Exhibit
10.1
[Note: certain identified information
has been excluded from this exhibit because it is both (i) not material and (ii) would likely cause competitive harm to the registrant
if publicly disclosed.]
EXECUTIVE
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
This
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of the 15th day of September, 2020
(the “Effective Date”), by and between RocketFuel Blockchain, Inc.,
a Nevada corporation (“Employer”), and Peter M. Jensen
(“Executive”), and is made with reference to the following facts:
A.
Employer desires to employ Executive as its Chief Executive Officer in order to have the benefit of Executive’s special
knowledge, experience, reputation and abilities in the industry in which Employer is engaged; and
B.
Executive has advised Employer of his willingness to act as Chief Executive Officer and to utilize his special knowledge, experience,
reputation and abilities for the benefit of Employer and its members under the terms and conditions provided herein.
NOW,
THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable consideration had and received,
the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
1.
Employment. Upon and subject to the terms, conditions and other provisions of this Agreement, Employer hereby employs
Executive and Executive hereby accepts this employment and agrees to exercise and perform faithfully, exclusively (subject to
Section 2(b) hereof), and to the best of his ability on behalf of Employer the powers and duties of Chief Executive Officer on
the terms and conditions set forth herein.
2.
Executive’s Services and Duties. During the Term, Executive shall:
(a)
Observe and conform to the policies and directions promulgated from time to time by Employer’s Board of Directors (the “Board”).
(b)
Serve as Chief Executive Officer and perform all services, acts and things necessary or advisable to manage and conduct the business
of Employer, subject to the policies set by the Board. Subject to the supervision and control of Board, to whom he shall report,
Executive shall do and perform all services and acts necessary or advisable to fulfill the duties and responsibilities of his
position as Chief Executive Officer and shall render such services on the terms set forth herein.
(c)
Executive shall also serve as a member of Employer’ Board during the Term.
(d)
Except for sick leave, vacations (as provided in Section 4(c), below), and excused leaves of absence, Executive shall, throughout
the Term, devote a minimum of 20 hours per calendar month to the duties and responsibilities of his position in furtherance of
the business affairs and activities of the Company and its subsidiaries, affiliates and strategic partners. Executive may engage
in such personal, professional, investment, business and charitable activities as do not conflict with the business of the Company
or interfere with Executive’s duties under this Agreement. Executive shall at all times be subject to, observe and carry
out such rules, regulations, policies, directions, and restrictions as the Board may from time to time establish for senior executive
officers of the Company.
3.
Term. The term of Executive’s employment by Employer pursuant to this Agreement (the “Term”)
shall commence on the Effective Date and, unless sooner terminated as provided in this Agreement or extended by mutual agreement
of the parties hereto, shall terminate and expire on the first anniversary of the date hereof, subject to the terms and conditions
contained herein. The Term shall thereafter be automatically extended on a month-to-month basis; provided that following the initial
one-year Term, either Executive or Employer may terminate this Agreement on 30 days’ prior written notice to the other.
4.
Compensation and Other Benefits. As compensation in full for the services to be rendered by Executive hereunder, Employer
shall pay, and Executive shall accept, the following compensation:
(a)
Salary. Employer shall pay to Executive a salary, exclusive of bonus compensation, of $7,500 per month, payable during
the Term; provided that commencing on the closing date of the next equity funding round of Employer for which the gross proceeds
to Employer, together with any previous equity finding rounds that closed after the Effective Date, is at least $2,000,000, Executive’s
monthly salary shall be increased to $20,000 per month.
(b)
Bonus. Executive shall be entitled to bonus compensation of $25,000 per fiscal quarter, based on a formula to be determined
by the Board in connection with the Board’s setting of quarterly financial and business objectives and milestones for Employer.
The bonus shall be prorated for each partial quarter during the Term. The bonus shall be due and payable on the 30th
day of the month following each such quarterly period or portion thereof.
(c)
Vacation. In addition to normal public holidays, Executive shall be entitled to such amount of paid vacation during each
calendar year as the board may determine for senior executives.
(d)
Benefits Generally Offered. Executive shall be entitled to participate in all fringe benefit programs that Employer generally
makes available to its executive officers, including without limitation vacation and paid other paid leave, group hospitalization,
group disability policies, medical and dental plans and group life insurance plans, and pension, 401(k) and similar plans. Until
such time as Employer has established a health care insurance plan, Employer shall reimburse Executive for his health care insurance
premiums during the term in an amount not to exceed $1,500 per month.
(e)
Stock Options. Subject to the commencement of Executive’s employment hereunder and to the amendment of Employer’s
2018 Stock Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) to increase the number of shares available thereunder to 3,000,000,
the Board has approved the grant to Executive as of the Effective Date of an option (the “Option”) to purchase
2,393,842 shares of Employer’s common stock, par value $0.001 per share. The Option shall (i) be an incentive stock option,
(ii) have an exercise price equal to the fair market value per share of Employer’s common stock on the Effective Date, as
determined by an independent valuation by a qualified appraiser, (iii) have a term of 10 years following the Effective Date, (iv)
vest and become exercisable as to 1/48th of the shares subject to the Option (the “Option Shares”) on the 15th
day of each calendar month during the Term, commencing on October 15, 2020, (v) be subject to the exercise, forfeiture and
termination provisions set forth in the Plan and (vi) otherwise be evidenced by and subject to the terms of Employer’s standard
form of stock option agreement.
(f)
As an additional bonus, upon the closing of an equity funding, in one or more rounds after the Effective Date and prior to April
30, 2021, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds to Employer of $2,000,000 or more, Executive shall receive warrants to purchase
265,982 shares of Employer’s common stock. The warrants shall have a term of 10 years, be fully vested on the date of issuance,
and have an exercise price equal to the average price per share paid in such equity funding rounds.
5.
Certain Business Expenses. Executive is authorized to incur ordinary, necessary and reasonable expenses in the course
of performing his duties and obligations with respect to the business of Employer, including expenses for entertainment, travel
and similar items; provided that Employer shall at all times comply with the Company’s policies regarding expense
reimbursements. Employer shall promptly reimburse Executive for all such expenses paid by Executive on behalf of Employer upon
the presentation by Executive of an itemized request for reimbursement of expenditures supported by documentation on Employer-approved
forms.
6.
Proprietary Rights and Confidentiality. Executive has entered into an Executive Invention Assignment and Confidentiality
Agreement, which agreement, attached hereto as Annex A, is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety.
7.
Executive Representations and Warranties. Executive warrants and represents to and covenants with Employer that:
(a)
The execution, delivery and performance of the Agreement by Executive do not conflict with or violate any provision of or constitute
a default under any agreement, judgment, award or decree to which Executive is a party or by which Executive is bound.
(b)
Executive has had full opportunity to review Employer’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
“SEC”) and additional information regarding the business and financial condition of Employer. Executive believes
he has received all the information he considers necessary or appropriate for deciding whether to enter into this Agreement and
to receive as compensation the Option, the Option Shares, the Warrant and the shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of
the Warrants (together, the “Securities”). Executive further represents that he has had an opportunity to ask
questions and receive answers from Employer regarding the business, properties, prospects and financial condition of Employer.
Executive has had full opportunity to discuss this information with Executive’s legal and financial advisers prior to execution
of this Agreement.
(c)
Executive acknowledges that the Securities are being issued by Employer pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities
Act of 1933 (the “Securities Act”). Executive understands that the Securities are characterized as “restricted
securities” under the Securities Act and that under such laws and applicable regulations such securities may be resold without
registration under the Securities Act only in certain limited circumstances. In this connection, Executive represents that he
is familiar with SEC Rule 144, as presently in effect, and understands the resale limitations imposed thereby and by the Securities
Act.
(d)
The Securities will be acquired by Executive for investment for Executive’s own account, not as a nominee or agent, and
not with a view to the resale or distribution of any part thereof, and Executive has no present intention of selling, granting
any participation in, or otherwise distributing the same. Executive does not have any contract, undertaking, agreement or arrangement
with any person to sell, transfer or grant participations to such person or to any third person, with respect to any of the Securities.
(e)
Executive is purchasing the Securities as principal for his own account and not for the benefit of any other person.
(f)
Executive is an accredited investor as defined in Regulation D under the Securities Act.
8.
Termination Prior to Expiration of Term. Prior to the expiration of the Term, Executive’s employment hereunder may
be terminated by Employer for Cause upon five days’ written notice to Executive that describes such Cause in detail. Executive
shall have no right to receive the compensation and other benefits set forth in this Section 4 for any period commencing after
the date of termination for cause. For these purposes, the term “Cause” as used in this Agreement shall have
the meaning set forth in Section 2 of the Plan.
9.
Death During Employment. If Executive dies during the Term, Employer shall pay to the estate of Executive the compensation
which would otherwise be payable to Executive up to the end of the month in which his death occurs, and Employer shall have no
further obligation under this Agreement.
10.
Covenant Not to Compete. In the event that Employer terminates Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, or in
the event that Executive voluntarily terminates his employment hereunder, Executive shall, in connection with any sale of all
or substantially all of his equity interests in the Company resulting from such termination, be prohibited from carrying on or
participating in a business similar to that of Employer for a period of two years following such termination, unless Executive
has express prior written consent from Employer’s Board, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
11.
Notices. All notices and other communications required or permitted by this Agreement shall be in writing and will be
effective, and any applicable time period shall commence, when (a) delivered to the following address by hand or by a nationally
recognized overnight courier service (costs prepaid) addressed to the following address or (b) transmitted electronically to the
following facsimile numbers or e-mail addresses, in each case marked to the attention of the Person (by name or title) designated
below (or to such other address, facsimile number, e-mail address, or Person as a party may designate by notice to the other parties):
| If
to Employer: |
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc.
468
N. Camden Dr., Suite 350
Beverly
Hills, CA 90210
Attention:
Bennett J. Yankowitz, CFO
Facsimile
Number: (310) 388-0582
Email:
b.yankowitz@rocketfuelblockchain.com
|
| |
|
| If
to Executive: |
Peter
M. Jensen
[Address
Redacted]
Email:
p.jensen@rocketfuelblockchain.com |
12.
Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but
all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
13.
Headings. The headings herein are for convenience only, do not constitute a part of this Agreement, and shall not be deemed
to limit or affect any of the provisions hereof.
14.
Entire Understanding. This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement and understanding between the parties with respect
to the employment of Executive by Employer, and supersedes all prior agreements, representations and understandings, both written
and oral, between the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof.
15.
Amendments. This Agreement may not be modified or changed except by written instrument signed by both parties hereto.
16.
Governing Law; Forum Selection. This Agreement, and all matters relating hereto and arising herefrom (whether sounding
in contract law, tort law or otherwise), including without limitation enforcement of the obligations of Executive hereunder, shall
be interpreted in accordance with the internal laws (and not the conflict of laws rules) of the state of Nevada governing contracts
to be performed entirely within such state. Executive hereby consents to the exclusive jurisdiction of any state or federal court
located within Clark County, Nevada. Executive waives any objection of forum non conveniens and venue in connection with
any proceedings commenced by Employer in any of the foregoing courts. Executive waives personal service of any and all process
upon Executive, and consents that all such service of process be made by messenger, certified mail or registered mail, or nationally
recognized overnight courier directed to Executive at the address set forth above. Executive’s signature hereto (or such
other address as Executive may give notice of to Employer) and service so made shall be deemed to be completed upon actual receipt.
Executive further waives any right Executive may otherwise have to collaterally attack any judgment entered against Executive.
17.
Arbitration. Any action to enforce or interpret this Agreement, or to resolve disputes with respect to this Agreement
as between the parties shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association. Arbitration
shall be the exclusive dispute resolution process in the State of Nevada, but arbitration shall be a nonexclusive process elsewhere.
Any party may commence arbitration by sending a written demand for arbitration to the other parties. Such demand shall set forth
the nature of the matter to be resolved by arbitration. Employer shall select the place of arbitration. The substantive law of
the State of Nevada shall be applied by the arbitrator to the resolution of the dispute. The parties shall share equally all initial
costs of arbitration. The prevailing party shall be entitled to reimbursement of attorney fees, costs, and expenses incurred in
connection with the arbitration. All decisions of the arbitrator shall be final, binding, and conclusive on all parties. Judgment
may be entered upon any such decision in accordance with applicable law in any court having jurisdiction thereof. The arbitrator
(if permitted under applicable law) or such court may issue a writ of execution to enforce the arbitrator’s decision.
18.
Construction. Whenever in this Agreement the context so requires, references to the masculine shall be deemed to include
the feminine and neuter, references to the neuter shall be deemed to include the masculine and feminine, and references to the
plural shall be deemed to include the singular and the singular to include the plural.
19.
Cooperation. Each party hereto shall cooperate with the other party and shall take such further action and shall execute
and deliver such further documents as may be necessary or desirable in order to carry out the provisions and purposes of this
Agreement.
20.
Waiver. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall in any event be effective, unless the same shall
be in writing and signed by the parties hereto, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which given. The failure of any party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon performance
of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment of any rights
granted hereunder or any such term, covenant or condition. The failure of any party to insist, in any one or more instances, upon
performance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions of this Agreement shall not be construed as a waiver or relinquishment
of any rights granted hereunder or any such term, covenant or condition.
21.
Parties in Interest; Assignment. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and
their respective permitted successors, assigns, heirs and/or personal representatives. Except as specifically provided herein,
neither this Agreement nor any interest herein shall be assigned or assignable, by operation of law or otherwise, by any party,
without the prior written consent of the other party, except that, without such consent, Employer may assign this Agreement or
any interest therein, by operation of law or otherwise, to (a) any successor to all or substantially all of its equity ownership
interests, assets or business by dissolution, merger, consolidation, transfer of assets, or otherwise, or (b) any direct or indirect
subsidiary of Employer or of any such successor referred in (a) hereof. Nothing in this Agreement, expressed or implied, is intended
to confer on any person other than the parties and their respective successors and permitted assigns any rights or remedies under
or by reason of this Agreement.
22.
Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed invalid, unenforceable or illegal, then notwithstanding
such invalidity, unenforceability or illegality the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
23.
Full Understanding. Executive represents and agrees that she fully understands his right to discuss all aspects of this
Agreement with his private attorney, and that to the extent, if any, that she desired, she availed herself of this right. Executive
further represents that she has carefully read and fully understands all of the provisions of the Agreement, that she is competent
to execute this Agreement, that his agreement to execute this Agreement has not been obtained by any duress and that she freely
and voluntarily enters into it, and that she has read this document in its entirety and fully understands the meaning, intent
and consequences of this document.
[Signature
page follows]
IN
WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first written above.
| Employer: |
RocketFuel
Blockchain, Inc. |
| |
|
|
| |
By: |
/s/
Bennett J. Yankowitz |
| |
|
Bennett
J. Yankowitz, CFO |
|
|
| Executive: |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
/s/
Peter M. Jensen |
| |
Peter
M. Jensen |
