8-K
false 0001768267 0001768267 2024-02-28 2024-02-28

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 28, 2024

 

 

CERENCE INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   001-39030   83-4177087

(State or Other Jurisdiction

of Incorporation)

 

(Commission

File Number)

 

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

25 Mall Road, Suite 416  
Burlington, Massachusetts   01803
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (857) 362-7300

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

 

Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

 

Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Trading

Symbol(s)

 

Name of each exchange

on which registered

Common stock, $0.01 par value   CRNC   The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 


Item 5.02

Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

Chief Financial Officer Transition

On February 28, 2024, the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Cerence Inc. (the “Company”) appointed Daniel Tempesta as Chief Financial Officer (and, in such capacity, the “principal financial officer” and “principal accounting officer” of the Company), effective March 18, 2024.

Mr. Tempesta, age 53, most recently served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer at Nuance Communications, Inc. (“Nuance”) from July 2015 until December 2023, and in this role, he oversaw all finance and accounting operations, as well as tax, treasury, investor relations, order management, and procurement. Prior to his appointment as Nuance’s Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Tempesta served as Nuance’s Chief Accounting Officer, Corporate Controller and Senior Vice President of Finance. Before joining Nuance, Mr. Tempesta held several positions at Teradyne, Inc. from February 2004 to February 2008, including Chief Accounting Officer and Corporate Controller. Prior to that, he was in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers L.L.P. He received an accounting degree from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Mr. Tempesta will receive an annual base salary of $500,000. In addition, Mr. Tempesta will be eligible to participate in the Company’s Short Term Incentive Plan with a target opportunity equal to 75% of his base salary. In connection with his appointment, Mr. Tempesta will receive an initial equity award with a target aggregate value of $3 million. Such award will consist of 50% time-based restricted stock units and 50% performance-based restricted stock units. The time-based restricted stock units will vest in three equal installments on each of October 1, 2024, October 1, 2025 and October 1, 2026, in each case subject to Mr. Tempesta’s continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. The performance-based restricted stock units will be earned based on the achievement of pre-determined Company performance metrics for each of fiscal years 2024, 2025 and 2026 with one-third of the total performance-based restricted stock units eligible to be earned for each fiscal year, subject to Mr. Tempesta’s continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. Mr. Tempesta will also receive a one-time sign-on time-based restricted stock unit award with a target value of $3 million (the “Sign-On RSU Award”). The Sign-On RSU Award will vest in three equal installments on each of December 15, 2024, December 15, 2025 and December 15, 2026, in each case subject to Mr. Tempesta’s continued service with the Company through the applicable vesting date. These equity awards will be subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the 2024 Inducement Plan (as defined below) and the applicable award agreement.

In connection with his appointment, Mr. Tempesta will enter into a change of control and severance agreement with the Company (the “Severance Agreement”) that will continue until terminated in accordance with its terms. The Severance Agreement provides that, in the event that Mr. Tempesta’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for “cause” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) and for a reason other than due to his death or “disability” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) outside of the one-year period following a change of control (as defined in the Severance Agreement), Mr. Tempesta will be eligible to receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his annual base salary then in effect; (ii) a lump sum payment equal to 100% of his target bonus and a pro-rated percentage of his target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs; (iii) vesting of the portion of his time-based equity awards that would have vested in the twelve months following the termination date; (iv) vesting of the earned portion of any performance-based equity awards for which the performance period is complete as of the termination date and the opportunity under certain circumstances to earn a pro-rata portion of any performance-based awards with a single three-year performance period for which the performance period is not complete as of the termination date based on actual performance at the end of the performance period; and (v) up to twelve months of monthly COBRA premiums (at the coverage levels in effect for active employees of the Company).

If Mr. Tempesta’s employment is terminated by the Company other than for cause and for a reason other than due to his death or disability or he resigns for “good reason” (as defined in the Severance Agreement) within one year following a change of control, he will instead be eligible to receive: (i) a lump sum payment equal to 150% of his annual base salary then in effect (or, if greater, as in effect immediately prior to the change of control); (ii) a lump


sum payment equal to 150% of his target bonus for the year in which the termination occurs (or, if greater, as in effect immediately prior to the change of control) and a pro-rated percentage of his target bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs (or, if greater, as in effect immediately prior to the change of control); (iii) accelerated vesting of 100% of his unvested time-based equity awards; (iv) accelerated vesting of any performance-based equity awards based on actual performance through the termination date, if measurable, and based upon target performance if performance is not measurable as of the termination date; and (v) up to 18 months of monthly COBRA premiums (at the coverage levels in effect for active employees of the Company).

Under the Severance Agreement, in the event that Mr. Tempesta’s employment is terminated due to death or disability, he will be eligible to receive accelerated vesting of 100% of his unvested time-based equity awards, 100% of the earned portion of any performance-based equity awards for which the performance period is complete, and the opportunity under certain circumstances to earn a pro-rata portion of any performance-based awards with a single three-year performance period for which the performance period is not complete as of the termination date based on actual performance at the end of the performance period, except that such acceleration terms upon death or disability shall not apply to the Sign-On RSU Award. With respect to the Sign-On RSU Award, in the event that Mr. Tempesta’s employment is terminated due to death or disability or he resigns for “good reason,” the portion of the Sign-On RSU Award that was scheduled to vest during the 12 months following the termination of his employment will become vested.

To receive the foregoing severance payments and benefits, except in the case of a termination due to death, Mr. Tempesta is required to enter into a separation and release agreement in favor of the Company.

There are no other arrangements or understandings between Mr. Tempesta and any other persons pursuant to which he was appointed as Chief Financial Officer of the Company, and Mr. Tempesta has no family relationships with any of the executive officers or directors of the Company. Additionally, Mr. Tempesta has no direct or indirect material interest in any transaction required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

Mr. Tempesta replaces Thomas Beaudoin, the current Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, who resigned from his position as an officer of the Company, but not from the Board, effective as of March 18, 2024. Mr. Beaudoin will remain an employee through April 30, 2024 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the new CFO. Mr. Beaudoin advised the Company that his decision to resign as an officer of the Company did not involve any disagreement with the Company on any matter relating to its accounting policies or internal controls.

2024 Inducement Plan

On February 28, 2024, the Board approved the Cerence Inc. 2024 Inducement Plan (the “2024 Inducement Plan”). The terms of the 2024 Inducement Plan are substantially similar to the terms of the Company’s 2019 Equity Incentive Plan with the exception that incentive stock options may not be issued under the 2024 Inducement Plan and awards under the 2024 Inducement Plan may only be issued to eligible recipients under the applicable Nasdaq Listing Rules. The 2024 Inducement Plan was adopted by the Board without stockholder approval pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules.

The Board has initially reserved 600,000 shares of the Company’s common stock for issuance pursuant to awards granted under the 2024 Inducement Plan. In accordance with Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Nasdaq Listing Rules, awards under the 2024 Inducement Plan may only be made to an employee who is commencing employment with the Company or any subsidiary or who is being rehired following a bona fide interruption of employment by the Company or any subsidiary, in either case if he or she is granted such award in connection with his or her commencement of employment with the Company or a subsidiary and such grant is an inducement material to his or her entering into employment with the Company or such subsidiary.

A complete copy of the 2024 Inducement Plan and the forms of award agreements to be used thereunder are filed herewith as Exhibit 10.1 and incorporated herein by reference. The above summary of the 2024 Inducement Plan does not purport to be complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.


Item 7.01

Regulation FD Disclosure.

A press release, dated March 4, 2024, announcing the appointment of Mr. Tempesta as Chief Financial Officer of the Company is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

 

Item 9.01

Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

10.1    2024 Inducement Plan and form of award agreements thereunder
99.1    Press Release issued by Cerence Inc. on March 4, 2024 (furnished herewith)
104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

    Cerence Inc.
Date: March 4, 2024     By:  

/s/ Stefan Ortmanns

    Name:   Stefan Ortmanns
    Title:   Chief Executive Officer
EX-10.1

Exhibit 10.1

CERENCE INC.

2024 INDUCEMENT PLAN

 

1.

DEFINED TERMS

Exhibit A, which is incorporated by reference, defines certain terms used in the Plan and includes certain operational rules related to those terms.

 

2.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the Plan is to enable the Company to grant equity awards to induce highly-qualified prospective officers and employees who are not currently employed by the Company and its subsidiaries to accept employment and provide them with a proprietary interest in the Company. The Company intends that the Plan be reserved for persons to whom the Company may issue securities without stockholder approval as an inducement pursuant to Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. (such persons, “Eligible Participants”).

 

3.

ADMINISTRATION

The Plan will be administered by the Administrator. The Administrator has discretionary authority, subject only to the express provisions of the Plan, to interpret the Plan; to determine eligibility for and grant Awards; to determine, modify, accelerate or waive the terms and conditions of any Award; to determine the form of settlement of Awards (whether in cash, shares of Stock, or other property); to prescribe forms, rules and procedures relating to the Plan and Awards; and to otherwise do all things necessary or desirable to carry out the purposes of the Plan or any Award. Determinations of the Administrator made with respect to the Plan or any Award are conclusive and bind all persons.

 

4.

LIMITS ON AWARDS UNDER THE PLAN

(a) Number of Shares. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 7(b), the number of shares of Stock that may be issued in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan is 600,000 shares (the “Share Pool”). For purposes of this Section 4(a), shares of Stock will not be treated as issued under the Plan, and will not reduce the Share Pool, unless and until, and to the extent, the shares are actually issued to a Participant. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, shares of Stock withheld by the Company in payment of the exercise price or purchase price of an Award or in satisfaction of tax withholding requirements with respect to an Award and shares of Stock underlying any portion of an Award that is settled in cash or that expires, becomes unexercisable, terminates or is forfeited to or repurchased by the Company, in each case, without the issuance (or retention (in the case of Restricted Stock or Unrestricted Stock)) of Stock, will not be treated as issued in satisfaction of Awards under the Plan and will not reduce the Share Pool.

(b) Type of Shares. Stock issued by the Company under the Plan may be authorized but unissued Stock or previously issued Stock acquired by the Company. No fractional shares of Stock will be issued under the Plan.

 

5.

ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION

The Administrator will select Participants from among Eligible Participants. Eligibility for Stock Options and SARs is limited to Eligible Participants who are providing direct services on the date of grant of the Award to the Company or to a subsidiary of the Company that would be described in the first sentence of Section 1.409A-1(b)(5)(iii)(E) of the Treasury Regulations.

 

6.

RULES APPLICABLE TO AWARDS

(a) All Awards.

(1) Award Provisions. The Administrator will determine the terms and conditions of all Awards, subject to the limitations provided herein. By accepting (or, under such rules as the Administrator may prescribe, being deemed to have accepted) an Award, the Participant will be deemed to have agreed to the terms and conditions of the Award and the Plan.


(2) Term of Plan. No Awards may be made after ten years from the Date of Adoption, but previously granted Awards may continue beyond that date in accordance with their terms.

(3) Transferability. Except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the third sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), no Awards may be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. During a Participant’s lifetime, except as the Administrator otherwise expressly provides in accordance with the third sentence of this Section 6(a)(3), SARs and Stock Options may be exercised only by the Participant. The Administrator may permit the gratuitous transfer (i.e., transfer not for value) of Awards, subject to applicable securities and other laws and such terms and conditions as the Administrator may determine.

(4) Vesting; Exercisability. The Administrator will determine the time or times at which an Award vests or becomes exercisable and the terms and conditions on which a Stock Option or SAR remains exercisable. Without limiting the foregoing, subject to the requirements of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., the Administrator may at any time accelerate the vesting and/or exercisability of an Award (or any portion thereof), regardless of any adverse or potentially adverse tax or other consequences resulting from such acceleration. Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, however, the following rules will apply if a Participant’s Employment ceases:

(A) Except as provided in (B) and (C) below, immediately upon the cessation of the Participant’s Employment each Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, will cease to be exercisable and will terminate, and each other Award that is then held by the Participant or by the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, to the extent not then vested, will be forfeited.

(B) Subject to (C) and (D) below, each vested and unexercised Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) held by the Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) a period of three months following such cessation of Employment or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.

(C) Subject to (D) below, each vested and unexercised Stock Option and SAR (or portion thereof) held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment due to his or her death or by the Company due to his or her Disability, to the extent then exercisable, will remain exercisable for the lesser of (i) the one-year period ending on the first anniversary of such cessation of employment or (ii) the period ending on the latest date on which such Stock Option or SAR could have been exercised without regard to this Section 6(a)(4), and will thereupon immediately terminate.

(D) All Awards (whether or not vested or exercisable) held by a Participant or the Participant’s permitted transferees, if any, immediately prior to the cessation of the Participant’s Employment will immediately terminate upon such cessation of Employment if the termination is for Cause or occurs in circumstances that in the determination of the Administrator would have constituted grounds for the Participant’s Employment to be terminated for Cause (in each case, without regard to the lapsing of any required notice or cure periods in connection therewith).

(5) Recovery of Compensation. The Administrator may provide in any case that any outstanding Award (whether or not vested or exercisable), the proceeds from the exercise or disposition of any Award or Stock acquired under any Award and any other amounts received in respect of any Award or Stock acquired under any Award will be subject to forfeiture and disgorgement to the Company, with interest and other related earnings, if the Participant to whom the Award was granted is not in compliance with any provision of the Plan or any applicable Award, any non-competition, non-solicitation, no-hire, non-disparagement, confidentiality, invention assignment, or other restrictive covenant by which he or she is bound. Each Award shall be subject to any policy of the Company or any of its subsidiaries that provides for forfeiture, disgorgement or clawback with respect to incentive compensation that includes Awards under the Plan and shall be further subject to forfeiture and disgorgement to the extent required by law or applicable stock exchange listing standards, including, without limitation, Section 10D of the Exchange Act. Each Participant, by accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) to the terms of this Section 6(a)(5) and to cooperate fully with the Administrator, and to cause any and all permitted transferees of the Participant to cooperate fully with the Administrator, to effectuate any


forfeiture or disgorgement described in this Section 6(a)(5). Neither the Administrator nor the Company nor any other person, other than the Participant and his or her permitted transferees, if any, will be responsible for any adverse tax or other consequences to a Participant or his or her permitted transferees, if any, that may arise in connection with this Section 6(a)(5).

(6) Taxes. The grant of an Award and the issuance, delivery, vesting and retention of Stock, cash or other property under an Award are conditioned upon the full satisfaction by the Participant of all tax and other withholding requirements with respect to the Award. The Administrator will prescribe such rules for the withholding of taxes and other amounts with respect to any Award as it deems necessary. Without limitation to the foregoing, the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company shall have the authority and the right to deduct or withhold (by any means set forth herein or in an Award agreement), or require a Participant to remit to the Company or a parent or subsidiary of the Company, an amount sufficient to satisfy all U.S. and non-U.S. federal, state and local income tax, social insurance, payroll tax, fringe benefits tax, payment on account or other tax-related items related to participation in the Plan and legally applicable to the Participant and required by law to be withheld (including any amount deemed by the Company, in its discretion, to be an appropriate charge to the Participant even if legally applicable to the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company). The Administrator, in its sole discretion, may hold back shares of Stock from an Award or permit a Participant to tender previously owned shares of Stock in satisfaction of tax or other withholding requirements (but not in excess of the maximum withholding amount consistent with the Award being subject to equity accounting treatment under the Accounting Rules). Any amounts withheld pursuant to this Section 6(a)(6) will be treated as though such amounts had been made directly to the Participant. The Administrator may also require the Company’s tax withholding obligation to be satisfied, in whole or in part, by an arrangement whereby a certain number of shares of Stock issued pursuant to any Award are immediately sold and proceeds from such sale are remitted to the Company in an amount that would satisfy the withholding amount due. In addition, the Company may, to the extent permitted by law, deduct any such tax and other withholding amounts from any payment of any kind otherwise due to a Participant from the Company or any parent or subsidiary of the Company

(7) Dividend Equivalents. The Administrator may provide for the payment of amounts (on terms and subject to conditions established by the Administrator) in lieu of cash dividends or other cash distributions with respect to Stock subject to an Award whether or not the holder of such Award is otherwise entitled to share in the actual dividend or distribution in respect of such Award; provided, however, that (a) dividends or dividend equivalents relating to an Award that, at the dividend payment date, remain subject to a risk of forfeiture (whether service-based or performance-based) shall be subject to the same risk of forfeiture as applies to the underlying Award and (b) no dividends or dividend equivalents shall be payable with respect to Options or SARs. Any entitlement to dividend equivalents or similar entitlements will be established and administered either consistent with an exemption from, or in compliance with, the applicable requirements of Section 409A. Dividends or dividend equivalent amounts payable in respect of Awards that are subject to restrictions may be subject to such additional limitations or restrictions as the Administrator may impose.

(8) Rights Limited. Nothing in the Plan or any Award will be construed as giving any person the right to be granted an Award or to continued employment or service with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or any rights as a stockholder except as to shares of Stock actually issued under the Plan. The loss of existing or potential profit in any Award will not constitute an element of damages in the event of termination of a Participant’s Employment for any reason, even if the termination is in violation of an obligation of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to the Participant.

(9) Coordination with Other Plans. Shares of Stock and/or Awards under the Plan may be issued or granted in tandem with, or in satisfaction of or substitution for, other Awards under the Plan or awards made under other compensatory plans or programs of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

(10) Section 409A.

(A) Without limiting the generality of Section 11(b), each Award will contain such terms as the Administrator determines and will be construed and administered, such that the Award either qualifies for an exemption from the requirements of Section 409A or satisfies such requirements.


(B) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award agreement but subject to the requirements of Rule 5635(c)(4) of the Marketplace Rules of the NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc., the Administrator may unilaterally amend, modify or terminate the Plan or any outstanding Award, including, but not limited to, changing the form of the Award, if the Administrator determines that such amendment, modification or termination is necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of an additional tax, interest or penalty under Section 409A.

(C) If a Participant is determined on the date of the Participant’s termination of Employment to be a “specified employee” within the meaning of that term under Section 409A(a)(2)(B) of the Code, then, with regard to any payment that is considered nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, to the extent applicable, payable on account of a “separation from service”, such payment will be made or provided on the date that is the earlier of (i) the first business day following the expiration of the six-month period measured from the date of such “separation from service” and (ii) the date of the Participant’s death (the “Delay Period”). Upon the expiration of the Delay Period, all payments delayed pursuant to this Section 6(a)(10)(C) (whether they would have otherwise been payable in a single lump sum or in installments in the absence of such delay) will be paid, without interest, on the first business day following the expiration of the Delay Period in a lump sum and any remaining payments due under the Award will be paid in accordance with the normal payment dates specified for them in the applicable Award agreement.

(D) For purposes of Section 409A, each payment made under the Plan or any Award will be treated as a separate payment.

(E) With regard to any payment considered to be nonqualified deferred compensation under Section 409A, to the extent applicable, that is payable upon a change in control of the Company or other similar event, to the extent required to avoid the imposition of any additional tax, interest or penalty under Section 409A, no amount will be payable unless such change in control constitutes a “change in control event” within the meaning of Section 1.409A-3(i)(5) of the Treasury Regulations.

(b) Stock Options and SARs.

(1) Time and Manner of Exercise. Unless the Administrator expressly provides otherwise, no Stock Option or SAR will be considered to have been exercised until the Administrator receives a notice of exercise in a form acceptable to the Administrator that is signed by the appropriate person and accompanied by any payment required under the Award. The Administrator may limit or restrict the exercisability of any Stock Option or SAR in its discretion, including in connection with any Covered Transaction. Any attempt to exercise a Stock Option or SAR by any person other than the Participant will not be given effect unless the Administrator has received such evidence as it may require that the person exercising the Award has the right to do so.

(2) Exercise Price. The exercise price (or the base value from which appreciation is to be measured) per share of each Award requiring exercise must be no less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock, determined as of the date of grant, or such higher amount as the Administrator may determine in connection with the grant.

(3) Payment of Exercise Price. Where the exercise of an Award (or portion thereof) is to be accompanied by a payment, payment of the exercise price must be made by cash or check acceptable to the Administrator or, if so permitted by the Administrator and if legally permissible, (i) through the delivery of previously acquired unrestricted shares of Stock, or the withholding of unrestricted shares of Stock otherwise issuable upon exercise, in either case, that have a Fair Market Value equal to the exercise price; (ii) through a broker-assisted cashless exercise program acceptable to the Administrator; (iii) by other means acceptable to the Administrator; or (iv) by any combination of the foregoing permissible forms of payment. The delivery of previously acquired shares in payment of the exercise price under clause (i) above may be accomplished either by actual delivery or by constructive delivery through attestation of ownership, subject to such rules as the Administrator may prescribe.

(4) Maximum Term. The maximum term of Stock Options and SARs must not exceed 10 years from the date of grant.

(5) No Repricing. Except in connection with a corporate transaction involving the Company (which term includes, without limitation, any stock dividend, stock split, extraordinary cash dividend, recapitalization, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination or exchange of shares) or as otherwise contemplated by


Section 7, the Company may not, without obtaining stockholder approval, (i) amend the terms of outstanding Stock Options or SARs to reduce the exercise price or base value of such Stock Options or SARs; (ii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs in exchange for Stock Options or SARs with an exercise price or base value that is less than the exercise price or base value of the original Stock Options or SARs; or (iii) cancel outstanding Stock Options or SARs that have an exercise price or base value greater than the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date of such cancellation in exchange for cash or other consideration.

 

7.

EFFECT OF CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS

(a) Mergers, etc. Except as otherwise expressly provided in an Award agreement or by the Administrator, the following provisions will apply in the event of a Covered Transaction:

(1) Assumption or Substitution. If the Covered Transaction is one in which there is an acquiring or surviving entity, the Administrator may provide for (i) the assumption or continuation of some or all outstanding Awards or any portion thereof or (ii) the grant of new awards in substitution therefor by the acquiror or survivor or an affiliate of the acquiror or survivor.

(2) Cash-Out of Awards. Subject to Section 7(a)(5), the Administrator may provide for payment (a “cash-out”), with respect to some or all Awards or any portion thereof (including only the vested portion thereof), equal in the case of each applicable Award or portion thereof to the excess, if any, of (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock multiplied by the number of shares of Stock subject to the Award or such portion, minus (ii) the aggregate exercise or purchase price, if any, of such Award or portion thereof (or, in the case of a SAR, the aggregate base value above which appreciation is measured), in each case, on such payment and other terms and subject to such conditions (which need not be the same as the terms and conditions applicable to holders of Stock generally ) as the Administrator determines, including that any amounts paid in respect of such Award in connection with the Covered Transaction be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate. For the avoidance of doubt, if the per share exercise or purchase price (or base value) of an Award or portion thereof is equal to or greater than the Fair Market Value of one share of Stock, such Award or portion may be cancelled with no payment due hereunder or otherwise in respect thereof.

(3) Acceleration of Certain Awards. Subject to Section 7(a)(5), the Administrator may provide that any Award requiring exercise will become exercisable, in full or in part, and/or that the issuance of any shares of Stock remaining issuable under any outstanding Award of Stock Units (including Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards to the extent consisting of Stock Units) will be accelerated, in full or in part, in each case, on a basis that gives the holder of the Award a reasonable opportunity, as determined by the Administrator, following the exercise of the Award or the issuance of the shares, as the case may be, to participate as a stockholder in the Covered Transaction.

(4) Termination of Awards upon Consummation of Covered Transaction. Except as the Administrator may otherwise determine, each Award will automatically terminate (and in the case of outstanding shares of Restricted Stock, will automatically be forfeited) immediately upon the consummation of the Covered Transaction, other than (i) any Award that is assumed, continued or substituted for pursuant to Section 7(a)(1) and (ii) any Award that by its terms, or as a result of action taken by the Administrator, continues following the Covered Transaction.

(5) Additional Limitations. Any share of Stock and any cash or other property delivered pursuant to Section 7(a)(2) or Section 7(a)(3) with respect to an Award may, in the discretion of the Administrator, contain such limitations or restrictions, if any, as the Administrator deems appropriate, including to reflect any performance or other vesting conditions to which the Award was subject and that did not lapse (and were not satisfied) in connection with the Covered Transaction. For purposes of the immediately preceding sentence, a cash-out under Section 7(a)(2) or an acceleration under Section 7(a)(3) will not, in and of itself, be treated as the lapsing (or satisfaction) of a performance or other vesting condition. In the case of Restricted Stock that does not vest and is not forfeited in connection with the Covered Transaction, the Administrator may require that any amounts delivered, exchanged or otherwise paid in respect of such Stock in connection with the Covered Transaction be placed in escrow or otherwise made subject to such restrictions as the Administrator deems appropriate to carry out the intent of the Plan.


(b) Changes in and Distributions with Respect to Stock.

(1) Basic Adjustment Provisions. In the event of a stock dividend, stock split or combination of shares (including a reverse stock split), recapitalization or other change in the Company’s capital structure that constitutes an equity restructuring within the meaning of the Accounting Rules, the Administrator will make appropriate adjustments to the Share Pool, the number and kind of shares of stock or securities underlying Awards then outstanding or subsequently granted, any exercise or purchase prices (or base values) relating to Awards and any other provision of Awards affected by such change.

(2) Certain Other Adjustments. The Administrator may also make adjustments of the type described in Section 7(b)(1) to take into account distributions to stockholders other than those provided for in Section 7(a) and 7(b)(1), or any other event, if the Administrator determines that adjustments are appropriate to avoid distortion in the operation of the Plan or any Award.

(3) Continuing Application of Plan Terms. References in the Plan to shares of Stock will be construed to include any stock or securities resulting from an adjustment pursuant to this Section 7.

 

8.

LEGAL CONDITIONS ON DELIVERY OF STOCK

The Company will not be obligated to issue any shares of Stock pursuant to the Plan or to remove any restriction from shares of Stock previously issued under the Plan until: (i) the Company is satisfied that all legal matters in connection with the issuance of such shares have been addressed and resolved; (ii) if the outstanding Stock is at the time of issuance listed on any stock exchange or national market system, the shares to be issued have been listed or authorized to be listed on such exchange or system upon official notice of issuance; and (iii) all conditions of the Award have been satisfied or waived. The Company may require, as a condition to the exercise of an Award or the issuance of shares of Stock under an Award, such representations or agreements as counsel for the Company may consider appropriate to avoid violation of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any applicable state or non-U.S. securities law. Any Stock issued under the Plan will be evidenced in such manner as the Administrator determines appropriate, including book-entry registration or delivery of stock certificates. In the event that the Administrator determines that stock certificates will be issued in connection with Stock issued under the Plan, the Administrator may require that such certificates bear an appropriate legend reflecting any restriction on transfer applicable to such Stock, and the Company may hold the certificates pending the lapse of the applicable restrictions.

 

9.

AMENDMENT AND TERMINATION

The Administrator may at any time or times amend the Plan or any outstanding Award for any purpose which may at the time be permitted by applicable law, and may at any time terminate the Plan as to any future grants of Awards; provided that, except as otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or the applicable Award, the Administrator may not, without the Participant’s consent, alter the terms of an Award so as to materially and adversely affect the Participant’s rights under the Award, unless the Administrator expressly reserved the right to do in the Plan or at the time the applicable Award was granted. Subject to Section 6(b)(5), any amendments to the Plan or any Award will be conditioned upon stockholder approval only to the extent, if any, such approval is required by applicable law (including the Code) or stock exchange requirements, as determined by the Administrator. For the avoidance of doubt, without prejudice to the Administrator’s rights hereunder, no adjustment to any Award pursuant to the terms of Section 7 or Section 12 will be treated as an amendment to such Award requiring a Participant’s consent.

 

10.

OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS

The existence of the Plan or the grant of any Award will not affect the right of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to grant any person bonuses or other compensation in addition to Awards under the Plan.

 

11.

MISCELLANEOUS

(a) Waiver of Jury Trial. By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, each Participant waives (or will be deemed to have waived), to the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, any right to a trial by jury in any action, proceeding or counterclaim concerning any rights under the Plan or any Award, or under any amendment, waiver, consent, instrument, document or other agreement delivered or which in the future may be delivered in connection therewith, and agrees (or will be deemed to have agreed) that any such action, proceedings or counterclaim will be tried before a court and not before a jury. By accepting or being deemed to have accepted an Award under the Plan, each Participant certifies that no officer, representative, or attorney of the


Company has represented, expressly or otherwise, that the Company would not, in the event of any action, proceeding, or counterclaim, seek to enforce the foregoing waivers. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan, nothing herein is to be construed as limiting the ability of the Company and a Participant to agree to submit any dispute arising under the terms of the Plan or any Award to binding arbitration or as limiting the ability of the Company to require any individual to agree to submit such disputes to binding arbitration as a condition of receiving an Award hereunder.

(b) Limitation of Liability. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Plan or any Award, neither the Company, nor any of its subsidiaries, nor the Administrator, nor any person acting on behalf of the Company, any of its subsidiaries, or the Administrator, will be liable to any Participant, to any permitted transferee, to the estate or beneficiary of any Participant or any permitted transferee, or to any other person by reason of any acceleration of income, any additional tax, or any penalty, interest or other liability asserted by reason of the failure of an Award to satisfy the requirements of Section 409A or by reason of Section 4999 of the Code, or otherwise asserted with respect to any Award.

 

12.

RULES FOR PARTICIPANTS SUBJECT TO NON-U.S. LAWS

The Administrator may at any time and from time to time (including before or after an Award is granted) establish, adopt, or revise any rules and regulations as it may deem necessary or advisable to administer the Plan for Participants based outside of the U.S. and/or subject to the laws of countries other than the U.S., including by establishing one or more sub-plans, supplements or appendices under the Plan or any Award agreement for the purpose of complying or facilitating compliance with non-U.S. laws or taking advantage of tax favorable treatment or for any other legal or administrative reason determined by the Administrator. Any such sub-plan, supplement or appendix may contain, in each case, (i) such limitations on the Administrator’s discretion under the Plan and (ii) such additional or different terms and conditions, as the Administrator deems necessary or desirable and will be deemed to be part of the Plan but will apply only to Participants within the group to which the sub-plan, supplement or appendix applies (as determined by the Administrator); provided, however, that no sub-plan, supplement or appendix, rule or regulation established pursuant to this provision shall cause a violation of any U.S. law.

 

13.

GOVERNING LAW

(a) Certain Requirements of Corporate Law. Awards and shares of Stock will be granted, issued and administered consistent with the requirements of applicable Delaware law relating to the issuance of stock and the consideration to be received therefor, and with the applicable requirements of the stock exchanges or other trading systems on which the Stock is listed or entered for trading, in each case, as determined by the Administrator.

(b) Other Matters. Except as otherwise provided by the express terms of an Award agreement or under a sub-plan described in Section 12, the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware govern the provisions of the Plan and of Awards under the Plan and all claims or disputes arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award under the Plan or relating to the subject matter hereof or thereof, without giving effect to any choice or conflict of laws provision or rule that would cause the application of the domestic substantive laws of any other jurisdiction.

(c) Jurisdiction. Subject to Section 11(a) and except as may be expressly set forth in an Award agreement, by accepting (or being deemed to have accepted) an Award, each Participant agrees or will be deemed to have agreed to (i) submit irrevocably and unconditionally to the jurisdiction of the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware for the purpose of any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award; (ii) not commence any suit, action or other proceeding arising out of or based upon the Plan or any Award, except in the federal and state courts located within the geographic boundaries of the United States District Court for the District of Delaware; and (iii) waive, and not assert, by way of motion as a defense or otherwise, in any such suit, action or proceeding, any claim that he or she is not subject personally to the jurisdiction of the above-named courts that his or her property is exempt or immune from attachment or execution, that the suit, action or proceeding is brought in an inconvenient forum, that the venue of the suit, action or proceeding is improper or that the Plan or any Award or the subject matter thereof may not be enforced in or by such court.


EXHIBIT A

Definition of Terms

The following terms, when used in the Plan, have the meanings and are subject to the provisions set forth below:

“Accounting Rules”: Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, or any successor provision.

“Administrator”: The Compensation Committee, except that the Compensation Committee may delegate to the independent members of the Board such of its duties, powers and responsibilities as it may determine. For purposes of the Plan, the term “Administrator” will include the Board, the Compensation Committee, and the person or persons delegated authority under the Plan to the extent of such delegation, as applicable.

“Award”: Any or a combination of the following:

(i) Stock Options.

(ii) SARs.

(iii) Restricted Stock.

(iv) Unrestricted Stock.

(v) Stock Units, including Restricted Stock Units.

(vi) Performance Awards.

(vii) Awards (other than Awards described in (i) through (vi) above) that are convertible into or otherwise based on Stock.

“Board”: The Board of Directors of the Company.

“Cause”: In the case of any Participant who is party to an employment, change of control or severance-benefit agreement that contains a definition of “Cause,” the definition set forth in such agreement applies with respect to such Participant for purposes of the Plan for so long as such agreement is in effect. In every other case, “Cause” means, as determined by the Administrator, (i) any act of dishonesty or fraud taken by the Participant in connection with his or her responsibilities as an employee or other service provider; (ii) the Participant’s breach of the fiduciary duty or duty of loyalty owed to the Company, or material breach of the duty to protect the Company’s confidential and proprietary information; (iii) the Participant’s commission of a felony or to a crime involving fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds or any other act of moral turpitude; (iv) the Participant’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the performance of his or her duties; (v) the Participant’s material breach of, or failure to comply with, the Plan, any Award agreement or any other agreement with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any written policy of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (vi) the Participant’s engagement in any conduct or activity that results, or may result, in negative publicity or public disrespect, contempt or ridicule of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; (vii) the Participant’s failure to abide by the lawful and reasonable directives of the Company; or (viii) the Participant’s repeated failure to perform the material duties of the Participant’s position.

“Change of Control”: the occurrence of any of the following events:

(i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) becomes the “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing more than 50% of the total voting power represented by the Company’s then outstanding voting securities;

(ii) the consummation by the Company of a merger or consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than a merger or consolidation which would result in the voting securities of the Company outstanding immediately prior thereto continuing to represent (either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of the surviving entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the total voting power represented by the voting securities of the Company or such surviving entity outstanding immediately after such merger or consolidation (in substantially the same proportions relative to each other as immediately prior to the transaction); or


(iii) the consummation of the sale or disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets (it being understood that the sale or spinoff of one or more (but not all material) divisions of the Company shall not constitute the sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the Company’s assets).

Further and for the avoidance of doubt, a transaction will not constitute a Change of Control if its sole purpose is to: (i) change the state of the Company’s incorporation, or (ii) create a holding company that will be owned in substantially the same proportions by the persons who held the Company’s securities immediately before such transaction.

“Code”: The U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as from time to time amended and in effect, or any successor statute as from time to time in effect.

“Company”: Cerence Inc., a Delaware corporation.

“Compensation Committee”: The Compensation Committee of the Board.

“Covered Transaction”: Any of (i) a consolidation, merger or similar transaction or series of related transactions, including a sale or other disposition of stock, in which the Company is not the surviving corporation or which results in the acquisition of all or substantially all of the Company’s then outstanding common stock by a single person or entity or by a group of persons and/or entities acting in concert, (ii) a sale or transfer of all or substantially all the Company’s assets, (iii) a Change of Control or (iv) a dissolution or liquidation of the Company. Where a Covered Transaction involves a tender offer that is reasonably expected to be followed by a merger described in clause (i) (as determined by the Administrator), the Covered Transaction will be deemed to have occurred upon consummation of the tender offer.

“Date of Adoption”: The date the Plan was adopted by the Board, as determined by the Committee.

“Disability”: In the case of any Participant who is party to an employment, change of control or severance-benefit agreement that contains a definition of “Disability” (or a corollary term), the definition set forth in such agreement applies with respect to such Participant for purposes of the Plan for so long as such agreement is in effect. In every other case, “Disability” means, as determined by the Administrator, absence from work due to a disability for a period in excess of ninety (90) days in any twelve (12)-month period that would entitle the Participant to receive benefits under the Company’s long-term disability program as in effect from time to time (if the Participant were a participant in such program).

“Employment”: A Participant’s employment or other service relationship with the Company or any of its subsidiaries. Employment will be deemed to continue, unless the Administrator otherwise determines, so long as the Participant is employed by, or otherwise is providing services in a capacity described in Section 5 to, the Company or any of its subsidiaries. If a Participant’s employment or other service relationship is with any subsidiary of the Company and that entity ceases to be a subsidiary of the Company, the Participant’s Employment will be deemed to have terminated when the entity ceases to be a subsidiary of the Company unless the Participant transfers Employment to the Company or one of its remaining subsidiaries. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in construing the provisions of any Award relating to the payment of “nonqualified deferred compensation” (subject to Section 409A) upon a termination or cessation of Employment, references to termination or cessation of employment, separation from service, retirement or similar or correlative terms will be construed to require a “separation from service” (as that term is defined in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations, after giving effect to the presumptions contained therein) from the Company and from all other corporations and trades or businesses, if any, that would be treated as a single “service recipient” with the Company under Section 1.409A-1(h)(3) of the Treasury Regulations. The Company may, but need not, elect in writing, subject to the applicable limitations under Section 409A, any of the special elective rules prescribed in Section 1.409A-1(h) of the Treasury Regulations for purposes of determining whether a “separation from service” has occurred. Any such written election will be deemed a part of the Plan.

“Exchange Act”: The Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


“Fair Market Value”: As of a particular date, (i) the closing price for a share of Stock reported on the Nasdaq Global Select Market (or any other national securities exchange on which the Stock is then listed) for that date or, if no closing price is reported for that date, the closing price on the immediately preceding date on which a closing price was reported or (ii) in the event that the Stock is not traded on a national securities exchange, the fair market value of a share of Stock determined by the Administrator consistent with the rules of Section 409A to the extent applicable.

“Participant”: A person who is granted an Award under the Plan.

“Performance Award”: An Award subject to performance vesting conditions, which may include Performance Criteria.

Performance Criteria: Specified criteria, other than the mere continuation of Employment or the mere passage of time, the satisfaction of which is a condition for the grant, exercisability, vesting or full enjoyment of an Award. A Performance Criterion and any targets with respect thereto need not be based upon an increase, a positive or improved result or avoidance of loss.

“Plan”: The Cerence Inc. 2024 Inducement Plan, as from time to time amended and in effect.

“Restricted Stock”: Stock subject to restrictions requiring that it be forfeited, redelivered or offered for sale to the Company if specified performance or other vesting conditions are not satisfied.

“Restricted Stock Unit”: A Stock Unit that is, or as to which the issuance of Stock or delivery of cash in lieu of Stock is, subject to the satisfaction of specified performance or other vesting conditions.

“SAR”: A right entitling the holder upon exercise to receive an amount (payable in cash or in shares of Stock of equivalent value) equal to the excess of the Fair Market Value of the shares of Stock subject to the right over the base value from which appreciation under the SAR is to be measured.

“Section 409A”: Section 409A of the Code and the regulations thereunder.

“Stock”: Common stock of the Company, par value $0.01 per share.

“Stock Option”: An option entitling the holder to acquire shares of Stock upon payment of the exercise price. Stock Options granted under the Plan are not intended to be an “incentive stock options” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

“Stock Unit”: An unfunded and unsecured promise, denominated in shares of Stock, to issue Stock or deliver cash measured by the value of Stock in the future.

“Unrestricted Stock”: Stock not subject to any restrictions under the terms of the Award.

EX-99.1

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

Cerence Names Daniel Tempesta as Chief Financial Officer

Tempesta joins Cerence following 15-year tenure at Nuance Communications; current CFO Tom Beaudoin will retain seat on Cerence’s Board of Directors

BURLINGTON, Mass., March 4, 2024Cerence Inc. (NASDAQ: CRNC), AI for a world in motion, today announced that it has appointed Daniel Tempesta as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), effective March 18, 2024. Mr. Tempesta brings more than 30 years of financial and operational excellence, as well as extensive knowledge of Cerence from his previous role as CFO of Nuance Communications Inc. (“Nuance”). As Cerence’s CFO, Mr. Tempesta will be focused on accelerating growth, improving operating results, and driving sustainable, long-term value.

Mr. Tempesta joins Cerence after more than 15 years at Nuance, where he most recently served as EVP & CFO from July 2015 until December 2023, including through the acquisition of Nuance by Microsoft. In this role, Mr. Tempesta oversaw all finance and accounting operations, as well as tax, treasury, investor relations, order management, and procurement. During his tenure at Nuance, Mr. Tempesta held numerous senior finance roles, including chief accounting officer and senior vice president of finance. Prior to Nuance, he was the corporate controller and chief accounting officer at Teradyne, and previously held a number of roles at PwC. Mr. Tempesta holds a business administration and accounting degree from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

“Dan is an accomplished finance executive who brings extensive technology expertise and deep understanding of Cerence and our business to his new role,” said Stefan Ortmanns, CEO, Cerence. “With his proven track record of strong leadership and his experience in the space, I and the Cerence leadership team look forward to Dan’s partnership and contributions at this important moment in Cerence’s growth.”

“I am honored to join Cerence at this exciting time, as the company embarks upon the next phase of its journey to revolutionize the user experience in the car and across transportation,” said Daniel Tempesta. “Having spent the last 15 years deeply entrenched in voice and AI technologies, I am excited about the path that lies ahead for Cerence, and I look forward to leveraging my knowledge of the industry and Cerence’s business to help drive excellence in our operations and execution.”

Mr. Tempesta replaces Tom Beaudoin, who has served on Cerence’s Board of Directors since October 2019 and as Cerence’s CFO since May 2022. Mr. Beaudoin will remain an employee through April 30, 2024 to ensure a smooth transition of responsibilities to the new CFO. Mr. Beaudoin will retain his seat on Cerence’s Board of Directors.

To learn more about Cerence, visit www.cerence.com, and follow the company on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this press release regarding: Cerence’s future performance, results and financial condition; expected growth; strategy; opportunities; business, industry and market trends; and management’s future expectations, estimates, assumptions, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words “believes,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends” or “estimates” or similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. Although we believe forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, such statements involve known and unknown risk, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results

 

 

Contact Information

Investors: Rich Yerganian | Tel: 617-987-4799 | Email: richard.yerganian@cerence.com

Media: Kate Hickman | Tel: 339-215-4583 | Email: kate.hickman@cerence.com


LOGO

 

or performance of the company to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements including but not limited to: the highly competitive and rapidly changing market in which we operate; adverse conditions in the automotive industry, the related supply chain and semiconductor shortage, or the global economy more generally; the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on our and our customers’ businesses; the impact of the war in Ukraine, conflict between Israel and Hamas and attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea by the Houthi groups on our and our customers’ businesses; our ability to control and successfully manage our expenses and cash position; escalating pricing pressures from our customers; the impact on our business of the transition to a lower level of fixed contracts, including the failure to achieve such a transition; our failure to win, renew or implement service contracts; the cancellation or postponement of existing contracts; the loss of business from any of our largest customers; effects of customer defaults; our inability to successfully introduce new products, applications and services; our strategies to increase cloud offerings and deploy generative AI and large language models (LLMs), the inability to recruit and retain qualified personnel; disruptions arising from transitions in management personnel; cybersecurity and data privacy incidents; fluctuating currency rates and interest rates; inflation; and the other factors discussed in our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, Annual Report on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this document.

About Cerence Inc.

Cerence (NASDAQ: CRNC) is the global industry leader in creating unique, moving experiences for the mobility world. As an innovation partner to the world’s leading automakers and mobility OEMs, it is helping advance the future of connected mobility through intuitive, AI-powered interaction between humans and their vehicles, connecting consumers’ digital lives to their daily journeys no matter where they are. Cerence’s track record is built on more than 20 years of knowledge and 475 million cars shipped with Cerence technology. Whether it’s connected cars, autonomous driving, e-vehicles, or two-wheelers, Cerence is mapping the road ahead. For more information, visit www.cerence.com.

 

 

Contact Information

Investors: Rich Yerganian | Tel: 617-987-4799 | Email: richard.yerganian@cerence.com

Media: Kate Hickman | Tel: 339-215-4583 | Email: kate.hickman@cerence.com