Form 8-K
8-K — NextBoat Inc.
Accession: 0001493152-26-044890
Filed: 2026-09-29
Period: 2026-09-28
CIK: 0002067767
SIC: 3730 (SHIP & BOAT BUILDING & REPAIRING)
Item: Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers: Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers
Item: Regulation FD Disclosure
Item: Financial Statements and Exhibits
Documents
8-K — form8-k.htm (Primary)
EX-10.1 (ex10-1.htm)
EX-10.2 (ex10-2.htm)
EX-99.1 (ex99-1.htm)
GRAPHIC (ex10-1_001.jpg)
GRAPHIC (ex99-1_001.jpg)
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT (R1.htm)
8-K
8-K (Primary)
Filename: form8-k.htm · Sequence: 1
false
0002067767
0002067767
2026-09-28
2026-09-28
iso4217:USD
xbrli:shares
iso4217:USD
xbrli:shares
UNITED
STATES
SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON,
D.C. 20549
FORM
8-K
CURRENT
REPORT
PURSUANT
TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date
of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 28, 2026
NextBoat
Inc.
(Exact
name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Nevada
001-42930
33-2636992
(State
or other jurisdiction
of
incorporation)
(Commission
File
Number)
(I.R.S.
Employer
Identification
No.)
1701
Jel Wade Dr
Wilmington,
NC 28401
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Registrant’s
telephone number, including area code: (910) 772-9277
N/A
(Former
name or former address, if changed since last report)
Check
the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under
any of the following provisions:
☐
Written
communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
☐
Soliciting
material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
☐
Pre-commencement
communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Securities
registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title
of each class
Trading
Symbol(s)
Name
of each exchange on which registered
Common
Stock, $0.001 par value
NXB
NYSE
American LLC
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405
of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging
growth company ☒
If
an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying
with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Item
5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of
Certain Officers.
Departure
of Chief Executive Officer
Prior
to Mr. Ross Tannenbaum’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Brian S. John tendered his resignation as Chief Executive
Officer of NextBoat Inc. (the “Company”), contingent upon the Board of Director’s appointment of a successor and
that successor’s formal assumption of the office.
On September 25, 2026, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) approved the appointment of Mr. Tannenbaum as Chief
Executive Officer, effective upon the satisfaction of specified conditions. Those conditions were satisfied, and Mr. Tannenbaum
assumed the office of Chief Executive Officer on September 28, 2026 (the “Transition Effective Time”). At the Transition
Effective Time, Mr. John’s resignation became effective in accordance with Section 7.08 of the Company’s
bylaws, which provides that a resignation takes effect at the time specified therein without the need for acceptance by the Board.
Mr. John did not resign from the Board and continues to serve as a director of the Company. Mr. John’s resignation as Chief
Executive Officer did not result from any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to the Company’s operations,
policies or practices.
Appointment
of Chief Executive Officer
Mr.
Tannenbaum, age 64, served in various senior executive roles with Fanatics, Inc., a leading global retailer of licensed sports merchandise
and apparel, through 2019, including as President of Retail and Collectibles through 2018, and thereafter in a strategic business development
role. Mr. Tannenbaum joined Fanatics following its 2012 acquisition of Dreams, Inc., a publicly traded sports licensed products and memorabilia
company for which Mr. Tannenbaum served as President and Chief Executive Officer. Since leaving Fanatics in 2019, Mr. Tannenbaum has
pursued various entrepreneurial and investment activities, including as an owner and operator of businesses in the marine services, outdoor
lighting, consumer electronics, hospitality, and marina industries. Mr. Tannenbaum has not served as a director of any public company
during the past five years.
There
is no arrangement or understanding between Mr. Tannenbaum and any other person pursuant to which he was selected as Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Tannenbaum has no family relationship with any director or executive officer of the Company. Mr. Tannenbaum owns interests in the
businesses identified on Exhibit A to the Executive Employment Agreement dated as of September 28, 2026 (the “Tannenbaum Employment
Agreement”), including Supreme Marine Services, Supreme Outdoor Lighting, Palm Beach Electronics, Ocean Treasure Suites, Courtyard
Villas, and Marina-by-the-Sea. Transactions between the Company and any such entity are subject to approval by the disinterested directors
of the Board and disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K pursuant to the Company’s related person transaction policy. As
of the date of this report, the Company has not entered into any transaction, and there are no currently proposed transactions, with
Mr. Tannenbaum or any entity identified on Exhibit A in which the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which Mr. Tannenbaum had or
will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Compensation
Arrangements with Mr. Tannenbaum
In
connection with his appointment, the Company and Mr. Tannenbaum entered into an Executive Employment Agreement dated as of September
28, 2026. The Tannenbaum Employment Agreement provides for:
Term.
An initial term of four years, with automatic one-year renewals thereafter unless either party gives 90 days’ written notice of
non-renewal. Non-renewal by the Company constitutes a termination without Cause.
Base
Salary. An initial annual base salary of $240,000, increasing to $400,000 following the initial year of the Employment Term, with
annual review by the Compensation Committee thereafter.
Annual
Bonus. For fiscal year 2026, a discretionary bonus determined by the Board. Beginning with fiscal year 2027, an annual bonus of $100,000
on achievement of breakeven Adjusted EBITDA, plus a percentage of the full amount of Adjusted EBITDA, determined by the level achieved
(2.5% at $1,000,000 to $3,000,000; 4% above $3,000,000 to $6,000,000; and 6% above $6,000,000).
Equity
Awards. The following inducement awards were approved by a majority of the Company’s independent directors and, on September
28, 2026, following receipt of NYSE American authorization of the listing of the underlying shares, were granted outside the Company’s
First Amended and Restated 2025 Equity Incentive Plan in reliance on the employment inducement exception under Section 711(a) of the
NYSE American Company Guide, each at an exercise price of $1.96 per share, the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the
date of grant:
(i)
Time Vesting Options to acquire 1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant,
of which 200,000 shares vest immediately as an inducement award in lieu of a cash signing bonus and 800,000 shares vest in 48 equal monthly
installments over four years, with a ten-year term;
(ii)
Performance Options to acquire 1,000,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant,
vesting in four tranches of 250,000 shares upon the Company achieving specified levels of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (breakeven; $1,500,000;
$3,000,000; and $5,000,000) in any single fiscal year during the Employment Term, with a ten-year term; and
(iii)
$5.00 Options to acquire 500,000 shares of common stock at an exercise price equal to the closing price on the date of grant, vesting
in full upon the Company’s common stock achieving a volume-weighted average price of $5.00 or greater over 60 consecutive trading
days, with a ten-year term.
All
equity awards vest in full upon a Change in Control (with the $5.00 Options vesting only if per share consideration is $5.00 or greater).
Acceleration does not apply in a transaction with a holder of more than 30% of the Company’s voting power, or with Mr. Tannenbaum
or his affiliates, if the awards are assumed or substituted with equivalent awards. On any termination, the vested portion of
each option remains exercisable for 60 months, subject to the original ten-year term. Unvested options are forfeited.
Severance.
On termination without Cause, non-renewal by the Company, or resignation for Good Reason: 12 months of base salary continuation, a prorated
Annual Bonus based on actual results for the fiscal year of termination, 12 months of additional vesting on Time Vesting Options, retention
of vested Performance Options and $5.00 Options (with limited post-termination vesting rights), and 12 months of COBRA premium payments,
subject to execution of a general release. On a qualifying termination within 12 months following a Change in Control: a lump sum equal
to 1.5 times the sum of base salary and target bonus, accelerated equity vesting, and 18 months of COBRA premium payments. On termination
due to death or Disability: a prorated Annual Bonus for the fiscal year of termination and full vesting of all outstanding equity awards.
Other
Terms. The Tannenbaum Employment Agreement also contains confidentiality, 24-month non-competition and non-solicitation covenants,
Board nomination rights, D&O indemnification, a Section 280G best-net cutback, and other customary provisions. Mr. Tannenbaum’s
principal place of employment is Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The
foregoing description of the Tannenbaum Employment Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the
full text of the Tannenbaum Employment Agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated
herein by reference.
The
Tannenbaum Employment Agreement contemplates the grant of the equity awards described above pursuant to a separate Inducement Non-Qualified
Stock Option Agreement (the “Award Agreement”), which sets forth the detailed terms governing the vesting, exercise, change
in control treatment, post-termination exercise, and other provisions applicable to the awards. The foregoing description of the Award
Agreement does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by the full text of the Award Agreement, a copy of which is
filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
Arrangements
with Mr. John
The
Company did not enter into any new material plan, contract or arrangement with Mr. John, and no material plan, contract or arrangement
with Mr. John was materially amended, in connection with the transition. Mr. John will continue to serve as a director of the Company.
Item
7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.
On
September 29, 2026, the Company issued a press release announcing the CEO transition described under Item 5.02 above. A copy of
the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K. The information under Item 7.01 of this Current Report
on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1, shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended, or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any
filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except as expressly set forth
by specific reference in any such filing. This Current Report on Form 8-K contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are
based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
Item
9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)
Exhibits.
Exhibit
Number
Exhibits
10.1
Executive
Employment Agreement between NextBoat Inc. and Ross Tannenbaum, dated as of September 28, 2026.
10.2
Inducement Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between NextBoat Inc. and Ross Tannenbaum, dated as of September 28, 2026.
99.1
Press
Release, dated September 29, 2026.
104
Cover
Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document).
SIGNATURES
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by
the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
Date:
September 29, 2026
NextBoat
Inc.
By:
/s/
Chad Corbin
Name:
Chad
Corbin
Title:
Chief
Financial Officer
EX-10.1
EX-10.1
Filename: ex10-1.htm · Sequence: 2
Exhibit
10.1
EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
Executive Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of September 28, 2026 (the “Effective
Date”), by and between NextBoat Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Ross Tannenbaum (the “Executive”).
The Company and the Executive are each a “Party” and together the “Parties.”
WHEREAS,
the Company desires to employ the Executive as its Chief Executive Officer and to enter into this Agreement embodying the terms of that
employment;
WHEREAS,
the Executive desires to accept that employment and enter into this Agreement; and
WHEREAS,
the equity awards described in Section 4(c) are granted outside the Company’s 2025 Equity Incentive Plan as an inducement material
to the Executive’s entering into employment with the Company, in reliance on the employment inducement exception in Section 711(a)
of the NYSE American Company Guide.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt
and sufficiency of which are acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:
1. Term.
The Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall commence on the Effective
Date (the “Start Date”) and shall continue for an initial term of four (4) years,
through the day before the fourth anniversary of the Start Date (the “Initial Term”),
unless earlier terminated in accordance with Section 5. On expiration of the Initial Term,
and on each anniversary thereafter, the term shall automatically renew for successive one
(1) year periods (each a “Renewal Term,” and together with the Initial Term,
the “Employment Term”), unless either Party gives written notice of non-renewal
to the other Party not less than ninety (90) days before the end of the then-current term.
Non-renewal by the Company shall constitute a termination without Cause and shall entitle
the Executive to severance under Section 5(b).
2. Position
and Duties.
(a) Position.
During the Employment Term, the Executive shall serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company,
reporting solely and directly to the Board of Directors of the Company (the “Board”).
The Executive shall have the duties, authority, and responsibilities customarily associated
with the position of chief executive officer of a company of similar size and nature, together
with such other duties consistent with that position as the Board may assign.
(b) Board
Service. The Company shall nominate the Executive for election to the Board at each annual
meeting of stockholders occurring during the Employment Term and shall use reasonable best
efforts to secure the Executive’s election, in each case subject to the fiduciary duties
of the Board and its nominating function. The Executive shall serve on the Board without
additional compensation. On the Start Date, the Executive shall deliver to the Board an irrevocable
letter of resignation from the Board, to be effective only upon the termination of his employment
for any reason and acceptance by the Board.
(c) Exclusivity.
During the Employment Term, the Executive shall devote substantially all of his business
time and attention to the performance of his duties and shall not engage in any other business
or occupation for compensation, except as permitted by Section 2(d).
(d) Permitted
Activities. Notwithstanding Section 2(c), the Executive may (i) engage in civic, charitable,
and educational activities, (ii) manage his personal investments, (iii) continue to own and
oversee the businesses identified on Exhibit A, including a floating dock manufacturing and
installation business, and (iv) serve as a member of the board of directors (or such equivalent
governing body) of another entity, provided the Executive obtains prior approval to serve
in such role from the Board, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned,
or delayed, in each case so long as those activities do not materially interfere with the
performance of his duties to the Company. The Company acknowledges that the businesses identified
on Exhibit A, including any expansion of such businesses within the business lines described
on Exhibit A, are not competitive with the Company for purposes of this Agreement, and shall
not be deemed competitive with the Company solely because the Company or any member of the
Company Group later expands into, conducts, or otherwise engages in any such business line.
(e) Related
Person Transactions. Any transaction between the Company or any of its subsidiaries, on the
one hand, and any entity identified on Exhibit A or any other entity in which the Executive
holds a direct or indirect interest, on the other hand, that is material or required to be
disclosed under applicable securities laws constitutes a related person transaction requiring
approval by the disinterested directors of the Board and disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation
S-K, and every such transaction remains subject to the Company’s related person transaction
policy. The Executive shall promptly notify the Board in writing of any such transaction
to the extent material or required to be disclosed under applicable securities laws, whether
proposed, pending, or existing, and shall promptly supplement Exhibit A on acquiring an interest
in any additional entity.
| Page 2
(f) Corporate
Opportunities. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall not, for his own account or
through any entity identified on Exhibit A or any other entity in which he holds an interest,
pursue or participate in any business opportunity that (i) is presented to him in his capacity
as an officer or director of the Company, (ii) is identified or developed using the Company
Group’s Confidential Information or resources, or (iii) the Company Group is actively
pursuing or evaluating, in each case unless the opportunity has first been offered to the
Company and declined by the disinterested members of the Board. For purposes of this Section
2(f), “Company Group” and “Confidential Information” have the meanings
given in Section 7.
3. Place
of Performance. The principal place of the Executive’s employment shall be the
Company’s office located at 151 Las Olas Circle, Suite 211, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
33316. The Executive may work remotely in his discretion from time to time on a periodic
basis, and shall travel as reasonably necessary to perform his duties.
4. Compensation.
(a) Base
Salary. During the initial year of the Employment Term, the Company shall pay the Executive
a base salary at the annual rate of Two Hundred Forty Thousand Dollars ($240,000), payable
in accordance with the Company’s customary payroll practices and subject to applicable
withholdings. Following the initial year of the Employment Term, the Executive’s base
salary shall be increased to the annual rate of Four Hundred Thousand Dollars ($400,000)
and may not thereafter be reduced below that rate without the Executive’s consent,
and annually thereafter, the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation
Committee”) shall review the Executive’s base salary against compensation data
for comparable companies, with any further increase in the discretion of the Compensation
Committee. The base salary as then in effect is referred to as the “Base Salary.”
(b) Annual
Bonus.
(i) For
the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026, the Executive shall be eligible to receive an annual
bonus in the sole discretion of the Board (the “Annual Bonus”).
(ii) For
each fiscal year of the Company beginning with the fiscal year ending December 31, 2027,
the Executive shall be entitled to an Annual Bonus equal to (A) $100,000 if the Company achieves
breakeven Adjusted EBITDA or greater for that fiscal year, and (B) if Adjusted EBITDA equals
or exceeds $1,000,000, the following percentage of Adjusted EBITDA for that fiscal year,
applied to the full amount of Adjusted EBITDA: (1) two and one-half percent (2.5%) if Adjusted
EBITDA is at least $1,000,000 and not more than $3,000,000; (2) four percent (4%) if Adjusted
EBITDA exceeds $3,000,000 and is not more than $6,000,000; and (3) six percent (6%) if Adjusted
EBITDA exceeds $6,000,000. In addition, the Board or Compensation Committee may, in its discretion,
establish, approve, or pay an additional Annual Bonus based on other performance metrics,
including strategic, operational, financial, individual, or transaction-related performance
goals, provided that any such discretionary bonus shall not reduce any Annual Bonus otherwise
earned under the preceding sentence. No Annual Bonus is payable under this Section 4(b)(ii)
for a fiscal year in which Adjusted EBITDA is less than zero, except as otherwise approved
by the Board or Compensation Committee pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence. Except
as provided in Section 5, the Executive must be employed on the last day of a fiscal year
to earn the Annual Bonus for that year.
| Page 3
(iii) Each
Annual Bonus shall be paid in cash in the following calendar year and within thirty (30)
days after the Company files its audited consolidated financial statements for the applicable
fiscal year, and in all events no later than April 30 of the calendar year following that
fiscal year. For purposes of Section 5(c), the “Target Bonus” for any year means
the Annual Bonus paid to the Executive for the immediately preceding fiscal year, or $100,000
if none was paid.
(c) Equity
Awards. On the Effective Date, and subject to approval by the Compensation Committee, the
Company shall grant the Executive the awards described in this Section 4(c) (collectively,
the “Awards”). Each Award shall be granted outside the Company’s 2025 Equity
Incentive Plan as an employment inducement award in reliance on Section 711(a) of the NYSE
American Company Guide, and shall be evidenced by separate award agreements consistent with
this Section 4(c). All options granted hereunder are non-qualified stock options and are
not intended to qualify as incentive stock options under Section 422 of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
(i) Time
Vesting Options. The Company shall grant to the Executive options to acquire one million
(1,000,000) shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price equal
to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Time
Vesting Options”), of which (A) two hundred thousand (200,000) shares shall be fully
vested on the date of grant as an inducement award in lieu of a cash signing bonus, and (B)
the remaining eight hundred thousand (800,000) shares shall vest in forty-eight (48) equal
monthly installments of 16,666.66 shares, such that the Time Vesting Options shall be fully
vested on the fourth anniversary of the Start Date, in each case subject to the Executive’s
continued employment through the applicable vesting date. The Time Vesting Options shall
have a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant.
| Page 4
(ii) Performance
Options. The Company shall grant to the Executive options to acquire one million (1,000,000)
shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price equal to the closing
price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “Performance Options”).
The Performance Options shall have a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant.
The
Performance Options shall vest in four tranches of 250,000 shares, each upon the Company achieving the following levels of consolidated
Adjusted EBITDA in any single fiscal year ending during the Employment Term: (A) 250,000 shares shall vest at breakeven (Adjusted EBITDA
of zero or greater); (B) 250,000 shares shall vest at $1,500,000 Adjusted EBITDA; (C) 250,000 shares shall vest at $3,000,000 Adjusted
EBITDA; and (D) 250,000 shares shall vest at $5,000,000 Adjusted EBITDA. Each tranche shall vest on achievement of the applicable level,
subject to the Executive’s continued employment.
Achievement
of each level of Adjusted EBITDA is measured on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements. Once achieved, a tranche
is permanently earned and does not lapse if Adjusted EBITDA declines in a later fiscal year. Where more than one level is achieved in
the same fiscal year, all corresponding tranches shall fully vest. “Adjusted EBITDA” shall be defined in the applicable award
agreement by reference to a closed schedule of permitted add-backs fixed as of the Effective Date, consistent with the Company’s
existing reporting convention, provided that non-cash compensation expenses, including stock-based compensation expenses related to grants
made prior to the Start Date, shall be excluded from the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, interest expense on floor plan financing shall
be treated as an operating expense and shall not be added back, and the results of any business acquired by the Company or its subsidiaries
shall be included only from the date of closing, and excluding any portion attributable to third-party investor profit participation.
Any dispute as to the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA shall be resolved by the Company’s independent auditor, whose determination,
in the absence of manifest error, shall be final and binding on the Parties.
The
Executive shall be entitled to any tranche earned on account of a fiscal year if he is employed on the last day of that fiscal year,
even if Adjusted EBITDA is not calculated until a later date on which he is no longer employed by the Company.
| Page 5
(iii) $5.00
Options. The Company shall grant to the Executive options to acquire five hundred thousand
(500,000) shares of the Company’s common stock at a per share exercise price equal
to the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant (the “$5.00
Options”). The $5.00 Options shall vest in full on the Company’s common stock
achieving a volume-weighted average price of $5.00 or greater over sixty (60) consecutive
trading days, subject to the Executive’s continued employment through the achievement
date. If the Company’s common stock is no longer publicly traded, the $5.00 Options
shall vest in full if the per share value of the Company’s common stock, as determined
in the Company’s annual valuation, equals or exceeds $5.00, without applying any discount
for lack of marketability or similar minority, illiquidity, or marketability discount, subject
to the Executive’s continued employment through the applicable valuation date. The
$5.00 Options shall have a term of ten (10) years from the date of grant.
(iv) Change
in Control. On a Change in Control, (A) any then-unvested Time Vesting Options shall vest
in full; (B) any then-unvested Performance Options shall vest in full; and (C) the $5.00
Options shall vest in full if the per share consideration in the transaction is $5.00 or
greater. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no acceleration under this Section 4(c)(iv) shall
occur by reason of an Excluded Transaction, if, and only if, in an Excluded Transaction the
Awards are assumed or substituted with equivalent awards by the Company or its successor,
in which case the assumed or substituted awards shall continue vesting on the same vesting
terms as the Awards. “Excluded Transaction” means a Change in Control in which
the acquiring or surviving person, or any member of a group (within the meaning of Section
13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”))
effecting the Change in Control, is (1) a person who, together with its affiliates, beneficially
owned more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s
outstanding voting securities immediately before the transaction, or an affiliate of that
person, or (2) the Executive or an affiliate of the Executive.
(v) Post-Termination
Exercise. In any termination of the Executive’s employment other than by the Company
for Cause, the Executive shall have sixty (60) months from the Termination Date to exercise
vested options, subject in all cases to the expiration of the original ten-year term.
(vi) Withholding
on Awards. The delivery of shares under any Award is conditioned on satisfaction of all applicable
withholding obligations. The Company may, in its discretion, satisfy those obligations by
withholding shares otherwise deliverable.
| Page 6
(d) Employee
Benefits. During the Employment Term, the Executive shall be eligible to participate in all
medical, dental, vision, life, and disability plans available to senior executives of the
Company, on terms no less favorable than those offered to any other such senior level executive,
and in the Company’s 401(k) plan and any non-qualified deferred compensation plan,
with any Company match or contribution available to senior executives. The Company may amend,
modify, or terminate any benefit plan at any time in accordance with its terms.
(e) Business
Expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and documented business
expenses incurred in performing his duties, in accordance with the Company’s expense
reimbursement policy as in effect from time to time.
(f) Legal
Fees. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for the reasonable attorneys’ fees
incurred by him in negotiating the term sheet, this Agreement, and the award agreements contemplated
by Section 4(c), subject to a maximum of $20,000. Reimbursement shall be made within thirty
(30) days of presentation of an invoice.
(g) Indemnification;
D&O Insurance. The Company shall enter into a written indemnification agreement with
the Executive on the most protective terms permitted by Nevada law and the Company’s
articles of incorporation and bylaws, and no less favorable than the terms of any indemnification
agreement entered into from time to time with any other senior executive or member of the
Board, covering the Executive in both his officer and director capacities and including advancement
of expenses. At all times during which the Executive is employed by the Company or serves
on the Board, and for a period of six (6) years thereafter, the Company shall maintain directors’
and officers’ liability insurance at commercially reasonable levels covering the Executive
on terms no less favorable than those applicable to any other officer or director, and shall
obtain tail coverage on a Change in Control.
5. Termination
of Employment. The Employment Term and the Executive’s employment may be terminated
by either Party at any time and for any reason. On termination, the Executive shall be entitled
only to the compensation and benefits described in this Section 5 and shall have no further
rights to any compensation or benefits from the Company.
(a) Non-Renewal
of the Term by Executive, For Cause, or Without Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment
is terminated on expiration of the Employment Term following Executive’s notice of
non-renewal, by the Company for Cause, or by the Executive without Good Reason, the Executive
shall be entitled to receive (i) any Base Salary earned but unpaid through the Termination
Date; (ii) reimbursement of unreimbursed business expenses properly incurred; (iii) any Annual
Bonus earned but unpaid for a completed fiscal year, except that no such bonus shall be payable
if the Executive is terminated for Cause; and (iv) such employee benefits as to which the
Executive may be entitled under the Company’s benefit plans (together, the “Accrued
Amounts”).
| Page 7
(b) Termination
Without Cause, Non-Renewal by the Company, or for Good Reason. If the Executive’s employment
is terminated by the Company without Cause, due to a non-renewal by the Company of the Employment
Term, or by the Executive for Good Reason, then in addition to the Accrued Amounts and subject
to Section 5(f), the Executive shall be entitled to:
(i) continuation
of Base Salary for twelve (12) months, payable in installments when and as the same would
have been payable but for the termination;
(ii) a
prorated Annual Bonus for the year of termination, payable in the same manner and at the
same time as the Annual Bonus would otherwise have been paid and based on actual results
for the fiscal year of termination;
(iii) twelve
(12) months of vesting credit on the Time Vesting Options;
(iv) retention
of all vested Performance Options, together with the right to vest in the unvested Performance
Options that would have vested on account of the fiscal year of termination based on the
Adjusted EBITDA achieved by the Company for that fiscal year, as if the Executive had remained
employed for the full fiscal year;
(v) retention
of all vested $5.00 Options, together with the right to vest in the unvested $5.00 Options
if the Company’s common stock meets the $5.00 price target described in Section 4(c)(iii)
for any sixty (60) consecutive trading days during the six (6) months following the Termination
Date; and
(vi) payment
of COBRA premiums for twelve (12) months.
(c) Change
in Control Termination. If the Executive’s employment is terminated by the Company
without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason, in either case within twelve (12) months
following a Change in Control, then in lieu of the amounts described in Section 5(b), the
Executive shall receive a lump sum payment equal to one and one-half (1.5) times the sum
of (i) Base Salary and (ii) the Target Bonus for the year of termination, together with the
equity treatment described in Section 4(c)(iv) (to the extent not already fully vested) and
payment of COBRA premiums for eighteen (18) months.
| Page 8
(d) Death
or Disability. On termination of the Executive’s employment on account of death or
Disability, the Executive or his estate shall be entitled to receive (i) Base Salary through
the date of death or Disability; (ii) a prorated Annual Bonus for the year of death or Disability;
(iii) any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid for the prior fiscal year; and (iv) full vesting
of all equity and equity-based awards then outstanding.
(e) Definitions.
(i) “Cause”
means the Executive’s: (A) willful and continued failure to perform his material duties
to the Company, other than as a result of Disability, after written notice describing such
failure in reasonable detail and a thirty (30)-day opportunity to cure; (B) willful refusal
to comply with a lawful written directive of the Board that is consistent with the Executive’s
position and duties and that, if not cured, would reasonably be expected to result in material
harm to the Company, after written notice and a thirty (30)-day opportunity to cure; (C)
conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony or crime involving fraud,
theft, embezzlement or moral turpitude; (D) material breach of a material obligation under
this Agreement or a material written Company policy applicable to senior executives that
causes material harm to the Company, after written notice describing such breach in reasonable
detail and a thirty (30)-day opportunity to cure if curable; (E) fraud, embezzlement or material
dishonesty with respect to the Company; or (F) a willful violation of federal or state securities
laws or of the Company’s insider trading policy, or the Executive becoming subject
to any disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D due to Executive’s
conduct. No act or failure to act shall be deemed “willful” unless it is done,
or omitted to be done, in bad faith and without a reasonable belief that the action or omission
was in, or not opposed to, the best interests of the Company. Termination for Cause shall
require approval by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board, following written
notice to the Executive and an opportunity for the Executive, together with counsel, to be
heard before the Board.
(ii) “Good
Reason” means, without the Executive’s written consent, (A) a reduction in Base
Salary or a change to the Annual Bonus formula in Section 4(b)(ii) that reduces the Annual
Bonus payable; (B) a material reduction in the Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities,
including ceasing to report solely and directly to the Board; (C) a relocation of the Executive’s
principal place of employment; or (D) a material breach by the Company of this Agreement.
The Executive must give written notice within ninety (90) days after the initial occurrence,
the Company shall have thirty (30) days to cure, and the Executive must terminate within
ninety (90) days after the cure period expires, failing which the Executive is deemed to
have waived Good Reason with respect to that event.
| Page 9
(iii) “Disability”
means the Executive’s inability to perform the essential functions of his position,
with or without reasonable accommodation, for a period of one hundred twenty (120) consecutive
days or one hundred eighty (180) days in any twelve (12) month period, as determined by the
Board in good faith.
(iv) “Change
in Control” means the first to occur of (A) any person or group (within the meaning
of Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) becoming the beneficial owner of more than fifty
percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting securities;
(B) a merger, consolidation or similar transaction after which the holders of the Company’s
voting securities immediately before the transaction hold less than fifty percent (50%) of
the combined voting power of the surviving or resulting entity; (C) the sale of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; or (D) individuals
who constitute the Board on the Effective Date, together with any director whose election
or nomination was approved by a majority of those directors then in office, ceasing to constitute
a majority of the Board within any twelve (12) month period. To the extent required to avoid
adverse tax consequences under Section 409A of the Code, a transaction shall constitute a
Change in Control only if it also constitutes a change in the ownership or effective control
of the Company, or in the ownership of a substantial portion of its assets, within the meaning
of Section 409A.
(f) Release.
The payments and benefits described in Sections 5(b) and 5(c), other than the Accrued Amounts,
are conditioned on the Executive executing and not revoking a general release of claims in
the form attached as Exhibit B within fifty-two (52) days following the Termination Date.
If the period for execution and revocation spans two taxable years, payment shall be made
or commence in the later taxable year.
(g) Notice
of Termination; Termination Date. Any termination other than on account of death shall be
communicated by written notice specifying the provision relied on and the facts constituting
the basis for termination. The “Termination Date” means the date specified in
the notice or, if none, the date of the notice, and in all events the date on which the Executive
incurs a separation from service within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code.
| Page 10
(h) Resignation
of All Other Positions. On termination for any reason, the Executive shall be deemed to have
resigned from all positions he then holds as an officer, director, manager, or fiduciary
of the Company and its affiliates, and shall execute any documents reasonably requested to
give effect to that resignation.
(i) No
Mitigation. The Executive shall not be required to seek other employment or otherwise mitigate
the amount of any payment under this Agreement, and no such payment shall be reduced by any
compensation earned from other employment.
(j) Section
280G. If any payment or benefit under this Agreement, together with all other payments and
benefits the Executive receives, would constitute a “parachute payment” within
the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and be subject to the excise tax imposed by Section
4999 of the Code, then the aggregate amount shall be reduced to the largest amount that would
result in no portion being subject to that excise tax, but only if the reduction results
in a greater after-tax amount to the Executive than payment of the full amount. For purposes
of this Section 5(j), any reduction in payments shall be made in the following order: first,
cash severance payments that do not constitute nonqualified deferred compensation within
the meaning of Section 409A of the Code; second, cash severance payments that do constitute
nonqualified deferred compensation within the meaning of Section 409A of the Code, with later
scheduled payments reduced before earlier scheduled payments; third, continued welfare benefits;
fourth, accelerated vesting of equity awards that are stock options or stock appreciation
rights; and fifth, accelerated vesting of all other equity or equity-based awards, in each
case beginning with the payments that produce the greatest present value reduction in parachute
payments. Any determinations required under this Section 5(j), including whether any payments
constitute parachute payments, the amount of any parachute payments, the amount of any excise
tax, the amount of any reduction and the assumptions to be used in making those determinations,
shall be made by a nationally recognized accounting firm or compensation consulting firm
selected by the Company and reasonably acceptable to the Executive (the “280G Firm”).
The 280G Firm shall provide its calculations and reasonable supporting detail to the Company
and the Executive, and the Executive shall have a reasonable opportunity to review and comment
on those calculations before they become final. The Company shall bear all fees and expenses
of the 280G Firm. In making the determinations under this Section 5(j), the 280G Firm shall
take into account, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law, the value of any reasonable
compensation for services to be rendered by the Executive before or after the Change in Control,
including any amount attributable to any noncompetition or other restrictive covenant. The
Company shall not provide any gross-up for taxes imposed under Section 4999.
| Page 11
6. Cooperation.
For a period of six (6) months following the Termination Date, upon the receipt of reasonable
advance written notice from the Company, with due consideration for the Executive’s
other business or personal commitments, the Executive shall use commercially reasonable efforts
to cooperate with the Company in the defense or prosecution of any claim, investigation,
or proceeding relating to events occurring during his employment, including by making himself
available for interviews, document review, deposition, and testimony. The Company shall reimburse
the Executive for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in providing that cooperation
and shall use reasonable efforts to schedule cooperation so as not to interfere with the
Executive’s subsequent employment.
7. Confidential
Information. The Executive acknowledges that in the course of his employment he will
have access to confidential and proprietary information of the Company and its subsidiaries
and affiliates (the “Company Group”), including customer and vessel lists, pricing,
financial data, acquisition plans, and trade secrets (“Confidential Information”).
During and after employment, the Executive shall not disclose or use any Confidential Information
except in performing his duties or as required by law. Nothing in this Agreement prohibits
the Executive from reporting possible violations of law to any governmental agency or regulatory
authority, or from making disclosures protected under the whistleblower provisions of federal
law, and the Executive is not required to notify the Company of any such report. Under the
Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable
for disclosing a trade secret in confidence to a government official or attorney solely for
the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law, or in a filing made
under seal in a lawsuit.
8. Restrictive
Covenants.
(a) Territory.
For purposes of this Section 8, “Territory” means each state, country, and other
jurisdiction in which the Company Group conducts business, or has taken material steps to
conduct business, as of the Termination Date.
(b) Non-Competition.
During the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months following the Termination Date,
the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly, engage in the business of buying, selling,
leasing, repairing, maintaining, or brokering boats or yachts within the Territory, whether
as owner, partner, member, officer, director, employee, consultant, or agent. This Section
8(b) does not restrict the Executive’s ownership or oversight of the businesses identified
on Exhibit A, including any expansion of such businesses within the business lines described
on Exhibit A, and those businesses shall not be deemed competitive with the Company solely
because the Company or any member of the Company Group later expands into, conducts, or otherwise
engages in any such business line, in each case subject to Section 2(f).
| Page 12
(c) Non-Solicitation
of Customers. During the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months following the Termination
Date, the Executive shall not solicit any customer of the Company Group for business of the
type conducted by the Company Group. General solicitations not targeted at Company Group
customers are not a violation of this Section 8(c).
(d) Non-Solicitation
of Employees. During the Employment Term and for twenty-four (24) months following the Termination
Date, the Executive shall not solicit for employment or engagement any employee or independent
contractor of the Company Group, or induce any such person to terminate his or her relationship
with the Company Group. General solicitations not targeted at Company Group personnel are
not a violation of this Section 8(d).
(e) Legitimate
Business Interests. The Executive acknowledges that the covenants in this Section 8 are reasonable
and necessary to protect the legitimate business interests of the Company Group, including
its Confidential Information, substantial relationships with prospective and existing customers,
and the goodwill associated with its trade names and its geographic trade areas, within the
meaning of Section 542.335 of the Florida Statutes.
9. Non-Disparagement.
During the Employment Term and thereafter, the Executive shall not make any disparaging
statement about the Company Group or its directors or executive officers, and the Company
shall not, and shall cause its directors and executive officers, while acting in their capacities
as such, not to, make, solicit or encourage others to make any disparaging statement about
the Executive. Nothing in this Section 9 limits either Party from testifying truthfully or
making any disclosure required by law, and nothing in this Section 9 restricts deliberations
of the Board or its committees, evaluations of the Executive’s performance, or communications
among directors and officers in the performance of their duties.
10. Remedies.
The Executive acknowledges that a breach of Section 7 or Section 8 would cause irreparable
harm for which monetary damages would be an inadequate remedy, and agrees that the Company
shall be entitled to seek injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedy available at
law or in equity.
11. Proprietary
Rights. All inventions, works of authorship, developments, and improvements conceived
or made by the Executive during the Employment Term that relate to the business of the Company
Group, including all software, platforms, and customer relationship management systems, are
the sole property of the Company. To the extent any such work is not a work made for hire,
the Executive assigns to the Company all right, title, and interest in it. The Executive
shall execute all documents reasonably requested to perfect the Company’s rights. This
Section 11 does not apply to any invention or work product of the businesses identified on
Exhibit A that does not relate to the business of the Company Group and was not developed
using Company Group resources.
| Page 13
12. Clawback.
Any incentive-based compensation paid or payable to the Executive is subject to recovery
under the Company’s clawback policy as adopted in accordance with Rule 10D-1 under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the listing standards of the NYSE American, as amended
from time to time, and to any recovery required under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act
of 2002. The Executive acknowledges that this Section 12 does not constitute Good Reason.
13. Company
Policies. The Executive shall comply with all written policies of the Company applicable
to executive officers, including its insider trading policy and any restrictions on hedging
and pledging of Company securities, its code of business conduct and ethics, and its related
person transaction policy, in each case as in effect from time to time; provided that any
such future policies may not materially impair Executive’s rights under this Agreement
or apply retroactively in a discriminatory manner, provided further that the foregoing limitation
shall not apply to any policy, or any amendment to a policy, adopted to comply with applicable
law, regulation or the listing standards of the NYSE American, including the policy described
in Section 12.
14. Section
409A. This Agreement is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the
Code and the regulations and guidance promulgated thereunder (collectively “Section
409A”), and shall be interpreted accordingly. A termination of employment shall not
be deemed to have occurred for purposes of any provision of this Agreement providing for
the payment of any amounts or benefits subject to Section 409A upon or following a termination
of employment unless such termination is also a “separation from service” within
the meaning of Section 409A and, for purposes of any such provision of the Agreement, references
to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like term shall
mean “separation from service.” The Executive’s right to receive any installment
payment is treated as a right to receive a series of separate and distinct payments for purposes
of Section 409A. If the Executive is a “specified employee” within the meaning
of Section 409A on the Termination Date, any payment constituting nonqualified deferred compensation
under Section 409A that is payable on separation from service shall, to the extent required
by Section 409A, be delayed until the first business day following the expiration of the
six (6) month period measured from the Termination Date, or if earlier, the Executive’s
death. Upon the expiration of the foregoing delay period, all payments and benefits delayed
pursuant to this Section (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump
sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) will be paid or reimbursed to the Executive
in a lump sum, and any remaining payments and benefits due under this Agreement will be paid
or provided in accordance with the normal payment date specified for them herein. To the
extent reimbursements or other in-kind benefits under this Agreement constitute nonqualified
deferred compensation for purposes of Section 409A, such reimbursements or expenses shall
be made no later than the last day of the taxable year following the taxable year in which
the expense was incurred, the amount eligible for reimbursement in one taxable year shall
not affect the amount eligible in any other taxable year, and the right to reimbursement
is not subject to liquidation or exchange. The Company makes no representation that any payment
under this Agreement complies with Section 409A and shall have no liability to the Executive
for any tax imposed under it.
| Page 14
15. Withholding.
The Company may withhold from any amounts payable under this Agreement all federal, state,
local, and foreign taxes required to be withheld.
16. Representations
of the Executive. The Executive represents and warrants that (a) he is not subject to
any agreement or restriction that would prevent or restrict him from entering into this Agreement
or performing his duties; (b) he is not subject to any event that would require disclosure
under Item 401(f) of Regulation S-K; (c) he is not subject to any “bad actor”
disqualifying event described in Rule 506(d)(1) of Regulation D; and (d) he has not been
an employee or director of the Company prior to the Start Date. The Executive shall promptly
notify the Board if any of these representations ceases to be accurate.
17. Conditions
Precedent. The obligations of the Company under this Agreement are subject to (a) approval
of this Agreement and the Awards by the Compensation Committee and, if required, the Board;
(b) completion of a background check satisfactory to the Company; (c) delivery of a completed
director and officer questionnaire; (d) delivery of Exhibit A; and (e) the effectiveness
of the resignation or other separation of the incumbent Chief Executive Officer.
18. Governing
Law; Jurisdiction and Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the State
of Florida, without regard to conflict of laws principles. Each Party consents to the exclusive
jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Broward County, Florida,
and waives any objection based on forum non conveniens. EACH PARTY IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ANY
RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT.
19. Miscellaneous.
(a) Entire
Agreement. This Agreement, together with the award agreements contemplated by Section 4(c),
the indemnification agreement contemplated by Section 4(g), and the Exhibits, constitutes
the entire agreement of the Parties with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings, including the term sheet exchanged between the Parties.
| Page 15
(b) Amendment
and Waiver. No provision may be amended or waived except by a writing signed by both Parties.
No waiver of any breach constitutes a waiver of any other breach.
(c) Severability.
If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue
in full force. Any provision held overbroad shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary
to render it enforceable.
(d) Successors
and Assigns. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and may not be assigned by him.
The Company may assign this Agreement only to a successor to all or substantially all of
the business or assets of the Company, provided that such successor expressly assumes this
Agreement in writing before or at the effective time of such transaction. The Company’s
failure to obtain such written assumption shall constitute Good Reason. This Agreement shall
be binding on, and inure to the benefit of, the Company, the Executive and their respective
permitted successors, assigns, heirs and representatives.
(e) Notices.
Notices shall be in writing and delivered personally, by nationally recognized overnight
courier, or by certified mail to the addresses set forth on the signature page, or to such
other address as a Party may designate in writing.
(f) Survival.
Sections 4(c), 4(g), 5 through 12 and Sections 14 through 19 survive termination of this
Agreement.
(g) Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in counterparts, including by electronic signature, each of
which is an original and all of which together constitute one instrument.
(h) Captions.
Captions are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
20. Acknowledgment
of Full Understanding. THE EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ AND UNDERSTANDS THIS
AGREEMENT, THAT HE HAS HAD A FULL AND REASONABLE OPPORTUNITY TO CONSIDER ITS TERMS AND TO
CONSULT WITH COUNSEL OF HIS CHOOSING, AND THAT HE ENTERS INTO IT VOLUNTARILY.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the Parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.
NEXTBOAT
INC.
By:
/s/
Chad Corbin
Name:
Chad
Corbin
Title:
Chief
Financial Officer
Address:
1701
Jel Wade Drive Wilmington, NC 28401
EXECUTIVE
/s/
Ross Tannenbaum
Ross
Tannenbaum
Address:
| Page 16
EXHIBIT
A
Permitted
Outside Businesses
Supreme
Marine Services (Floating Docks)
Supreme
Outdoor Lighting (Outdoor lighting)
Palm
Beach Electronics (Technology for homes)
Ocean
Treasure Suites (Beachfront Motel)
Courtyard
Villas (Oceanfront Villas)
Marina-by-the-Sea
(Marina)
| Page 17
EXHIBIT
B
FORM
OF GENERAL RELEASE OF CLAIMS
This
General Release of Claims (this “Release”) is entered into by Ross Tannenbaum (the “Executive”) in favor of NextBoat
Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), pursuant to Section 5(f) of the Executive Employment Agreement between the Executive
and the Company dated [________], 2026 (the “Employment Agreement”). Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Release
have the meanings given in the Employment Agreement.
1.
Separation. The Executive’s
employment with the Company terminated effective [________] (the “Termination Date”). [The Executive acknowledges receipt
of all Accrued Amounts payable under Section 5(a) of the Employment Agreement,] and that those amounts are owed regardless of whether
the Executive signs this Release.
2. Consideration.
In exchange for this Release, and subject to the Executive executing and not revoking it
within the period described in Section 5(f) of the Employment Agreement, the Company shall
provide the severance payments and benefits described in [Section 5(b)] [Section 5(c)] of
the Employment Agreement. The Executive acknowledges that those payments and benefits are
in addition to anything of value to which he is otherwise entitled.
3.
General Release by the
Executive. Subject to Section 4, the Executive, on behalf of himself and his heirs, executors, administrators, representatives,
and assigns (the “Releasors”), irrevocably and unconditionally releases and forever discharges the Company, each member
of the Company Group, and each of their respective past and present parents, subsidiaries, affiliates, predecessors, successors, and
assigns, and each of their respective officers, directors, employees, stockholders, agents, attorneys, insurers, and benefit plans
and plan fiduciaries, in their corporate and individual capacities (the “Released Parties”), from any and all claims, demands,
causes of action, judgments, rights, fees, damages, debts, obligations, liabilities, and expenses, including attorneys’ fees,
of any kind, whether known or unknown, that the Releasors have or ever had against the Released Parties arising out of or relating
to the Executive’s employment with, service to, or separation from the Company Group, in each case arising from any act, omission,
or occurrence through the date the Executive signs this Release, including:
(a) claims
under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, Section 1981
of Title 42 of the United States Code, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination
in Employment Act as amended by the Older Workers Benefit Protection Act, the Family and
Medical Leave Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Equal Pay Act, the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act with respect to unvested benefits, the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
Notification Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, the Uniformed Services Employment
and Reemployment Rights Act, the Fair Credit Reporting Act, the Immigration Reform and Control
Act, and the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, each as amended;
| Page 18
(b) claims
under the Florida Civil Rights Act, the Florida Whistleblower Act, the Florida Minimum Wage
Act, the Florida Equal Pay Act, and any other federal, state, local, or foreign statute,
regulation, ordinance, or common law that may lawfully be waived, including claims under
the laws of the State of North Carolina and any other jurisdiction in which the Executive
performed services;
(c) claims
for wages, salary, bonuses, commissions, incentive or deferred compensation, equity or equity-based
compensation, paid time off, expense reimbursement, and severance, in each case other than
as provided in Section 4;
(d) claims
for wrongful discharge, breach of express or implied contract, breach of the implied covenant
of good faith and fair dealing, retaliation, defamation, invasion of privacy, negligent or
intentional infliction of emotional distress, fraud, misrepresentation, and any other tort;
and
(e) claims
for attorneys’ fees, costs, or disbursements.
The
identification of specific statutes is for example only, and the omission of any statute does not limit the scope of this Release.
4. Claims
Not Released. This Release does not waive or release:
(a)
any right to the severance
payments and benefits described in Section 2, any unpaid Accrued Amounts, any Annual Bonus earned but unpaid for a completed fiscal
year, and any other payment or benefit payable under Section 5(b), Section 5(c), Section 5(d), or any other provision of the Employment
Agreement that survives the Termination Date;
(b) any
vested benefit under any Company Group employee benefit plan, and any right to continuation
coverage under COBRA;
(c)
any right with respect to
equity awards that are vested or that remain eligible to vest under the Employment Agreement or the applicable award agreements, including
the right to exercise vested options in accordance with their terms;
(d) any
right to indemnification, contribution, or advancement of expenses under the Employment Agreement,
the Company’s articles of incorporation or bylaws, any indemnification agreement, or
applicable law, or any right as an insured under any directors’ and officers’
liability insurance policy;
| Page 19
(e)
any rights the Executive
may have in his capacity as a stockholder, optionholder, or other equityholder of the Company or any member of the Company Group, including
rights to receive shares, distributions, notices, information, voting rights, transfer rights, or consideration in connection with
any corporate transaction;
(f)
any claim for workers’
compensation benefits or unemployment compensation benefits;
(g)
any claim arising after the
date the Executive signs this Release; or
(h)
any claim that cannot be
waived or released as a matter of law.
5.
Release by the Company.
In consideration of the Executive’s execution and non-revocation of this Release, the Company, on behalf of itself and each member
of the Company Group, releases and forever discharges the Executive and his heirs, executors, administrators, representatives, and
assigns from any and all claims, demands, causes of action, judgments, rights, fees, damages, debts, obligations, liabilities, and
expenses, including attorneys’ fees, of any kind, whether known or unknown, that the Company or any member of the Company Group
has or ever had against the Executive arising from any act, omission, or occurrence through the date the Company signs this Release;
provided, however, that this release does not waive or release any claim based on fraud, criminal misconduct, intentional misconduct,
willful breach of fiduciary duty, or any claim that cannot be waived or released as a matter of law.
6.
Protected Rights.
Nothing in this Release limits the Executive’s right to file a charge or complaint with, or to communicate or cooperate with,
the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the National Labor Relations Board, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration, or any other federal, state, or local governmental agency or regulatory authority, or to participate
in any investigation or proceeding conducted by such an agency. The Executive is not required to notify the Company before doing so.
The Executive waives any right to individual monetary relief in connection with any such charge or complaint, except that the Executive
does not waive any right to receive a whistleblower award under Section 21F of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or any other law.
Under the Defend Trade Secrets Act of 2016, the Executive shall not be held criminally or civilly liable for disclosing a trade secret
in confidence to a government official or attorney solely for the purpose of reporting or investigating a suspected violation of law,
or in a filing made under seal in a lawsuit.
7.
No Pending Claims.
The Executive represents that he has not filed, and has not assigned to any person the right to file, any claim, charge, complaint,
or action against any Released Party, other than any charge or complaint permitted by Section 6.
| Page 20
8.
Continuing Obligations.
The Executive reaffirms his obligations under Sections 6 through 11 and Section 13 of the Employment Agreement, including cooperation,
confidentiality, the restrictive covenants, non-disparagement, proprietary rights, and Company policies, each of which survives the
Termination Date in accordance with its terms; provided that this reaffirmation does not expand, modify, restart, or extend any restrictive
covenant period or other post-employment obligation, and does not waive any defense to enforceability. The Executive confirms that
he has returned, or will return by the Termination Date, all material Company Group property, documents, and data in his possession
or control, in any form, other than information retained automatically in backups or personal devices subject to ordinary deletion
protocols and copies reasonably retained for purposes of taxes, compensation, benefits, equity, indemnification, insurance, enforcing
preserved rights, or complying with legal obligations.
9.
No Admission. Nothing
in this Release is an admission by either party of any wrongdoing or liability, each of which is expressly denied.
10.
Knowing and Voluntary
Acknowledgment. The Executive acknowledges that:
(a) he
has read this Release in its entirety and understands all of its terms;
(b) he
has been given [twenty-one (21)] [forty-five (45)] days from receipt of this Release to consider
it before signing, and if he signs before the end of that period, he does so voluntarily
and waives the remainder;
(c) he
has been advised in writing to consult with an attorney before signing this Release and has
had the opportunity to do so;
(d) he
may revoke this Release as to claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act within
seven (7) days after signing it, by delivering written notice of revocation to the Company
at the address in Section 19(e) of the Employment Agreement before the end of that period;
(e) he
is receiving consideration beyond anything of value to which he is already entitled; and
(f) he
is not waiving any right or claim that arises after he signs this Release.
[If
the Executive’s termination occurs in connection with an exit incentive or other employment termination program offered to a group
or class of employees, the forty-five (45) day period applies and the disclosures required by 29 U.S.C. Section 626(f)(1)(H) shall be
attached as Appendix 1.]
| Page 21
11.
Effective Date. This
Release becomes effective on the eighth (8th) day after the Executive signs it, provided he has not revoked it under Section 10(d)
(the “Effective Date”) and provided the Company has countersigned it. No severance payment or benefit described in Section
2 is payable before the Effective Date. If the Executive revokes this Release, it is void and no severance payment or benefit is owed;
provided that such revocation does not affect the Executive’s right to receive Accrued Amounts or any other rights that are not
conditioned on this Release.
12.
Section 409A. This
Release is intended to comply with, or be exempt from, Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and shall be
interpreted consistently with Section 14 of the Employment Agreement. If the period during which the Executive may consider and revoke
this Release spans two taxable years, any payment conditioned on this Release shall be made or commence in the later taxable year.
The Company shall administer the timing of all payments and benefits in a manner consistent with the Employment Agreement and Section
409A and shall not delay or withhold any payment or benefit beyond the time permitted or required under the Employment Agreement and
applicable law.
13.
Miscellaneous. This
Release is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to conflict of laws principles, and Section 18 of the Employment
Agreement, including its jury waiver, applies to any dispute under this Release. If any provision is held invalid or unenforceable,
the remaining provisions continue in full force. This Release may be executed in counterparts, including by electronic signature. This
Release and the Employment Agreement contain the entire understanding of the parties with respect to its subject matter.
THE
EXECUTIVE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ THIS RELEASE, UNDERSTANDS IT, AND SIGNS IT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY.
EXECUTIVE
Ross
Tannenbaum
Date:
AGREED
AND ACKNOWLEDGED BY NEXTBOAT INC.
By:
Name:
[NAME]
Title:
[TITLE]
Date:
| Page 22
EX-10.2
EX-10.2
Filename: ex10-2.htm · Sequence: 3
Exhibit
10.2
NEXTBOAT
INC.
INDUCEMENT
NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
Granted
outside the NextBoat Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan as an employment inducement award in reliance on Section 711(a) of the NYSE American
Company Guide
This
Inducement Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the Grant Date set forth
on Schedule A by and between NextBoat Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “Company”), and Ross Tannenbaum (the “Participant”).
WHEREAS,
the Company and the Participant are parties to an Executive Employment Agreement dated as of the Grant Date (the “Employment Agreement”),
under which the Participant will serve as Chief Executive Officer of the Company;
WHEREAS,
Section 4(c) of the Employment Agreement provides for the grant to the Participant of the options described in this Agreement as an inducement
material to the Participant’s entering into employment with the Company;
WHEREAS,
the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company, consisting solely of independent directors, has approved the grant
of the options described in this Agreement outside the NextBoat Inc. 2025 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) in reliance
on the employment inducement exception in Section 711(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide; and
WHEREAS,
the Participant was not previously an employee or director of the Company;
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants in this Agreement and the Employment Agreement, the parties agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Capitalized terms used but not defined in this Agreement have the meanings given in the Employment
Agreement, including “Cause,” “Change in Control,” “Company
Group,” “Disability,” “Employment Term,” “Excluded Transaction,”
“Good Reason,” and “Termination Date.” In addition:
(a) “Board”
means the Board of Directors of the Company.
(b) “Code”
means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
(c) “Committee”
means the Compensation Committee of the Board.
(d) “Common
Stock” means the common stock, par value $0.001 per share, of the Company.
(e) “Exercise
Price” means the per share exercise price set forth on Schedule A, which is the closing
price of a share of Common Stock on the NYSE American on the Grant Date.
| Page 1
(f) “Expiration
Date” means the tenth (10th) anniversary of the Grant Date.
(g) “Fair
Market Value” means, as of any date, the closing price of a share of Common Stock on
the principal exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed on that date, or if no sale
was reported on that date, on the last preceding date on which a sale was reported.
(h) “Grant
Date” means the date set forth on Schedule A, which is the later of (i) the Start Date
under the Employment Agreement and (ii) the date on which NYSE American LLC approves the
Company’s additional listing application for the shares of Common Stock underlying
the Options.
(i) “Options”
means, collectively, the Time Vesting Option, the Performance Option, and the $5.00 Option,
each of which is a separate option to purchase shares of Common Stock, and “Option”
means any of them.
(j) “Securities
Act” means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
(k) “VWAP”
means, for any trading day, the volume-weighted average price of the Common Stock on the
principal exchange on which the Common Stock is then listed, as reported by Bloomberg L.P.
or, if not reported by Bloomberg, by another authoritative source selected by the Committee.
2. Grant
of Options.
2.1 Grant.
Subject to the terms of this Agreement, the Company grants to the Participant, effective
as of the Grant Date, the following Options, each at the Exercise Price:
(a) an
option to purchase one million (1,000,000) shares of Common Stock (the “Time Vesting
Option”);
(b) an
option to purchase one million (1,000,000) shares of Common Stock (the “Performance
Option”); and
(c) an
option to purchase five hundred thousand (500,000) shares of Common Stock (the “$5.00
Option”).
2.2 Type
of Option. Each Option is a non-qualified stock option and is not intended to qualify
as an incentive stock option under Section 422 of the Code.
2.3 Inducement
Grant; Not Under the Plan. The Options are granted outside the Plan as an employment
inducement award in reliance on Section 711(a) of the NYSE American Company Guide. The Options
are not subject to the terms of the Plan and do not reduce the number of shares available
under the Plan. The Company shall at all times reserve a sufficient number of authorized
but unissued shares of Common Stock to satisfy the exercise of the Options.
| Page 2
3. Vesting.
Except as otherwise provided in Section 4 or Section 5, each Option vests only as provided
in this Section 3, subject to the Participant’s continued employment with the Company
through the applicable vesting date.
3.1 Time
Vesting Option. Two hundred thousand (200,000) shares subject to the Time Vesting Option
vest on the Grant Date, as an inducement award in lieu of a cash signing bonus. The remaining
eight hundred thousand (800,000) shares vest in forty-eight (48) monthly installments on
the same day of each month as the Start Date, beginning with the first month following the
Start Date. Each of the first forty-seven (47) installments shall be 16,666 shares, and the
forty-eighth (48th) installment shall be 16,698 shares, so that the Time Vesting Option is
fully vested on the fourth anniversary of the Start Date. If the Grant Date occurs after
the Start Date, any installment that would have vested before the Grant Date based on the
foregoing schedule shall vest on the Grant Date, and the delay shall not reduce the intended
economics or vesting credit of the Time Vesting Option.
3.2 Performance
Option. The Performance Option vests in four tranches of 250,000 shares each upon the
Company achieving the following levels of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA in any single fiscal
year ending during the Employment Term:
(a) Tranche
1: Adjusted EBITDA of zero or greater;
(b) Tranche
2: Adjusted EBITDA of $1,500,000 or greater;
(c) Tranche
3: Adjusted EBITDA of $3,000,000 or greater; and
(d) Tranche
4: Adjusted EBITDA of $5,000,000 or greater.
Achievement
of each level is measured on the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements for the applicable fiscal year, and Adjusted
EBITDA is calculated in accordance with Exhibit B. The Committee shall certify in writing the level of Adjusted EBITDA achieved for each
fiscal year within thirty (30) days after the Company files its audited consolidated financial statements for that year, and each tranche
earned for that year vests on the date of that certification. Where more than one level is achieved in the same fiscal year, all corresponding
tranches vest. Once vested, a tranche is permanently earned and does not lapse if Adjusted EBITDA declines in a later fiscal year. The
Participant is entitled to any tranche earned on account of a fiscal year if he is employed on the last day of that fiscal year, even
if Adjusted EBITDA is not certified until a later date on which he is no longer employed. Any dispute as to the calculation of Adjusted
EBITDA shall be resolved by the Company’s independent auditor, whose determination, in the absence of manifest error, shall be
final and binding.
| Page 3
3.3 $5.00
Option. The $5.00 Option vests in full on the first date on which the VWAP of the Common
Stock has been $5.00 or greater on each of sixty (60) consecutive trading days, subject to
the Participant’s continued employment through that date. If the Common Stock is no
longer publicly traded, the $5.00 Option shall vest in full if the per share value of the
Common Stock, as determined in the Company’s annual valuation, equals or exceeds $5.00,
without applying any discount for lack of marketability or similar minority, illiquidity,
or marketability discount, subject to the Participant’s continued employment through
the applicable valuation date.
3.4 Adjustment
of Price Targets. The $5.00 price target in Section 3.3 and Section 5.2(c), and the $5.00
per share consideration threshold in Section 4.1(c), shall be equitably adjusted under Section
10 for any event described in that Section.
4. Change
in Control.
4.1 Acceleration.
On a Change in Control, (a) any then-unvested portion of the Time Vesting Option vests
in full; (b) any then-unvested portion of the Performance Option vests in full; and (c) the
$5.00 Option vests in full if the per share consideration in the transaction is $5.00 or
greater.
4.2 Excluded
Transaction. Notwithstanding Section 4.1, no acceleration under Section 4.1 occurs by
reason of an Excluded Transaction if, and only if, the Options are assumed or substituted
with equivalent awards by the Company or its successor and the assumed or substituted awards
continue vesting on the same vesting terms as the Options. For this purpose, an assumed or
substituted award shall be considered equivalent only if it preserves the same economic value,
vesting schedule, post-termination exercise rights, expiration date, and payment and exercise
mechanics, and is no less favorable to the Participant in the aggregate than the replaced
Option. If the Company or its successor does not so assume or substitute the Options, the
Excluded Transaction shall be treated as a Change in Control for purposes of Section 4.1.
4.3 Definition
of Excluded Transaction. “Excluded Transaction” means a Change in Control in which the acquiring or surviving person,
or any member of a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, effecting the
Change in Control, is (a) a person who, together with its affiliates, beneficially owned more than thirty percent (30%) of the combined
voting power of the Company’s outstanding voting securities immediately before the transaction, or an affiliate of that person,
or (b) the Participant or an affiliate of the Participant.
| Page 4
4.4 Treatment
in a Transaction. In connection with a Change in Control, the Committee may provide that
each vested Option (including any Option vesting under Section 4.1) shall be cancelled in
exchange for a cash payment, or its equivalent in the consideration received by holders of
Common Stock, equal to the excess, if any, of the per share consideration over the Exercise
Price multiplied by the number of shares subject to the vested Option, less applicable withholding.
Any Option whose Exercise Price equals or exceeds the per share consideration may be cancelled
without payment; provided that any such cancellation shall be effected on terms no less favorable
to the Participant than the treatment afforded to similarly situated holders of stock options
or other equity awards. The Committee shall give the Participant at least ten (10) days’
notice before any cancellation under this Section 4.4, and the Participant may exercise any
vested Option during that period.
5. Termination
of Employment. Any portion of an Option that is not vested on the Termination Date, after
giving effect to this Section 5 and Section 3.2, is forfeited on the Termination Date without
consideration, except to the extent it may vest after that date under Section 3.2, Section
5.2 or Section 5.3.
5.1 Death
or Disability. If the Participant’s employment terminates on account of death or
Disability, each Option vests in full on the Termination Date.
5.2 Without
Cause, for Good Reason, or on Company Non-Renewal. If the Participant’s employment
is terminated by the Company without Cause, by the Participant for Good Reason, or on account
of the Company’s election not to renew the Employment Term, then, subject to the release
requirement in Section 5(f) of the Employment Agreement:
(a) the
Time Vesting Option vests as to the number of shares that would have vested during the twelve
(12) months following the Termination Date had the Participant remained employed;
(b) the
Participant retains the vested portion of the Performance Option and may vest in any tranche
that would have vested on account of the fiscal year in which the Termination Date occurs,
based on the Adjusted EBITDA certified for that fiscal year, as if the Participant had remained
employed for the full fiscal year; and
(c) the
Participant retains the vested portion of the $5.00 Option, and any unvested portion of the
$5.00 Option vests if the condition in Section 3.3 is satisfied during the six (6) months
following the Termination Date.
Any
portion of an Option eligible to vest under clause (b) or (c) remains outstanding, but unexercisable, until the end of the applicable
measurement period and is forfeited to the extent it does not vest by that time.
| Page 5
5.3
Change in Control Termination.
If the Participant’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or by the Participant for Good Reason, in either
case within twelve (12) months following a Change in Control, then, to the extent not already fully vested, the Options shall receive
the equity treatment described in Section 4.1 and Section 4.2, consistent with Section 5(c) of the Employment Agreement.
5.4
Other Terminations. On
any other termination of employment, including termination for Cause, resignation by the Participant without Good Reason or expiration
of the Employment Term following the Participant’s notice of non-renewal, the unvested portion of each Option is forfeited and
the vested portion remains exercisable as provided in Section 6.
6.
Term and Post-Termination
Exercise. Each Option expires on the Expiration Date unless earlier terminated. Following any termination of the Participant’s
employment, the vested portion of each Option, including any portion that vests under Section 5.2 or Section 5.3, remains exercisable
until the earlier of (a) sixty (60) months after the Termination Date and (b) the Expiration Date. If exercise of an Option is prohibited
on the last day of its exercise period by applicable securities laws or the Company’s insider trading policy, the exercise period
is extended until thirty (30) days after the prohibition lapses, but not beyond the Expiration Date.
7. Manner
of Exercise.
7.1 Notice.
The vested portion of an Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, by delivering
to the Company a written exercise notice substantially in the form of Exhibit A, identifying
the Option being exercised and the number of shares, together with payment under Section
7.2 and satisfaction of withholding under Section 8.
7.2 Payment
of Exercise Price. The aggregate Exercise Price shall be paid, at the Participant’s
election, (a) in cash or by wire transfer; (b) by net exercise, through a reduction in the
number of shares otherwise deliverable having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal
to the aggregate Exercise Price; (c) through a broker-assisted cashless exercise program,
if one is then available to the Participant; (d) by delivery of previously owned shares of
Common Stock having a Fair Market Value equal to the aggregate Exercise Price; or (e) any
combination of the foregoing.
7.3 Issuance
of Shares. Following a valid exercise, the Company shall issue the shares in book-entry
form in the name of the Participant, or his permitted transferee or legal representative,
with any legends required under Section 9.
| Page 6
8. Tax
Withholding. The issuance of shares on exercise of an Option is conditioned on satisfaction
of all applicable federal, state, and local tax withholding obligations. The Participant
shall satisfy those obligations by cash payment to the Company or, with the consent of the
Company, by net share withholding under which the Company withholds shares otherwise deliverable
having a Fair Market Value equal to the withholding obligation, which may not exceed the
maximum statutory rate applicable to the Participant. The Company may also withhold from
any other compensation payable to the Participant. The Participant is solely responsible
for all taxes arising from the Options, and the Company makes no representation regarding
their tax treatment.
9.
Securities Law Matters.
The Options and the shares issuable on exercise have not been registered under the Securities Act and are being granted in reliance
on an exemption from registration. Until the shares are registered, they are “restricted securities” and may be resold
only in compliance with an exemption from registration, including Rule 144. The Company shall use commercially reasonable efforts to
register the shares on Form S-8 when available and to provide such customary resale support as the Participant may reasonably request,
subject in each case to applicable securities laws, listing standards, and Company policies applicable to executive officers. The Company
may place customary legends on any shares issued and may require representations from the Participant as a condition of exercise. The
Participant shall comply with Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and with the Company’s insider trading
policy in connection with the exercise of any Option and any disposition of shares; provided that any future policy may not materially
impair the Participant’s rights under this Agreement or apply retroactively in a discriminatory manner, except to the extent
required to comply with applicable law, regulation, or listing standards.
10. Adjustments.
In the event of any stock split, reverse stock split, stock dividend, extraordinary cash
dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, combination, exchange
of shares, spin-off, or similar change in the capital structure of the Company, the Committee
shall equitably adjust the number and kind of shares subject to each Option, the Exercise
Price, and the price targets in this Agreement, in each case in a manner that preserves the
intrinsic value of the Options and complies with Section 409A of the Code.
11. Transferability.
The Options may not be sold, assigned, pledged, or otherwise transferred other than by will
or the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Participant’s lifetime are
exercisable only by the Participant or his legal representative, except that the Participant
may, with the prior written consent of the Committee, transfer an Option without consideration
to a trust or other entity established solely for the benefit of the Participant or members
of his immediate family for estate planning purposes. Any purported transfer in violation
of this Section 11 is void.
| Page 7
12. No
Rights as a Stockholder. The Participant has no rights as a stockholder with respect
to any shares subject to an Option until those shares are issued on exercise.
13.
Clawback. The Options,
any shares issued on exercise, and any proceeds from the disposition of those shares are subject to recovery only to the extent required
under the Company’s clawback policy adopted in accordance with Rule 10D-1 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
and the listing standards of the NYSE American, as amended from time to time, or under Section 304 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Any clawback policy shall apply to the Participant on terms no less favorable than those applicable to other senior executives and
shall not apply retroactively except to the extent required by applicable law, regulation, or listing standards.
14. Section
409A. Each Option is intended to be exempt from Section 409A of the Code as a stock right
with an exercise price not less than the fair market value of the underlying stock on the
grant date, within the meaning of Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(5), and this Agreement
shall be interpreted accordingly.
15.
Relationship to Employment
Agreement. This Agreement is the award agreement contemplated by Section 4(c) of the Employment Agreement. In the event of any
conflict between this Agreement and Section 4(c) or Section 5 of the Employment Agreement, the Employment Agreement controls. Without
limiting the foregoing, the Change in Control termination treatment under Section 5(c) of the Employment Agreement shall apply to the
Options to the extent more favorable to the Participant. Nothing in this Agreement confers on the Participant any right to continued
employment, which is governed by the Employment Agreement.
16. Miscellaneous.
16.1 Governing
Law; Venue. This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Florida, without regard
to conflict of laws principles, except to the extent the corporate law of the State of Nevada
mandatorily applies to the issuance of the Company’s shares. Section 18 of the Employment
Agreement, including its jury waiver, applies to any dispute under this Agreement.
16.2 Entire
Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement, together with the Employment Agreement, constitutes
the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Options. This Agreement may be amended
only by a writing signed by the Company and the Participant, except that the Company may
amend this Agreement without the Participant’s consent to the extent necessary to comply
with applicable law or listing standards, provided that no such amendment materially impairs
the Participant’s rights without his consent.
| Page 8
16.3 Notices.
Notices under this Agreement shall be given as provided in Section 19(e) of the Employment
Agreement.
16.4 Severability.
If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions
continue in full force.
16.5 Successors.
This Agreement binds and benefits the Company and its successors and assigns and the
Participant and his heirs, legal representatives, and permitted transferees. The Company
shall require any successor to all or substantially all of the business or assets of the
Company to expressly assume this Agreement in writing before or at the effective time of
the applicable transaction. Failure to obtain such written assumption shall constitute Good
Reason under the Employment Agreement and, unless the Options are otherwise accelerated under
Section 4, shall cause all then-unvested Options to vest in full immediately before the applicable
transaction.
16.6 Counterparts;
Electronic Signature. This Agreement may be executed in counterparts and by electronic
signature, each of which is an original and all of which together constitute one instrument.
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Grant Date.
NEXTBOAT
INC.
By:
/s/
Chad Corbin
Name:
Chad
Corbin
Title:
Chief
Financial Officer
PARTICIPANT
/s/
Ross Tannenbaum
Ross
Tannenbaum
| Page 9
SCHEDULE
A
Grant
Summary
Term
Detail
Participant
Ross
Tannenbaum
Grant
Date
September
28, 2026 (the later of the Start Date and NYSE American listing approval)
Exercise
Price per Share
$1.96,
the closing price of the Common Stock on the NYSE American on the Grant Date
Expiration
Date
Tenth
anniversary of the Grant Date
Time
Vesting Option
1,000,000
shares: 200,000 vested at grant; 800,000 in 48 monthly installments measured from the Start Date, with catch-up vesting on the Grant
Date for any installments that would have vested before the Grant Date (Section 3.1)
Performance
Option
1,000,000
shares in four tranches of 250,000 at Adjusted EBITDA of $0, $1.5 million, $3.0 million and $5.0 million (Section 3.2)
$5.00
Option
500,000
shares, vesting on a $5.00 VWAP for 60 consecutive trading days, or, if the Common Stock is no longer publicly traded, on an annual
valuation showing per share value of at least $5.00 without minority, illiquidity, marketability, or similar discounts (Section 3.3)
Total
Shares
2,500,000
Type
Non-qualified
stock option; inducement grant outside the 2025 Equity Incentive Plan under NYSE American Company Guide Section 711(a)
Committee
Approval Date
September
25, 2026
| Page 10
EXHIBIT
A
Form
of Exercise Notice
To:
NextBoat Inc., Attention: Chief Legal Officer
The
undersigned elects to exercise the following Option under the Inducement Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated [________], 2026:
Option
exercised: [Time Vesting Option] [Performance Option] [$5.00 Option]
Number
of shares: ______________
Payment
of Exercise Price: [cash or wire] [net exercise] [cashless exercise] [previously owned shares]
Tax
withholding: [cash] [net share withholding, subject to Company consent]
The
undersigned confirms that this exercise complies with the Company’s insider trading policy and applicable securities laws.
Date:
Ross Tannenbaum
| Page 11
EXHIBIT
B
Adjusted
EBITDA
“Adjusted
EBITDA” means, for any fiscal year, the Company’s consolidated net income (loss) determined in accordance with U.S. generally
accepted accounting principles and reflected in its audited consolidated financial statements, plus, without duplication and only to
the extent deducted in determining net income (loss):
(a) interest
expense, other than interest expense on floor plan financing, which is treated as an operating
expense and is not added back;
(b) provision
for income taxes;
(c) depreciation
and amortization;
(d) non-cash
compensation expenses, including stock-based compensation expenses, including expenses attributable
to the Options; and
(e) non-recurring
expenses limited to (i) transaction costs of completed or abandoned acquisitions, and (ii)
severance and restructuring costs, in each case as identified in the Company’s publicly
reported reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and approved by the Committee;
and
excluding any portion attributable to third-party investor profit participation. The results of any business acquired by the Company
or its subsidiaries are included only from the date of closing. No other adjustment may be made without the written consent of the Participant
and the Committee.
| Page 12
EX-99.1
EX-99.1
Filename: ex99-1.htm · Sequence: 4
Exhibit
99.1
NextBoat
Appoints Proven Growth Executive Ross Tannenbaum as Chief Executive Officer
Former
Fanatics President and Dreams CEO Brings Public Company Leadership and a Record of Building Category-Defining Consumer Businesses
WILMINGTON,
NC / ACCESS Newswire / September 29, 2026 / NextBoat Inc. (NYSE American: NXB) (“NextBoat” or the “Company”),
a vertically integrated, technology-driven marine marketplace and one of the largest buyers and sellers of used boats in the United States,
today announced the appointment of Ross Tannenbaum as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Mr. Tannenbaum succeeds Brian John,
who will remain on the Board of Directors to support a smooth transition. His appointment marks the beginning of an ambitious new chapter
for NextBoat as the Company moves from building its public-company foundation to driving toward profitability, expanding its national
reach, and scaling a technology platform designed to transform the marine industry.
“This
is a defining moment for NextBoat,” said Jason Ruegg, President of NextBoat. “We have built something truly unique: a public,
technology-driven marine platform with the ability to buy, sell, finance, and service boats at national scale. Ross is the leader we
believe can unlock the full potential of that platform. Ross has gotten to know our team and our business over the past several weeks,
and he shares our focus on disciplined execution, sustainable profitability, and long-term shareholder value. His track record, energy,
and ability to scale consumer businesses make him an exceptional fit for where we are going. I could not be more excited about the future
of this Company.”
Mr.
Tannenbaum brings a rare combination of public-company leadership, entrepreneurial experience, and large-scale retail execution. He served
as President and Chief Executive Officer of Dreams, Inc., a publicly traded sports licensed products and memorabilia company, and joined
Fanatics, Inc. following its acquisition of Dreams in 2012. At Fanatics, a leading global retailer of licensed sports merchandise and
apparel, he went on to serve in several senior executive roles through 2019, including President of Retail and Collectibles through 2018,
followed by a strategic business development role. Since leaving Fanatics, Mr. Tannenbaum has continued to build and invest in entrepreneurial
ventures.
“NextBoat
has the assets, the brands, the technology, and the entrepreneurial culture to become a truly important company in the marine industry,”
said Ross Tannenbaum, Chief Executive Officer of NextBoat. “The opportunity is enormous. This is a highly fragmented market, and
NextBoat is building an integrated platform capable of making the entire experience faster, smarter, and more efficient for boaters,
brokers, dealers, and lenders. Everything I’ve learned through this process only reinforces my conviction that the foundation is here.
Now our focus is execution: strengthening the core business, driving profitability, and scaling what works. I am thrilled to lead NextBoat
into this next phase.”
In
connection with Mr. Tannenbaum’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer, the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors
approved the grant to Mr. Tannenbaum, effective upon approval by the NYSE American of the listing of the underlying shares, of non-qualified
stock options to purchase up to 2,500,000 shares of the Company’s common stock, at an exercise price equal to the closing price of the
Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The awards consist of (i) options to purchase 1,000,000 shares, of which 200,000 vest on
the date of grant and the remainder vest in 48 equal monthly installments; (ii) options to purchase 1,000,000 shares that vest in four
equal tranches upon the Company achieving specified levels of Adjusted EBITDA; and (iii) options to purchase 500,000 shares that vest
if the volume-weighted average price of the Company’s common stock is $5.00 or greater over 60 consecutive trading days, in each case
subject to Mr. Tannenbaum’s continued employment and to accelerated vesting in specified circumstances. Each option has a term of ten
years. The awards are being granted outside of the Company’s 2025 Equity Incentive Plan as an inducement material to Mr. Tannenbaum’s
entry into employment with the Company, in reliance on the employment inducement exception under Section 711(a) of the NYSE American
Company Guide. The awards are further described in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Mr.
Tannenbaum’s appointment signals a new phase of focused execution for NextBoat. With an expanding national footprint, a growing portfolio
of marine brands, proprietary technology, and capabilities spanning brokerage, wholesale acquisition, financing, and service, the Company
believes it is positioned to build a more connected and efficient marine marketplace while pursuing sustainable growth and long-term
value for shareholders.
About
NextBoat Inc.
Founded
in 2012, NextBoat Inc., previously known as Off The Hook YS Inc., is a vertically integrated, technology-driven marine marketplace transforming
how boats are bought, sold, financed, and serviced across the United States. Through proprietary technology, transaction data, financing
capabilities, and a growing national acquisition network, the Company operates across boat brokerage, wholesale inventory acquisition,
auctions, financing, and marine services. NextBoat’s ecosystem includes Off The Hook Yachts, Autograph Yacht Group,
Azure Funding, and proprietary lead-generation platforms. Headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina, NextBoat is rapidly expanding
its national footprint and market share within the $57 billion U.S. marine industry.
Contact
Investor
Relations
ir@nextboat.com
Forward-Looking
Statements
This
press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws regarding NextBoat Inc. (“Company”),
including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company’s business strategy, technology platform, market opportunity, planned
operations, and expected results and benefits. You can generally identify forward-looking statements by the use of forward-looking terminology
such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,”
“explore,” “evaluate,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “potential,”
“predict,” “project,” “seek,” “should,” or “will,” or the negative of such
terms thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying
words.
These
forward-looking statements are based on the Company’s current plans, objectives, estimates, expectations, and intentions and inherently
involve significant risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond our control. Actual results, performance or achievements, including
the timing of events, may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements as a result of various
risks and uncertainties, including those described under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Company’s filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other subsequent
filings with the SEC. Copies of these filings are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Investors are cautioned that forward-looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance, and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements.
The forward-looking statements made in this press release are made only as of the date hereof or as of the dates indicated in the forward-looking
statements and reflect the views stated therein with respect to future events at such dates, even if they are subsequently made available
by the Company on its website or otherwise. The Company undertakes no obligation to update, revise or supplement any forward-looking
statements to reflect actual results, new information, future events, changes in its expectations or other circumstances occurring after
the date such statements were made, except as required by applicable law.
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: ex10-1_001.jpg · Sequence: 5
Binary file (25796 bytes)
Download ex10-1_001.jpg
GRAPHIC
GRAPHIC
Filename: ex99-1_001.jpg · Sequence: 6
Binary file (10597 bytes)
Download ex99-1_001.jpg
XML — IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT
XML
Filename: R1.htm · Sequence: 11
v3.26.3
Cover
Sep. 28, 2026
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type
8-K
Amendment Flag
false
Document Period End Date
Sep. 28, 2026
Entity File Number
001-42930
Entity Registrant Name
NextBoat
Inc.
Entity Central Index Key
0002067767
Entity Tax Identification Number
33-2636992
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code
NV
Entity Address, Address Line One
1701
Jel Wade Dr
Entity Address, City or Town
Wilmington
Entity Address, State or Province
NC
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code
28401
City Area Code
(910)
Local Phone Number
772-9277
Written Communications
false
Soliciting Material
false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer
false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer
false
Title of 12(b) Security
Common
Stock, $0.001 par value
Trading Symbol
NXB
Security Exchange Name
NYSEAMER
Entity Emerging Growth Company
true
Elected Not To Use the Extended Transition Period
false
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the XBRL content amends previously-filed or accepted submission.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_AmendmentFlag
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Area code of city
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CityAreaCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Cover page.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_CoverAbstract
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
For the EDGAR submission types of Form 8-K: the date of the report, the date of the earliest event reported; for the EDGAR submission types of Form N-1A: the filing date; for all other submission types: the end of the reporting or transition period. The format of the date is YYYY-MM-DD.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentPeriodEndDate
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:dateItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The type of document being provided (such as 10-K, 10-Q, 485BPOS, etc). The document type is limited to the same value as the supporting SEC submission type, or the word 'Other'.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_DocumentType
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:submissionTypeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Address Line 1 such as Attn, Building Name, Street Name
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressAddressLine1
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the City or Town
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressCityOrTown
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Code for the postal or zip code
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressPostalZipCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the state or province.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityAddressStateOrProvince
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:stateOrProvinceItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
A unique 10-digit SEC-issued value to identify entities that have filed disclosures with the SEC. It is commonly abbreviated as CIK.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityCentralIndexKey
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:centralIndexKeyItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Indicate if registrant meets the emerging growth company criteria.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityEmergingGrowthCompany
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Indicate if an emerging growth company has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 7A
-Section B
-Subsection 2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityExTransitionPeriod
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Commission file number. The field allows up to 17 characters. The prefix may contain 1-3 digits, the sequence number may contain 1-8 digits, the optional suffix may contain 1-4 characters, and the fields are separated with a hyphen.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityFileNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:fileNumberItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Two-character EDGAR code representing the state or country of incorporation.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityIncorporationStateCountryCode
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarStateCountryItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The exact name of the entity filing the report as specified in its charter, which is required by forms filed with the SEC.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityRegistrantName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
The Tax Identification Number (TIN), also known as an Employer Identification Number (EIN), is a unique 9-digit value assigned by the IRS.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b-2
+ Details
Name:
dei_EntityTaxIdentificationNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:employerIdItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Local phone number for entity.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_LocalPhoneNumber
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:normalizedStringItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 13e
-Subsection 4c
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementIssuerTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14d
-Subsection 2b
+ Details
Name:
dei_PreCommencementTenderOffer
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Title of a 12(b) registered security.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection b
+ Details
Name:
dei_Security12bTitle
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:securityTitleItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Name of the Exchange on which a security is registered.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 12
-Subsection d1-1
+ Details
Name:
dei_SecurityExchangeName
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:edgarExchangeCodeItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Exchange Act
-Number 240
-Section 14a
-Subsection 12
+ Details
Name:
dei_SolicitingMaterial
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Trading symbol of an instrument as listed on an exchange.
+ References
No definition available.
+ Details
Name:
dei_TradingSymbol
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
dei:tradingSymbolItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration
X
- Definition
Boolean flag that is true when the Form 8-K filing is intended to satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant as written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act.
+ References
Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef
-Publisher SEC
-Name Securities Act
-Number 230
-Section 425
+ Details
Name:
dei_WrittenCommunications
Namespace Prefix:
dei_
Data Type:
xbrli:booleanItemType
Balance Type:
na
Period Type:
duration