Exhibit 10.21
BLAIZE HOLDINGS, INC.
NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTOR COMPENSATION PROGRAM
Eligible Directors (as defined below) on the board of directors (the “Board”) of Blaize Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) shall be eligible to receive cash and equity compensation as set forth in this Non-Employee Director Compensation Program (this “Program”). The cash and equity compensation described in this Program shall be paid or made, as applicable, automatically as set forth herein and without further action of the Board, to each member of the Board who is not an employee of the Company or any of its parents or subsidiaries and who is determined by the Board to be eligible to receive compensation under this Program (each, an “Eligible Director”), who may be eligible to receive such cash or equity compensation, unless such Eligible Director declines the receipt of such cash or equity compensation by written notice to the Company.
This Program shall become effective upon the closing of the transactions contemplated by that certain Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated December 22, 2023, by and between BurTech Acquisition Corp., BurTech Merger Sub, Inc., Blaize, Inc. and, solely for the limited purposes set forth therein, Burkhan Capital LLC (such closing date, the “Effective Date”) and shall remain in effect until it is revised or rescinded by further action of the Board. This Program may be amended, modified or terminated by the Board at any time in its sole discretion. No Eligible Director shall have any rights hereunder, except with respect to equity awards granted pursuant to Section 2 of this Program.
1. Cash Compensation.
a. Annual Retainers. Each Eligible Director shall be eligible to receive an annual cash retainer of $80,000 for service on the Board.
b. Additional Annual Retainers. An Eligible Director shall be eligible to receive the following additional annual retainers, as applicable:
(i) Chairperson. An Eligible Director serving as the Chairperson of the Board (other than an Executive Chairperson) shall be eligible to receive an additional annual retainer of $40,000 for such service.
(ii) Audit Committee. An Eligible Director serving as Chairperson of the Audit Committee shall be eligible to receive an additional annual retainer of $24,000 for such service. An Eligible Director serving as a member of the Audit Committee (other than the Chairperson) shall be eligible to receive an additional annual retainer of $16,000 for such service.
(iii) Compensation Committee. An Eligible Director serving as Chairperson of the Compensation Committee shall be eligible to receive an additional annual retainer of $20,000 for such service. An Eligible Director serving as a member of the Compensation Committee (other than the Chairperson) shall be eligible to receive an additional annual retainer of $14,000 for such service.
c. Payment of Retainers. The annual cash retainers described in Sections 1(a) and 1(b) shall be earned on a quarterly basis based on a calendar quarter and shall be paid by the Company in arrears not later than 30 days following the end of each calendar quarter. In the event an Eligible Director does not serve as a director, or in the applicable position(s) described in Section 1(b), for an entire calendar quarter, the retainer paid to such Eligible Director shall be prorated for the portion of such calendar quarter actually served as a director, or in such position, as applicable.