TOP IMAGE SYSTEMS LTD.
1 B.S.R. Tower, 2 Ben Gurion St.
Ramat Gan
Israel
+972-3-7679101
NOTICE OF ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
October 2, 2017
Notice is hereby given that the annual general meeting of the shareholders of Top Image Systems Ltd. (the "Company") will be held at the Company's offices at 1 B.S.R. Tower, 2 Ben Gurion St., Ramat Gan, Israel, on October 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Israel time) (the "Meeting"). The following matters are on the agenda of the Meeting:
| (1) | To elect Donald R. Dixon as a director until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. |
| (2) | To elect Izhak Nakar as a director until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. |
| (3) | To elect Ido Schechter as a director until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. |
| (4) | To elect Osnat Segev-Harel as a director until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company. |
| (5) | To amend the Company's Memorandum of Incorporation (the "Memorandum") to provide, in place of Section 4 of the Memorandum, that the Company's registered share capital will be NIS 5,000,000 (five million) divided into 115,000,000 (one hundred and fifteen million) Ordinary Shares, nominal value NIS 0.04 per share ("Ordinary Shares"), and 10,000,000 (ten million) Series A Preferred Shares, nominal value NIS 0.04 per share ("Series A Preferred Shares"). |
| (6) | To adopt the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company, in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Amended Articles"), which will replace the Company's present articles of association in their entirety. Article 69 of the Amended Articles will be regarded as having amended the provisions of the Memorandum and the Articles of Association with regard to the majorities required to amend them such that a simple majority of the total number of votes in the meeting, excluding abstentions, will be required henceforth to amend the Memorandum or the Amended Articles. |
| (7) | To adopt the Second Amended and Restated Compensation Policy of the Company, in the form attached as Exhibit B (the "Amended Compensation Policy"), which will replace the Company's present compensation policy in its entirety. |
| (8) | To approve the adoption of the US sub-plan to the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan in the form attached as Exhibit C. (the "US Sub-Plan") The number of Ordinary Share reserved for issue under the US Sub-Plan will be identical to that of the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan. |
| (9) | To approve the increase the number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issue under the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan and under the US Sub-Plan by an additional 1,200,000, such that the total number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issue will be 2,700,000. Those shares may be issued in the context of either the 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan or the US Sub-Plan. |
| (10) | To approve the signature of indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its present and future directors in the form attached as Exhibit D. |
| (11) | To approve the signature of indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its present and future CEOs in the form attached as Exhibit D. |
| (12) | To approve the award to Osnat Segev-Harel, a director of the Company, under the Company's share option plan and in accordance with its terms, of options to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares of the Company. The options will vest in 3 equal parts such that 33% of the options will vest on April 25, 2018, 33% of the options will vest on April 25, 2019, and the remainder will vest on April 25, 2020. The grant date of the options is April 25, 2017, and the exercise price per share of the options will be equal to the closing price of the Company's shares as of the grant date. All unvested options will vest immediately in the event of a Liquidation Event as defined in the Amended Compensation Policy. |
| (13) | To approve the award to each of Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Izhak Nakar, Osnat Segev-Harel and Ido Schechter, directors of the Company, under the Company's share option plan (and in the cases of Donald R. Dixon and Martin Hale, Jr., under the US Sub-Plan) and in accordance with its terms, of options to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares each of the Company (a total of 125,000 options). The options will vest in 2 equal parts such that 50% of the options will vest on August 14, 2018 and 50% will vest on August 14, 2019. The grant date of the options is August 14, 2017, and the exercise price per share of the options will be equal to the closing price of the Company's shares as of the grant date. All unvested options will vest immediately in the event of a Liquidation Event as defined in the Amended Compensation Policy. |
| (14) | To extend the appointment of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global, as the independent public accountants of the Company until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company and to authorize the Board of Directors to determine their remuneration in accordance with the volume and nature of their services, subject to the approval of the audit committee of the Company. |
| (15) | To review the Company's consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. |
Shareholders of record at the close of business on August 24, 2017 (the "Record Date" and such holders, "Shareholders") will be entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Meeting and any adjournments.
Review of Documents
Prior to the Record Date, the Company filed a current report on Form 6-K - which includes these proxy materials and which is available on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") at http://www.sec.gov (the "Distribution Site") and on the Company's website at www.TopImageSystems.com and made this notice and proxy statement available on the Distribution Site, together with related proxy card and financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016. Shareholders of the Company may also review a copy of all such documents at the Distribution Site and at the Company's offices at the address stated above during regular working hours and subject to prior appointment (Tel: +972-3-7679100). Shareholders are entitled to receive a copy of the proxy statement, and all exhibits thereto, the proxy card, all position notices, the Compensation Policy, and the annual report at their request from the Company.
Voting
Shareholders who do not expect to attend the Meeting in person are requested to print out, mark, date and sign the proxy card posted with the proxy statement and mail it as promptly as possible to the Company's above-listed address. A Shareholder may also choose to mark, date, sign and mail the proxy card received by mail.
With regard to Resolutions (7) and (11), Shareholders must indicate on the proxy card whether or not they are Controlling Shareholders of the Company or have a Personal Interest in the Resolutions (each as defined in Israel's Companies Law, 5759-1999 – the "Companies Law") or are Senior Officers of the Company or Institutional Investors in the Company (each as defined in the Israeli Companies Regulations (Proxy Forms and Position Notices) – 2005 (the "Proxy Regulations")). The votes of Shareholders who do not indicate whether or not they are Controlling Shareholders or have a Personal Interest will not be counted. The votes of Shareholders who indicate that they have a Personal Interest but do not specify the nature of the Personal Interest will also not be counted. However, the votes of Shareholders who do not indicate whether or not they are Senior Officers or Institutional Investors will be counted.
Submission of Proxy Card
A duly executed proxy card must be received by the Company no later than October 2, 2017 at 6:00 AM (Israel time), i.e. 4 hours before the Meeting, in order to be counted in the vote to be held at the Meeting.
Submission of Position Notices
A Shareholder may address the other Shareholders in writing through the Company in an attempt to influence the manner in which the Shareholders will vote with regard to any proposal. Position notices must be submitted to the Company no later than the close of the business in Israel on September 22, 2017. Any position notice submitted to the Company at a later date will be ignored.
Request to Include Item on Agenda
A Shareholder holding, or Shareholders holding together, at least one percent of the voting rights represented at the Meeting are entitled to request that the Board of Directors include an item on the agenda, provided the item is suitable to be dealt with at the Meeting. Such request must be submitted to the Company within 7 days after the publication of this notice. If the request is to include a candidate to serve as a Director, the request must include the details required by Regulation 26 of Israel's Securities Regulations (Periodic and Immediate Reports), 5730-1970 and the candidate must provide a declaration in accordance with Section 224B of the Companies Law.
Voting through Agent; No Internet Voting
A Shareholder may appoint a voting agent to vote in his or her place by way of signing a writ of appointment in accordance with the Company's Articles of Association.
The Company does not allow voting through the Internet.
| By Order of the Board of Directors, TOP IMAGE SYSTEMS LTD. Donald R. Dixon Chair of the Board of Directors |
Date: August 24, 2017
PROXY STATEMENT
TOP IMAGE SYSTEMS LTD.
1 B.S.R. Tower, 2 Ben Gurion St.
Ramat Gan
Israel
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
October 2, 2017
The Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") of Top Image Systems Ltd. (the "Company") hereby solicits proxies for use at the annual General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company (the "Meeting") to be held at the Company's offices at 1 B.S.R. Tower, 2 Ben Gurion St., Ramat Gan, Israel on October 2, 2017 at 10:00 AM (Israel time), or at any adjourned date thereof.
VOTING PROCEDURES
Record holders of our Ordinary Shares as of the Record Date ("Shareholders") who are unable to attend the Meeting in person should print out, mark, date and sign the proxy card (the "Proxy Card") posted on the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") at www.sec.gov (the "Distribution Site") and on the Company's website at www.TopImageSystems.com, together with the notice of Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders (the "Notice") and this Proxy Statement and mail the Proxy Card as promptly as possible to the Company as specified in the Notice. A Shareholder who receives a Proxy Card by mail may, in lieu of printing the Proxy Card from the Distribution Site, complete, date and sign the mailed Proxy Card and return it to the Company in the pre-addressed envelope included in the mailing.
With regard to Resolutions (7) and (11), each Shareholder must indicate on the proxy card whether or not they are Controlling Shareholders of the Company or have a Personal Interest in the Resolutions (each as defined in Israel's Companies Law, 5759-1999 – the "Companies Law") or are Senior Officers of the Company or Institutional Investors in the Company (each as defined in the Israeli Companies Regulations (Proxy Forms and Position Notices) – 2005 (the "Proxy Regulations")). The votes of Shareholders who do not so indicate whether they are Controlling Shareholders or have a Personal Interest will not be counted with regard to the relevant Resolution(s). The votes of Shareholders who indicate that they have a Personal Interest but do not specify the nature of the Personal Interest will also not be counted with regard to the relevant Resolution(s). However, the votes of Shareholders who do not indicate whether or not they are Senior Officers or Institutional Investors will be counted.
Upon the receipt of a properly executed Proxy Card (including with regard to Resolutions (7) and (11), indication on the proxy card whether or not they are Controlling Shareholders or have a Personal Interest), no later than October 2, 2017, at 6:00 AM (Israel time), i.e. 4 hours before the Meeting, the persons named as proxies therein will vote the ordinary shares, par value New Israeli Shekel ("NIS") 0.04 of the Company, covered thereby in accordance with the instructions of the Shareholder(s) executing the Proxy Card. If no specification is made with regard to a given issue, the proxy will be voted as abstaining on that issue. Abstentions will be deemed as neither a vote "FOR" nor "AGAINST" a proposal, although they will be counted in determining whether a quorum is present at the Meeting.
A proxy solicited hereby and delivered hereunder may be revoked no later than 24 hours prior to the commencement of the Meeting, by delivering a written revocation to Ms. Patti Campbell Barton, acting CFO of the Company. A proxy-revoking Shareholder, or a Shareholder that has not delivered a proxy, may vote by attending the Meeting. Directors, Office Holders and employees of the Company may also be in contact with Shareholders by telephone, fax, email and personally to solicit proxies. Brokers, custodians and fiduciaries are requested to forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of Shares held in their names, and the Company will reimburse them for their reasonable out-of-pocket costs to the extent required by applicable law, including applicable NASDAQ rules.
Except with regard to Position Notices described below, the Company will bear the cost of the preparation and publication of its proxy materials and the solicitation of proxies.
SHAREHOLDERS' POSITION NOTICES
The Companies Law provides that, with regard to those matters that may be voted upon by proxy, the Board of Directors or any Shareholder of the Company may address the Shareholders in writing through the Company in an attempt to influence the manner in which the Shareholders will vote (a "Position Notice"). Any Shareholder who desires to submit a Position Notice must submit it to the Company no later than the close of business in Israel on September 22, 2017. The Company may respond to such Position Notices no later than September 27, 2017. The Company will make all Position Notices which have been submitted in a timely manner available to the public through the Distribution Site. Copies of such Position Notices may also be obtained for no charge at the Company's offices (at the address listed above). The Company will also send to each record holder a copy of each Position Notice timely submitted to it no later than the close of business on the business day after it is submitted. The Company will be entitled to reimbursement from a Shareholder who provides a Position Notice for the reasonable cost incurred in sending such Position Notice to the record holders. In case of a Position Notice sent by a Shareholder or Shareholders holding shares of the Company having a value of NIS 12,047.08 (approximately US$3,340) or more, (determined according to the closing price of the Ordinary Shares on the day immediately preceding the Record Date, as defined below), the Company will be entitled to reimbursement of up to NIS 240.94 (approximately US$67).
INSPECTION OF PROXY CARDS
One or more Shareholders of the Company's Ordinary Shares representing five percent (5%) or more of the total voting rights of the Company and also one or more Shareholders of the Company's Ordinary Shares holding five percent (5%) or more of the voting rights of all Ordinary Shares not held by a Controlling Shareholder (as defined in Section 268 of the Companies Law) will be entitled, upon request, to inspect Proxy Cards in accordance with the provisions of Regulation 10 of the Proxy Regulations.
As of August 1, 2017, the number of Ordinary Shares representing 5% of all voting rights of the Company is approximately 896,611 shares.
As of August 1, 2017, the total number of Ordinary Shares representing 5% of all voting rights of the Company not held by a Controlling Shareholder as set forth above is also approximately 896,611 shares.
RECORD DATE, QUORUM AND REQUIRED MAJORITY
Only holders of record of Ordinary Shares at the close of business on August 24, 2017 (the "Record Date") are entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting. On August 1, 2017, approximately 17,932,230 Ordinary Shares were outstanding and entitled to vote. Each Ordinary Share is entitled to one vote on each matter to be voted at the Meeting. All of the Shareholders have the same voting rights.
The attendance at the Meeting of two or more Shareholders, personally, by their representatives or by proxy, who hold in the aggregate 33 1/3% or more of the voting power of the Company will constitute a quorum for the Meeting. If no quorum is present within a half hour after the time appointed for the holding of the Meeting, the Meeting will stand adjourned to the same day in the following week, at the same time and place, with no need for any notice to the Shareholders. If there is no quorum present at a postponed meeting, the meeting may be postponed to another date.
Resolutions (5) and (6) set forth in this Proxy Statement require a special majority of 75% of the total number of votes of the shareholders participating in the meeting.
Resolutions (7) and (11) require one of the following a) the majority of the votes at the General Meeting including a majority of the votes of Shareholders who are not Controlling Shareholders or who do not have a Personal Interest in the relevant resolution and who are participating in the vote (abstaining Shareholders will not be regarded as having voted, nor will the vote of any Shareholder who did not indicate whether or not he, she or it is a Controlling Shareholder or has a Personal Interest be counted) or b) the total votes of the opposing Shareholders among the Shareholders mentioned in sub-paragraph a) is not greater than 2% of all the voting rights in the Company (a "Special Majority"). The Company does not believe that it has any Controlling Shareholders.
Resolutions (1), (2), (3), (4), (8), (9), (10), (12), (13) and (14) require a simple majority of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
In all cases, votes may be cast in person or by proxy.
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table shows, as of August 8, 2017, certain information as to each person known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Ordinary Shares then outstanding and all Directors and officers as a group. In addition, the table shows the number of Preferred Shares to which the Convertible Note issued by the Company to HCP-FVE, LLC on December 5, 2016 (the "Note") to Preferred Shares will convert upon the approval of the Amended Articles in accordance with Proposal 6.
Name | | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | | | Percentage of Shares(4) | |
Entities associated with Trident Capital, Inc. | | | 2,346,707 | (1) | | | 13.09 | % |
Izhak Nakar | | | 2,191,659 | (2) | | | 12.22 | % |
Palogic Capital Management, LLC | | | 951,000 | | | | 5.30 | % |
All executive officers and directors as a group | | | 5,193,277 | | | | 28.96 | % |
| | | | | | | | |
HCP-FVE, LLC | | | 2,954,204 | (3) | | | | |
(1) Consists of (i) 2,102,267 held of record by Trident Capital Fund-V, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, (ii) 60,846 held of record by Trident Capital Fund-V Principals Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, (iii) 12,218 held of record by Trident Capital Fund-V Affiliates Fund, L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, (iv) 11,659 held of record by Trident Capital Fund-V Affiliates Fund (Q), L.P., a Delaware limited partnership, and (v) 159,717 held of record by Trident Capital Parallel Fund-V, C.V., a partnership organized under the laws of the Netherland. Trident Capital Management-V, L.L.C, a Delaware limited liability company ("TCM-V"), is the sole general partner of Trident Capital Fund-V, L.P., Trident Capital Fund-V Affiliates Fund, L.P., Trident Capital Fund-V Affiliates Fund (Q), L.P. and Trident Capital Fund V Principals Fund, L.P. TCM-V is the sole investment general partner of Trident Capital Parallel Fund-V, C.V. The members of TCM-V are Donald R. Dixon, Peter T. Meekin, John H. Moragne and Robert C. McCormack (collectively, the "Managers"), together in the case of certain such individuals with their respective family planning vehicles as reported as of July 31, 2014. The Managers of TCM-V share voting and investment power with respect to the shares held by each fund. The address of Trident Capital, Inc. is 400 South El Camino, Suite 300, San Mateo, California 94402. |
(2) Including 1,562,735 Ordinary Shares of Nir 4 You Technologies Ltd., an Israeli company beneficially owned by Mr. Nakar. |
(3) Assumes conversion of the entire Note (including interest accumulated to September 30, 2017) to Preferred Shares at the Conversion Price. |
(4) The percentage of shares is calculated by dividing the number of shares that an individual owns and the number of shares an individual has the right to acquire within 60 days, with the sum of the number of the outstanding shares of the Company (prior to any conversion of the Note) and the number of shares that such individual has the right to acquire within 60 days |
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
The Company is subject to the information reporting requirements of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), applicable to foreign private issuers and to the requirements applicable to companies whose equity securities are quoted by the NASDAQ Stock Market. The Company fulfills these requirements by filing reports with the Commission. The Company's filings with the Commission may be inspected without charge at the Commission's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room can be obtained by calling the Commission at 1-800-SEC-0330. The Company's filings are also available to the public on the Commission's website at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html.
As a foreign private issuer, the Company is exempt from the rules under the Exchange Act related to the furnishing and content of proxy statements. The Company follows the rules of the State of Israel in connection with furnishing and content of proxy statements. The circulation of the Notice and this Proxy Statement should not be taken as an admission that the Company is subject to the proxy rules under the Exchange Act.
In accordance with Regulation 5D(a), of the Companies Regulations (Relief for Companies with Shares Registered for Trading Outside of Israel), 5760-2000, since the Company is traded on NASDAQ, has no Controlling Shareholder and complies with the laws of the United States that apply to companies that were incorporated in the United States with regard to the appointment of independent directors and the composition of audit committees and compensation committees, the Company decided on November 10, 2016 (the "5D Resolution") to avail itself of its exemption from the laws of the State of Israel requiring the nomination of external directors.
PROPOSALS ON THE AGENDA OF THE MEETING
Where not otherwise indicated below, adoption of a proposal requires a simple majority of the votes, excluding abstentions.
DIRECTORS AND THEIR ELECTION
The Board of Directors presently consists of the following persons: Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Izhak Nakar, Ido Schechter and Osnat Segev-Harel. Martin Hale, Jr. was appointed as a director by the Board of Directors on December 5, 2016 in the context of the Closing of the HCP Purchase Agreement. Osnat Segev-Harel was elected as an external director within the meaning of the Companies Law. However, following the 5D Resolution, she no longer serves as an external director but will continue to serve as a director until this annual meeting.
Each of Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Ido Schechter and Osnat Segev-Harel has been determined by the Board of Directors to be independent and qualify as an "independent director" within the meaning of NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2).
Unless re-elected, the terms of Donald R. Dixon, Izhak Nakar, Ido Schechter and Osnat Segev-Harel will expire at the general meeting to which this Proxy Statement relates. Upon the approval of the Amended Articles in accordance with Proposal 6. HCP will have the power to appoint a director to the Board of Directors. Upon its exercise of that power, Martin Hale, Jr. will cease to be a director by virtue of his appointment by the Board of Directors, and the appointee will become a director.
Following their nomination by the Company's nominating committee, the Board of Directors has recommended the persons named below for election as Directors to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
The following table provides certain relevant information concerning the nominees, including their principal occupations during the past five years and backgrounds:
Nominee | Age | Principal Occupation and Background |
Donald R. Dixon | 70 | Mr. Donald R. Dixon is the Chairman of the Board of TIS. He has served as a director of TIS since July, 2014 and was appointed to the Board of Directors in connection with the Company's acquisition of eGistics, Inc. Mr. Dixon is also director of IronNet Cybersecurity, Qualys (NASDAQ: QLYS), 2Checkout, Advanced Payment Solutions, Amprius, and Odyssey Logistics. In the past, Mr. Dixon has served as a director of a number of other corporations, many of which were acquired. One of those was eGistics (acquired by TIS). In addition to his board work for Trident, Mr. Dixon is a member of the Advisory Committee of the Princeton University School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, and serves on the Advisory Board of the Harvard Kennedy School Center for Public Leadership, and is a director of the Business Executives for National Security (BENS). Mr. Dixon co-founded Trident Capital Cybersecurity in 2015 and founded Trident Capital in 1993. Previously, from 1988 to 1993, Mr. Dixon was Co-President of Partech International, a private equity fund associated with Banque Paribas. Before Partech, he was a Managing Director of Alex. Brown & Sons. Earlier in his career, Mr. Dixon was a Vice President of Morgan Stanley & Co. and a Senior Account Officer at Citibank, N.A. Raised in New Jersey, Mr. Dixon earned his B.S.E. from Princeton University and his M.B.A. from Stanford Graduate School of Business. |
Izhak Nakar | 66 | Izhak Nakar founded Top Image Systems in 1991 and served as Chief Executive Officer & Chairman of the Board of the Company until 2001. From 2009 through 2016, Mr. Nakar served as the Active Chairman of the Board. Mr. Nakar, a serial entrepreneur, founded NIR4YOU Technology Capital, a privately held investment company specializing in early stage investments in high–tech companies. NIR4YOU Capital has 15 companies in its portfolio including: ForesCout, e-mobilis, TopGuard, Matearis, Video Codes, SundaySky, Expression, Secur DI, MomSense, ANIR Vison, Orcam, Outernets Inc. Three of the companies were sold to large enterprises, including SAP and Microsoft. Mr. Nakar served in the Israeli Air Force from 1970 to 1987, where he led various large-scale, highly technical development projects, including leading a development team that worked in cooperation with the U.S. Air Force. He received his B.Sc. in Computer Science from Bar Ilan University in 1982, and an MBA from Bar Ilan University in 1984. Mr. Nakar is a recipient of the "Israel Defense Award," bestowed annually by the President of Israel, for the development of high-tech systems in the field of intelligence for the Israeli Defense Forces. He also received the "Man of the Year Award" in Business and Management (1995-1996) in recognition of his business accomplishments and contributions to the growth and development of Israeli high-tech companies. In addition, in 2004, Mr. Nakar was elected as a member of the Board of Israel-Japan Chamber of Commerce. |
Ido Schechter | 56 | Dr. Ido Schechter has served as a director of the Company since December, 2005. In 2015, he founded Agrinnovation which invests in agritech companies. Dr. Schechter served as the CEO of the Company from January 2002 until December 2013. From January 2001 until he became CEO, Dr. Schechter was Vice President of the Company's ASP2 subsidiary, an initiative of the Company to offer data collection services via the Internet, using the eFLOW platform solution. Prior to that, Dr. Schechter was the Company's Vice President of Sales from August 1996. From January 1995 until August 1996, Dr. Schechter served as General Manager of Super Image, a former affiliate of the Company, which operated a form processing service bureau. From August 1993 to December 1994, Dr. Schechter oversaw the start-up of automatic form processing services at Israel Credit Cards, Ltd. Dr. Schechter is the recipient of a number of honors and scholarships, has published or presented more than twenty-five articles and is a captain in the Israeli Air Force. Dr. Schechter holds a Ph.D. in Plant Physiology, Agritech, and Computer Modeling, and a M.Sc. in Horticulture from the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada. He also holds a B.A degree in Agriculture from The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. |
Osnat Segev-Harel | 55 | Osnat Segev-Harel has served as a director of the Company since December, 2011. Ms. Segev-Harel has over 20 years of experience in business development for high-tech companies. Since 2013, Ms. Segev-Harel serves part-time as head of Corporate Development for Sapiens International Corporation N.V. and also provides consulting and investment services to early stage high-tech companies. She also serves as a board member at K2view and board observer at Amorphical (private companies). From 2009 through 2013, Ms. Segev-Harel served as CMO and VP of business development for Sapiens. From 2005 through 2009 Ms. Segev-Harel served as a director of sales strategy and planning and as director of business development at NICE Actimize Inc. in New York. From 1995 through 2005, she served as a business development executive in IBM, Israel, including as an account manager at IBM's Banking Division. Prior to that, between 1988 and 1994, Ms. Segev-Harel was a project leader in Digital Equipment Corporations, Israel. Ms. Segev-Harel holds a degree in Practical Engineering from the Hadassah College in Jerusalem, a B.Sc. in Futurism from the State University of New York and an MBA (distinction) from Derby University majoring in Strategy. Ms. Segev-Harel has completed a Directors Certification Program at Bar Ilan University. Ms. Segev-Harel possesses professional competence as required by the Companies Law and its regulations. |
The information is based on data provided to us by the relevant director.
The following table shows costs to the Company of the conditions of service and employment (with a breakdown into components) of the 5 top-earning officers in the Company during 2016, as they were recognized in the financial statements of the Company for the year ended December 31, 2016:
Officer | | Base salary | | | Bonus | | | Vehicle | | | Additional costs | | | Total – original currency | | | Total - $(1) | | | RSUs | | | Options(2) | | Date of grant | | Option exercise price | |
Brendan Reidy | | $ | 108,078 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 108,078 | | | $ | 108,078 | | | | 563,564 | | | | 563,564 | | 11/11/2016 | | $ | 1.66 | |
Izhak Nakar | | $ | 367,723 | | | | - | | | | - | | | | - | | | $ | 367,723 | | | $ | 367,723 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bob Fresneda | | $ | 275,000 | | | $ | 45,530 | | | $ | 21,888 | | | $ | 321 | | | $ | 342,739 | | | $ | 342,739 | | | | | | | | 10,000 | | 15/06/2016 | | $ | 1.68 | |
Carsten Nelk | | € | 240,000 | | | € | 20,000 | | | € | 8,724 | | | € | 4,140 | | | € | 272,864 | | | $ | 286,971 | | | | | | | | 10,000 | | 15/06/2016 | | $ | 1.68 | |
Michael Schrader | | € | 209,975 | | | | - | | | € | 10,910 | | | € | 1,800 | | | € | 222,685 | | | $ | 234,198 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | Costs expressed in currencies other than US Dollars are converted in this column based on the average rates of exchange in 2016. |
| (2) | Number of shares to which options relate. Does not include options awarded that did not vest or lapsed. |
Each nominee has advised that he agrees to serve as a Director if elected, and has provided the Company with a declaration in accordance with Section 224B of the Companies Law.
For each individual nominee to the Board of Directors, the vote will be separate.
1. | PROPOSAL TO ELECT DONALD R. DIXON AS A DIRECTOR |
RESOLVED, to elect Donald R. Dixon as a Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the election of Donald R. Dixon as Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
2. | PROPOSAL TO ELECT IZHAK NAKAR AS A DIRECTOR |
RESOLVED, to elect Izhak Nakar as a Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the election of Izhak Nakar as Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
3. | PROPOSAL TO ELECT IDO SCHECHTER AS A DIRECTOR |
RESOLVED, to elect Ido Schechter as a Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the election of Ido Schechter as Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
4. | PROPOSAL TO ELECT OSNAT SEGEV-HAREL AS A DIRECTOR |
RESOLVED, to elect Osnat Segev-Harel as a Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the election of Osnat Segev-Harel as Director to serve until the next annual general meeting of the Shareholders.
5. | PROPOSAL TO AMEND COMPANY'S REGISTERED SHARE CAPITAL |
On December 5, 2016, the Company executed a Securities Purchase Agreement with HCP-FVE, LLC (an affiliate of Hale Capital Partners, LP) ("HCP", and the "HCP Purchase Agreement") by which HCP invested $5,000,000 in the Company in exchange for a convertible promissory note (the "Note"). The Note bears interest at an annual rate equal to the Prime Rate (as published in the Wall Street Journal (New York edition) plus 2.5% (if interest is paid in cash) or 3% (if the interest is capitalized), compounded quarterly, and is convertible by HCP into Ordinary Shares at a conversion price of $1.776. The Note will be exchanged for a number of Series A Preferred Shares determined by dividing the sum of the principal and interest due and owing under the Note by the conversion price of the Note (presently $1.776) if and when this proposal is approved. Any as-yet unconverted portion of the Note matures in December 2020. The terms of the Note, prior to conversion to Series A Preferred Shares, mimic in large measure the terms of the Series A Preferred Shares described in Proposal 6 below.
Because the HCP Purchase Agreement anticipates the issuance, in certain circumstances, of Series A Preferred Shares to HCP upon conversion, the Note requires that the Company bring the creation of the Series A Preferred Shares to the shareholders for approval. That creation requires both a change in the Company's registered share capital in accordance with this Proposal and the amendment of the Company's current Articles of Association in accordance with Proposal 6.
Approval of this Proposal 5 requires 75% of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
RESOLVED, to amend the Company's Memorandum of Incorporation (the "Memorandum") to provide, in place of Section 4 of the Memorandum, that the Company's registered share capital will be NIS 5,000,000 (five million) divided into 115,000,000 (one hundred and fifteen million) Ordinary Shares nominal value NIS 0.04 per share and 10,000,000 (ten million) Series A Preferred Shares nominal value NIS 0.04 per share.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the amendment of the Memorandum such that the registered share capital of the Company will be in accordance with the above.
6. | PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE AMENDED ARTICLES |
As discussed under Proposal 5, Creation of the Series A Preferred Shares requires both a change in the Company's registered share capital in accordance with Proposal 5 and the amendment of the Company's current Articles of Association in accordance with this Proposal 6. The rights of the Series A Preferred Shares are detailed in the Amended Articles. Those rights can only be fully understood by a careful review of the Amended Articles. However, a summary of the main economic rights accruing to the Series A Preferred Shares follows. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined have the meanings given them in the Amended Articles:
| a) | Optional Conversion from Series A Preferred Shares to Ordinary. At any time after the Original Issue Date for the Series A Preferred Shares, the holder has the option to convert any or all Series A Preferred Shares into Ordinary Shares. The number of Ordinary Shares issuable upon conversion of Series A Preferred Shares will be equal to the Stated Value (the Conversion Price of the Note on the date of the exchange of the Note for the Initial Series A Preferred Shares), multiplied by the number of Series A Preferred Shares to be converted, divided by the Conversion Price ($1.776, as the same may be adjusted). In no conversion situation may the converting holder convert Series A Preferred Shares if, after giving effect to the proposed conversion by such converting holder, such converting holder would hold more than 9.99% of the outstanding Ordinary Shares. |
| b) | Mandatory Conversion from Series A Preferred Shares to Ordinary. If at any time after December 5, 2017, the Closing Price for Ordinary Shares is 250% greater than the Conversion Price for at least 45 consecutive Trading Days and certain equity conditions and other conditions relating to the liquidity of the shares to be received as a result of the conversion are met, then the Company may elect to require the holder to convert a portion or all of their outstanding Series A Preferred Shares into Ordinary Shares, subject to the volume limitations set forth therein. However, the Company is required by the HCP Purchase Agreement to file a "shelf" registration statement with the SEC covering the resale of the Ordinary Shares into which the Series A Preferred Shares are convertible, and, in the event that the initial "shelf" Registration Statement is not effective as of December 5, 2017, the Mandatory Conversion Commencement Date will be extended until the Registration Statement is effective. |
| c) | Dividends. The Company will be required to pay Preferred Dividends on each Dividend Payment Date (which occur at the end of each calendar quarter, in arrears) to the holders. Dividends will be payable in cash, or, in lieu of payment in cash, the Company may issue the holders additional Series A Preferred Shares. The dividend rate will be the Prime Rate plus (1) 2.5% if the dividend payment is made in cash or (2) 3% if the dividend payment is made in securities of the Company. So long as any Series A Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Company will not pay or declare any dividend or make any other distribution on the Ordinary Shares or any other securities of the Company, until all accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series A Preferred Shares, and all other amounts due and owing in respect of the Series A Preferred Shares, have been paid, in full.. |
| d) | Redemption Rights. The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares may require that 20% of the proceeds (net of fees) attributable to the incurrence of any Indebtedness or issuance of Equity Interests by the Company in excess of $5,000,000 be used to redeem all or a portion of the Series A Preferred Shares. At any time or following the earlier to occur of the occurrence of an Event of Default or December 5, 2020, the holders of the Series A Preferred Shares will have the right to require the Company to redeem all or any portion of the outstanding Series A Preferred Shares at a price per Share equal to the greater of (1) the sum of 100% of the Stated Value ($1.776, as adjusted) plus all declared but unpaid dividends, plus any amounts due and payable in respect of such Series A Preferred Share pursuant to Article 170 (see below) and (2) in the case of a Fundamental Change, the product of the number of Ordinary Shares into which the Series A Preferred Share could be converted, multiplied by the greater of (A) the per share price to be paid to the holders of Ordinary Shares in connection with certain Fundamental Changes and (B) the Closing Price on the date of delivery by the Holder of an Optional Redemption Notice (the greater of (1) and (2), the "Fundamental Change Redemption Price"). Article 170 specifies that, if any payment is not paid for any reason when due, the Company will pay interest at an annual rate 12.5%, with such interest to accrue daily in arrears and unpaid amounts to be compounded quarterly. In the event of a Fundamental Change, a Holder will have the right to require the Company to redeem the Series A Preferred Shares at a price per Preferred Share equal to the Fundamental Change Redemption Price. "Fundamental Change" is defined as (i) the Company or any subsidiary effects a sale of material assets or property of the Company or such subsidiary (for purposes of this clause (i), a sale of material assets or property shall be deemed to be a sale for consideration, whether in cash or in kind, exceeding twenty five percent (25%) of the aggregate revenues of the Company and its Subsidiaries for the twelve (12) full calendar months immediately preceding); (ii) the Company or any subsidiary effects the sale of all or substantially all of its assets in one or a series of related transactions, (iii) the Company or any subsidiary effects any sale, disposition or exclusive license that is effectively a sale or transfer, directly or indirectly, of 50% or more of the assets of the Company or any subsidiary, or (iv) there is a change of control. |
| e) | Liquidation. Upon the occurrence of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, either voluntary or involuntary, the Holders will be entitled to receive, prior and in preference to any distribution of any of the assets or funds of the Company to the holders of Junior Securities, an amount per Series A Preferred Share in cash equal to the greater of (1) the sum of (i) 100% of the Stated Value per Series A Preferred Share, plus (ii) 100% of all declared but unpaid dividends plus any interest payable pursuant to Article 170 or (2) the amount mentioned in clause (2) under the section entitled "Redemption Rights". In the event that the Series A Preferred Share Liquidation Preference is not paid with respect to any Series A Preferred Shares as required, all such shares will remain outstanding and entitled to all their rights and preferences, and the Company will pay interest in accordance with Article 170. |
In addition to the economic rights above, the Amended Articles also grant HCP and its affiliates, during the Rights Period as defined therein (i.e. the period during which HCP and its affiliates continue to hold at least thirty five percent (35%) of its initial Series A Preferred Shares), a right to appoint a director, require HCP or the director appointed by HCP to approve certain actions of the Company (some of the most significant of which are a Fundamental Change, the acquisition of assets or equity interests of another entity under certain conditions, the disposition of equity interests of a subsidiary, the sale of assets of the Company or a subsidiary under certain circumstances, to take or omit to be taken any action which would reasonably be expected, by the Company acting prudently, to result in a material adverse effect, to issue equity interests at a price less than the conversion price of the Series A Preferred Shares, to enter into certain kinds of transactions with affiliates, directors and other office holders, to pay dividends, to increase shares reserved for issuance in an option plan or to amend the 2016 Plan and others), certain rights upon the occurrence of Events of Default and contain a number of other provisions relating to the Series A Preferred Shares or their holders. One of those provisions is HCP's right – following the occurrence of a Redemption Default - to require the Company to pursue a sale of the Company with the sale process managed by an investment bank approved by HCP and with the sale process to be launched within a year after receipt of notice from HCP; provided that at least one bona fide offer is received, the Company is committed to consummate the sale no more than 9 months after launch. The holders of the Series A Preferred Shares also have as-converted voting rights and vote with the Ordinary Shares on an as-converted basis. The shareholders are referred again to the Amended Articles for a more detailed explanation of those rights.
Further still, companies like the Company which were registered prior to the adoption of the Companies Law, require higher majorities than are required in the Companies Law - in most cases, a simple majority - to amend their Memorandums of Incorporation and Articles of Association. The Amended Articles equate the Company's requirements in that regard with the requirements for companies registered after the Companies Law. The Amended Articles also amend the quorum requirements to allow for a deferred shareholder meeting with any two shareholders as the quorum, if there is no quorum at the initial meeting.
Approval of this Proposal requires 75% of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
RESOLVED, to adopt the Amended and Restated Articles of Association of the Company in the form attached as Exhibit A (the "Amended Articles"), which will replace the Company's present articles of association in their entirety. Article 69 of the Amended Articles will be regarded as having amended the provisions of the Memorandum and the Articles of Association with regard to the majorities required to amend them such that a simple majority of the total number of votes in the meeting, excluding abstentions, will be required henceforth to amend the Memorandum or the Amended Articles.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the adoption of the Amended Articles.
7. | PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE AMENDED COMPENSATION POLICY |
On August 14, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of its Compensation Committee of the same day, resolved to approve an amendment and restatement of the Company's currently valid compensation policy in the form attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement (the "Compensation Policy").
The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that an amendment of the Current Policy is necessary to accommodate an increase in the number of directors and other officers who are resident in jurisdictions other than Israel and other recent changes in the Company's structure and business and the need to provide more flexible bonus and equity compensation structures to allow achievement of long-term goals. By doing so, the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors seek to ensure that the Company will maintain its ability to attract and retain superior employees in key positions without any geographic restraints and that the compensation provided to key employees will remain competitive relative to the compensation paid to similarly situated executives of a selected group of peer companies and the broader marketplace from which the Company recruits and competes for talent. The Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors believe that the suggested amendments to the Compensation Policy properly balance the requirements of the Companies Law and the objectives described above.
RESOLVED, to adopt the Second Amended and Restated Compensation Policy of the Company, in the form attached as Exhibit B, which will replace the Company's present compensation policy in its entirety.
The members of the Compensation Committee and the directors have personal interests in the approval of the amendment of the Compensation Policy because it will govern their compensation as directors. The Israel Companies Law also requires that the Compensation Policy be approved by the General Meeting of Shareholders, with a Special Majority. In the event the Shareholders do not approve the proposed Compensation Policy, the Company is entitled to adopt it anyway, provided that the Compensation Committee and afterwards the Board of Directors determine, based on detailed grounds and after further discussion of the Compensation Policy, that the approval of the Compensation Policy despite the opposition of the General Meeting, is for the benefit of the Company.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" approving the amendments to the Company's Compensation Policy.
Approval of this resolution requires a Special Majority.
8. | PROPOSAL TO ADOPT THE US SUB-PLAN |
The increasing number of officers and employees of the Company in the United States require the creation of a sub-plan to its 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan (the Company's main share option plan approved by the Company's shareholders at the annual general meeting held on November 26, 2016), the main purpose of which is to address the tax concerns of the Company and its US officers and employees in the context of the issuance of share options, restricted shares and restricted share units to the US officers and employees. On April 25, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of its Compensation Committee of the same day, resolved to approve the adoption of the US Sub-Plan.
RESOLVED, to approve the adoption of the US sub-plan to the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan in the form attached as Exhibit C. (the "US Sub-Plan") The number of Ordinary Share reserved for issue under the US Sub-Plan will be identical to that of the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan.
Those members of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors who are US citizens have personal interests in the approval of the adoption of the US Sub-Plan because they may be issued options, restricted shares or restricted share units under it.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" approving the amendments to the Company's Compensation Policy.
9. | PROPOSAL TO INCREASE SHARES RESERVED FOR ISSUE UNDER OPTION PLANS |
The need to have adequate reserves of Ordinary Shares to incentivize directors, officers and employees of the Company and its subsidiaries with options, restricted shares and restricted share units, requires increasing the number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan and under the US Sub-Plan. On April 25, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of its Compensation Committee of the same day, resolved to approve an increase in the amount of 1,200,000 Ordinary Shares. Options with regard to the shares previously reserved and with regard to the shares reserved in the recent resolution may be granted in the context of either the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan or the US Sub-Plan. As of August 1, 2017, options had been granted and were outstanding with regard to about 1,747,000 of the 2,700,000 total reserved shares.
RESOLVED, to approve the increase the number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issue under either the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan or under the US Sub-Plan by an additional 1,200,000, such that the total number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issue will be 2,700,000. Those shares may be issued in the context of either the 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan or the US Sub-Plan.
The members of the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors have personal interests in the approval of the increase because they may be issued options, restricted shares or restricted share units that are part of the increased reserve.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" approving the increase of the number of Ordinary Shares reserved for issuance under the Company's 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan and under the US Sub-Plan.
10. | PROPOSAL TO APPROVE SIGNATURE OF AMENDED INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS WITH DIRECTORS |
The Company has agreed to indemnify its directors and other officers for various kinds of potential liability in accordance with an indemnification agreement that is consistent with the provisions of the Companies Law with regard to such agreements. In the context of the HCP Purchase Agreement, HCP requested that the existing indemnification agreement be amended to clarify the relationship between indemnification under the agreement and indemnification that the director or officer may have from other sources (for example, HCP might indemnify its appointee to the Company's Board of Directors in the same case that the Company had an indemnity obligation under its indemnification agreement). Therefore, the proposed form of amended indemnification agreement clarifies that indemnity payments made by a person with a parallel indemnification obligation to the Company's will not derogate from the Company's obligation to indemnify. The amended indemnification agreement is in the form attached as Exhibit C (the "Amended Indemnification Agreement"). If approved, the Company will sign the Amended Indemnification Agreement with all present and future directors and other officers.
Shareholder approval is required for the Amended Indemnification Agreement to the extent it relates to directors and the CEO, but not for other officers. Because the majority required for approval of the Amended Indemnification Agreement relative to the directors is a regular majority and with regard to the CEO is a Special Majority, the Company is presenting those approvals in two proposals, this one and Proposal 11.
The Compensation Committee approved the Amended Indemnification Agreement on August 14, 2017 and the Board approved it on the same day.
All of the directors have a personal interest in the above resolution.
Approval of this Proposal requires a simple majority of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
RESOLVED, to approve the signature of indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its present and future directors in the form attached as Exhibit D.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the amendment of the indemnification agreements and their signature with present and future directors.
11. | PROPOSAL TO APPROVE SIGNATURE OF AMENDED INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENTS WITH CEOs |
This Proposal is further to Proposal 10.
Approval of this Proposal requires a Special Majority.
RESOLVED, to approve the signature of indemnification agreements between the Company and each of its present and future CEOs in the form attached as Exhibit D.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the amendment of the indemnification agreements and their signature with present and future directors.
12. | PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AWARD OF OPTIONS TO OSNAT SEGEV-HAREL AS DIRECTOR. |
At the annual General Meeting held on December 23, 2016, the shareholders approved the Company's Repricing Plan (as described in the Proxy Statement for that Plan) with regard to options held by some of its directors. At the point the Repricing Plan was adopted, Osnat Segev-Harel was an external director (as defined in the Companies Law) and the regulations governing compensation for external directors precluded application of the Repricing Plan to her. Afterwards, the Company decided to avail itself of an exemption from the laws of the State of Israel requiring the nomination of external directors and Osnat Segev-Harel continued as an independent director as required under US law.
On April 25, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of its Compensation Committee of the same day, resolved to award additional options to Osnat Segev-Harel according to the provisions of the following resolution, in order to compensate her for not being included in the Repricing Plan.
Osnat-Segev Harel has a personal interest in the above resolution. Both the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors determined that the award of options in accordance with this proposal are consistent both with the Compensation Policy as it will be if the shareholders adopt the resolution above and as it is today and was as of August 14, 2017.
Approval of this Proposal requires a simple majority of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
RESOLVED: to approve the award to Osnat Segev-Harel, a director of the Company, under the Company's share option plan and in accordance with its terms, of options to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares of the Company. The options will vest in 3 equal parts such that 33% of the options will vest on April 25, 2018, 33% of the options will vest on April 25, 2019, and the remainder will vest on April 25, 2020. The grant date of the options is April 25, 2017, and the exercise price per share of the options will be equal to the closing price of the Company's shares as of the grant date.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the options to Osnat Segev-Harel.
13. | PROPOSAL TO APPROVE AWARD OF OPTIONS TO DONALD R. DIXON, MARTIN HALE, JR., IZHAK NAKAR, OSNAT SEGEV-HAREL AND IDO SCHECHTER AS DIRECTORS. |
On August 14, 2017 the Company's Board of Directors, based on the recommendation of its Compensation Committee of the same day, resolved to award options to Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Izhak Nakar, Osnat Segev-Harel and Ido Schechter Osnat Segev-Harel according to the provisions of the following resolution. The options to Osnat Segev-Harel are in addition to the options in accordance with the preceding resolution.
All of the directors have a personal interest in the above resolution. Both the Compensation Committee and the Board of Directors determined that the award of options in accordance with this proposal are consistent both with the Compensation Policy as it will be if the shareholders adopt the resolution above and as it is today and was as of August 14, 2017.
Approval of this Proposal requires a simple majority of the total number of votes cast at the meeting, excluding abstentions.
RESOLVED, to approve the award to each of Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Izhak Nakar, Osnat Segev-Harel and Ido Schechter, directors of the Company, under the Company's share option plan (and in the cases of Donald R. Dixon and Martin Hale, Jr., under the US Sub-Plan) and in accordance with its terms, of options to purchase 25,000 ordinary shares each of the Company (a total of 125,000 options). The options will vest in 2 equal parts such that 50% of the options will vest on August 14, 2018 and 50% will vest on August 14, 2019. The grant date of the options is August 14, 2017, and the exercise price per share of the options will be equal to the closing price of the Company's shares as of the grant date. All unvested options will vest immediately in the event of a Liquidation Event as defined in the Amended Compensation Policy.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the options to Donald R. Dixon, Martin Hale, Jr., Izhak Nakar, Osnat Segev-Harel and Ido Schechter.
14. | PROPOSAL TO EXTEND THE APPOINTMENT OF THE INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS OF THE COMPANY. |
At the last annual meeting of Shareholders, following the recommendation of the Board of Directors, the Shareholders appointed the accounting firm of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer, a member of Ernst & Young Global as independent certified public accountants of the Company until the next annual meeting of the shareholders Company. It is proposed to extend the appointment of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer until the next annual general meeting of the Company.
RESOLVED, to extend the appointment of Kost, Forer, Gabbay & Kasierer as the independent public accountants of the Company until the next annual meeting of the shareholders of the Company and to authorize the Board of Directors to determine their remuneration in accordance with the volume and nature of their services, subject to the approval of the audit committee.
The Board of Directors recommends that the Shareholders vote "FOR" the approval of the extension of the appointment of the independent public accountant of the Company in accordance with the above resolution.
15. | REVIEW OF THE COMPANY'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016 |
A copy of the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016 is available on the Company's website at www.TopImageSystems.com and on the Distribution Sites.
At the Meeting, the Directors will present the annual report and the audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2016, and the auditor's report in respect thereof and will answer appropriate questions with regard to them.
Management is not aware of any other matters to be presented at the Meeting. If, however, any other matters should properly come before the Meeting or any adjournment thereof, the proxy confers discretionary authority with respect to acting thereon, and the persons named in the enclosed proxy will vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.
Shareholders are urged to complete and return their proxies promptly in order, among other things, to ensure action by a quorum and to avoid the expense of additional solicitation. If the accompanying proxy is properly executed and returned in time, and a choice is specified, the shares represented thereby will be voted as indicated thereon. If no specification is made with regard to a given issue, the proxy will be voted as abstaining on that issue.
| By Order of the Board of Directors TOP IMAGE SYSTEMS LTD. Donald R. Dixon Chair of the Board of Directors |
Ramat Gan, Israel
Date: August 14, 2017
APPENDIX – U.S. TAXPAYERS
TOP IMAGE SYSTEMS LTD 2016 ISRAELI INCENTIVE PLAN
1. Special Provisions for Persons who are U.S. Taxpayers.
1.1 This Appendix (the "Appendix") to the Top Image Systems Ltd 2016 Israeli Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was approved by the Board of Directors of Top Image Systems Ltd (the "Board") on [___________] (the "Effective Date").
1.2 The provisions specified hereunder apply only to persons who are subject to U.S. federal income tax and, to the extent required to comply with applicable U.S. or U.S. state securities laws, persons subject to such laws (any such person, a "U.S. Taxpayer"). This Appendix provides both for the grant of Awards to purchase Shares, and the direct Award or sale of Shares. Options granted under this Appendix may include Non-Qualified Stock Options as well as Incentive Stock Options intended to qualify under Section 422 of the Code.
1.3 This Appendix applies with respect to Awards granted under the Plan. The purpose of this Appendix is to establish certain rules and limitations applicable to Awards that may be granted or issued under the Plan from time to time, in compliance with applicable tax, securities and other applicable laws currently in force. Except as otherwise provided by this Appendix, all grants made pursuant to this Appendix shall be governed by the terms of the Plan (including, without limitation, its provisions regarding adjustments). This Appendix is applicable only to Awards granted after the Effective Date. This Appendix is applicable to all Awards granted to U.S. Taxpayers under the Plan.
1.4 The Plan and this Appendix shall be read together. In any case of an irreconcilable contradiction (as determined by the Committee) between the provisions of this Appendix and the Plan, the provisions of this Appendix shall govern unless expressly stated otherwise in the Plan.
1.5 This Appendix shall be submitted to the Company's shareholders for approval within twelve (12) months after the Effective Date. As of the Effective Date, the Committee may grant Awards pursuant to this Appendix; provided, however, that: (a) no Incentive Stock Option may be exercised under this Appendix prior to initial shareholder approval of the Plan and this Appendix; and (b) no Incentive Stock Option granted pursuant to an increase in the number of Shares approved by the Board of Directors shall be exercised prior to the time such increase has been approved by the shareholders of the Company.
2. Definitions.
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning assigned to them in the Plan. The following additional definitions will apply to grants made pursuant to this Appendix:
"Code" means the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Any reference to any section of the Code shall also be a reference to any successor provision and any Treasury Regulation promulgated thereunder.
"Disability" means, with respect to Incentive Stock Options, a "permanent and total disability" within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, provided that in the case of Awards other than Incentive Stock Options, the Committee in its discretion may determine whether a permanent and total disability exists in accordance with uniform and non-discriminatory standards adopted by the Committee from time to time.
"Fair Market Value" means, for purposes of this Appendix, unless otherwise required by any applicable provision of the Code or any regulations issued thereunder, as of any date and except as provided below, (a) if the Shares are listed on any established securities exchange, including without limitation the NASDAQ National Market system, or the NASDAQ SmallCap Market of the NASDAQ Stock Market, the closing sales price for such Shares (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) as traded on such exchange for such date, or if no bids or sales were reported for such date, then the closing sales price (or the closing bid, if no sales were reported) on the trading date immediately prior to such date during which a bid or sale occurred, in each case, as reported in a recognized daily business newspaper or such other source as the Committee deems reliable; or (b) in the absence of an established market for the Shares, the Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, taking into account such factors as it considers advisable in a manner consistent with the principles of Code Section 409A or with respect to Incentive Stock Options.
"Incentive Stock Option" means any option awarded under the Plan and this Appendix intended to be and designated in the Award Agreement as an "incentive stock option" within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code to an eligible Participant who is an employee of the Company, Parent or any Subsidiary.
"Non-Qualified Stock Option" shall mean an option not described in Section 422(b) or 423(b) of the Code, or, which, by its terms, does not qualify or is not intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option.
"Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or Non-Qualified Stock Option.
"Parent" means any parent corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(e) of the Code.
"Participant" means an employee, director or consultant of the Company or any Subsidiary who receives an Award hereunder.
"Section 83(b) Election" means an election by a Participant to include the Fair Market Value of a Share (less any amount paid for the Share) at the time of grant as part of the Participant's income in accordance with Section 83(b) of the Code. A Section 83(b) Election must be filed in writing with the Internal Revenue Service within thirty (30) days of the date of the Award, with a copy to the Company or Affiliate with whom the Participant is employed.
"Securities Act" means the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and all rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. Any reference to any section of the Securities Act shall also be a reference to any successor provision.
"Subsidiary" means any subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code.
"Ten Percent Shareholder" means a person possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of shares of the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Parent determined pursuant to the attribution rules set forth in Section 424(d) of the Code.
3. Shares Reserved under Appendix for Incentive Stock Options.
The Company has reserved 1,500,000 authorized but unissued Shares, for the purpose of issuing Awards either under the Plan or under this Appendix all of which may be issued as Incentive Stock Options. The number of Shares stated in this Section 3 shall be subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9 of the Plan; provided, such reserve of Shares for grants of Incentive Stock Options shall not be increased without the approval of the shareholders of the Company as required pursuant to Section 421 et seq. of the Code. Shares subject to Awards that are cancelled, forfeited, settled for cash or that expire by their terms will again be available for grant and issuance in connection with the Awards. To the extent permitted by applicable law or any exchange rule, Shares issued in assumption of, or in substitution for, any outstanding grants of any entity acquired in any form of combination by the Company or any affiliate shall not be counted against Shares available for grant as Incentive Stock Options pursuant to the Plan and this Appendix. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all adjustments shall only be made in a manner that does not result in taxation under Code Section 409A and subject to the provisions of Section 9 of the Plan (as modified by this Section 3), in no event shall the maximum aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan pursuant to Incentive Stock Options exceed the number set forth in the first sentence of this Section 3 plus, to the extent allowable under Section 422 of the Code and the Treasury Regulations promulgated there under, any Shares that again become available for issuance pursuant to this Section 3.
4. Terms and Conditions of Awards or Sales.
4.1 Award Agreement(a). Each award or sale of Shares under the Plan and this Appendix (other than upon exercise of an Option) shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement between the Participant and the Company. Such award or sale shall be subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and this Appendix and may be subject to any other terms and conditions which are not inconsistent with the Plan and this Appendix and which the Committee deems appropriate for inclusion in an Award Agreement. The provisions of the various Award Agreements entered into under the Appendix need not be identical.
4.2 Withholding Taxes(a). As a condition to the purchase or acquisition of any Shares hereunder, the Participant shall make such arrangements as the Committee may require for the satisfaction of any federal, state, local, Israeli or foreign withholding tax obligations that may arise in connection with such purchase or acquisition. Without limiting the foregoing and a Participant's obligation to pay any amount due in excess of taxes withheld and transferred to the applicable tax authorities, if the Committee permits a Participant to satisfy such obligations by tendering, surrendering or withholding Shares, any such Shares must have been previously held for any minimum duration, and be limited to the amount required to satisfy minimum statutory withholding requirements, to the extent required to avoid financial accounting charges under applicable accounting guidance.
4.3 Restrictions on Transfer of Shares. Any Shares awarded or sold under the Plan and this Appendix may be subject to such special forfeiture conditions, rights of repurchase, rights of first refusal and other transfer restrictions as the Committee may determine. Such restrictions shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement and shall apply in addition to any restrictions that may apply to holders of Shares generally, and subject to the requirements of applicable law.
5. Grants of Options.
5.1 Generally. The Committee shall have full authority to grant Options to Participants pursuant to the terms of this Appendix, the Plan and the applicable Award Agreement. All Options shall be granted by, confirmed by, and subject to the terms of, an Award Agreement to be executed by the Company and the Participant. In particular, the Committee shall have the authority to determine whether an Option is intended to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option or is a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
5.2 Eligibility. All Participants are eligible to be granted Non-Qualified Stock Options under this Appendix, and only employees of the Company, a Subsidiary or a Parent are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options under the Plan and this Appendix, if so employed on the grant date of such Incentive Stock Option, although it is anticipated that grants hereunder will be granted solely or primarily to U.S. Taxpayers. Eligibility for the grant of an Option and actual participation in this Appendix and the Plan shall be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion. Notwithstanding anything in this Section 5.2 to the contrary, consultants who are not natural persons that provide bona fide services to the Company, a Subsidiary or a Parent, and consultants who provide services in connection with the offer or sale of securities in a capital raising transaction or directly or indirectly promote or maintain a market for the Company's securities shall not be eligible to be granted Options under this Appendix.
5.3 Exercise Price. Each Award Agreement for an Option shall state the exercise price per share of the Shares covered by such Option, which option price shall be determined by the Committee and shall be at least equal to the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of grant of the Option; provided that if the exercise price of an Option is less than Fair Market Value, the terms of such Option shall be structured in a manner that is intended to comply with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code. In addition, the terms of Section 6 shall apply to the grant of Incentive Stock Options.
6. Special Terms for Incentive Stock Options.
6.1 Disqualification. To the extent that any Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option (whether because of its provisions or the time or manner of its exercise or otherwise), such Option or the portion thereof that does not qualify shall constitute a separate Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.2 Exercise Price. The exercise price per Share subject to an Incentive Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant of such Incentive Stock Option; provided that the per share exercise price of an Incentive Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of the Share at the time of grant of such Incentive Stock Option; and provided, further, that if an Incentive Stock Option is granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder, the exercise price per Share shall be no less than 110% of the Fair Market Value of the Share at the time of the grant of such Incentive Stock Option.
6.3 Option Term. The term of each Incentive Stock Option shall be fixed by the Committee; provided, however, that no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than 10 years after the date such Incentive Stock Option is granted; and further provided that the term of an Incentive Stock Option granted to a Ten Percent Shareholder shall not exceed five years. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, any extension of the term of an Option shall comply with Code Section 409A.
6.4 Incentive Stock Option Limitations. To the extent that the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any calendar year under this Plan and/or any other stock option plan of the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent exceeds $100,000, such Incentive Stock Options shall be treated as Non-Qualified Stock Options. For purposes of this Section 6.4 Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order in which they were granted, the Fair Market Value of the Shares will be determined as of the time the Option with respect to such Shares is granted, and calculation will be performed in accordance with Code Section 422 and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder. In addition, if an employee does not remain employed by the Company, any Subsidiary or any Parent at all times from the time an Incentive Stock Option is granted until three months prior to the date of exercise thereof (or such other period as required by Section 422 of the Code), such Incentive Stock Option shall be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Should any provision of this Appendix not be necessary in order for the Options to qualify as Incentive Stock Options, or should any additional provisions be required, the Committee may amend this Appendix accordingly, without the necessity of obtaining the approval of the shareholders of the Company, unless required by applicable law.
6.5 Effect of Termination. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or this Appendix, and in the absence of a provision specifying otherwise in the relevant Award Agreement, then with respect to Incentive Stock Options, the following provisions must be met in order for the Award to qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code:
(a) in the event that the Participant ceases to be an employee of the Company or any Subsidiary or Parent for any reason other than the Participant's death or Disability, the vested Options must be exercised within three (3) months from the effective date of termination of the Participant's employment with the Company or any Subsidiary or Parent;
(b) in the event that the Participant's employment with the Company, a Subsidiary or Parent terminates as a result of the Participant's death or Disability, the Option must be exercised within twelve (12) months following the Participant's Date of Termination for Disability.
To avoid doubt, the provisions of Section 10 of the Plan shall remain in full force and effect and apply to Options granted as Incentive Stock Options. The restrictions set forth above represent special additional limitations that apply to qualify as Incentive Stock Options under the provisions of the Code. To avoid doubt, to the extent the provisions of Section 10 of the Plan would result in a longer exercise period or greater leniency than the terms under this section 6.5, a Participant may choose to exercise Options in accordance with the terms of Section 10 of the Plan and the relevant Award Agreement, and not in compliance with the provisions of the Code relating to "incentive stock options". In that case such Option will not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option and will be treated as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.
6.6 Notice of Disposition. The Participant shall give the Company prompt notice of any disposition of Shares acquired by exercise of an Incentive Stock Option within (i) two years from the date of grant of such Incentive Stock Option or (ii) one year after the transfer of such Shares to the Participant.
6.7 Right to Exercise. During a Participant's lifetime, an Incentive Stock Option may be exercised only by the Participant.
7. Restricted Shares; Restricted Share Units and Other Share-Based Awards.
7.1 Restricted Shares. A grant of Shares of Restricted Stock as provided for in the Plan may, but is not required to, have a purchase price which may be set at the discretion of the Committee. In the case of a grant of Shares of Restricted Stock for which a purchase price is required, such grant shall not be made until arrangements for payment of the purchase price have been established that are satisfactory to the Committee. In accordance with the terms of the Code, a Participant shall be responsible for payment of all taxes incurred in connection with the grant of Restricted Stock. Accordingly, upon the vesting of Restricted Stock, or upon making a Section 83(b) Election, a Participant shall make provision for the payment of all required withholding to the Company in accordance with Section 4.2 of this Appendix and Section 20.2 of the Plan.
7.2 Restricted Share Units and Other Share-Based Awards. The conditions and dates upon which restricted stock units and other equity-based and Share-based awards become vested and nonforfeitable and upon which the Shares underlying the restricted stock units and other equity-based and Share-based awards may be issued, in all cases, will be either exempt from, or subject to compliance with, Code Section 409A.
8. Amendment of Appendix and Individual Grants.
8.1 This Appendix may be amended or terminated in accordance with the terms governing the amendment or termination of the Plan; provided, however, that without the approval of the shareholders of the Company entitled to vote in accordance with applicable law, no amendment may be made that would: (i) increase the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under this Appendix; (ii) change the classification of individuals eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options under this Appendix; (iii) extend the term of the Plan under Section 15 of the Plan; or (iv) require shareholder approval in order to continue to comply with Section 422 of the Code to the extent applicable to Incentive Stock Options or require shareholder approval to the extent necessary and desirable to comply with applicable law, regulations or under the rules of any exchange or system on which the Company's securities are listed or traded at the request of the Company.
8.2 The Committee may, to the extent permitted by the Plan and this Appendix, amend the terms of any grant theretofore granted, prospectively or retroactively, but, subject to the Plan or as otherwise specifically provided herein, no such amendment or other action by the Committee shall materially impair the previously accrued rights of any holder of such grant without the holder's consent.
8.3 Notwithstanding any other provisions of the Plan or this Appendix to the contrary, the Board may amend the Plan, this Appendix or any grant without the consent of the holder thereof if the Board determines that such amendment is required or advisable for the Company, the Plan, this Appendix or any grant to satisfy, comply with or meet the requirements of any law, regulation, rule or accounting standard, provided, however, that the Board may not materially amend the Plan and/or this Appendix with respect to Participants without obtaining shareholder approval. For this purpose, the following shall be considered material amendments requiring shareholder approval: (i) increasing the number of Shares that may be issued under the Plan and this Appendix (other than in accordance with Section 9 of the Plan), and (ii) as otherwise may be required by applicable laws (including, without limitation, to obtain ISO status).
9. Compliance With Code Section 409A.
Although the Company does not guarantee to a Participant any particular tax treatment of Awards, Awards will be designed and operated in such a manner that is intended to be exempt from the application, or in compliance with the requirements, of Code Section 409A. Each Award granted pursuant to the Plan, this Appendix and the applicable Award Agreement is intended to comply with (or be exempt from) the requirements of Code Section 409A and any ambiguities or ambiguous terms herein will be construed and interpreted in accordance with such intent. In no event whatsoever shall the Company be liable for any additional tax, interest or penalties that may be imposed on the Participant by Section 409A of the Code or for any damages for failing to comply with Section 409A of the Code.
10. Limits on Transfer.
No Award shall be assigned, transferred or otherwise disposed of by any Participant otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and all Options shall be exercisable, during the Participant's lifetime, only by the Participant.