UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Schedule 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant ☒
Filed by a party other than the Registrant ☐
Check the appropriate box:
☐ Preliminary Proxy Statement
☐ Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by
Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
☒ Definitive Proxy Statement
☐ Definitive Additional Materials
☐ Soliciting Material under § 240.14a-12
MEGA MATRIX CORP.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
N/A
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the
Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check all boxes that apply):
☒ No fee required
☐ Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
☐ Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per
Exchange Act Rules 14a- 6(i)(1) and 0-11
MEGA MATRIX CORP.
3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200
Palo Alto, California 94306
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS OF MEGA MATRIX
CORP.
To Be Held on THURSday,
december 15, 2022
Time
and Date: |
Thursday,
December 15, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific Standard
Time). |
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Place: |
3000
El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California
94306. |
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Items
of Business: |
Mega
Matrix Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), is holding
the Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“Annual Meeting”) for the
following purposes, as more fully described in the proxy statement
accompanying this Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, to act
upon the following matters: |
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1. |
To elect five (5) persons to the board of directors of the Company,
each to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders of the
Company or until such person shall resign, be removed or otherwise
leave office;
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2. |
To
approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of our named
executive officers; |
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3. |
To
ratify the appointment of Audit Alliance LLP as the Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2022; and |
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4. |
To
conduct any other business properly brought before the Annual
Meeting. |
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Record
Date: |
The
record date for the Annual Meeting is October 24, 2022. Only
stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock at the close
of business on October 24, 2022, or their legal proxy holders, are
entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. |
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Voting: |
Each
share of common stock that you own represents one vote. |
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Transfer
Agent: |
For
questions regarding your stock ownership, you may contact us at
(650) 340-1888 or contact our transfer agent, Continental Stock
Transfer & Trust, by email at proxy@continentalstock.com or by
phone at 1-888-266-6791. |
This Notice of the Annual Meeting, proxy statement, form of
proxy and our Annual Report on Form 10-K are being distributed or
made available on or about November 3, 2022.
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT. Whether or not you plan to attend the
Annual Meeting, we encourage you to vote or submit your proxy via
the internet, or request and submit your proxy card as soon as
possible, so that your shares may be represented at the Annual
Meeting.
Date:
November 3, 2022 |
By
Order of the Board of Directors |
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/s/ Yucheng Hu |
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Yucheng
Hu |
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Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer |
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and
President |
TABLE OF CONTENTS
MEGA MATRIX CORP.
3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200
Palo Alto, California 94306
PROXY STATEMENT
2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
GENERAL
This proxy statement is furnished to stockholders of Mega Matrix
Corp., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), in connection with
the solicitation of proxies for use at the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders of the Company (the “2022 Annual Meeting”) to be held
at the Company’s office at 3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200,
Palo Alto, California 94306, on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at
9:00 a.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Although the 2022 Annual Meeting
is currently scheduled to occur at the date, time and location
stated above, we are currently monitoring matters related to the
novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Accordingly, we may
determine that it is in the best interest of our stockholders to
change the date, time or location of the 2022 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders, including the possibility of changing to a “virtual”
meeting instead of holding the meeting at a physical location. If
we determine to make such a change, we will make a public
announcement in advance, and details on how to participate will be
set forth in a press release issued by us as promptly as
practicable and available at https://www.mtmtgroup.com/press.
This solicitation of proxies is made on behalf of our board of
directors. Capitalized terms used, but not defined, herein will
have the meanings ascribed to them in our Annual Report on Form
10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021 (the “Annual
Report”).
Important Notice
Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the
Annual Meeting to be Held on THURsday, December 15,
2022
Pursuant to the rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our
proxy materials over the Internet. Accordingly, we are sending a
Notice Regarding the Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the
“Internet Notice”) to our stockholders of record on October 24,
2022. We are also sending a paper copy of the proxy materials and
proxy card to other stockholders of record who have indicated they
prefer receiving or requested that they receive such materials in
paper form. Brokers and other nominees who hold shares on behalf of
beneficial owners will be sending their own similar Internet
Notice. Such Internet Notice, or this proxy statement and proxy
card or voting instruction form, as applicable, is being mailed to
our stockholders of record on or about November 3, 2022.
The Internet Notice provides that (i) the stockholder may access
the Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholder (the “Notice”), this
Proxy Statement, and the Company’s Annual Report for the year ended
December 31, 2021, and other proxy materials online at
https://www.cstproxy.com/megamatrix/2022, and (ii) stockholders may
also request to receive a paper copy of the proxy materials by mail
on a one-time or ongoing basis at
https://www.cstproxy.com/megamatrix/2022, or call 1-888-266-6791 or
send email to proxy@continentalstock.com.
The Internet Notice also identifies the date, the time and location
of the 2022 Annual Meeting; the matters to be acted upon at the
meeting and the board of directors’ recommendation with regard to
each matter; a toll-free telephone number, an e-mail address, a
website where the proxy materials will be available electronically,
and a website where stockholders can request to receive, free of
charge, a paper or e-mail copy of this proxy statement, our Annual
Report and a form of proxy relating to the 2022 Annual Meeting; and
information on how to access and vote the form of proxy.
GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT THE ANNUAL MEETING AND VOTING
IF I RECEIVED AN INTERNET NOTICE, WILL I RECEIVE ANY PROXY
MATERIALS BY MAIL OTHER THAN THE INTERNET NOTICE?
No. If you received an Internet Notice, you will not receive any
other proxy materials by mail unless you request a paper or
electronic copy of the proxy materials. To request that a full set
of the proxy materials be sent to your specified postal or email
address, please go to https://www.cstproxy.com/megamatrix/2022, or
call 1-888-266-6791 or send an email to proxy@continentalstock.com.
The proxy materials will be available electronically at
https://www.cstproxy.com/megamatrix/2022.
Record Date and Required Quorum
The close of business on October 24, 2022, is the record date for
stockholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the 2022 Annual
Meeting. As of such record date, the Company had 26,484,055 shares
of common stock, $0.001 par value (the “Common Stock”),
outstanding. The presence at the 2022 Annual Meeting of a majority
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock, or 13,242,028
shares, either present in person or represented by proxy, will
constitute a quorum for the transaction of business at the 2022
Annual Meeting. All of the shares of the Company’s Common Stock
outstanding on the record date are entitled to vote at the 2022
Annual Meeting, and stockholders of record entitled to vote at the
2022 Annual Meeting will have one (1) vote for each share of Common
Stock held by such stockholder with regard to each matter to be
voted upon.
How to Cast and Revoke Your Vote
Voting if you are the Registered Holder of Shares. If
your shares are registered directly in your name with the Company’s
transfer agent, Continental Stock Transfer & Trust Co., you are
considered the “stockholder of record” with respect to these shares
and the Company is mailing the Internet Notice and these proxy
materials (if you have requested a full set of the proxy materials)
directly to you. As the stockholder of record, you have the right
to grant your voting proxy directly to the Company by completing
the enclosed proxy card or to vote in person at the 2022 Annual
Meeting. To grant your voting proxy, you should complete, sign and
return the enclosed proxy card to the Company, or you can vote via
the internet when you access the internet website or at
www.cstproxyvote.com.
Voting if you Hold Shares in a Brokerage or Other Nominee
Account. If your shares are held by a broker or by a bank
or other nominee (each, a “Nominee”) in a brokerage or other
account, then you are considered the “beneficial owner” of shares
held “in street name.” Your Nominee is considered the stockholder
of record with respect to these shares and has forwarded the
requested proxy materials to you. As the beneficial owner of your
shares, you have the right to direct your Nominee on how to vote.
To direct your Nominee on how to vote your shares, you must follow
the procedure explained in the materials provided to you by your
Nominee, which procedure generally consists of completing and
returning to your Nominee a voting instruction form that was sent
to you by your Nominee along with this Proxy Statement. Your
Nominee may also have provided information on how to give voting
instructions to the Nominee by telephone or online through the
Internet. Notwithstanding that your Nominee will be voting your
shares on your behalf and as instructed by you, you may still
attend the 2022 Annual Meeting. If you plan to attend the 2022
Annual Meeting and want to vote your shares in person rather than
have your Nominee vote your shares on your behalf, you must obtain
from your Nominee a proxy card issued in your name with respect to
your shares.
Effect of Returning the Proxy Card to the Company.
Shares of the Company’s Common Stock represented by proxies in the
accompanying form that are properly executed and returned to the
Company will be voted at the 2022 Annual Meeting in accordance with
the instructions of the stockholder of record contained therein. In
the absence of contrary
instructions, shares represented by such proxies will be voted as
follows:
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FOR
the election of the director nominees as described herein under
“Proposal 1: Election of Directors”; |
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FOR the approval, in an advisory (non-binding) vote, of the
Company’s executive compensation as disclosed in this Proxy
Statement as described herein under “Proposal 2: Advisory Vote on
Executive Compensation”; and
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FOR
the ratification of the selection of Audit Alliance LLP as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, as described herein under
“Proposal 3: Ratification of Selection of Independent Registered
Public Accounting Firm.” |
The Company does not know of any matters to be presented at the
2022 Annual Meeting other than those set forth in this Proxy
Statement and in the Notice accompanying this Proxy Statement. If
other matters should properly come before the 2022 Annual Meeting,
the proxy holders will vote on such matters in accordance with
their best judgment. Proxies will confer upon the proxy holders the
discretionary authority to vote upon matters that may properly be
raised at the 2022 Annual Meeting but are unknown to the Company as
of the date hereof. In addition, proxies will confer upon the proxy
holders the authority to adjourn or postpone the 2022 Annual
Meeting if necessary or advisable to permit further solicitation of
proxies in the event there are insufficient shares present to
constitute a quorum or insufficient votes at the time of the 2022
Annual Meeting to approve any or all of the foregoing items of
business.
Revocation of a Previously Submitted Proxy. Any
stockholder of record has the right to revoke his or her proxy at
any time before it is voted at the 2022 Annual Meeting by:
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Delivering
to the Company (to the attention of Carol Wang, Secretary, 3000 El
Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94306) a
written notice of revocation; |
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Delivering
to the Company (to the attention of Carol Wang, Secretary, 3000 El
Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94306) a
duly executed proxy or voting instructions bearing a later date
than the proxy being revoked; |
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Voting
again via internet or no later than 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on
December 14, 2022; or |
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Attending
the 2022 Annual Meeting and voting in person. |
Any beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock held in street name
should follow the instructions provided by your Nominee regarding
how to revoke a previously submitted proxy.
Broker Non-Votes
Effect of Broker Non-Votes. A “broker non-vote” occurs
when a beneficial owner fails to give its Nominee voting
instructions on a proposal and the Nominee lacks discretionary
power to vote uninstructed shares on that proposal. On routine
matters, broker non-votes are counted for purposes of determining a
quorum for the 2022 Annual Meeting. Under the rules of the New York
Stock Exchange (“NYSE”), however, whether a broker non-vote will
occur depends upon whether a proposal is “routine” or
“non-routine,” as discussed below.
Non-Routine Matters Presented at the 2022 Annual
Meeting. The election of directors (Proposal 1) and the
advisory vote on executive compensation (Proposal 2) are considered
“non-routine” proposals. As a result, if you are a
beneficial owner of your shares of Common Stock, your failure to
provide voting instructions to your Nominee in the manner directed
by your Nominee will result in your
shares not being
voted by the Nominee on any of these
proposals. Your Nominee has enclosed or otherwise
provided to you a voting instruction form for you to use in
directing the Nominee on how to vote your shares. Your Nominee may
also have provided information regarding how to give voting
instructions through the Internet or by telephone.
Routine Matters Presented at the 2022 Annual Meeting.
The ratification of the selection of Audit Alliance LLP as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the
year ending December 31, 2022 (Proposal 3) is considered a
“routine” proposal. As a result, your Nominee has discretionary
voting power to vote your shares on this proposal even if you fail
to provide voting instructions to your Nominee regarding this
proposal. Accordingly, broker non-votes are not expected to occur
in the vote on this proposal.
Voting Requirements
Stockholder Vote Required to Approve Proposal 1. The
election of directors will be determined by a plurality of the
votes cast by the stockholders of record entitled to vote on the
election and present in person or represented by proxy at the 2022
Annual Meeting. The nominees receiving the greatest number of
affirmative votes of the shares present in person, or represented
by proxy, and entitled to vote at the 2022 Annual Meeting will be
elected, provided a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker
non-votes, if any, will not be counted toward a nominee’s total and
will have no effect on the outcome of Proposal 1.
Stockholder Vote Required to Approve Proposal 2. The
proposal to approve the Company’s executive compensation will be
approved in an advisory (non-binding) vote if the majority of
shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote on the matter vote in favor of the proposal. If
you “Abstain” from voting, it will have the same effect as an
“Against” vote. Broker non-votes will have no effect.
Stockholder Vote Required to Approve Proposal 3. The
proposal to ratify the selection of Audit Alliance LLP as the
Company’s independent registered public accounting firm will be
approved if the majority of shares present in person or represented
by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the matter vote in
favor of the proposal. If you “Abstain” from voting, it will have
the same effect as an “Against” vote.
Voting Results of 2022 Annual Meeting
Preliminary voting results will be announced at the 2022 Annual
Meeting. Final voting results will be published in our Current
Report on Form 8-K within four (4) business days following the 2022
Annual Meeting.
Proxy Solicitation
The entire cost of soliciting proxies will be borne by the Company.
Proxies will be solicited principally through the use of the mails,
but, if deemed desirable, may be solicited personally or by
telephone, email, or special letter by officers and Company
employees for no additional compensation. Although we have not
engaged employees for the specific purpose of soliciting proxies or
a proxy solicitation firm to assist us in soliciting proxies, we
may elect to engage and pay the cost of such employees or such
proxy solicitation firm at any time. Arrangements may be made with
brokerage houses and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to
send proxies and other proxy materials to the beneficial owners of
the Company’s Common Stock, and such persons may be reimbursed for
their expenses.
HOUSEHOLDING OF ANNUAL
MEETING MATERIALS
The Company is, and some Nominees may also be, participating in the
practice of “householding” notices, proxy statements and annual
reports. This means that only one copy of the Internet Notice, and
if mail delivery was requested by a stockholder, this Proxy
Statement and the Company’s Annual Report may have been sent to
multiple stockholders sharing the same household, unless contrary
instructions have been received from one or more of the
stockholders. The Company will promptly deliver a separate copy of
either such document, and the same documents for the Company’s
future annual stockholder meetings if requested, to any stockholder
who contacts the Company’s Investor Relations Department at (650)
340-1888 or by mail to 3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200,
Palo Alto, California 94306. If stockholders sharing an address are
receiving multiple copies of the Internet Notice, Proxy Statement,
the Company’s Annual Report and other proxy materials at the
stockholders’ household and would like to receive only a single
copy of the Company’s proxy materials in the future, the
stockholders should contact their Nominee, or the Company’s
Investor Relations Department as described above to request
delivery of a single copy of the Company’s proxy
materials.
Interest of Officers and
Directors in Matters to Be Acted Upon
None of the Company’s officers or directors/nominees nor any of
their associates have any interest in any of the matters to be
acted upon, except to the extent that a director is named as a
nominee for election to the board of directors.
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS
General
The Company’s board of directors, or Board, has the authority to
fix the number of director seats on our board of directors and,
effective as of the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting, our Board has
approved fixing the number of directors at five (5). Directors
serve for a term of one (1) year and stand for election at our
annual meeting of stockholders. Pursuant to our Third Amended and
Restated Bylaws (“Bylaws”), a majority of directors may appoint a
successor to fill any vacancy that occurs on the board of directors
between annual meetings. At the 2022 Annual Meeting, stockholders
will be asked to elect the nominees for director listed below.
Nominees for Director
The nominees for director have consented to being named as nominees
in this Proxy Statement and have agreed to serve as directors, if
elected. Unless otherwise instructed, the proxy holders will vote
the proxies received by them for the five (5) nominees named below.
If any nominee of the Company is unable or declines to serve as a
director at the time of the 2022 Annual Meeting, the proxies will
be voted for any nominee designated by the present board of
directors to fill the vacancy. The board of directors has no reason
to believe that any of the nominees will be unavailable for
election. The directors who are elected will hold office until the
next Annual Meeting of Stockholders or until their earlier death,
resignation or removal, or until their successors are elected and
qualified. There are no arrangements or understandings between any
of our directors and any other person pursuant to which any
director was selected to serve as a director of the Company.
Directors are elected until their successors are duly elected and
qualified. There are no family relationships among our directors or
officers.
The following sets forth the persons nominated by the board of
directors for election and certain information with respect to
those individuals as of October 24, 2022:
Director
Nominee |
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Age |
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Position |
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Director
Since |
Yucheng
Hu |
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37 |
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Chairman,
President, Chief Executive Officer, and Director |
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2021 |
Yunheng
(Brad) Zhang |
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30 |
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Chief
Operating Officer and Director |
|
2022 |
Siyuan
Zhu (1)(2) |
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39 |
|
Director |
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2021 |
Jianan
Jiang (1)(3) |
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37 |
|
Director |
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2021 |
Qin
Yao (1)(4) |
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40 |
|
Director |
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2021 |
(2) |
Chairperson
of the Audit Committee and Member of the Compensation
Committee |
(3) |
Chairperson
of the Compensation Committee and Member of the Audit
Committee |
(4) |
Member
of the Audit Committee and the Compensation Committee |
Biographies of Nominees
Mr. Yucheng Hu, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Yucheng Hu has been our president and chief
executive officer since September 30, 2021, and our director since
October 1, 2021. Mr. Hu is the founder of Chengdu Quleduo
Technology Co., Ltd., and has served as its Chief Executive Officer
since 2011. Mr. Hu is a successful entrepreneur with over 15 years
of experience in the internet industry. Mr. Hu established the
Xiyou online mobile game platform (wwwx52xiyou.com), which is a
popular online gaming platform in China. Mr. Hu has also formed
various software programming studios, such as the Mengqu studio,
and has developed various mini-programs for social media
applications such as the “click-and-play” application for instant
on-line games access. Mr. Hu brings a wealth of management
experience to the Board, including several executive positions
within the internet and online gaming industry.
Mr. Yunheng (Brad) Zhang, Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Zhang
has been our director and Chief Operating Officer since October 1,
2022, and has served as the financial manager of the Company from
October 2021 to September 2022. Prior to joining the Company, Mr.
Zhang was a product manager with Nengfan Technology Co. from 2020
to 2021. Mr. Zhang also served as the financial accountant of Midea
Australia, an appliance company, from December 2018 to November
2019. Mr. Zhang received his master’s degree in professional
accounting from Monash University in Australia in 2018 and received
his bachelor’s degree in product quality engineering from Xinhua
University.
Ms. Siyuan Zhu. Ms. Siyuan Zhu has been our director since
October 1, 2021. Ms. Zhu is currently a senior finance manager of
Asia Region of IAC (Shanghai) Management Co., Ltd. since 2016. From
2013 to 2015, Ms. Zhu has served as a finance manager in IAC
(Shanghai) Automotive Component Technology Co., Ltd. Prior to 2013,
Ms. Zhu held various positions at KPMG Huazhen for a total of seven
years and served as a program manager from 2011 to 2013. Ms. Zhu
has served as an independent director of TD Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:
GLG) from May 2019 to April 2021. Ms. Zhu holds a Bachelor’s degree
in Foreign Language and Literature from Shanghai International
Studies University. Ms. Zhu is a certified public accountant in
China. As a certified public accountant in China and as an
independent director on another Nasdaq listed company, the Company
believes Ms. Zhu is qualified to be on the Board.
Mr. Jianan Jiang. Mr. Jianan Jiang has been our
director since October 1, 2021. Since February 2019, Mr. Jiang has
been serving as the lead data scientist for Stori Card in
Washington, DC, which is a fast-growing Fintech company using
Artificial Intelligence technology to provide better financial
products for the underserved community in Latin America. Prior to
that, he worked as data analyst and data science manager for
Capital One from October 2014 to January 2019. Mr. Jiang served as
co-founder and chief executive officer of Schema Fusion LLC from
May 2013 to September 2014. Mr. Jiang received his Bachelor’s
degree in Civil Engineering from Qingdao Technological University
in 2008, and received his Master of Science in Management Science
and Engineering from Tongji University in 2011, and received his
Master of Science in Engineering and Technology Innovation
Management from Carnegie Mellon University in 2013. The Board
believes that Mr. Jiang brings a long history of technical
experience to the Board which qualifies him to serve on the
Board.
Ms. Qin Yao. Ms. Qin Yao has been our director since October
1, 2021. Ms. Yao is currently an information engineer at Tencent
Holdings Co., Ltd (stock code: 00700), a company listed on the Hong
Kong Stock Exchange, and responsible for the products and market
expansion of Tencent’s Industrial Internet Sector since 2017. From
2010 to 2017, Ms. Yao served as an electronic information engineer
in China United Network Communications Co., Ltd. Ms. Yao has more
than 10 years of investment experience in the field of cloud
computing, big data, artificial intelligence and technology
information services. She also has profound knowledge of financial
planning, financial budgeting and financial risk management related
to the cloud business. Ms. Yao holds a Bachelor’s degree in
Electronic Information Engineering from the University of
Electronic Science and Technology in Chengdu in 2004. The Board
believes Ms. Yao brings a long history of product and market
expansion experience to the Board, which qualifies her to serve on
the Board.
Independent Director Agreements
Pursuant to the Independent
Director Agreement, during the term of service as a director of the
Company, each current independent director of the Company is
entitled to an annual fee, plus reimbursement of expenses. In
connection with their appointments as independent directors of the
Company, Mses. Yao and Zhu, and Mr. Jiang will each receive an
annual director’s fee in the amount of $18,000.
Vote Required
Directors are elected by a plurality of the votes properly cast in
person or by proxy. If a quorum is present and voting, the five (5)
nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative votes will be
elected. Our Second Amended and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation does not permit stockholders to cumulate their votes
for the election of directors. Shares represented by executed
proxies will be voted, if authority to do so is not withheld, for
the election of the five (5) nominees. Abstentions and broker
non-votes will have no effect on the outcome of the election of
directors.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE
ELECTION OF EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES.
PROPOSAL 2: ADVISORY
VOTE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
At the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, our stockholders
indicated their preference for us to hold advisory votes on
executive compensation on an annual basis, and our board of
directors subsequently determined that we would hold an annual
advisory vote on executive compensation. Accordingly, the current
frequency of our advisory votes on executive compensation is once
every year.
The Company is requesting your advisory approval of the
compensation of the Company’s named executive officers as disclosed
in this Proxy Statement. This non-binding advisory vote is commonly
referred to as a “say on pay” vote and is required to be conducted
pursuant to Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended (the “Exchange Act”). You are encouraged to carefully
review the information concerning the compensation of the Company’s
named executive officers set forth in this Proxy Statement under
“Information Regarding the Company’s Directors and Executive
Officers.”
The Company asks you to indicate your support for the compensation
of the Company’s named executive officers as described in this
Proxy Statement. This vote is not intended to address any specific
item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of the
named executive officers and the practices described in this Proxy
Statement in accordance with the SEC’s compensation disclosure
rules. Accordingly, the Company requests that you vote “FOR” the
following resolution at the 2022 Annual Meeting:
“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory
basis, the compensation of the named executive officers, as
disclosed in the Company’s Proxy Statement for the 2022 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders pursuant to the compensation disclosure
rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.”
While the results of this advisory say on pay vote are not binding,
the board of directors will consider the outcome of the vote in
deciding whether to take any action as a result of the vote and
when making future compensation decisions for the Company’s named
executive officers.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE
COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AS DISCLOSED
IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT.
PROPOSAL 3: RATIFICATION
OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
The audit committee of the board of directors is responsible for
the selection of the Company’s independent registered public
accounting firm. The audit committee has selected and the Company
has retained the public accounting firm of Audit Alliance LLP
(“Audit Alliance”) as the independent registered public accounting
firm to audit the Company’s financial statements for the fiscal
year ending December 31, 2022. Although the Company has retained
its independent auditor and even though ratification is not
required by the Company’s Bylaws, the board of directors is
submitting the selection of Audit Alliance to the Company’s
stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate
practice and we are asking the Company’s stockholders to approve
the appointment of Audit Alliance. In the event the Company’s
stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the audit committee
may reconsider this appointment.
A representative of Audit Alliance is expected to be present in
person or by electronic conferencing at the Annual Meeting and will
be afforded an opportunity to make a statement at the Annual
Meeting if the representative desires to do so. It is also expected
that such representative will be available at the Annual Meeting to
respond to appropriate questions by stockholders.
Recommendation of the Board of Directors
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE “FOR” THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF AUDIT ALLIANCE LLP AS THE
COMPANY’S INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR THE
FISCAL YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2022.
INFORMATION REGARDING
AUDITOR
Fees Paid to Principal Independent Registered Public Accounting
Firm
The aggregate fees billed by our Independent Registered Public
Accounting Firms for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and
2021 are as follows.
|
|
2020 |
|
|
2021 |
|
Audit
fees(1) |
|
$ |
374,950 |
|
|
$ |
267,000 |
|
Audit
related fees(2) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Tax
fees(3) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
All
other fees(4) |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Total |
|
$ |
374,950 |
|
|
$ |
267,000 |
|
(1) |
Audit
fees represent fees for professional services provided in
connection with the audit of our annual financial statements and
the review of our quarterly financial statements and those services
normally provided in connection with statutory or regulatory
filings or engagements including comfort letters, consents and
other services related to SEC matters. |
(2) |
Audit
related fees represent fees for assurance and related services that
are reasonably related to the performance of the audit or review of
our financial statements and not reported above under “Audit Fees.”
No such fees were incurred during the fiscal years ended
December 31, 2020 and 2021. |
(3) |
Our
independent registered public accounting firms did not provide us
with tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning
services. |
(4) |
All other fees include fees billed
by our independent auditors for products or services other than as
described in the immediately preceding three
categories. No such fees were incurred during the fiscal
years ended December 31, 2020 and 2021. |
Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The retainer agreements between the Company and the independent
public accounting firms setting forth the terms and conditions of
and estimated fees to be paid to independent public accounting
firms for audit and tax return preparation services were
pre-approved by the Audit Committee at the beginning of the
respective engagements. Pursuant to its charter, the Audit
Committee’s policy is to pre-approve all audit and non-audit
services provided by the independent public accounting firms,
except as may be permitted by applicable law. These services may
include audit services, audit-related services, tax services and
other services. Pre-approval is generally provided for up to one
(1) year and any pre-approval is detailed as to the particular
service or category of services and is generally subject to a
specific budget. The Audit Committee has delegated pre-approval
authority to its Chair when expedition of services is necessary.
The independent public accounting firm and management are required
to periodically report to the full Audit Committee regarding the
extent of services provided by the independent public accounting
firm in accordance with this pre-approval, and the fees for the
services performed to date. None of the services rendered by the
independent public accounting firms in 2020 or 2021 were rendered
pursuant to the de minimis exception established
by the SEC, and all such services were pre-approved by the Audit
Committee.
Change of Independent Auditors
On September 22, 2021, BDO USA, LLP (“BDO”), who served as the
independent registered public accounting firm for the Company,
resigned. BDO’s reports on the Company’s financial statements for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 included an explanatory
paragraph which indicated that there was substantial doubt as to
the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern. BDO’s reports
did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and
were otherwise not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit
scope or accounting principles, except for the going concern
matter. The resignation of BDO was accepted by the board of
directors on September 22, 2021. During the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2020, and through the interim period ended September
22, 2021, there were no disagreements with BDO on any matter of
accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure,
or auditing scope or procedure, which, if not resolved to BDO’s
satisfaction, would have caused it to make reference to the subject
matter of the disagreement(s) in connection with its report on any
of the Company’s financial statements for such periods. During the
fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, and the subsequent interim
period through September 22, 2021, there were no reportable events
(as that term is described in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K),
except as previously disclosed, there was a material weakness in
the Company’s internal control over financial reporting related to
the Company’s tax review control for complex transactions.
We provided BDO with a copy of the above disclosures and requested
that BDO furnish a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it
agreed with the statements made herein. A copy of BDO’s letter
dated September 28, 2021, was filed as Exhibit 16.1 to the
Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on
September 29, 2021. We do not expect that representatives of BDO
will be present at the Annual Meeting.
On October 23, 2021 (Hong Kong), the board of directors, acting
upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, approved the
engagement of Audit Alliance, effective as of October 23, 2021
(Hong Kong), to serve as the Company’s independent registered
public accounting firm for the year ending December 31, 2021.
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 and through the date
the Company selected Audit Alliance as its independent registered
public accounting firm, neither the Company nor anyone on behalf of
the Company consulted Audit Alliance regarding any accounting or
auditing issues involving the Company, including (i) the
application of accounting principles to a specified transaction,
either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that
might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, or (ii)
any matter that was the subject of a “disagreement” (as defined in
Item 304(a)(1)(iv) of Regulation S-K of the Exchange Act and the
related instructions to Item 304 of Regulation S-K) or a
“reportable event” (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation
S-K).
INFORMATION REGARDING
THE COMPANY’S DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
Current Board of Directors
The current members of the Board are identified in Proposal 1:
Election of Directors. Pursuant to the Independent Director
Agreement, during the term of service as a director of the Company,
each current independent director of the Company shall be entitled
to an annual fee, plus reimbursement of expenses. In connection
with their appointments as independent directors of the Company,
Mses. Yao and Zhu, and Mr. Jiang will each receive an annual
director’s fee in the amount of $18,000.
Board Meetings and Committees
Board Meetings and Committees. The board of
directors held one (1) full board meeting during the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021. During that year, no incumbent director
attended fewer than seventy-five percent (75.0%) of the meetings of
the board of directors and its committees on which he or she served
that were held during the period in which he or she was a director.
The Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and an
Executive Committee of the board of directors, each of which is
discussed below.
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee operates under a
charter adopted and approved by the board of directors, which is
available on the Company’s website at
https://file.mtmtgroup.com/uploads/files/468db0660db4a73f43ede24115b704e2.pdf.
The Audit Committee meets with the Company’s management and its
independent registered public accounting firm to review internal
financial information, audit plans and results, and financial
reporting procedures. The Audit Committee held six (6) meetings
during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The current Audit
Committee consists of Siyuan Zhu (Chair), Qin Yao, and Jianan
Jiang. The board of directors has determined that Ziyuan Zhu, Qin
Yao and Jianan Jiang are independent within the meaning of Sections
803A and 803B(2) of the NYSE American Company Guide, and that Ms.
Zhu is an “audit committee financial expert” within the meaning of
Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K promulgated by the SEC. The audit
committee released the following report for the fiscal year ending
on December 31, 2021:
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The following is the report of the Audit Committee of the Board of
Directors of AeroCentury Corp. (the “Company”) submitted to the
Board of Directors of the Company with respect to the Company’s
audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021, included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) on March
30, 2022. The information contained in this report shall not be
deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC,
nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any
future filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent
that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference in such
filing.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors currently consists of
non-executive directors. The Board determined that each of the
members of the Audit Committee is an “independent director” under
the listing standards of the NYSE American.
The Audit Committee oversees the Company’s financial reporting
process on behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the
responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting
process, including internal control systems. The Company’s
independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021, Audit Alliance LLP (“AA”) was responsible
for expressing an opinion as to the conformity of our audited
financial statements with generally accepted accounting
principles.
Review with Management
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the audited financial
statements with management of the Company.
Review and Discussions with Independent Accountants
The Audit Committee met with AA to review the financial statements
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. The Audit Committee
discussed with a representative of AA applicable requirements of
the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and the SEC. In addition, the Audit
Committee met with AA, with and without management present, to
discuss the overall scope of AA’s audit, the results of its
examinations and the overall quality of the Company’s financial
reporting. The Audit Committee received the written disclosures and
the letter from AA required by the applicable requirements of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 regarding the independent auditors’
communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence. In
addition, the Audit Committee has discussed with AA its
independence, and satisfied itself as to the independence of
AA.
Conclusion
Based on the above review, discussions, and representations
received, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors
that the audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2021, be included in the Company’s Annual Report on
Form 10-K filed with the SEC on March 30, 2022.
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors:
Siyuan Zhu, Chair
Qin Yao
Jianan Jiang
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee assists
the board of directors in discharging its responsibilities relating
to compensation of the Company’s directors and officers and
complying with disclosure requirements regarding such compensation,
if and when required and in accordance with applicable SEC and
stock exchange rules and regulations. The Compensation Committee
operates under a charter adopted and approved by the board of
directors, which is available on the Company’s website at
https://file.mtmtgroup.com/uploads/files/f09b1d6dab27ee8822047a3ff459de31.pdf.
The current Compensation Committee consists of Jianan Jiang
(Chair), Siyuan Zhu, and Qin Yao. The board of directors has
determined that Siyuan Zhu, Jianan Jiang, and Qin Yao are
independent within the meaning of Section 803A and 805(c) of the
NYSE American Company Guide and Rule 10C-1(b)(1) under the Exchange
Act of 1934, and a “non-employee director” as defined in Rule 16b-3
promulgated under the Exchange Act. The Compensation Committee held
four (4) meetings during the fiscal year ended December 31,
2021.
Executive Committee. The Executive Committee has the
authority to acquire, dispose of and finance investments for the
Company and execute contracts and agreements, including those
related to the borrowing of money by the Company, and generally
exercises all other powers of the board of directors except for
those which require action by all of the directors or the
independent directors under the Certificate of Incorporation or the
Bylaws of the Company, or under applicable law or stock exchange
requirements. The current Executive Committee consists of two (2)
directors, Yucheng Hu and Yunheng (Brad) Zhang.
Director Nominations. The Company does not have a formal
nominating committee. The independent directors separately consider
and make recommendations to the full board of directors regarding
any candidate being considered to serve on the board of directors,
and the full board of directors reviews and makes determination
regarding such potential candidates. In light of this practice,
which is similar to the practices of many boards of directors that
have a standing nominating committee, the board of directors
believes it is unnecessary to formally establish such a
committee.
The board of directors has not adopted a formal procedure for
considering nominees recommended by stockholders, other than the
procedures described herein that are applicable to all director
candidates and the procedures set forth in the Bylaws of the
Company for stockholder nominations of directors. While the board
of directors does not have a specific policy for considering
nominees recommended by stockholders, this does not mean that a
recommendation would not be considered if received from a
stockholder. The board of directors believes that the current
informal consideration process is adequate in light of the
historical absence of stockholder recommendations of director
nominees. In any event, the board of directors expects there would
be no difference between the manner in which the board of directors
would evaluate a director candidate recommended by a stockholder
and a director candidate recommended by any other source, such as
an existing member of the board of directors or one of the
Company’s executive officers.
Although the board of directors does not have a formal policy with
respect to board of directors diversity, it strives to constitute
the board of directors with directors who bring to the Company a
variety of perspectives, cultural sensitivity, life experiences,
skills, expertise, and sound business understanding and judgment
derived from a broad range of business, professional, governmental,
community involvement, personal and aircraft leasing and finance
experiences, as well as directors who have skills and experience
that are relevant to the Company’s industry and operations and who
have the desire and capacity to actively serve.
In reviewing a potential candidate for the board of directors, the
board of directors considers the individual’s experience in the
Company’s industry, the general business or other experience of the
candidate, the needs of the Company for an additional or
replacement director, the personality of the candidate, and the
candidate’s interest in the business of the Company, as well as
numerous other subjective criteria. Of greatest importance is an
individual’s integrity, willingness to actively participate and
ability to bring to the Company his or her experience and knowledge
in areas that are most beneficial to the board of directors. In
addition, the board of directors recognizes that at least a
majority of the Company’s directors must be independent under
applicable NYSE American rules, the members of certain board of
directors’ committees must satisfy enhanced independence and
financial expertise standards under applicable NYSE American and
SEC rules, and one (1) member of the board of directors should meet
the criteria for an “audit committee financial expert” as defined
by SEC rules.
Except as described above, there are no specific minimum
qualifications that the board of directors believes must be met by
a director nominee. The board of directors intends to continue to
evaluate candidates for election to the board of directors on the
basis of the foregoing criteria.
Board Leadership Structure
The Company’s board of directors recognizes that the leadership
structure and combination or separation of the President and
Chairman roles is driven by the needs of the Company at any point
in time. As a result, no policy exists requiring combination or
separation of leadership roles and governing documents do not
mandate a particular structure. This has allowed the board of
directors the flexibility to establish the most appropriate
structure for the Company at any given time.
Board of Directors’ Role in Risk Oversight
The Company is exposed to a number of operational and financial
risks, and the board of directors plays an active role in
overseeing management of these risks. The Company’s Chief Executive
Officer (“CEO”) (who is a member of the board of directors) is
directly responsible for a number of operational risks, such as the
risks inherent in the non-fungible tokens (NFTs) gaming business
and in acquiring, owning, leasing and disposing of used aircraft
and engines. The board of directors regularly receives reports from
the CEO on these risks and works closely with the Company’s
management on strategies to manage these risks and to develop
contingency plans. The Company’s Chief Financial Officer is
directly responsible for a number of financial risks, such as the
risks associated with the Company’s credit and liquidity. The Audit
Committee and the full board of directors regularly receive reports
from the Chief Financial Officer on these risks and work closely
with the Company’s management on strategies to manage these risks
and to develop contingency plans. The board of directors also meets
and confers regularly with the Company’s management to identify
other risks faced by the Company, and outside counsel attend all
board meetings as non-voting guests of the board of directors. The
Company believes that this and other interactions with senior
management of the Company provide the board of directors with
visibility into and access to the details underlying the risks the
Company faces, and thereby enhances the quality of the board of
directors’ risk oversight. Among the risks over which the board of
directors exercises oversight are economic, financial, industrial,
legal, and operational risks, including cybersecurity risks.
In addition, the board of directors performs its risk oversight
function in part through its committees, which, except for the
Executive Committee, are comprised solely of independent directors.
The Audit Committee oversees management of risks related to
financial reporting and disclosure processes and accounting
policies, as well as certain specific financial risks, such as
variable interest rate risk, and risks related to related party or
conflict-of-interest transactions. The Compensation Committee
oversees management of risks related to compensation policies and
practices. The Company believes the role of these board of
directors committees in the board of directors’ performance of its
risk oversight function, as well as the board of directors’
leadership structure discussed above, which separates the roles of
Chair of the board of directors and President, provide an
appropriate level of independent oversight, including risk
oversight, of the Company’s management team.
Communication between Stockholders and Directors
Stockholders and interested parties who wish to communicate with
our board of directors, non-management members of our board of
directors as a group, a committee of our board of directors or a
specific member of our board of directors (including our
Chairperson or lead independent director, if any) may do so by
letters addressed to the attention of our Corporate Secretary. All
communications are reviewed by the Corporate Secretary and provided
to the members of our board of directors as appropriate. The
address for these communications should be addressed to the
Company’s secretary at 3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200,
Palo Alto, California 94306.
Director Attendance at Annual Meeting
It is the policy of the Company and board of directors that
directors attend the Annual Meeting and be available for questions
from stockholders. All of the then-seated directors, including the
directors nominated for election, attended the Company’s 2021
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, either in person or if unable to
travel due to COVID issues, monitored the proceedings
electronically. Barring any adjustments to the format of the 2022
Annual Meeting due to social distancing or other restrictions
related to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is anticipated that the
directors nominated for election at the 2022 Annual Meeting will
attend the 2022 Annual Meeting.
Board Independence
A majority of the current members of the board of directors of the
Company, consisting of Ms. Yao, Mr. Jiang and Ms. Zhu, are
independent directors, as defined in Section 803A of the NYSE
American Company Guide. Mr. Yu and Mr. Zhang are not considered
independent directors due to their employment as executive officers
of the Company.
Involvement in Legal Proceedings
No director, officer or affiliate of the Company, beneficial owner
of more than five percent (5%) of the Common Stock, or associate of
any of the foregoing is involved in a material legal proceeding as
a party adverse to the Company or with a material interest adverse
to the Company.
Family Relationships
There are no family relationships among the Company’s directors or
executive officers.
2021 Director Compensation
The table below provides the compensation of the Company’s
non-employee directors for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
The compensation of the Company’s directors who also served as
executive officers of the Company for fiscal year ended December
31, 2021, is set forth under “Executive Compensation—Summary
Compensation Table” below.
2021 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION TABLE
Name |
|
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash($) |
|
|
Total($) |
|
Siyuan Zhu (1) |
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
Jianan Jiang (1) |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
Qin Yao (1) |
|
|
4,500 |
|
|
|
4,500 |
|
Roy E. Hahn (2) |
|
|
56,625 |
|
|
|
56,625 |
|
Toni M. Perazzo (2) |
|
|
74,250 |
|
|
|
74,250 |
|
Evan M. Wallach (2) |
|
|
52,500 |
|
|
|
52,500 |
|
David P.
Wilson (2) |
|
|
56,625 |
|
|
|
56,625 |
|
(1) |
Appointed on October 1, 2021. |
|
|
(2) |
Resigned on October 1, 2021. |
Current Executive Officers
The following table sets forth the names and ages of our named
executive officers as of October 24, 2022.
Name |
|
Age |
|
Position |
|
Officer
Since |
Yucheng
Hu |
|
37 |
|
Chairman,
President, Chief Executive Officer and Director |
|
2021 |
Yunheng
(Brad) Zhang |
|
30 |
|
Chief
Operating Officer and Director |
|
2022 |
Qin
(Carol) Wang |
|
33 |
|
Chief
Financial Officer, Secretary and Treasurer |
|
2021 |
Below is the biography of each executive officer. Mr. Hu’s and Mr.
Zhang’s biographies are provided under “Proposal 1: Election of
Directors.”
Ms. Qin (Carol) Wang. Ms. Qin (Carol) Wang has been our
chief financial officer, secretary and treasurer since September
30, 2021. Ms. Wang has been an independent financial consultant
since June 2020, specializing in M&A transactions for companies
listed in the Nasdaq Stock Exchange and New York Stock Exchange.
Prior to that, Ms. Wang served as the finance controller and
financial advisor of TD Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: GLG) from February
2018 to May 2020. Through July 2016 to January 2018, Ms. Wang
served as a senior investment manager for Yikuan Asset Management
Company. Ms. Wang began her career at Ernst & Young where she
served as a senior auditor from September 2012 to June 2015. She is
skilled at M&A transactions, US GAAP and IFRS financial
reporting, implementing new accounting standards, corporate
financial management and planning. Ms. Wang holds a Master’s degree
in Finance from Renmin University of China and a Bachelor’s degree
in Economics from Donghua University. Ms. Wang is a certified
public accountant and is a member of the Chinese Institute of
Certified Public Accountants and a member of the Association of
International Accountants.
2021 Executive Compensation
The following table reports the total compensation for 2021 and
2020 paid by the Company to (1) all individuals serving as the
Company’s principal executive officer during fiscal year ended 2021
(consisting of the Company’s President, Mr. Hu, and the Company’s
Former President, Mr. Michael G. Magnusson), and (2) all other
individuals who served as executive officers of the Company at any
time in 2021 (consisting of the Company’s CFO, Secretary, and
Treasurer, Ms. Wang, the Company’s former Vice President of
Operations and Business Development and Chief Operating Officer,
Ms. Florence Ng, and the Company’s former CFO, Treasurer, and
Senior VP - Finance & Secretary, Mr. Harold M. Lyons, in 2021).
These five individuals were the Company’s named executive officers
for fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
Name and Position |
|
Year |
|
|
Salary($) |
|
|
Bonus($) |
|
|
All Other
Compensation
($)(1) |
|
|
Total($) |
|
Michael G. Magnusson, Former President of the Company (2) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
375,000 |
|
|
|
18,188 |
(4) |
|
|
3,732 |
|
|
|
396,920 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
281,250 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
879 |
|
|
|
282,129 |
|
Harold M. Lyons, Former CFO, Treasurer, Senior VP - Finance &
Secretary of the Company (3) |
|
|
2020 |
|
|
|
225,000 |
|
|
|
11,986 |
|
|
|
3,732 |
|
|
|
240,718 |
|
|
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
168,750 |
|
|
|
- |
|
|
|
879 |
|
|
|
169,629 |
|
Yucheng Hu, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
(5) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48,000 |
|
Florence Ng, Former Vice President of Operations and Business
Development and Chief Operating Officer (6) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
60,000 |
|
Qin (Carol) Wang, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Secretary
(7) |
|
|
2021 |
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
30,000 |
|
(1) |
Consists
of a matching contribution under employees’ 401(k) plan and life
insurance premiums paid by the Company for each
employee. |
(2) |
Mr.
Magnusson resigned on September 30, 2021. |
(3) |
Mr.
Lyons was appointed to this position on January 1, 2020 and
resigned on September 30, 2021. |
(4) |
Amount
includes bonus stipulated in employment agreement. |
(5) |
Mr.
Hu was appointed as President and Chief Executive Officer on
September 30, 2021. |
(6) |
Ms.
Ng was appointed as Vice President of Operations and General
Counsel on September 30, 2021. On November 1, 2021, Ms. Ng resigned
as our General Counsel and was appointed as our Vice President of
Business Development. Ms. Ng did not receive additional
compensation for serving as the Company’s Vice President of
Business Development. Ms. Ng resigned on September 30,
2022. |
(7) |
Ms.
Wang was appointed as Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and
Secretary on September 30, 2021. |
Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table
The compensation paid to our named executive officers in fiscal
years ended 2021 and 2020 consisted solely of base salary plus cash
bonus payments, if any. No named executive officer of the Company
received equity compensation during fiscal years ended 2021 and
2020.
In April of 2019, the board of directors approved a Bonus Plan for
which all employees of the Company were eligible. A bonus pool of
$294,500 was established as the maximum potential bonus pool
available. The amount to be actually awarded under the Plan was
determined based on the Company’s 2019 performance against four (4)
target metrics for Company revenue, income, asset on-lease
percentage and volume of acquisitions, and a discretionary piece,
each weighted at twenty percent (20%). The metric for revenue
growth was fully met and the metric for on-lease percentage of
assets surpassed the minimum floor but did not reach the target
metric for 2019, and no discretionary amount was added to the pool.
Thus, the total bonus pool for 2019 was approximately twenty-four
percent (24%) of the maximum pool bonus amount, or $71,416. The
bonus pool allocated to each employee participant was based on a
predetermined percentage set by management and approved by the
Compensation Committee. Mr. Magnusson and Mr. Lyons were paid
bonuses under this Bonus Plan in February of 2020, in the amounts
of $18,188 and $11,986, respectively. The Bonus Plan was terminated
as a result of the Company’s bankruptcy.
On December 29, 2021, our shareholders approved our 2021 Equity
Incentive Plan (“2021 Plan”). The 2021 Plan authorizes the issuance
of awards for up to 1,100,000 shares of our common stock in the
form of incentive stock options, non-statutory stock options, stock
appreciation rights, restricted stock units, restricted stock
awards and unrestricted stock awards to officers, directors and
employees of, and consultants and advisors to, the Company or its
affiliates. No awards were granted under the 2021 Plan during
fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
Role of Compensation Consultant. In December 2017, the
Compensation Committee engaged McLagan, an Aon Company, to perform
a benchmarking study of the executive officer and director
compensation practices of the Company’s peers. The Compensation
Committee did not engage McLagan for its determination of the
compensation of its named executive officers in 2021; rather, in
2021 and going forward, the Compensation Committee, which consists
entirely of non-employee directors, will exclusively determine
annual compensation for the board of directors and named executive
officers, as well as incentive targets and long-term incentive
compensation for the named executive officers and other employees,
and, when and if other incentive or other bonus plans are adopted,
any bonus or other benefits granted to the named executive
officers.
In determining the level of salary and incentive compensation, the
Compensation Committee will not seek to mechanically tie
compensation levels to a formula based upon McLagan’s chosen sample
of companies reviewed or employ any other formulaic process in
making compensation decisions. Rather, the Compensation Committee
intends to use its subjective judgment based upon a review of all
information, including an annual review for each officer of his or
her level of responsibility, contributions to the Company’s
financial results, adherence to the Company’s business plan, and
the Company’s overall performance. The Compensation Committee makes
a generalized assessment of these factors and this information is
not weighted in any specific manner.
Employment Agreements-Named Executive Officers
Yucheng Hu. In connection with Mr. Hu’s appointment as
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, and as an
executive director of the Company, Mr. Hu entered into the
Company’s standard form of employment agreement, effective as of
October 1, 2021, and amended on December 16, 2021. In addition, Mr.
Hu shall be eligible to receive an annual target cash bonus and
equity-based incentive compensation, as determined by the board of
directors and the Compensation Committee of the board of directors,
employee benefits as may be determined by the Company in its sole
discretion, and reimbursement of expenses in the course and scope
of authorized Company business. On October 25, 2022, the Board
approved the increase to Mr. Hu’s annual base salary from $1.00 to
$192,000, effective as of October 16, 2022. Mr. Hu’s employment is
at-will and may be terminated at any time for any reason.
Yunheng (Brad) Zhang. In connection with Mr. Zhang’s
appointment as Chief Operating Officer, and as an executive
director of the Company, Mr. Zhang entered into the Company’s
standard form of employment agreement, dated October 25, 2022, for
a term of three (3) years, which provides for an annual base salary
of $150,000, effective as of October 16, 2022. In addition, Mr.
Zhang shall be eligible to receive an annual target cash bonus and
equity-based incentive compensation, as determined by the board of
directors and the Compensation Committee of the board of directors,
employee benefits as may be determined by the Company in its sole
discretion, and reimbursement of expenses in the course and scope
of authorized Company business.
Qin (Carol) Wang. In connection with Ms. Wang’s appointment
as Chief Financial Officer, Company Secretary and Treasurer of the
Company, Ms. Wang entered into the Company’s standard form of
employment agreement, effective as of October 1, 2021, for a term
of three (3) years, which provides for an annual base salary
of $120,000. In addition, Ms. Wang shall be eligible to receive an
annual target cash bonus and equity-based incentive compensation,
as determined by the board of directors and the Compensation
Committee of the board of directors, employee benefits as may be
determined by the Company in its sole discretion, and reimbursement
of expenses in the course and scope of authorized Company
business.
Florence Ng. In connection with Ms. Ng’s appointment as
General Counsel and Vice President of Operations, and as an
executive director of the Company, Ms. Ng entered into an
employment agreement, effective as of October 1, 2021, for a term
of three (3) years, which provided for an annual salary of $165,000
and a one-time signing fee of $18,750, plus reimbursement of
expenses. Ms. Ng was covered under an insurance policy that the
Company maintained providing directors’ and officers’ liability
insurance. In addition, Ms. Ng was also eligible for participation
in any health insurance coverage plan that existed. On November 1,
2021, Ms. Ng entered into an Amendment to Employment Agreement, to
change Ms. Ng’s title from “General Counsel and Vice President of
Operations” to “Vice President of Operations and Business
Development” as a result of Ms. Ng’s relocation to the Company’s
headquarters in Palo Alto, California from Hong Kong at the request
of the Company to head the Company’s operations and business
development. Ms. Ng resigned on September 30, 2022 and the Company
and Ms. Ng mutually agreed to terminate Ms. Ng’s employment
agreement, effective on September 30, 2022.
Michael G. Magnusson. On May 9, 2019, the Company entered
into an employment agreement with Michael G. Magnusson, the
Company’s former President and Chief Executive Officer. The
Employment Agreement superseded and replaced Mr. Magnusson’s prior
employment agreement with JetFleet Management Corp., a subsidiary
of the Company (“JMC”). Mr. Magnusson’s Employment Agreement as
President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company was terminated
with no further payment pursuant to the Company’s bankruptcy.
Following is a summary of the terms of the employment agreement
with Mr. Magnusson, which does not purport to be complete and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the complete text of the
employment agreement, a copy of which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to
the Company’s Form 8-K report filed with the SEC on May 13, 2019.
The Company is providing this description for informational
purposes only. The employment agreement was terminated on September
30, 2021 as part of the Company’s bankruptcy plan.
Term: The initial term of the employment agreement was to
expire on December 31, 2021, and was to be automatically renewable
for additional one-year renewal terms unless one party gave the
other at least 90 days’ notice prior to scheduled expiration of the
employment agreement that it would not be renewed.
Termination: The Company could have terminated the
employment agreement at any time for Cause, defined as (1) a
material breach by Mr. Magnusson of his duties and responsibilities
as set forth under the employment agreement, resulting from
something other than Mr. Magnusson’s complete or partial incapacity
due to Disability (defined below), (2) gross misconduct, (3) a
breach of the employment agreement, the Company’s employment
standards of conduct or employee manual, (4) neglect of duties
under the employment agreement, or (5) violation of a federal or
state law or regulation applicable to the business of the Company.
The Company could have terminated Mr. Magnusson’s employment for
Disability, defined as any physical or mental incapacitation that
resulted in Mr. Magnusson’s inability to perform his duties and
responsibilities for the Company for a period in excess of 90
consecutive days or for more than 120 days during any consecutive
12 month period. Mr. Magnusson could have terminated his employment
with the Company for Good Reason, defined as one of the following
events: (i) a material and adverse change in Mr. Magnusson’s
position, duties, responsibilities, or status; (ii) a material
reduction in Mr. Magnusson’s salary or benefits then in effect,
other than a reduction comparable to reductions generally
applicable to similarly situated employees of the Company or (iii)
the Company materially breached the employment agreement.
Annual Compensation/Signing Bonus: Mr. Magnusson’s annual
base salary for Fiscal Year 2020 was $375,000, with subsequent year
base salary rates that were determined at the sole discretion of
the Compensation Committee of the Board, but in no event less than
$375,000. Mr. Magnusson received a $75,000 bonus upon signing of
the employment agreement.
Bonus Compensation: Mr. Magnusson was entitled to
participate in all executive cash bonus/long term incentive
compensation plans approved by the Board for executive officers and
key executives of the Company, when and if established by the
Compensation Committee, as determined by good faith negotiation
with the Compensation Committee.
Severance: In the event the Company terminated the
employment agreement for any reason other than Cause or Disability,
or in the event that Mr. Magnusson terminated the employment
agreement for Good Reason, Mr. Magnusson would have been entitled
to severance payments equal to his then effective base salary
payable on a semi-monthly basis until the date that is the earlier
of (i) the scheduled expiration date of the employment agreement or
(ii) twenty-four months after such event of termination. If Mr.
Magnusson commences subsequent employment during such payment
period, the payment amounts during such period shall be reduced by
an amount equal to 75% of the base compensation received by Mr.
Magnusson from his successor employer during the overlapping period
of the severance payment period and Mr. Magnusson’s new
employment.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the Company’s Common Stock as of October 24, 2022, by:
(i) each person or entity that is known to the Company to own
beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding shares
of the Company’s Common Stock; (ii) each director and nominee of
the Company; (iii) each named executive officer; and (iv) all
directors and named executive officers of the Company as a
group.
Name(1) |
|
No. of
Shares (2)
|
|
|
Percentage of
Common
Stock (3) |
|
Yucheng
Hu, Director, Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer |
|
|
7,991,005 |
|
|
|
30.17 |
% |
Yunheng
(Brad) Zhang, Director and Chief Operating
Officer |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Qin (Carol) Wang, Chief Financial Officer, Company
Secretary and Treasurer |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Jianan Jiang, Director |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Siyuan Zhu, Director |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
Qin Yao, Director |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
All directors
and executive officers as a group |
|
|
7,991,005 |
|
|
|
30.17 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5% or
greater owners |
|
|
- |
|
|
|
- |
|
(1) |
Unless
otherwise indicated, the business address of each of the
individuals is c/o Mega Matrix Corp., 3000 El Camino Real, Bldg. 4,
Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94306. |
(2) |
Except
as indicated in the footnotes to this table, the stockholders named
in the table are known to the Company to have sole voting and
investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown
as beneficially owned by them, subject to community property laws
where applicable. Beneficial ownership of shares is determined in
accordance with the rules of the SEC and generally includes any
shares over which a person exercises sole or shared voting or
investment power, or of which a person has the right to acquire
ownership within sixty (60) days after October 24,
2022. |
(3) |
For
purposes of calculating percentages, 26,484,055 shares, consisting
of all of the outstanding shares of Common Stock outstanding as of
October 24, 2022. |
RELATED PARTY
TRANSACTIONS
There have been no related party transactions since the fiscal year
ended December 31, 2021, to which we were or are to be a
participant, in which (1) the amount involved exceeded or will
exceed the lesser of (i) $120,000 or (ii) one percent (1%) of the
average of our total assets for the last two (2) completed fiscal
years, and (2) any of our directors, executive officers or holders
of more than five percent (5%) of our capital stock, or any
affiliate or member of the immediate family of the foregoing
persons, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest,
other than compensation and other arrangements that are described
under the section relating to Proposal 1 relating to Election of
Directors in this Proxy Statement and the section relating to
compensation under the section titled “Information Regarding the
Company’s Directors and Executive Officers.”
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a)
REPORTS
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s directors
and executive officers and persons who own more than ten percent
(10%) of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to
file with the SEC initial reports of ownership and reports of
changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of
the Company. Officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%)
beneficial owners are required by SEC regulations to furnish the
Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file.
Based solely upon a review of the copies of such reports furnished
to the Company and written representations that no other reports
were required, the Company believes that the Company’s executive
officers, directors and greater than ten percent (10%) beneficial
owners complied with all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to them in the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT
AND ETHICS
The Company has adopted a code of business conduct and ethics, or
the “code of conduct.” The code of conduct applies to all of the
Company’s employees, including its executive officers, and
non-employee directors, and it qualifies as a “code of ethics”
within the meaning of Section 406 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
and the rules promulgated thereunder. A copy of the code of conduct
is available on the Company’s website at
https://file.mtmtgroup.com/uploads/files/ab7adf9a1974a8d7e34a8f1577d01657.pdf
or upon written request to the Investor Relations Department, 3000
El Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94306. To
the extent required by law, any amendments to, or waivers from, any
provision of the code of conduct will be promptly disclosed
publicly. To the extent permitted by such requirements, the Company
intends to make such public disclosure on its website in accordance
with SEC rules.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS
AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before 2023
Annual Meeting
For stockholder proposals to be properly brought before an annual
stockholders meeting, the stockholder must have given timely notice
thereof in writing to the Secretary of the Company pursuant to the
provisions of the Company’s Bylaws. To be timely for the 2023
Annual Meeting of Stockholders (“2023 Annual Meeting”), notice of
any stockholder proposals must be delivered to the Secretary of the
Company at the principal executive offices of the Company no later
than the close of business on the 90th day, nor earlier than the
close of business on the 120th day, in advance of the anniversary
of the previous year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that in
the event that the date of the annual meeting is advanced by more
than 30 days or delayed by more than 60 days from such anniversary
date, to be timely such notice must be received no earlier than the
close of business on the 120th day prior to the annual meeting and
no later than the close of business on the later of: (1) the 90th
day prior to the annual meeting and (2) the close of business on
the 10th day following the first date on which the date of such
meeting is publicly disclosed. Accordingly, with respect to our
2023 Annual Meeting, our Bylaws require written notice to be
delivered to the Secretary at the principal executive offices of
the Company, as early as August 17, 2023, but no later than
September 16, 2023, unless advanced by more than 30 days or delayed
by more than 60 days from December 15, 2022. A stockholder’s notice
to the Secretary must set forth, as to each matter the stockholder
proposes to bring before the 2023 Annual Meeting: (i) a brief
description of the business desired to be brought before the
meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the
meeting, (ii) the name and record address of the stockholder
proposing such business, (iii) the number of shares of the
Company’s Common Stock which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such
business and (v) certain other detailed information as set forth in
Article II, Section 2.12 of the Bylaws of the Company. See also “Requirements for
Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for Inclusion in the
Company’s Proxy Materials for 2023 Annual Meeting”.
Requirements for Director Nominations for 2023 Annual
Meeting
For nominations by a stockholder of persons for election to the
board of directors to be
properly brought before an annual stockholders meeting, the
stockholder must have given timely notice thereof in
writing to the Secretary of the Company pursuant to the provisions
of the Company’s Bylaws. To be timely for the 2023 Annual Meeting,
written notice of any stockholder director nominations must be
delivered to the Secretary of the Company at the principal
executive offices of the Company by the same deadlines as described
under “Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Brought Before
2023 Annual Meeting” above. A stockholder’s notice
delivered to the Secretary must set forth, as to each person the
stockholder proposes to nominate for election as a director, all of
the detailed information set forth in Article II, Section 2.12 of the Company’s
Bylaws. In addition, the Company may require any proposed nominee
to furnish such other information as it may reasonably require to
determine the eligibility of that proposed nominee to serve as an
independent director of the Company or that could be material to a
reasonable stockholder’s understanding of the independence, or lack
thereof, of such nominee.
In addition, in order to be considered for inclusion in the
Company’s proxy materials for the 2023 Annual Meeting, inclusion of
a proxy access stockholder nominee intended to be presented at the
2023 Annual Meeting pursuant to Section 2.13 of the Bylaws must be
received by the Company no later than July 6, 2023 and no earlier
than June 6, 2023 if the 2023 Annual Meeting is held between
November 15, 2023 and February 13, 2024 or, if the 2023 Annual
Meeting is not held within these dates, then no earlier than the
150th day prior to the 2023 Annual Meeting and no later
than the close of business on the later of: the 120th day
prior to the 2023 Annual Meeting, or the 10th day following
the day on which public announcement of the date of the 2023 Annual
Meeting is first made by the Company, and must otherwise meet the
requirements of Section 2.13.
Requirements for Stockholder Proposals to be Considered for
Inclusion in the Company’s Proxy Materials for 2023 Annual
Meeting
Pursuant to Section 2.12(f) of the Bylaws, Section 2.12 described
above shall not apply to a proposal proposed to be made by a
stockholder if the stockholder has notified the Company of the
stockholder’s intention to present the proposal at an annual or
special meeting only pursuant to and in compliance with Rule 14a-8
under the Exchange Act and such proposal has been included in a
proxy statement that has been prepared by the Company to solicit
proxies for such meeting. Under Rule 14a-8, the deadline to submit
a proposal is not less than 120 days before the date of the
Company’s proxy statement was released to stockholders in
connection with the 2022 Annual Meeting. However, if the date of
the 2023 annual meeting has been changed by more than 30 days from
the date of the prior year’s annual meeting, then the deadline is a
reasonable time before the company begins to print and send its
proxy materials. In addition, there are additional requirements
that a stockholder must satisfy to submit a proposal under Rule
14a-8. Therefore, the Company strongly encourages stockholders who
wish to submit a proposal or nomination to seek independent
counsel. The Company will not consider any proposal or nomination
that is not timely or otherwise does not meet the Bylaws and Rule
14a-8 requirements. The Company reserves the right to reject, rule
out of order, or take other appropriate action with respect to any
proposal that does not comply with these and other applicable
requirements.
Availability of Bylaws
A copy of our Bylaws is available via the SEC’s website at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also contact our Secretary at the
address set forth above for a copy of the Bylaws.
Discretionary Voting Authority
If the Company complies and a
stockholder submitting a proposal or director nominee as described
above does not comply with the requirements of Rule 14a-4(c)(2)
under the Exchange Act, the Company may exercise discretionary
voting authority under proxies it solicits to vote in accordance
with its best judgment on any such stockholder proposal or director
nomination.
ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM
10-K
A copy of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2021, is available without charge to each
person solicited by this Proxy Statement upon the written request
of such person to Investor Relations, Mega Matrix Corp., 3000 El
Camino Real, Bldg. 4, Suite 200, Palo Alto, California 94306.
OTHER MATTERS
Management does not know of any matters to be presented at the 2022
Annual Meeting other than those set forth herein, nor has it
received any notice of any matter by the deadline prescribed by
Rule 14a-4(c)(1) under the Exchange Act. Without limiting the
Company’s ability to apply the advance notice provisions in its
Bylaws with respect to the procedures that must be followed for a
matter to be properly presented at an annual meeting of its
stockholders, if other matters should properly come before the 2022
Annual Meeting, the proxy holders will vote on such matters in
accordance with their best judgment.
|
By Order
of the Board of Directors,
|
|
|
|
/s/ Yucheng Hu |
|
Yucheng
Hu, |
|
Chairman,
Chief Executive Officer and President |
|
|
|
November
3, 2022 |


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