Ouster (NYSE: OUST) asks shareholders to double authorized shares, ratify PwC
Ouster, Inc. is soliciting proxies for its 2026 virtual Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 17, 2026 where holders of record as of April 24, 2026 may vote. The meeting proposals include election of two Class II directors, ratification of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as auditor, an advisory vote on executive compensation, an amendment to increase authorized common shares from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000, and an amendment to permit officer exculpation to the extent allowed by Delaware law. The proxy materials state 63,461,091 outstanding shares as of March 31, 2026 and list shares reserved under incentive plans, warrants, and an existing at-the-market program. Voting procedures, quorum rules, and vote thresholds for each proposal are described in the proxy statement.
Positive
- None.
Negative
- None.
Insights
Proxy seeks routine governance and capital-structure approvals, plus officer exculpation.
The proxy centers on standard annual items — director elections, auditor ratification and a non-binding say-on-pay — and two charter amendments: an increase in authorized common shares and adoption of officer exculpation consistent with Amended 102(b)(7) of the DGCL. The authorized shares amendment would double capacity to 200,000,000 shares and shows current outstanding and reserved figures as of March 31, 2026.
Key governance implications include potential dilution if new shares are issued and expanded legal protections for covered officers; both items are subject to specified vote thresholds. The Board recommends each proposal.
Audit committee reports remediation of prior material weaknesses and recommends PwC retention.
The Audit Committee notes that the Company remediated remaining aspects of previously disclosed material weaknesses during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025 and recommended inclusion of audited financial statements in the 2025 Form 10-K. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP served as auditor in 2022–2025 and the Board asks shareholders to ratify its 2026 appointment.
Fee disclosure shows $2,754,000 in audit fees for 2025 versus $1,290,344 in 2024; audit-related fees were zero in 2025. Subsequent filings will show vote results and any auditor changes.
Key Figures
Key Terms
Authorized Shares Amendment regulatory
Exculpation Amendment legal
at-the-market market
Amended 102(b)(7) legal
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☒ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
☐ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
☐ | Definitive Proxy Statement |
☐ | Definitive Additional Materials |
☐ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter) |
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if Other Than the Registrant) |
☒ | No fee required. |
☐ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
☐ | Fee computed on table in exhibit required by Item 25(b) per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11. |
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![]() | To elect Phillip M. Eyler and Angus Pacala as Class II Directors to serve until our 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified; | ||
![]() | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; | ||
![]() | To approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; | ||
![]() | To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”) to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “common stock”) from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000; | ||
![]() | To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to provide for exculpation of officers from breaches of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and | ||
![]() | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement or adjournment of the Annual Meeting. | ||
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Page | |||
PROXY STATEMENT | 1 | ||
PROPOSALS | 2 | ||
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE BOARD | 2 | ||
INFORMATION ABOUT THIS PROXY STATEMENT | 2 | ||
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE 2026 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS | 4 | ||
PROPOSALS TO BE VOTED ON | 9 | ||
PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS | 9 | ||
PROPOSAL 2: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM | 13 | ||
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS | 14 | ||
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FEES AND OTHER MATTERS | 15 | ||
PROPOSAL 3: APPROVAL, ON AN ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) BASIS, OF THE COMPENSATION OF OUR NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 16 | ||
PROPOSAL 4: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION, AS AMENDED (THE “CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION”) TO INCREASE THE NUMBER OF AUTHORIZED SHARES OF THE COMPANY’S COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $0.0001 PER SHARE (THE “COMMON STOCK”) FROM 100,000,000 TO 200,000,000 | 17 | ||
PROPOSAL 5: APPROVAL OF AN AMENDMENT TO OUR CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION TO PROVIDE FOR EXCULPATION OF OFFICERS FROM BREACHES OF FIDUCIARY DUTY TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY THE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE | 19 | ||
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 21 | ||
CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 22 | ||
GENERAL | 22 | ||
BOARD COMPOSITION | 22 | ||
DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE | 22 | ||
COMMUNICATIONS BY INTERESTED PARTIES | 23 | ||
BOARD LEADERSHIP STRUCTURE AND ROLE IN RISK OVERSIGHT | 23 | ||
EXECUTIVE SESSIONS | 24 | ||
INSIDER TRADING COMPLIANCE POLICY | 24 | ||
RECOVERY OF ERRONEOUSLY AWARDED COMPENSATION POLICY | 24 | ||
EQUITY AWARD TIMING POLICIES AND PRACTICE | 24 | ||
CODE OF BUSINESS CONDUCT AND ETHICS | 24 | ||
ATTENDANCE BY MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT MEETINGS | 24 | ||
COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD | 26 | ||
AUDIT COMMITTEE | 26 | ||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE | 27 | ||
NOMINATING AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE | 27 | ||
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION | 29 | ||
PAY VERSUS PERFORMANCE (PVP) | 32 | ||
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION | 35 | ||
EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION | 37 | ||
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT | 38 | ||
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS | 39 | ||
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES FOR RELATED PERSON TRANSACTIONS | 39 | ||
TRANSACTIONS RELATED TO DIRECTORS, EQUITY HOLDERS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS | 39 | ||
OTHER MATTERS | 40 | ||
DELINQUENT SECTION 16(a) REPORTS | 40 | ||
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION | 40 | ||
STOCKHOLDERS’ PROPOSALS | 40 | ||
OTHER MATTERS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING | 40 | ||
SOLICITATION OF PROXIES | 41 | ||
OUSTER’S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K | 41 | ||
ANNEX A AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION RELATED (PROPOSAL 4) | A-1 | ||
ANNEX B AMENDMENT TO THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION (PROPOSAL 5) | B-1 | ||
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![]() | To elect Phillip M. Eyler and Angus Pacala as Class II Directors to serve until our 2029 annual meeting of stockholders and until their respective successors shall have been duly elected and qualified; | ||
![]() | To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; | ||
![]() | To approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our named executive officers; | ||
![]() | To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (the “Certificate of Incorporation”), to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share (the “common stock”) from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000; | ||
![]() | To approve an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to provide for exculpation of officers from breaches of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware; and | ||
![]() | To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any continuation, postponement, or adjournment of the Annual Meeting. | ||
![]() | FOR the election of each of Phillip M. Eyler and Angus Pacala as Class II Directors; | ||
![]() | FOR the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026; | ||
![]() | FOR the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers; | ||
![]() | FOR the approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000; and | ||
![]() | FOR the approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to provide for exculpation of officers from breaches of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. | ||
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• | by Internet—You can vote over the Internet at www.proxyvote.com by following the instructions on the Internet Notice or proxy card; |
• | by Telephone—You can vote by telephone by calling (800) 690-6903 and following the instructions on the proxy card; or |
• | by Mail—You can vote by mail by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card, which you may have received by mail. |
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• | by submitting a duly executed proxy bearing a later date; |
• | by granting a subsequent proxy through the Internet at www.proxyvote.com or telephone by calling (800) 690-6903; |
• | by giving timely written notice of revocation to our Secretary prior to the Annual Meeting by writing to Ouster’s offices at 350 Treat Avenue, San Francisco, California 94110; or |
• | by voting during the Annual Meeting. |
Proposal | Votes required | Effect of Votes Withheld /Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes | ||||
Proposal 1: Election of Directors | The plurality of the votes cast. This means that the two nominees receiving the highest number of affirmative “FOR” votes will be elected as Class II Directors. | Votes withheld and broker non-votes will have no effect. | ||||
Proposal 2: Ratification of Appointment of our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter. | Abstentions and broker non-votes, if any, will have no effect, and because brokers have discretionary authority to vote on this proposal we do not expect any broker non-votes in connection with this proposal. | ||||
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Proposal | Votes required | Effect of Votes Withheld /Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes | ||||
Proposal 3: Approval, on an Advisory (Non-Binding) Basis, of the Compensation of our Named Executive Officers | The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority in voting power of the votes cast (excluding abstentions and broker non-votes) on such matter. | Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect. | ||||
Proposal 4: Approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to increase the number of authorized shares of the Company’s common stock from 100,000,000 to 200,000,000 | The votes cast for the matter exceed the votes cast against such matter. | Abstentions and broker non-votes will have no effect. | ||||
Proposal 5: Approval of an amendment to our Certificate of Incorporation to provide for exculpation of officers from breaches of fiduciary duty to the extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware | The affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding shares of common stock entitled to vote on such matter. | Abstentions and broker non-votes will have the same effect as votes against the proposal. | ||||
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• | irrelevant to the business of the Company or to the business of the Annual Meeting; |
• | related to material non-public information of the Company, including the status or results of our business since our last Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q; |
• | related to any pending, threatened or ongoing litigation; |
• | related to personal grievances; |
• | derogatory references to individuals or that are otherwise in bad taste; |
• | substantially repetitious of questions already made by another stockholder; |
• | in excess of the two-question limit; |
• | in furtherance of the stockholder’s personal or business interests; or |
• | out of order or not otherwise suitable for the conduct of the Annual Meeting as determined by the Chair or Corporate Secretary in their reasonable judgment. |
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![]() | The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the election of each of the below Class II Director nominees. | ||
Name | Age | Served as a Director Since | Current Position(s) with Ouster | ||||||
Phillip M. Eyler | 55 | 2025 | Director | ||||||
Angus Pacala | 38 | 2015 | Director, Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer | ||||||
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PHILLIP M. EYLER | Age 55 | ||||
ANGUS PACALA | Age 38 | ||||
Name | Age | Served as a Director Since | Current Position(s) with Ouster | ||||||
Susan Heystee | 64 | 2018 | Vice Chair of the Board | ||||||
Theodore L. Tewksbury, Ph.D. | 69 | 2023 | Chair of the Board | ||||||
SUSAN HEYSTEE | Age 64 | ||||
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THEODORE L. TEWKSBURY, PH.D. | Age 69 | ||||
Name | Age | Served as a Director Since | Current Position(s) with Ouster | ||||||
Christina C. Correia | 56 | 2024 | Director | ||||||
Stephen A. Skaggs | 63 | 2024 | Director | ||||||
Ernest Maddock | 68 | 2023 | Director | ||||||
CHRISTINA C. CORREIA | Age 56 | ||||
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STEPHEN A. SKAGGS | Age 63 | ||||
ERNEST MADDOCK | Age 68 | ||||
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![]() | The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the ratification of the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2026. | ||
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Fee Category | Fiscal 2025 | Fiscal 2024 | ||||
Audit Fees | $2,754,000 | $1,290,344 | ||||
Audit-Related Fees | — | $300,000 | ||||
All Other Fees | $2,000 | $2,000 | ||||
Total Fees | $2,756,000 | $1,592,344 | ||||
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![]() | The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, of the compensation of our named executive officers. | ||
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As of March 31, 2026 | Upon Effectiveness of Amendment | |||||
TOTAL AUTHORIZED SHARES OF COMMON STOCK | 100,000,000 | 200,000,000 | ||||
Outstanding shares of common stock | 63,461,091 | 63,461,091 | ||||
Shares of common stock authorized for future issuance under the Company's incentive plans | 4,743,644 | 4,743,644 | ||||
Shares of common stock authorized for future issuance under the Company's employee stock purchase plan | 1,626,215 | 1,626,215 | ||||
Shares of common stock subject to outstanding equity awards under the Company's incentive plans | 5,223,464 | 5,223,464 | ||||
Shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding warrants | 3,277,155 | 3,277,155 | ||||
Shares of common stock reserved for issuance as part of our “at the market” equity offering program | 10,713,209 | 10,713,209 | ||||
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As of March 31, 2026 | Upon Effectiveness of Amendment | |||||
Total outstanding shares of common stock and shares of common stock Reserved | 89,044,778 | 89,044,778 | ||||
Unreserved shares of common stock available for issuance | 9,384,564 | 109,384,564 | ||||
![]() | The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the Authorized Shares Amendment | ||
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![]() | The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote “FOR” the approval of the Exculpation Amendment. | ||
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Name | Age | Current Position(s) at Ouster | ||||
Angus Pacala | 38 | Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director | ||||
Mark Frichtl | 37 | Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer | ||||
Kenneth P. Gianella | 53 | Chief Financial Officer | ||||
Darien Spencer | 62 | Chief Operating Officer | ||||
Megan Chung | 52 | General Counsel and Secretary | ||||
Cyrille Jacquemet | 45 | Chief Revenue Officer | ||||
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Name | Audit | Compensation | Nominating and Corporate Governance | ||||||
Virginia Boulet | X | ||||||||
Christina C. Correia | X | ||||||||
Susan Heystee (Vice Chair of the Board) | X | Chair | |||||||
Ernest Maddock | Chair | X | |||||||
Stephen A. Skaggs | X | Chair | |||||||
Theodore L. Tewksbury, Ph.D. (Chair of the Board) | X | ||||||||
Phillip M. Eyler | X | ||||||||
• | appointing, compensating, retaining, evaluating, terminating and overseeing our independent registered public accounting firm; |
• | discussing with our independent registered public accounting firm their independence; |
• | reviewing and discussing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our annual and quarterly financial statements and related disclosures; |
• | approving all audit and permissible non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm; |
• | overseeing our financial and accounting controls, including our internal audit function, and compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; |
• | overseeing enterprise risk management, including the management of financial risks and cybersecurity risks; |
• | reviewing related person transactions; |
• | reviewing and monitoring the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements; and |
• | oversee procedures for the confidential anonymous submission of concerns regarding questionable accounting, internal controls or auditing matters or concerns about ethical or legal violations. |
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• | reviewing and approving the corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, evaluating the performance of our Chief Executive Officer in light of these goals and objectives and, based upon this evaluation (either alone, or if directed by our Board, in conjunction with a majority of the independent directors of our Board), setting the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer; |
• | reviewing and setting or making recommendations to our Board regarding the compensation of our other executive officers; |
• | reviewing and making recommendations to our Board regarding the compensation of our directors as well as directors’ and officers’ indemnification and insurance arrangements; |
• | reviewing and approving or making recommendations to our Board regarding our incentive compensation and equity-based plans and arrangements; |
• | administering and overseeing our compliance with the compensation recovery policy required by applicable SEC and Nasdaq rules; and |
• | appointing and overseeing any compensation consultants. |
• | identifying individuals qualified to become members of our Board, consistent with criteria approved by our Board; |
• | recommending to our Board the nominees for election to our Board at annual meetings of stockholders and director candidates to fill vacancies occurring between annual meetings of stockholders; |
• | reviewing the Board leadership structure and recommending any proposed changes to the Board; |
• | overseeing the periodic evaluation of the Board and its committees; |
• | overseeing succession planning for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officer roles; and |
• | developing and recommending to our Board a set of corporate governance guidelines and overseeing other corporate governance matters. |
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• | Angus Pacala, our Chief Executive Officer; |
• | Mark Frichtl, our Chief Technology Officer; and |
• | Kenneth P. Gianella, our Chief Financial Officer. |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary ($) | Bonus ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation ($) | All Other Compensation ($)(3) | Total ($) | ||||||||||||||
Angus Pacala Chief Executive Officer | 2025 | 400,000 | — | 2,469,500 | 479,600 | 14,000 | 3,363,100 | ||||||||||||||
2024 | 400,000 | — | 1,099,515 | 399,240 | 11,692 | 1,910,447 | |||||||||||||||
Mark Frichtl Chief Technology Officer | 2025 | 400,000 | — | 1,529,500 | 239,800 | 14,000 | 2,183,300 | ||||||||||||||
2024 | 400,000 | — | 733,013 | 199,620 | 4,307 | 1,336,940 | |||||||||||||||
Kenneth P. Gianella(4) Chief Financial Officer | 2025 | 230,769 | 100,000 | 3,282,000 | 181,759 | 6,923 | 3,801,451 | ||||||||||||||
(1) | Amount reflects a one-time sign-on bonus paid to Mr. Gianella that is subject to repayment if Mr. Gianella voluntarily resigns or is terminated for cause prior to May 19, 2026. |
(2) | Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock awards granted during fiscal 2025 computed in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the value of all stock awards made to named executive officers in Note 11 of our financial statements included in our Form 10-K. |
(3) | Amounts reported for fiscal 2025 and 2024 constitute employer matching contributions under our 401(k) plan. |
(4) | Mr. Gianella commenced employment with us on May 19, 2025. |
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Option Awards | Stock Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
Name | Vesting Commencement Date | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Exercisable | Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options (#) Unexercisable | Per Share Option Exercise Price ($) | Option Expiration Date | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) | ||||||||||||||
Angus Pacala | 10/2/2020 | 435,976 | — | 2.13 | 10/1/2030 | ||||||||||||||||
10/2/2020 | 435,975 | — | 14.22 | 10/1/2030 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
3/31/2025(2) | 229,167 | 4,959,174 | |||||||||||||||||||
Mark Frichtl | 10/2/2020 | 316,434 | — | 2.13 | 10/1/2030 | ||||||||||||||||
10/2/2020 | 316,433 | — | 14.22 | 10/1/2030 | — | — | |||||||||||||||
4/01/2025(2) | 145,834 | 3,155,848 | |||||||||||||||||||
Kenneth P. Gianella | 5/19/2025(3) | 300,000 | 6,492,000 | ||||||||||||||||||
(1) | Amounts calculated based on the $21.64 closing trading price of our common stock as of December 31, 2025. |
(2) | Restricted stock units vests in six substantially equal instalments on each quarterly anniversary of September 11, 2025. |
(3) | Restricted stock units vest 1/3rd on June 11, 2026 and then in eight quarterly installments thereafter, subject to continued service to us through the applicable vesting dates. |
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Fiscal Year | Summary Compensation Table Total for PEO(1) ($) | Compensation Actually Paid to PEO(2) ($) | Average Summary Compensation Table Total for non-PEO NEOs(1) ($) | Average Compensation Actually Paid to non-PEO NEOs(2) ($) | Value of Initial Fixed $100 Investment Based On: Total Shareholder Return(3) ($) | Net Loss (in thousands)(4) ($) | ||||||||||||
(a) | (b) | (c) | (d) | (e) | (f) | (g) | ||||||||||||
2025 | ( | |||||||||||||||||
2024 | ( | |||||||||||||||||
2023 | ( | |||||||||||||||||
(1) |
(2) | The following amounts were deducted from / added to Summary Compensation Table (SCT) total compensation in accordance with the SEC-mandated adjustments to calculate Compensation Actually Paid (CAP) to our principal executive officer (PEO) and average CAP to our non-PEO named executive officers. The CAP calculation includes the end-of-year value of awards granted within the fiscal year, the change in fair value from prior year-end of vested awards and the change in the fair value of unvested awards granted in prior years, regardless of if, when, or at what intrinsic value they will actually vest. |
Fiscal Year | 2025 | ||
SCT Total | $ | ||
- Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $( | ||
± Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $ | ||
± Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | $ | ||
± Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
± Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
- Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
+ Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards in the Fiscal Year Prior to the Vesting Date that are not otherwise included in the Total Compensation for the Fiscal Year | $ | ||
Compensation Actually Paid | $ | ||
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Fiscal Year | 2025 | ||
Average SCT Total | $ | ||
- Grant Date Fair Value of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $( | ||
± Fair Value at Fiscal Year-End of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year | $ | ||
± Change in Fair Value of Outstanding Unvested Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years | $ | ||
± Fair Value at Vesting of Stock Awards Granted in Fiscal Year That Vested During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
± Change in Fair Value as of Vesting Date of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years For Which Applicable Vesting Conditions Were Satisfied During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
- Fair Value as of Prior Fiscal Year-End of Stock Awards Granted in Prior Fiscal Years That Failed to Meet Applicable Vesting Conditions During Fiscal Year | $ | ||
+ Dividends or Other Earnings Paid on Stock or Option Awards in the Fiscal Year Prior to the Vesting Date that are not otherwise included in the Total Compensation for the Fiscal Year | $ | ||
Average Compensation Actually Paid | $ | ||
(3) | Total Shareholder Return (TSR) represents the cumulative return on a fixed investment of $100 in the Company’s common stock, for the period beginning on the last trading day of fiscal year 2022 through the end of the applicable fiscal year. The Company has not paid a dividend during that time. |
(4) | The dollar amounts reported represent the net loss reflected in the Company’s audited financial statements for the applicable year. |

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• | Each non-employee director receives an annual cash retainer in the amount of $40,000 per year. |
• | Any chair of our Board receives an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $60,000 per year. |
• | Any Lead Director and, effective in 2024, any Vice Chair receives an additional annual cash retainer in the amount of $60,000 per year. |
• | The chair of the audit committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $20,000 per year for such chair’s service on the audit committee. Each non-chair member of the audit committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $10,000 per year for such member’s service on the audit committee. |
• | The chair of the compensation committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $15,000 per year for such chair’s service on the compensation committee. Each non-chair member of the compensation committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $6,000 per year for such member’s service on the compensation committee. |
• | The chair of the nominating and corporate governance committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $10,000 per year for such chair’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each non-chair member of the nominating and corporate governance committee receives additional annual cash compensation in the amount of $5,000 per year for such member’s service on the nominating and corporate governance committee. |
• | Each non-employee director may also elect to receive all or part of his or her annual cash retainer in the form of restricted stock units under our 2021 Incentive Award Plan or, effective in 2024 and to the extent permitted, the Velodyne Plan. Elections to convert all or a portion of the annual cash retainer into restricted stock units must generally be made on or prior to December 31 of the year prior to the year in which the annual cash retainer is scheduled to be paid, or such earlier deadline as established by our Board of Directors or compensation committee. Each individual who first becomes a non-employee director is permitted to elect to convert the annual cash retainer payments scheduled to be paid in the same calendar year into restricted stock units, provided that the election is made prior to the date the individual becomes a non-employee director. Restricted stock units granted in lieu of all or a portion of the annual cash retainer are fully vested on the date of grant, with the number of restricted stock units determined by dividing the amount of the applicable portion of the annual cash retainer by the average closing trading price of our common stock over the 30 days immediately preceding the date of grant. |
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Name | Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($)(1) | Stock Awards ($)(2) | Total ($) | ||||||
Virginia Boulet | 47,663 | 275,770 | 323,433 | ||||||
Susan Heystee | 121,156 | 297,766 | 418,922 | ||||||
Ernest Maddock | 66,000 | 275,770 | 341,770 | ||||||
Theodore L. Tewksbury, Ph.D. | 105,000 | 275,770 | 380,770 | ||||||
Phillip M. Eyler(3) | 3,000 | 399,436 | 402,436 | ||||||
Christina C. Correia | 50,000 | 275,770 | 325,770 | ||||||
Stephen A. Skaggs | 53,363 | 275,770 | 329,132 | ||||||
(1) | For 2025, Ms. Heystee elected to receive her annual retainer in fully-vested restricted stock units in lieu of cash. The amount reported reflects the cash fees that would have been paid had the director not been granted restricted stock units in lieu of an annual cash retainer. The grant date fair value of the restricted stock units that is in excess of the amount of cash fees foregone is reported in the Stock Awards column. Our non-employee directors were also able to defer delivery of the shares underlying vested restricted stock units. As of December 31, 2025, Dr. Tewksbury held 33,820 vested restricted stock units for which delivery of the underlying shares has been deferred. |
(2) | Amounts reflect the full grant-date fair value of stock awards granted during fiscal 2025 computed in accordance with ASC Topic 718, rather than the amounts paid to or realized by the named individual. We provide information regarding the assumptions used to calculate the grant date fair value of the restricted stock units granted to our non-employee directors in Note 11 of our financial statements included in our Form 10-K. |
Name | Restricted Stock Units Outstanding at Fiscal Year End | ||
Virginia Boulet | 6,779 | ||
Susan Heystee | 6,779 | ||
Ernest Maddock | 6,779 | ||
Theodore L. Tewksbury, Ph.D. | 6,779 | ||
Phillip M. Eyler | 15,658 | ||
Christina C. Correia. | 35,695 | ||
Stephen A. Skaggs | 35,695 | ||
(3) | Mr. Eyler commenced service on our Board effective December 8, 2025. |
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Plan category: | Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights | Weighted-Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants, and Rights | Number of Securities Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (excludes securities Reflected in first column) | ||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders(1) | 5,795,697(2) | 7.69(3) | 2,595,496(4) | ||||||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders | — | $— | — | ||||||
(1) | Consists of the Ouster, Inc. 2021 Incentive Award Plan (“2021 Plan”), Velodyne 2020 Equity Incentive plan (“Velodyne Plan”), Ouster, Inc. 2022 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“ESPP”), Ouster Inc. Amended and Restated 2015 Stock Plan (“2015 Plan”) and Sense Photonics, Inc. 2017 Equity Incentive Plan and (“Sense Plan”). |
(2) | Consists of 4,085,075 restricted stock units and options to purchase 1,710,622 shares of our common stock. Does not include shares of our common stock that could be issued in connection with the offer period under our ESPP that was ongoing as of December 31, 2025, pursuant to which the maximum number of shares that could be issued is 3,000. |
(3) | As of December 31, 2025, the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options under the 2015 Plan was $7.45 and the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options under the Sense Plan was $52.40. Outstanding restricted stock units subject to time-based vesting do not have an exercise price and therefore are not included in the calculation of the weighted-average exercise price. |
(4) | In addition to shares listed in the above table, the number of shares authorized under our 2021 Plan will increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2022 and ending on and including January 1, 2031, equal to the lesser of (A) 5% of the shares of common stock outstanding as of the last day of the immediately preceding fiscal year and (B) such lesser number of shares as determined by our board of directors. The number of shares authorized under our Velodyne 2020 Plan will increase on the first day of each calendar year beginning on January 1, 2021 and ending on (and including) January 1, 2030, equal to the lesser of (A) 820,400 shares of common stock and (B) such lesser number of shares as determined by our board of directors. |
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• | each person, or group of affiliated persons, known by us to beneficially own more than 5% of our common stock; |
• | each of our directors and director nominees; |
• | each of our named executive officers; and |
• | all of our executive officers and directors as a group. |
Name of Beneficial Owner | Number of Shares Beneficially Owned | Percentage of Shares Beneficially Owned | ||||
5% or Greater Stockholders | ||||||
BlackRock, Inc.(2) | 4,430,910 | 6.98% | ||||
Named Executive Officers and Directors | ||||||
Angus Pacala(2) | 1,649,277 | 2.56% | ||||
Mark Frichtl(3) | 1,113,082 | 1.74% | ||||
Kenneth P. Gianella | 0 | * | ||||
Virginia Boulet(4) | 224,953 | * | ||||
Christina C. Correia(5) | 46,613 | * | ||||
Phillip M. Eyler(6) | 1,966 | * | ||||
Susan Heystee(7) | 39,570 | * | ||||
Ernest Maddock(8) | 80,789 | * | ||||
Stephen A. Skaggs(9) | 46,613 | * | ||||
Theodore L. Tewksbury, Ph.D.(10) | 118,579 | * | ||||
All current executive officers and directors as a group (13 individuals)(11) | 3,714,689 | 5.72% | ||||
* | Less than one percent. |
1. | Based solely on a Schedule 13G/A filed by BlackRock, Inc. on January 21, 2026. BlackRock, Inc. reported sole voting power over 4,346,344 shares of common stock and sole dispositive power over 4,430,910 shares of common stock. The principal business office address for BlackRock, Inc. is 50 Hudson Yards, New York, NY 10001. |
2. | Consists of 777,326 shares of common stock and 871,951 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable as of or within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
3. | Consists of 520,215 shares of common stock and 592,867 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable as of or within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
4. | Consists of 224,953 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2026. |
5. | Consists of 42,999 shares of common stock and 3,614 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
6. | Consists of 1,966 shares of common stock for which settlement is deferred and may occur within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
7. | Consists of 39,569.50 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2026. |
8. | Consists of 80,789 shares of common stock as of March 31, 2026. |
9. | Consists of 42,999 shares of common stock and 3,614 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
10. | Consists of 84,759 shares of common stock and 33,820 shares of common stock for which settlement is deferred and may occur within 60 days of March 31, 2026. |
11. | Consists of 2,206,857 shares of common stock; 1,464,818 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of options exercisable as of or within 60 days of March 31, 2026, 7,228 shares of common stock issuable upon vesting of restricted stock units as of or within 60 days of March 31, 2026 and 35,786 shares of common stock for which settlement is deferred and may occur within 60 days of March 31, 2026. Includes beneficial ownership of Cyrille Jacquemet, who was appointed as an executive officer on April 12, 2026. |
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• | any person who is, or at any time during the applicable period was, one of our executive officers, directors or nominees to become a director; |
• | any person who is known to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class our voting stock; |
• | any immediate family member of any of the foregoing persons, which means any child, stepchild, parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer, nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting stock, and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer, nominee or beneficial owner of more than 5% of our voting stock; or |
• | any firm, corporation or other entity in which any of the foregoing persons is employed or is a general partner or principal or in a similar position or in which such person has a 5% or greater beneficial ownership interest in any class of our voting stock. |
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