UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

  

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

 

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities

Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.      )

 

Filed by the Registrant x

 

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))

 

xDefinitive Proxy Statement

 

¨Definitive Additional Materials

 

¨Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12

 

Innodata Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

 

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

xNo 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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55 Challenger Road

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660

 

NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

TO BE HELD JUNE 5, 2024

 

To the Stockholders of Innodata Inc.:

 

The Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the “Meeting”) of Innodata Inc. (the "Company") will be held at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in a virtual-only format, through a virtual meeting platform available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/INOD2024, for the following purposes:

 

(1)To elect four directors of the Company to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their successors have been duly elected and qualified;

 

(2)To ratify the selection and appointment by the Company's Board of Directors of BDO India LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, as auditors for the Company for the year ending December 31, 2024;

 

(3)To approve, on an advisory basis, the Company’s executive compensation; and

 

(4)To consider and transact such other business as may properly come before the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

 

The Board of Directors knows of no other business currently contemplated to be transacted at the Meeting.

 

The Meeting will be held in virtual-only format this year. Stockholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically in person. Stockholders will have the same opportunities to participate in the Meeting as they would at an in-person meeting, including having the ability to vote and the opportunity to submit questions during the Meeting using the directions on the Meeting website.

 

Instead of mailing a printed copy of our proxy materials, including our Annual Report, to each stockholder of record as of April 9, 2024 (the “Record Date”), we have decided to provide access to these materials in a fast and efficient manner via the Internet. This reduces the amount of paper necessary to produce these materials, as well as the costs associated with mailing these materials to all such stockholders. Accordingly, on or about April 25, 2024, we began mailing to our stockholders of record as of the Record Date (other than those stockholders who previously requested electronic or paper delivery of communications from us) a Notice Regarding Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”), and posted our proxy materials on the website referenced in the Notice (http://materials.proxyvote.com/457642). As more fully described in the Notice, all stockholders may choose to access our proxy materials on the website referred to in the Notice or may request to receive a printed set of our proxy materials. In addition, the Notice and website provide information regarding how you may request to receive proxy materials in printed form by mail or electronically by email on an ongoing basis.

 

A complete list of the stockholders entitled to vote will be available for inspection by any stockholder for ten days prior to the Meeting upon request and shall be open to the examination of any stockholder during the whole time of the Meeting at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/INOD2024.

 

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the Meeting. Whether or not you plan to attend the Meeting, you are encouraged to promptly submit your Proxy with voting instructions or use Internet or phone voting prior to the Meeting. To vote your shares, please follow the instructions in the Notice or the Proxy card you received in the mail. If you vote via the Internet or phone, you need not return a Proxy card. No postage is required if a Proxy card is mailed in the United States. Any person giving a Proxy has the power to revoke it any time prior to its exercise by submitting a later-dated Proxy card, casting a new vote over the Internet or phone, sending a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, or by voting in person at the Meeting.

 

 

 

 

Registered stockholders as of the Record Date can vote during the Meeting. Beneficial owners must obtain a legal proxy from their brokerage firm, bank, or other holder of record and present it to the inspector of elections with their ballot in order to be able to vote shares at the Meeting. Voting at the Meeting will replace any previous votes submitted by Proxy.

 

Attendance at the Meeting is limited to stockholders, their proxies and invited guests of the Company.

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the

2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 5, 2024

 

This Notice of Annual Meeting, the Proxy Statement, form of Proxy and our 2023 Annual Report are available on the Internet at: http://materials.proxyvote.com/457642.

 

  By Order of the Board of Directors
     
  /s/ Amy R. Agress  
  Amy R. Agress  
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey

April 25, 2024

 

 

 

 

INNODATA INC.

55 Challenger Road

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660

 

PROXY STATEMENT

 

This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of Innodata Inc. (the "Company") of Proxies in the form enclosed. Such Proxies will be voted at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company (the “Meeting”) to be held at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 in a virtual-only format, through a virtual meeting platform available at www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/INOD2024 and at any adjournments or postponements thereof for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

 

The Meeting will be held in virtual-only format this year. Stockholders will not be able to attend the Meeting physically in person. Stockholders will have the same opportunities to participate in the Meeting as they would at an in-person meeting, including having the ability to vote and the opportunity to submit questions during the Meeting using the directions on the Meeting website.

 

We are following the SEC rule that permits us to furnish proxy materials to certain of our stockholders via the Internet. We believe electronic delivery of our Proxy materials will help us reduce the environmental impact and costs of printing and distributing paper copies and improve the speed and efficiency by which our stockholders can access these materials. As a result, we are mailing a short Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice”) to most of our stockholders instead of a paper copy of our full proxy materials. The Notice contains instructions on how to cast your vote online and how to electronically access our proxy materials, including the Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, our 2023 Annual Report and a Proxy card. The Notice also contains instructions on how to request a paper copy of our proxy materials. All stockholders who do not receive the Notice will receive a paper copy of the proxy materials. If you receive a paper copy of our proxy materials, you may cast your vote by completing the enclosed Proxy card and returning it in the enclosed self-addressed, postage-paid envelope, or by utilizing the Internet or phone voting mechanisms noted on the Proxy card. The Notice or paper copy of our proxy materials will first be mailed on or about April 25, 2024. If you hold your shares in “street name” (i.e., your shares are held of record by a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee), your broker, bank, trustee or other nominee will provide you with materials and instructions for voting your shares, including a voting instruction form. Beneficial owners of shares held in street name will need to follow the instructions provided by their broker, bank, trustee or other nominee that holds their shares.

 

Any stockholder giving a Proxy has the power to revoke the same at any time before it is voted by submitting a later-dated Proxy card, casting a new vote over the Internet or phone, sending a written notice of revocation to the Company’s Corporate Secretary at 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, or by voting in person at the Meeting. The cost of soliciting Proxies will be borne by the Company. Following the mailing of the Notice, solicitation of Proxies may be made by officers and employees of the Company by mail, telephone, facsimile, electronic communication or personal interview. Properly executed Proxies will be voted in accordance with instructions given by stockholders at the places provided for such purpose in the accompanying Proxy and, as to any other matter properly coming before the Meeting (none of which is presently known to the Board of Directors), in accordance with the judgment of the persons designated as proxies on the Proxy card. Unless contrary instructions are given by stockholders, persons named in the Proxy intend to vote the shares represented by such Proxies “FOR” the election of the four nominees for director named herein, “FOR” the ratification of BDO India LLP as independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2024, and “FOR” the approval, on an advisory basis, of the Company’s executive compensation as disclosed in these materials. The current members of the Board of Directors presently hold voting authority for common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “Common Stock”), representing an aggregate of 1,963,632 votes, or approximately 6.8% of the total number of votes eligible to be cast at the Meeting. The members of the Board of Directors have indicated their intention to vote affirmatively on all of the proposals.

 

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VOTING SECURITIES

 

Stockholders of record as of the close of business on the record date will be entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof. On the record date there were 28,752,874 outstanding shares of Common Stock. Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held by such holder. The presence, in person or by Proxy, of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock entitled to vote at the Meeting is necessary to constitute a quorum at the Meeting. Proxies submitted that contain abstentions or broker non-votes will be deemed present at the Meeting in determining the presence of a quorum. A broker non-vote occurs when a broker, bank, trustee or other nominee has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner and the broker, bank, trustee or other nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular matter. We urge you to vote by proxy even if you plan to virtually attend the Meeting so that we will know as soon as possible that enough votes will be present for us to conduct business at the Meeting.

 

 

PROPOSAL 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

 

It is the intention of the persons named in the enclosed form of Proxy, unless such form of Proxy specifies otherwise, to nominate and to vote the shares represented by such Proxy for the election as directors of Jack S. Abuhoff, Louise C. Forlenza, Stewart R. Massey and Nauman (Nick) Toor, to hold office until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified or until such director’s earlier death, resignation or removal. Each of the nominees named below currently serves as a director of the Company and was elected at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on June 8, 2023. The Company has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will become unavailable to serve as director for any reason before the Meeting. However, in the event that any of them shall become unavailable, each of the persons designated as proxy on the Proxy card reserves the right to substitute another person of his or her choice when voting at the Meeting. Below is the biographical and other information about the nominees. Following each nominee’s biographical information, we have provided information concerning the particular experience, qualifications, attributes and/or skills that led the Nominating Committee and the Board of Directors to determine that each nominee should serve as a director.

 

Jack S. Abuhoff

Age: 63

Principal Occupation and Business Experience

 

President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company since September 1997, and a director of the Company since its founding in 1988. Mr. Abuhoff was Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors from May 2001 to June 2020, and served as the Company’s interim Principal Financial Officer from May 2018 to April 2019. From 1995 to 1997 he was Chief Operating Officer of Charles River Corporation, an international systems integration and outsourcing firm. From 1992 to 1994, Mr. Abuhoff was employed by Chadbourne & Parke, LLP in connection with its joint venture with Goldman Sachs to develop capital projects in China. He practiced international corporate law at White & Case LLP from 1986 to 1992. Mr. Abuhoff holds an A.B. degree in English from Columbia College (1983) and a J.D. degree from Harvard Law School (1986).

 

Key Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills

 

Mr. Abuhoff has knowledge of the Company, its customers, and the industries the Company serves, both from an historical and a current perspective, as well as leadership and management skills, international experience, and experience in providing technology services.

 

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Louise C. Forlenza

Age: 74

Principal Occupation and Business Experience

 

Director of the Company since October 2002, Chair of the Company’s Audit Committee since September 2006, a member of the Company’s Compensation Committee since December 2002 and a member of the Company’s Nominating Committee since October 2008. Ms. Forlenza founded LC Forlenza CPA PC Advisory Services in 1987, providing strategic insight and expertise in global accounting and reporting, forensic accounting, auditing, foreign tax issues, turnarounds and litigation support to over 250 global clients in industries such as technology, real estate, entertainment, transportation and health and wellness. Ms. Forlenza has also previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Bierbaum-Martin, a foreign exchange firm. Ms. Forlenza is a Certified Public Accountant. She received a B.B.A. degree in Accounting from Iona College (1971), and a Certificate in Forensic Accounting from New York University in 2012. Ms. Forlenza attended the Harvard Executive Program for Board Governance and Audit in 2015 and the Harvard Executive Compensation Program in 2016.

 

Key Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills

 

Ms. Forlenza satisfies the financial literacy requirements of Nasdaq, and the Company has determined that she is an “audit committee financial expert,” as defined by Item 407(d)(5) of Regulation S-K. A Certified Public Accountant and a former Chief Financial Officer, she has a background in accounting, audit, tax planning and foreign exchange planning, and she provides diversity of background and viewpoint.

Stewart R. Massey

 

 

Age: 67

Principal Occupation and Business Experience

 

Director of the Company since March 2009, Chair of the Company’s Compensation Committee since June 2009, Chair of the Company’s Nominating Committee since June 2020 and a member of the Company’s Audit Committee since December 2013. From September 2018 through July 2019, Mr. Massey was Vice Chairman of Bow River Capital Partners, a private investment firm. Mr. Massey served as Founding Partner of Massey, Quick, Simon and Co. LLC, a provider of investment advisory and financial planning services for endowments, foundations and wealthy families, from 2004 to September 2018, and served as Founding Partner Emeritus through December 2018. Mr. Massey co-founded Massey, Quick in 2004 after a 24-year career on Wall Street. Mr. Massey joined Morgan Stanley in 1983 after four years with Dean Witter Reynolds. Mr. Massey retired as a managing director in Morgan Stanley’s Institutional Securities Group in 2004 after postings in New York, Hong Kong and Tokyo. Mr. Massey served as President and CEO of Robert Fleming, Inc. in 1997 and 1998. At Fleming, he had regional responsibility for equity sales and trading, research, capital markets, investment banking, and asset management in the Americas, serving on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the parent company in London. Mr. Massey holds a B.A. degree in History from The College of Wooster (1979), where he has served as a Trustee since 1987. As an Emeritus Trustee he serves on the Trustee and Governance, Finance and Investment committees. Mr. Massey also served on the investment committee of Hobart and William Smith Colleges from December 2010 to April 2023. Mr. Massey was honored as one of the top 100 independent investment advisors in America by Barron’s Magazine in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014. Mr. Massey attended the Wharton School Corporate Governance: Maximize Your Effectiveness in the Boardroom certificate program in 2022.

 

Key Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills

 

Mr. Massey has leadership experience as a Chief Executive Officer and a senior executive officer. He has financial management expertise, as well as compensation, mergers and acquisitions, investment advisory, board, corporate governance and international experience, and he provides diversity of background and viewpoint.

 

 

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Nauman (Nick) Toor Age: 55

Principal Occupation and Business Experience

 

Director of the Company since August 2019, Chairman of the Company’s Board of Directors since June 2020 and a member of the Company’s Audit, Compensation and Nominating Committees since June 2020. Mr. Toor currently serves as chief investment officer of Blackroot Capital, an investment fund focused on small-cap public equities that he founded in January 2007. From December 2012 to February 2019, Mr. Toor was a partner and chief investment officer of Luzich Partners, a multi-strategy hedge fund and investment firm. Prior to Luzich Partners, Mr. Toor was managing director of Jefferies & Company, Inc. He joined Jefferies in 1994 when its investment banking group had fewer than a dozen bankers. During his tenure, Jefferies became the largest middle market-focused investment bank in the country, with an increase in market value from $50 million to over $3 billion. With his promotion to managing director, Mr. Toor became the youngest managing director in the firm’s history. He then served as the group head of the Media Investment Banking Group and helped guide Jefferies’ growth and strategic direction as a member of its Investment Banking Management Group. Prior to Jefferies, Mr. Toor was founder and CEO of Netsperanto.com, an online media company. Mr. Toor holds an MBA from the Harvard Business School (1994), where he was the youngest member of his class, and a BA degree in Economics and Mathematics from Ohio Wesleyan University (1990).

 

Key Experience, Qualifications, Attributes and Skills

 

Mr. Toor has financial management, financial oversight and investment experience, has experience guiding a company’s growth and strategic direction, and provides diversity of background and viewpoint.

 

 

Board Diversity Matrix

 

The following matrix summarizes self-identified diversity characteristics and is provided in accordance with applicable Nasdaq listing requirements.

 

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BOARD DIVERSITY MATRIX 
  As of April 15, 2024 As of April 15, 2023
Total Number of Directors 4 4
Part I: Gender Identity Female Male Non-Binary Did Not Disclose Gender Female Male Non-Binary Did Not Disclose Gender
         
Directors 1 3 4
Part II: Demographic Background        
White 1
Did Not Disclose Demographic Background 3 4

 

There are no family relationships between or among any nominees for director of the Company. Directors are elected to serve until the next annual meeting of stockholders and until their successors are elected and qualified.

 

Vote Required

 

If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, directors will be elected at the meeting by a plurality of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors (i.e., the four nominees receiving the greatest number of votes “for” their election will be elected as directors). “Withheld” votes and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast “for” the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the election of the nominees, but will be counted in determining whether there is a quorum for the Meeting.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE ELECTION OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES

 

 

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE MATTERS

 

Director Independence

 

The Board of Directors currently consists of four directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Louise C. Forlenza, Stewart R. Massey and Nauman (Nick) Toor are independent directors. The independent directors comprise a majority of the Board. The only director who is not independent is Jack S. Abuhoff, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer. The Company defines independence as meeting the requirements to be considered as an independent director as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). To assist in determining director independence, the Board of Directors also considers any business relationship with any independent director, including any business entity with which any independent director is affiliated, to determine if there is any material relationship that would impair a director’s independence. In making its determination, the Board of Directors reviewed information provided by each of the directors and information otherwise gathered by the Company.

 

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Board Leadership Structure

 

Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Positions

 

Under the Board of Directors’ current leadership structure Mr. Toor, who is an independent director, serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors and Mr. Abuhoff serves as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer. The Board of Directors believes that bifurcating these positions enables the Chief Executive Officer to focus on strategy, operations, and organizational issues while an independent board chairman focuses on board leadership, strategic oversight and governance-related matters that support stockholders’ interests. Mr. Abuhoff, as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and President, provides day-to-day leadership of the Company, executes the Company’s strategic initiatives, and manages the Company’s business. Mr. Toor, as Chairman of the Board of Directors, collaborates with the Chief Executive Officer on setting the Company’s strategic direction in a way that best aligns with creating value for stockholders, oversees the Board of Directors’ engagement with stockholders and facilitates the Board of Directors’ independent oversight of the Company.

 

The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

 

The Board of Directors believes that the goal of risk oversight is to identify and assess risks that may affect the Company’s ability to fulfill its business objectives and to formulate plans to mitigate potential effects. The Board of Directors administers its oversight function directly, through both its Audit Committee and Compensation Committee, and through executive management of the Company, as follows:

 

·Through Board of Directors discussions on general business strategy and risks that could drive tactical and strategic decisions in the near and long term;
·Through the Audit Committee with respect to financial risks and other risks that may affect the financial situation of the Company, including risks related to cybersecurity;
·Through the Compensation Committee with respect to risks associated with executive compensation plans and arrangements;
·Through executive management of the Company with respect to risks that may arise in the ordinary course of business, such as operational, managerial, business, legal, regulatory and reputational risks;
·Through the Compliance Committee of the Company with respect to risks that may arise with respect to global compliance and ethical conduct;
·Through the chief information security officer and head of global technology with respect to risks related to cyber security; and
·Through the Chief Executive Officer via updates to the Board of Directors during Board of Directors meetings with respect to potential material risks identified by executive management, as is deemed appropriate based on the circumstances.

 

The Board of Directors believes the various roles of the board committees, compliance committee and executive management in risk oversight described above complement the Board of Directors’ leadership structure described above.

 

Meetings of the Board of Directors

 

The Board of Directors meets throughout the year on a set schedule. The Board of Directors also holds special meetings and acts by unanimous written consent from time to time as appropriate. The Board of Directors held six meetings during the year ended December 31, 2023. Each director attended at least 75% of all meetings of the Board of Directors and of the committees on which he or she served. The Company does not have a policy requiring incumbent directors and director nominees to attend the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. Four directors attended last year’s annual meeting.

 

The Board of Directors meets in executive sessions without management, as needed, immediately prior to or during its regularly scheduled meetings. The Board of Directors also schedules executive sessions during the year for the independent directors only.

 

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Committees of the Board of Directors

 

Audit Committee

 

The Board of Directors has a standing Audit Committee within the meaning of Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) that is comprised of independent directors only. The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.innodata.com. Serving on the Committee are Ms. Forlenza and Messrs. Massey and Toor, with Ms. Forlenza serving as Chair. The Board of Directors has determined that Ms. Forlenza is an “audit committee financial expert” as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and has the requisite financial sophistication as defined under the applicable rules and regulations of Nasdaq. For a discussion of Ms. Forlenza’s relevant experience that qualifies her as an audit committee financial expert, refer to Proposal 1. Election of Directors above. The functions of the Audit Committee are, among other things, to make recommendations concerning the selection each year of, and to oversee the Company’s relationship with, the independent auditors of the Company, to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the quality and integrity of the Company's financial reports and financial reporting processes and systems of internal controls, to consider whether the Company's principal accountant’s provision of non-audit services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence, to determine through discussions with the independent auditors whether any instructions or limitations have been placed upon them in connection with the scope of their audit, and to review and approve or reject any proposed related party transactions. To carry out its responsibilities, the Audit Committee met four times during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company defines independence as meeting the standards to be considered as an independent director as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2), Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(c)(2) and applicable SEC rules, and the Board of Directors has determined that all the members of the Audit Committee are "independent" in accordance therewith.

 

Compensation Committee

 

The Company has a standing Compensation Committee comprised of Messrs. Massey and Toor and Ms. Forlenza, with Mr. Massey serving as Chair. The Compensation Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors. A copy of the charter is available on our website at www.innodata.com. The function of the Compensation Committee is to discharge the responsibilities of the Board of Directors regarding executive and director compensation, including determining and approving the compensation packages of the Company’s executive officers, including its Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee also reviews and approves stock option and other stock-based grants to non-executive officer employees. The Chief Executive Officer recommends to the Compensation Committee proposed compensation for the executive officers other than the Chief Executive Officer. The Compensation Committee may from time to time, as it deems appropriate and to the extent permitted under applicable law and regulations, form and delegate authority to subcommittees and to the officers of the Company. The Compensation Committee engages the services of an independent compensation consultant on an as-needed basis to provide market data and advice regarding executive and director compensation and proposed compensation programs and amounts. In October 2023 the Compensation Committee engaged the services of Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook”) to conduct an independent review of the Company’s executive compensation program and non-employee director compensation program, and to analyze how the Company’s executive compensation and non-employee director programs compare to the competitive market. Prior to engaging Cook the Compensation Committee reviewed the firm’s qualifications and assessed its independence from management, taking into consideration the requirements of Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(d)(3)(D), and any potential conflicts of interest. The Compensation Committee retains the authority in its sole discretion to retain Cook, approve Cook’s compensation, determine the nature and the scope of its services, evaluate its performance, and terminate its engagement. To carry out its responsibilities, the Compensation Committee met three times during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company defines independence as meeting the standards to be considered as an independent director as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2), and the Board of Directors has determined that all the members of the Compensation Committee are "independent" as defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2).

 

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Nominating Committee

 

The Company has a standing Nominating Committee comprised of Messrs. Massey and Toor and Ms. Forlenza, with Mr. Massey serving as Chair. The Company does not have a Nominating Committee charter. The primary responsibilities of the Nominating Committee include assisting the Board of Directors in identifying and evaluating qualified candidates to serve as directors; recommending to the Board of Directors candidates for election or re-election to the Board of Directors or to fill vacancies on the Board of Directors; and assisting in attracting qualified candidates to serve on the Board of Directors. Director nominees are selected by approval of a resolution of the Board of Directors. All of the nominees recommended for election to the Board of Directors at the Meeting are directors standing for re-election. The Nominating Committee has a formal policy regarding the identification of director nominees. The process of the Nominating Committee for identifying nominees reflects the Company’s practice of re-nominating incumbent directors who continue to satisfy the Nominating Committee’s criteria for membership on the Board of Directors, whom the Nominating Committee believes continue to make important contributions to the Board of Directors and who consent to continue their service on the Board of Directors.  In identifying candidates for membership on the Board of Directors, the Nominating Committee takes into account all factors it considers appropriate, which may include (a) ensuring that the Board of Directors, as a whole, consists of individuals with diverse and relevant career experience, technical skills, education, industry knowledge and experience, financial expertise (including expertise that could qualify a director as a “audit committee financial expert,” as that term is defined by the rules of the SEC) and (b) minimum individual qualifications, including strength of character, mature judgment, familiarity with the Company's business and industry, independence of thought and an ability to work collegially. The Nominating Committee also may consider the extent to which the candidate would fill a present need on the Board of Directors, as well as diversity of origin and gender. To carry out its responsibilities, the Nominating Committee met one time during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company defines independence as meeting the standards to be considered as an independent director as set forth in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2), and the Board of Directors has determined that all the members of the Nominating Committee are "independent" as defined in the Nasdaq Listing Rule 5605(a)(2). In 2023, the Company did not pay any fees to any third party to assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees.

 

The Company's Amended and Restated By-laws (the “By-Laws”) include a procedure whereby its stockholders can nominate director candidates, as more fully described below under “Stockholder Proposals for the 2025 Annual Meeting.” The Board of Directors will consider director candidates recommended by the Company's stockholders in a similar manner as those recommended by members of management or other directors, provided the stockholder submitting such nomination has complied with the procedures set forth in the By-laws. To date, the Company has not received any recommended nominees from any non-management stockholder or group of stockholders who beneficially owns five percent or more of its voting stock.

 

Hedging

 

The Company’s insider trading policy prohibits the Company’s employees, officers and directors and other persons covered by the Company’s trading policy from engaging in hedging transactions and short sales involving the Company’s securities, from holding the Company’s securities in a margin account, and from pledging the Company’s securities as collateral for a loan.

 

Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

 

Generally, stockholders who have questions or concerns regarding the Company should contact our Investor Relations department at 201-371-8000. However, stockholders may communicate with the Board of Directors by sending a letter to: Board of Directors of Innodata Inc., c/o Corporate Secretary, 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660. Any communications must contain a clear notation indicating that it is a "Stockholder—Board Communication" or a "Stockholder—Director Communication" and must identify the author as a stockholder. The office of the Corporate Secretary will receive the correspondence and forward appropriate correspondence to the Chairman of the Board of Directors or to any individual director or directors to whom the communication is directed. The Company reserves the right not to forward to the Board of Directors any communication that is hostile, threatening, illegal, does not reasonably relate to the Company or its business, or is otherwise inappropriate. The office of the Corporate Secretary has authority to discard or disregard any inappropriate communication or to take any other action that it deems to be appropriate with respect to any inappropriate communications.

 

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REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

 

The following report of the Audit Committee does not constitute soliciting material and should not be deemed filed with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A promulgated under the Exchange Act or incorporated by reference into any other Company filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates this report by reference therein.

 

The responsibilities of the Audit Committee, which are set forth in the Audit Committee Charter, include providing oversight to the Company’s financial reporting process through periodic meetings with the Company’s independent auditors and management to review accounting, auditing, internal control and financial reporting matters. The Audit Committee is also responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the Company’s independent auditors. The management of the Company is responsible for the preparation and integrity of the financial reporting information and related systems of internal control. The Audit Committee, in carrying out its role, relies on the Company’s senior management, including senior financial management, and its independent auditors.

 

The Audit Committee has implemented procedures to ensure that during the course of each fiscal year it devotes the attention that it deems necessary or appropriate to each of the matters assigned to it under the Audit Committee's charter.

 

The primary purpose of the Audit Committee is to assist the Board of Directors in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities relating to the quality and integrity of the Company's financial reports and financial reporting processes and systems of internal control. Management of the Company has primary responsibility for the Company's financial statements and the overall reporting process, including maintenance of the Company's system of internal controls. The Company retains independent auditors who are responsible for conducting independent audits of the Company's financial statements and internal control over financial reporting, if applicable, in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (the “PCAOB”), and issuing report(s) thereon.

 

The Audit Committee has reviewed and discussed the Company’s consolidated audited financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 with management and the independent auditors. The Audit Committee has discussed with the independent auditors the matters required to be discussed by the applicable requirements of the PCAOB. The independent auditors have provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosures and the letter required by applicable requirements of the PCAOB regarding the independent auditor’s communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and the Audit Committee has discussed with the auditors their independence from the Company. The Audit Committee has concluded that the independent auditors are independent from the Company and its management.

 

On the basis of the foregoing reviews and discussions, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for filing with the SEC.

 

Members of the Audit Committee

 

Louise C. Forlenza, Chair

Stewart R. Massey

Nauman (Nick) Toor

 

 

9

 

 

Fiscal 2023 and 2022 Accounting Firm Fee Summary

 

Set forth below is certain information concerning fees billed to the Company by BDO India LLP in respect of professional services rendered to the Company for the audit of the annual financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022; the reviews of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the periods within 2023 and 2022; related regulatory filings for periods within 2023 and 2022; and other services. The Audit Committee has determined that the provision of all services is compatible with maintaining the independence of BDO India LLP.

 

   2023 ($)   2022($) 
   BDO India LLP   BDO India LLP 
Audit Fees   213,000    196,400 
Audit-Related Fees   11,500    11,500 
Tax Fees        
All Other Fees        

 

Audit fees consist of fees for the audit of the Company’s financial statements, the review of the interim financial statements included in the Company’s Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and other professional services provided in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements.

 

Audit-Related fees consist of attestation services related to SOC 1 Type 2.

 

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policy

 

All audit, audit-related services, tax services and other services provided by BDO India LLP must be pre-approved by the Audit Committee in one of two methods. Under the first method, the engagement to render the services would be entered into pursuant to pre-approval policies and procedures established by the Audit Committee, provided (i) the policies and procedures are detailed as to the services to be performed, (ii) the Audit Committee is informed of each service, and (iii) such policies and procedures do not include delegation of the Audit Committee's responsibilities under the Exchange Act to the Company's management. Under the second method, the engagement to render the services would be presented to and pre-approved by the Audit Committee (subject to the de minimis exceptions for non-audit services described in Section 10A(i)(1)(B) of the Exchange Act that are approved by the Audit Committee prior to the completion of the audit). The Audit Committee may delegate to its Chair the authority to pre-approve otherwise permissible non-audit services, provided that any decision made pursuant to such delegation must be presented to the full Audit Committee for informational purposes at its next scheduled meeting. The Audit Committee considers, among other things, whether the provision of such audit or non-audit services is consistent with applicable regulations regarding maintaining auditor independence, whether the provision of such services would impair the independent registered public accounting firm's independence and whether the independent registered public accounting firm is best positioned to provide the most effective and efficient service.

 

 

PROPOSAL 2. RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

 

Subject to ratification by the stockholders, the Board of Directors has appointed BDO India LLP as the independent auditors to audit the financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024. BDO India LLP has served as the Company's auditors since August 24, 2020. A representative of BDO India LLP is expected to be present at the Meeting and will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so. A representative of BDO India LLP is also expected to be available to respond to appropriate questions at the Meeting.

 

While stockholder ratification is not required by the Company’s Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, By-Laws or otherwise, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of BDO India LLP to the stockholders for ratification as part of good corporate governance practice. In the event that the stockholders fail to ratify this appointment, the Board of Directors may appoint other independent auditors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee. Even if this appointment is ratified, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may direct the appointment of a new independent accounting firm at any time during the year, if the Board of Directors believes that such a change would be in the best interest of the Company and its stockholders.

 

10

 

 

Vote Required

 

If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the appointment of BDO India LLP as independent auditors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, meaning that the votes cast by the stockholders “for” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be considered as votes cast "for" or "against" this proposal, and will therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Brokers have discretion to vote shares with respect to this proposal, unless a stockholder directs their broker otherwise.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF BDO INDIA LLP, INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM, AS AUDITORS FOR THE COMPANY FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024

 

 

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

 

Overview of Executive Compensation Program

 

We are currently a smaller reporting company and we have elected to comply with the scaled disclosure requirements afforded to smaller reporting companies under the Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act of 2012 for our executive compensation disclosure included in this Proxy Statement. In the following discussion of our executive compensation programs, we summarize the compensation awarded to our executive officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table for the most recently completed fiscal year.

 

Executive Compensation Objectives

 

The Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors is responsible for overseeing and administering our executive compensation program and for establishing our executive compensation philosophy. The Committee applies key objectives in selecting the specific elements of compensation to pay to executive officers. The objectives of our compensation program are to:

 

·Attract, motivate and retain qualified, talented and dedicated executives
·Motivate executives to achieve business and financial objectives that will enhance stockholder value
·Align the interests of our executives with the long-term interests of stockholders through stock-based incentives
·Maintain a strong link between pay and performance by placing a significant portion of the executive’s total pay at risk

 

The Committee also reviews and considers:

 

·Company performance, both separately and in relation to similar companies
·The individual executive’s performance, experience and scope of responsibilities
·Historical compensation levels and stock option and other stock-based grants at the Company
·Internal parity among executive officers
·The recommendations of management
·The recommendations of an independent compensation consultant, to the extent compensation consultants are utilized
·Competitive market and peer company data

 

11

 

 

The Committee uses the following processes, procedures and resources to help it perform its responsibilities:

 

·Executive sessions without management present to discuss various compensation matters, including the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”)
·A periodic review of executive compensation and benefit programs for reasonableness and cost effectiveness
·The recommendations of the CEO on compensation for the other executive officers
·On an as-needed basis, the services of an independent compensation consultant

 

Competitive Benchmarking / Peer Group Analysis

 

Although the Company has no policy regarding the retention of independent consultants to conduct competitive benchmarking and/or a peer group analysis, it has, from time to time, engaged such consultants to assist the Committee in the review and determination of various compensation matters.

 

In October 2023 the Committee engaged an independent compensation consultant, Frederic W. Cook & Co., Inc. (“Cook”) to conduct an independent review of the Company’s executive compensation program and non-employee director compensation program, and to analyze how the Company’s executive compensation and non-employee director programs compare to the competitive market. As part of the review a group of 18 publicly traded peer companies were selected and used for competitive benchmarking. The peer companies were selected by Cook and approved by the Committee. The selected companies are broadly similar to the Company in industry and/or scope of business operations and are within a reasonable size range of the Company with respect to revenue and market cap. The companies in the peer group were: American Software, Inc., Applied Digital Corporation, Asure Software, Inc., Augmedix, Inc., BigBear.ai Holdings, Inc., BlackSky Technology Inc., Brightcove Inc., DarioHealth Corp., Digimarc Corporation, Franklin Covey Co., Information Services Group, Inc., OneSpan, Inc., OptimizeRx Corp., Red Violet, Inc., Rekor Systems, Inc., Smith Micro Software, Inc., SoundThinking Inc., and Spire Global, Inc.

 

The Company was positioned slightly below the median of the peer group with regard to revenue for the trailing four quarters through September 30, 2023, and slightly above the median for the peer group with regard to market capitalization based on the trailing twelve-month average through December 15, 2023.

 

Components of the Executive Compensation Program

 

The primary elements of the Company’s Executive Compensation Program are described below. The Committee does not use a pre-set formula to allocate a percentage of total compensation to each compensation component, and the percentage of total compensation allocated to each compensation component varies among the executive officers.

 

Base Salary

 

The base salaries of our executive officers are designed to attract and retain a high performing and dedicated leadership team. The Committee reviews the performance evaluations and salary recommendations provided to the Committee by the CEO for each executive officer other than himself. Increases to the CEO’s base salary are determined by the Committee without a recommendation by Company management. Adjustments to base salary take into consideration the Company’s financial performance, and are determined based on the individual’s responsibility level, performance, contribution and length of service, as well as competitive market data and any requirements set forth in the executive officer’s employment agreement. No adjustments were made by the Committee to the named executive officers’ base salary in the year ended December 31, 2023. In April 2024 the Committee increased the base salaries of the named executive officers effective April 1, 2024, as set forth below.

 

12

 

 

Name  Base Salary Prior
to Increase ($)
   April 2024 Base
Salary ($)
   Amount of Increase
($)
   Percent Increase
(%)
 
Jack S. Abuhoff   500,000    525,000    25,000    5.0 
Marissa B. Espineli   240,000    252,000    12,000    5.0 
Ashok Mishra   400,000    420,000    20,000    5.0 

 

Performance-Based Cash Incentives

 

Performance-based cash incentives provide the Company with a means of rewarding performance based upon the attainment of corporate financial goals, individual goals, and individual accomplishments and contributions to the Company. The Committee reviews the Company’s financial performance and individual performance, accomplishments and contributions, as well as recommendations provided to the Committee by the CEO for each executive officer other than the CEO. Cash incentives may be paid pursuant to an incentive compensation plan or as cash bonuses.

 

In December 2023 the Committee awarded cash bonuses to the named executive officers based on the Company’s performance in the year ended December 31, 2022, and each executive officer’s individual accomplishments and contributions towards the Company’s performance in 2022, as follows: $300,000 to Mr. Abuhoff, $72,000 to Ms. Espineli, and $200,000 to Mr. Mishra.

 

Based on the Company’s performance in the year ended December 31, 2023, and on each executive officer’s individual accomplishments and contributions towards the Company’s performance in 2023, in April 2024 the Committee awarded the following cash bonuses to named executive officers for the year ended December 31, 2023: $450,000 to Mr. Abuhoff, $90,000 to Ms. Espineli, and $300,000 to Mr. Mishra.

 

Stock-Based Incentives

 

The Company uses stock option grants as the primary vehicle for employee stock-based incentives. The Company also uses restricted share grants and restricted stock units as a form of stock-based incentives. The Committee believes stock-based incentives align the executive officers’ interests with those of stockholders in building stockholder value over the long term by tying a significant percentage of compensation to be realized by the executive officers to changes in stockholder value over the long term. The Committee also believes that stock-based incentives offer executive officers an incentive for the achievement of superior performance over time, and foster the retention of key management personnel. The number of stock options or other stock-based incentives the Committee awards each executive officer is based on his or her relative position, responsibilities and performance, including anticipated future performance, potential and responsibilities, and performance over the previous fiscal year, to the extent applicable. The grant date fair value of the award is also considered in determining the number of stock options to be awarded. The exercise price of stock options that are granted is equal to the closing market price of the Company’s Common Stock on the date of grant. The size and value of stock-based grants is not directly related to the Company’s performance. The Committee also reviews and considers prior stock-based grants made to each executive officer. No stock-based grants were made to executive officers in the year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Benefits and Perquisites

 

The Company offers retirement, health, life, and disability benefits, as well as medical and dependent care reimbursement plans to all full-time employees. These plans do not discriminate in scope, terms or operation in favor of executive officers. In addition, in the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company reimbursed Mr. Abuhoff $8,698 for the cost of life and disability insurance premiums and related taxes pursuant to his employment agreement.

 

Severance and Change-of-Control

 

The Company uses severance and change-of-control agreements to attract and retain qualified, talented and dedicated executives and to help the Company remain competitive in the marketplace.

 

13

 

 

Results of 2023 Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

 

At the 2023 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held in June 2023, the Company’s stockholders approved the 2022 compensation of the Company’s named executive officers by 81% of the votes cast. The Company took into account these results when making decisions about its compensation practices for the year ended December 31, 2023. The Compensation Committee values the stockholder feedback provided through the vote, as well as the feedback regarding Company performance received through conversations with stockholders subsequent to the vote. The Compensation Committee will continue to review the Company’s executive compensation programs to assure that the compensation of the named executive officers remains consistent with the objectives stated above under “Overview of Executive Compensation Program” and reflective of the Company’s financial performance.

 

 

officers

 

Set forth below is information concerning the Company’s current named executive officers who are not directors.

 

Name  Age  Position
Marissa B. Espineli  61  Interim Chief Financial Officer
Ashok Mishra  69  Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

 

Marissa B. Espineli has been the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer since March 2022. Ms. Espineli has been the Company’s Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller since January 2012, and has been part of the Company’s Finance team since 2000. Ms. Espineli is a Certified Public Accountant and holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration- Finance and Accounting from the University of the East (1984).

 

Ashok Mishra has been the Company’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer since January 2007. Prior to 2007, Mr. Mishra held senior level positions with the Company and its subsidiaries for more than nine years. Mr. Mishra has served as Senior Vice President since May 2004, after serving as Vice President, Project Delivery from October 2001 through April 2004. Prior thereto, Mr. Mishra served as Assistant Vice President, Project Delivery from November 2000 to September 2001, and as General Manager and Head of the Facility of the Company’s India operations from 1997 to October 2000. Mr. Mishra holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Mechanical Engineering from Pantnagar University (1976). He also has Component Manufacturing Technical Training from Alcatel France (1985) and completed a condensed MBA course from Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (1995).

 

The Company’s executive officers are appointed by, and serve at the discretion of, our Board of Directors. There are no family relationships between or among any of the Company’s executive officers and there are no arrangements or understandings between our executive officers and any other persons pursuant to which our named executive officers were appointed as officers.

 

14

 

 

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

 

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, all of the compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Company’s “named executive officers” for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023.

 

Name and Principal
Position
  Year   Salary
($)
   Bonus
($)
   Option Awards
($)
   All Other
Compensation
($)
   Total
($)
 

Jack S. Abuhoff

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

   2023    500,000    450,000(1)        8,698(2)     958,698 
    2022    500,000    300,000(3)    2,820,112(4)    8,818(5)    3,628,930 
                               

Marissa B. Espineli (6)

 

Interim Chief Financial Officer

   2023    240,000    90,000(1)            330,000 
    2022    234,310    72,000(3)    76,424(7)        382,734 
                               

Ashok Mishra

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

   2023    400,000    300,000(1)    -        700,000 
    2022    375,000    200,000(3)    1,454,228(4)        2,029,228 

 

(1) Represents a cash bonus awarded by the Compensation Committee in April 2024 based on the Company’s performance in 2023, and each executive officer’s individual accomplishments and contributions towards the Company’s performance in 2023.
(2) Represents the cost of employer-provided executive life and disability insurance in the amount of $6,150, and reimbursement for related federal and state income taxes in the amount of $2,548.
(3) Represents a cash bonus awarded by the Compensation Committee in December 2023 based on the Company’s performance in 2022, and each executive officer’s individual accomplishments and contributions towards the Company’s performance in 2022.
(4) Represents the dollar amount of the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in 2022. The aggregate grant date fair value is the amount the Company expects to expense in its financial statements over the award’s vesting schedule. This amount reflects the Company’s accounting expense and does not correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the named executive officer. For stock options, grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is based on the value of the option on the grant date, which was $2.97 on March 10, 2022 and $2.18 on October 7, 2022. For information on the valuation assumptions, see Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022. On March 10, 2022 Messrs. Abuhoff and Mishra were granted options to purchase 832,926 and 416,632 shares of Common Stock, respectively. Each option has an exercise price equal to $4.99, and the options vest in their entirety on January 1, 2025. On October 7, 2022 Messrs. Abuhoff and Mishra were granted options to purchase 160,000 and 100,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively. Each option has an exercise price equal to $3.41, and the options vest in three equal installments on October 7, 2023, October 7, 2024 and October 7, 2025.
(5) Represents the cost of employer-provided executive life and disability insurance in the amount of $6,150, and reimbursement for related federal and state income taxes in the amount of $2,668.
(6) On March 16, 2022 Ms. Espineli was appointed as Interim Chief Financial Officer effective immediately.
(7) Represents the dollar amount of the aggregate grant date fair value of stock options granted in 2022. The aggregate grant date fair value is the amount the Company expects to expense in its financial statements over the award’s vesting schedule. This amount reflects the Company’s accounting expense and does not correspond to the actual value that will be realized by the named executive officer. For stock options, grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option pricing model and is based on the value of the option on the grant date, which was $2.18 on October 7, 2022. For information on the valuation assumptions, see Note 10 in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements filed with the Annual Report on Form 10-K for year ended December 31, 2022. On October 7, 2022 Ms. Espineli was granted options to purchase 35,000 shares of Common Stock. The option has an exercise price equal to $3.41, and the options vest in three equal installments on October 7, 2023, October 7, 2024 and October 7, 2025.

 

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Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table

 

Employment Agreements

 

Jack S. Abuhoff

 

On March 25, 2009, the Company and Mr. Abuhoff, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, executed an employment agreement with an effective date of February 1, 2009 (as amended on July 11, 2011, the “Agreement”). The Agreement will continue until terminated by the Company or Mr. Abuhoff.

 

The Agreement provides for: annual base salary compensation of $424,350 subject to cost of living adjustments and annual discretionary increases as determined by the Company’s Board of Directors; additional cash incentive or bonus compensation for each calendar year determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors in its discretion and conditioned on the attainment of certain quantitative objectives to be established by the Compensation Committee with a target bonus of not less than 60% of Mr. Abuhoff’s base salary for the year; and stock options and/or other equity-based and/or non-equity-based awards and incentives as determined by the Compensation Committee in its sole and absolute discretion. The Agreement also provides for indemnification, insurance and other fringe benefits, and contains confidentiality, non-compete and non-interference provisions. From April 2012 to April 2024, Mr. Abuhoff’s annual base salary was $500,000. In April 2024, Mr. Abuhoff’s annual base salary was increased to $525,000.

 

In the event Mr. Abuhoff is terminated by the Company other than for cause (as defined in the Agreement), death or disability, or Mr. Abuhoff resigns his employment with the Company for good reason (as defined in the Agreement), Mr. Abuhoff is entitled to receive (i) an amount equal to 200% of his (A) base salary and (B) the greater of his most recently declared bonus (as defined in the Agreement) or the average of his three most recently declared bonuses to be paid in substantially equal payments over a period of 24 months; (ii) the continuation of his (and as applicable, his dependents’) medical and dental insurance until the earlier of the end of the maximum applicable COBRA coverage period or for the 24 month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination (and if the COBRA period is shorter than the applicable 24 month period, pay to Mr. Abuhoff an amount equal to the monthly cost charged by the Company for COBRA coverage during the period beginning upon the expiration of the maximum COBRA coverage period and the end of the 24 month continuation period); (iii) the continuation of his life and long-term disability insurance for the 24 month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination; (iv) payment of up to six weeks’ accrued but unused vacation; and (v) the removal of any vesting, transfer, lock-up, performance or other restrictions or requirements on his stock options and other equity-based and non-equity-based awards and incentives. If Mr. Abuhoff’s employment is terminated upon his death, his estate will receive payment of his base salary through the date of termination, a pro-rated bonus based on his performance of his objectives through the date of termination, and payment of up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. If Mr. Abuhoff’s employment is terminated for disability he will receive payment of his base salary for a 90-day period following the date of termination, a pro-rated bonus based on active duty with the Company and conditioned on attainment of certain quantitative objectives, and payment of up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. If Mr. Abuhoff’s employment is terminated for cause, Mr. Abuhoff will receive his base salary through the date of termination, and payment of up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. Under the terms of the Agreement, Mr. Abuhoff’s receipt of the benefits described above is conditioned upon his entry into a separation agreement and general release, and an agreement, for a 12-month period following termination of his employment, not to compete or interfere with the Company, and not to employ or retain the services of an employee of the Company. In the event Mr. Abuhoff is terminated by the Company coincident with or following a change-of-control (as defined in the Agreement), Mr. Abuhoff is entitled to receive (i) an amount equal to 300% of his (A) base salary and (B) the greater of his most recently declared bonus (as defined in the Agreement) or the average of his three most recently declared bonuses, in either case to be paid in a lump sum payout within 30 days of the date of his termination; (ii) the continuation of his (and as applicable, his dependents’) medical and dental insurance until the earlier of the end of the maximum applicable COBRA coverage period or for the 36-month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination (and if the COBRA period is shorter than the applicable 36-month period, pay to Mr. Abuhoff an amount equal to the monthly cost charged by the Company for COBRA coverage during the period beginning upon the expiration of the maximum COBRA coverage period and the end of the 36-month continuation period); and (iii) the continuation of his life and long-term disability insurance for the 36-month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination; and (iv) the removal of any vesting, transfer, lock-up, performance or other restrictions or requirements on his stock options and other equity and non-equity-based awards and incentives.

 

16

 

 

In the event Mr. Abuhoff is a “specified employee” as defined in Section 409A of the Code at the time of his termination of employment, the payments referenced above (for both change-of-control and other than upon change-of-control) shall be delayed until the date that is six months and one day following his termination of employment (or, if earlier, the earliest other date as is permitted under Section 409A of the Code). The amount payable on such date shall include all amounts that would have been payable to Mr. Abuhoff prior to that date but for the application of Section 409A and the remaining payments shall be made in substantially equal installments until fully paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the six month delay shall not apply to any such payments made (A) during the short term deferral period set forth in Treasury Regulation Section 1.409A-1(b)(4), or (B) after said short term deferral period, payable solely on account of an involuntary separation from service (as defined in Section 409A of the Code) and in an amount less than the Section 409A Severance Exemption Amount. The Agreement also provides for potential tax gross-up payments in respect of taxes, penalties and/or interest that may be incurred by Mr. Abuhoff under Section 409A of the Code.

 

Marissa B. Espineli

 

Ms. Espineli, the Company’s Interim Chief Financial Officer, is employed by the Company as an employee-at-will pursuant to an offer of employment dated September 2001. Ms. Espineli’s annual base salary was $240,000 as of April 2022 and she is eligible to receive an annual performance-based bonus granted at the discretion of the Company. The offer of employment also provides for health insurance benefits, vacation and other benefits to which the Company’s full-time employees are entitled. Additionally, contemporaneous with the offer of employment, the Company and Ms. Espineli entered into an agreement containing customary confidentiality, non-solicitation and invention assignment provisions, which apply during and after Ms. Espineli’s employment with the Company. In April 2024, Ms. Espineli’s annual base salary was increased to $252,000.

 

Ashok Mishra

 

On January 1, 2007, the Company and Mr. Mishra, the Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company, entered into a three-year agreement with an effective date of January 1, 2007 whereby the Company agreed to cause one or more of its wholly-owned subsidiaries to offer employment to Mr. Mishra. Mr. Mishra’s agreement automatically renews for one-year periods unless the Company either provides a notice of non-renewal by June 30 of the then-current term or the Company and Mr. Mishra execute a new agreement prior to the end of the then-current term. The agreement provides for annual base compensation of $175,000 per annum, subject to annual reviews for discretionary annual increases and incentive compensation pursuant to an incentive compensation plan. The agreement also provides for insurance and other fringe benefits, and contains confidentiality, non-compete and non-interference provisions. In August 2018, the Company and Mr. Mishra amended the agreement to provide that Mr. Mishra would be jointly employed by the Company and one of its wholly-owned subsidiaries. From April 2022 to April 2024, Mr. Mishra’s annual base salary was $400,000. In April 2024, Mr. Mishra’s annual base salary was increased to $420,000.

 

17

 

 

Pursuant to Mr. Mishra’s agreement, if the agreement is terminated without cause (as defined in Mr. Mishra’s employment agreement) or by Mr. Mishra with good reason (as defined in Mr. Mishra’s employment agreement), he will be entitled to his base salary for 12 months following the date of his termination or resignation with good reason, any earned but unpaid incentive compensation, and payment for up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. If the agreement is terminated due to Mr. Mishra’s death, his estate will receive payment of his base salary through the date of termination, any earned but unpaid incentive compensation, and payment for up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. If the agreement is terminated due to Mr. Mishra’s disability he will receive payment of his base salary for a 90-day period following the date of termination, any earned but unpaid incentive compensation, and payment for up to six weeks’ accrued but unused vacation. If the agreement is terminated for cause (as defined in Mr. Mishra’s employment agreement), Mr. Mishra will receive his base salary through the date of termination, and payment for up to six weeks of any accrued but unused vacation. Under the terms of Mr. Mishra’s employment agreement, Mr. Mishra’s receipt of the benefits described above is conditioned upon his entry into a separation agreement and general release, and an agreement not to compete with the Company for a 12-month period following termination of his employment, and not to solicit the customers of the Company or to solicit or employ the services of an employee of the Company for a 24-month period following termination of employment.

 

 

Outstanding Equity Awards at fiscal year-end 2023

 

The following table summarizes the outstanding equity awards held by each named executive officer as of December 31, 2023.

 

   Option Awards
Name  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Exercisable
(#)
   Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options
Unexercisable
(#)
   Option
Exercise Price
($)
   Option
Expiration Date
Jack S. Abuhoff   290,000        2.85   12/30/2025
    290,000        2.45   12/29/2026
    250,000        1.07   7/12/2028
    400,000        1.24   7/31/2029
    400,000        1.42   6/4/2030
    53,333    26,667(1)     7.24   8/1/2031
        832,926(2)    4.99   3/9/2032
    53,333    106,667(3)    3.41   10/6/2032
Total   1,736,666    966,260         
                   
Marissa B. Espineli   50,000        1.11   7/16/2028
    10,000        1.24   7/31/2029
        5,000(4)    6.96   8/2/2031
    11,666    23,334(3)    3.41   10/6/2032
Total   71,666    28,334         
                   
Ashok Mishra   160,000        1.07   7/12/2028
    160,000        1.24   7/31/2029
    160,000        1.42   6/4/2030
    13,333    13,334(1)    7.24   8/1/2031
        416,632(2)    4.99   3/9/2032
    33,333    66,667(3)    3.41   10/6/2032
Total   526,666    496,633         

 

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(1)Granted on August 2, 2021. The stock options vest in three equal installments beginning one year from the date of grant. The unvested portion will vest on August 2, 2024.
(2)Granted on March 10, 2022. 100% of the stock options vest and become exercisable on January 1, 2025.
(3)Granted on October 7, 2022. The stock options vest in three equal installments beginning one year from the date of grant. The unvested portion will vest in two equal installments on October 7, 2024 and October 7, 2025.
(4)Granted on August 3, 2021. The stock options vest in three equal installments beginning one year from the date of grant. The unvested portion will vest on August 3, 2024.

 

 

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-OF-Control

 

Estimated Termination or Change-of-Control Benefits at Year-End 2023

 

The following table summarizes the estimated value of payments to each of the named executive officers assuming different termination events occurred as of December 31, 2023.

 

Name   Cash
Compensation
($)
    Stock-based
Compensation
($)
    Welfare
Benefits
($)
    Aggregate
Payments
($)
 
Jack S. Abuhoff                                
Termination for cause                 57,692       57,692  
Termination without cause (1)     1,900,000       3,152,252       159,497       5,211,749  
Change-of-Control (2)     2,850,000       3,152,252       210,399       6,212,651  
Death     450,000             57,692       507,692  
Disability     575,000             57,692       632,692  
                                 
Marissa B. Espineli                                
Termination for cause                 18,462       18,462  
Termination without cause (1)                 18,462       18,462  
Death                 18,462       18,462  
Disability                 18,462       18,462  
                                 
Ashok Mishra                                
Termination for cause                 15,385       15,385  
Termination without cause (1)     400,000             15,385       415,385  
Death                 15,385       15,385  
Disability     100,000             15,385       115,385  

 

(1) Includes resignation by the executive with good reason.
(2) Assumes the Company’s termination of the executive’s employment coincident with or following a change-of-control (as described below).

 

19

 

 

Payments on Change-of-Control

 

Pursuant to Mr. Abuhoff’s employment agreement, a change-of-control shall be deemed to have occurred as of the earliest of any of the following events:

 

·The closing of a transaction by the Company or any person (other than the Company, any subsidiary of the Company or any employee benefit plan of the Company or of any subsidiary of the Company) (a “Person”), together with all “affiliates” and “associates” (within the meanings of such terms under Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) of such Person, shall be the beneficial owner of thirty percent (30%) or more of the Company’s then-outstanding voting stock (“Beneficial Ownership”);
·A change in the constituency of the Board such that, during any period of thirty-six (36) consecutive months, at least a majority of the entire Board shall not consist of Incumbent Directors. For purposes of this Paragraph 5(c)(ii), “Incumbent Directors” shall mean individuals who at the beginning of such thirty-six (36) month period constitute the Board, unless the election or nomination for election by the shareholders of the Company of each such new director was approved by a vote of a majority of the Incumbent Directors;
·The closing of a transaction involving the merger, consolidation, share exchange or similar transaction between the Company and any other corporation other than a transaction which results in the Company’s voting stock immediately prior to the consummation of such transaction continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting stock of the surviving entity) at least two-thirds (2/3rds) of the combined voting power of the Company’s or such surviving entity’s outstanding voting stock immediately after such transaction;
·The closing of a transaction involving the sale or disposition by the Company (in one transaction or a series of transactions) of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets; or
·A plan of liquidation or dissolution of the Company goes into effect.

 

Upon the Company’s termination of Mr. Abuhoff’s employment coincident or following a change-of-control, Mr. Abuhoff will receive:

 

·300% of his base salary to be paid in a lump sum payout within 30 days of the date of his termination;
·300% of the greater of his most recently declared bonus (as defined) or the average of his three most recently declared bonuses to be paid in a lump sum payout within 30 days of the date of his termination;
·Continuation of his (and as applicable, his dependents’) medical and dental insurance until the earlier of the end of the maximum applicable COBRA coverage period or for the 36-month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination (and if the COBRA period is shorter than the applicable 36-month period, pay Mr. Abuhoff an amount equal to the monthly cost charged by the Company for COBRA coverage during the period beginning upon the expiration of the maximum COBRA coverage period and the end of the 36-month continuation period);
·Continuation of his life and long-term disability insurance for the 36-month period immediately following Mr. Abuhoff’s termination;
·The removal of any vesting, transfer, lock-up, performance or other restrictions or requirements on his stock options and other equity-based and non-equity-based awards and incentives; and
·Payment of up to six weeks’ accrued but unused vacation.

 

Upon the occurrence of a change-of-control without a termination of Mr. Abuhoff’s employment, Mr. Abuhoff will receive:

 

·The removal of any vesting, transfer, lock-up, performance or other restrictions or requirements on his stock options and other equity-based and non-equity-based awards and incentives.

 

20

 

 

QUALIFICATION BY REFERENCE

 

The matters described in the sections titled "Narrative Disclosure to Summary Compensation Table" and "Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change-of-Control" are qualified in their entirety by reference to agreements previously filed by the Company in reports with the SEC.

 

 

PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE

 

The following table provides information regarding fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 in satisfaction of Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K.

 

Year   Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for PEO ($)
(1)
   Compensation
Actually Paid
to PEO ($)
(2); (3)
   Average
Summary
Compensation
Table Total
for Non-PEO
Named
Executive
Officers ($)
(4)
   Average
Compensation
Actually Paid to
Non-PEO
Named
Executive
Officers ($)
(2); (5)
   Value of
Initial Fixed
$100
Investment
Based on
Total
Shareholder
Return ($)
   Net Income
(Loss) ($)
 
2023    958,698    6,633,775    515,000    2,109,996    153.58    (908,512)
2022    3,628,930    2,080,789    1,205,981    801,723    56.04    (11,934,107)
2021    1,131,853    1,918,821    436,119    485,850    109.81    (1,673,222)

 

(1)The amounts in this column reflect the amounts reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table for Mr. Abuhoff, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.
(2)“Compensation Actually Paid” as set forth in this column is calculated in accordance with the Rules set forth under Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K and does not reflect the actual amounts earned or that may be earned by the applicable NEO.
(3)The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments required under Item 402(v) are set forth in the following table. For the periods covered, no individual awards were granted and vested in the same year, no dividends or other earnings were paid on outstanding and unvested awards, and no equity awards were forfeited in the current year. For the periods covered there were no defined benefit or actuarial pension plan amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table and as such the table below does not reflect any adjustments for such items. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values are consistent with those used in our disclosures of fair value as of the grant date.

 

   Year 
   2023   2022   2021 
Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO ($)   958,698    3,628,930    1,131,853 
Exclusion of Current Year Stock Awards and Option Awards at Grant Date Fair Value ($)       (2,820,112)   (322,984)
Add Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year that are Outstanding and Unvested at Year End ($)       1,573,700    242,073 
Changes in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years from Prior Year End to Current Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Awards ($)   4,363,758    (445,030)   219,829 
Changes in Fair Value from End of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested in Current Year ($)   1,311,319    143,301    648,050 
Total Equity Award Adjustments ($) (subtotal)   5,675,077    (1,548,140)   786,968 
Compensation Actually Paid to PEO ($)   6,633,775    2,080,789    1,918,821 

 

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(4)The amounts in this column reflect the amounts reported in the “Total” column of the Summary Compensation Table for the Company’s NEOs, excluding Mr. Abuhoff. The NEOs included for purposes of computing the amounts in this column include Ms. Espineli and Mr. Mishra for 2023 and 2022, and Mr. Mishra and Mr. Spelker (the Company’s former EVP and CFO) for 2021.
(5)The amounts deducted or added in calculating the equity award adjustments required under Item 402(v) are set forth in the following table. For the periods covered, no individual awards were granted and vested in the same year, no dividends or other earnings were paid on outstanding and unvested awards, and no equity awards were forfeited in the current year. For the periods covered there were no defined benefit or actuarial pension plan amounts reported in the Summary Compensation Table and as such the table below does not reflect any adjustments for such items. The valuation assumptions used to calculate fair values are consistent with those used in our disclosures of fair value as of the grant date.

 

   Year 
   2023   2022   2021 
Average Summary Compensation Table Total for Non-PEO NEOs ($)   515,000    1,205,981    436,119 
Exclusion of Current Year Stock Awards and Option Awards at Grant Date Fair Value ($)       (765,326)   (121,119)
Add Year-End Fair Value of Equity Awards Granted During the Year that are Outstanding and Unvested at Year End ($)       443,193    90,777 
Changes in Fair Value of Awards Granted in Prior Years from Prior Year End to Current Year End of Outstanding and Unvested Awards ($)   1,216,321    (103,239)   29,852 
Changes in Fair Value from End of Prior Year to Vesting Date of Unvested Equity Awards that Vested in Current Year ($)   378,675    21,114    50,220 
Total Equity Award Adjustments ($) (subtotal)   1,594,996    (404,258)   49,731 
Average Compensation Actually Paid to Non-PEO NEOs ($)   2,109,996    801,723    485,850 

 

Pay Versus Performance Graphic Description.

 

In accordance with Item 402(v) of Regulation S-K, we are providing the following graphic descriptions of the relationships between (i) compensation actually paid to the PEO and the NEOs other than the PEO, and total shareholder return (“TSR”); and (ii) compensation actually paid to the PEO and the NEOs other than the PEO, and net loss.

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

23

 

 

DIRECTOR COMPENSATION FOR 2023

 

Summary Director Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information regarding compensation paid to non-executive directors during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 for service as a director.

 

Name  Fees Earned or Paid in
Cash ($)
   Stock Awards ($)   Total ($) 
Louise C. Forlenza   60,000    59,993(1)    119,993 
Stewart R. Massey   60,000    59,993(1)    119,993 
Nauman (Nick) Toor   80,000    59,993(1)    139,993 
                
Total   200,000    179,979    379,979 

 

(1) Represents the grant date fair value of 6,984 restricted stock units granted to each non-employee director on December 27, 2023. The restricted stock units vest 100% on the earlier to occur of (i) one year from date of grant, and (ii) the date of the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and will be settled into shares of Innodata’s common stock upon vesting.

 

Narrative Disclosure to Director Compensation Table

 

In 2023 each non-employee director, other than the Chairman of the Board of Directors, was compensated at the rate of $5,000 per month, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each Board of Directors meeting they attended, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors was compensated at the rate of $6,667 per month, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each Board of Directors meeting he attended. Directors will not receive any compensation for serving as a chairperson or member of a committee of the Board of Directors. Employees who are directors receive no compensation for serving on the Board of Directors.

 

Effective as of January 1, 2024, each non-employee director, other than the Chairman of the Board of Directors, is compensated at the rate of $75,000 per annum, payable in twelve equal monthly installments, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each Board of Directors meeting they attended, and the Chairman of the Board of Directors is compensated at the rate of $95,000 per annum, payable in twelve equal monthly installments, plus out-of-pocket expenses for each Board of Directors meeting he attended. Directors will not receive any compensation for serving as a chairperson or member of a committee of the Board of Directors. Employees who are directors receive no compensation for serving on the Board of Directors. The change to the non-employee director compensation was based on recommendations provided by Cook, the independent compensation consultants engaged by the Compensation Committee in 2023.

 

On December 27, 2023, each of Ms. Forlenza, and Messrs. Massey and Toor were granted 6,984 restricted stock units. The restricted stock units (“RSUs”) vest 100% on the earlier to occur of (i) one year from date of grant, and (ii) the date of the Company’s 2024 annual meeting of stockholders, and will be settled into shares of Innodata’s common stock upon vesting. The grant of stock-based compensation in the form of RSUs, and grant date fair value of the RSUs granted to each director, was based on recommendations provided by Cook, the independent compensation consultants engaged by the Compensation Committee in 2023.

 

24

 

 

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

 

The following table sets forth, as of April 15, 2024, certain information regarding the beneficial ownership (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act) of the Company's Common Stock based upon the most recent information available to the Company for (i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than five (5%) percent of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, (ii) each director and nominee for director of the Company, (iii) each of the Company’s named executive officers, and (iv) all named executive officers and directors of the Company as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, each stockholder's address is c/o the Company, 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660.

 

 

Name and Address of Beneficial Owner  Amount and Nature
of Beneficial
Ownership (1)
   Percent of Class 
Directors and Nominees        
Jack S. Abuhoff   2,925,024(2)    9.59%
Louise C. Forlenza   222,758(3)    * 
Stewart R. Massey   194,484(4)    * 
Nauman (Nick) Toor   870,984(5)    3.01%
           
Named Executive Officers (who are not also directors)          
Marissa B. Espineli   71,666(6)    * 
Ashok Mishra   526,666(7)    1.80%
           
All Executive Officers and Directors as a Group (6 persons)   4,811,582(8)    15.23%
           
Known Beneficial Holders of More Than 5%          
Luzich Partners LLC
and Michael Luzich
5055 West Patrick Lane
Suite 104
Las Vegas, NV 89118
   1,573,473(9)    5.47%
BlackRock, Inc.
50 Hudson Yards
New York, NY 10001
   1,857,799(10)    6.46%

 

* Less than 1%.

 

(1)Unless otherwise indicated, (i) each person has sole investment and voting power with respect to the shares indicated; and (ii) the shares indicated are currently outstanding shares. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any shares as of a given date which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above on a given date, any security that such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of such person or persons, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Subject to the foregoing, the percentages are calculated based on 28,752,874 shares outstanding as of April 15, 2024.
(2)Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 1,736,666 shares of Common Stock.
(3)Includes indirect ownership of 41,774 shares of Common Stock, currently exercisable options to purchase 174,000 shares of Common Stock, and 6,984 restricted stock units.
(4)Includes indirect ownership of 23,500 shares of Common Stock, currently exercisable options to purchase 154,000 shares of Common Stock, and 6,984 restricted stock units.
(5)Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 164,000 shares of Common Stock, and 6,984 restricted stock units.
(6)Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 71,666 shares of Common Stock.
(7)Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 526,666 shares of Common Stock.
(8)Includes currently exercisable options to purchase 2,826,998 shares of Common Stock, and 20,952 restricted stock units.
(9)Based on Schedule 13G/A filed on February 12, 2020 with the SEC. Luzich Partners LLC directly holds 1,573,473 shares of Common Stock. Mr. Luzich is the Managing Partner of Luzich Partners LLC and may be deemed to beneficially own the securities directly held by Luzich Partners LLC. Mr. Luzich and Luzich Partners LLC have shared voting and dispositive power over the shares of Common Stock.
(10)Based on Schedule 13G filed on January 29, 2024 with the SEC. Blackrock, Inc. beneficially owns and has the sole power to dispose or direct the disposition of 1,857,799 shares of Common Stock, and has the sole power to vote or direct the vote of 1,844,312 of these shares of Common Stock.

 

25

 

 

PROPOSAL 3. APPROVAL OF THE COMPANY’S EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION ON AN ADVISORY BASIS

 

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the "Dodd-Frank Act") enables stockholders to vote to approve, on an advisory and non-binding basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers. Accordingly, you will be asked at the Meeting to approve the following resolution:

 

“RESOLVED, that the Company’s stockholders approve, on an advisory basis, the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers, as disclosed pursuant to Item 402 of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, in the Proxy Statement for the Company’s 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.”

 

The Company’s executive compensation program is designed to attract, motivate and retain individuals with the skills required to formulate and drive the Company’s strategic direction and achieve annual and long-term performance goals necessary to create stockholder value. Consistent with this philosophy, a significant percentage of the total compensation opportunity for each executive officer is based on measurable financial performance of the Company on an annual basis, and on the performance of the Company’s stock on a long-term basis.

 

The Executive Compensation section of this Proxy Statement as well as the compensation tables and related narrative that follows it provides detailed information on the Company’s executive compensation programs and the compensation of the Company’s named executive officers.

 

Although this vote is non-binding, the Board of Directors and the Compensation Committee value the opinion of the stockholders and will consider the outcome of the vote when making future compensation decisions.

 

Vote Required

 

If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the compensation of the named executive officers will be approved, on an advisory basis, if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, meaning that the votes cast by the stockholders “for” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against such approval, whereas broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

 

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE “FOR” THE APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

 

 

VOTE REQUIRED

 

Election of Directors. If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, directors will be elected at the meeting by a plurality of the votes present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors (i.e., the four nominees receiving the greatest number of votes “for” their election will be elected as directors). “Withheld” votes, and broker non-votes are not considered votes cast “for” the foregoing purpose, and will have no effect on the election of the nominees, but will be counted in determining whether there is a quorum for the Meeting.

 

26

 

 

Ratification of the Appointment of Independent Auditors. If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the appointment of BDO India LLP as independent auditors requires the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, meaning that the votes cast by the stockholders “for” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against this proposal. Broker non-votes will not be considered as votes cast "for" or "against" this proposal, and will therefore have no effect on the outcome of the vote. Brokers have discretion to vote shares with respect to this proposal, unless a stockholder directs their broker otherwise.

 

Approval of the Company’s Executive Compensation on an Advisory Basis. If a quorum is present or represented by proxy at the Meeting, the compensation of the named executive officers will be approved, on an advisory basis, if it receives the affirmative vote of a majority of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the Meeting and entitled to vote on the matter, meaning that the votes cast by the stockholders “for” the approval of the proposal must exceed the number of votes cast “against” the approval of the proposal. Abstentions will have the same effect as a vote against such approval, whereas broker non-votes will have no effect on the vote for this proposal.

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Our Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving all material transactions with any related party on a continuing basis. Related parties can include any of our directors, nominees for director, officers, holders of 5% or more of our capital stock and their immediate family members. We may not enter into a related person transaction unless our Audit Committee has reviewed and approved such transaction.

 

There have been no related party transactions, as described in Item 404 of Regulation S-K, since January 1, 2022, to which we have been a party, in which the amount involved exceeds or will exceed the lesser of $120,000 or one percent (1%) of the average of our total assets as of the end of our two most recently complete fiscal years and in which any of our directors, executive officers or holders of more than 5% of our capital stock, or an affiliate or immediate family member thereof, had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.

 

 

EXPENSE OF SOLICITATION

 

The cost of soliciting Proxies, which also includes the preparation, printing and mailing of the Proxy Statement, will be borne by the Company. Solicitation will be made by the Company primarily through the mail, but regular employees of the Company may solicit Proxies personally, by telephone, facsimile or electronic communication. The Company will request brokers and nominees to obtain voting instructions of beneficial owners of the stock registered in their names and will reimburse them for any expenses incurred in connection therewith.

 

 

HOUSEHOLDING

 

We have adopted a procedure approved by the SEC called “householding.” Under this procedure, multiple stockholders who share the same last name and address will receive only one envelope containing the Notice for all stockholders having that address. The Notice will include the stockholder’s unique control number needed to vote his or her shares. We have undertaken householding to reduce our printing costs and postage fees.

 

27

 

 

If you wish to opt out of householding and continue to receive multiple copies of the proxy materials (including a separate Proxy card for each stockholder at the same address) or Notice at the same address, please notify us in writing or by telephone at: Innodata Inc. Investor Relations, 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, (201) 371-8000 and we will promptly respond to your request by delivering the requested materials. You also may request additional copies of the proxy materials or Notice by notifying us in writing or by telephone at the same address or telephone number. Additionally, stockholders receiving multiple copies of the Notice or proxy materials may likewise request that we deliver single copies of the Notice or proxy materials in the future.

 

You may receive more than one set of proxy materials, including multiple Notices or multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and multiple Proxy cards. For example, if you hold your shares in more than one brokerage account, you may receive a voting instruction form for each brokerage account in which you hold shares. You should exercise your vote in connection with each set of proxy materials you receive as they represent different shares.

 

 

STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR THE 2025 ANNUAL MEETING

 

Notice Required to Include Proposals in Our Proxy Statement

 

We will review for inclusion in next year's proxy statement stockholder proposals within the scope of Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act that are received by December 26, 2024. All proposals must meet the requirements set forth in the rules and regulations of the SEC in order to be eligible for inclusion in the proxy statement. Proposals should be sent to Innodata Inc., 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660, Attention: Corporate Secretary.

 

Notice Required to Bring Business Before an Annual Meeting

 

Our By-Laws establish an advance notice procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as director or to bring other business before an annual meeting. Under these procedures, a stockholder who proposes to nominate a candidate for director or propose other business at the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, must give us written notice of such nomination or proposal not less than 60 days and not more than 90 days prior to the scheduled date of the meeting (or, if less than 70 days' notice or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given, then not later than the 15th day following the earlier of (i) the date such notice was mailed; or (ii) the day such public disclosure was made). Such notice must provide certain information as specified in our By-Laws and must be received at our principal executive offices by the deadline specified above. Stockholders who intend to solicit proxies in support of director nominees other than the nominees of the Board of Directors under SEC Rule 14a-19 must comply with the applicable provisions of our By-Laws, as well as complying with the additional requirements of SEC Rule 14a-19, including SEC Rule 14a-19(b).

 

 

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, 2023, as filed with the SEC, including the financial statements included therein but excluding exhibits, is included with these proxy materials and is also available without charge on our website (https://innodata.com) or upon written request to us at the below address. The exhibits to the Annual Report on Form 10-K are available upon payment of charges that approximate our cost of reproduction by written request addressed to Investor Relations, Innodata Inc., 55 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park, New Jersey 07660.

 

28

 

 

OTHER MATTERS

 

The Company knows of no items of business that are expected to be presented for consideration at the Meeting which are not enumerated herein. However, if other matters properly come before the Meeting, it is intended that the person named in the accompanying Proxy will vote thereon in accordance with his or her best judgment.

 

TO VOTE YOUR SHARES, PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS IN THE NOTICE, THE PROXY CARD YOU RECEIVED IN THE MAIL, OR IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INSTRUCTION THAT YOU RECEIVE FROM YOUR BANK, BROKER, TRUSTEE OR OTHER NOMINEE THAT HOLDS YOUR SHARES. IF YOU VOTE VIA THE INTERNET OR PHONE, YOU NEED NOT RETURN A PROXY CARD. NO POSTAGE IS REQUIRED IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES.

 

 

Ridgefield Park, New Jersey By Order of the Board of Directors
April 25, 2024    
  /s/ Amy R. Agress  
  Amy R. Agress  
  Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

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Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. V43930-P10187 Nominees: 01) Jack S. Abuhoff 02) Louise C. Forlenza 03) Stewart R. Massey 04) Nauman (Nick) Toor 2. Ratification of the selection of BDO India LLP as independent auditors for the year ending December 31, 2024. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2 and 3. NOTE: Such other business as may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. 3. Advisory approval of executive compensation. ! ! ! 1. Election of Directors For All Withhold All For All Except For Against Abstain ! ! ! ! ! ! INNODATA INC. To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark "For All Except" and write the The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below. following: INNODATA INC. 55 CHALLENGER ROAD, SUITE 202 RIDGEFIELD PARK, NJ 07660 ATTN: AMY AGRESS Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. VOTE BY INTERNET Before The Meeting - Go to www.proxyvote.com or scan the QR Barcode above Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information. Vote by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 4, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. During The Meeting - Go to www.virtualshareholdermeeting.com/INOD2024 You may attend the meeting via the Internet and vote during the meeting. Have the information that is printed in the box marked by the arrow available and follow the instructions. VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions. Vote by 11:59 P.M. ET on June 4, 2024. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. SCAN TO VIEW MATERIALS & VOTEw

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Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting To Be Held on June 5, 2024: The Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com V43931-P10187 INNODATA INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS JUNE 5, 2024 5:00 PM EDT THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS The undersigned Stockholder of Common Stock of Innodata Inc. (the "Company") hereby revokes all previous proxies, acknowledges receipt of the Notice of the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on June 5, 2024, and hereby appoints Jack S. Abuhoff and Amy R. Agress, and each of them, as proxies of the undersigned, with full power of substitution, to vote and otherwise represent all of the shares of the undersigned in the Company at said meeting and at any adjournments thereof with the same effect as if the undersigned were present and voting the shares. The shares represented by this proxy shall be voted on the following matters and, in their discretion, upon any other business which may properly come before said meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof. THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY, DULY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE SPECIFICATIONS MADE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR EACH OF THE DIRECTOR NOMINEES, FOR THE SELECTION OF BDO INDIA LLP AS INDEPENDENT AUDITORS FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2024, FOR THE ADVISORY APPROVAL OF EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION, AND FOR SUCH OTHER MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING OR ANY ADJOURNMENT OR POSTPONEMENT THEREOF AS THE PROXYHOLDERS DEEM ADVISABLE. Continued and to be signed on reverse side