EX-10.2 3 e7540_ex10-2.htm EXHIBIT 10.2

 

 

EXHIBIT 10.2

 

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

This Employment Agreement (this “Agreement”) is entered into as of March 31, 2026 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and Eric Morris (“Executive”).

 

RECITALS The Company wishes to employ Executive as Chief Financial Officer, and Executive wishes to accept employment, on the terms below. The Board has approved this Agreement and the related equity grants.

 

AGREEMENT

 

1.Employment and Term The Company employs Executive as Chief Financial Officer for an initial three-year term beginning on the Effective Date. The Agreement automatically renews for successive one-year periods unless either party gives 60 days’ written notice of non-renewal.

 

2.Position and Duties Executive shall serve as Chief Financial Officer of the Company and shall have such duties and responsibilities as are customary for a chief executive officer of a public company of similar size and stage of development, including oversight of the Company’s recovery plan, SEC reporting obligations, disclosure controls, and strategic initiatives. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Executive may engage in non-conflicting outside activities (including board service or consulting) provided that such activities do not interfere with the performance of his duties to the Company and are approved in advance by the Board (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld).

 

3.Compensation (a) Base Salary. The Company shall pay Executive $15,000 per month, subject to standard withholdings and annual Board review.

 

(b)       Initial Equity Grants. On the Effective Date the Company shall grant under the 2020 Plan (as amended): (i) 3,000,000 restricted shares of common stock at Fair Market Value; 600,000 shares vest immediately and the remaining 2,400,000 shares vest in equal quarterly installments of 200,000 shares at the end of each fiscal quarter over the next 12 quarters, subject to continued service; and (ii) options to purchase 3,000,000 shares at 100% of Fair Market Value; 600,000 options vest immediately and the remaining 2,400,000 options vest in equal quarterly installments of 200,000 options at the end of each fiscal quarter over the next 12 quarters, subject to continued service.

 

The forms of the Restricted Stock Award Agreement and Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement are attached as Exhibits C and D hereto and are incorporated by reference.

 

(c)       Change in Control Acceleration. All unvested equity awards shall immediately vest in full upon the consummation of a Change in Control. A “Change in Control” means the consummation of any of the following (in one transaction or a series of related transactions): (i) any merger, consolidation, reorganization, asset contribution, business combination, or similar transaction involving the Company or any of its subsidiaries (whether or not the Company is the surviving entity); (ii) the sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or its subsidiaries; (iii) any acquisition by any person or group of beneficial ownership of securities representing more than fifty percent (50%) of the voting power of the Company; or (iv) any other transaction that results in a change in control of the Company or any subsidiary, as determined by the Board in good faith.

 

 

 

(d)       Asset-Sale Continuity Protection. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if a Change in Control consists solely of a sale, lease, transfer, or other disposition (in one transaction or a series of related transactions) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company or any subsidiary and does not result in a change in control of Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. itself (i.e., the current officers and directors of the Company remain in place following the transaction), and if Executive is still employed by the Company (or its successor) immediately following the closing of such transaction, then: (i) this Agreement shall automatically renew for a fresh three-year term commencing on the last day of the calendar month in which the Change in Control transaction closed; and (ii) and the Company shall issue 6,000,000 new non-qualified stock options at Fair Market Value (1,500,000 vest immediately and the remaining 4,500,000 vest in equal quarterly installments of 375,000 options at the end of each fiscal quarter over the ensuing twelve (12) quarters, subject to continued service). The Board (or the board of the successor entity) shall promptly confirm in writing that the conditions of this subsection have been satisfied.

 

(e)       Anti-Dilution Adjustments. All equity grants shall receive standard anti-dilution adjustments under the 2020 Plan.

 

4.Benefits Executive shall participate in all Company benefit plans available to senior executives.

 

5.Termination (a) If the Company terminates Executive without Cause or Executive terminates for Good Reason, all unvested equity shall immediately vest 100%. (b) In all other terminations, Executive receives only accrued Base Salary and any already-vested equity.

 

6.Restrictive Covenants Executive shall comply with the confidentiality, non-competition, non-solicitation, and IP assignment provisions in Exhibit A (12-month post-termination).

 

7.Indemnification The Company shall indemnify Executive to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware law and maintain D&O insurance covering Executive on the same basis as other senior officers.

 

8.Miscellaneous This Agreement is governed by Delaware law, constitutes the entire agreement, may be amended only in writing, and may be executed in counterparts. Invalid provisions shall be severed.

 

 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement as of the Effective Date.

 

Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc.  
   
By: /s/ Mark Thoenes  
  Mark Thoenes, Chairman  
Date: March 31, 2026  
   
Executive  
   
By: /s/ Eric Morris  
  Eric Morris  
Date: March 31, 2026  

 

 

 

Exhibit A – Restrictive Covenants

 

RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS

 

1.       Confidentiality. During the term of employment and at all times thereafter, Executive shall keep confidential and shall not use or disclose to any third party any Confidential Information of the Company or its subsidiaries, except as required in the performance of Executive’s duties or as required by law. “Confidential Information” means all non-public information relating to the Company’s business, products, technology, customers, suppliers, strategies, financial data, trade secrets, and any other proprietary information.

 

2.       Intellectual Property Assignment. All inventions, discoveries, improvements, works of authorship, and other intellectual property conceived, developed, or made by Executive during the term of employment shall be the sole and exclusive property of the Company. Executive hereby assigns all right, title, and interest in such intellectual property to the Company and agrees to execute any documents necessary to perfect the Company’s ownership.

 

3.       Remedies. Executive acknowledges that any breach of this Exhibit A could cause irreparable harm to the Company for which monetary damages would be inadequate. The Company shall be entitled to injunctive relief, in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity, without the necessity of posting a bond.

 

4.       Survival. The obligations under this Exhibit A shall survive the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason.

 

 

 

Exhibit B – Good Reason Definition

DEFINITION OF GOOD REASON

 

“Good Reason” means the occurrence of any of the following without Executive’s prior written consent: (i) a material diminution in Executive’s authority, duties, or responsibilities; (ii) a material reduction in Executive’s base salary; (iii) a requirement that Executive relocate more than fifty (50) miles from the Company’s principal executive offices; or (iv) any material breach by the Company of this Agreement.

 

To constitute Good Reason, Executive must provide written notice to the Company of the existence of the condition within ninety (90) days of its initial existence, and the Company shall have thirty (30) days to cure. If the condition is not cured within the cure period, Executive must terminate employment within thirty (30) days after the end of the cure period.

 

 

 

Exhibit C – Restricted Stock Award Agreement (attached).

 

 

 

Exhibit D – Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (attached).

 

 

 

RSA Award Agreement (Exhibit C)

 

RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD AGREEMENT Under the Amended and Restated 2020 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Grant Date: March 31, 2026

 

Grantee: Eric Morris

 

Number of Shares: 3,000,000

 

Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Grantee named above a Restricted Stock Award of 3,000,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

·600,000 shares vest immediately on the Grant Date.

 

·The remaining 2,400,000 shares vest in equal quarterly installments of 200,000 shares at the end of each fiscal quarter over the next 12 quarters, subject to the Grantee’s continued service.

 

All other terms are governed by the Plan and the Employment Agreement dated March 31, 2026 between the Company and the Grantee.

 

Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc.  
   
By: /s/ Eric Mosser  
Name: Eric Mosser  
Title: Chief Executive Officer/Director  
Date: March 31, 2026  
   
Grantee  
   
By: /s/ Eric Morris  
Name: Eric Morris  
Date: March 31, 2026  

 

 

 

Initial NQSO Award Agreement (3M Grant – Exhibit D)

 

NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT Under the Amended and Restated 2020 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan

 

Grant Date: March 31, 2026

 

Grantee: Eric Morris

 

Number of Options: 3,000,000

 

Exercise Price: 100% of Fair Market Value on Grant Date ( $0.0152 )

 

Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc. (the “Company”) hereby grants to the Grantee named above non-qualified stock options to purchase 3,000,000 shares of common stock under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2020 Stock and Incentive Compensation Plan (the “Plan”).

 

Vesting Schedule:

 

·600,000 options vest immediately on the Grant Date.

 

·The remaining 2,400,000 options vest in equal quarterly installments of 200,000 options at the end of each fiscal quarter over the next 12 quarters, subject to the Grantee’s continued service.

 

All other terms are governed by the Plan and the Employment Agreement dated March 31, 2026 between the Company and the Grantee.

 

Kaival Brands Innovations Group, Inc.  
   
By: /s/ Eric Mosser   
Name: Eric Mosser  
Title: Chief Executive Officer/Director  
Date: March 31, 2026  
   
Grantee  
   
By: /s/ Eric Morris   
Name: Eric Morris  
Date: March 31, 2026