 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

  (10)     -   -  $12.05  

9/7/2026

              -   - 
                                     -  $- 
   (7)     -   -  $18.48  

11/24/2025

  (3)  -   -   -   - 
   (4)     -   -  $47.46  

12/11/2023

  (12)  -   -   -   - 
   (8)     -   -  $30.38  

8/8/2022

      -   -   -   - 

Timothy Saxe

  (10)  6,222   -   -  $12.05  

9/7/2026

              -   - 
                         (11)          50,000  $254,500 
   (2)  1,714   -   -  $44.80  

12/17/2024

  (3)  664  $3,380   -   - 
   (4)  3,349   -   -  $47.46  

12/11/2023

  (12)  42,662  $217,150   -   - 
   (5)  2,550   -   -  $31.50  

11/7/2022

      -   -   -   - 


(1)

The market value of unvested and unearned units is based on the closing share price of $5.11, which was the closing price of our common stock as quoted on the Nasdaq Capital Market on December 31, 2021.

(2)

25% of these options vested one year after December 18, 2014 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(3)

25% of these RSUs vested one year after August 10, 2017 and 1/48th every 6 months of service thereafter.

(4)

25% of these options vested one year after December 12, 2013 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(5)

25% of these options vested one year after November 8, 2012 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(6)

25% of these options vested one year after November 10, 2011 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(7)

25% of these options vested one year after November 25, 2015 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(8)

25% of these options vested one year after August 9, 2012 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(9)

25% of these options vested one year after May 10, 2012 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(10)

25% of these options vested one year after September 8, 2016 and 1/48th per month of service thereafter.

(11)

These PRSUs were eligible to vest upon the achievement of operating cash flow improvement and a major customer acquisition for fiscal 2021. Based on the results of fiscal 2021, these awards were earned and vested at 100% of target values on January 14, 2022.

(12)

25% of these RSUs vest one year after March 8, 2018 and 1/8th every six months of service thereafter.

OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED

For Fiscal Year Ended January 2, 2022

The following table sets forth the number of option awards exercised by and stock awards vested for each of our NEOs during fiscal year 2021:

  

Option Awards

  

Stock Awards

 

Name

 

Number of shares Acquired

on Exercise (#)

  

Value Realized

on Exercise ($)

  

Number of shares Acquired

on Vesting (#)

  

Value Realized

on Vesting ($) (1)

 

Brian C. Faith

    $   7,234  $36,657 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

    $   1,833  $8,051 

Timothy Saxe

    $   3,706  $18,948 

_____________

(1)

Represents the number of shares that vested during  Fiscal 2021 multiplied by the closing price of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Capital Market on the applicable vesting date, excluding any tax obligations incurred in connection with such vesting.

Equity Compensation Plan Summary 

The following table sets forth certain information as of the end of the most recently completed fiscal year (January 2, 2022) with respect to compensation plans (including individual compensation arrangements) under which equity securities of the registrant are authorized for issuance, aggregated as follows:

i.

All compensation plans previously approved by security holders; and

ii.

All compensation plans not previously approved by security holders.

Plan Category

 

Number of Securities to be Issued upon Exercise of Outstanding Options and Rights as of January 2, 2022 (1)

  

Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options (2)

  

Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance under Equity Compensation Plans as of January 2, 2022 (3)

 

Equity compensation plans approved by stockholders

  660,484  $27.49   851,824 

Equity compensation plans not approved by stockholders

         


(1)

This number includes 92,781 options and 567,613 RSUs outstanding under the 2009 Plan and the 2019 Plan. 

(2)

The weighted-average exercise price does not take into account the shares issuable upon vesting of outstanding RSU awards, which have no exercise price.

(3)

This number includes 593,481 shares available for future grant under our 2019 Stock Plan and 258,343 shares available for future issuance under our 2009 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. 

Post-Employment and Change of Control Compensation

Payments Made Upon Termination

Regardless of the manner in which a NEO’s employment terminates, he or she is entitled to receive amounts earned during his or her term of employment, including base salary, incentive compensation (provided the NEO is employed on the last day of the performance period), and the vested portion of his or her equity awards. Our Compensation Committee may, at its discretion, approve the payment of incentive compensation if a NEO is not employed on the last day of the reporting period. Except for compensation payments associated with our standard change of control agreements or payments made to a third party arising from indemnification, the Company does not have any written or unwritten payment obligations to our NEOs upon their resignation, severance or retirement. The Compensation Committee may decide to approve such payments in the future. The Company is not aware of any existing arrangements, the operation of which may result in a change of control of the Company.

Change of Control Agreements

The Company has entered into a change of control severance agreement (“Change of Control Agreement” or “Agreement”) with each of the NEOs. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors reviews the form of these agreements every year. The Company’s standard form of Change of Control Agreement is attached as an exhibit to our annual report on Form 10‑K for the period ended December 30, 2007. The Agreements provide that if the Company experiences a change of control, as defined in the Agreements, and such executive officer’s employment with the Company terminates as a result of an “Involuntary Termination” within three months prior to or twelve months following the change of control, the Company will provide the following to the NEO:

A cash payment equal to 100% of his or her annual cash compensation (that is, base salary plus 100% of the target incentive compensation for the year, each as in effect on the last day of employment or immediately prior to the change of control, whichever target incentive compensation is greater) plus 100% of any unpaid bonus and incentive compensation declared prior to the date of any such termination.

Continued coverage through COBRA under the Company’s group health, dental and vision care plans at the same cost to the executive officer as in effect on the last day of employment or immediately prior to the change of control, whichever cost is lower, for a period which is the lesser of (i) the date he or she is no longer eligible to receive continuation coverage pursuant to COBRA, or (ii) twelve months following the date of any such termination.

Full vesting acceleration of outstanding equity awards granted by the Company prior to the change in control and a post-termination exercisability period of up to 3 months with respect to any such stock options.

The terms of the Change of Control Agreements also provide:

In the event that the severance and other benefits provided for or otherwise payable to the executive officer (i) constitute “parachute payments” within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code, and (ii) would be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (the “Excise Tax”), then the executive officer’s change of control benefits shall be either delivered in full, or delivered as to such lesser extent which would result in no portion of such benefits being subject to the Excise Tax, whichever of the foregoing amounts, taking into account the applicable federal, state and local income taxes and the Excise Tax, results in the receipt by the executive officer on an after-tax basis, of the greatest amount of benefits, notwithstanding that all or some portion of such benefits may be taxable under Section 4999 of the Code.

That such payments be made in a lump sum within 30 days of the Involuntary Termination, as defined in the Agreement.

That the executive officers shall be entitled to the severance benefits provided they sign a general release of claims substantially the same as the form included in the Company’s standard Change of Control Agreement.

Change of control generally is defined as the occurrence of any of the following: (i) consummation of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a transaction that would result in the Company’s voting securities outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such transaction; (ii) approval by the Company stockholders of a plan of complete liquidation of the Company or an agreement for the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; (iii) any person becoming the beneficial owner, directly or indirectly, of Company securities representing 50% or more of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities; or (iv) a change in the composition of the Board, as a result of which fewer than a majority of the directors are directors who either (A) are directors of the Company as of the date of the Change of Control Agreement, or (B) are elected, or nominated for election, to the Board with the affirmative votes of at least a majority of those directors whose election or nomination was not in connection with any transactions described in subsections (i), (ii), or (iii) or in connection with an actual or threatened proxy contest relating to the election of directors of the Company.

Cause generally is defined as (i) any act of personal dishonesty taken by the individual in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee which is intended to result in his or her substantial personal enrichment, (ii) the individual’s conviction of a felony which the Board reasonably believes has had or will have a material detrimental effect on the Company’s reputation or business, (iii) a willful act by the individual which constitutes misconduct and is injurious to the Company, or (iv) continued willful violations by the individual of his or her  obligations to the Company after there has been delivered to him or her a written demand for performance from the Company describing the basis for the Company’s belief that the individual has not substantially performed his or her duties, and a period of 30 days following the date of delivery of such written demand for the individual to cure such violations.

Involuntary Termination generally is defined as without the individual’s express written consent, (i) a significant reduction of the individual’s duties, position or responsibilities relative to the individual’s duties, position or responsibilities in effect immediately prior to such reduction, or the removal of the individual from such position, duties and responsibilities, unless the individual is provided with comparable duties, position and responsibilities; (ii) a substantial reduction without good business reasons, of the facilities and perquisites (including office space and location) available to the individual immediately prior to such reduction; (iii) a reduction by the Company of the individual’s base salary or target incentive compensation as in effect immediately prior to such reduction; (iv) a material reduction by the Company in the kind or level of employee benefits to which the individual is entitled immediately prior to such reduction with the result that the individual’s overall benefits package is significantly reduced; (v) without the individual’s express written consent, the relocation of the individual to a facility or a location more than 50 miles from his or her current location; (vi) any purported termination of the individual by the Company which is not effected for Cause, as defined in the agreement, or for which the grounds relied upon are not valid; or (vii) the failure of the Company to obtain the assumption of the Change of Control Agreement by any successors, as defined in the Change of Control Agreement, provided however, that the individual has given notice of any such condition within 90 days of its initial existence and the Company has been given a cure period of at least 30 days.

The following table describes the severance benefits which would be owed by the Company to each of the NEOs upon their Involuntary Termination at any time three months prior to or twelve months after a change of control, as defined in our Change of Control Agreements with our NEOs. The amounts shown are based upon target cash compensation and in-the-money unvested equity awards outstanding for each individual assuming that each NEO’s Involuntary Termination occurred on January 2, 2022. Ms. Cheung voluntarily resigned from her position as Chief Financial Officer effective February 17, 2021, and she received no severance benefits in connection with her departure.

Name

 

Severance Base Salary

  

Severance Incentive Cash Compensation

  

Other Benefits (1)

  

Equity Awards (Stock Options and RSUs) (2)

 

Brian C. Faith

 $300,000  $180,000     $862,394 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

 $  $     $ 

Timothy Saxe

 $215,000  $96,750  $9,000  $475,029 


(1)

Other benefits include applicable automobile allowances.

(2)

For stock options, the amount in this column represents the intrinsic value of the acceleration of vesting of any stock options that vest upon the event. Intrinsic value is the difference between the exercise price of the stock option and the closing price of our common stock on the date the triggering event occurred, which was $5.11 on December 31, 2021 (the last trading day of the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022). In accordance with SEC guidelines, no amount is shown for any stock option the intrinsic value of which is $0 or less. The acceleration value of RSUs and PRSUs is calculated as the closing price of our common stock which was $5.11 on December 31, 2021 (the last trading day of the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022), multiplied by the number of shares being accelerated (for PRSUs, assuming acceleration of target number of shares). 

In addition to the indemnification provided for in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws, the Company has entered into agreements to indemnify its current and former directors and executive officers. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of the Company’s directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of the Company, arising out of such person’s services as a director or executive officer of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any other company or enterprise to which the person provided services at the Company’s request.

CEO Pay Ratio

For the 2021 fiscal year, the ratio of the annual total compensation of Brian C. Faith, our President and Chief Executive Officer (“CEO Compensation”), to the median of the annual total compensation of all of our employees other than our Chief Executive Officer (“Median Annual Compensation”) was 4.75 to 1. This ratio is a reasonable estimate calculated in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K using the data and assumptions summarized below. In this summary, we refer to the employee who received such Median Annual Compensation, who was selected in a manner consistent with Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, as the “Median Employee.” For purposes of this disclosure, the date used to identify the Median Employee was January 2, 2022 (the “Determination Date”).

CEO Compensation for purposes of this disclosure represents the total compensation reported for Mr. Faith in the “Summary Compensation Table” for the 2021 fiscal year. For the purposes of this disclosure, Median Annual Compensation was $165,309, and was calculated by totaling for our Median Employee all applicable elements of compensation for the 2021 fiscal year in accordance with Item 402(c)(2)(x) of Regulation S-K.

To identify the Median Employee, we first determined our employee population as of the Determination Date for purposes of the calculation. We measured compensation for 47 employees (with 35 employees in the U.S. and 12 employees outside the U.S.), representing all full-time, part-time, seasonal and temporary employees of us and our consolidated subsidiaries as of the Determination Date, excluding Mr. Faith and, as permitted by Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, excluding (i) any independent contractors or “leased” workers and (ii) two non-U.S. employees (consisting of 1 employee in China and 1 employee in Japan). We then measured compensation for the period beginning on January 4, 2021 and ending on January 2, 2022 for these employees. This compensation measurement was calculated by totaling, for each employee, gross taxable earnings, including salary, wages, tips and other compensation as shown in our payroll and human resources records for 2021. A portion of our employee workforce worked for less than the full fiscal year due to commencing employment after the beginning of the fiscal year. In determining the Median Employee, we annualized the compensation for such individuals.

Compensation of Non-Employee Directors 

The following table sets forth the annual compensation paid or accrued by the Company to or on behalf of the non-employee directors of the Company for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2022.

(a)

 

(b)

  

(c)

  

(g)

  

(h)

 

Name (1)

 

Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) (2)

  

Stock Awards ($) (3)

  

All Other Compensation ($)

  

Total ($)

 

Current Directors:

                

Michael R. Farese

 $56,300  $43,560  $  $99,860 

Arturo Krueger

 $39,800  $21,780  $  $61,580 

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

 $32,300  $21,780  $  $54,080 

Christine Russell

 $35,300  $21,780  $  $57,080 

Gary H. Tauss

 $32,800  $21,780  $  $54,580 

Andrew J. Pease

 $32,175  $21,780  $  $53,955 

Radhika Krishnan (4)

 $4,614  $21,780  $  $26,394 

Joyce Kim (4)

 $2,840  $21,780  $  $24,620 


(1)

Brian C. Faith, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, is not included in this table. Mr. Faith was an employee of the Company during fiscal year 2021 and therefore received no compensation for his services as a director. The compensation received by Mr. Faith as an employee of the Company is shown in the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement.

(2)

Directors who are not employees of the Company received an annual retainer of $30,800 for serving as a director of the Company. Directors receive annual leadership compensation awards as follows: Chairman of the Board, Chairman of the Audit Committee, Lead Independent Director, Chairman of the Compensation Committee, members of the Audit Committee, members of the Compensation Committee and directors residing outside of North America, receive annual leadership compensation awards of $20,000, $3,000, $2,500, $2,000, $1,500, $1,500 and $7,500, respectively. Only one leadership compensation award per committee is earned by each director. Retainers are paid quarterly. The Company reimburses all directors for travel, lodging, and other expenses related to their service on the Board.

(3)

On July 14, 2021, the Chairman received 7,433 RSUs with a grant date value of $44,301, and each other director was granted an aggregate of 26,572 RSUs with an aggregate grant date values of $158,369. The fair market value of the Company's stock at the grant date of July 14, 2021 was $5.96. The following table sets forth outstanding stock options and RSUs held by each non-employee director as of January 2, 2022.

Name

 

RSUs

  

Stock Options

 

Directors:

        

Michael R. Farese

  7,433   2,142 

Arturo Krueger

  3,716   2,856 

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

  3,716    

Christine Russell

  3,716   2,856 

Gary H. Tauss

  3,716   2,642 

Andrew J. Pease

  3,716    

QuickLogic has agreed to indemnify each director and NEO against certain claims and expenses for which the director or NEO might be held liable in connection with past or future services to QuickLogic and its subsidiaries. QuickLogic maintains insurance policies insuring its directors and NEOs against such liabilities.

SECURITY OWNERSHIPOWNERSHIP

The following table sets forth certain information regarding our common stock beneficially owned as of September 29, 2019March 14, 2022 by (i) each person who is known by QuickLogic to own beneficially more than 5% of QuickLogic’s common stock, (ii) each director of QuickLogic, (iii) each of the “Named Executive Officers” (as such term is definedNEOs listed in Item 402(a)(3) of Regulation S-K under the Exchange Act),Summary Compensation Table, and (iv) all directors and executive officers of QuickLogic as a group. Shares of common stock subject to options that are exercisable and restricted stock units (“RSUs”) that will be vested, within 60 days of September 29, 2019,March 14, 2022, are deemed to be outstanding and beneficially owned by the person holding the option or the RSUs for the purpose of computing the percentage of ownership for that person, but are not treated as outstanding for the purpose of computing the beneficial ownership of any other person. This table is based on information provided to QuickLogic or filed with the SEC by QuickLogic’s directors, executive officers, and principal stockholders. Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes below, and subject to community property laws where applicable, each of the named person has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares shown as beneficially owned.

Unless otherwise indicated, the address for each stockholder listed in the following table is c/o QuickLogic Corporation, 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131. Applicable percentage ownership in the following table is based on 116,510,97912,362,334 shares of common stock outstanding as of September 29, 2019March 14, 2022.

 

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

 

 

Shares Beneficially Owned

 

Name of Beneficial Owner (3)

 

From Options and RSUs (1)

 

 

Total Number (2)

 

 

Percent

 

 

From Options (1)

  

Total Number (2)

  

Percent

 

E. Thomas Hart

 

 

501,655

 

 

 

950,085

 

 

*

 

Michael R. Farese

 

 

42,500

 

 

 

107,935

 

 

*

 

  5,215   11,230   * 

Arturo Krueger

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

117,892

 

 

*

 

  5,356   11,423   * 

Andrew J. Pease

 

 

 

 

 

233,971

 

 

*

 

  -   3,542   * 

Daniel A. Rabinovitsj

 

 

 

 

 

80,017

 

 

*

 

  -   7,529   * 

Joyce Kim

  -   -   * 

Radhika Krishnan

  -   -   * 

Christine Russell

 

 

50,000

 

 

 

111,145

 

 

*

 

  2,856   8,894   * 

Gary H. Tauss

 

 

39,029

 

 

 

100,436

 

 

*

 

  7,818   13,866   * 

Suping (Sue) Cheung

 

 

140,012

 

 

 

246,397

 

 

*

 

Suping (Sue) Cheung(3)

  15,718   63,472   * 

Brian C. Faith

 

 

771,631

 

 

 

903,259

 

 

*

 

  74,356   164,477   1.33%

Timothy Saxe

 

 

298,055

 

 

 

479,594

 

 

*

 

  24,373   71,081   * 

All executive officers and directors as a group (10 persons)

 

 

1,892,882

 

 

 

3,330,731

 

 

 

2.81

%

All executive officers and directors as a group (11 persons)

  135,692   355,514   2.88%

 

(1)

This column includes shares issuable pursuant to options exercisable and through the vesting of RSUs within 60 days of September 29, 2019,March 14, 2022, which is November 28, 2019.May 13, 2022.

(2)

This column consists of outstanding shares plus the options and RSUs set forth in the previous column.

(3)

AsEffective February 17, 2021, Ms. Cheung voluntarily resigned as the Chief Financial Officer of September 29, 2019, there was no single person who was known by QuickLogic to own beneficially more than 5% of QuickLogic’s common stock.

the Company.

*

Less than 1% of the outstanding common stock

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

The Company has entered into Change of Control Agreements with its NEOs and other executive officers. These are discussed under “Post Employment and Change of Control Compensation” above.

The Company has entered into agreements to indemnify its current and former directors and executive officers, in addition to the indemnification provided for in the Company’s certificate of incorporation and bylaws. These agreements, among other things, provide for indemnification of the Company’s directors and executive officers for certain expenses, including attorneys’ fees, judgments, fines and settlement amounts incurred by any such person in any action or proceeding, including any action by or in the right of the Company, arising out of such person’s services as a director or executive officer or the corporate controller of the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any other company or enterprise to which the person provided services at the Company’s request.

The charter of the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors specifies that the Audit Committee review and pre-approve related party transactions as such term is defined by SEC rules and regulations. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee of the Board of Directors, under the terms of its charter, considers questions of possible conflicts of interest of members of the Board and of executive officers, and reviews actual and potential conflicts of interest of members of the Board and executive officers, clearing the involvement of such persons in matters that may involve a conflict of interest. In addition, the Company’s Code of Conduct and Ethics clarifies that no officer or any member of their family may supply goods or services to QuickLogic without approval.

There were no related party transactions required to be disclosed during fiscal year 2021.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors knows of no other matter that will be presented for consideration at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If any other matter is properly brought before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons acting as proxies to vote on such matter in accordance with their best judgment.

By Order of the Board of Directors

quicklo20201202_def14img003.jpg

Brian C. Faith

President and Chief Executive Officer

March [  ], 2022

 

APPENDIX A

QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

 

2019 STOCK PLAN

(as amended May 12, 2022)

1.

Purposes of the Plan. The purposes of this 2019 Stock Plan are:

 


to attract and retain the best available personnel for positions of substantial responsibility;

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

to provide additional incentive to Employees, Directors and Consultants; and

to promote the success of the Company’s business.

StatementsOptions granted under the Plan may be Incentive Stock Options or Nonstatutory Stock Options, as determined by the Administrator at the time of grant. Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may also be granted under the Plan.

2.

Definitions. As used herein, the following definitions shall apply:

(a)     “Administrator” means the Board or any Committee as shall be administering the Plan, in this proxy statement thataccordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

(b)     “Applicable Laws” means the requirements relating to the administration of equity-based awards under U. S. state corporate laws, U.S. federal and state securities laws, the Code, any stock exchange or quotation system on which the Common Stock is listed or quoted and the applicable laws of any foreign country or jurisdiction where Awards are, or will be, granted under the Plan.

(c)     “Award” means, individually or collectively, a grant under the Plan of Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units.

(d)     “Award Agreement” means the written or electronic agreement setting forth the terms and provisions applicable to each Award granted under the Plan. The Award Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(e)     “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(f)     “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to a section of the Code herein shall be a reference to any successor or amended section of the Code.

(g)     “Committee” means a committee of Directors or other individuals satisfying Applicable Laws appointed by the Board in accordance with Section 4 of the Plan.

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

(i)     “Company” means QuickLogic Corporation, a Delaware corporation.

(j)     “Consultant” means any person, including an advisor, engaged by the Company or a Parent or Subsidiary to render services to such entity.

(k)     “Director” means a member of the Board.

(l)     “Disability” means total and permanent disability as defined in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(m)     “Employee” means any person, including Officers and Directors, employed by the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary of the Company. A Service Provider shall not cease to be an Employee in the case of (i) any leave of absence approved by the Company or (ii) transfers between locations of the Company or between the Company, its Parent, any Subsidiary, or any successor. For purposes of Incentive Stock Options, no such leave may exceed three (3) months, unless reemployment upon expiration of such leave is guaranteed by statute or contract. If reemployment upon expiration of a leave of absence approved by the Company is not so guaranteed, then six (6) months following the first (1st) day of such leave, any Incentive Stock Option held by the Optionee shall cease to be treated as an Incentive Stock Option and shall be treated for tax purposes as a Nonstatutory Stock Option. Neither service as a Director nor payment of a director’s fee by the Company shall be sufficient to constitute “employment” by the Company.

(n)     “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(o)     “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of Common Stock determined as follows:

(i)     If the Common Stock is listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including without limitation the Nasdaq Global Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Capital Market, its Fair Market Value shall be the closing sales price for such stock (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as quoted on such exchange or system for the last market trading day on or before the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable;

(ii)     If the Common Stock is regularly quoted by a recognized securities dealer but selling prices are not historical, are forward-looking statements madereported, the Fair Market Value of a Share of Common Stock shall be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for the Common Stock on the last market trading day on or before the day of determination, as reported in The Wall Street Journal or such other source as the Administrator deems reliable; or

(iii)     In the absence of an established market for the Common Stock, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Administrator.

(p)     “Incentive Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms qualifies and is otherwise intended to qualify as an incentive stock option within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code and the regulations promulgated thereunder.

(q)     “Nonstatutory Stock Option” means an Option that by its terms does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.

(r)     “Notice of Grant” means a written or electronic notice evidencing certain terms and conditions of an individual Award. The Notice of Grant is part of the Award Agreement.

(s)     “Officer” means a person who is an officer of the Company within the meaning of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

(t)     “Option” means a stock option granted pursuant to the safe harborPlan.

(u)     “Option Agreement” means an agreement between the Company and an Optionee evidencing the terms and conditions of an individual Option grant. The Option Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(v)     “Option Exchange Program” means a program whereby outstanding Options are surrendered in exchange for Options with a lower exercise price.

(w)     “Optioned Stock” means the Common Stock subject to an Award.

(x)     “Optionee” means the holder of an outstanding Option granted under the Plan.

(y)     “Parent” means a “parent corporation,” whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(e) of the Code.

(z)     “Participant” means the holder of an outstanding Award granted under the Plan.

(aa)     “Performance Goals” means the goal(s) (or combined goal(s)) determined by the Administrator (in its discretion) to be applicable to a Participant with respect to an Award.

(bb)     “Plan” means this QuickLogic Corporation 2019 Stock Plan, as amended.

(cc)     “Restricted Stock” means Shares issued pursuant to an Award of Restricted Stock under Section 12 of the Plan, or issued pursuant to the early exercise of an Option.

(dd)     “Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to Shares purchased under a Restricted Stock award. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(ee)     “Restricted Stock Unit” means a bookkeeping entry representing an amount equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share, granted pursuant to Section 13. Each Restricted Stock Unit represents an unfunded and unsecured obligation of the Company.

(ff)     “Restricted Stock Unit Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to an individual grant of Restricted Stock Units. The Restricted Stock Unit Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(gg)     “Rule 16b-3” means Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act or any successor to Rule 16b-3, as in effect when discretion is being exercised with respect to the Plan.

(hh)     “Section 16(b)” means Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act.

(ii)     “Service Provider” means an Employee, Director or Consultant.

(jj)     “Share” means a share of the Common Stock, as adjusted in accordance with Section 15 of the Plan.

(kk)     “Stock Appreciation Right” or “SAR” means an Award, granted alone or in connection with a related Option, that pursuant to Section 11 is designated as a SAR.

(ll)     “Stock Appreciation Right Agreement” means a written or electronic agreement between the Company and the Participant evidencing the terms and restrictions applying to Shares purchased under a SAR. The Stock Appreciation Right Agreement is subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan and the Notice of Grant.

(mm)     “Subsidiary” means a “subsidiary corporation”, whether now or hereafter existing, as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code.

3.           Stock Subject to the Plan.

(a)     Subject to the provisions of Section 15 of the Plan, the maximum aggregate number of Shares which may be awarded and sold under the Plan is 1,507,143 Shares plus any Shares subject to any outstanding options or other awards granted under the Company’s 2009 Stock Plan (the “2009 Plan”) that expire, are forfeited, cancelled, returned to the Company for failure to satisfy vesting requirements, settled for cash or otherwise terminated without payment being made thereunder. Any Shares that again become available for grant will be added back as one share to the Plan share reserve. The Shares may be authorized, but unissued, or reacquired Common Stock. Following approval of this Plan by the Company’s stockholders, no further awards will be granted pursuant to the Company’s 2009 Plan.

(b)     Lapsed Awards. If an Award expires or becomes unexercisable without having been exercised in full, or with respect to Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units, is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company due to failure to vest, the unpurchased or unissued Shares (or for Awards other than Options or SARs, the forfeited or repurchased Shares) which were subject thereto shall become available for future grant or sale under the Plan (unless the Plan has terminated). Upon exercise of a SAR settled in Shares, the gross number of Shares covered by the portion of the Award so exercised will cease to be available under the Plan. Shares that have actually been issued under the Plan shall not be returned to the Plan and shall not become available for future distribution under the Plan; provided, however, that if unvested Shares issued pursuant to Awards of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units are repurchased by the Company at their original purchase price or are forfeited to the Company due to the failure to vest, such Shares will become available for future grant under the Plan. Shares used to pay the exercise price of an Award or to satisfy the tax withholding obligations related to an Award will not become available for future grant or sale under the Plan. To the extent an Award under the Plan is paid out in cash rather than Shares, such cash payment will not result in reducing the number of Shares available for issuance under the Plan. Notwithstanding the foregoing and, subject to adjustment as provided in Section 15, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued upon the exercise of Incentive Stock Options will equal the aggregate Share number stated in the immediately preceding paragraph above, plus, to the extent allowable under Code Section 422 and the Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder, any Shares that become available for issuance under the Plan pursuant to this paragraph.

4.           Administration of the Plan.

(a)     Procedure.

(i)     Multiple Administrative Bodies. The Plan may be administered by different Committees with respect to different groups of Service Providers.

(ii)     Rule 16b-3. To the extent desirable to qualify transactions hereunder as exempt under Rule 16b-3, the transactions contemplated hereunder shall be structured to satisfy the requirements for exemption under Rule 16b-3.

(iii)     Other Administration. Other than as provided above, the Plan shall be administered by (A) the Board or (B) a Committee, which committee shall be constituted to satisfy Applicable Laws.

(iv)     Delegation of Authority for Day-to-Day Administration. Except to the extent prohibited by Applicable Laws, the Administrator may delegate to one or more individuals the day-to-day administration of the Plan and any of the functions assigned to it in this Plan. Such delegation may be revoked at any time.

(b)     Powers of the Administrator. Subject to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform ActPlan, and in the case of 1995.a Committee, subject to the specific duties delegated by the Board to such Committee, the Administrator shall have the authority, in its discretion:

(i)     to determine the Fair Market Value;

(ii)     to select the Service Providers to whom Awards may be granted hereunder;

(iii)     to determine the number of shares of Common Stock to be covered by each Award granted hereunder;

(iv)     to approve forms of agreement for use under the Plan;

(v)     to determine the terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award relating thereto granted hereunder. Such statementsterms and conditions include, but are not limited to, statementsthe exercise price, the time or times when Options or SARs may be exercised (which may be based on performance criteria), any vesting acceleration or waiver of forfeiture or repurchase restrictions, and any restriction or limitation regarding Quicklogic’s intentany Award or the shares of Common Stock relating thereto, based in each case on such factors as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine;

(vi)     to solicit approvalconstrue and interpret the terms of the proposalPlan and Awards granted pursuant to the Plan;

(vii)     to prescribe, amend and rescind rules and regulations relating to the Plan, including rules and regulations relating to sub-plans established for the purpose of qualifying for preferred tax treatment under foreign tax laws or satisfying applicable foreign laws;

(viii)     to modify or amend each Award (subject to Section 17(c) of the Plan), including the discretionary authority to extend the post-termination exercisability period of Options or SARs longer than is otherwise provided for in the Plan;

(ix)     to allow, in the Administrator’s discretion, Participants to satisfy withholding tax, fringe benefits tax or national insurance contributions tax obligations by having the Company withhold from the Shares or cash to be issued upon exercise or vesting of an Award that number of Shares or cash having a Fair Market Value equal to the amount required to be withheld. The Fair Market Value of the Shares to be withheld shall be determined on the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is to be determined. Any decisions to have Shares or cash withheld for this purpose shall be made in such form and under such conditions as the Administrator may deem necessary or advisable;

(x)     to authorize any person to execute on behalf of the Company any instrument required to effect the grant of an Award previously granted by the Administrator; and

(xi)     to make all other determinations deemed necessary or advisable for administering the Plan.

(c)     Effect of Administrator’s Decision. The Administrator’s decisions, determinations and interpretations shall be final and binding on all Participants and any other holders of an Award.

5.           Eligibility. Nonstatutory Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units may be granted to Service Providers. Incentive Stock Options may be granted only to Employees.

6.           Limitations.

(a)     ISO $100,000 Rule. Each Option shall be designated in the Option Agreement as either an Incentive Stock Option or a reverse stock split,Nonstatutory Stock Option. However, notwithstanding such designation, to the timingextent that the aggregate Fair Market Value of the reverseShares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Optionee during any calendar year (under all plans of the Company and any Parent or Subsidiary) exceeds $100,000, such Options shall be treated as Nonstatutory Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6(a), Incentive Stock Options shall be taken into account in the order in which they were granted. The Fair Market Value of the Shares shall be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted.

(b)     No Rights as a Service Provider. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall confer upon a Participant any right with respect to continuing the Participant’s relationship as a Service Provider with the Company, nor shall they interfere in any way with the right of the Participant or the right of the Company or its Parent or Subsidiaries to terminate such relationship at any time, with or without cause.

(c)      Individual Director Limits. Notwithstanding anything in this Plan to the contrary, no non-employee Director will be granted, in any period of one calendar year, awards under the Plan (excluding awards made at the election of the Director in lieu of all or a portion of annual and committee cash retainers) having an aggregate maximum value at the Date of Grant (calculating the value of any such awards based on the grant date fair value for financial reporting purposes), taken together with any cash fees payable to such non-employee Director during the fiscal year, in excess of $200,000. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event of extraordinary circumstances (as determined by the Board), the amount set forth in the preceding sentence shall be increased to $300,000, provided that such increase may apply only if any non-employee Director receiving additional compensation as a result of such extraordinary circumstances does not participate in the determination that extraordinary circumstances exist, in the decision to award such compensation or in other contemporaneous compensation decisions involving non-employee Directors.

7.           Term of Plan. Subject to Section 21 of the Plan, the Plan shall become effective upon its adoption by the Board and the Company’s stockholders. It will continue in effect until April 24, 2029, unless sooner terminated under Section 17 of the Plan.

8.           Term of Option. The term of each Option shall be stated in the Option Agreement. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the term shall be ten (10) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement. Moreover, in the case of an Incentive Stock Option granted to an Optionee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock split,representing more than ten percent (10%) of the potential benefitstotal combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the term of the Incentive Stock Option shall be five (5) years from the date of grant or such shorter term as may be provided in the Option Agreement.

9.           Option Exercise Price and Consideration.

(a)     Exercise Price. The per share exercise price for the Shares to be issued pursuant to exercise of an Option shall be determined by the Administrator, subject to the following:

(i)     In the case of an Incentive Stock Option

(A)

granted to an Employee who, at the time the Incentive Stock Option is granted, owns stock representing more than ten percent (10%) of the voting power of all classes of stock of the Company or any Parent or Subsidiary, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(B)

granted to any Employee other than an Employee described in paragraph (A) immediately above, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(ii)     In the case of a reverse stock split,Nonstatutory Stock Option, the per Share exercise price shall be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant.

(iii)     Notwithstanding the foregoing, Options may be granted with a per Share exercise price of less than 100% of the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant pursuant to a merger or other corporate transaction described in, and in a manner consistent with, Section 424(a) of the Code.

(b)     Waiting Period and Exercise Dates. At the time an Option is granted, the Administrator shall fix the period within which the Option may be exercised and shall determine any conditions which must be satisfied before the Option may be exercised.

(c)     Form of Consideration. The Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration for exercising an Option, including the method of payment. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the Administrator shall determine the acceptable form of consideration at the time of grant. Such consideration, to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws, may consist entirely of:

(i)     cash;

(ii)     check;

(iii)     other Shares which have a Fair Market Value on the date of surrender equal to the aggregate exercise price of the Shares as to which said Option shall be exercised;

(iv)     consideration received by the Company under a cashless exercise program implemented by the Company in connection with the Plan;

(v)     any combination of the foregoing methods of payment; or

(vi)     such other consideration and method of payment for the issuance of Shares to the extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

(4)     No Dividend Equivalents. No Option shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

10.         Exercise of Option.

(a)     Procedure for Exercise; Rights as a Shareholder. Any Option granted hereunder shall be exercisable according to the terms of the Plan and at such times and under such conditions as determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Option Agreement. An Option may not be exercised for a fraction of a Share.

An Option shall be deemed exercised when the Company receives: (i) written or electronic notice of exercise (in accordance with the Option Agreement) from the person entitled to exercise the Option, and (ii) full payment for the Shares with respect to which the Option is exercised. Full payment may consist of any consideration and method of payment authorized by the Administrator and permitted by the Option Agreement and the Plan. Shares issued upon exercise of an Option shall be issued in the name of the Optionee or, if requested by the Optionee, in the name of the Optionee and his or her spouse. Until the Shares are issued (as evidenced by the appropriate entry on the books of the Company or of a duly authorized transfer agent of the Company), no right to vote or receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with respect to the Optioned Stock, notwithstanding the exercise of the Option. The Company shall issue (or cause to be issued) such Shares promptly after the Option is exercised. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Shares are issued, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan.

Exercising an Option in any manner shall decrease the number of Shares thereafter available, both for purposes of the Plan and for sale under the Option, by the number of Shares as to which the Option is exercised.

(b)     Termination of Relationship as a Service Provider or Provision of Notice of Employment Termination. If an Optionee (i) ceases to provide ongoing service as a Service Provider (for any reason and regardless of any appropriate court finding such termination unfair or irregular on any basis whatsoever), other than upon the Optionee’s death or Disability, or (ii) is provided with notice of termination of employment (for any reason and regardless of any appropriate court finding the related termination unfair or irregular on any basis whatsoever) and ceases to provide ongoing service during the notice period, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent that the Option is vested on the earlier of the date of such cessation as a Service Provider or the last date of ongoing service after receiving a notice of termination of employment or such later date as required by Applicable Laws (the earlier of these dates or such later date required by Applicable Laws is referred to herein as the “Vesting Cessation Date”, as reasonably fixed and determined by the Administrator), but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for three (3) months following the Vesting Cessation Date, but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, on the Vesting Cessation Date, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan (unless the Administrator determines otherwise). At the sole discretion of Company, subject to Applicable Laws, Grantee may be paid a lump sum for their cash compensation in lieu of notice. If, after the Vesting Cessation Date, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified by the Administrator, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

(c)     Disability of Optionee. If an Optionee ceases to be a Service Provider as a result of the Optionee’s Disability, the Optionee may exercise his or her Option within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement to the extent the Option is vested on the date of termination (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement). In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s termination, but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, on the date of termination, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall revert to the Plan. If, after termination, the Optionee does not exercise his or her Option within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

(d)     Death of Optionee. If an Optionee dies while a Service Provider, the Option may be exercised within such period of time as is specified in the Option Agreement (but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement), by the Optionee’s estate or by a person who acquires the right to exercise the Option by bequest or inheritance, but only to the extent that the Option is vested on the date of death. In the absence of a specified time in the Option Agreement, the Option shall remain exercisable for twelve (12) months following the Optionee’s termination, but in no event later than the expiration of the term of such Option as set forth in the Option Agreement. If, at the time of death, the Optionee is not vested as to his or her entire Option, the Shares covered by the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately revert to the Plan. The Option may be exercised by the executor or administrator of the Optionee’s estate or, if none, by the person(s) entitled to exercise the Option under the Optionee’s will or the laws of descent or distribution. If the Option is not so exercised within the time specified herein, the Option shall terminate, and the Shares covered by such Option shall revert to the Plan.

11.         Stock Appreciation Rights.

(a)     Grant of SARs. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, SARs may be granted to Service Providers at any time and from time to time as shall be determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion. The Administrator shall have complete discretion to determine the number of SARs granted to any Participant.

(b)     Exercise Price and other Terms. The Administrator, subject to the provisions of the Plan, shall have complete discretion to determine the terms and conditions of SARs granted under the Plan; provided, however, that no SAR may have a term of more than ten (10) years from the date of grant; provided, further that SARs may not have an exercise price below 100% of the Fair Market Value of the underlying shares on the grant date.

(c)     Payment of SAR Amount. Upon exercise of a SAR, a Participant shall be entitled to receive payment from the Company in an amount determined by multiplying.

(i)     The difference between the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of exercise over the exercise price; times

(ii)     the number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised.

(d)     Payment upon Exercise of SAR. At the discretion of the Administrator, payment for a SAR may be in cash, Shares or a combination thereof.

(e)     SAR Agreement. Each SAR grant shall be evidenced by a Stock Appreciation Right Agreement that shall specify the exercise price, the term of the SAR, the conditions of exercise, and such other terms and conditions as the Administrator, in its sole discretion, shall determine.

(f)     Expiration of SARs. A SAR granted under the Plan shall expire upon the date determined by the Administrator, in its sole discretion, and set forth in the Stock Appreciation Right Agreement; provided, however, that the term will be no more than ten (10) years from the date of grant thereof. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the rules of Section 10 will also apply to SARs.

(7)     No Dividend Equivalents. No SAR shall provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents.

12.         Restricted Stock.

(a)     Grant of Restricted Stock. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Plan, Restricted Stock may be granted either alone, in addition to, or in tandem with other awards granted under the Plan and/or cash awards made outside of the Plan. After the Administrator determines that it will offer Restricted Stock under the Plan, it shall advise the offeree in writing or electronically, by means of a Notice of Grant, of the terms, conditions and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Shares of Restricted Stock granted to the Participant and the conditions that must be satisfied, which typically will be based principally or solely on continued provision of services but may include a performance-based component, upon which is conditioned the grant or vesting of Restricted Stock. The offer shall be accepted by execution of a Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement in the form determined by the Administrator.

(b)     Repurchase Option. Unless the Administrator determines otherwise, the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall grant the Company a repurchase option exercisable upon and after the Vesting Cessation Date or upon termination of the purchaser’s service with the Company due to death or Disability. Unless the Administrator provides otherwise, the purchase price for Shares repurchased pursuant to the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall be the original price paid by the purchaser and may be paid by cancellation of any indebtedness of the purchaser to the Company. The repurchase option shall lapse at a rate determined by the Administrator.

(c)     Other Provisions. The Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement shall contain such other terms, provisions and conditions not inconsistent with the Plan as may be determined by the Administrator in its sole discretion.

(d)     Rights as a Shareholder. Once the Restricted Stock is granted, the Participant shall have the rights equivalent to those of a shareholder, and shall be a shareholder when the grant is entered upon the records of the duly authorized transfer agent of the Company.

(5)     Dividends. No adjustment will be made for a dividend or other right for which the record date is prior to the date the Restricted Stock is granted, except as provided in Section 15 of the Plan. Restricted Stock may provide for the payment or accrual of dividends, provided that any dividends accrued by the Company with respect to the Restricted Stock shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such Restricted Stock becomes free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such Restricted Stock and, if so payable, shall be paid at the time as provided in the Restricted Stock Purchase Agreement.

13.         Restricted Stock Units.

(a)     Grant. Restricted Stock Units may be granted at any time and from time to time as determined by the Administrator. After the Administrator determines that it will grant Restricted Stock Units under the Plan, it shall advise the Participant in a Restricted Stock Unit Agreement of the terms, conditions, and restrictions related to the grant, including the number of Restricted Stock Units.

(b)     Vesting Criteria and Other Terms. The Administrator shall set vesting criteria in its discretion, which, depending on the extent to which the criteria are met, will determine the number of Restricted Stock Units that will be paid out to the Participant. The Administrator may set vesting criteria based upon the achievement of Company-wide, business unit, or individual goals (including, but not limited to, increased investor interest, continued listing onemployment), or any other basis determined by the Nasdaq Capital Market, the potential for a higher stock price, the timing and effects of the proposed amendments to our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "predict," "project," "should," and "will" and variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. 

These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors including: delaysAdministrator in the market acceptance of the Company’s new products; the ability to convert design opportunities into customer revenue; our ability to replace revenue from end-of-life products; the level and timing of customer design activity; the market acceptance of our customers’ products; the risk that new orders may not result in future revenue; our ability to introduce and produce new products based on advanced wafer technology on a timely basis; our ability to adequately market the low power, competitive pricing and short time-to-market of our new products; intense competition, including the introduction of new products by competitors; our ability to hire and retain qualified personnel; our ability to capitalize on synergies with our newly acquired subsidiary SensiML Corporation; changes in product demand or supply; capacity constraints; general economic conditions; political events, international trade disputes, war, terrorism, natural disasters, public health issues, and other business interruptions that could disrupt supply or delivery of, or demand for, the Company’s products; and changes in tax rates and exposure to additional tax liabilities. These and other potential factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are described in more detail in the Company’s public reports filed with the SEC, including the risks discussed in the “Risk Factors” section in the Company’s Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and in the Company’s prior press releases, which are available on the Company's Investor Relations website at http://ir.quicklogic.com/and on the SEC website at www.sec.gov. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. QuickLogic expressly disclaims any current intention to update publicly any forward-looking statement after the distribution of this proxy statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.its discretion.

 


STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2020 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

Proposals of stockholders intended to(c)     Earning Restricted Stock Units. Upon meeting the applicable vesting criteria, the Participant shall be presented at our 2020 annual meeting of stockholders pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act must be received by us at our principal offices, 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131, Attention: Corporate Secretary, no later than November 16, 2019, that is 120 days prior to the one year anniversary of the date on which the proxy for 2019 annual meeting was first mailed, in order to be included in the proxy statement and proxy card relating to that meeting.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING DELIVERY OF STOCKHOLDER DOCUMENTS

The SEC has adopted rules that permit companies and intermediaries such as brokers to satisfy proxy material delivery requirements with respect to two or more stockholders sharing the same address by delivering a single proxy statement addressed to those stockholders. This process, which is referred to as “householding,” potentially provides extra convenience for stockholders and reduces printing and postage costs for companies.

The Company and some brokers utilize the householding process for proxy materials. In accordance with a notice sent to certain stockholders who share a single address, only one copy of this proxy statement is being sent to that address, unless we received contrary instructions from any stockholder at that address. Stockholders who participate in householding will continue to receive separate proxy cards. Householding will continue until you are notified otherwise or until one or more stockholders at your address revokes consent. If you revoke consent, you will be removed from the householding program within 30 days of receipt of the revocation. If you hold the Company’s stock in “street name,” additional information regarding householding of proxy materials should be forwarded to you by your broker.

However, if you wishentitled to receive a separate copypayout as determined by the Administrator. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time after the grant of this proxy statement, we will promptly deliver one to you upon request. You can notify us by sending a written request to QuickLogic Corporation., 2220 Lundy Avenue, San Jose, California 95131 Attention: Investor Relations,Restricted Stock Units, the Administrator, in its sole discretion, may reduce or by calling the Secretary at (408) 990-4000. In addition, if you would likewaive any vesting criteria that must be met to receive separate proxy statements of the Company in the future, or if you are receiving multiple copies of proxy statements at an address shared with another stockholder and would like to participate in householding, please notify your broker if your shares are held in a brokerage account or us if you hold registered shares.payout.

 

OTHER MATTERS

No matters, other than the reverse stock split proposal(d)     Form and the adjournment proposal, will be presented for action at the Special Meeting.


Appendix A

CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT

TO THE

AMENDED AND RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION

OF

QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

Pursuant to Sections 228 and 242Timing of
the General Corporation Law
Payment
. Payment of the
State of Delaware

        QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION, a corporation organized and existing under and by virtue of the provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “Corporation”), does hereby certify as follows:

        FIRST: Upon the filing and effectiveness (the “Effective Time”) pursuant to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”) of this Certificate of Amendment to the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation, each [            ]1 shares of the Corporation’s Commonearned Restricted Stock par value $0.001 per share, issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time shall automatically be combined into one (1) validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable share of Common Stock without any further action by the Corporation or the holder thereof, subject to the treatment of fractional share interests as described below (the “Reverse Stock Split”). No fractional sharesUnits shall be issued to stockholders at the Effective Time and, in lieu thereof, the Corporation’s transfer agent shall aggregate all fractional shares and sell themmade as soon as practicable after the Effective Timedate(s) determined by the Administrator and set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement. The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may only settle earned Restricted Stock Units in cash, Shares, or a combination of both.

(e)     Cancellation. On the date set forth in the Restricted Stock Unit Agreement, all unearned Restricted Stock Units shall be forfeited to the Company.

(6)     Dividend Equivalents. Restricted Stock Units may provide for the payment or accrual of dividend equivalents, provided that any dividend equivalents accrued by the Company with respect to the Restricted Stock Unit shall be paid to the Participant only if and when such Restricted Stock Unit becomes free from the restrictions on transferability and forfeitability that apply to such Restricted Stock Unit and, if so payable, shall be paid at the then-prevailing prices ontime as provided in the open market, on behalfRestricted Stock Unit Agreement.

14.        Non-Transferability of those stockholders who wouldAwards. Unless determined otherwise by the Administrator, an Award may not be entitled to receive a fractional share,sold, pledged, assigned, hypothecated, transferred, or disposed of in any manner other than by will or by the laws of descent or distribution and aftermay be exercised, during the transfer agent’s completion of such sale, stockholders shall receive a cash payment (without interest or deduction) from the transfer agent in an amount equal to their respective pro rata shareslifetime of the total net proceeds of that saleParticipant, only by the Participant. If the Administrator makes an Award transferable, such Award shall contain such additional terms and where shares are heldconditions as the Administrator deems appropriate. In no event may an Award granted hereunder be transferred in certificated form, uponexchange for consideration.

15.         Adjustments Upon Changes in Capitalization, Dissolution, Merger or Asset Sale.

(a)     Changes in Capitalization. Subject to any required action by the surrendershareholders of the stockholder’s Old Certificates (as defined below). Each certificate that immediately prior toCompany, the Effective Time represented shares of Common Stock (“Old Certificates”), shall thereafter represent that number of shares of Common Stock into whichcovered by each outstanding Award, and the number of shares of Common Stock representedwhich have been authorized for issuance under the Plan but as to which no Awards have yet been granted or which have been returned to the Plan upon cancellation, expiration, repurchase or forfeiture of an Award, as well as the price per share of Common Stock covered by each such outstanding Award shall be proportionately adjusted for any increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock resulting from a stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, combination or reclassification of the Common Stock, or any other increase or decrease in the number of issued shares of Common Stock effected without receipt of consideration by the Old CertificateCompany; provided, however, that conversion of any convertible securities of the Company shall not be deemed to have been combined,“effected without receipt of consideration.” Such adjustment shall be made by the Board, whose determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. Except as expressly provided herein, no issuance by the Company of shares of stock of any class, or securities convertible into shares of stock of any class, shall affect, and no adjustment by reason thereof shall be made with respect to, the number or price of shares of Common Stock subject to an Award.

(b)     Dissolution or Liquidation. In the event of the proposed dissolution or liquidation of the Company, the Administrator shall notify each Participant as soon as practicable prior to the effective date of such proposed transaction. The Administrator in its discretion may provide for a Participant to have the right to exercise his or her Option or SAR until ten (10) days prior to such transaction as to all of the Optioned Stock covered thereby, including Shares as to which the Option would not otherwise be exercisable. In addition, the Administrator may provide that any Company repurchase option or forfeiture rights applicable to any Award shall lapse 100% , and that any Award vesting shall accelerate 100%, provided the proposed dissolution or liquidation takes place at the time and in the manner contemplated. To the extent it has not been previously exercised, or, with respect to Restricted Stock, all restrictions have not lapsed, or, with respect to a Restricted Stock Unit, all units have not vested, an Award will terminate immediately prior to the consummation of such proposed action.

(c)     Merger or Asset Sale.

(i)     Stock Options and SARs. In the event of a merger of the Company with or into another corporation, or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Option and SAR shall be assumed or an equivalent option or SAR substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Option or SAR, the Participant shall fully vest in and have the right to exercise the Option or SAR as to all of the Optioned Stock, including Shares as to which it would not otherwise be vested or exercisable. If an Option or SAR becomes fully vested and exercisable in lieu of assumption or substitution in the event of a merger or sale of assets, the Administrator shall notify the Participant in writing or electronically that the Option or SAR shall be fully vested and exercisable for a period of fifteen (15) days from the date of such notice, and the Option or SAR shall terminate upon the expiration of such period, or such earlier date as specified in the Award Agreement. For the purposes of this paragraph, the Option or SAR shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the option or stock appreciation right confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share of Optioned Stock subject to the eliminationOption or SAR immediately prior to the merger or sale of fractional share interests as described above.

        THIRD: This Certificateassets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of Amendment shall becomeassets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective as of [                        ], 2019 at [        ] [a.m./p.m.].

        FOURTH: This Certificate of Amendment was duly adopted in accordance with Section 242date of the DGCL. The Boardtransaction (and if holders were offered a choice of Directors duly adopted resolutions setting forth and declaring advisable this Certificateconsideration, the type of Amendment and directed that the proposed amendments be consideredconsideration chosen by the stockholdersholders of a majority of the Corporation. A special meetingoutstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of stockholders was duly called upon notice in accordance with Section 222assets is not solely common stock of the DGCL and held on November 26, 2019, at which meetingsuccessor corporation or its Parent, the necessary number of shares were voted in favorAdministrator may, with the consent of the proposed amendments. The stockholderssuccessor corporation, provide for the consideration to be received upon the exercise of the Corporation duly adopted this CertificateOption or SAR, for each Share of Amendment.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF,Optioned Stock subject to the Corporation has caused this Certificate of AmendmentOption or SAR, to be duly executed in its corporate name assolely common stock of the [    ] daysuccessor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of [                ], 2019.Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION

By:

____________________________

Name:

Title:

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_________________

1Actual ratio to be set based on reverse stock split ratio set by the Board


 




THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.  KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS  DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY  TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:  Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date  0 0 0  0 0 0  0 0  0000430296_1 R1.0.1.18  QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION  2220 LUNDY AVENUE  SAN JOSE, CA 95131  VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com  Use(ii)     Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. In the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic deliveryevent of information. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on 11/25/2019. Have your proxy card in hand when  you accessa merger of the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create  an electronic voting instruction form.  ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS  If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials,  you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports  electronically via e-mailCompany with or into another corporation, or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow  the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you  agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.  VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903  Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET  on 11/25/2019. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the  instructions.  VOTE BY MAIL  Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have  provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood,  NY 11717.  The Boardsale of Directors recommends you vote FOR  proposals 1. and 2.: For Against Abstain  1. A proposal, which we refer to as the "reverse stock split proposal," to adopt and approve an amendment to our  Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation to effect a reverse stock split of our outstanding shares of  common stock, at a reverse stock split ratio ranging from 1-for-5 to 1-for-15, as determined by our Board of  Directors at a later date.  2. A proposal, which we refer to as the "adjournment proposal," to approve, if necessary, the adjournment of the  Special Meeting to solicit additional proxies in favor of the "reverse stock split proposal."  NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment thereof.  Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary,  please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or  partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name, by authorized officer.  Yes No  Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting

0000430296_2 R1.0.1.18  Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Special Meeting: The materials is/are available at  www.proxyvote.com  QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION  Special Meeting of Stockholders  November 26, 2019 8:00 AM  This proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors  The stockholder(s) hereby appoints Brian Faith and Andrew Pease, or any of them, as proxies, each with the  power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the  reverse side of this proxy card,substantially all of the assets of the Company, each outstanding Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Unit award shall be assumed or an equivalent Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award substituted by the successor corporation or a Parent or Subsidiary of the successor corporation. In the event that the successor corporation refuses to assume or substitute for the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award, the Participant shall fully vest in the Restricted Stock Unit, including shares which would not otherwise be vested, and all restrictions on Restricted Stock will lapse immediately prior to the closing date of the transaction. For the purposes of this paragraph, a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award shall be considered assumed if, following the merger or sale of assets, the award confers the right to purchase or receive, for each Share subject to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award immediately prior to the merger or sale of assets, the consideration (whether stock, cash, or other securities or property) received in the merger or sale of assets by holders of Common Stock for each Share held on the effective date of the transaction (and if holders were offered a choice of consideration, the type of consideration chosen by the holders of a majority of the outstanding Shares); provided, however, that if such consideration received in the merger or sale of assets is not solely common stock of QuickLogic Corporation that the stockholder(s) is/are entitled to vote atsuccessor corporation or its Parent, the Special MeetingAdministrator may, with the consent of Stockholdersthe successor corporation, provide for the consideration to be heldreceived, for each Share subject to the Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award, to be solely common stock of the successor corporation or its Parent equal in fair market value to the per share consideration received by holders of Common Stock in the merger or sale of assets.

16.         Date of Grant. The date of grant of an Award shall be, for all purposes, the date on Tuesday, November  26, 2019, at 8:00 a.m., localwhich the Administrator makes the determination granting such Award, or such other later date as is determined by the Administrator. Notice of the determination shall be provided to each Participant within a reasonable time orafter the date of such grant.

17.         Amendment and Termination of the Plan.

(a)     Amendment and Termination. The Board may at any time amend, alter, suspend or terminate the Plan.

(b)     Shareholder Approval. The Company shall obtain shareholder approval of any Plan amendment to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with Applicable Laws.

(c)     Effect of Amendment or Termination. No amendment, alteration, suspension or termination of the Plan shall impair the rights of any Participant, unless mutually agreed otherwise between the Participant and the Administrator, which agreement must be in writing and signed by the Participant and the Company. Termination of the Plan shall not affect the Administrator’s ability to exercise the powers granted to it hereunder with respect to Awards granted under the Plan prior to the date of such termination or Shares issued under the Plan.

The Company will administer the Plan from the United States of America, and any disputes will be settled in the U.S. according to U.S. law. This Plan and all adjournments or postponements thereof, for the purposes set  forth in this Proxy Statement and in the accompanying Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders. The meeting  will be held at the offices of Jones Day, 1755 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, California 94303. At the meeting,  only stockholders of record at the close of business on October 8, 2019, the record date, will be entitled to vote.  The validity of this proxy isawards are governed by the internal substantive laws, but not the choice of law principles, of the State of Delaware.  This proxy, when properly executed,California, United States of America.

18.         Conditions Upon Issuance of Shares.

(a)     Legal Compliance. Shares shall not be issued pursuant to the exercise of an Option or Stock Appreciation Right or pursuant to the vesting of a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award unless the exercise of such Option or Stock Appreciation Right or the vesting of a Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit award and the issuance and delivery of such Shares shall comply with Applicable Laws and shall be further subject to the approval of counsel for the Company with respect to such compliance.

(b)     Investment Representations. As a condition to the exercise or receipt of an Award, the Company may require the person exercising or receiving such Award to represent and warrant at the time of any such exercise or receipt that the Shares are being purchased only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such Shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is required.

19.         Inability to Obtain Authority. The inability of the Company to obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction, which authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance and sale of any Shares hereunder, shall relieve the Company of any liability in respect of the failure to issue, sell or release from escrow such Shares as to which such requisite authority shall not have been obtained.

20.         Reservation of Shares. The Company, during the term of this Plan, will at all times reserve and keep available such number of Shares as shall be votedsufficient to satisfy the requirements of the Plan.

21.         Shareholder Approval. The Plan shall be subject to approval by the shareholders of the Company within twelve (12) months after the date the Plan is adopted. Such shareholder approval shall be obtained in the manner directed herein. If no such directionand to the degree required under Applicable Laws.

22.        No Repricing. Other than pursuant to an adjustment in connection with a change in capitalization as described in Section 15, the exercise price for an Option or SAR may not be reduced without the prior consent of the Company’s stockholders. This shall include, without limitation, a repricing of the Option or SAR as well as an Option or SAR exchange program whereby the Participant agrees to cancel an existing Option in exchange for an Option, SAR or other Award or cash payment. Moreover, if the exercise price of an Option or SAR is made, this proxyreduced (other than pursuant to Section 15), the transaction will be votedtreated as a cancellation of the Option or SAR and the grant of a new Option or SAR.

23.       Section 409A Compliance. Awards granted hereunder are intended to comply with or be exempt from the requirements of Section 409A of the Code to the extent Section 409A of the Code applies to such Awards and the terms of the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan shall be interpreted, operated and administered in accordancea manner consistent with this intention to the Board of Directors' recommendations.  Continued and to be signed on reverse side

Seeextent the reverse side of this notice to obtain   proxy materials and voting instructions.   *** Exercise Your Right to Vote ***   Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the   Stockholder Meeting to Be Held on <mtgdate>.   You are receiving this communication because you hold   sharesAdministrator deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding any other provision in the above named company.   This isPlan, the Administrator, to the extent it unilaterally deems necessary or advisable in its sole discretion, reserves the right, but shall not a ballot. You cannot use this noticebe required, to vote   these shares. This communication presents only an   overviewamend or modify the Plan and any Award granted under the Plan so that the Award qualifies for exemption from or complies with Section 409A of the more complete proxy materialsCode; provided, however, that are   available to you on the Internet. You may viewCompany makes no representation that the proxy   materials online at www.proxyvote.comAwards granted under the Plan shall be exempt from or easily request a   paper copy (see reverse side).   We encourage you to access and review allcomply with Section 409A of the important   information contained in the proxy materials before voting.   Meeting Information   Meeting Type: <mtgtype>   For holders as of: <recdate>   Date: Time: <mtgtime>   Location:   0000430806_1 R1.0.1.18   QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION   QUICKLOGIC CORPORATION   2220 LUNDY AVENUE   SAN JOSE, CA 95131   Special Meeting   October 08, 2019   November 26, 2019   November 26, 2019 8:00 AM PDT   Jones Day   1755 Embarcadero Road   Palo Alto, California 94303    Please Choose OneCode and makes no undertaking to preclude Section 409A of the Following Voting Methods   Vote In Person: Many stockholder meetings have attendance requirements including, but not limitedCode from applying to Awards granted under the possessionPlan.

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